Best island at Caribbean Beach

[tweenie]

We're going to the Caribbean Beach in three weeks and can't decide which island to request. We usually stay at Port Orleans but decided on a change this year. We like somewhere quiet at night and a room that's near the bus-stop. We don't mind a walk to the food court and at Port Orleans always stayed in 34. I quite fancy Trinidad South but I've heard it's too secluded. My son wants Martinique and others have recommended Barbados. Any advice would be gratefully received.
Cath

 

[CleveRocks]

We're going to the Caribbean Beach in three weeks and can't decide which island to request. We usually stay at Port Orleans but decided on a change this year. We like somewhere quiet at night and a room that's near the bus-stop. We don't mind a walk to the food court and at Port Orleans always stayed in 34. I quite fancy Trinidad South but I've heard it's too secluded. My son wants Martinique and others have recommended Barbados. Any advice would be gratefully received.
Cath

The only variable that makes one village better than another is location; they each have identical amenities to the others. In addition, each village has its own bus stop (as does Old Port Royale), so it's not as if one village is closer to a bus stop than another.

Trinidad South is quite secluded, which some people absolutely love, and others hate because of the long walk to Old Port Royale (the food court, shops, etc.). Martinique and Trinidad North flank Old Port Royale, and are considered "preferred locations" that cost $15 extra per room per night (unless of course you get a free upgrade). From Barbados you walk around the lake to Old Port Royale, and from Aruba and Jamaica you walk across a bridge.

-- Eric

 

[cranbiz]

If you want to be near Olde Port Royal, but not pay for a preferred building, ask for Jamacia or Aruba. We just got back and were in Aruba 54. Not to far away from the bridge to Olde Port Royal. It was a good location, close to food. etc. far enough away to be quiet.

Loved the resort, mousekeeping made towel animals for us each day. The food court was pretty good and the banana cabana's were great!

 

[tweenie]

Aruba sounds a good bet and not too far a walk for us in the mornings!.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[safetymom]

I suggest reading the CBR FAQ's listed below for more information on CBR. You will have a great time.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Jamacia was the best island at the CBR. It was the first pick up spot for the bus to pick up. so by the time you get to the other islands the busses are packed.

pooh

 

[cslittle999]

I agree with Pooh, Jamica was great and it is the island we will ask for the next time we stay at CBR.

 

[mm6mm6]

tweenie:

Heed the advice of the others! We stayed in Jamaica in 2002 and I'm sure it will fill all your needs. It is secluded enough, close to the white sand beaches and hammocks and a quiet pool.

It's just a 4 minute walk over the bridge and Parrot Cay island to the main themed pool and restaurants.

But the big plus for Jamaica is that it is the very first bus stop (and there are 7!) when the empty busses come in the morning to take you to a park. Which means...you ALWAYS get a seat. And no busses pass you by because they're already full.

And, when you are returning from a crowded park at night and you are standing on the bus, you're the first ones OFF the bus too!

This is a pretty serious perk of staying in Jamaica in my opinion. It's the only way to go!

The resort itself is just gorgeous. You'll love it!

 

[kimmar067]

....we DID NOT like CBR at all, [Please don't flame me...JHMO!]

 

[RobtG]

Barbados building 11. get a second floor room somewhere around 1160 (which is a corner room right next to a natural area). It is quiet close to the Bus and maybe a ten minute walk (or longer) to the food court. I have also stayed in Jamaica which is also a good spot and closer to the food court across the bay.
Trinidad South is probably the best spot if your looking for quiet although I think
your bus stop is close to last (not sure) coming and going .

Have fun

 

[marc1477]

We have stayed at Jamiaca both times we were there(02 and 03) and were happy with it. The bus stop was very convienient to the building and the walk to Old port Royale was only about 5-8 min walk.

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

We stayed in Jamaica in Oct '03 for 13 days and found it to be perfect. Close to the bus, close to Port Royale, Disney (but not too Disney) and very relaxing.

When looking at the reviews make sure that people have been there since the remodel. When we were there it was 100% clean (somewhat surprising since it is Florida, 100% bug free.) I'm also somewhat of a clean fanatic and a total insect phobic -- (my kitchen is always spotless, sheets at home get changed minimum twice a week, bathrooms are squeeky clean --- I drive my DH insane -- but then again I don't nag him about his golfing....) but I was pleasantly surprise by the quality of mousekeeping.

The vibe at CBR is very relaxed and that's exactly what we felt during our vacation (a welcome change to the pace at the theme parks.) We watched the Illuminations from Port Royale at night. As for buildings, Jamaica was not too far (i.e. a 5 minute walk) and not too close (no noise from Port Royale or the main pool). We'd recommend Jamaica.

 

[CleveRocks]

Heed the advice of the others! We stayed in Jamaica in 2002 and I'm sure it will fill all your needs. It is secluded enough, close to the white sand beaches and hammocks and a quiet pool.

Um ... EVERY village has "white sand beaches and hammocks and a quiet pool." It's not like there's only one spot for that and Jamaica is it.

But the big plus for Jamaica is that it is the very first bus stop (and there are 7!) when the empty busses come in the morning to take you to a park. Which means...you ALWAYS get a seat. And no busses pass you by because they're already full.

And, when you are returning from a crowded park at night and you are standing on the bus, you're the first ones OFF the bus too!

This is a pretty serious perk of staying in Jamaica in my opinion. It's the only way to go!

I'm pretty sure this is not true, but I'd love to hear others weigh in on this, as well. It's not like I was paying CLOSE attention, but I'm pretty sure the buses took 2 or 3 different entrances into CBR, not just one. I'm pretty sure it all depends on where the bus is from. In other words, an MK bus will always use one specific entrance, an Epcot bus will always use one specific entrance, etc. I'm very sure that we did not enter the CBR complex and come to/stop at the same village each time. In fact, as I think about it more, there were DEFINITELY times when we (Trinidad North) were the third stop upon entering CBR: first Martinique, then OPR, then Trinidad North.

Ditto for boarding a bus on the way to a park -- there are times I remember stopping at Trinindad South last before going to parks, but I can also definitely recall also sometimes stopping at Barbados last. I hope someone can shed some light on this so that bad advice (mine or mm6mm6's) doesn't get used.

The resort itself is just gorgeous. You'll love it!

I totally agree!!!

-- Eric

 

[RobtG]

Well CleveRocks I think your both right and I don't think there is any bad advice given on any account. The bus ( as of Feb 04 ) either entered the gate at Jamaica or at the Customs house. I was there for 11 days and more often it was at Jamaica . Staying in Barbados, which was last plenty of times I usually got off at Martinique and walked along the lake to get back. Coming from the parks it really dosen't matter about the bus being full your carrying seven stops worth of people , and unless your the first off your still going to be sitting on a crowded bus. And wether it's full or not ya always wind up giving your seat up to someone else anyway.

I guess what I'm trying to say is don't let the placement of the bus stops make any difference on what building to request. If you want a good shot at getting on or off first go to Jamaica or Matinique otherwise it dosen't make a difference.

If your looking for somewhere quiet just stay away from the area bordering OPR. Their more expensive anyway. Otherwise all the villiages are pretty much the same except for the colors.

 

[safetymom]

The preferred villages aren't any noisier than anywhere else at CBR. I have stayed there many times and didn't notice a lot of noise anywhere.

If you don't enjoy walking paying extra for a preferred location is money well spent. Also if you have small children a location near the food court and main pool is a good idea.

Yes there are two ways that the bus can come in.

 

[tweenie]

Thanks for all the advice - I think I'll ask for Jamaica as it sounds just what we're looking for.
Cath