Caribbean Beach FAQ part V

[rblucy]

I'm sorry to hear some of the negative reviews. DH and I just returned from a quick trip (Dec 10-14) and were very happy with our stay at CBR. I hadn't stayed here since I was 14 but had really great memories of the hotel and was not disappointed. We checked in a little after 10 at night and only had 1 person in front of us. We were traveling with SIL and BIL and were easily placed in the same building (both in Jamaica 45). Our building was a short walk from the parking lot/bus stop and just over the walkway/bridge to Old Port Royale. SIL had a car so we went with her some of the time and took the bus the rest of the time. The longest we ever had to wait for a bus was 12 min coming back from AK. Bus rides were always smooth and traveling around the grounds before leaving/upon returning was quick. The one time we had a motorized scooter on board we exited at Port Royale to avoid waiting for them to exit at a different stop but it was still an easy walk. We ate 2 meals at the food court and enjoyed the variety of options and found the food fresh. All staff we encountered was very friendly. Mousekeeping always had our room cleaned early and while I didn't find them to go above and beyond, our room was perfectly clean which is all I wanted. DH liked that the room was recently updated and enjoyed the flat screen TV. The size of the room was really comfortable (last 2 stays at WL and I think the room was similar in size, only a little smaller) and we had no problem with the full size beds. We heard the people in the room next door once or twice but nothing that would have woken us, just normal stuff like coughing.

Hope this helps someone. I just wanted to let you know that some of us are still having great experiences with CBR DH was a little hesitant to stay here initially based on some of the reviews but he said he was happy with our decision and would def stay here again

 

[nessz79]

I'm sorry to hear some of the negative reviews. DH and I just returned from a quick trip (Dec 10-14) and were very happy with our stay at CBR. I hadn't stayed here since I was 14 but had really great memories of the hotel and was not disappointed. We checked in a little after 10 at night and only had 1 person in front of us. We were traveling with SIL and BIL and were easily placed in the same building (both in Jamaica 45). Our building was a short walk from the parking lot/bus stop and just over the walkway/bridge to Old Port Royale. SIL had a car so we went with her some of the time and took the bus the rest of the time. The longest we ever had to wait for a bus was 12 min coming back from AK. Bus rides were always smooth and traveling around the grounds before leaving/upon returning was quick. The one time we had a motorized scooter on board we exited at Port Royale to avoid waiting for them to exit at a different stop but it was still an easy walk. We ate 2 meals at the food court and enjoyed the variety of options and found the food fresh. All staff we encountered was very friendly. Mousekeeping always had our room cleaned early and while I didn't find them to go above and beyond, our room was perfectly clean which is all I wanted. DH liked that the room was recently updated and enjoyed the flat screen TV. The size of the room was really comfortable (last 2 stays at WL and I think the room was similar in size, only a little smaller) and we had no problem with the full size beds. We heard the people in the room next door once or twice but nothing that would have woken us, just normal stuff like coughing.

Hope this helps someone. I just wanted to let you know that some of us are still having great experiences with CBR DH was a little hesitant to stay here initially based on some of the reviews but he said he was happy with our decision and would def stay here again

Thank you! We're heading out today and will be at CBR tomorrow. We plan on having a magical time!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Thank you! We're heading out today and will be at CBR tomorrow. We plan on having a magical time!

You will have a fantastic time at CBR! DH and I were there Nov 12-21 and had the most amazing stay at CBR...we would not hesitate to stay there again. Super clean rooms, amazing staff, the buses were not that bad (just getting to Epcot was the worst of it, hardly any buses) and the food court was ok.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[nessz79]

Just back and we had a great time! We arrived at 7:30 AM to check in and not only was check-in very fast (online check-in is always great for us), but our room was ready. We had our request- Martinique 23, ground floor, close to our car. We unloaded our things and headed out to the park.

The pool area is great- we only got to enjoy it for a little bit on our first day. The rest of the trip was way too cold! The boys had so much fun, especially in the play area for younger kids. They were right at 48" so they just fit the mark there.

