Caribbean Beach FAQ part V

[rjvose17]

Quick few questions,

My dh, and two dd's 7 & 4 at the time of travel are going to be staying for the first time at CBR. We either stay off site in a condo with our exchange, or a rented villa, or we have stayed at Coronado Springs & Pop Century. We went in 2005 at Coronado and liked it. We went to PC in 2009 and liked it. We didn't love either one. We just returned 5/30/10 from staying offsite at Sheraton Vistana and loved everything about that except the location. We just enjoy the magic of being on disney property, it's hard to explain but I am sure there are a few out there that know what I am talking about. Disney's accomodations are ( I feel ) fair at best, for the amount of money you pay, but it's almost made up by the atmosphere they create. Therefore I am torn this trip. Currently we are booked for CBR Dec 12th - 17th, at a rate of 647.36 tax included. I am not sure where we are staying but my questions are.... would it be worth the extra money to upgrade our room? The pirate rooms look cool, but I have heard the beds are just foam and not that comfortable, so are they worth it? I am struggling here because the first week of our trip we are staying at the Vistana again and decided to do the second week on property, however if we stayed at a value resort we could get that for 385.45 for the same dates as CBR. I guess my main question is does this resort really live up to the hype? If I had unlimited money I would without question stay at Animal Kingdom or the Grand Floridian, but that's just not in the budget this year. So what would you all do?
Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[ILoveMickeyandMinnie]

I'm eagerly waiting for anyone to answer your question. We are in the same boat as you staying the exact same days! I have a pirate room booked because my kids really wanted to stay there, but looking at a value resorts price difference its hard to not change and save the money. I have stayed at CBR before I had kids back in 99' and I love the resort... but I'm not positive I can justify the money. So someone convince me its worth it!

 

[Ilovedis30]

Ok so I did the online check in and I requested either Jamaica 45 or Aruba 51, hopefully I will get put in 1 of the 2 areas. If not I'm fine with that. My dd is 12 so even though we'll be tired a little walking won't be an issue. I already received the online check in confirmation and now I'm super excited. Just need a few last minute toiletries, my coffee and filters and I'm good to go.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Quick few questions,

My dh, and two dd's 7 & 4 at the time of travel are going to be staying for the first time at CBR. We either stay off site in a condo with our exchange, or a rented villa, or we have stayed at Coronado Springs & Pop Century. We went in 2005 at Coronado and liked it. We went to PC in 2009 and liked it. We didn't love either one. We just returned 5/30/10 from staying offsite at Sheraton Vistana and loved everything about that except the location. We just enjoy the magic of being on disney property, it's hard to explain but I am sure there are a few out there that know what I am talking about. Disney's accomodations are ( I feel ) fair at best, for the amount of money you pay, but it's almost made up by the atmosphere they create. Therefore I am torn this trip. Currently we are booked for CBR Dec 12th - 17th, at a rate of 647.36 tax included. I am not sure where we are staying but my questions are.... would it be worth the extra money to upgrade our room? The pirate rooms look cool, but I have heard the beds are just foam and not that comfortable, so are they worth it? I am struggling here because the first week of our trip we are staying at the Vistana again and decided to do the second week on property, however if we stayed at a value resort we could get that for 385.45 for the same dates as CBR. I guess my main question is does this resort really live up to the hype? If I had unlimited money I would without question stay at Animal Kingdom or the Grand Floridian, but that's just not in the budget this year. So what would you all do?
Thanks in advance for your help!

I'm eagerly waiting for anyone to answer your question. We are in the same boat as you staying the exact same days! I have a pirate room booked because my kids really wanted to stay there, but looking at a value resorts price difference its hard to not change and save the money. I have stayed at CBR before I had kids back in 99' and I love the resort... but I'm not positive I can justify the money. So someone convince me its worth it!

I can give you my opinions!

We choose a moderate over a value for several reasons; larger rooms (CBR's being the largest), less cement and more trees, better pools and pool slides (CBR's being the best!), marina's and extra activities, ceiling fan in room, double sinks in bathroom(except CSR), shaded bus stops, refrigerator in room at no extra cost, and just an overall more relaxed feel. All that being said, if we were a family who got up at the crack of dawn and went to the parks all day everyday then a value would be just fine for us, and it would be worth it to save the money. But we take our vacation at a more relaxed pace and only do the parks in half days and spend a lot of time at our resort. So I guess it just depends on what type of vacation you have planned.

As far as what to book at CBR - we have booked standard both times we have stayed there and once we were in Jamaica and once in Aruba. Both were great locations and we had an under 5 minute walk to OPR and to a bus stop. I don't think I would ever book preferred, because the walks from the standard rooms aren't all that far. But some people love preferred. I wouldn't ever book waterview, as there are no balconies and we don't usually sit and look out our window. I do however plan to book a POTC room the next time we stay at CBR (hopefully 2011!). I think they look very cool and would love to stay in one at least once!

Hope that helps!

 

[disneykris2001]

Thanks Safetymom!!! It looks wonderful as usual!!!! Our trip is finally getting closer!!!

Just a bit off topic, but I wanted to thank your for your reply to my post on CBR FAQ part IV about "RAC". Your info helped a lot!

I also noticed that you are going to CBR in August. My DH and I will be celebrating my 45th Birthday there from August 8 - August 12. Maybe we'll run into you you! Also, oddly enough, I have a 13 year old daughter and a nearly 10 year old daughter! Anyway, thanks for the info!

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Just a bit off topic, but I wanted to thank your for your reply to my post on CBR FAQ part IV about "RAC". Your info helped a lot!

I also noticed that you are going to CBR in August. My DH and I will be celebrating my 45th Birthday there from August 8 - August 12. Maybe we'll run into you you! Also, oddly enough, I have a 13 year old daughter and a nearly 10 year old daughter! Anyway, thanks for the info!

