Caribbean Beach FAQ part VI

[mcd2745]

Does anyone know if your FastPasses have to be customized by a certain date? I know the MagicBands did.. ( we did it just in time)

These types of questions regarding the MagicBands are better off over on the Theme Parks boards.

 

[donna6635]

Just wanted to ask a question....Are magic bands only for trips booked directly though Disney? I had to rebook my October trip through a TA to get free dining since I couldn't get though the wait on the phone lines...

Thanks for any help!

 

[dansdad]

Does anyone know if your FastPasses have to be customized by a certain date? I know the MagicBands did.. ( we did it just in time)

No. You can make FP+ reservations and changes for the same day.

 

[dansdad]

Just wanted to ask a question....Are magic bands only for trips booked directly though Disney?

Nope. It doesn't matter how/where you made your reservation.

 

[cigar95]

Have all the pirate rooms been replaced with fridges?

I'm trying to picture this one and having a chuckle.

Walk over to Trinidad South. The rooms are all gone. They've been replaced with fridges!

Cast Member: "Well, sir, in order to enhance our guests' experience . . . . "


(Yes, I know what the question was supposed to be - it just came out in a funny way.)

 

[pisc0011]

I have a few questions regarding the transportation at CBR

1. Is it just one bus or two different buses at the resort? Say if I just want to go to the cafeteria/pool, is that one bus and different one if I actually want to go to the parks?
-I guess I would just feel a little funny hopping on a bus in my bathing suit with a whole bunch of other people not in there's lol.

2. When leaving for a park do the buses always stop at all the other bus stops? Is there a area that normally gets picked up first, I don't want to have to stand all the time. Same things for Returning from the parks...do we stop at all the bus stops?

3. How much time from the first pick up(at the section of the resort) and to the drop off at the park? How much time should we factor in each morning?

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

I have a few questions regarding the transportation at CBR

1. Is it just one bus or two different buses at the resort? Say if I just want to go to the cafeteria/pool, is that one bus and different one if I actually want to go to the parks?
-I guess I would just feel a little funny hopping on a bus in my bathing suit with a whole bunch of other people not in there's lol.

2. When leaving for a park do the buses always stop at all the other bus stops? Is there a area that normally gets picked up first, I don't want to have to stand all the time. Same things for Returning from the parks...do we stop at all the bus stops?

3. How much time from the first pick up(at the section of the resort) and to the drop off at the park? How much time should we factor in each morning?

There is one I eternal bus that does the loop of all the village areas. There is busses to each park that go to sack village also. We stayed Jamaica 45 and never had to stand on any of the busses except one evening from DTD. We were constantly either the first or near last for pick ups at Jamaicas bus spot.

If you want to make rope drop rule of thumb is 1 hr prior to rope drop to be on the bus. We frequently got on about 30 mins before rope drop and still made park opening. CBR is really close to all the parks ;-)

 

[sladphie]

Got our Mickey mail today... 32 days until we'll be there! Not that we have a countdown calendar or anything.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using DISBoards

 

[Mommiesblessings2]

39 days here and can't wait. Should get out MM next week!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I have a few questions regarding the transportation at CBR

1. Is it just one bus or two different buses at the resort? Say if I just want to go to the cafeteria/pool, is that one bus and different one if I actually want to go to the parks?
-I guess I would just feel a little funny hopping on a bus in my bathing suit with a whole bunch of other people not in there's lol.

There's an Internal Bus that makes the loop around the resort itself and it's clearly marked. We have never taken the internal bus as it takes less time to walk to and from OPR.

2. When leaving for a park do the buses always stop at all the other bus stops? Is there a area that normally gets picked up first, I don't want to have to stand all the time. Same things for Returning from the parks...do we stop at all the bus stops?

It all depends on which entrance the buses use. If they use the side entrance, the first bus stop will be Jamaica, followed by Aruba, Barbados, Martinique, Old Port Royale, Trinidad North and, lastly, Trinidad South. If they use the front entrance, the first stop will be Martinique, followed by Old Port Royale, Trinidad North, Trinidad South, Jamaica, Aruba and, lastly, Barbados. The buses will stop at each bus stop before leaving the resort. Our trips are normally include Memorial Day and Star Wars Weekends and, most times, we have gotten a seat in the mornings. As is typical with most resorts, we sometimes have to stand in the evenings. It all depends on what time we leave the parks.

3. How much time from the first pick up(at the section of the resort) and to the drop off at the park? How much time should we factor in each morning?

The buses are supposed to run every 20 minutes and, most times, when we are there, our waits were less. But, I'd factor in that 20 minute wait to be safe. Then, factor in the ride around the resort and to the parks. I actually timed our rides to the parks and, from the time we sat down on the bus in Jamaica and then pulled into the parks: the ride to Hollywood Studios was 11 minutes, Epcot was 10 and 12 minutes (we went multiple times), Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom were about 15 minutes. If there are guests in wheelchairs or on scooters, it will take longer since the bus driver has to help load them onto the bus. Also, depending on the time of the year, they may also stop at one of the water parks.


Hope that this helps.

 

[CTPacky]

Yes, Banana Cabana has the new beer menu. Not all of the new beers were in stock as of last friday though.

 

[ninamouse]

Hi fellow CBR'ers,

Am I the only one who get's bummed out by people putting negative things on the boards about CBR?

I have never stayed in WDW before and this will be my first trip with my two boys and fiance. We have been counting down since January 2012 and are very excited to be checking on one month today...

