Will I be happy at CBR, I've only stayed at deluxe resorts

[*Belle*]

Just came back from another wonderful stay at the YC, and just have to go back for a few days in May for the Flower Festival. I got a great code rate and thought of trying the CBR. Will have a five year old along, do you think the CBR will be a good choice? Would another moderate have been better? Did anyone else loose half their posts?

 

[luvindisneyworld]

we are in the same situation as you, we had ressies for AKL savannah view but no longer than we spend in our room i just could not see spending that 250.00 a night for sleeping,so we decided on CSR and we are very excited and cant wait,and we have an extra 1000.00 to spend since we switched from AKL to CSR.this is going to be our first MODERATE stay also and i cant wait.
misty

 

[AspiringCindy]

For us, once you stay at Deluxe, it is hard to stay at anything less. But, CBR is supposed to be a great place for children. Just try not to compare it to or expect it to be anything close to YC standards.

 

[eeyore0062]

We have had no problem going back to moderates after staying in deluxes... it is all in the mindset.

That being said... CBR is quite beautiful. The rooms are a touch smaller.. and of course it is spread out. If you don't like that, then request to stay in Martinique... building 25, which is next to the main pool, food court and has no parking lot view from any of the rooms.

CBR has the luxury of being the latest of the moderates to be refurbished, so in a way, even though it is the oldest, it is the newest. The rooms were completely refurbished in 2001 ( we stayed in one and it was lovely), and the food court and gift shop area was just completed in late December 2002. There is also a brand new restaurant called Shutters.

We had little to no problems with the busses (a little slow in mid afternoon, but I think all resorts experience this.

The beach is beautiful and there are 3 playgrounds, 2 right on the sand. There are bikes and boats to rent, and the quiet pools are the best in all of WDW. Of course, the themed pool doesn't come close to comparing to Stormalong Bay, but what does??? The pool bar is quite a nice and relaxing place.

Just look at it as an adventure, don't try to compare it to your past experiences, and you should love it for what it is.. and you are saving money!!!!

 

[*Belle*]

Thanks so much. I phoned back and requested Martinique 25. DH said if I really needed to be in a deluxe to just book it. I think we'll be fine. It'll be a new experience.

 

[Calcio]

I think luvindisneyworld makes the best point here. If you plan to use the room for sleeping, it's pretty tough to justify more than doubling the price to be in a deluxe. If you plan to spend a fair amount of time in your room and at the resort, then you can justify the additional expense to yourself.

Full Disclosure: the rooms at the CBR do not approach those you've enjoyed at the YC. They're smaller, and simpler, yet still comfortable, especially for snoozing. The check-in at the main station and the food options at the food court also aren't comparable to those at the YC/BC/BWI. And lastly, you'll have to rely on the busses instead of strolling to the flower festival (I assume it's at EPCOT).

Of course, you'll save a large amount of cash money american dollars every night of your stay. I think you've got the right attitude, you'll certainly be fine, and it will be a new adventure. I certainly have my favorite WDW resorts, but I have toured almost all of them, and stayed at 5 so far. Paraphrasing the wonderful, yet very young Audrey Hepburn at the end of Roman Holiday, "all are unique in their own way."

 

[PamOKW]

I agree that you can't do an "apples to apples" comparison. That said, I've stayed at the GF and I've stayed at CBR and I've enjoyed them both. If you aren't going to be using all the amenities of a deluxe such as room service, restaurants, spa, etc. or spending the majority of your time at the resort the CBR will fine. In fact, the CBR is more than "just a bed". The rooms are smaller but not tiny and the resort has a lot of ambience outside of the room.

You won't have the luxury of walking to the parks but the buses are pretty good and the location of the resort to WDW in general is almost the same as the Y&B.

 

[CuteKatCar]

We stayed at DL in '95 and since then it's been 3 trips to monorail resorts. This trip upcoming, I wanted to save money, so I booked half CBR, half Poly. I mentioned to my DH that I wasnt' happy about catching a bus to MK for an EE day and my DH, who loves the CR, told me to he'd rather stay at CR. So would my kids, so I made the switch.

I'm kinda bummed about not going to CBR because I wanted to see another resort (although Poly is first time too) and we've stayed at CR twice (love that too though). I also wanted to see if I would like the switch to a moderate so that I could save lots of money in the future!! But I'm really happy to be throwing stones at the castle.

Anna

 

[DisneyKidds]

As others have said, go with an open mind, a willingness to have a new experience, and an expectation that the CBR will not be like the YC. Expectations drive everything. If you expect it to be like the YC you are likely to be disappointed. If you appreciate the CBR for what it offers you can have a great time.

The room will be smaller. The pool will not be as nice. You won't have the same easy access to MGM and Epcot. You won't have tons of restaurants within walking distance. There won't be as many amenities. If these things are very important to you you may experience some disappointment.

On the other hand, the CBR is a completely different experience. While the rooms and pool are different, they are nice. The theming and atmosphere is fun and Old Port Royale is cool. Our most vivid memory of our honeymoon is walking around Old Port Royale with the Little Mermaid music playing - and we only stayed there one night before we went over to the GF. Of course it was our first night on our first trip to WDW - that may have contributed to that magical moment . Access to your room will be from outside corridors instead of interior hallways, but the layout of the buildings is neat and really invokes the feeling of the islands. If you are up for such a new and different experience and you don't get hung up on comparing the other things you will have a blast.

As for other moderate choices, Coronado Springs is a good one. Since it has convention facilities the resort offers a few more amenities and really is the moderate that comes closest to being deluxe. The food court is a bit nicer (but a bit more expensive) and the resort does have a full service sit down restaurant. The pool is a little nicer over at CSR, and there is a very nice playground for the kids.

Have fun wherever you decide to stay.

 

[Magnetic]

Originally posted by DisneyKidds
As for other moderate choices, Coronado Springs is a good one. Since it has convention facilities the resort offers a few more amenities and really is the moderate that comes closest to being deluxe. The food court is a bit nicer (but a bit more expensive) and the resort does have a full service sit down restaurant. The pool is a little nicer over at CSR

I second this -- in the past we've often travelled with another couple, who usually stays at the Polynesian while we've stayed at moderates. The last time we all travelled together, they came over to Coronado, and the wife of the couple was so impressed with the resort and couldn't believe all the amenities (spa, etc) as well as the in-room pluses (coffee maker, hair dryer, iron) that are unique to Coronado. She wondered aloud why they were staying at the Poly when they could save money and have a similar experience at Corondao. This from someone who usually stays at the Poly!

Now, myself, I'd LOVE to stay at the Polynesian and dream of doing so when I can afford to But I was surprised at her reaction to seeing the resort and our room.

And yes, Coronado's pool area is absolutely wonderful. The Mayan theming is great, and our daughter said she had more fun there than at Blizzard Beach. If you have children, they have a small pool with fountains to play in, as well as the enormous Pyramid pool, which also has a twisty flume waterslide. Each day they open the pool by sitting kids on the pyramid stairs, then chanting "water, water, water" -- the water is turned on, comes cascading down the face of they pyramid, drenching the kids in the process

 

[Muffy]

We have stayed at all the Deluxes and still like CBR. I think you should try it.

 

[eeyore0062]

*Belle*, since you have called and requested a room in Martinique 25, I thought you might like to know what the Passporter Guide said are good water view rooms: 2524, 2525, 2556 and 2557.

Everyone has a preference.. mine actually is Po-FQ, but we really loved CBR as well, and had the food court been refurbished and we had thought to request a room closer to everything, it is likely that CBR would be our favorite, instead!

Be happy with your choice... I think you made a good one!