Booked today for March 08

[Pinklepurr361]

I've just booked for 23 March 08 for 10 nights at the Disney Caribbean Beach Hotel through Virgin. We're going out Economy but coming back in Upper Class so can't wait! Got 10% discount off the whole thing too.

We chose this hotel as we wanted something in between value and deluxe but I have read many reviews on TripAdvisor (since booking it) and they seem to be really mixed and I am now a bit worried that I've made the wrong choice. There will be 4 of us, 2 adults and 2 children (ages 8 and 6) and I would really appreciate some constructive reviews about this resort. Our other choice was Wilderness Lodge but that was just a bit too pricey.

I did read in the Virgin brochure about Spring Break but they say it is mainly the beach resorts that get busy then. Are we likely to be affected by this? We cannot change dates as we HAVE to keep the holiday within school holiday times.

Also, anyone got experience of Upper Class? I did go once before with Virgin and got upgraded to Upper but that was before they had the sleeper seats.

Thanks

 

[KayleeUK]

Welcome to the DIS

We stayed at the CBR in 2000, it was a great resort we stayed in the Martinique Building right near to the main pool and the food court etc. Have you seen THIS info with pictures on CBR.

We went in 2005 during the Grad Night time and everyone said it would be really busy, but it was fine we took advantage of EMH and the fasspasses and had no problem whatsoever

Can't help on the Upper Class - you lucky thing

If you don't get to many replies, try doing a thread for each topic, some people only click on the topic if they think they know something about it

Don't forget to join us on the UK Community Board too

 

[Pinklepurr361]

Thanks for that..

However, just read on another thread that the main pool at DCBR is closed betwen Jan and June 08 - cannot find any other info and Virgin didn't mention this to us when booking. If anyone knows anymore?

 

[natalielongstaff]

can't help with your questions, just wanted to say

welcome

 

[KayleeUK]

That is a long rehab

 

[jns]

Congratulations on booking

let the planning begin

 

[crabbie1]

hi
We stayed at this hotel the first week in december last year and thought it was lovely.I had read a lot of reviews as well and I must say you have to make your own mind up.We stayed in Jamaca block 46 and had a corner room.we didn't want to pay the extra for a preferred room as it was only a base but as it was our wedding they gave us the block I asked for.I did them an e-mail and also wrote to them.To be honest it doesn't matter which island you stay in but if I had a choice I would stay in either martinique aruba or jamaica.I thought the pool was closed this year not next-perhaps I misread it.
Im sure you will have a fab time

 

[susieh]

We flew Upper Class June 2006 and now we never want to fly economy again!

Being woken up with breakfast of my choice (a hot bacon roll and a glass of orange juice) was just so different from economy class that I can't describe it!

We were served dinner as soon as we took off and then changed into our complimentary sleepsuits and settled down to sleep. The beds are comfy enough and it was lovely and warm and quiet.

Enjoy it !!!

 

[Ric]

We were in a similar position last year having read tripadvisor...but we needn't have worried. We stayed at CBR last Oct/Nov and it was superb. We were in Barbados with a waterview room. It was very quiet. Yes, it's a bit further from the food court but it took less than ten minutes to walk...and it's a nice walk. Unless you're really into slides I wouldn't be too concerned over the main pool closing - there are pools everywhere in CBR. We also flew upper class. You will not be disappointed. I have great difficulty sleeping on planes but being able to lie down totally flat makes a huge difference. I slept all the way.

 

[Pinklepurr361]

Thanks for all your comments.

With regards to CBR, it is reassuring to know that people have enjoyed staying there. We are currently still booked to go there but we are looking at staying off-site at a suite hotel so the kids can have a separate room to sleep in. Currently considering World Quest if anyone has any experience of this new development, please let me know.

Upper Class sounds great. It is a huge extravagence, but we've never flown overnight with the children before and we didn't want to be squashed into economy seats getting little or no sleep, especially with a 3 hour journey home after arriving at LGW. This way, we all get to sleep comfortably and enjoy some luxury. I've been assured that children are accepted in Upper Class (they are well behaved anyway) so won't disturb other passengers, but I do fear some snooty looks from others when we board!

 

[Ric]

You did well to get your UC seats so early. When we booked through VH they had a standard allocation of 2 Z-class seats per flight (we wanted 4). We had to wait some time before they could request the extra 2. If you're going from LGW I would consider reserving seats 6A, 6K, 7A and 7K which are a nice set of 4 at the front of the cabin. The seats are closer together there. Our children (6 and 10) loved having their own little 'rooms' and the cabin crew made a fuss of them. There were no snooty looks.

 

[Pinklepurr361]

You did well to get your UC seats so early. When we booked through VH they had a standard allocation of 2 Z-class seats per flight (we wanted 4). We had to wait some time before they could request the extra 2. If you're going from LGW I would consider reserving seats 6A, 6K, 7A and 7K which are a nice set of 4 at the front of the cabin. The seats are closer together there. Our children (6 and 10) loved having their own little 'rooms' and the cabin crew made a fuss of them. There were no snooty looks.

Thanks for that top tip re seat numbers. We've looked at the plans and thought those were the best bet, especially as they are away from the bar area. UC isn't confirmed yet as Virgin Holidays waiting for their allocation although we have been assured that it won't be a problem. It had better not be anyway. How far in advance were your UC seats confirmed? I am going to ring them in April if I haven't heard anything.

 

[Ric]

Here's the reply I got from VH when I was having trouble booking...

The reason why you are unable to book upper class yet is because we are only given allocation 11 months before travel.

When we are given allocation we are only give 2 seats a day.

We got confirmation 11 months before the flight. I think it's the magical 336 days. I made a note of the day and made sure I contacted them just before so they wouldn't forget. I have to say that VH were excellent when we were going through all this. If you make sure you get a UK contact it makes all the difference. Once your flights are confirmed you'll have little trouble getting through to VA since you'll be able to use the dedicated UC phone service.

 

[Disney owl]

Welcome & congrats on booking

 

[lorapinky]

Congrats on your booking!!!

 

[Soprano]

I did read in the Virgin brochure about Spring Break but they say it is mainly the beach resorts that get busy then. Are we likely to be affected by this? We cannot change dates as we HAVE to keep the holiday within school holiday times.

That Virgin brochure is wholly inaccurate! Spring Break is busy EVERYWHERE. You will be affected by this. But I would guess, it will get quieter as your holiday goes by and they return to school.

We went last year late-Feb to early March. The theme parks got MUCH busier as the weeks went by and more teens arrived.

For example, the wait for Tower of Terror ride was 10-20 minutes during our first week, but went up to 90 minutes by early afternoon on March 16th (our last day)

Spring Break has no set time and generally seems (to me) to be from early March - Mid April. I could be wrong, but the little bit of research I done seems to suggest this. Different schools breaking up at different times.

You may get lucky and find most schools go back when you arrive. Even if they do not, as long as you adopt the get-to-the-parks-early rule, there should be no real problems.

Regardless of crowds, the weather should be lovely and you all will have a great time.

 

[angel659]

Great news let the planning begin

 

[Ali and boyz]

didn't know you could book that far ahead. Is it just some of the airlines that are doing it for 2008 ?

 

[wideeyes]

Airtours, Virgin, First Choice, thomson are taking bookings to April 2008.

 

[Ali and boyz]

Airtours, Virgin, First Choice, thomson are taking bookings to April 2008.

we can't go until the July so will just have to wait until they release them