Caribbean Beach FAQ Part IV

[mickeystoontown]

Just got back from CBR last night and all I can say is WOW...what a beautiful resort..we are no longer diehard POP lovers...our fav is now CBR...seriously..anyone saying anything bad about this resort needs their head examined. It is absolutely gorgeous..for the first time in years we all didnt want to leave. I am heading over to the trip report boards but will do a CBR report tommorow when the kids go to school. Oh and FYI...yesterday when we were leaving we got a note left in our room about a Florida Black bear being sighted in the CBR area and we had to be on the look out...so my son has now named it the Carribean Bear Resort!!! Tell you all about it tommorow. Anyone leaving meantine...be on the bear look out!! (we had to suffer my hubby beating on the door doing an impression of John Candy in the movie "The Great Outdoors" shouting...Bear..bear...big bear...!!!!!)

So glad to hear that you fell in love with the resort. I always say that pictures just don't do it justice.

We stayed at CBR summer 2006, and though we found the resort to be beautiful, we had pretty bad luck with bus service and were a long way from the main pool because we were in Barbados 12 I think. We have requested Jamaica( which we did in 2006 too, but they were replacing mattresses so couldn't get it). If we can't get Jamaica, what would be the next best non preferred building or village to request for somewhat close proximity to OPR and a good spot to not be last on the bus loop?
Thanks!
Laura

You could also ask for a non-preferred building in Martinique.

 

[scrapnmom]

There is an internal bus you could take from Trinidad South to get to OPR and the pool.

I never saw that internal bus much. I did not take it myself, but was talking to another mom who had tried it and she said it took forever to go around and it was much faster to walk.

 

[letstalkboutdisney]

YES..I SWEAR..A BEAR!! Apparently they are not giant like grizzlies but they are about 5 foot tall..never the less...I about died when I read the flyer in the room!!!!!!Ok I will try to put down everything I can remember about CBR,
we just got back...7th to 15th May and it was a wonderful vacation.

