Caribbean Beach FAQ part V

[ThreeTinks]

I think you will find rooms that aren't up to par at any Disney resort. I would have complained to the front desk immediately. A friend of mine just got back from CBR last week (she also noted the main slide being down) and they loved it.

We will drive everywhere but MK - we hate waiting on buses as a rule no matter what resort we stay at. Sorry you didn't like it - I am hoping we have good luck with our room cleanliness and the buses to MK.

 

[Princess&CowboyMommy]

Oh no!! We are staying there for the first time in December and hope this will not be the case!!! Surely you just were there on a freak week or something. Someone please tell me we are not making a mistake not staying@ Pop!

While we were not there *recently*, we were there at the end of November 2009 for a couple of nights.

A few notes of point on it being the "slower week" at Disney - it's my understanding that while this may be true overall for the parks, it's no longer true for the resorts because of the free dining. My guess is that CBR and the other resorts were pretty booked, which made the busses seem more crowded. We don't use the busses that often though - we drive from Texas, so we have our car to drive to most of the parks.

On the clean room, we didn't have that problem at all - no mold, no dust or anything. We stayed in a pirate room and it was spotless. But, I don't understand why the reviewer didn't call the front desk to have them re-clean the room or move them to a different room.

Also, I'm surprised that the reviewer found Martinique to the pool a long walk. My kids were 5 and 7 when we stayed in Trinidad South (in one of the furthest buildings) last Nov., and the walk didn't seem that long to us at all. My kids never complained about the walk - in fact, most of the time they were running/jogging to the pool because they were so excited and love the place so much. Even when we walked to the food court at a slow pace, it took 8-9 minutes max to walk from those furthest rooms (and my sister staying with us had just had surgery 2 weeks before, so she and I were walking slower than even normal). I guess though that we like to be outdoors and don't mind walking, so it never dawned on us that it was what some would consider a long walk.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

We just returned from 10 days at CBR. It was our first time there and we went with an open mind, first the Positives...
beautiful scenery
kids loved the pool play area although main slide was down for rehab
great food court, food was hot and good, never waited
loved the Jimmy Buffet and Carribbean music piped in all over the resort
Why we will NEVER stay there again...
the worst bus service returning from parks at night of all resorts and the farthest walk to the bus stop of all resorts...it was almost comical CBR line was the longest and has the fewest buses...and this was during one of the slowest weeks of the year, I cannot imagine during peak season...at check out I spoke with the manager and he agreed and said this is an issue that is brought up all the time but the fix is not quick and it is brought up at round table all the time
We were in Martinique-got a free upgrade but our room was filthy, I spent an hour cleaning when we arrived, dust all over the headboards that looked like it had been there for years...mold all over the bathroom door and shower...just filthy dirt and mold even all around the wallpaper border, housekeeping was pathetic, no towel animals, all they did was make up the bed and provide towels... every other Disney resort I have stayed at was so much better than this...
Someone spilled Goldfish all over the stars the 2d day we were there and they were still there 3 mornings later... finally I called the front desk and they were cleaned up by the next morning, also gum was everywhere on the walkway to our room, disney used to wash these and clean that up.
The walk to the pool and food court was too much for the kids, 4 and 7, it may not be a problem for some but not our cup of tea at all... when on vacation we want convenience.
Again if you are not a clean freak and you don't mind a lot of walking and waiting on buses you will not be disappointed.

I'm sorry you did not enjoy your stay at CBR. I hope you enjoy wherever you choose for next time much more.

For the others who are now worried -- I can assure you that CBR does not have the furthest bus stop at all the parks. And we have never had a dirty room or poor bus service. Just the opposite actually! I'm sure it can happen, but is not the norm.

Martinique is literally right beside OPR and the pool - just a few minute walk. We have stayed in further away sections (Aruba and Jamaica) and had only a 3-5 minute walk to OPR/pool.

 

[nessz79]

I'm sorry you did not enjoy your stay at CBR. I hope you enjoy wherever you choose for next time much more.

