Caribean resort newbie??

[Iamthequeen]

We are staying at CBR for the first time this year. We usually stay at POFQ, but wanted to try a different resort this time. I tend to take reviews, especially negative reviews with a grain of salt. You never know the circumstances that prompted that review and I've found most of the time that I don't agree with their assessment. I like to judge for myself. Looking forward to our trip!

 

[Gitts2008]

CBR is my home away from home. This August will be our 5th stay.
We love it there.
Yes, it's a large resort.
Yes, it's tropical.
Yes, food court has a varied selection.
No elevators so requests first floor if you do not want to climb stairs.
No, luggage can not be brought onto the internal shuttle, but the walk to your room from The Custom's House will help you get a feel for the resort.

Have a great time and remember to enjoy the tropical feeling.

 

[luvpalmtrees]

We love, love, love CBR!! We will be there in July for our 5th stay. I don't understand why it gets a bad rap, but everyone has there own likes and dislikes. The resort is spread out, but that doesn't bother us at all. We have only stayed in Jamaica, and it is a short walk across the bridge and beautiful grounds to the main pool and food court. This resort is our home away from home!!!! Have a great time!!!

 

[dis_guy]

We've stayed at CBR seven times now. There are usually just me and DW and we travel pretty light, usually just our carry on bags with wheels and a small boarding bag that piggy backs on top of the case.

We usually request building 56 in Aruba for a couple of reasons. First, it is a reasonable walk to/from Custom House for checkin and checkout. If it's raining it's easy to have bell services take you in a van. Secondly, it's very close to the bus stop.

The small downside is it's a fair walk to OPR but we're in good shape, have no health or mobility issues, and have never once found it to be a chore.

Even when full, like it was this past March/April with sports teams, it never seems crowded around the resort. Yes, it was crowded when several teams decided to eat at OPR when we were there, but it wasn't impossible or anything.

 

[Pirate princess 2]

We are staying at CBR for the first time this Aug. You all have made it sound wonderful. I can't wait to be there. Thanks. Where do they have the movies at night? Do they do them poolside like at the All Stars?

 

[Yellowstonetim]

We are staying at CBR for the first time this Aug. You all have made it sound wonderful. I can't wait to be there. Thanks. Where do they have the movies at night? Do they do them poolside like at the All Stars?

Yes, there is a nice big area just outside the main building near the pool and by the outdoor bar. Very nice.

Yes CBR is nice, or wonderful, or as Billy Crystal would say, 'marvelous, simply marvelous!" Have fun.

 

[slimplaw]

We stayed there, unexpectedly, in May when we were upgraded from All Star Sports upon check in. We were in the Martinique area which was a short walk to the food court. The best part, was our bus stop was, I believe, the first to be picked up in the resort, so we had no trouble getting a seat on the bus. I would definitely stay there again. The only problem I had was my cell phone would not work in the room!

 

[ninamouse]

It's do nice to see everyone on the thread being so positive about CBR!!

We've got 125 days until our trip and can't wait! xx

 

[Pirate princess 2]

Yes, there is a nice big area just outside the main building near the pool and by the outdoor bar. Very nice.

Yes CBR is nice, or wonderful, or as Billy Crystal would say, 'marvelous, simply marvelous!" Have fun.

Thanks. We loved being able to swim and watch a movie at ASMu, so this will be great!

 

[Sally]

This will be our first stay at CBR and after all the positive things, I am looking even more forward to staying there.

 

[malacajo]

I just started a new thread on this exact topic yesterday! I have read so man awful reviews, but we are staying here in Sept..I feel so much better about it now, whew!! We are not that picky, the size of the resort sounds great to me, it's the double beds that bum me out some, but at the end of the day, I think we will survive, LOL....I'm excited about the pool and we are a family of 4, two teens-we all LOVE anything with a Caribbean theme!!! I'm getting excited now

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Thanks. We loved being able to swim and watch a movie at ASMu, so this will be great!

I don't remember whether or not the movie was visible from the pool. It was not visible from the hot tub. If you zoom in on Google Maps satellite you will see the pool, the Banana Cabana Pool Bar and the large concrete area next to the bar. If I remember the movies were located here and the pool bar is between the movie and the pool. However, there may be areas in the pool where the movie is visible, I'm just not sure.

Anyone else know?

 

[disdream]

I lOVE CBR. We stay there every time we come to WDW. I have never understood why so many people complain about it. The food court has a great variety. The gift shop is very nice. We usually pay for a preferred room to be close to the food court but if you request Jamaca which is the group of yellow buildings, there is a bridge that goes accross the lake. That really cuts down on the walking since you don't have to walk all the way around the resort. There is also an "internal" bus that just runs around the property. You can take that too if you want to save your walking for the parks.

The rooms are really nice and clean. I love the fact that there are double sinks which helps in getting ready in the morning. We usually find a towel animal in the room at some point during our stay. The staff has always been great and the bus service has also been great. We have never waited more then 10 minutes for a bus.

I think you will enjoy this resort. Have fun and don't worry about any bad reviews.

 

[awahllm]

I was in Jamaica building which didn't seem like a far walk to old port royal. Most of the time Jamaica was the first bus stop too! I loved CBR it was so pretty! I had a fabulous trip there last August!

 

[malacajo]

Anyone know which buildings are closest to main pool?

 

[mickeystoontown]

Anyone know which buildings are closest to main pool?

If you are talking preferred, then Martinique 26, 25 and 24 and all of Trinidad North buildings. All rooms in Trinidad South are pirate rooms. All others are standard rooms. Here's a map that will help you out.

 

[bluejasmine]

Never understood why they put the " preferred" pirate rooms in Trinidad South since its so far away... Lol

ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & CR Sept 8-15, 2013

 

[dansdad]

Never understood why they put the " preferred" pirate rooms in Trinidad South since its so far away... Lol

ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & CR Sept 8-15, 2013

There are no preferred Pirate rooms. They had to do something extra in Trinidad South so people wouldn't mind being in the farthest village from OPR.

 

[bluejasmine]

There are no preferred Pirate rooms. They had to do something extra in Trinidad South so people wouldn't mind being in the farthest village from OPR.

No what I meant is your paying a premium for those rooms & they are sooooo far away... I just worded that wrong, sorry..

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[dansdad]

No what I meant is your paying a premium for those rooms & they are sooooo far away... I just worded that wrong, sorry..

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Oh gotcha. Our last trip I was chatting with the CBR General Manager about the Pirate Rooms. Before they redid them with the Pirate theme, she said Trinidad South would normally run at 15-20% capacity. Since the switch, they normally run at 60-70%.