Caribbean Beach FAQ part V

[ilovetinks]

Staying at CBR in a month. We have had groceries delivered before but I'm wondering if I can have items from a dept store delivered to the resort. Specificially, it's footwear that we'll need. I'm just not sure when it will arrive, it could be a few weeks before we arrive. Will they accept and hold this package for us?

 

[jcemom]

Hello! We are 5 trip veterans to POR, and I feel the need to try a new Mod. I had no idea that CBR redid the pool and had Nemo-themed rooms. Saw the pics for the little splash playground, and we're totally sold! Anyone else come from loving POR to falling in love with CBR?

I've always avoided CBR, because it seems to get more bad reviews that PO or CSR. Has that changed?
Thanks!

I can't say that we LOVED POR before staying at CBR. We LIKED it. After staying at CBR both DD9 and I agreed that we prefer it over POR. At POR I really enjoyed the laid-back theme. At CBR, I LOVED the tropical theme. It was every bit as relaxing as POR, and I felt more like I was really transported somewhere else. DD by far preferred CBR's pool.

*I* still like POFQ better than CBR, just because it's SO small and quaint, and has the boat to Downtown. (I prefer the look and feel of CBR.) However, DD doesn't like it because the pool slide is so tame. The next time we stay at a mod she would want to go back to CBR, or try CSR (we've never stayed there). One or the other.

 

[Sfmarine]

I enjoyed staying at CBR. I stayed in Jamaica which was just a short walk over the bridge to the Main building and pool. It was quite quiet and peaceful. The bus system is usually hit or miss but for the most part I didn't wait more than 10 mins. I would definitely stay there again but I want to try out other resorts first.

 

[LAS321]

We've stayed at CBR before and always paid extra for a preferred location. This year we added an extra day to our trip and have booked a standard room. Any suggestions about the best standard locations? It's my adult daughter and me, we will be using the bus system and usually only swim at the quiet pool.

 

[dansdad]

Any suggestions about the best standard locations?

Jamaica 45 and Aruba 51 are very nice locations. Just a short walk across the bridge to OPR. Both also have a short walk to the bus stop.

 

[DAD21]

Jamaica 45 and Aruba 51 are very nice locations. Just a short walk across the bridge to OPR. Both also have a short walk to the bus stop.

I agree. Great locations. We won't stay anywhere else but CBR. Just enough Disney but also a great place to get away from all the rush.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I didn't see this in the FAQ but I may have missed it. How late does the food court stay open in the evening? We're looking at a possible later flight and will probably be hungry upon arrival at CBR. Thanks!

 

[dansdad]

I didn't see this in the FAQ but I may have missed it. How late does the food court stay open in the evening? We're looking at a possible later flight and will probably be hungry upon arrival at CBR. Thanks!

I know OPR itself is open until Midnight. And I am pretty sure Market Street Food Court serves until 11PM.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I know OPR itself is open until Midnight. And I am pretty sure Market Street Food Court serves until 11PM.

Perfect. Thank you!

 

[Schminston-Mo]

Thank you for all the great information!

How close are the smoking areas to the rooms? Is there any problem with smoke smell in the rooms? I wanted to figure out if I need to request "away from smoking area"

 

[dansdad]

Thank you for all the great information!

How close are the smoking areas to the rooms? Is there any problem with smoke smell in the rooms? I wanted to figure out if I need to request "away from smoking area"

We did not have any issues with the smoking areas. As you can see on the map, the DSA's (designated smoking area) are mainly in the courtyards.

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


So if you want to be sure, I would request a room not surrounding a courtyard.

 

[Magalex]

Are there any pool activities/games in June for CBR? I know some of the other resorts have pool games/activities. On our arrival day we are not visiting any of the parks? We have one 11 yr old DS. He is very easy-going & loves any type of games.

 

[dansdad]

Are there any pool activities/games in June for CBR? I know some of the other resorts have pool games/activities. On our arrival day we are not visiting any of the parks? We have one 11 yr old DS. He is very easy-going & loves any type of games.

When we were there in October, there were pool games every day. Our DS10 really enjoyed them! I can't see them not having these during a busy time like June. Enjoy!

 

[harleyquinn]

I have stayed at both POR and CBR and my family really prefers CBR. We enjoyed POR and would have no problems staying there again if we couldn't get CBR.

We like the Food Court better in CBR. Not a huge difference, but we really like the way it is laid out. Makes for splitting up to each get what we want and meet in the middle to check out.

The main pool at CBR is awesome! If you have little ones, the zero depth/splash area is wonderful.

The Nemo theme is great because it is kind of low key and not over the top.


CBR still gets some bad reviews. But I have found that the majority of them are from people who feel the resort is too big. Yes, it's spread out but that is one of the things we love about it. Even at full capacity, you don't feel like you are on top of others. It is so peaceful and laid back. It really does feel like you are on a tropical vacation which is a welcome change to the craziness of the parks. Even if you are at the farthest room from OPR and the Main Pool, it is an 8 minute leisurely walk. Most other non-preferred locations are under 5 minutes.

Also people have an issue with the fact that there is a bus stop for each Village. Again, we feel that this is a plus because there is never a huge mass of people at the bus stop. Even if you are the first stop picked up, you will be leaving CBR property in less than 10 minutes.

I have also read random issues with a room being dirty, broken shower, etc. But you can find those for even the Poly or GF if you look.

All of those "complaints" are true about POR too, so we should be okay with that. We'll have our almost 3 yo with us, so zero entry is nice and it looks so much bigger than the POR pool. She LOVES Nemo so that's a big selling point too.
Thanks so much for your response, you've alleviated all of my fears!

I can't say that we LOVED POR before staying at CBR. We LIKED it. After staying at CBR both DD9 and I agreed that we prefer it over POR. At POR I really enjoyed the laid-back theme. At CBR, I LOVED the tropical theme. It was every bit as relaxing as POR, and I felt more like I was really transported somewhere else. DD by far preferred CBR's pool.

Thanks for the response! I think we'll love the theme too, especially the sand for DD to play with!

 

[octoberprincess]

So excited, just booked our vacation at CBR! This is our first time staying there. We selected a standard room, does anyone have an opinion on the best village and building? Have there been any issues with the buses being full and having to wait for the next bus? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MommytoaPrince]

I am hoping someone can let me know if the CBR still has the pirate themed water playground. I read somewhere else that it was gone. TIA!

 

[Lidian]

I am hoping someone can let me know if the CBR still has the pirate themed water playground. I read somewhere else that it was gone. TIA!

It was very much there the first week of March.

 

[MommytoaPrince]

It was very much there the first week of March.

Oh yay! You just made my day. My son has wanted nothing more for his 5th birthday (not even a party) than to go stay in the Disney hotel with the pirate water playground. I was crushed when I was reading somewhere that it had been removed. I knew one of my fellow Disers would give me some magical news

 

[Lidian]

Oh yay! You just made my day. My son has wanted nothing more for his 5th birthday (not even a party) than to go stay in the Disney hotel with the pirate water playground. I was crushed when I was reading somewhere that it had been removed. I knew one of my fellow Disers would give me some magical news

And here is my proof that it was there.

I hope you guys have a great time!

 

[tink20]

Lidian: I see your DD is 10 (like my DS) Is the pirate play area, at the pool, just
for the little ones, or can even 10yr olds check it out? tia