SSR or CBR? Please Help!

[buck0086]

I will be taking my DS4 to WDW October 15-19. It's just the two of us doing a Father-Son trip. We are very much looking forward to it, but I'm having trouble deciding where to stay and could really use some input.

I'm considering paying cash ($750) to stay at CBR. My son really likes the kiddie pool there. We will have a car so we can drive to the parks easily. Or I could borrow 68 points to stay at SSR. I've also considered staying at Pop Century ($450) but am assuming that they don't have a pool that my son would like.

I'm concerned about borrowing points. We have 320 BLT points with a September UY. Our family will be staying at BLT in December and April. To do that we already have to borrow 50 points from 2010. I'm wondering if borrowing 68 points for this trip is smart, dumb or somewhere in between.

In regards to SSR, what kind of pool options do they have? What is the distance like to MK, Epcot and DS (no AK this trip)? What else would I want to consider about SSR and CBR? Thanks for your help?

Buck

 

[backyardponder]

Actually, looking at your dates, SSR would be 64 points. You might want to consider OKW which is 58 points.

Borrowing points is not dumb, as long as you will have enough points for your future trips. You'll need to do the math.

In my opinion, all the pools at the resorts are great. A 4 year old will enjoy any of them.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[rentayenta]

Unless there is some other benefit like free dining involved, I would stay DVC. The OKW pool is really neat. My kids loved it! Have you checked into the AKV? It seems to take less points to stay there.

 

[Topo Bella]

I've never stayed at CBR, but we stayed at SSR our last trip and the kids loved the pool area. We stayed in the Springs so that we were closer to the pool and it worked out great.

 

[oakmanner]

An add on would work also.

 

[rentayenta]

An add on would work also.

Enabler!

 

[logan115]

If you can borrow points and avoid laying out the cash that would be my preference. If that means that you're going to be short points for your next trip you could use your 1 transfer per UY to get additional points transferred in from another owner.

Another option if you want to stay at a DVC resort is to just "rent" a reservation from another owner. Seems to be tons of points available at the time, will just be a matter of what locations are available. Since Oct is F&W I'm not sure what's still available, so make sure you call MS and check availablities before doing anything involving borrowing/tranferring/renting.

BTW - while I don't really know anything about the pool at CBR, I'll go out on a limb and say your son will like the Springs Pool at SSR.

Chris

 

[liznboys]

We've stayed at SSR/THV 6 times now (just got back from THV on Saturday), and we stayed at CBR once last summer (we only stayed there as there was nothing available to extend our SSR stay).

I would choose to use points, even if you have to borrow, over spending any cash.

We always have a car and we drive to all the parks. It's easy getting from any of the resorts to the parks we think.

SSR's main pool has a little slide that my younger two boys love as they aren't ready for the big slide yet. And they love the Donald play area. Oh and they love the zero entry with the water fountains coming out around it. And of course there's the water play area at the Grandstand pool too.

CBR was a nice place too, but I'd choose points at SSR over cash there. Happy planning!

 

[kikiq]

I'm in the using points over spending more cash camp also. The SSR main pool and the Grandstand pool are themed nicely. Plus you're also very close to the Lego Store in DTD, if your son loves legos.

 

[chefkellyb]

I have stayed at both resorts and prefer SSR. When DH and I stayed at CBR for a last minute getaway, the walk to the "food court" seemed long to me. I missed the "feel" of a DVC resort - it's hard to explain. Both were nice, but if you can manage the SSR stay, go for it! When my DD was 4 and DS was 2, they LOVED the pool area!!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

We always figure we purchased DVC to NOT have to pay cash for a Disney trip. The fact that you can borrow points is one of the best flexible perks of DVC. We are almost constantly in a state of borrowing, and as long as you have the points to do so, I'd never pay more for a stay. Besides, as a DVC member, you can pool hop to any of the other resorts (with the exception of a couple), so I'd probably borrow the fewest points I could (OKW or SSR) and stay in a studio at one of those.

 

[buck0086]

Thank you to everyone for sharing your thoughts. We did book at SSR for 64 points. I'm looking forward to a fun Father-Son trip in October!

Buck

 

[rentayenta]

Thank you to everyone for sharing your thoughts. We did book at SSR for 64 points. I'm looking forward to a fun Father-Son trip in October!

Buck

Have a magical trip!

 

[missycj96]

Enjoy SSR. You made a good choice. If your goal was to get a pool your 4 year old will love, SSR is great! For what its worth, I think SSR has the best pool area for kids outside of SAB (though CBR is one of the few resorts I have not been to). My DD loves it. There is a small pool slide that is perfect for little kids. My DD goes on it over and over again. Plus there is the Donald Duck sprinkler that she loves. And you can also bring pool toys to play with in the zero entry area. Also, the refillable mug station right by the pool is fantastic and I don't know why other resorts don't have it. Also special about SSR is the activities offered. We've had fun doing arts and crafts at the community hall. Make sure to look at the schedule - we've done button making, ceramics and coloring. Last summer when it was raining, we spent evenings there and had a great time. You'll have a great time and I'm sure you'll find another use for the $750 your saving!