I really cannot say enough about this Resort except all the typing and photos on this board do not do it justice. It is so pretty and relaxing I just wished we had more time to spend at the resort. The sand is soft soft white and very clean. The play areas for the kids with the hammocks are heavenly. I have great memories of the kids playing on the sand at night and hubby and me watching the Epcot fireworks.
I know some people complain that the resort is a bit spread out but I guess that didnt bother us.
We arrived Saturday about 5pm after having done online checking 2 days prior. I had called a while back and made a request for a downstairs corner room so I was kind of hoping I would get it. We had already payed for a preffered room so I wasnt much concerned about that. The CM that checked us in couldnt have been nicer..she handed us the big folder you get and I noticed on the top left corner was a sticker and printed on it was "CHECK REQUESTS" this lead me to ask if I got my requests..she said yes I had and that they always do that sticker on the folder before assigning the rooms to make sure they can always meet the requests if at all possible and it lets whoever is assigning to rooms know to check the computer also.
We were assigned Martinique room 2629 which was half facing the water/ half facing the center courtyard. The rooms was so bright and pretty colored and very clean, beds very comfy, a/c cool. Im a bit fussy with hotel rooms so after my inspection and I found it to be very clean we started to unpack.
DS was delighted that the ducks came to visit just about every day...note to anyone heading down, the duck just love Goldfish crackers!!! They are very tame and will gently take them right out of your hand. The baby had a blast feeding them too. The small bunnies were cute too and we seen many of them.
The grounds of this resort as so well maintained and the flowers and palm trees really dont make you think you are in Disney...more like Cancun or Bahamas or somewhere tropical. Even the steel drum music and the occasional Jimmy Buffet music makes it feel even more tropical.
The pool area is amazing ..the slides are awesome for adults and kids. The baby got a bit spooked with the water dunking tub at the pirate boat but after a couple of days he was fine with it ans stayed well clear. He learned that when the bell started to ring he had to run clear. The pirate boat pool is great for small babies and toddlers..its only a couple of inches deep so they dont need a floaty or anything. I just sat in the shallow water with him along with other moms and dads and he had a blast toddling about in the water with the other babies. The water was lovely and warm too in both pools and well guarded by the life guards. I watched one day as a small kid came flying down a water slide and panicked...he couldnt get his breath..before I could shout to my hubby who was nearer than me to get him the lifeguard was in the water and had the kid as quick as a flash. They were also really nice to talk to and chatted to all the kids.
We have a swimming pool at home here in Houston..now anyone that has a pool will tell you that they know when they go to a hotel they can tell if the pool is clean or not. This pool was always sparkling clean every day. Even around it was spotless. So kudos to them for that.
Mousekeeping...well I guess she was ok..but she was definitly a "if you dont ask you wont get it" kind of mousekeeper. I figured that out slowly. On the 3rd day I asked her for towels..she must not have understood me so I wrote it down and put it with her tip...hey presto...extra towels. 4th day..no soap left..no shampoo or kleenex..I did the note thingy again along with the tip...Tada..6 soaps, 5 shampoos and two boxes of cleenex!!! Ya see..if you dont ask...you dont get. Ok so we are on our last day of vacation and we had no towel animals..I got this idea.. what if... just what if I left a nice tip and wrote her a note like I did before. Hubby thought this was hilarious..he commented she obviously didnt know how to make towel animals. Well we got back that night and DS about had a fit...on his bed was a towel animal octopus, on the babies bed was 2 chicks in a nest, on our bed was a swan and in the window was 2 bunnies!!!!!!!!!!!! I was gobsmacked!! hubby was dumbfounded.. so you see.. FYI... it does pay to ask sometimes. We took photos of them and I will post them as soon as I get them on this laptop.
The Food court...well..im split 50/50 here..it wasnt wonderful but better that the value resorts. What really irked me was the waiting times. Didnt matter if you went when they were busy or not you still had to wait as they rarely had anything ready. They never came all at the same time either so while you were waiting on something the thing you already had went cold. I opted to just eat cold deli sandwiches (which were lovely). The pastries, bagels, muffins etc..were lovely. Dont get me wrong..the food did taste good...just not when it went cold. The portions were not to big either I found and had to get adult sized portions for my DS8. The pizzas were def the best.
I decided to time the walk from Trinidad south myself one day...BOY OH BOY..that was a far walk...these people that claim to walk it in 5 mins must be good walkers. I walked at a normal pace with the kids and it took me just over 20 mins!!! and it was very hot that day. I was so glad I payed for the preferred room. I am fit and healthy but I would have hated to have went all that way and back to the pool every day. (just my opinion)
I also timed it how long it took me to get to the hoop Dee doo review . We left CBR in our rental van. went to the MK, took a boat to Fort Wilderness and walked to the Pioneer hall. It took exactly one hour.
As I said before we had a rental mini van but I wanted to comment on something that I came across on out 3rd night there. It was a tuesday night and the Magic kingdom has been absolutely mobbed that day for some reason, in fact it was mobbed all week!! We got on the ferry boat back to our van and this couple with a baby from New York started talking to us. They were upset. They had been waiting on a resort bus for CBR for over 2 hours. In those 2 hours only 3 had came along and got full within seconds. Out of sheer boredom he had walked the queue and counted over 600 people in front of him still to get on the bus. They were so tired of waiting they decided to just get the ferry back and look for a taxi!!! Of course we told they they were coming with us and we gave them a ride back to the CBR in our van. I just wanted to post this to let you guys know that may be considering using the transport system. I dont know if this is the norm or not as we have never used the busses.
My final comment is about the Mouse boats you can hire on the lake and a little word of warning about them.
On our last day I decided to go a look around the shop in CBR ( which is excellent!) Hubby decided to take DS8 out on one of the little speedracers aka mouseboats for 30 mins before we left. These one go a lot slower than the ones on the MK lake as the lake at CBR is smaller. They max out at 5mph which is not very fast at all. Nothing to worry about..or so I thought!!!
15 mins later my hubby and son appear..absolutely soaking wet and my hubbys knee gashed open with blood running down his leg.! I managed to get some paper towels and clean up his leg and get about 5 bandaids on it. Apparently they were cruising along and the actual guys that man the boats (hubby calls the Disney boat police) were zooming up and down the lake very fast causing big wakes in the water. Hubby assumed the mouseboat would have just bounced over the waves....wrong! the nose of it dipped right under the wave and it nearly went under the water. They both go soaked when the waved came right ove the top of them. Hubby nearly fell right out of the boat and gashed his knees on the side of it. By sheer luck my kid managed to hold on tight and only got soaked but it scared him to death. Of course my silly hubby didnt say a word to the guy...if it was me I would have read him the riot act...grrrr. Unfortunatly we had to leave and I didnt get time to go get the guy and give him what for. I will write and complain though. I just wanted to warn anyone hiring these little mouse boats they are not as bouyant and they look and also to watch out for the guy in the bigger boats that run the place policing the lake!!!! They also had no concern for hubbys knee either when he got off the boat at the dock.
Anyway...thats about all I can remember for now.
If you have any questions I would love to answer them.. this is definitly our number one favorite resort now. We are now officially Carribean Bear Resort Lovers!!!! hmmmmm wonder if they got the bear yet?
Here is the link to my trip report...Ive still to finish it.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2467854

