Caribbean Beach FAQ part VI

[ciggy]

Flight takes off in 14 hours and 20 minutes.. but who's counting. Looking forward to our 5th year in a row at CBR!!!!

 

[dis_guy]

Flight takes off in 14 hours and 20 minutes.. but who's counting. Looking forward to our 5th year in a row at CBR!!!!

2 weeks today and we will be there. Can't wait to take my little DS to the kiddie pool.

Well I hope you all have great vacations! Ours is a little ways away yet... but it's coming!!

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

76 days for us!!!!!

Has the RFID chip mug arrived at CBR? I want to budget accordingly.

 

[EpcotBill]

76 days for us!!!!!

Has the RFID chip mug arrived at CBR? I want to budget accordingly.

Yes, RapidFill is at all resorts now.

 

[jdd]

http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/florida995/library/?sort=3&page=1

Oh, I really like this look! Any chance some rooms might be renovated by February 21st?? Would love to get a "new" room

 

[horse11]

Oh, I really like this look! Any chance some rooms might be renovated by February 21st?? Would love to get a "new" room

From What I have been told they will not be starting the room refurbishment until April. That may just give you an excuse to book a second trip LOL!!!

 

[Belle83]

Just got back from CBR. Overall it was fine but definitely needs the upcoming refurb! We had to ask for a room change because the room we were originally assigned to smelled like mildew and there were stains all over the carpet and drapes. They gave us a room a few doors down that was a little better (the smell was much better, still had stains on curtains though). I've never had to ask for a room change at Disney before. It's definitely feeling a little worn down. This was my 3rd stay at CBR but first time in the Aruba section (last two times I was in Jamaica). A few of the dryers were broken in the laundry area but only one had a sign on it so I had to learn the hard way

Was very happy that they had eliminated the bed spreads though!

Food court was great. We didn't use buses there so can't comment on that. Excited about the refurb!

 

[jdd]

From What I have been told they will not be starting the room refurbishment until April. That may just give you an excuse to book a second trip LOL!!!

I like your thinking

I really like the Nemo theming as well, so no disappointment, just thought it would be cool to be in a newly refurbished room.

 

[scotas]

Well I just booked 7 nights at CBR. It's been a few years since I was there last. The Main pool was just being refurbed into a pirate theme while we were there. We are booked for a king bed room, I requested a corner room, from Feb 25-Mar 4. Last trip we were in Jamaica. I'm not too worried about where we end up, as long as I get my King size bed.

Since we have been averaging 2 trips a year, we will be getting annual passes when we arrive.

 

[pisc0011]

We are going Feb 20th to CBR, do you think it's going to be busy?

I have not been able to read through all the comments hear but saw on and off again talk about the fridges, is that taken car of yet? I am nervous about getting a gardengrocer order without a fridge.

How long do you think it takes to get from getting off the plane to ME, to the hotel and check in? Our flight gets in at 11:22 and we have a tentative reservation at Trex in DTD, do you think we could make it in time to it?

How long do you think we should plan for transportation time in the morning to wait for the bus, do pickups at other stops, and get to the park? We are early morning people and like to get there for rope drops.

This might seem silly but can we request extra coffee for the inroom coffee pots?

 

[dansdad]

We are going Feb 20th to CBR, do you think it's going to be busy??

I have not been to the world in Feb. so I don't know. Hopefully someone who has can answer.

I have not been able to read through all the comments hear but saw on and off again talk about the fridges, is that taken car of yet? I am nervous about getting a gardengrocer order without a fridge.?

All the rooms have new fridges now.

How long do you think it takes to get from getting off the plane to ME, to the hotel and check in? Our flight gets in at 11:22 and we have a tentative reservation at Trex in DTD, do you think we could make it in time to it??

It all depends on how many planes land with WDW guests the same time that you do. Once you are on the bus and leaving MCO, you should be checking in at CBR in about 35 minutes.

How long do you think we should plan for transportation time in the morning to wait for the bus, do pickups at other stops, and get to the park? We are early morning people and like to get there for rope drops.?

A rule of thumb that has always worked for us is to be at the bus stop 60-70 minutes before rope drop. By using that we have not missed a rope drop during 4 stays at CBR. Most of the time we were 25 minutes early for rope drop but a couple times we saw the bus to our park pulling away as we walked up so we had to wait 10-15 minutes for the next one. The 60-70 minutes gives you a cushion.

This might seem silly but can we request extra coffee for the inroom coffee pots?

Not silly at all and yes you can request extra coffee. We do it all the time.

 

[horse11]

Thanks discool for posting and dansdad for answering the bus question. That is very helpful because I too wondered about that. Are those times for all the parks are just the ones close to CBR. should we leave a bit earlier for MK?

 

[dansdad]

Thanks discool for posting and dansdad for answering the bus question. That is very helpful because I too wondered about that. Are those times for all the parks are just the ones close to CBR. should we leave a bit earlier for MK?

