Caribbean Beach FAQ part VI

[dansdad]

We are due to arrive on 3/2 and have read various threads that have me wondering if I should be concerned.

1)Should we rent a car?? We have always stayed at a value and assumed that at a moderate the buses would be bette, so we were gonna pass on a car..

IMHO, you absolutely do not need a car. The size of CBR is one of the many things that are blown out of proportion. The Pirate Themed rooms are the furthest from OPR and the Main Pool and the farthest one of those rooms is a 10 minute walk. You will not be put in one of those rooms because they cost more $$. The majority of rooms are ~ 5 minute walk to OPR and the Main Pool.

2) Being it is due for a refurb, should I worry that it is run down?.

Yes, it's time for a refurb. But I would most definitely not say the rooms are run down.

3)Are the beds that much smaller where it will be uncomfortable to sleep 4 in a room. 2 adults / 2 kids 11 & 4.?

We are not tiny people, 6'3" and 5'9", and have no problems with the double beds.

Is there any particular section that I should be looking to stay at. We booked a basic room, so I don't know what my options are. Villages etc.

Our favorite is Jamaica 45. It is 4-5 minute stroll across the bridge to OPR and the Main Pool and we love the bright yellow buildings. Aruba 51 is the same distance as Jamaica 45, but again we prefer the yellow of Jamaica.

I will say we had the same concerns before our first CBR stay, and so glad we decided to try for ourselves as we fell in love with it. Our last 4 stays have been at CBR and we can't get ourselves to stay anywhere else. We research other resorts before our trips but when it comes down to decision time we all pick CBR.

 

[Mel6197]

We stayed last year
Loved loved the resort
Stayed in Martinique 25 right on the beach

Requested same thing for this year in August

One thing I'm curious about is the refurb. Think they will start in preferred rooms or end in those rooms
Trying to fill non preferred rooms by saying newly re done.

 

[pktbMouse]

they usually refurb one building at a time and you generally dont even know they are there so I would not worry about that one bit. Im truly at a loss when people complain about CBR...maybe its us thats the odd ones out I dont know..I spend my entire year just dreaming of getting back to it we love it so much. We have stayed offsite and nothing can compare to it for us...we would even consider staying in it even if we were not going to Disney Im sure...its our "happy" place. Ive yet to experience one of these "run down" rooms after going to CBR for the past 6+ years

 

[Mel6197]

We adored it too?
Many many nights we were on the beach talking relaxing

As far as the room refurb. I was just more curious if we would get the newer room since we are preferred

Wouldn't matter. We loved it there

 

[pktbMouse]

you would think they would start with the preferred rooms first wouldnt you seeing as people pay more but you know Disney...hah no rhyme or reason to anything

 

[Pooh2]

We are due to arrive on 3/2 and have read various threads that have me wondering if I should be concerned.

1)Should we rent a car?? We have always stayed at a value and assumed that at a moderate the buses would be bette, so we were gonna pass on a car.

2) Being it is due for a refurb, should I worry that it is run down?

3)Are the beds that much smaller where it will be uncomfortable to sleep 4 in a room. 2 adults / 2 kids 11 & 4.

Is there any particular section that I should be looking to stay at. We booked a basic room, so I don't know what my options are. Villages etc.

TY in advance for you advice and help.

We had our first stay at CBR Thanksgiving week. For a such a busy week, the resort and pools were very quiet and and peaceful.

Our room was not at all run down. We were in Trinidad North (got upgraded, we did not make anytype of room requests) and loved the location, it was an easy walk for coffee and a bite to eat in the morning and to refill cups with ice tea in the afternoon.

We went with a rental car for the first time and will plan it into the budget from now on. It was great not worrying about how long before bus came or if we would have to stand.

We had a king size bed so cannot speak to the full size beds.

We really enjoyed this resort.

 

[LvsTnk]

We were there in Nov. in a pirate room. Those rooms are really far out and I was by myself with my son. I enjoyed the room (it was pretty beat up) and the pool very cute theming. My son has special needs and loves flags which he brought with him the mouse keepers put them on the headboard like the ship was sailing and he loved that. We also did the s'mores that was fun and we will probably be checking that out at other resorts now.