For the others who are now worried -- I can assure you that CBR does not have the furthest bus stop at all the parks. And we have never had a dirty room or poor bus service. Just the opposite actually! I'm sure it can happen, but is not the norm.

Martinique is literally right beside OPR and the pool - just a few minute walk. We have stayed in further away sections (Aruba and Jamaica) and had only a 3-5 minute walk to OPR/pool.

Is any building in Martinique pretty close to OPR? We don't mind walking a few minutes either, but just wondering.

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

Believe me ,after 3 stays at POP Century, all in August...POP has the furthest stop for buses at most, if not all the parks.
Stayed at CBR during our 1st stay to WDW,back in 1994 and loved it ! My boys were 6 & 9 at the time and we never minded the walk.

 

[webcreatrix]

We're thinking of doing more driving to parks this trip due to the fact that we've never had great experiences with buses from any parks. We'll still take a bus to MK, but the others may be car trips. WDW does a great job, but I mostly just hate standing on a bus, especially with children. I dont' think I've ever had someone offer my kids a seat.

I agree and this is why we hate the buses. I can't count how many times we had to stand on the bus in August of 2009 - not easy with sleepy or tired kids!

 

[utkscvol1]

We stayed @ Pop last year and loved it! I thought the bus stops were the last too, because it was one of the newest resorts. That's why dh and I were thinking moderate, not so far to walk for the stops at the parks. Am I wrong?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Is any building in Martinique pretty close to OPR? We don't mind walking a few minutes either, but just wondering.

They are all pretty close.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/cbrmap.htm

Martinique 24, 25, and 26 are right next to OPR and are considered preferred rooms when booking and cost slightly extra. Sometimes you hear of people getting an upgrade to them for free. Martinique 22 is the next closest and is a standard location, not costing any extra.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

We stayed @ Pop last year and loved it! I thought the bus stops were the last too, because it was one of the newest resorts. That's why dh and I were thinking moderate, not so far to walk for the stops at the parks. Am I wrong?

I don't think any of the stops are set in stone at the parks and can change from time to time.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

We have stayed at CBR 4 times now and are booked for our 5th. We have been in North Trinidad and Martinique. I promise you the walk from Martinique Preferred area is less than 5 minutes, more like 2 or 3. And I have never had a dirty room! Was it as clean as my house, well no, but its a hotel and you have to remember that my expectations are different than someone elses. As long as there is a clean toilet, clean shower, clean sheets (with no bed bugs) and the carpet has been vacuumed, I'm pretty happy.

As far as the buses from the parks are concerned, we thought the bus at Epcot, DHS and AK were ok. They are the same distance as POFQ at MK, AK and we thought that it was closer at Epcot than some of the Deluxe resorts. And at DTD its closer than the bus area for all the Deluxes, its actually the 2nd depot. Relax, you're at Disney, have a good time and enjoy!!!!

 

[Christine1103]

We are going to WDW for the 1st time ever this December....we're sooo excited! We're staying at CBR and I'm wondering if the pools are heated? Will the kids (5 year old twins) want to be in the pool this time of year?

Thanks for all the info!!

 

[jenseib]

We are going to WDW for the 1st time ever this December....we're sooo excited! We're staying at CBR and I'm wondering if the pools are heated? Will the kids (5 year old twins) want to be in the pool this time of year?

Thanks for all the info!!

Yes pools are heated...and if they are like mine, they will want to swim...even if it's snowing out!

 

[jkluttrell]

does anyone know how long the main slide is going to be down? we will be there in 20 days and one reason I chose a moderate was for the pool area with the slides. my kids will be so disappointed if the slide is not working.

