Caribbean Beach FAQ Part IV

[justplaingoofy]

Me and my family are going to Disney for the first time May 1st through the 8th and are staying at the CBR My question is are crowds hevy this time of year?

we've been during that time & found the first week in May/ Last week in April not too bad... I think starting on Thurs/Friday you may see an increase in crowds since its Mothers Day weekend.

 

[dis_guy]

We drive and usually arrive late and we always debate staying that first night off sight. So far we always just check in to our hotel on arrival. We can get a good night sleep and get up and go rather than wasting time the next morning moving and checking in. This is one time that I really think the convienence is worth the extra money. We have always been given our building request at CSR. We are thinking about trying CBR this year.

I agree with you too! One of my expectations of a Disney vacation is that once I'm off the plane and at DME I can switch off the brain and expect them to look after me until I leave. It is just like when you were a kid and the adults looked after all the details for you!

 

[CleveRocks]

Me and my family are going to Disney for the first time May 1st through the 8th and are staying at the CBR My question is are crowds hevy this time of year?

I think that's a perfect week to go. It's hot but not blazing hot, the crowds are relatively low since it's after spring breaks but before most schools close for the summer.

Our first trip with our kids was during the second week in May 2005, and all conditions were great.

I just checked a web-based crowd prediction calendar, and that week is predicted to be the same as it was for us 5 years ago. There are literally no weeks in the year that have lower crowd ratings. That means you are going during one of the slowest times of year, in terms of crowds. CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[fleurbie]

I think that's a perfect week to go. It's hot but not blazing hot, the crowds are relatively low since it's after spring breaks but before most schools close for the summer.

Our first trip with our kids was during the second week in May 2005, and all conditions were great.

I just checked a web-based crowd prediction calendar, and that week is predicted to be the same as it was for us 5 years ago. There are literally no weeks in the year that have lower crowd ratings. That means you are going during one of the slowest times of year, in terms of crowds. CONGRATULATIONS!

Thats such good to hear as we go from 21st of april till may 5th

 

[*Dreamin'Dad*]

Leaving Friday for a 13th-20th stay.

Just finished online check in (very simple - 1st time using)

Called and got our request in for Jamaica building.

Originally staying at BWI, but we decided to save the extra $2000 and stay at CBR. Excited none the less

Any other suggestions?

Has anyone fished in the lake? Guided or other?

 

[justplaingoofy]

Thats such good to hear as we go from 21st of april till may 5th

You may notice heavier crowds until about April 26th/27th...

School vacation in alot of the NorthEast is the week of April 18.

 

[kimberlay]

Just back!!! Stayed 4 days @ CBR Pirate Room!!!

Loved it!

I'll answer any questions I can!

Ask away!

Hi. Can you tell me if the pirates beds are queen or double size? Hubby, MIL and son are currently booked for 2 rooms at POP but are thinking of upgrading. We are going Oct 2 - 9.

Thanks!

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Hi. Can you tell me if the pirates beds are queen or double size? Hubby, MIL and son are currently booked for 2 rooms at POP but are thinking of upgrading. We are going Oct 2 - 9.

Thanks!

The Pirate beds are double beds. The only Moderate with Queen size beds is Coronado Springs Resort, as well as all the deluxe resorts.

 

[tinkerbellrere]

Hi all! Thanks for all the great information. I just booked 7 nights at CBR! 4-28 to 5-5. First time staying there after many trips to WDW. We wanted CSR but they only have King beds and we need 2 beds in a room. My DH likes the huge hot tub at CSR. No one in my party knows yet that I had to book CBR. I asked what POLY ressies they had and got a theme park view for 2700.00 for 7 nights. OUCH! I was able to save 1700.00 at CBR so we are trying CBR. It's the only moderate we have not stayed in. We are just going to veg out from a winter snow in in PA....so the tropics will be just what the doctor ordered. I am surprising my party with the pirate rooms! ARRGH! http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/pirate.gif

I know this resort is the older of the moderates but from the reports it looks like it got a face lift. I am concerned about the walk for my DMIL who has leukemia...but we are driving so my DH can drive her around to the food court/pool etc. We have nothing to prove and no time schedule. Might even get in a day at the beach at Bradenton Beach...(ahhh amazing water).

