Caribbean Beach FAQ Part IV

[oddBotkins]

It's great to thear all of the positive reports for CBR. This will be our first time there. While we loved the values and certainly loved the Contemporary (we had a wonderful, right on the bay view) we are so looking forward to CBR. I am still not sure of online check in. I'll wait for more post to help me decide, I've got 35 days. Question about the coffee pot. Will it only take premeasured, fitted coffee packs or can we modify filters and use preground coffee? I gotta have my Community Dark Roast. I am also debating on whether I should ask for a room preference. We already have asked for connecting rooms with DW's folks. Gosh Dw's folks are awsome, they paid for air travel. Also, what is the strategy for the bus service in CBR. Just go to your stop or is there a better way if you take a walk? Also, do they have disposable bowls and spoons at the resort gift shop? Any other tips concerning CBR will be helpful.

 

[Moneypenny]

It's great to thear all of the positive reports for CBR. This will be our first time there. While we loved the values and certainly loved the Contemporary (we had a wonderful, right on the bay view) we are so looking forward to CBR. I am still not sure of online check in. I'll wait for more post to help me decide, I've got 35 days. Question about the coffee pot. Will it only take premeasured, fitted coffee packs or can we modify filters and use preground coffee? I gotta have my Community Dark Roast. I am also debating on whether I should ask for a room preference. We already have asked for connecting rooms with DW's folks. Gosh Dw's folks are awsome, they paid for air travel. Also, what is the strategy for the bus service in CBR. Just go to your stop or is there a better way if you take a walk? Also, do they have disposable bowls and spoons at the resort gift shop? Any other tips concerning CBR will be helpful.

I hope you enjoy your trip! As for your questions, the coffee pot takes a 4 cup basket style filter so you can bring filters and your own grounds.

We did not get a preferred room and it was fine. I guess technically our view was the parking lot, but there is so much greenery around that's all we saw.

For the buses, we either got picked up at our village stop or the OPR stop. Our village seemed to be at the end of the bus line, so sometimes the bus was kind of full by the time it got to us, although we always were able to sit on the way to the park (on the way back it was always full and DH ended up standing most times). I think our first night when we waited 20 minutes for a bus to MK it was because the bus was full by the time it got to Aruba so it just headed to the park. They ended up sending a completely empty one to us eventually.

I did not notice disposable bowls at the gift shop (I didn't really look, though, because I packed my own). Spoons are available in the food court but I packed my own since I didn't want to be too obvious about grabbing a giant handful from the food court and walking out with them.

Hope that helps!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

It's great to thear all of the positive reports for CBR. This will be our first time there. While we loved the values and certainly loved the Contemporary (we had a wonderful, right on the bay view) we are so looking forward to CBR. I am still not sure of online check in. I'll wait for more post to help me decide, I've got 35 days. Question about the coffee pot. Will it only take premeasured, fitted coffee packs or can we modify filters and use preground coffee? I gotta have my Community Dark Roast. I am also debating on whether I should ask for a room preference. We already have asked for connecting rooms with DW's folks. Gosh Dw's folks are awsome, they paid for air travel. Also, what is the strategy for the bus service in CBR. Just go to your stop or is there a better way if you take a walk? Also, do they have disposable bowls and spoons at the resort gift shop? Any other tips concerning CBR will be helpful.

I don't drink coffee so I can't help you there.

I would say ask for a certain area. It can't hurt!

I just went to our stop every morning. One day we waited 15-20 minutes for a MK bus but that was the longest. They usually come within 5 minutes.

I don't remember seeing disposable bowls and spoons. We just packed our own.

 

[Bronte]

Can a gal. of milk fit in the frig.. ???

Thanks

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Can a gal. of milk fit in the frig.. ???

Thanks

I had two half gallons at the bottom of the fridge. Not sure if a gallon would fit.