The food court was good- plenty of choices and it was never crowded when we were there. We had breakfast there a couple mornings. We were usually there around 7:30 or 8 and we never had to wait and there was plenty of seating.

The room was nice- plenty of room and storage. True, there was some visible dust on some of the furniture, but as we're nut dust-sensitive (allergies), we were fine. We tipped a couple of the days and our housekeeper was very good. Everything was taken care of and she even made a toothbrush holder out of towels- I was impressed!

We had a great time and would definitely recommend Caribbean Beach Resort. We would stay there again. Although, we are wanderers and like to try different resorts, so it may be a while before we came back.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Just back and we had a great time! We arrived at 7:30 AM to check in and not only was check-in very fast (online check-in is always great for us), but our room was ready. We had our request- Martinique 23, ground floor, close to our car. We unloaded our things and headed out to the park.

The pool area is great- we only got to enjoy it for a little bit on our first day. The rest of the trip was way too cold! The boys had so much fun, especially in the play area for younger kids. They were right at 48" so they just fit the mark there.

The food court was good- plenty of choices and it was never crowded when we were there. We had breakfast there a couple mornings. We were usually there around 7:30 or 8 and we never had to wait and there was plenty of seating.

The room was nice- plenty of room and storage. True, there was some visible dust on some of the furniture, but as we're nut dust-sensitive (allergies), we were fine. We tipped a couple of the days and our housekeeper was very good. Everything was taken care of and she even made a toothbrush holder out of towels- I was impressed!

We had a great time and would definitely recommend Caribbean Beach Resort. We would stay there again. Although, we are wanderers and like to try different resorts, so it may be a while before we came back.

Welcome back! Glad to hear you had such a nice time. I wish it would have been warmer for you and you could have used the pool more!

 

[joybeth]

We were at CBR from Dec 11-15 and had great experience with the buses. I would say that it was probably the best bus service we have had on any of our trips. Little wait time and only had to stand once when coming back from Epcot following Illuminations. Just goes to show you....

jb

 

[ajwolfe]

If I was going to request a room (realizing I will probably not get it) what is the best building/area to request it in? This is our first stay with CBR and I have no clue what to ask for!

 

[mickeyboat]

If I was going to request a room (realizing I will probably not get it) what is the best building/area to request it in? This is our first stay with CBR and I have no clue what to ask for!

Did you pay for a preferred location? If not, we asked for Jamaica 45 or Aruba 51, and got Jamaica 44. We liked the location and room very much.

 

[nessz79]

We were at CBR from Dec 11-15 and had great experience with the buses. I would say that it was probably the best bus service we have had on any of our trips. Little wait time and only had to stand once when coming back from Epcot following Illuminations. Just goes to show you....

jb

We were there 12/17-12/21 and also had great service! We never had to stand, though we didn't come back after fireworks at all.

 

[ajwolfe]

Did you pay for a preferred location? If not, we asked for Jamaica 45 or Aruba 51, and got Jamaica 44. We liked the location and room very much.

We didn't pay for a preferred room, so that's great to know.

 

[rblucy]

We didn't pay for a preferred room, so that's great to know.

We stayed in Jamaica 45 and it was great. It was right over the bridge to Old Port Royale and very convenient to the parking lot and bus stop.

 

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

Just booked CBR for a split stay (also staying at CR) with DSiL for May 6-9. We're staying there for the expedition everest challenge...can't wait! Long time Disney vet but first time staying at CBR...it will also be DSiL first ever trip to Disney so i'm hoping CBR lives up to her expectations...

Im about half way through reading this thread so im sure i'll more questions soon enough..just wondering how the standard view's are at CBR? Will I be looking at the parking lot the whole time?

TIA!!

 

[catbertdave99]

Just booked CBR for a split stay (also staying at CR) with DSiL for May 6-9. We're staying there for the expedition everest challenge...can't wait! Long time Disney vet but first time staying at CBR...it will also be DSiL first ever trip to Disney so i'm hoping CBR lives up to her expectations...

Im about half way through reading this thread so im sure i'll more questions soon enough..just wondering how the standard view's are at CBR? Will I be looking at the parking lot the whole time?

