CBR or CS About This Page:

[CallMeTink]

Okay ... so we are one year out from our May 2009 trip but the planning has begun!

Can anyone share with me their thoughts on CBR vs. CS? I am leaning towards a moderate resort at this time. Our DD's will both be under 6 at the time of the trip so we'll spend a fair amount of time at the resort.

CBR really has piqued my interest. But it seems the reviews (not necessarily here) are very mixed. I've seen lots of posts about cleanliness issues and the size of the resort.

CS is interesting too ... but the food court seems complicated and I've read that the convention traffic there takes away from some of the magic.

We've stayed at POFQ and loved it. But DH and I thought it would be fun to try something different.

Any thoughts or advice???

[jenifermg0]

We have been to DW twice. The first time we stayed at CBR and the second at CSR. We really enjoyed them both. Both our trips were right after Thanksgiving so the crowds were about the same. If I had to choose, I would probably lean towards the CSR, just because I liked the feel of it. But please don't think I didn't like CBR, it was fun and clean and quiet - all things I like to have in a resort when vacationing!
The food court was a bit different at CSR, but after the first day - no problem! The food was good and they gave you ALOT for your $$. It was get a table first, then go get your food and then pay on the way out. At CBR it was go get your food, pay for it, and then eat. The bars at the pools were both nice. The CMs at both resorts were friendly and very helpful. We had a wonderful experience with the CMs at CSR due to my DS losing his lanyard with all his Stitch pins and he was very upset and crying. Several CMs got together and put him a lanyard together with pins that you can only get by trading with CMs. One even gave him one off her PERSONAL lanyard (it was an '07 Stitch pin like he had lost). I was told several times "We can't let a little boy go home from Disney in tears!!!" Luckily, we didn't have any kind of crisis at CBR, but I would bet that they would have been just as sweet. We did get towel animals at CSR but none at CBR, but from what I've read here - its the luck of the draw, some Mousekeepers do them, some don't. CSR is quite spread out, but we kind of liked that. The walk in the moring to breakfast was a good way to finish waking up and get ready for the parks. At CBR, we could hop on the first bus we saw and then get off at the main area for the food court - made us a little lazy first thing in the am. Well that's all I can think of for the moment!
Our next trip we are springing for AKL!!! YEAH!!!

[HiddenMickey]

The two resorts are both large and spread out and both have wonderful theming. I've only stayed at CBR and it was quite some time ago (before they refurbished the rooms). We liked it quite a bit. The rooms at CBR will be a bit larger and you'll have two sinks in the bathroom area (only one at CSR). I think it all comes down to what theme appeals to you the most.

[tio marco]

Wow -- that's a tough one...i've stayed at both and LOVED them both. If i had to choose between the two, i would proably pick CS.....simply due to the Mayan ruins-themed water slide!!!

[RobDVC]

I stayed at CSR in 1998 and enjoyed it. It does have a "convention resort" feel to it, but there are also plenty of Disney touches throughout. With the lake in the center of the resort, getting around CSR may be just as difficult as navigating CBR was.

[MMMD]

I've only stayed at the CBR and I was nervous after reading bad reviews on TripAdvisor. We had a great time, loved the resort. It is large but we loved the beautiful walk to food court and pool. Our mousekeepers were wonderful, they always had our DDs' dolls arranged in different ways when we'd come back from the park. The only thing I could nitpick about is that the bus ride to MK was long.

[clio]

I've only stayed at CBR. It been a few years since I stayed there. I actually worked my way around it haven't stayed in every area but Martinque over a period of years. It's always been one of my favorite Disney resorts.
Liz

[CallMeTink]

Thanks to all ... your feedback is valued. And it actually seems like I can't make a "bad" decision between the two based on what was said here.

When you talk about either of the resorts being spread out or large, how large? Like could you tell me in minutes how long it took from you to walk from your room to the pool or dining facilities? I will be traveling with my DD's (5 & almost 3 at the time of the trip). A very long walk won't bother me ... but for the girls, that could make or break the trip.

I still have some time to make a decision as I am not planning to make ressies just yet ...

Thanks again!