 

[mickeystoontown]

It's great to thear all of the positive reports for CBR. This will be our first time there. While we loved the values and certainly loved the Contemporary (we had a wonderful, right on the bay view) we are so looking forward to CBR. I am still not sure of online check in. I'll wait for more post to help me decide, I've got 35 days. Question about the coffee pot. Will it only take premeasured, fitted coffee packs or can we modify filters and use preground coffee? I gotta have my Community Dark Roast. I am also debating on whether I should ask for a room preference. We already have asked for connecting rooms with DW's folks. Gosh Dw's folks are awsome, they paid for air travel. Also, what is the strategy for the bus service in CBR. Just go to your stop or is there a better way if you take a walk? Also, do they have disposable bowls and spoons at the resort gift shop? Any other tips concerning CBR will be helpful.

We brought along our own filters and coffee. The coffee makers are the four cup kind so we just cut down the filters to fit.

As for room preference, I usually just ask for an upstairs room facing a courtyard. This past trip, we had to book preferred location because that's all that was available. So, my request was for a new Nemo room. I got just what I wanted.

Each village has their own bus stop. Depending on where the bus is headed or coming from, your first pick-up/stop will be either Jamaica or Martinique. The longest we have EVER waited for a bus was 20 minutes and that was in the middle of the day (definitely not during early rush hour). Most times, they were there in about 10 minutes.

We drive so I brought along our own bowls. There are plastic utensils in the food court. I usually bring the small snack size cereal boxes. You can pour milk in the package and eat it right out of the box. Last trip, I forgot to pack bowls so we ate our cereal out of the glasses provided by Disney. (I washed them out first and then after we had eaten.)

As for tips about the CBR, I would say just to relax and really enjoy the beauty of the resort. It's so nice to take a little while and sit in the hammocks or beach chairs. Don't forget to watch the Epcot fireworks from the beach. Oh, and by the way, if your fridge doesn't feel like it is cooling well, turn it all the way up. Then, open the cabinet door where the fridge is located. The maintenance guy told us that the fridges need air circulating around them sometimes to get them to start cooling.

 

[Disneylvr]

Can a gal. of milk fit in the frig.. ???

Thanks

I don't think so but like the poster above, I had 2 half gallons in the frig. I had them in the door. They wouldn't be able to stand upright in the main part although I suppose you could take out the middle shelf. I didn't check it to see if it was removeable. If it is then yes, you might be able to fit a whole gallon of milk in the frig.

 

[MissNurse]

If I want a room close to the themed pirate pool, what should I request? We won't be going until June 2010, but I can't help planning! It's half the fun, right? Thanks for your help!

 

[CleveRocks]

If I want a room close to the themed pirate pool, what should I request? We won't be going until June 2010, but I can't help planning! It's half the fun, right? Thanks for your help!

To guarantee being as close as possible, you'd need to reserve and pay extra for a room category called "preferred location." Otherwise, you'd just be able to request and, of course, requests don't necessarily mean anything.

But if you don't want to pay extra or if preferred location is sold out, my suggestion would be to request any of the following buildings: Aruba 51, Jamaica 45, Martinique 23.

 

[MissNurse]

To guarantee being as close as possible, you'd need to reserve and pay extra for a room category called "preferred location." Otherwise, you'd just be able to request and, of course, requests don't necessarily mean anything.

But if you don't want to pay extra or if preferred location is sold out, my suggestion would be to request any of the following buildings: Aruba 51, Jamaica 45, Martinique 23.

Thank you very much! Exactly what I wanted to know.

 

[Ariel on Land]

We can get buttons at check in, right? (like First Time, Birthday, etc...)

 

[mpalusze]

Just back from our first visit to Disney World and I have mixed feelings about CBR. We picked this resort bc of the good reviews from fellow disers and the new pool but we weren't exactly happy with our stay. Let me explain...

