Preface: When I am on vacation, as taxing as theme parks can be, I like to be ON VACATION- with no worries. We stayed at HRH for the first portion of our trip and tried CBBR for one night. We didn't go the the parks on the CBBR day (no EP) and took our time exploring the resort.
Check IN:
When you pull in, you have to park in the check in lot (there is no valet). It's a bit of a walk to the door. There was a HUGE line at check in, but it went really fast! 10 minutes tops- impressive. The lobby is massive and stunning. They really got the theming down. I loved it.
You park near your room which is a plus. If you want, there is also a garage- keeps the sun from beating down on the car all day. The building actually provided a lot of shaded spaces.
OUR ROOM: FAMILY SUITE TOWER POOL SIDE
"Pool side" does NOT mean pool view- just the side of the building. We were overlooking road. I was NOT a happy girl, but since it was one night, lesson learned. We were in the Continental building (opened for a week). It was great! Parking was not an issue. Since there are no bell services there were luggage carts in near the elevators- bad show, but mostly because people are just plain lazy and did not return the carts. The rooms are a good size- comfy enough for the 3 of us- but it sleeps 6. 6 is pushing it- yes 6 people can fit but very snugly. the fridge is adequate and they have paper plates, bowls and cups with plastic utensils stocked. Coffee is not Keurig, but there's a Starbucks downstairs. The bathroom is split into 3 sections: the toilet, the sink, and sink shower room. Nice and big. Toiletries were Zest and Alberto V05 Shampoo- classic! Little retro touch not missed by me
There was also a giant closet. Beds were ok, but the pillows were to die for- really I was contemplating putting one in my suitcase, but with all my stuff there was no room 
POOLS:
"Quiet Side" had the lazy river, a kiddie splash pad and nice pool with underwater music (take that HRH!) There were plenty of chairs and LOADS of beach umbrellas-bonus! It was stinking HOT- and I live in SW Florida!! The Hideaway bar was great- wish my pictures didn't get lost in my busted phone- it is really hidden- like it was underground. Probably the neatest element on property. There is also a grab n go food place.
"Loud Side" had the slide- not steep, but fast, bigger splash pad, cabanas, games, DJ/music and entertainment, and Atomic Tonic bar. Again, loads of chairs and umbrellas.
Con- no poolside service (mind you we had been at the HRH for nearly a week and didn't have to get out to get our drink on). I suppose if you rented a cabana that issue would be solved- but it was looking stormy so we opted not to.
OTHER AMENITIES:
There is bowling, but we didn't bowl. If you do plan on bowling, it is considerably cheaper to go during "happy Hour"- like by half the price.
Swizzle- lobby lounge. Nice staff- empty. People didn't seem to like to party as much as at the HRH.
Buses- there was ALWAYS a bus waiting. Got to CW in 5 minutes. Very efficient. I would still use it when the walkway is opened- that is quite a hike! And they are themed as well to look like beach buggies- cool
FOOD:
The food court has a great selection. Being vegan we always have a really hard time eating at a food court type situation, but there were plenty of choices for us- SCORE! We never had a problem finding a table, it was always clean and the staff friendly. The BEST thing were the refillable mugs were themed to the hotel- hotel name and all (like the Disney cups 10+ years ago)- SCORE AGAIN! It's the little things that make resorts unique and CBBR gets it.
There is no room service- which for us is a bummer- I LOVE ROOM SERVICE with the tiny ketchups and tobascos and laying there in my pjs knowing I can eat myself sick and then fall asleep- good times
Side note- there was a Brazilian Tour group on OUR FLOOR
I was pretty upset, but to tell you the truth didn't hear a peep out of them- guess they had been warned.
DH and I consider it above a Disney mod but not quite a deluxe. It is beautiful. We will probably stay there again in off season- no EP is just no good for us, we have become spoiled by it
There are good things and bad- like anything. For the price- you can't beat it, you will have a fantastic time. It is a beautiful resort and a welcome addition.
Check IN:
When you pull in, you have to park in the check in lot (there is no valet). It's a bit of a walk to the door. There was a HUGE line at check in, but it went really fast! 10 minutes tops- impressive. The lobby is massive and stunning. They really got the theming down. I loved it.
You park near your room which is a plus. If you want, there is also a garage- keeps the sun from beating down on the car all day. The building actually provided a lot of shaded spaces.
OUR ROOM: FAMILY SUITE TOWER POOL SIDE
"Pool side" does NOT mean pool view- just the side of the building. We were overlooking road. I was NOT a happy girl, but since it was one night, lesson learned. We were in the Continental building (opened for a week). It was great! Parking was not an issue. Since there are no bell services there were luggage carts in near the elevators- bad show, but mostly because people are just plain lazy and did not return the carts. The rooms are a good size- comfy enough for the 3 of us- but it sleeps 6. 6 is pushing it- yes 6 people can fit but very snugly. the fridge is adequate and they have paper plates, bowls and cups with plastic utensils stocked. Coffee is not Keurig, but there's a Starbucks downstairs. The bathroom is split into 3 sections: the toilet, the sink, and sink shower room. Nice and big. Toiletries were Zest and Alberto V05 Shampoo- classic! Little retro touch not missed by me
There was also a giant closet. Beds were ok, but the pillows were to die for- really I was contemplating putting one in my suitcase, but with all my stuff there was no room POOLS:
"Quiet Side" had the lazy river, a kiddie splash pad and nice pool with underwater music (take that HRH!) There were plenty of chairs and LOADS of beach umbrellas-bonus! It was stinking HOT- and I live in SW Florida!! The Hideaway bar was great- wish my pictures didn't get lost in my busted phone- it is really hidden- like it was underground. Probably the neatest element on property. There is also a grab n go food place.
"Loud Side" had the slide- not steep, but fast, bigger splash pad, cabanas, games, DJ/music and entertainment, and Atomic Tonic bar. Again, loads of chairs and umbrellas.
Con- no poolside service (mind you we had been at the HRH for nearly a week and didn't have to get out to get our drink on). I suppose if you rented a cabana that issue would be solved- but it was looking stormy so we opted not to.
OTHER AMENITIES:
There is bowling, but we didn't bowl. If you do plan on bowling, it is considerably cheaper to go during "happy Hour"- like by half the price.
Swizzle- lobby lounge. Nice staff- empty. People didn't seem to like to party as much as at the HRH.
Buses- there was ALWAYS a bus waiting. Got to CW in 5 minutes. Very efficient. I would still use it when the walkway is opened- that is quite a hike! And they are themed as well to look like beach buggies- cool
FOOD:
The food court has a great selection. Being vegan we always have a really hard time eating at a food court type situation, but there were plenty of choices for us- SCORE! We never had a problem finding a table, it was always clean and the staff friendly. The BEST thing were the refillable mugs were themed to the hotel- hotel name and all (like the Disney cups 10+ years ago)- SCORE AGAIN! It's the little things that make resorts unique and CBBR gets it.
There is no room service- which for us is a bummer- I LOVE ROOM SERVICE with the tiny ketchups and tobascos and laying there in my pjs knowing I can eat myself sick and then fall asleep- good times
Side note- there was a Brazilian Tour group on OUR FLOOR
I was pretty upset, but to tell you the truth didn't hear a peep out of them- guess they had been warned.DH and I consider it above a Disney mod but not quite a deluxe. It is beautiful. We will probably stay there again in off season- no EP is just no good for us, we have become spoiled by it
There are good things and bad- like anything. For the price- you can't beat it, you will have a fantastic time. It is a beautiful resort and a welcome addition.
- and I took a TON of pictures
)
