your opinion, please... compare CBR and POR

[gypsy]

family of 4, all 'adults', heading to WDW during Christmas holidays... please share info on these two resorts in regard to:
convenience, more/less children, etc.
any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
thanks
d

 

[firstmickey]

gypsy,
Welcome to the DIS.

I can really speak about POR, but I plan to visit CBR next trip in Dec.

As they are both moderate resorts, they have a lot of the same amenities: big pool, quiet pools, bike rental, boat rental, food court, one sit down restaurant, multiple bus stops.

The differences probably come down to:

Theming:
CBR beachy tropical with sand beaches
POR: old south with beautiful landscaping, rustic bayou look or grand mansion look

CBR is a little larger, and is considered an Epcot resort. You can see Illuminations from the beach
POR is a Downtown disney resort and has the boat to DTD which is a free nice relaxing ride if you will be spending time at DTD

Rooms:
POR can sleep 5 in the bayous, with a trundle bed
CBR has nice privacy curtain separating the sink area from the beds.

I think they probably both have same amount of kids/families.

POR also has Bob Jackson. He is the piano player in the River Roost Lounge who is great. He is very entertaining for both kids and adults. I do not think CBR has a lounge. (although it has an outdoor pool bar as does POR)

We really enjoyed POR, but we are also really looking forward to CBR.

 

[parrotheadlois]

We stayed at POR last November; we stayed at CBR this past July (2 adults, no kids). We just LOVED POR! We stayed in the Mansion section, had a river view room and just thought it was restful, peaceful, beautiful (can you tell I liked it??). CBR was nice too. Understand this might be a seasonal preference. We stayed at CBR in July, it was HOT! The weather was beautiful last fall so my preference might be tainted by that. Given a choice, it's POR for me! We loved the boat to DTD, had no problems with the buses anywhere.

(We're staying at the Swan next month, but that's cause my sister, a nurse, made the reservations and got a nurse discount, also, we're going for the Food and Wine and can walk to EPCOT from the Swan.)

Any questions, feel free to ask.

 

[mcgrawfan]

I would totally reccomend POR Riverside. It is really nice. The boat to DTD is a great ride and you get to see some of the Disney Institute. We stayed at CB last year. The food court wasn't as good and the walkway that led us to the food court was covered in bird poop. That was a nice early morning walk.

 

[safetymom]

It all comes down to the theming. I don't think you can go wrong at either. We have stayed at both and enjoyed them. Our family favorite is CBR.

 

[franw]

We have stayed at most of the deluxe resorts and our family favorite is still the CBR. I think a lot has to do with where you live and what you are looking for in a vacation setting. Living in Colorado, we really enjoy the tropical feeling the CBR has to offer. The POR seems more stately and serene while the CBR is bubbling with activity yet offers very quiet rooms and quiet pools at each "island". We enjoy sitting out by the Banana Cabana in the evenings as well. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and well-maintained. It is a very nice place to take walks if you have any energy left at the end of the day. The CBR does attract lots of families with kids so that is a consideration. Yet I have never felt the kids detracted from the experience. People seem to be fiercely loyal on the boards to their favorite resort so you will have to sort through everyone's comments keeping that in mind. Quite frankly, I think you'd enjoy either resort immensely. I always suggest that you ask for a room away from the parking lot side. I know lots of people aren't bothered by the bus noise but I am not one of them.

 

[Pooh67_68]

Port Orleans!, Port Orleans!!, Port Orleans!!!
Stay there all the time, love it, don't see any reason to stay any where else.