Disney's CARIBBEAN BEACH RESORT Information & Questions-Old Thread-New Thread Link in Post 1

[raider97]

Do we know when the bridge is scheduled to be reopened? I have a Jamica request in for December and was wondering if I should change it.

Nevermind I found it. Thanks!! Just needed to do a little digging on this great thread!

 

[raider97]

I've been meaning to post pictures of the famous Monkey Cupcake sold at Caribbean Beach Resort but never seemed to get around to posting them. I present to you the Monkey Cupcake!

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Those look yummy! What's in them?

 

[jolene63]

Word on the street is that towel animals are extinct at WDW. There are several DISboard threads about it.

We just got back tonight from CBR. We had towel animals twice during our 9 day stay.

Also, room 4631 has a murphy bed. We loved having this extra space for our daughter.

 

[tjudgeiii]

Just back from 14 fabulous days at CBR. We have always had great success (luck) with our room requests in the past but not this time. Had requested upper floor as we always do through on-line check in, through TA, and via fax. We also asked for Barbados due to the bridge being closed. We got neither. We were given ground floor rooms in Jamaica. I asked if we could change and apparently the only rooms in Barbados were in separate buildings (we had 2 rooms) but still on the ground floor, or we could have upper rooms in Jamaica but in sperate ends of the village. This was a really special trip for us,celebrating 2 birthdays, 2 wedding anniversaries and it was my parents last trip so we were really disappointed. They finally offered us 2 upper rooms in Barbados from the next day so we stayed in Jamaica for the first night and were told our luggage would be moved for us and would be in our new room when we got back from the parks. This didn't happen, we had to go back to the Customs House and sort it with Bell Services. I have to say that the staff at check-in didnt really go out of their way to help us and seemed worn out with having to deal with these requests. The large family at the next desk were having similar problems as they had 3 rooms and they were placed all over the resort. I know some people say that fax requests are not read but they knew about our celebrations and I had only mentioned that in my fax, yet they didn't acknowledge that either as I had to request the birthday/anniversary buttons. We tried the bus shuttle service that first night but I wouldn't have wanted to do that every day. The bus going to OPR was OK but coming back it was really busy and we had to wait for a second one. This was right next to the smoking area which was not ideal with a young child but if we're waited elsewhere we may not have got a seat on the next bus. Also, people sitting next to you need to get in and out if they are not getting out at your stop, which is not easy if you are stuck in the back. Really pleased we were moved. Other than that everything else at CBR was great as always. OPR food court is busy but we always sit outside anyway where it is quiet. Used the main and quiet pools and enjiyed both. Bell Services and Mousekeeping were good but our missing towel never made its way back to us. Stayed at CBR 5 times now and love it but thinking of trying somewhere new next trip just to see what else is on offer.

Wow, 14 days? That's awesome, just curious how you spread out your time at the parks, resort etc...Would love to do a stay like this...

 

[oj01]

Having said that, if you book through a TA then the TA has to phone in your room requests. Even if you call back at 10 days out, you won't be able to make your own room requests. They have to come from your TA as they own the reservation.

That's the part that makes no sense to me. Our TA, who has now been paid in full, has no interest in making specific requests on our behalf. Surely, as far as Disney is concerned, our reservation should be no different to anyone else's at this stage.

It's actually not that big a deal to us, I'll be happy enough if we get our online village request, but to some, specifics seem important and I don't see why there is the difference between TA and non TA bookings.

 

[dansdad]

That's the part that makes no sense to me. Our TA, who has now been paid in full, has no interest in making specific requests on our behalf.

Wow. Then you got a terrible and very unprofessional TA. One of the reasons people use a TA is to have someone to make requests, make dining reservations, etc for them. A TA is supposed to be someone to assist you up until you return from your trip. For non Disney vacations, we have had our TA help with some issues we had while on our trip.

Surely, as far as Disney is concerned, our reservation should be no different to anyone else's at this stage.

Unfortunately, Disney does see it differently. As far as Disney is concerned since you went through a TA, you have given up the control of your reservation. It is one of the reasons we do not like to use a TA when it comes to our Disney trips.

It's actually not that big a deal to us, I'll be happy enough if we get our online village request, but to some, specifics seem important and I don't see why there is the difference between TA and non TA bookings.

I don't know the reasons why, but it is the way it has always been.

 

[Ladyfish77]

Can someone knowledgeable help me out. I've read that if you call in room request (which I have done) that you shouldn't do the online check-in because it will override phoned in requests. Is this correct?

If I don't do online check-in will they still know I am arriving in the morning (I have put in my arrival time for ME from the airport)? I know early check-in is never promised, but it seems some are having luck with early check-in. Will we have any chance of early check-in if we don't do the online check-in? I would have liked getting the text message, but I don't want my room requests to run into the override issue.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Those look yummy! What's in them?

There are two different flavored Monkey Cupcakes...vanilla or chocolate. In the middle is a creamy banana filling with sliced bananas and the icing is peanut butter flavored.

Wow, 14 days? That's awesome, just curious how you spread out your time at the parks, resort etc...Would love to do a stay like this...

Not the poster that you quoted but we also enjoy our longer stays. Our last two trips have been 15 days and we love it! We spend ten days in the parks (sometimes not all day long), two days in the water parks (arrive close to park opening and leave around 2 p.m.) and then the rest of the time, we just do whatever we want.

 

[LynnMc2015]

Wow, 14 days? That's awesome, just curious how you spread out your time at the parks, resort etc...Would love to do a stay like this...

