Worth the $75 off to stay at CBR?

[heehee611]

So we are currently booked at CBR for end of November/beginning of December. We have stayed there twice before and love it. This may be our last trip for a while due to the kids' school schedules, and so I was thinking of upgrading to Wilderness Lodge, which would be an extra $800. But now with the gift card offer, which would save us about $500, that makes it a $1300 difference and I don't know that I can justify that!

We typically only eat at the resort food courts 2x a trip, and we have a car and have no problem driving to another resort to eat. Same for the gift shop.

I just can't decide... the thought of saving $1300 is nice but so is the thought of staying at Wilderness Lodge!

 

[Mousemommy1]

I would chose WL over CBR every day of the week and twice on Sunday, but we just don't really like CBR. Sounds like you do. We absolutely LOVE the WL, so that would be an easy choice for us. Good luck deciding!

 

[AngiTN]

I love WL but I don't love it $1300 worth. I'd stay put. But construction is such a non issue it wouldn't even enter my mind to leave the resort. They don't work in the wee hours of the night and aren't going to be keeping folks awake. They hide it very well too.

From what I've read while the regular food court is closed they are providing several food options. I bet it's not going to be as awful as some folks think. Ideal? Probably not, but not awful

 

[elaine amj]

I would stay put too - especially since you have a car. Might be more challenging not having a food court if you don't have a car.

 

[izzy25]

We booked CBR back in October for this October before we knew the construction was going on and i'm not switching my resort. The gift card will be a $525 dollar savings for us which I figure we can eat more in the parks then at the hotel. From everything i've read, Disney does a good job with not conducting construction during the late or early hours and most people are at the parks anyway. As long as the main pool stays open, I'm fine with it and would not spend another $1300 to switch.

 

[Disneylover99]

If you already know you love CBR, you might as well stay put and pocket the savings.

 

[Parker Clan]

I love CBR, stayed there five times.
One year, they were doing refurbs on the rooms and construction was all around us and it didn't interfere or bother us one bit

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Wilderness Lodge is my favorite resort and, given the option, is definitely the one I am most likely to pick. That said, I also love Caribbean Beach. I love atmosphere of the resort and just walking the grounds. My family and I also really enjoy the pool. Now, to be honest, the food court and shopping area being closed would be a problem for me. I love sitting in the food court with something to drink, listening to Jimmy Buffett, and just enjoying being at Caribbean Beach. That won't be an option for some time, though. Conversely, at Wilderness Lodge, I'd be able to sit in a rocking chair by the fire and relax each morning and evening. And that is a huge pull for me. All prices equal, I'd switch to Wilderness Lodge, no doubt. However, prices are not equal and $1,300 is a pretty big chunk of change. I think I'd stay put at Caribbean Beach... and have Garden Grocer deliver some food and make sure I had plenty of Jimmy Buffett on my ipod.

 

[married2mm]

Of course it's entirely up to you!
My interjection says .....move & disney either pay for you to switch or absorb the majority of the cost.

I'm in the UK and paid to switch to a studio at ssr..
I've been informed several times by cms I shall have an updated invoice credited accordingly but can take 10-14 days.
(I'm both a nervous nellie and a worryguts so I've called up several times!!)

I don't know if you're aware but you can most definitely move AT NO EXTRA COST
& keep whatever dining plan or any offer you may already have on your booking to;
AOA (suites included)
POR
POFQ
FORT WILDERNESS CABINS
SSR

I *think* they were the official options given-however there have definitely been further upgrades too.

 

[heehee611]

Of course it's entirely up to you!
My interjection says .....move & disney either pay for you to switch or absorb the majority of the cost.

I'm in the UK and paid to switch to a studio at ssr..
I've been informed several times by cms I shall have an updated invoice credited accordingly but can take 10-14 days.
(I'm both a nervous nellie and a worryguts so I've called up several times!!)

I don't know if you're aware but you can most definitely move AT NO EXTRA COST
& keep whatever dining plan or any offer you may already have on your booking to;
AOA (suites included)
POR
POFQ
FORT WILDERNESS CABINS
SSR

I *think* they were the official options given-however there have definitely been further upgrades too.

Only problem I foresee with that is that we are planning on adding on the free dining if/when it's released, and usually POR and POFQ aren't included in that deal. Plus I wasn't sure if they would honor both deals (them paying for me to stay somewhere else, and then adding free dining) or if I'd then sort of have to start all over and have to book somewhere there is free dining. It's so confusing!

 

[anniemae]

Given your situation I would stay at CBR.

 

[married2mm]

Only problem I foresee with that is that we are planning on adding on the free dining if/when it's released, and usually POR and POFQ aren't included in that deal. Plus I wasn't sure if they would honor both deals (them paying for me to stay somewhere else, and then adding free dining) or if I'd then sort of have to start all over and have to book somewhere there is free dining. It's so confusing!

Oh that does seem to further complicate matters!

 

[nkereina]

I would also stay at CBR. $1300 is a lot and would not be worth it to me. Another benefit is that you may find CBR buses and resort overall to be pretty empty! Between the room closings for construction and people scared to stay there, I'm wondering what occupancy levels will look like.

 

[Hopefully]

I would change

 

[AngiTN]

I would also stay at CBR. $1300 is a lot and would not be worth it to me. Another benefit is that you may find CBR buses and resort overall to be pretty empty! Between the room closings for construction and people scared to stay there, I'm wondering what occupancy levels will look like.

Exact reason I'll look at staying there in the fall, if we make another Thanksgiving trip. We jumped at a chance to stay at a nearly empty WL and it was awesome. We would return to CBR for the same reasons.

 

[piglet1979]

Only problem I foresee with that is that we are planning on adding on the free dining if/when it's released, and usually POR and POFQ aren't included in that deal. Plus I wasn't sure if they would honor both deals (them paying for me to stay somewhere else, and then adding free dining) or if I'd then sort of have to start all over and have to book somewhere there is free dining. It's so confusing!

From what I have been reading in the thread for free dining you will be able to get free dining and the gift card at CBR. Several people have called and asked if they can do this. CM have said yes. My understanding is that the gift card is not a discount and therefore you can still book free dining and get the gift card.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

Only problem I foresee with that is that we are planning on adding on the free dining if/when it's released, and usually POR and POFQ aren't included in that deal. Plus I wasn't sure if they would honor both deals (them paying for me to stay somewhere else, and then adding free dining) or if I'd then sort of have to start all over and have to book somewhere there is free dining. It's so confusing!

For what it's worth, at least 3 people on the boards have reported being switched to Saratoga Springs and were told they could apply free dining if it comes out without losing the free upgrade. I'm in the same boat as you in that I was hoping to be able to get free dining and am worried about switching resorts and still receiving it without paying full price for the move. I think I'm going to try calling again and see what I'm told since others seem to have been lucky.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would change. I wouldn't want to deal with the food closures, even if I only hit the food court a few times a trip. And I certainly wouldn't want to be driving to get food all of the time.

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

I would change. I wouldn't want to deal with the food closures, even if I only hit the food court a few times a trip. And I certainly wouldn't want to be driving to get food all of the time.

No need to drive to get food as they advised everyone that there will be food offerings, including breakfast

 

[maxiesmom]

No need to drive to get food as they advised everyone that there will be food offerings, including breakfast

The OP said they have no problem driving to another resort to eat. I'm not sure how fond of the mystery offerings I would be. I'd much rather stay at a fully functioning resort, even if it cost a bit more.