TIA!!

Even IF you are facing a parking lot (which you may not be anyway), you probably won't see it very well -- the foliage around CBR is wonderful! We love CBR!! I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time!!

 

[pixiedustmomma]

I am getting really excited to go. We are going November 27 - December 3. I am still trying to decided if I want a preferred room or just request Jamaica 45 or Aruba 51. My daughters will be 4 and 1 when we go and I don't think a little bit of walking will really hurt. My four year old loves walking more then being in the stroller. This will be my husbands first time staying on property. I have been many times but I was too young to remember staying at Caribbean Beach, so this is like my first time too!

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

We'll be there in less than 24 hours! The weather forecasts are looking good so I'm getting pretty excited.

 

[Mummy2Sydney]

This thread is fantastic! We will be there in 20 days....whoohoooo

My Mother in Law is staying in Florida and will join us for 1 day at Magic Kingdom, will there be any problem with her coming to our room during the day? We were thinking they may like to see it.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Just booked our next trip ~ 5 nights at CBR (will be our third stay here) and 4 nights at the Poly.

We are very excited to get back to CBR!!

 

[stephielela]

We stayed at CBR from 12/16-12/22. We requested Aruba 51 or Jamaica 45 and didn't get either. We ended up in Barbados 16 (1627 and 1628), which is pretty far away from OPR. We consequently only went there a couple times, and we usually drove. We had also requested connecting first floor rooms that were not facing a parking lot. All those requests were met, though I think the interior facing request was a fluke, since I faxed that request in and I am under the impression they no longer accept faxes. It was conveniently located in relation to the parking lots, and there was a courtyard right outside our door, but we had very little down time to enjoy it. We were also near the ice machine. Overall I was happy with our room, but I wish it had been closer to the location I requested when I made the reservations. I didn't ask about moving at check in, so I don't know if that would have helped.

Mousekeeping was great during our stay. We left our connecting doors open all the time, so they treated it as one big room and we tipped them for both rooms and left the tips together on one table. On the second to last day they didn't take the tip, we hadn't placed the little housekeeping card with it so maybe thats why? We lmade sure to leave both days of tips with the card on the last day. I also left a note with some of our decorations and thigns we couldn't fit in luggage (glow sticks etc) saying if they wanted it to please take it, but I am not sure about the rules on that. We also got multiple towel animals.

We only had one experience with the bus system, my son and I took the bus from DHS to CBR one afternoon, and it was empty except 1 other family and we didn't have to wait at all, so it was great.

I liked CBR. However when comparing the cost with Pop with the amenities... I just am not sure the cost difference is justified. Back in 1990, CBR was the low end resort, since the value resorts didn't exist yet. I felt like the $200+ a night we were spending on the room was a little much for what was there. The rooms just feel a little dated, like with the heating/cooling. Instead of a thermostat on the wall like at a newer property like Pop, its one of those big units under the window with the knob. The pool area and foodcourt/shop were nicer than at Pop but since it was too chilly to swim most days that didn't do much for us. If you have a more flexible budget and can afford to stay at a moderate, I think CBR is a lovely resort. If you are unsure as to whether you can swing the cost or if you are having to sacrifice any other portion of your vacation, I'd go with Pop. I can't speak about any other values since I haven't stayed in them but the newly renovated Pop rooms were just as comfortable in my opinion. Oh, except CBR gives you more pillows, which was great because I like having a lot of pillows.

I know some people love CBR more than any other resort, even the deluxes, and it really is a matter of personal opinion. And part of my opinion does come from the fact that I work in a hotel, and I know if we tried to charge $265 a night for that room... we wouldn't sell a lot of rooms. Just my 2 cents!

 

[Jade+3]

This is a great thread! We are staying late September. My kids wanted to stay here for the pool.

 

[ddstratton]

Just stopping in..... Because we're going back to CBR!!! Our very first Disney trip was in October 2008. We stayed at the Caribbean Beach resort, in Barbados, building 13. This time, we'll most likely be staying in a Pirate room. We'll be there in October, for my 40th birthday. I'm already counting down the days...