We visit from the UK so a shorter trip would be difficult with the length of flight etc, and we lose most of our check-in/out days due to the travel. We usually alternate a couple of days in the parks (not full days) with some down time. We spend a few mornings in the resort pools, vist a water park but normally only for a morning, spend a few evenings at DTD. The men play golf on one day whilst the girls go off to MK for BBB etc. We have attended MNSSHP on our past two trips and this time we also fitted in a trip to the spa at SSR. What I love is that I feel like we have been there for weeks rather than days and it gives us time to enjoy everything without feeling too rushed.

 

[tjudgeiii]

We visit from the UK so a shorter trip would be difficult with the length of flight etc, and we lose most of our check-in/out days due to the travel. We usually alternate a couple of days in the parks (not full days) with some down time. We spend a few mornings in the resort pools, vist a water park but normally only for a morning, spend a few evenings at DTD. The men play golf on one day whilst the girls go off to MK for BBB etc. We have attended MNSSHP on our past two trips and this time we also fitted in a trip to the spa at SSR. What I love is that I feel like we have been there for weeks rather than days and it gives us time to enjoy everything without feeling too rushed.

That makes sense! I was there for 8 nights and that felt like weeks, would like to experience a two week stay now. Although, breaking out of these Disney blues is difficult

 

[tjudgeiii]

There are two different flavored Monkey Cupcakes...vanilla or chocolate. In the middle is a creamy banana filling with sliced bananas and the icing is peanut butter flavored.



Not the poster that you quoted but we also enjoy our longer stays. Our last two trips have been 15 days and we love it! We spend ten days in the parks (sometimes not all day long), two days in the water parks (arrive close to park opening and leave around 2 p.m.) and then the rest of the time, we just do whatever we want.

That sounds fantastic! I would like to try this next time.

 

[midnightlouise]

Well I just did online check-in! Only 40 days before we go. Hopefully one or the other of our requests will be granted. (I asked for a corner room in Trinidad North.) Might get lucky. You never know... Right now I'm just so excited to be going lol

 

[wdw4rfam]

It's cold and wet here in northeastern Ohio, 43 days to go and I agree thinking about WDW and looking at the photos of CBR is warming me up.

we're also in NE Ohio, and looks like we're heading down just a few days after you.

 

[5kidsmommy]

we're also in NE Ohio, and looks like we're heading down just a few days after you.

It will be a great time to escape the beginning of Ohio's cold season.

 

[Kevin355]

It will be a great time to escape the beginning of Ohio's cold season.

Didn't that start in July!!! My son is a lifeguard in Hilliard, OH and got sent home many days because of the below normal temps and above average rainfall. Now it's getting warmer again for deer hunting. I wish I was at WDW again!!!

 

[beldred]

Been hearing that the food at Shutters is good recently. We're going to be at CBR end of January. Not traveled during this time before and never been to CBR. So, do you think we will need reservations to eat at Shutters or will it be easy to walk in that time of year? Was thinking it would be nice to have that as a table service back up so we didn't have to make so many advance commitments (one of our travel party HATES having scheduled ADRs, so trying to have some unplanned days).

Thanks for any advice!

 

[busymommy2pink]

Just wanted to quickly pop in and ask if anyone knows what the current in room toiletries are like? We normally stay deluxe, but I know they vary in the levels of resort. Are the shampoo and conditioner separate? Thanks!

 

[kwbrad]

Just wanted to quickly pop in and ask if anyone knows what the current in room toiletries are like? We normally stay deluxe, but I know they vary in the levels of resort. Are the shampoo and conditioner separate? Thanks!

I am curious as well, last trip was in 2009 so I know things have changed. Several posters on here have just recently returned so maybe they will have info and pics

 

[dansdad]

Can someone knowledgeable help me out. I've read that if you call in room request (which I have done) that you shouldn't do the online check-in because it will override phoned in requests. Is this correct?

You most definitely can do online check in, just skip the room request section. This is what we do every trip and had no issues.

If I don't do online check-in will they still know I am arriving in the morning (I have put in my arrival time for ME from the airport)?

No they won't. ME and the resort reservation systems are completely separate and don't share that type of info.

I know early check-in is never promised, but it seems some are having luck with early check-in. Will we have any chance of early check-in if we don't do the online check-in? I would have liked getting the text message, but I don't want my room requests to run into the override issue.

Even if you don't do online check in, when you arrive you can ask them if there are any rooms available right then and there.

 

[dansdad]

Been hearing that the food at Shutters is good recently. We're going to be at CBR end of January. Not traveled during this time before and never been to CBR. So, do you think we will need reservations to eat at Shutters or will it be easy to walk in that time of year? Was thinking it would be nice to have that as a table service back up so we didn't have to make so many advance commitments (one of our travel party HATES having scheduled ADRs, so trying to have some unplanned days).

Thanks for any advice!

Even though Shutters is a fantastic TS now, because CBR is not connected to a park via monorail, boat or walking it does not get crowded like a TS at a Deluxe. We have been in October during Free Dining when CBR is at capacity and have been able to walk up to Shutters. But to be sure you might want to do what I do. About 4 weeks before we arrive I check to see what kind of ADR availability there is. If there's plenty I check at 3 weeks, then at 2, etc. If I would have seen that they are starting to dwindle I would have made an ADR. But I haven't had to yet.

Just wanted to quickly pop in and ask if anyone knows what the current in room toiletries are like? We normally stay deluxe, but I know they vary in the levels of resort. Are the shampoo and conditioner separate? Thanks!

I am pretty sure they are separate, but would have to wait until I speak to the expert (my wife) to be 100% sure.