I had a car so I can't comment on transportation. I was grateful to get a last minute room during food and wine with my DVC pts but I was really glad to get to AKL. Even tho it gets the same spread out comments it was much easier to maneuver than the CBR. CBR used to be a favorite of ours when it first opened but I forgot how big this place is after being away for so long. Maybe if I was by myself or better fit it would have been easier.

 

[mmbl]

IMHO, you absolutely do not need a car. The size of CBR is one of the many things that are blown out of proportion. The Pirate Themed rooms are the furthest from OPR and the Main Pool and the farthest one of those rooms is a 10 minute walk. You will not be put in one of those rooms because they cost more $$. The majority of rooms are ~ 5 minute walk to OPR and the Main Pool. Yes, it's time for a refurb. But I would most definitely not say the rooms are run down. We are not tiny people, 6'3" and 5'9", and have no problems with the double beds. Our favorite is Jamaica 45. It is 4-5 minute stroll across the bridge to OPR and the Main Pool and we love the bright yellow buildings. Aruba 51 is the same distance as Jamaica 45, but again we prefer the yellow of Jamaica. I will say we had the same concerns before our first CBR stay, and so glad we decided to try for ourselves as we fell in love with it. Our last 4 stays have been at CBR and we can't get ourselves to stay anywhere else. We research other resorts before our trips but when it comes down to decision time we all pick CBR.

We were in Trinidad South and it was a helluva lot further than a 10 minute walk to the central location. It was 10+ minutes to the nearest bus stop. We've stayed at all the resorts except GF and BLT and CBR has plummeted to the bottom of the list as of our last stay.

 

[dansdad]

We were in Trinidad South and it was a helluva lot further than a 10 minute walk to the central location.

Okay, so maybe I phrased that poorly because it depends on your group and the pace of walking. It took me 10 minutes to walk from the furthest point of Trinidad South to OPR while stopping briefly along the way to take some pictures. Depending on you pace and your group, it could be longer or shorter.

It was 10+ minutes to the nearest bus stop.

If it took 10+ minutes to walk 400 ft to the bus stop I can see how it would take much longer for you to walk to OPR.

 

[Sobes]

We have officially booked our stay at CBR, April 4-7. There were not any preferred rooms available(who cares we are going to be at Disney at CBR). My question is what room request would you go with?
So far I have requested Martinique Village or Jamaica Village.
But looking at the resort layout, I was thinking picking one village with a water view might get us closer with less walking. Any thoughts on this? Martinique with a water view or Jamaica with a water view.
I have read where it says requests certain buildings in the village, would you suggest doing this on the day of check in?
Also, in the past I remember being able to add in the reservation that we were celebrating a certain occasion. We will be there for my daughter's 9th birthday, but could not add that to the reservation when booking online. Can they pull this up with our profile or should I call and let them know?
Sorry so many questions in one post, Just excited to be going back to CBR!!

 

[dansdad]

We have officially booked our stay at CBR, April 4-7. There were not any preferred rooms available(who cares we are going to be at Disney at CBR). My question is what room request would you go with?

Congrats! CBR is such a fabulous resort. Our favorite is Jamaica 45 followed by Aruba 51. Both are just under a 5 minute stroll across the bridge to OPR and the Main Pool. We prefer Jamaica because the bright Yellow buildings scream Caribbean.

So far I have requested Martinique Village or Jamaica Village.
But looking at the resort layout, I was thinking picking one village with a water view might get us closer with less walking. Any thoughts on this?

Since Water View is a bookable category, and costs more $$ than standard, it is unlikely you would get that request. But it never hurts to ask.

I have read where it says requests certain buildings in the village, would you suggest doing this on the day of check in?

Definitely call and add your requests any time between now and 5-6 days prior to your arrival. Rooms are assigned 2-3 days prior to your arrival.

Also, in the past I remember being able to add in the reservation that we were celebrating a certain occasion. We will be there for my daughter's 9th birthday, but could not add that to the reservation when booking online. Can they pull this up with our profile or should I call and let them know?

Call and let them know. When you call to add your room requests, have them add what you are celebrating too.

