Caribbean Beach FAQ part VI

[smiths02]

If the refurb is scheduled to start April of 2014 (in a few months)....when will it be complete? Is there a history of how long Disney takes for refurbs?

I really want to book our June 2015 trip by sometime in November/early December so I can make ADRs.

I am certain I would pick CBR if the rooms have that pull down bed and are refurbed. The extra sleeping space and the kiddie pool would seal the deal.

If not, I would be back to looking at POR (extra sleeping space, boat to DTD, don't love the theme) or CSR (okay pool, okay theme, fitness center for DH).

I need to just tell myself no more Disney planning until November and come back and check everything out then

 

[mcd2745]

If the refurb is scheduled to start April of 2014 (in a few months)....when will it be complete? Is there a history of how long Disney takes for refurbs?

I really want to book our June 2015 trip by sometime in November/early December so I can make ADRs.

I am certain I would pick CBR if the rooms have that pull down bed and are refurbed. The extra sleeping space and the kiddie pool would seal the deal.

If not, I would be back to looking at POR (extra sleeping space, boat to DTD, don't love the theme) or CSR (okay pool, okay theme, fitness center for DH).

I need to just tell myself no more Disney planning until November and come back and check everything out then

I don't think anyone knows exactly how long it will take. Keep in mind, there are over 2,100 rooms at CBR, so it certainly will take some time. They are supposedly doing one building at a time. There are 33 buildings with approx 64 guest rooms in each building. Even if they could knock out 2 buidlings a month - which is probably overly optimistic - you're still looking at almost a year and a half.

 

[smiths02]

I don't think anyone knows exactly how long it will take. Keep in mind, there are over 2,100 rooms at CBR, so it certainly will take some time. They are supposedly doing one building at a time. There are 33 buildings with approx 64 guest rooms in each building. Even if they could knock out 2 buidlings a month - which is probably overly optimistic - you're still looking at almost a year and a half.

That is what I was worried about. Since I am looking at 14 months out. I am not one who wants to take a chance that I can get my request of a refurbed room...I always pay for the room that I want (and, yes, I know that Disney has downgraded people in the past, so I know nothing is guaranteed).
Like I said, I just need to not worry until November. I am guessing by then that we would know a lot more (if the rooms had the pull down bed and if the preferred rooms will be refurbed by June 2015 since I want a preferred room this time around).

I suppose I could also just decide between POR and CSR to start making plans and then switch to CBR. I don't think our ADRs and park plans would change too much.

 

[mcd2745]

Probably won't go standard at CBR - I don't mind the walks at all, but it would be too much for my mom.. May go with a water view room. While the views really aren't that great, they do kind of ensure a somewhat better location along the "inside" of the resort - cutting down on some ofthe walking. The total package price (with the discount) if we switched to a standard room at AKL or WL would be less than $400 more (for six nights). However, we booked a few months ago with the assumption that a discount would likely become available. So, what we're booked for now....while technically we have committed that amount, was done under the assumption it would end up a little less. So we can also look at it as we're not just committing another $340...we're committing an additional $340 plus the other approx $350 we assumed we would get off our original package with the discount. Decisons, decisions...

We decided to stay with CBR and switched from a preferred room to water-view for a savings of over $450. We put in a request to be in Martinique so, if granted, we wouldn't be that far at all. My mother - who has a severe heart condition and gets fatigued very quickly - will have a scooter anyway if we end up too far from OPR. The initial thinking was that in a preferred room, she could handle the walk to OPR (for breakfasts and pool time) and only use the scooter for the parks. If she has to use to get to OPR as well, so be it.

 

[horse11]

We decided to stay with CBR and switched from a preferred room to water-view for a savings of over $450. We put in a request to be in Martinique so, if granted, we wouldn't be that far at all. My mother - who has a severe heart condition and gets fatigued very quickly - will have a scooter anyway if we end up too far from OPR. The initial thinking was that in a preferred room, she could handle the walk to OPR (for breakfasts and pool time) and only use the scooter for the parks. If she has to use to get to OPR as well, so be it.

From your ticker it looks as if you will be going about three weeks before us. Your request for the Martinique section is where we are requesting as well. I was wondering, could you be our eyes when you go? Could you tell us if they have indeed started the room refurbishment in that section? If posible even send pics of the room and area. Thanks a bunch!

 

[mcd2745]

From your ticker it looks as if you will be going about three weeks before us. Your request for the Martinique section is where we are requesting as well. I was wondering, could you be our eyes when you go? Could you tell us if they have indeed started the room refurbishment in that section? If posible even send pics of the room and area. Thanks a bunch!

I think I just got recruited for a job .

I'm not much of a picture taker, but anything I can find out regarding the refurb, I will report here.

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Question for a good friend of mine:

Has anyone been upgraded to a preferred room in a slower season such as September? Should she just go ahead and pay for a preferred room?