You're very welcome!! Have a wonderfully Magical trip!!!!

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

We finally booked. January 3rd-12th! We booked a standard room and requested buildings 45,44,51, or 22 and a corner room. Crossing my fingers that we'll be lucky and be able to go swimming a few times.

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

Can someone tell me where the laundry area is? We booked standard room but requested Jamica. How much does it cost to wash/dry a load? And are the dryers like the values where you have to dry them 3 times to get them somewhat dried?

Thanks for any help. This will be out first trip to a mod!! We can't wait!!

 

[pbw]

Anyone slept in the pirate rooms? I saw the podcast review and pics and between his complaints about the beds and distance from the main pool I'm thinking I need to convince my 6 year ds a Nemo room would be better. Were the beds really that bad?

Of course after spending so much time on the disboards I'm also thinking of switching to POFQ for the smaller resort footprint and boatride to DTD. Anyone here who's been to both with school-age children (mine are 6 and 9) and still prefer CBR?

Thanks as always!

 

[safetymom]

Can someone tell me where the laundry area is? We booked standard room but requested Jamica. How much does it cost to wash/dry a load? And are the dryers like the values where you have to dry them 3 times to get them somewhat dried?

Thanks for any help. This will be out first trip to a mod!! We can't wait!!

There is a laundry room at each of the quiet pools. Yes the dryers take a while to dry.

 

[safetymom]

Anyone slept in the pirate rooms? I saw the podcast review and pics and between his complaints about the beds and distance from the main pool I'm thinking I need to convince my 6 year ds a Nemo room would be better. Were the beds really that bad?

Of course after spending so much time on the disboards I'm also thinking of switching to POFQ for the smaller resort footprint and boatride to DTD. Anyone here who's been to both with school-age children (mine are 6 and 9) and still prefer CBR?

Thanks as always!

I know quite a few people that have slept in the Pirate rooms and didn't have any problems. It is a 7-10 min walk to the main pool.

I think your kids would enjoy CBR better than POFQ.

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

There is a laundry room at each of the quiet pools. Yes the dryers take a while to dry.

Thanks for the reply. Do you remember how much it cost to wash/dry a load of clothes??

 

[pbw]

Thanks SafetyMom! I read somewhere that it is 1.5 miles from Tinidad South to OPR. Do you (or anyone else) know if that's correct?

 

[safetymom]

I don't know the mileage but I know it is less a mile away.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Thanks for the reply. Do you remember how much it cost to wash/dry a load of clothes??

Its $2.00 for a wash and a dry, and the dryer says it runs for 20 minutes, but my experience is that they do run a bit longer than that. We've only had to run jeans and heavy sweatshirts twice on the dryer, usually one run is all it took on most of our clothes.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Anyone slept in the pirate rooms? I saw the podcast review and pics and between his complaints about the beds and distance from the main pool I'm thinking I need to convince my 6 year ds a Nemo room would be better. Were the beds really that bad?

Of course after spending so much time on the disboards I'm also thinking of switching to POFQ for the smaller resort footprint and boatride to DTD. Anyone here who's been to both with school-age children (mine are 6 and 9) and still prefer CBR?

Thanks as always!

I know quite a few people that have slept in the Pirate rooms and didn't have any problems. It is a 7-10 min walk to the main pool.

I definitely agree with SafetyMom, I've stayed at POFQ and CBR and and we prefer CBR.

At POFQ the rooms have very dark wood furniture (antique type) and at CBR it is very bright and light colored, making the room not feel so stuffy. The grounds are beautiful at both places, but at CBR it is a much more Island feel to it, and the music is definitely got the Carribean flare to it, so you feel much more tropical, where POFQ you do feel like you are in the French Quarter. At POFQ the resort is smaller, but we like never notice that CBR is larger, but we also book Preferred so we are closer to OPR than at the other "Islands" than Martinique or Trinidad North. I think you will really enjoy CBR, if you are concerned about the walk, book a Preferred Room and enjoy the Nemo styled room.
I think your kids would enjoy CBR better than POFQ

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Of course after spending so much time on the disboards I'm also thinking of switching to POFQ for the smaller resort footprint and boatride to DTD. Anyone here who's been to both with school-age children (mine are 6 and 9) and still prefer CBR?

Thanks as always!

We have stayed at both. The first time we were at CBR the kids were 4 & 6. They were 5 1/2 & 8 when we stayed at POFQ. And then 7 & 9 when we stayed at CBR the second time. They enjoy CBR so much more. There's no question. They have never mentioned POFQ again. But they are always asking when we are going back to CBR!

Thanks SafetyMom! I read somewhere that it is 1.5 miles from Tinidad South to OPR. Do you (or anyone else) know if that's correct?

Oh no, not even close! I don't think the whole promenade around the entire lake is that long! I don't know the exact distance, but I am pretty sure it is less than a half mile from TS to OPR. You can probably find out for sure on Google Earth.

 

[missiloveslouie]

Less than 1 week to go. Just wanted to thank everyone for all the great info over the past 6 months. One snag in our plans---- pulled back the covers this morning to get DD ready for the sitter and saw her back was covered with poison ivy!!! Anyone know of a quick way to get it under control?

 

[mickeystoontown]

Less than 1 week to go. Just wanted to thank everyone for all the great info over the past 6 months. One snag in our plans---- pulled back the covers this morning to get DD ready for the sitter and saw her back was covered with poison ivy!!! Anyone know of a quick way to get it under control?

Aveeno has always helped dry up my poison ivy. Our local WalMart carries a variety of Aveeno lotions, bath crystal stuff (you know like you pour in the bathtub and soak in) and bars.

 

[missiloveslouie]

thank you! Can't have a miserable kid for our wonderful trip!