UR expert opinions- CSR or CBR?

[pixie08]

hey u guys!! I am sure this might already have been asked but here it goes..I am looking for some help from the experts.

I am planning a trip at the end of August for my boyfriend and I. We can only stay at a moderate (7 nights MYW). Last year we stayed at PoFQ and LOVED it but we want to try as many different resorts as possible! My boyfriend stayed at the CBR when he was like 10 but does not remember it.

There are things i like about each..but cannot decide. i asked about the pepper market on the restaurant board and had some great CSR feedback,but which would u pick??

(we are in our late 20's if that changes anything)

 

[Buzz2001]

This 2 resorts are very similar. I feel CSR has a better main pool area and is centrally located. Check out my CSR website below for pics, links and info

 

[safetymom]

It basically comes down to the theming you like better. CSR does have a better pool but I don't like the food court at CSR and the fact that the food court is not near the main pool like at CBR. We are also not fond of the mandatory tip in Pepper Court.

 

[HopperFan]

CSR - we call it the "deluxe-moderate". It is a nice hotel and our family will return in a heartbeat. Pepper Market is an upscale food court and you get an excellent selection and huge portions. You will love the large hot tub and walking around the lake at night is beautiful. Also very tropical in areas such as cabanas if that is your fancy

 

[epcotfan]

Generally speaking there are more adults at CSR than small children since it is a convention hotel. We prefer it because of that.

 

[Rootskate]

I would definitely recommend Coronado Springs. It really is a beautiful resort. No matter where you decide, I am sure you will have a great time!

 

[susy]

Have stayed at both-CSR is more adult oriented and has a more deluxe feel. I would choose CSR

 

[home brewer]

Is CSR as spread out as CBR? That seemed to be the only "knock" against CBR.

 

[Nolcrest]

This may put it into perspective.

At CSR the resort surrounds a 15 acre lake Lago Dorado.

At CBR the island buildings surround 45 acre Barefoot bay.

 

[home brewer]

I was just looking at CSR on the Disney website. They only offer pricing for standard, waterview or suites. How do you get pricing on the various areas, ie. casitas, ranchos and cabanas?

 

[safetymom]

I have stayed at both and did more walking when I stayed at CSR.

 

[Buzz2001]

I was just looking at CSR on the Disney website. They only offer pricing for standard, waterview or suites. How do you get pricing on the various areas, ie. casitas, ranchos and cabanas?

The suites are located in the casitas. The waterview rooms are mostly cabanas and some casitas.

Walking Distances
From El Centro moving clockwise around the lake path to:
Casitas 3 = .16 miles
Casitas 4 = .24 miles
Casitas 5 = .27 miles
Ranchos = .46 miles

From El Centro to the Dig Site, via the bridge near the Cabanas
= .35 miles

From El Centro moving counterclockwise around the lake to:
Cabanas 9B = .16 miles
Cabanas 9A/8B = .22 miles
Cabanas 8A = .31 miles

CSR is newer. CSR is definitely the way to go.

 

[jwsteelman]

CSR by far. The pool area and food court is way better. As for the 10% gratuity at Pepper Market it is well worth it. The busing system is more efficient also.

 

[NYDisneyMom]

I have CSR booked for November..BUT I still need to do some research -- all the info from Disney says that you can't use the dining plan at any of the restaurants at CSR. Bummer.

I did read someone's trip report here on DIS that said they used their counter service at the Pepper Market though. So who knows?!! I think I will be calling CSR directly and asking them there.

Just wanted to give you a heads up in case you have the dining plan.

 

[jaysmom4285]

I haven't stayed at CSR, so can't speak to that, but I have stayed at CBR. Yes, it is big, but it's usually easy to get into a building that is centrally located. If you don't want to pay extra to stay in Martinique or Trinidad, Aruba and Jamaica are just across the footbridge that spans the lagoon, and it's a very short walk and pleasant walk to the main pool and Old Port Royale. We loved the food court and thought that the selections were varied and extremely generous - usually enough to split between two people. Even during busy times, people were served efficiently. We found the bus service to be excellent with very short waits, generally less than ten minutes. I'm sure CSR has it's good points as well. I'm just not sure why CBR seems to get shortchanged sometimes. As a previous poster said, you will undoubtedly have a good time no matter which you choose.

 

[dansyr]

I stayed at CSR last sept with my (then) bf. I absolutely loved it. I think it is an incredibly romantic resort. Loved the hot tub.
The pepper market is great and actually really enjoyed Maya grill one night for dinner also. If they eventually add CSR to the resorts that take the dining plan both pepper market and Maya grill will be really good values there.
We requested cabanas 9b and got it and it was the absolutely perfect location. If it will be just you and your bf I would spring the extra couple bucks for a king bed. Although I wouldn't pay extra for water view. To be honest we weren't really looking out the windows all that much.
Also..the fitness club is great. We worked out a couple of afternoons and they've got great equipment.

 

[racheltyler]

I like CSR much better compared to CBR. Similar theming. Main reason is the pool - we like nice long days at the pool and CSR is great for that. Looking at pictures of the pool at CBR is very deceiving - looks big, but is not and setup is poor, limited seating, tiny hot tub, etc. CSR is a big resort also but did not seem like as much walking from the Cabanas area we stay in. Also, pool bar has a nice selection of food for lunch. We've also taken our food to go from Pepper Market and eaten elsewhere - no tip was added on to go orders. Good luck deciding, have fun!! Sharon

 

[RebeccaLovesDisney]

We have stayed at both CSR and CBR and preferred CSR. Nothing was wrong with our stay at CBR, we enjoyed our stay there, but we simply liked CSR more. Both resorts are spread out and both resorts have beautiful grounds. So to me, comparing walking distances between the two is not really an issue. The main pool area at CSR is much larger than CBR's and the quiet pools are also very nice. The pool in the Casitas section can even be used for lap swimming. And the Pepper Market is very good - much better than your average food court. Yes, they do add the gratuity if you dine in, but that's the only drawback.

 

[pixie08]

It seems like the overall majority says CSR!!! someone mentioned the bus system -how is that? what is first/ last stop? in other words if u get the bus from el centro will u be on the bus for a while or if it is last is it too packed to get on?
We usually rent a car but since we are not leaving the world this time and they now offer magical express we r goind to give disney transporation a shot!

 

[buckeye]

Pixie08,
The first stop that is picked up is Stop #2. It is near Casitas 4. Bus Stop #1 is the last to be picked up, and that stop is by El Centro. When we were there in June, we loved being near Bust Stop #2 and always having an empty bus--and a couple times the bus was full by the time we got to Bus Stop #1.

Soo..you asked a good question. If you are there during a busy time, you'll want to be near an early pick-up.

P.S. We LOVED CSR!! We loved the Casitas. Casitas 4 and 3 are near a pretty, nice-sized quiet pool.