The New Caribbean Beach FAQ Part VII

[Mbuksa]

We are currently at CBR on our 7th out of 9 days. This is our first stay at CBR, and I LOVE the rooms. We are in Jamaica Building 45 and couldn't be happier with our room location. It is just across from the bridge to Centertown, just down from the beach and pool, and very close to parking. We drove, so that is a plus. The room renovations are wonderful. We have stayed at POR several times in AB, and these rooms seem larger. There is a murphy bed in one of our two connecting rooms. I love that I got every request I made. I faxed, phoned, and selected preferences through online check-in within the 7 days before we left.

The rooms have queen beds, lots of dark wood and bamboo touches, and I especially love the sliding doors to the bathroom area. What a great touch. There are 3 chests in the room: one holds the fridge, one has two deep drawers, and one is the nightstand. All three of these are fitted with two standard plugs plus two USB plugs, with a total of 6 USB plugs and 6 easily accessible regular plugs (not to mention the ones on the wall and in the bathroom). This is a huge plus, with all the cameras, smartphones, tablets, computers, etc. that need char need charging at night.

We love everything about the resort except Centertown... it just looks worn and dated to us... but that is totally a personal preference thing. It isn't a huge issue, as we're only there long enough to fill our mugs. Other than that it is REALLY a beautiful resort, and the location is GREAT. Thanks so much for this thread and others where I learned so much about all the great things CBR has to offer!!

MAJOR to all contributors!

Thanks so much for the information. 14 days to go!! I'm going to start packing this weekend

 

[Airship Ariadne]

Was there last week in the pirate rooms (blanking on the building name) and once my mom (stiff knee) had to stand with no one willing to give up a seat.

That is so shameful...We always offer our seats to anyone that looks like they might be in more need of one than us...parents holding babies, pregnant women, people that are older than us that look like they need to sit...and I've really been shocked so many times when young, healthy people (especially men) don't have the kindness to do this too, especially in the mornings when they aren't beat (I can almost forgive them after park closing, I get it, they are tired...but STILL!).

Guess it comes from being raised right.

 

[lindsey5103]

Can anyone point me in the direction of the cancellation thread?

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

That is so shameful...We always offer our seats to anyone that looks like they might be in more need of one than us...parents holding babies, pregnant women, people that are older than us that look like they need to sit...and I've really been shocked so many times when young, healthy people (especially men) don't have the kindness to do this too, especially in the mornings when they aren't beat (I can almost forgive them after park closing, I get it, they are tired...but STILL!).

Guess it comes from being raised right.

I do believe that some of the courtesies that used to be taught and reinforced by example are just ignored anymore. So sad. Courtesy and respect should not be lost if we are to continue to thrive!

 

[firegurl]

I'm ready to burst, this time next week I be double checking my suitcases and trying to sleep because we have to leave at 4am for the airport. I thought this week was going to kill me at work but I know the upcoming week will fly.

 

[Mbuksa]

I'm ready to burst, this time next week I be double checking my suitcases and trying to sleep because we have to leave at 4am for the airport. I thought this week was going to kill me at work but I know the upcoming week will fly.

I hope you have a great time. Keep us updated on our trip

 

[Daly]

Trying to get some sleep but it's hard to do with all the excitement. We check in tomorrow!! I can't believe it's finally here. I will try to keep you posted on any refurb information we can get. Let me know if there are any questions for while we're there that I can answer.

 

[Heckah]

Quick thoughts so far.

If you are staying in Trinidad South, rent a car. The ten minute zombie walk every morning to get coffee isn't a ton of fun after the third day.

Also, if you decide not to rent a car, walk to Old Port Royal and then you can take any bus back to the room. I haven't seen many internal buses, but buses to the parks, usually stop at TS before heading to the parks.

Other than that, CBR has been great.

 

[tiggerjenn]

Doing a happy dance! I switched my room for December and my new ressie says I'll have a Murphy bed! So excited!

 

[tiggerjenn]

We are currently at CBR on our 7th out of 9 days. This is our first stay at CBR, and I LOVE the rooms. We are in Jamaica Building 45 and couldn't be happier with our room location. It is just across from the bridge to Centertown, just down from the beach and pool, and very close to parking. We drove, so that is a plus. The room renovations are wonderful. We have stayed at POR several times in AB, and these rooms seem larger. There is a murphy bed in one of our two connecting rooms. I love that I got every request I made. I faxed, phoned, and selected preferences through online check-in within the 7 days before we left.

The rooms have queen beds, lots of dark wood and bamboo touches, and I especially love the sliding doors to the bathroom area. What a great touch. There are 3 chests in the room: one holds the fridge, one has two deep drawers, and one is the nightstand. All three of these are fitted with two standard plugs plus two USB plugs, with a total of 6 USB plugs and 6 easily accessible regular plugs (not to mention the ones on the wall and in the bathroom). This is a huge plus, with all the cameras, smartphones, tablets, computers, etc. that need char need charging at night.

We love everything about the resort except Centertown... it just looks worn and dated to us... but that is totally a personal preference thing. It isn't a huge issue, as we're only there long enough to fill our mugs. Other than that it is REALLY a beautiful resort, and the location is GREAT. Thanks so much for this thread and others where I learned so much about all the great things CBR has to offer!!

MAJOR to all contributors!

Question about your room with the Murphy bed, is the tv really above the bed? Is it somehow secured to it? I'm a bit nervous about that because DD is a mover when she sleeps.