 

[Sobes]

Congrats! CBR is such a fabulous resort. Our favorite is Jamaica 45 followed by Aruba 51. Both are just under a 5 minute stroll across the bridge to OPR and the Main Pool. We prefer Jamaica because the bright Yellow buildings scream Caribbean.


Thanks, so maybe change my online request of Martinique and change to Aruba? Then call and give the specific building numbers?

We are so excited, we love CBR. We actually walked the entire resort last year and it was not bad at all. Also, bus service was great(we stayed memorial day weekend) and could not understand why people give CBR bad reviews. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

 

[dansdad]

Thanks, so maybe change my online request of Martinique and change to Aruba? Then call and give the specific building numbers?

I don't like making any requests online because the choices are predetermined and limited. I just call and make my requests.

We are so excited, we love CBR. We actually walked the entire resort last year and it was not bad at all. Also, bus service was great(we stayed memorial day weekend) and could not understand why people give CBR bad reviews. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

I don't get it either. But that's the great thing about Disney is that there is a resort that is perfect for everyone. Our's just happens to be CBR also.

 

[sugerfreesteve]

We are due to arrive on 3/2 and have read various threads that have me wondering if I should be concerned. 1)Should we rent a car?? We have always stayed at a value and assumed that at a moderate the buses would be bette, so we were gonna pass on a car. 2) Being it is due for a refurb, should I worry that it is run down? 3)Are the beds that much smaller where it will be uncomfortable to sleep 4 in a room. 2 adults / 2 kids 11 & 4. Is there any particular section that I should be looking to stay at. We booked a basic room, so I don't know what my options are. Villages etc. TY in advance for you advice and help.

I would recommend a car, there are a lot o sports teams that stop at cbr which if you try to catch the bus at the wrong time can make travelling a knightmare if they are trying to catch a bus the same time as you and you have small children, they will fill an entire bus, don't care who was there first and will never give up a seat for young children. The worst buses for this were magic kingdom and downtown disney where had to wait up to 45 minutes some times and we went 3 weeks ago when the resort is quiet. The bus service to cbr is woefull with not enough buses at all. We didn't have a car this year and really missed it.

 

[scotas]

my flight leaves at 6 am tomorrow!!! Can not wait. We are getting a room near the airport for tonight, 6am is really early

If all goes well we should be hitting the resort before 10, Hollywood Studios shortly after that. We have a 2:00 ADR for Mama Melrose Fantasmic Package

 

[briand1023]

anything close to the bridge is good, just a quick walk

 

[dis_guy]

my flight leaves at 6 am tomorrow!!! Can not wait. We are getting a room near the airport for tonight, 6am is really early

If all goes well we should be hitting the resort before 10, Hollywood Studios shortly after that. We have a 2:00 ADR for Mama Melrose Fantasmic Package

It's not the departure time that'll be tough, it's being at the airport a couple of hours earlier than that! But you're going to WDW! Sometimes that takes sacrifices.

Have a great trip!

 

[jaysmom4285]

I would recommend a car, there are a lot o sports teams that stop at cbr which if you try to catch the bus at the wrong time can make travelling a knightmare if they are trying to catch a bus the same time as you and you have small children, they will fill an entire bus, don't care who was there first and will never give up a seat for young children. The worst buses for this were magic kingdom and downtown disney where had to wait up to 45 minutes some times and we went 3 weeks ago when the resort is quiet. The bus service to cbr is woefull with not enough buses at all. We didn't have a car this year and really missed it.

I think it's important to keep in mind that, just as with any other resort, CBR doesn't have its own fleet of buses and has no control over the number of buses or how often they run. Buses are dispatched from a central location, so the bus service at CBR is no worse or better than the other resorts. Bus service can be hit or miss at best, but it isn't really fair to blame the resort.

 

[James65]

I'm starting to pack for next week's trip

Are pool towels provided? If that's one less thing I need to bring from home, I can use the extra suitcase space.

 

[CJK]

I'm starting to pack for next week's trip

Are pool towels provided? If that's one less thing I need to bring from home, I can use the extra suitcase space.

Pool towels are available at the feature pool, but not at the quiet pools. Have a great trip!