Wow a BEAR! I'm freaking out. I never thought about a bear at Disney!
so sorry to hear about your DH's boating accident. I"m gald your DS was ok.
Thanks for the review. I am going to follow the link to your trip report!

 

[jaynes]

This is such a wonderful and perfect place to go with family and friends this summer .I really love this place .. So perfect ....

 

[missiloveslouie]

After many long months of reading thru all the wonderful advice on this thread, my hubby is finally going back to work after 1 1/2 years of being laid-off. First thing to do to celebrate was to book a trip to our fav resort. We'll be there July 5-13. Hope that alligator and the bear have moved on!

 

[PolyAddict]

Just did online check in.....


cannot wait!!!

 

[missiloveslouie]

Does anyone know the pool hours for the summer months? Last time we were there the rehab on the main pool was happening. I can't wait for my daughter to see the new kiddie pool!

 

[catbertdave99]

Does anyone know the pool hours for the summer months? Last time we were there the rehab on the main pool was happening. I can't wait for my daughter to see the new kiddie pool!

We were there last June and this sign was posted (open 24 hours):

 

[Jules2008]

A bear and an aligator! Hopefully they will be gone soon.

I am sure that this question has probably been posted on here before, but what is the best stardard building closest to the main building and pool?
Thanks in advance!

 

[sgtfirstwife]

We are leaving for the CBR in 20 days . My husband wanted to know if it would be better for us to travel to the parks by car or by buses. We are staying in the Pirate rooms so we know we are at the end of the resort, which is kind of a bummer for what we are paying. I know we can get in the car to drive to the pool and to eat, but who wants to do that on vacation. Any whoo...we plan on having a great time after all we are at DISNEY !!! Oh yeah one more question from the hubby, how long does it take to get parks by bus vs car, does anyone know?
Thanks in advance......

 

[KimRaye]

We are leaving for the CBR in 20 days . My husband wanted to know if it would be better for us to travel to the parks by car or by buses. We are staying in the Pirate rooms so we know we are at the end of the resort, which is kind of a bummer for what we are paying. I know we can get in the car to drive to the pool and to eat, but who wants to do that on vacation. Any whoo...we plan on having a great time after all we are at DISNEY !!! Oh yeah one more question from the hubby, how long does it take to get parks by bus vs car, does anyone know?
Thanks in advance......

Have a great time - which you will - and maybe we'll cross paths!

If you travel by car to the parks, you have the driving issue, as well as parking issue. I have stayed offsite, where a car was needed, and we handled it, but if you're staying onsite, there is NO REASON to use a car!

CBR to Parks takes various times, depending on which park. I'd say no longer than 20-30 minutes to the furthest park (MK).

 

[lvdis]

I just did online check in! Yay!! It's almost here! This will be our first time at CBR and I'm looking forward to it.

 

[scrapnmom]

We are leaving for the CBR in 20 days . My husband wanted to know if it would be better for us to travel to the parks by car or by buses. We are staying in the Pirate rooms so we know we are at the end of the resort, which is kind of a bummer for what we are paying. I know we can get in the car to drive to the pool and to eat, but who wants to do that on vacation. Any whoo...we plan on having a great time after all we are at DISNEY !!! Oh yeah one more question from the hubby, how long does it take to get parks by bus vs car, does anyone know?
Thanks in advance......

We drove our car everywhere but MK and DH would not have it any other way. He hates waiting for the buses, and the 2 times we went to MK we had a 15 minute wait in the heat for the bus, not to mention the jam-packed bus on the way home. We were in Aruba and we also drove our car to eat at OPR.