Upon arrival everything seemed great although I didn't get connecting rooms like requested they at least put us next to each other in Aruba 55. The room was clean and nice and the mousekeeping even left a note for my boys along with 2 towel bunnies. The next day we left a note of thanks to mousekeeping (along with a tip) and they once again left towel animals (stingrays). After that we did not recieve any more towel animals but not a big deal, maybe they only knew how to make the 2 animals??
Anyway, our refrigerator did not work so I called maintenance and they replaced it with a new one which still did not work so I went to the custom house to request another one. That night they did replace it but there must have been something wrong with the plug in the cabinet bc they left this one on the floor near the dresser. It did eventually get our items cold but it was a bear to open and close the door.
Mousekeeping did come in everyday and make the beds but the bathroom floor wasn't even swept until the day before we left and a bathing suit of my husbands magically disappeared along with some things out of my mother-in-laws refrigerator.
We also had a fire extingusher right outside our room with a busted door/glass panel that wasn't fixed the whole time we were there. There was also food spilled on the stairs (we were on the second floor) that we had to step over every day of our stay. I'm not trying to be too picky but the disappearing items really gave us a sour feeling.

On a positive note though, the new pool was great, the kids loved it.
Don't try swimming in the other pools though or you'll be swimming with the ducks...literally.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Just back from our first visit to Disney World and I have mixed feelings about CBR. We picked this resort bc of the good reviews from fellow disers and the new pool but we weren't exactly happy with our stay. Let me explain...

Upon arrival everything seemed great although I didn't get connecting rooms like requested they at least put us next to each other in Aruba 55. The room was clean and nice and the mousekeeping even left a note for my boys along with 2 towel bunnies. The next day we left a note of thanks to mousekeeping (along with a tip) and they once again left towel animals (stingrays). After that we did not recieve any more towel animals but not a big deal, maybe they only knew how to make the 2 animals??
Anyway, our refrigerator did not work so I called maintenance and they replaced it with a new one which still did not work so I went to the custom house to request another one. That night they did replace it but there must have been something wrong with the plug in the cabinet bc they left this one on the floor near the dresser. It did eventually get our items cold but it was a bear to open and close the door.
Mousekeeping did come in everyday and make the beds but the bathroom floor wasn't even swept until the day before we left and a bathing suit of my husbands magically disappeared along with some things out of my mother-in-laws refrigerator.
We also had a fire extingusher right outside our room with a busted door/glass panel that wasn't fixed the whole time we were there. There was also food spilled on the stairs (we were on the second floor) that we had to step over every day of our stay. I'm not trying to be too picky but the disappearing items really gave us a sour feeling.

On a positive note though, the new pool was great, the kids loved it.
Don't try swimming in the other pools though or you'll be swimming with the ducks...literally.

I know that it doesn't help you now but sometimes the refrigerators just need some air circulating around them to get them to start cooling. This happened to us two years in a row. The first time, maintenance came around and brought a new fridge. They don't pull out the old one, they just put a new one in the room. The next year, we had the same problem and maintenance came around and told us about opening up the dresser door to get air flow going. After that, it worked perfectly fine.

I hate that the room was cleaned thoroughly but that happens at every Disney resort. I would have complained until somebody came back and did a better job. I would have also called a manager when things disappeared.

Every time we have stayed at the CBR, there was always a maintenance/groundskeeper washing off the walkways and stairwells.

Oh well, at least those few blips didn't ruin your entire stay.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We can get buttons at check in, right? (like First Time, Birthday, etc...)

Yes they were giving them out at check in.

 

[lovethecastle]

Hi. Are the pirate room pictures posted? I looked through the thread & couldn't find them. Thanks

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hi. Are the pirate room pictures posted? I looked through the thread & couldn't find them. Thanks

CBR pics thread ~ http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1845975&page=16

 

[GreyGooseCosmo]

We just returned from our trip to CBR. For the most part, we had great service!

We got a bit of pixie dust from the Concierge one day - snuck us into 1900 PF for dinner on about 3 hours' notice.

However - I need to pile on those that are SORELY disappointed with Mousekeeping. Our carpet was not vacuumed, and I found candy wrappers under the edge of the bed. I took my Clorox wipes to the toilet and sinks as a pre-emptive measure.

