Caribbean Beach FAQ part V

[mickeystoontown]

Here come the questions

I have literally traveled the world over but as I get older I get more concerned about my safety. I will be traveling alone and have reserved the cheapest room available. Is there any particular location I should request? I usually request anything but a 'ground floor' room when I travel alone but is there anything else? Or maybe I'm safer at Disney than the local Hampton Inns in a 'regular' city?

Thanks!

My mother (she's 78) traveled with us to WDW the last two trips and we stayed at the CBR. She thought about going with us again this year and staying alone at the CBR while we were on our Disney cruise. She said that she felt perfectly safe staying there while we were in the parks or when she decided to sleep in. We were in Jamaica 41 on one trip and Jamaica 42 on the other.

 

[matt&jakesmom]

Looks like we are heading back CBR. The last time we stayed there was back in 2001. My boys were 5 and 3 at the time. They don't remember it and want to go back. My DH is concerned on how it's so spread out but it we dealt with CSR last year, I think we can handle CBR.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

My mother (she's 78) traveled with us to WDW the last two trips and we stayed at the CBR. She thought about going with us again this year and staying alone at the CBR while we were on our Disney cruise. She said that she felt perfectly safe staying there while we were in the parks or when she decided to sleep in. We were in Jamaica 41 on one trip and Jamaica 42 on the other.

Thank you! That is reassuring

 

[mickeystoontown]

Looks like we are heading back CBR. The last time we stayed there was back in 2001. My boys were 5 and 3 at the time. They don't remember it and want to go back. My DH is concerned on how it's so spread out but it we dealt with CSR last year, I think we can handle CBR.

I think your boys are going to love the new pool at the CBR. If you handled the size of CSR well, then I would think you'd have no problems with the CBR.

Thank you! That is reassuring

You're welcome! I've walked the resort promenade in the evenings and always felt safe.

 

[GetGlowing]

I was just looking at the CBR map and noticed how far the check-in at Customs House is from so many rooms. When you arrive via Magical Express, do they shuttle you to your room after checking in?

 

[ifightfortheusers]

I was just looking at the CBR map and noticed how far the check-in at Customs House is from so many rooms. When you arrive via Magical Express, do they shuttle you to your room after checking in?

There is an internal shuttle (Disney Transportation bus) that can take you to your island bus stop. You could also use bell services which will take you in a van to your building.

 

[GetGlowing]

Thank you!

 

[cosmicwaves]

We got back on Saturday from a week at CBR. I had requested ground floor, Jamaica. We were given ground floor, Martinique 21. Dancers were checking in later in the week, and would be staying in Jamaica, so I guess it was full.
Our building was about a 5 minute walk to OPR (or 2 hours with a toddler)
I really enjoyed the resort...peaceful, beautiful, clean. I walked around, and really would have preferred to be in Jamaica or Aruba, or even one of the closer Barbados buildings. I didn't get the same "warm" feeling from Martinique as I did in the other villages...not sure why. Maybe it was the cooler blue color of the buildings, but it just had a different feel to it.

My only complaint was that none of the pools were heated, not even the main pool. Well, maybe not all, but I felt the pools in Martinique, Barbados, Aruba, and the main pool, and they were cold. They were so cold that despite it being 80+ degrees out, I couldn't go in. My 2 year old swam with her dad for a while, but started shivering. Very disappointing. We were told by our bellman that all pools are heated to 83 degrees, but that was certainly not the case. Not sure what was going on...I didn't ask. Maybe I should have, but I just sent a comment to Disney about it...we'll see what they say.
Aside from that, it was a perfect stay. I loved all of the choices in the food court.

 

[jaywalker17]

We got back on Saturday from a week at CBR. I had requested ground floor, Jamaica. We were given ground floor, Martinique 21. Dancers were checking in later in the week, and would be staying in Jamaica, so I guess it was full.
Our building was about a 5 minute walk to OPR (or 2 hours with a toddler)
I really enjoyed the resort...peaceful, beautiful, clean. I walked around, and really would have preferred to be in Jamaica or Aruba, or even one of the closer Barbados buildings. I didn't get the same "warm" feeling from Martinique as I did in the other villages...not sure why. Maybe it was the cooler blue color of the buildings, but it just had a different feel to it.