It's really a matter of preference.

 

[Jennifer S]

Had a wonderful trip- awesome weather and low crowds. CBR was awesome.

1. Pirate rooms - very cool - no problems with the beds - i thought they were fine but I was so tired at night I just crashed. Kind of far to main pool ans internal bus did take forever. My DS would walk it and beat us. If we were only at the resort I wouldn't mind the walk BUT after a long day we were tired and the walk was kind of a pain. I would pay for preferred next time and stay closer

2. pools - awesome - kids loved the main pool - went every day - open 24 hours.

3. pool bar - get the Coolava - a Pina Colada mixed with Raspberry. LOVED it - had one every day.

4. Market - the grab and go was ok BUT I wish someone would have told me inside the gift shop was a tiny section - totally out of sight - was around a corner and hard to find- was donuts, peanut butter, jelly bread etc for supermarket prices!! I so would have bought that to make my son sandwiches . would have been way cheaper.

5. Buses - easy and not bad. Few times leaving parks at close was a pain. CBR always had the longest lines- took awhile to get a bus. If it was summer and hot I would probably rent a car.

any questions??

I would stay here again - very nice - clean.

Did not see a bear or an alligator

 

[Jennifer S]

We are leaving for the CBR in 20 days . My husband wanted to know if it would be better for us to travel to the parks by car or by buses. We are staying in the Pirate rooms so we know we are at the end of the resort, which is kind of a bummer for what we are paying. I know we can get in the car to drive to the pool and to eat, but who wants to do that on vacation. Any whoo...we plan on having a great time after all we are at DISNEY !!! Oh yeah one more question from the hubby, how long does it take to get parks by bus vs car, does anyone know?
Thanks in advance......

I would do a car if I had to do it again. Pirate rooms were kind of far and internal bus took forever. Also late night we waited awhile for a bus. If my kids were smaller I would have been a pain. CBR always had the longest lines for the buses. The buses to the parks were great - just back to CBR at night was bad


DHS Epcot and AK - were the closest - not bad- under 10 - esp DHS

MK - took longer maybe 15-

 

[chellewashere]

3. pool bar - get the Coolava - a Pina Colada mixed with Raspberry. LOVED it - had one every day.

This sounds fantastic. We leave Friday and cant wait to be sitting by the pool having one of these Glad you had a fantastic trip.

 

[missiloveslouie]

We were there last June and this sign was posted (open 24 hours):

thank you very much!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

A bear and an aligator! Hopefully they will be gone soon.

I am sure that this question has probably been posted on here before, but what is the best stardard building closest to the main building and pool?
Thanks in advance!

Jamaica 45, Aruba 51, and Martinique 22.

We are leaving for the CBR in 20 days . My husband wanted to know if it would be better for us to travel to the parks by car or by buses. We are staying in the Pirate rooms so we know we are at the end of the resort, which is kind of a bummer for what we are paying. I know we can get in the car to drive to the pool and to eat, but who wants to do that on vacation. Any whoo...we plan on having a great time after all we are at DISNEY !!! Oh yeah one more question from the hubby, how long does it take to get parks by bus vs car, does anyone know?
Thanks in advance......

We prefer the buses. We never drive at Disney. It's one of the perks!

We timed the walk from Trinidad South (where the POTC rooms are) and it took us 7 minutes to walk to OPR. There is a bus stop right there, so very little walking to get to it.

By bus from CBR (once the bus made it's stops within the resort and was leaving the resort) it took 3 minutes to get to DHS, 5 to Epcot, 9 to DTD, and 11 to AK and MK.

Keep in mind if you drive to MK, after you park you have to take another source of transportation to the park entrance.

Have a great trip!

 

[Crazy Kanga]

What is the bus loop like? I felt in Barbados we were always the last to get on and last off. Which village seems to have the best chance of being somewhere in the middle so you don't have to stand all the time when you get on, and don't have to wait to hit all the other stops before you get off in the evenings?

 

[gmccowan]

What is the bus loop like? I felt in Barbados we were always the last to get on and last off. Which village seems to have the best chance of being somewhere in the middle so you don't have to stand all the time when you get on, and don't have to wait to hit all the other stops before you get off in the evenings?

We stayed at Jamaica, it seemed like we were always the first stop back from the parks, because the bus comes in from Victory Way and stops there first.