[lukeandbrookesmom]

We stayed at CBR and loved it! Luke and Brooke were 3 and 4 years old and we stayed in Aruba #54. The bus stop was two minutes away and OPR was a nice 10 minute walk over the bridge. We stopped to see the ducks, turtles and fish each time. The main pool is great for kids! I am the 'queen of clean' and did not have any cleanliness issues at all! It was nice to sit on the beach at night and see the EPCOT fireworks (not all, just the higher ones) but the kids played in the sand while watching and it was fun!

[DScottRN]

We have stayed at both, CBR in '95 and CSR twice in the last three years. I really like CSR. Yes, both are large and spread out. CSR is newer and the pool is nicer at this time, as thay are redoing the main pool at CBR. We did notice some convention traffic but not as much as you would think and as for the food the Pepper Market is neat and not that complicated. Go with CSR you will be glad you did.

[j4crew]

We have only stayed at CSR but we love it and plan on staying there again this June! It is a large resort, but we loved walking around the lake..and my boys (5&7 then) loved it.

AS far as how long it takes...it dependson which building you stay in.....we stayed in the Casitas 4 last time and it took us 5 minutes to the pepper market...main lobby....but it was a little bit longer to the BIG pool. Casitas are probably the closest to the main lobby.

The Canbanas and the ranchos are closer to the BIG pool but a littel further to the pepper market. All sections have a bus stop.

[jenifermg0]

Originally Posted by CallMeTink

When you talk about either of the resorts being spread out or large, how large? Like could you tell me in minutes how long it took from you to walk from your room to the pool or dining facilities? I will be traveling with my DD's (5 & almost 3 at the time of the trip). A very long walk won't bother me ... but for the girls, that could make or break the trip.!

We were at CSR in the Rancheros (7B - if I remember right). We were really close to a bus stop so that was GREAT at the end of the day - 2 or 3 minute walk. The walk to El Centro was probably 12 to 15 minutes. With little ones it will be a bit longer, but the grounds are beautiful and we loved it early in the day when heading over for breakfast. We rarely go back to our room once we head out for breakfast. From there it's off to the parks and there is a bus stop right out front of El Centro.

We were kind of in the same situation for CBR on our first trip. We were in Martinique (again - if I remember right) - close to a bus stop and kind of far from OPR. However we were closer to OPR than to EC when at CSR.

Really unless you are in a major hurry - it doesn't really matter, just a few extra minutes here and there.

[Tonichelle]

Food Court at CSR is not confusing at all and the food is fantastic, loved it

we were there during a convention and it wasn't better or worse... *shrugs* you're going to have groups at all of the resorts at some point... I didn't find it less magical and they sent more park buses our way which was a huge plus.

the pool and hot tub were awesome... and the rooms were just right.


I haven't stayed at CBR, but I've visited it and it wasn't half as nice to look at...

[Sue M.]

We spent 10 days at CBR & loved the resort. I was concerned too after some of the reviews, but they were unfounded. Our mousekeeper was great, room clean & left us a few towel animals. If you look at a map of CBR you can see the buildings in Jamacia & Aruba that are close to the bridge that takes you to OPR & the main pool. If you stay in these bldgs they are close to OPR but you don't have to pay the extra $ for a preferred location. Plus the walk is very nice. The grounds are beautiful.
And they are doing a massive renovation of their main pool now, so it should be very nice.

[FanOfMickey]

I love love love CSR I have stayed there twice and enjoyed both stays. I love feel of CSR, enjoy walking around the resort. The pool is awesome, I love the pyramid slide. I always find the CM's really freindly there also, found everyone saying hello and good morning. Even the maintenence workers. The bar also has a great Pina Colada

I did not care for Pepper market my first trip, but liked it the 2nd. The food is really good.

As for the convention feel, maybe it does, I just never paid attention to it. I think it is why I find the busses at Coronado much better, not as crowded, due to the conventioners are at their conventions at the hotel, leaving the busses to us tourists

I have stayed at CBR back in 90' and loved staying there. It was spaced out, like CSR but it did not bother me. I loved seeing all the little bunnies and such while walking along the water to port royal. CBR was my fave till I stayed at CSR, now CSR is my fave.

Well, that I have stayed at, AKL is my fave overall , but I have not stayed there....YET!!