My only complaint was that none of the pools were heated, not even the main pool. Well, maybe not all, but I felt the pools in Martinique, Barbados, Aruba, and the main pool, and they were cold. They were so cold that despite it being 80+ degrees out, I couldn't go in. My 2 year old swam with her dad for a while, but started shivering. Very disappointing. We were told by our bellman that all pools are heated to 83 degrees, but that was certainly not the case. Not sure what was going on...I didn't ask. Maybe I should have, but I just sent a comment to Disney about it...we'll see what they say.
Aside from that, it was a perfect stay. I loved all of the choices in the food court.

We just got back from CBR also. Trust me, you did not want to be in Jamaica with the dance teams. Our room was there and after a sleepless night of teenage girls chattering outside the room we asked to be moved and were very happy with our new room in Martinque.

The quiet pools in both Jamaica and Martinque were heated but we also noticed that the main pool was not. It was very cold, thus we did not get any use out of it.

 

[DopeyDame]

My only complaint was that none of the pools were heated, not even the main pool. Well, maybe not all, but I felt the pools in Martinique, Barbados, Aruba, and the main pool, and they were cold. They were so cold that despite it being 80+ degrees out, I couldn't go in. My 2 year old swam with her dad for a while, but started shivering. Very disappointing. We were told by our bellman that all pools are heated to 83 degrees, but that was certainly not the case. Not sure what was going on...I didn't ask. Maybe I should have, but I just sent a comment to Disney about it...we'll see what they say.
Aside from that, it was a perfect stay. I loved all of the choices in the food court.

I'm really suprised to hear you say this, as we just got back from 6 days there yesterday afternoon, and DS, DH, and I all spent HOURS in the main pool and the kid's splash pool, and found that it was plenty warm. It wasn't "hot tub" warm, but it was clearly heated and more than warm enough to swim.

We had a great trip, and I love, love, loved the pool. It was perfect for my almost 3 year old DS. We stayed at Yacht Club on our last trip, so I was worried aobut being disappointed in CBR, but we had a wonderful time.

 

[happywifeandmom]

at this point the only thing that is keeping me from finalizing our trip to stay at CBR is that it would appear that there is no swimming on the beaches? can that be true? my daughter LOVES the beach and is on the autism spectrum and it would be REALLY hard to keep her out of the water.

anyone?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

at this point the only thing that is keeping me from finalizing our trip to stay at CBR is that it would appear that there is no swimming on the beaches? can that be true? my daughter LOVES the beach and is on the autism spectrum and it would be REALLY hard to keep her out of the water.

anyone?

Sorry, there's no swimming in any of the lakes at WDW. Gators and snakes and amoeba in the water.

 

[happywifeandmom]

Sorry, there's no swimming in any of the lakes at WDW. Gators and snakes and amoeba in the water.

well, ok, that will surely keep US out of the water . . .

 

[anabelle]

Just booked CBR for our June trip. I was going to be a budget girls only trip for DD14 and myself. But now my hubby has caught the Disney bug too and will be coming with us. He has been working so hard this year, so I want him to relax.

We have stayed all over, but mostly at POR and OKW. Strangely, we have never even visited CBR. So I am trying to get a feel for the resort. I love all the pictures that I have seen so far. But all the reviews are mixed. But what do you all do to really relax at the end of a long WDW day?

Ana

 

[dansdad]

So I am trying to get a feel for the resort. I love all the pictures that I have seen so far. But all the reviews are mixed. But what do you all do to really relax at the end of a long WDW day?