We didn't receive towel animals or any other "extras", but I did leave a tip each day. The beds were always made (although I know that the sheets were not changed for our entire trip), and we received new towels daily.

My only other complaint was bell services. As many of you know, luggage isn't allowed on the regular buses. This is fine, but it means you're at the mercy of the bell services staff when checking out and storing luggage. I called the night before and requested luggage pickup at 8:10 AM (as we had a 9:20 ADR at Chef Mickey's at the CR). After three phone calls (one of which yielded the information that our work order had already been closed, so why was I calling?) and more than an hour's wait, a rather salty gentleman showed up to take our bags. When I inquired on the third phone call if someone would find a way to get us to the CR on time, I was told "no, just take the bus to the MK and the monorail to the resort, and tell them bell services was late. They'll understand." I was too furious to do anything other than say "fine, I'll do that. Please send someone to get our bags immediately, or have a manager call. Either option will be fine."

It is quite sad that this is how our trip ended. It was otherwise OK, the room was a pleasant and quiet place to crash, and the resort was nice. However, Disney has other resorts to try ... and I plan to do just that next time.

 

[cinderlexa's mom]

Greygoosecosmo,
Ummm...your post is the first to have me nervous about CBR. I've only stayed at Deluxes (all except AKL), and one never-again trip to POP. Tried to stay at 1st moderate (CSR CL) in January but got a BC CL comp upgrade because of CSR CL restructuring...

Everything I've heard about CBR has been positive, as of late. Not flaming you, or trying to minimalize your troubles, but other than housekeeping & bell services (which, from my 21 trips to WDW both services are pretty bad at every Disney resort, IMHO) what else was less than desirable?

Do you think you're disappointed in what Disney's "moderate" resorts have to offer, in general? Did you feel it was a problem with CBR, in particular? Do you have other disney resort experiences to compare it with? Are you just wanting to try as many WDW resorts as you can--and I'm totally reading your post wrong?

Thanks in advance, for any more info you can share.

 

[GreyGooseCosmo]

Everything I've heard about CBR has been positive, as of late. Not flaming you, or trying to minimalize your troubles, but other than housekeeping & bell services (which, from my 21 trips to WDW both services are pretty bad at every Disney resort, IMHO) what else was less than desirable?

Sorry if I wasn't clear - our stay was exactly what I expected. No real "magic" (except for the concierge) or upgrades (I'm spoiled by Sandals, I guess - if they have the space, they'll upgrade you just because they can).

When I travel (and I do quite a bit - used to be a "road warrior" before I had a kid), I ask only for a clean room, amenities as promised / advertised, and employees in key positions to be well trained and accommodating. I hope for a bit of "magic" on vacation, and those resorts and chains that supply that generally earn a return visit from my family. Methinks my spending on Sandals has made Butch Stewart's Mercedes payment, two years running.

I've stayed in hotels ranging from a Motel 6 to the Ritz-Carlton - and I can honestly say that this was a middle of the road and "overall OK" stay. Perfect for what we needed, acceptable for the price we paid, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. I'm not a snooty-booty (my DD's word ), by any means ... the CBR was a great place to be and worth the additional $ to "upgrade" from POP or the AS resorts considering it was Spring Break.

Do you think you're disappointed in what Disney's "moderate" resorts have to offer, in general? Did you feel it was a problem with CBR, in particular? Do you have other disney resort experiences to compare it with? Are you just wanting to try as many WDW resorts as you can--and I'm totally reading your post wrong?

The other times I've been to the World, we've stayed off-site. Our stay at CBR was exactly as promised in the advertising - they delivered a nice resort at a decent price. I'm not upset with the stay at all (except the bell services thing - I'd have just done it myself if I'd have been allowed and been DONE with the luggage drama). There are just too many other options out there for us to try, so we'll likely try something else next time.

 

[cinderlexa's mom]

Thanks greygoosecosmo. I understand now. I think I'm just worried that I won't like CBR because I didn't like POP. Projecting, ta-hee.