POR or CBR for 2 adults

[Cdlam]

My dh and I are planning a trip for late August and need some help deciding between POR or CBR for our split stay. We are planning 2 nights at WL but unfortunately, it isn't in the budget for the whole trip so we are deciding on a mod for the rest of our stay. We stayed at CSR last year (after construction) and loved it but are wanting to try something new this year. This will be a very "unscheduled" trip- just planning a few specific park activities otherwise we will pretty much do whatever we feel like at the moment. We will spend the bulk of our park time in World Showcase. We are leaning toward POR because of the boat access to Disney Springs (which we love) but I have heard that the boat may be an issue late summer due to weather and am wondering if maybe CBR might be a better choice because of the Skyliner access to Epcot? Although I think the grounds of CBR look beautiful, I don't love the look of the rooms (only seen video) so have been back and forth on this one. Knowing that we are pretty much going on the fly for this trip, would the access to the Skyliner make it worth it? Essentially, our priorities are nice grounds with some relaxing (read- quieter) areas available with a good pool bar. We don't mind the buses but having other modes of transportation available would be a definite bonus.

 

[5kidsmommy]

We have stayed at CBR several times. Last year we stayed at CBR in a king room for our anniversary. I love the rooms because especially with a king bed they are spacious. We are staying at POR this year because it's getting more difficult to get rooms at CBR thanks to the skyliner. I'm not looking forward to the curtains instead of door separating the bathroom area. I know that seems petty but I like the barn doors. If you can get a room at CBR I would choose that, mostly because the skyliner access to Epcot and HS seems ideal.

 

[nkereina]

If the majority of your time will be spent at Epcot, my vote is for CBR. No contest. DH and I utilized the Skyliner from AoA back in October and it was awesome. Took maybe 10-15 minutes from the time we boarded until the time we were walking into Epcot.

As far as the resorts themselves, we've stayed at both and they are very similar save for the theme of each, which is just personal preference. They are both large resorts, with CBR being larger. Both of the main pools are mediocre IMO. Both have great food courts. In addition to the Skyliner, you can also walk over to Riviera while at CBR which does give some additional dining options. CBR also has a nice outdoor bar space near the pool, which I think may be slightly larger than the pool bar at POR.

 

[Babsy]

I personally prefer POR as a resort over CBR, but by a narrow margin. However, With the new Riviera next door and the Skyliner that may change in the future. We haven't stayed at CBR since these two additions. We need two real beds so the renovations may mean that most mods as well as DVC (except two bedrooms) are off our list going forward. We tried the DVC studios and they are not for us. A one bedroom with 2 queen beds would be perfect, but such a beast does not exist in WDW it seems. But I digress.

OP in your situation it depends upon what is most important to you: Skyliner access to Epcot and DHS (CBR) or beautiful grounds and a boat to DS (POR). The rooms at CBR are very slightly larger as well. BOTH resorts are lovely, large sprawling resorts with multiple bus stops. Both are great options and have a nearby resort to also explore. POR has Yee Haa Bob entertainment o some nights, which is good fun (get there early for a good spot). I feel like there is more nearby entertainment at POR (DS and options at the resort like Surrey bike rentals and. carriage ride) but better transportation options at CBR.

Have fun choosing! Both resorts are lovely!

 

[SarahC97]

I have this same dilemma and from what it came down to for me was the type of room I could get. At CBR the only rooms left were pirate rooms, so as much as I'd love to be on the Skyliner for an Epcot-centric trip, it's not worth it to me to stay in the Pirate rooms with just two adults (one of which I know will definitely not appreciate the pirate decor!). But if you can get a non-pirate room at CBR, I'd be all over it.

 

[CynBeth]

POR!

 

[TOBS2010]

We haven't stayed at CBR, but we have stayed at POR several times and loved it. With the skyline now at CBR I would be tempted to try it if the price is right. We actually enjoy POR main pool area, but they have several quiet pools scattered throughout the resort which are also really nice and they offer more shade if that is what you are looking for---all the landscaping provides a very serene and relaxing experience. We always travel to WDW in the summer, as far as the boat transportation goes---if there is lightning in the area all Disney boats cease operations until lightning is out of the area for a certain amount of time. (they shut the pools down for the same situation) In my opinion, Disney does not want to inconvienance you---but they also want to ensure safety. We've had our share of "get out of the pool" or "find a new way back to the hotel/park" over the years. In the event you are in the situation of relying on a boat to get somewhere, there is always some kind of bus option you could choose to use. Or especially as adults, consider just getting an uber or lyft.