 

[spayne12]

Question about your room with the Murphy bed, is the tv really above the bed? Is it somehow secured to it? I'm a bit nervous about that because DD is a mover when she sleeps.

it is above but secured and the Murphy bed seems like an attached piece if furniture! we are here now I'll snap a photo when we get back

 

[spayne12]

We arrived late last night! I called on Tuesday and had asked if possible for Aruba...and scored! we also have the Murphy bed which is perfect! also our amazon pantry was there at checkin and we were escorted with the box by the bell services directly to our room can't wait to explore later we arrived so late and slept in and just barely made our cape may brunch reservation...

 

[luv2sing32]

Just back from a week at CBR. We have stayed here before and this was the first time we had issues and there were plenty. None of our requests for village, building, ground floor, close to transportation were honored via fax or online check in. We had a scooter as I'm really pregnant with twins and a stroller and it took getting a manager just for a ground level room, forget the other requests. Refurb was nice, more South Pacific vibe than caribbean, but clean and new. Mouse keeping was great but we did tip everyday. Food in food court was good for breakfast and lunch but same selection for lunch as dinner. Bus service was awful and it was not super crowded at the parks. We waited over 45 min for MK bus at Jamaica stop on 2 occasions. One time i had my 2 yr old on bus with me to MK and I asked driver if we could loop past Barbados to pick up my husband as he had to go to the custom house and the was the closest stop, he said sure as we were the only people on the bus and then drove right past the stop saying his boss told him he couldn't, I asked to get off and he said he couldn't stop so we had to go to the park by ourselves. Also, my husbands magic band did not work the entire week, we made 5 trips to the concierge to tell us that everything was set up right and there was nothing else they could do but it didn't link to our credit card or meals. So, despite this we had a great trip bc we were at Disney, but in the future I don't think we will be back to CBR.

 

[Bama_C]

Thanks so much for the information. 14 days to go!! I'm going to start packing this weekend

You are very welcome! I love sharing Disney knowledge so others can benefit, as I have benefited so much from the things shared here by others. I'd be happy to answer any questions anyone may have about my experience.

Interestingly, the weather got REALLLLY cold today as we were leaving. The low in Orlando tonight is supposed to be in the 40s... brrr. As I was walking across the bridge to Centertown this morning for my last coffee mug refill, it was in the 50s and the wind was blowing so hard I was freezing! But, the temps are supposed to rise a little (back to normal) as the week goes on. The eating area was a madhouse, packed because no one wanted to take their breakfast outside... too cold! Just FYI, if the main eating area inside is full, you can take your breakfast into the Shutters area to eat.

 

[Bama_C]

I was hoping someone would let me know how long it would take to get to each park from CBR. We are rope drop people and want to a lot of time to get there at rope drop. Thanks!

Assuming you're doing buses, a lot depends on whether you happen to get a bus to the park you are going to in a timely manner. My son and in-laws took a bus to EPCOT last night to meet us for dinner at San Angel. They had to wait about 15 min. for the correct bus and then make all the stops around the resort...ended up having to basically run (very fast walk) to the restaurant to make our reservation. You just need to plan enough time in case there's a hiccup like that.

If you're driving, then it is a breeze to EPCOT and DHS. Everything is hard except buses if going to MK. AK will be around 30-45 mins., but you might want to allow an hour if resort is super crowded.

 

[Bama_C]

Question about your room with the Murphy bed, is the tv really above the bed? Is it somehow secured to it? I'm a bit nervous about that because DD is a mover when she sleeps.

The TV is above the bed, but it is a flat panel mounted to the wall well above it. No issues at all with the TV falling. Your DD is like mine... a wiggly sleeper. No issues at all... she can wiggle to her heart's content. However, the bed is up off the floor about 2 to 2 1/2 feet off the ground. It pulls down to rest on the bench in between the chest with the fridge and the chest with the drawers. If she is very small you may want to have a rail or at least barricade her in with pillows. When I can get to my pics will try to post one here.

 

[cklemesrud]

We check in dec 12. Only 41 days. Woohoo!
My question is about online checkin. We have 10 people in 4 preferred rooms booked separately. Using online checkin do we need to request to be close together? My father in law had back surgery recently and we want to be close to OPR. Can I request a specific building?
We can't wait to see Disney at Christmas. We have a wishes cruise booked and the candlelight processional dinner package.

 

[tiggerjenn]

We check in dec 12. Only 41 days. Woohoo!
My question is about online checkin. We have 10 people in 4 preferred rooms booked separately. Using online checkin do we need to request to be close together? My father in law had back surgery recently and we want to be close to OPR. Can I request a specific building?
We can't wait to see Disney at Christmas. We have a wishes cruise booked and the candlelight processional dinner package.

Make sure you request 1st floor as there are no elevators for your FIL..

 

[tiggerjenn]

The TV is above the bed, but it is a flat panel mounted to the wall well above it. No issues at all with the TV falling. Your DD is like mine... a wiggly sleeper. No issues at all... she can wiggle to her heart's content. However, the bed is up off the floor about 2 to 2 1/2 feet off the ground. It pulls down to rest on the bench in between the chest with the fridge and the chest with the drawers. If she is very small you may want to have a rail or at least barricade her in with pillows. When I can get to my pics will try to post one here.

Thank you very much, makes me feel much better!!

 

[vald1977]

Hello Everyone,

We will be at CBR from 11/10 - 11/22 and have a water/pool view room booked. Can anyone help with what to request to give us the best chance of a refurbed room close (or closer) to the main pool and food court? We have stayed at many of the resorts but not this one and the size is kind of intimidating. TIA .