 

[mickeystoontown]

Question for a good friend of mine:

Has anyone been upgraded to a preferred room in a slower season such as September? Should she just go ahead and pay for a preferred room?

We've been upgraded to preferred twice (we travel in May). If having a preferred location is a necessity or she has a real desire to stay preferred, I wouldn't chance it and would book that room category.

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

We've been upgraded to preferred twice (we travel in May). If having a preferred location is a necessity or she has a real desire to stay preferred, I wouldn't chance it and would book that room category.

Thank you! What buildings do you recommend requesting for a standard room?

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thank you! What buildings do you recommend requesting for a standard room?

You are welcome! We have stayed all over the resort (this will be our 11th stay at CBR) and didn't even mind it when we were in Barbados 11 (one of the furthest buildings and a 7 1/2 minute walk to OPR). The walks from Jamaica, Aruba and the furthest Martinique buildings were about 5 minutes to OPR. Jamaica and Aruba are across the lake and a short walk through the island will get you back and forth. There are also non-preferred buildings in Martinique (21, 22 & 23). Honestly, we've enjoyed every single building that we've stayed in so far.

Here's the map of the resort...maybe that will help with her decision:

 

[mickeystoontown]

I think I just got recruited for a job .

I'm not much of a picture taker, but anything I can find out regarding the refurb, I will report here.

Get that camera ready! Seriously, if you do hear or see anything, please let us all know.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

I stayed at CBR for the first time in October and loved it. A standard king bed room put me in Aruba 5408 -- about as far from OPR as you could be -- but I didn't notice it, as the walk through the villages was beautiful.

My room was basically in the courtyard of building 54 - so it was at most a 45 second stroll to the bus stop or a 45 second stroll to the sandy beach (assuming I stopped to look at flowers or something."

I was nervous given that there are some comments that are STRONGLY negative about CBR, plus I had stayed the previous year at GF -- but I would definitely stay at CBR again.

Tom

 

[stltravelers]

Question for a good friend of mine:

Has anyone been upgraded to a preferred room in a slower season such as September? Should she just go ahead and pay for a preferred room?

We stayed at CBR last August and we were upgraded to Preferred Trinidad North. For our bounce-back trip that we are taking in September 2014 we went ahead and booked Preferred since we are getting free dining with our bounce-back.

 

[horse11]

Ok I have been looking at pictures of all the different villages. The beauty of the area is important to me but so is being close to OPR due to my parents going on this trip. We have booked prefered rooms and thought we may want to request Martinique 25. It seems to be the closest to OPR but I really really love the way the grounds look at Jamaica. I love the fact you get a pretty view of the island in the middle and view accross the lake as well as the folliage around the buildings and pretty beach. Is it worth going down to a regular view and requesting Jamica? What are the chances of us getting our request? Are all the buildings in Jamica close enough to OPR? My thoughts were we could fill our mugs when we return from the park and just walk back to Jamica. We really would not go to OPR in morning except may be once or twice since we will bring breakfast foods to eat in our room. We plan on bringing to-go individual tea packs to add to our mugs with water to have at the parks and could fill them on our return from the parks which we would only have to walk back to Jamica instead of going to and from. We are only planning on eating at OPR on our arrival day for QS and for breakfast on our last day. We have time planned for the pool at OPR on our arrival day and one other evening. How far is the walk from the farthest Jamaica buliding? would be have a better chance if we booked a water view? Last question if we are better off keeping our preffered room do you have at least a nice view of the marina from the beach at Martinique? Sorry but I really think I am going to drive myself CRAZY with all the minor details. With not actually being there it does make it hard to request a certain area.

 

[dansdad]

Ok I have been looking at pictures of all the different villages. The beauty of the area is important to me but so is being close to OPR due to my parents going on this trip. We have booked prefered rooms and thought we may want to request Martinique 25. It seems to be the closest to OPR but I really really love the way the grounds look at Jamaica. I love the fact you get a pretty view of the island in the middle and view accross the lake as well as the folliage around the buildings and pretty beach. Is it worth going down to a regular view and requesting Jamica?

Well this grabbed my attention because Jamaica is our favorite village for these reasons and we also just love the bright yellow buildings. They just scream Caribbean to me. I love the stroll across the bridge to OPR especially in the AM when the sun is coming up over OPR. It's just gorgeous. And our favorite is Jamaica 45 as it is the closest to OPR. So my opinion is yes, it is worth saving the $$ of preferred and requesting Jamaica.

What are the chances of us getting our request?

Now that's very hard to answer as it all depends on occupancy. But I will give our experience. Our last 4 trips we have requested Jamaica 45 and 2nd floor and have gotten both requests all 4 times. But, as you know, they are only requests.

Are all the buildings in Jamica close enough to OPR?

Although 44, 45 and 46 are all pretty close to the bridge with 45 being the closest. Now 41, 42 and 43 are noticeably farther but not bad IMHO.