My only question is...should I call back and ask for a Pirate preferred? And if so, why...if there are real benefits I want to walk the plank for em! Heehehehe! Can anyone point me in the direction on where I can see someone's album of pics? Thanks so much! I appreciate my DIS friends! http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/dance.gif

 

[CleveRocks]

I am surprising my party with the pirate rooms! ARRGH!

My only question is...should I call back and ask for a Pirate preferred? And if so, why...if there are real benefits I want to walk the plank for em!

There's no such thing as "pirate preferred."

At CBR, "preferred location" means being in one of the 6 buildings closest to Old Port Royale, the complex that has the main pool, food court, etc.

ALL of the pirate rooms are in the area of CBR that is farthest away from Old Port Royale. Therefore, by definition, if you book a pirate room there is no way to also have it be a preferred location room.

The only option you have with pirate rooms is paying extra for a water view room. Sure, you could try this if you want, for $25 extra per night. But I don't recommend it ... just my opinion. WHY? Because in all four Moderate resorts, your windows and door open onto an exterior corridor, so if you have your curtains wide open to enjoy your water view, then everyone walking by has a great view of YOU!

Again, just my opinion ....

 

[sunshinesahmom]

tinkerbellerere,
1st, congrats on booking!
I agree about the extra $$$. Not worth it for the water view @ CBR. We loved our Pirate room, but if your concerned about walking distance you may want to request a room closer to the parking lot(or on a "main" sidewalk). Ours was a little trek from the parking area.
There is also a "in-resort" shuttle you can take to get to & from Port Royale!

 

[Sofaman]

We are suposed to arive at the Orlando Airport at 2:30 pm with the Magic Express how long will it take for our luggage to make it to our room?

 

[justplaingoofy]

We are suposed to arive at the Orlando Airport at 2:30 pm with the Magic Express how long will it take for our luggage to make it to our room?

I would say 3 hours for your luggage & probably 1 1/2 hours for you.

 

[swissfamilyrobinson]

We're heading down on April 12th CBR
Didn't realize it was school break... Our school break is the week after.
What area has school break on April 12th?

The southeast...

We got back last night from our trip and it was wonderful! And we loved the CBR! It is a HUGE resort, but not hard to navigate at all once you get the hang of the layout.

 

[Disney-Kim]

The southeast...

We got back last night from our trip and it was wonderful! And we loved the CBR! It is a HUGE resort, but not hard to navigate at all once you get the hang of the layout.

What section did you stay in? Tell us about your stay...how were the buses?

thanks

 

[CleveRocks]

We are suposed to arive at the Orlando Airport at 2:30 pm with the Magic Express how long will it take for our luggage to make it to our room?

When you receive your Disney's Magical Express booklet, you'll read that you should expect your luggage in your room (whether you're in there or not) within about three hours of the time you CHECK-IN at your resort, not three hours from the time you land.

The average time it takes people to go from airplane exit to resort drop-off is 70 minutes. So if you land at 2:30, exit your plane at 2:40, on average you should reach CBR around 3:50 and be checked-in there by 4 or so. So you can expect your bags in your room by about 7 p.m.

Remember, your luggage will magically appear inside your room whether you're in there or not, so go out and have fun! Anything you'll need during your first few hours should be packed in your carry-on bags.

 

[Sofaman]

Thanks for all the great advice it is greatly appriciated this will be our first trip to Disney and we need all the help we can get

 

[justplaingoofy]

Thanks for all the great advice it is greatly appriciated this will be our first trip to Disney and we need all the help we can get

You've come to the right place
Disboards are a wealth of information!!

 

[gris gris]

Hi, we are thinking of staying at CBR in early November instead of our usual POP I searched but can't seem to find this answer - what is the extra charge for a pirate room? We don't need the water view or anything like that just a standard room but is there an extra fee for a pirate room?

 

[aubriee]

Hi, we are thinking of staying at CBR in early November instead of our usual POP I searched but can't seem to find this answer - what is the extra charge for a pirate room? We don't need the water view or anything like that just a standard room but is there an extra fee for a pirate room?

With tax, a standard pirate room is about $34.00/night more than a regular standard room.