We use that for all the parks, I'd rather be early than late and we usually are early.

 

[horse11]

We use that for all the parks, I'd rather be early than late and we usually are early.

Thanks for the info. It is always nice to have a plan of action.

 

[BrerRabbit66]

Planning a trip to CBR in late Aug. with my DH and DD24. Lots to celebrate...25th Anniversary, DD graduating from Nursing School, and most importantly DH survived open heart surgery last March. (DD was the one to discover an irregular heartbeat and pushed him to get a heart scan. He felt fine and showed no symptoms but got the scan to make his baby happy....was shocked when cardiologist showed him the large tumor blocking the heart valve opening....per cardiologist and surgeon, she saved his life.)

Here is my dilemma. DD graduates in May with a full-time job already set up; if I make a reservation including her and she can't get the time off work, will I be able to get a refund of her portion of the room? Want to take advantage of discount rate and book now, but she won't know for several months if they'll grant the time off. If she can't go, we'll schedule another trip when she can.

 

[dansdad]

Planning a trip to CBR in late Aug. with my DH and DD24. Lots to celebrate...25th Anniversary, DD graduating from Nursing School, and most importantly DH survived open heart surgery last March. (DD was the one to discover an irregular heartbeat and pushed him to get a heart scan. He felt fine and showed no symptoms but got the scan to make his baby happy....was shocked when cardiologist showed him the large tumor blocking the heart valve opening....per cardiologist and surgeon, she saved his life.)

Wow, that's great. Good job by DD!

Here is my dilemma. DD graduates in May with a full-time job already set up; if I make a reservation including her and she can't get the time off work, will I be able to get a refund of her portion of the room? Want to take advantage of discount rate and book now, but she won't know for several months if they'll grant the time off. If she can't go, we'll schedule another trip when she can.

Are you doing a room only? Or a package? If doing room only, make the reservation and just add her to it once you know for sure. You can do that at anytime.

If a package, you can remove her with no penalty and get a refund of her portion up to 45 days prior to your arrival. After that, you can still get a refund of her portion but you will be charged a $50 change fee. You can do that up until 5 days prior to arrival. After that, no refund if she can't make it.

Hope that helps.

 

[totebagg]

Planning a trip to CBR in late Aug. with my DH and DD24. Lots to celebrate...25th Anniversary, DD graduating from Nursing School, and most importantly DH survived open heart surgery last March. (DD was the one to discover an irregular heartbeat and pushed him to get a heart scan. He felt fine and showed no symptoms but got the scan to make his baby happy....was shocked when cardiologist showed him the large tumor blocking the heart valve opening....per cardiologist and surgeon, she saved his life.)

Here is my dilemma. DD graduates in May with a full-time job already set up; if I make a reservation including her and she can't get the time off work, will I be able to get a refund of her portion of the room? Want to take advantage of discount rate and book now, but she won't know for several months if they'll grant the time off. If she can't go, we'll schedule another trip when she can.

So glad to hear your DH is okay and that your DD was instrumental in getting him to be tested!

I was in the same boat last year with my older daughter and I had a package booked for October. The CM told me the same as above about removing her. She also said that I could make any additions to the package up to two weeks prior to arrival. So i made the reservations for my DH, younger DD and me then when I knew she was definitely coming which was about 3 wks prior I added her to the reservation and paid the difference.

Good luck and hope you guys have a magical trip!

 

[LiquidSunshine]

Sorry if this has been asked before, been trying to read through the tread.

Staying at CBR for the first time this Sept, and wondering is it worth paying extra for a water view room?

Thanks

 

[dansdad]

Sorry if this has been asked before, been trying to read through the tread.

Staying at CBR for the first time this Sept, and wondering is it worth paying extra for a water view room?

Thanks

It is this family's opinion that paying extra for a view is not worth it when staying at a Moderate or Value. Values and Moderates don't have balconies so the only way to enjoy a view while in the room is to have the blinds wide open. And with the blinds wide open, everyone walking by can see in our room. WHen staying at CBR I will go and lay in a hammock or sit on a bench by the beach while my DW is getting ready and enjoy the lovely view from there.

Now when we stay deluxe with a balcony, to us paying extra for a view is worth it.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

It is this family's opinion that paying extra for a view is not worth it when staying at a Moderate or Value. Values and Moderates don't have balconies so the only way to enjoy a view while in the room is to have the blinds wide open. And with the blinds wide open, everyone walking by can see in our room. WHen staying at CBR I will go and lay in a hammock or sit on a bench by the beach while my DW is getting ready and enjoy the lovely view from there.

Now when we stay deluxe with a balcony, to us paying extra for a view is worth it.

I completely agree -- our room in October, Aruba 5408 was a view of a courtyard - in less than 30 seconds I had a view of the water -- since we were in the room less than 8 hours a day, the view wasn't worth paying for.

Tom