"Spread out" resorts: Compare SSR to CBR

[ptrbryant]

It seems a common "flaw" with several otherwise great resorts is that they seem too "spread out". On our last trip, we stayed at both SSR and POR-Riverside. I didn't think POR was very spread out at all--from any point on the property--though others do. SSR, however, felt much bigger than I'd expected. We were in Congress Park, in the bldg. farthest from the main pool Artist's Palette, etc. In May, we're planning on giving CBR a try and have requested Jamaica, of course, we don't know if we'll get it. Looking at my Passporter maps, however, CBR (aside from Trinidad South perhaps) doesn't look much more spread out than SSR.
Does anyone have experience with both resorts? What's your opinion?

Thanks!

Karla B.

 

[bwv4me]

The spreadout-ness is why I do NOT like Coronado Springs. We had a room that was a good 10 minute walk to the main building. I did not feel that way at POFQ. My sister and a few friends have stayed at CB and have complained about the spreadout-ness. So, I would have to say you just might feel the same.

 

[LoveMickey]

In May, we're planning on giving CBR a try and have requested Jamaica, of course, we don't know if we'll get it. Looking at my Passporter maps, however, CBR (aside from Trinidad South perhaps) doesn't look much more spread out than SSR.
Does anyone have experience with both resorts? What's your opinion?

If you are requesting Jamaica, ask for one of the buildings near the bridge. Or Aruba, there is one building near the bridge. We've stayed in both areas and find it very convenient.

The Jamaica bus stop is usually (well sometimes) the first one to drop of people and thus the first stop to pick up people in the loop.

We enjoyed these two areas. Remember sometimes the bus stop in the "other" section is closer to you than the bus stop in your section.

 

[mjkaferle5]

It seems a common "flaw" with several otherwise great resorts is that they seem too "spread out". On our last trip, we stayed at both SSR and POR-Riverside. I didn't think POR was very spread out at all--from any point on the property--though others do. SSR, however, felt much bigger than I'd expected. We were in Congress Park, in the bldg. farthest from the main pool Artist's Palette, etc. In May, we're planning on giving CBR a try and have requested Jamaica, of course, we don't know if we'll get it. Looking at my Passporter maps, however, CBR (aside from Trinidad South perhaps) doesn't look much more spread out than SSR.
Does anyone have experience with both resorts? What's your opinion?

Thanks!

Karla B.

Yeah I think that POR gets a bad rap by being a sister resort to POFQ. Since POFQ is small and right next door, POR gets labeled as being huge.

Now I could be wrong, but aren't CBR and CSR both bigger, more spread out than POR?

 

[ptrbryant]

Yes, I think both CSR and POR are bigger than PORFQ.

Actually, I was wondering about comparisons between POR-Riverside and SSR (Saratoga Springs Resort). At SSR, one evening I went to do laundry by the main pool and, really, I felt as if I was walking across a whole town! I don't mind walking in general, but since CBR seems to usually get the "too spread out" rap, I was wondering if it's really bigger than SSR or not. Since SSR is relatively new and a DVC property, I guess there's not as much on this board about it.

Thanks for suggesting putting "near the bridge" in my request! I'll do it today...

Karla B.

 

[beccasmom]

We stayed at SSR last week (and stayed there in August 2004 before many buildings were even open). It is HUGE! If you like to walk, you will find it is a great place to do so. Distances are great. We only saw one internal bus the four days we were there. Our villa was in the Paddocks. Basically, if you drive straight down the "main drag", our villa was right across the street from the Congress Park bus stop. It was a 10/15 minute walk to the store/Artists's Palette. With the humidity last week, that was not fun. It is a very big place.

In contrast, OKW is our home resort and does not seem all that big to me. Of course, if one stays at the end of South Point Road, it is a long jog to the main building, but otherwise I don't find it to be that bad. And its easy to hop a bus if you need to. We found that the bus drivers are still learning the "lay" of SSR as far as buildings and room numbers. They were very helpful, but it can be confusing. There are four stops - Carousel, Paddocks, Congress Park and The Springs (the Springs being closest to the main area). But the Congress Park bus was much more convenient for us to use, as was the Congress Park pool. A map comes in VERY handy here! And I think signage could be improved.