My thoughts were we could fill our mugs when we return from the park and just walk back to Jamica. We really would not go to OPR in morning except may be once or twice since we will bring breakfast foods to eat in our room. We plan on bringing to-go individual tea packs to add to our mugs with water to have at the parks and could fill them on our return from the parks which we would only have to walk back to Jamica instead of going to and from. We are only planning on eating at OPR on our arrival day for QS and for breakfast on our last day. We have time planned for the pool at OPR on our arrival day and one other evening. How far is the walk from the farthest Jamaica buliding?

During our stays, I am the breakfast runner. I head over to OPR and get breakfast for us while DW and DS get ready so I know how the walk is. It has taken me more time to go get breakfast for the family when staying at some high rise hotels with waiting for elevators etc. With the limited amount of times you plan on heading to OPR and/or the pool, even if you are in the farthest room in Jamaica it won't be bad. From the farthest corner of 41 is about 8 minutes at a leisurely pace.

would be have a better chance if we booked a water view?.

No because all the villages have water view rooms. And as long as we're on the subject of views, my opinion is that a specific view when staying in a moderate is a waste of $$. The only way to enjoy the view would be to have the blinds open. And with the outside entrances of the moderates, that means everyone walking by can see in our room. And at CBR, most of the standard rooms have a view of one of the lovely courtyards. But even if your room faces the parking lot, you have to look very hard to see the parking lot through all of the lush vegetation.

Last question if we are better off keeping our preffered room do you have at least a nice view of the marina from the beach at Martinique?

Yes, you can kind of see the marina from the Martinique beach. It's mostly blocked by the lighthouse. My favorite view of the marina is from the bridge when coming from Jamaica to OPR.

 

[horse11]

Well this grabbed my attention because Jamaica is our favorite village for these reasons and we also just love the bright yellow buildings. They just scream Caribbean to me. I love the stroll across the bridge to OPR especially in the AM when the sun is coming up over OPR. It's just gorgeous. And our favorite is Jamaica 45 as it is the closest to OPR. So my opinion is yes, it is worth saving the $$ of preferred and requesting Jamaica.



Now that's very hard to answer as it all depends on occupancy. But I will give our experience. Our last 4 trips we have requested Jamaica 45 and 2nd floor and have gotten both requests all 4 times. But, as you know, they are only requests.





Although 44, 45 and 46 are all pretty close to the bridge with 45 being the closest. Now 41, 42 and 43 are noticeably farther but not bad IMHO.



During our stays, I am the breakfast runner. I head over to OPR and get breakfast for us while DW and DS get ready so I know how the walk is. It has taken me more time to go get breakfast for the family when staying at some high rise hotels with waiting for elevators etc. With the limited amount of times you plan on heading to OPR and/or the pool, even if you are in the farthest room in Jamaica it won't be bad. From the farthest corner of 41 is about 8 minutes at a leisurely pace.




No because all the villages have water view rooms. And as long as we're on the subject of views, my opinion is that a specific view when staying in a moderate is a waste of $$. The only way to enjoy the view would be to have the blinds open. And with the outside entrances of the moderates, that means everyone walking by can see in our room. And at CBR, most of the standard rooms have a view of one of the lovely courtyards. But even if your room faces the parking lot, you have to look very hard to see the parking lot through all of the lush vegetation.




Yes, you can kind of see the marina from the Martinique beach. It's mostly blocked by the lighthouse. My favorite view of the marina is from the bridge when coming from Jamaica to OPR.

Oh Thank you!!! I also like Aruba 51 so either would be great!!! I would not mind doing the running since I love to walk and look at the views so that could be done. Last question do they have conncecting rooms in Jamica 45 or aruba 51? That would also be an important request for us since our kids will be split up with the grandparents.

 

[dansdad]

Oh Thank you!!! I also like Aruba 51 so either would be great!!! I would not mind doing the running since I love to walk and look at the views so that could be done. Last question do they have conncecting rooms in Jamica 45 or aruba 51? That would also be an important request for us since our kids will be split up with the grandparents.

You're welcome. Yes, Aruba 51 is about the same as Jamaica 45 we just happen to prefer the bright yellow of Jamaica.

Yes, every building in every village has connecting rooms.

 

[mcd2745]

No because all the villages have water view rooms. And as long as we're on the subject of views, my opinion is that a specific view when staying in a moderate is a waste of $$.

The extra benefit of a water-view is not only the view (which yes, won't be the greatest), but in that you kind of get a "preferred" location anyway. It pretty much ensures that you'll be on the interior edge of the resort with a room close to the path that circles the lake. So from that standpoint, you do end up closer to OPR itself or the bridge -the flip side being you'll then be further from the bus stops.

 

[EpcotBill]

nice!

 

[wayneJR]

Hello can anybody help we and my oartner are travelling in October some family are coming the next dat using a different tour operator. Can anyone tell me how to request rooms near each other


Thanks

2nd visit cant wait x