 

[minniesmama]

We just got home tonight from a 9 day stay. The main slide was back up and running as of yesterday afternoon . We got in a few slides before we had to leave, fortunately, because we were really bummed that it had been closed all week. We didn't use the busses, so can't comment on that. Our room (in Trinidad 31 - a hop skip from OPR) was clean enough (dusty but not moldy). We got awesome towel animals every day and the housekeeper remembered that we needed extra washcloths and hand towels every day. We were right next to a smoking courtyard and I am horribly sensitive to smoke (I had requested to be as far as possible from a DSA ) but we rarely noticed the smoke. Our main complaint was the INSANE crowds at the food court. Breakfast was so crowded that they opened up Shutters for extra seating every day, and people were still hovering around waiting for you to finish eating. It was nuts. I thought there were going to be fights over tables. We found that arriving before 8 was key to having breakfast without a side of anxiety attack. (We also had a horribly misinformed CM at the guest services desk who kind of screwed up one of our days for us, but I'll post more on that later).
Overall, we were happy with our stay. Our kids had a blast at the pool (although both were scared of the dumping bucket at the pirate ship pool). We wish we had scheduled more down time to enjoy the resort. Next time, for sure.

 

[carly chloe]

I've stayed at all 3 levels of resorts and we actually like CBR the best. (even better than CR). Our room was great- food court and pool was awesome. We stayed in preferred Martinque and the walk was nothing. How did your family manage the parks?

 

[ThreeTinks]

Yay about the pool slide - thanks Minniesmama!

We have 2 TS breakfasts planned and were waffling about eating food court or bringing breakfast for the other days. Now I know I will bring stuff - donuts or cereal etc so we won't have to deal with the crowds at the food court first thing in the morning.

 

[wahmtexas]

I've stayed at all 3 levels of resorts and we actually like CBR the best. (even better than CR). Our room was great- food court and pool was awesome. We stayed in preferred Martinque and the walk was nothing. How did your family manage the parks?

That is just it we don't mind walking in the parks but on vacation at a resort we enjoy convenience, it was hot and after spending an afternoon at the pool the long walk back to the room was just too much for small children, again this was only our experience, everyone is different but I wish I would have known some of this before we went.
Many other resorts you literally walk out of your room and you are at the pool or food court. We LOVED Wilderness Lodge because of this convenience and we had towel animals everyday, I can't believe we did not get even one during a 10 day stay.
As far as moving, we actually requested VIP cleaning because of my son's special needs so I assumed our room was cleaner than most and it would have been a hassle to move so I just cleaned it myself. We did not arrive until 10pm because of lightning at Orlando airport our luggage was not able to be loaded off the plane until 2 and a half hours after our flight arrived!
Just trying to be objective and help others who may be like us.

 

[mcd2745]

Yay about the pool slide - thanks Minniesmama!

We have 2 TS breakfasts planned and were waffling about eating food court or bringing breakfast for the other days. Now I know I will bring stuff - donuts or cereal etc so we won't have to deal with the crowds at the food court first thing in the morning.

It can get a little hectic in the morning between 8 and about 9:30, but we never had a problem getting a table (we usually sat in the "back" - seemed less crowded). If you're going to be eating breakfast before 8 or after 9:30, it will be much better.

 

[Crazy Kanga]

So glad to hear that the main slide is back up. I have decided that I will expect the worst on busses and maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. We will use our car if necessary. And if I get a yucky dirty room, I will pitch a stinkin' fit like they have never seen until I get a clean one!

 

[Got Muchness]

First of all Crazy Kanga ROLL TIDE!

I've read some of the complaints on CBR and I'd like to share that our experience was wonderful. We had towel animals DAILY. Most of the time three or four and they would set them up on the bed with my kids stuffed animals.
We were in Jamaica and our room was very clean. And I am one of those OCD people that bring her own clorox wipes and start inspecting and cleaning when I arrive. I never found the food courts to be too busy and the pool was just a short walk over the bridge.
I am sure deluxe resorts such as Wilderness Lodge are wonderful but not everyone can afford a deluxe resort. And then there are people like me that don't feel like it's necessary to spend that much more on a resort that I am hardly at.

Just my opinion