Caribbean Beach FAQ Part IV

[safetymom]

If you have the request in your reservation there is no need to fax. If you really want a King bed I suggest offering to pay for the upgrade at check in.

 

[rdearth]

Hope I'm not posting information that has already been said in here, but my family and I stayed at the CBR September 2009 and I've been wanting to post a couple of things we were surprised by ever since:

• All pools are open 24 hours with the exception of water slides and the little kiddies pirate boat splash park thing in the main pool area. Those things close whenever the lifeguards are not there. I think they were open from 9-9 or 10-8 during our time there. All pools are considered "quiet pools" for those times when the guards aren't present, so don't get too rowdy. Besides, you don't want to make too much noise because then everyone that thinks it's closed will join you in the pool you have pretty much to yourself.
  
• The pirate room made our 3 year old daughter a little nervous at first--mostly because of the skull and cross bone privacy curtain. But she got over it pretty quickly and really got into the idea of the room rather well.
  
• Hopefully a particular cast member won't get in trouble for this and no animals are hurt because of it, but herons eat old, cold pizza like a teenage boy.
  
• If you can do it, driving your car or a rental and staying on property is the only way to go--especially in the off or shoulder seasons. The guide book estimated travel times to and from parks from CBR of roughly 30 minutes. I can't remember it ever taking longer than 15-20 from hotel door to park gate and that includes the wrangling of a stroller and a 3 year old.
  
• Check-in couldn't have been nicer and smoother. And special thanks to the bellhops that removed one of those impossible to tear into plastic that our rechargeable batteries were packaged in. My wife had asked to borrow scissors, but they insisted on cutting it open for her and took care of the trash, etc without being asked.
  
• Outside our room, when we first checked in we saw one adult bunny rabbit eating grass. The next day, two. The third day, three. I guess rabbits multiply quickly. The fourth day, none, but they were mowing.
  
• I couldn't find any sort of gap under the front door that could potentially let critters and bugs into the room as I've seen others state about the CBR doors.

That's all I can think of for now. We would highly recommend CBR for it's size of rooms, relative proximity to all parks, and peace and quiet.

 

[Minnesota!]

Just curious ... why do you perceive an advantage in being close to the Custom House?

Buses to Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney start at Martinique and go counter-clockwise to Old Port Royale, Trinidad North, Trinidad South, Jamaica, Aruba and finally Barbados before going to the destination.

Buses to Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom start at Jamaica and go counter-clockwise to Aruba, Barbados, Martinique, Old Port Royale, Trinidad North and finally Trinidad South before going to the destination.

It's a stupid reason, really, but the walk to the Custom House seems extra long on check out day...even more painful coming from TS where you have to "bid adieu" to every building on your way there.

Stupid, yes, but that walk is realllllllly long on check out day.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Would the new pirate splash area in the pool be too babyish for a 6 year old?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Would the new pirate splash area in the pool be too babyish for a 6 year old?

My (then) 7 & 9 year olds loved it earlier this year and can't wait to go back!!

 

[jeanylaser]

Thanks for all info! I think CBR is perfect place for my birthday in January 14, 2010!

 

[ILuvTinkerbelle]

Can you get a pirate room with a king bed? And if so is the bed still a "ship"? We are thinking of changing to a king but I want to make sure we would still get the ship! Thanks for any info!

 

[CleveRocks]

Can you get a pirate room with a king bed? And if so is the bed still a "ship"? We are thinking of changing to a king but I want to make sure we would still get the ship! Thanks for any info!

No, sorry, there are NO Pirate rooms with king-size beds. None.

 

[KimRaye]

Could you tell me spacificly where you had your Pix were taken so I may update my list?

Thanks I know this is a little off topic

Haunted Mansion, and a Character meeting with Woody in some daytime restaurant-turned character meet in the evening in MK, on the parade route of MNSSHP. Separate ticket event.

 

[KimRaye]

Would the new pirate splash area in the pool be too babyish for a 6 year old?

I don't think so at all. Enjoy!

 

[jeanylaser]

thanks for the info!

 

[magic2]

Where are the hot tubs located, and are they usually crowded?

 

[CleveRocks]

Where are the hot tubs located, and are they usually crowded?

The one and only hot tub is located in the main pool area. Yes, it can get crowded at times.

 

[Rosanne]

Ummm. Here's a question....

We are staying at CBR in 15 days. I don't understand why people keep mentioning having to go by the custom house to check out. I've always had express check out at the value resorts and don't even need to go by the front desk. Is CBR different for some reason or do some people have a need to personally check out when I may not?

TIA!

 

[ILuvTinkerbelle]

No, sorry, there are NO Pirate rooms with king-size beds. None.

Awww well thanks for the info!

 

[CleveRocks]

Ummm. Here's a question....

We are staying at CBR in 15 days. I don't understand why people keep mentioning having to go by the custom house to check out. I've always had express check out at the value resorts and don't even need to go by the front desk. Is CBR different for some reason or do some people have a need to personally check out when I may not?

TIA!

Nope, no difference at CBR. It's the same at ALL WDW resorts. It's just that, for whatever reason, some people don't like Express Checkout, or perhaps they don't know it exists.

If you don't have a credit/debit card, then Express Checkout isn't an option.

 

[KimRaye]

Ummm. Here's a question....

We are staying at CBR in 15 days. I don't understand why people keep mentioning having to go by the custom house to check out. I've always had express check out at the value resorts and don't even need to go by the front desk. Is CBR different for some reason or do some people have a need to personally check out when I may not?

TIA!

Well, I did express check-out from CBR, but because we also checked our bags with the Custom House directly with the airline, we had to go to Custom House. Not sure if that info differs from what CleveRocks is saying.

 

[Rosanne]

Nope, no difference at CBR. It's the same at ALL WDW resorts. It's just that, for whatever reason, some people don't like Express Checkout, or perhaps they don't know it exists.

If you don't have a credit/debit card, then Express Checkout isn't an option.

Thanks! Since we are driving down and using a credit card it sounds like we will be able to zip out as usual.

Kim Raye... that makes perfect sense when you have checked bags. I'm too cheap to pay the extra $$ so we cram cram cram into three carry ons when we fly. However, if we had a longer trip... past five nights... there would be no getting around a checked bag. I'm so thankful to be driving this time. We are 600 miles away so flying is quicker but not worth it unless the $ of the tickets is really low.

 

[jeanylaser]

Thanks for the info! CBR is the good place for my birthday on January 14, 2010!

 

[Princess Amy]

We are staying at CBR next June. That is where DH and I stayed on our honeymoon. We couldn't afford the Poly, so we chose to stay here. IMO CBR is just as nice as the Poly as far as the tropical feel, just A LOT cheaper.