Ana

You can find good and bad reviews for almost all the WDW resorts. I don't think there's one resort that will fit everyone. We love CBR. Our favorite thing to do after a long day at the parks was to head to the Main Pool. DW and I would grab a drink at the Banana Cabana and slip into one of the hot tubs while DS swam. The main pool/hot tubs never close and the Banana Cabana is open until Midnight. On our way back to our room we would walk on one of the many beaches. Something very relaxing about walking on sand barefoot when you have tired aching feet. Or enjoy one of the many hammocks while star gazing.

 

[rjh3]

I'm really suprised to hear you say this, as we just got back from 6 days there yesterday afternoon, and DS, DH, and I all spent HOURS in the main pool and the kid's splash pool, and found that it was plenty warm. It wasn't "hot tub" warm, but it was clearly heated and more than warm enough to swim.

We had a great trip, and I love, love, loved the pool. It was perfect for my almost 3 year old DS. We stayed at Yacht Club on our last trip, so I was worried aobut being disappointed in CBR, but we had a wonderful time.

We returned home Saturday after 11 days at CBR. We really enjoyed our time there.

Regarding the pools, there were several days that we attempted to use the main pool and the water was very cold. There were points were there was no one in the pool and most of the kids in the area were at the smaller pirate pool because that water was warmer. There were other days where we were in the pool for long periods and I could not get me kids out because the water was so nice.

We swim in the ocean in New England in the summer, so we are accustomed to cold water and I can say with certainty that the pool heat was not functioning properly during portions of our visit.

That issue aside, we loved the resort and would certainly return.

 

[cosmicwaves]

We returned home Saturday after 11 days at CBR. We really enjoyed our time there.

Regarding the pools, there were several days that we attempted to use the main pool and the water was very cold. There were points were there was no one in the pool and most of the kids in the area were at the smaller pirate pool because that water was warmer. There were other days where we were in the pool for long periods and I could not get me kids out because the water was so nice.

We swim in the ocean in New England in the summer, so we are accustomed to cold water and I can say with certainty that the pool heat was not functioning properly during portions of our visit.

That issue aside, we loved the resort and would certainly return.

I'm glad I wasn't crazy then...I KNOW that main pool wasn't heated! Granted, we only tried it one day...Wednesday 2/1. The various quiet pools I felt on different days. I can understand one heater not working, but to have several of the pools be cold? Sounds to me like they are trying to cut costs by not always heating the pool.

 

[cosmicwaves]

I'm really suprised to hear you say this, as we just got back from 6 days there yesterday afternoon, and DS, DH, and I all spent HOURS in the main pool and the kid's splash pool, and found that it was plenty warm. It wasn't "hot tub" warm, but it was clearly heated and more than warm enough to swim.

We had a great trip, and I love, love, loved the pool. It was perfect for my almost 3 year old DS. We stayed at Yacht Club on our last trip, so I was worried aobut being disappointed in CBR, but we had a wonderful time.

I'm glad the heater was working! I tried the main pool on Wednesday 2/1, and it was COLD. They must have turned it on/fixed it after that. Glad you enjoyed your stay!

 

[TACandgirls]

Headed to CBR last week of March 2012. Myself and two adult daughters (22 & 24). We do have a rental car. Which buildings are best suited for us? Looking for easy driving access in and out of the resort and quiet!! Newly refurbished rooms and a short walk to dining a plus. Pool and hot tub close by also a plus. Looking at Jamaica 44 or 45 or Aruba 51. Any suggestions. Thanks!! Love this site BTW.

 

[cindyfan]

Just returned from a quick long weekend at CBR.
It was a very nice visit.
Considering the dance teams were there, it was quiet most of the time. They over-ran the food court on a few occasions so I ended up leaving and headed to the parks and ate there.

I was so lucky to get an upgrade to preferred and was in Martinique so Old Port Royale was within 2 minutes. Otherwise it is way too spread out.

The fact that the Custom House is on the opposite end from Old Port Royale is a pain!
And the internal bus seems too slow. A CM said it takes the bus about 25 minutes to make the full loop.
It is a nice resort and I enjoyed my time there, but most likely would only stay there again if Coronado Springs wasn't available.