And then someone gets on the boards and talks about how disappointing CBR is etc etc.

I find this frustrating as it's not nice for those who have saved hard and paid a lot of money to stay on WDW property.

I accept people are entitled to their opinion and that they are just trying to advise others on here, but sometimes I wish I never looked at the thread as the comments can be deflating.

At the end of the day - some of the things people say about CBR are minor issues in my opinion - and things that will not make or break my holiday. I just wish some people could be a bit more positive...

We have chosen CBR because I know my boys will love the pirate themed room we have booked and that the tranquility of the resort will contrast from the parks.

So come on guys - tell me why CBR is so great and that I am going to a fab resort!

 

[SugarSpice]

Here now. This is our first time staying at this resort. Overall I'd give it a "meh". Not really impressed honestly and kind of disappointed. I guess I'm just underwhelmed and the building layout is so confusing trying to get anywhere. We arrived on Sunday. It took about a half an hour to get checked in. We got to our pirate room and the boys all loved the pirate themed room. Beds are just fine for the 4 of us. We had requested a fridge to keep breast milk in. There was a fridge but it had a note on it that said don't use it. We were in the absolute farthest possible room in Trinidad south. It was just too far to walk for my husband. So we called down to the "front desk" (call center) to see if there was a closer room available. They said they would call us back. We waited about an hour with no call back. We went to our dinner reservation then came back to the room a few hours later and still no call back. So we packed up all of our stuff and loaded up in our car and went to the front desk. I asked the girl at check in if we could have a closer room. "No, we charge extra for those" I explained that I meant to just wanted a closer room within our village. So she took my room keys and went to the back. Half and hour later she comes out. "You need to pack up your things before we can move you." I told her we already had everything packed. She left again. 20 minutes later she comes out. "He can't move you until you are ready to leave to room. You need to go to your room and pack up all your things then when you are totally ready to leave the room then you call from your phone and ask to switch rooms." (Which I had already done hours ago) I started to get pretty frustrated at this point. I firmly but nicely explained (with big gestures) that we had already called from our room, had already packed all of our things, we had exited the room, my whole family and all of our stuff we waiting in our car all I needed was for her to give me a new room. "So you are ready to move rooms now?" Was her reply. "Yes!" Again to the back she goes. When she comes back out she says that when she gives us a new room we can't go back to the old one and finally reprograms our room keys. Our new room is in building 34 and faces the parking lot but crossing over the bridge road is very quick to get to opr. Last night I went to find the laundry and ended up passing our room twice in the process! The CMs in opr have all seemed pretty rude. So when we woke up on Monday we found a red millipede type thing in the bath tub. We set it free outside. Then we noticed another on the carpet, then another, then another. We had a whole herd of these things stampeding through the room. Then Tuesday morning while I was having a soak in the bathtub while my family slept, I noticed a frog in the bathroom with me. It's now Wednesday morning, I wonder what creature we will find today. We would have asked to switch rooms, but don't really want to waste another 3 yrs of my life at the front desk. Magic bands work great and are super easy to use for room keys, charging, dining plans, fp+. The only thing that was tough was when I was scheduling them having to guess what areas of the park we will be in then. It definitely throws all of the go-with-the-flow out the door because you have to live your life around these fp reservations. Parks are crowded, lines are long, sun is hot. It's not terrible, but it is hot and very humid. We are here until Sunday.

 

[ninamouse]

We are here now! Yay!! Day 2 of our stay and we are LOVING CBR!!!! We are in a pirate room in Trinidad South #36! Will try to post pictures once we return home.

Yes we have a Frig and it is working fine. The walk to OPR is only 7-10 minutes at a nice lazy pace! Buses comes every few minutes and since we are the last stop it takes no time to get to the parks (just a few extra minutes coming back at night bc we are the last village dropped off, but not bad).

This is so good to hear!

 

[bmay]

Stayed at CBR 3 yrs ago. Had a room close to the main bldg & close to a bus stop. Our stay was good. Our kids loved to pool & beach area. We are the type that leave the room, stay at the parks all day & return late. CBR was good for us because we spend very little time in the room. The room was on the small side but it all depends on your expectations. Everyone is different.

 

[LvsTnk]

Here now. This is our first time staying at this resort. Overall I'd give it a "meh". Not really impressed honestly and kind of disappointed. I guess I'm just underwhelmed and the building layout is so confusing trying to get anywhere. We arrived on Sunday. It took about a half an hour to get checked in. We got to our pirate room and the boys all loved the pirate themed room. Beds are just fine for the 4 of us. We had requested a fridge to keep breast milk in. There was a fridge but it had a note on it that said don't use it. We were in the absolute farthest possible room in Trinidad south. It was just too far to walk for my husband. So we called down to the "front desk" (call center) to see if there was a closer room available. They said they would call us back. We waited about an hour with no call back. We went to our dinner reservation then came back to the room a few hours later and still no call back. So we packed up all of our stuff and loaded up in our car and went to the front desk. I asked the girl at check in if we could have a closer room. "No, we charge extra for those" I explained that I meant to just wanted a closer room within our village. So she took my room keys and went to the back. Half and hour later she comes out. "You need to pack up your things before we can move you." I told her we already had everything packed. She left again. 20 minutes later she comes out. "He can't move you until you are ready to leave to room. You need to go to your room and pack up all your things then when you are totally ready to leave the room then you call from your phone and ask to switch rooms." (Which I had already done hours ago) I started to get pretty frustrated at this point. I firmly but nicely explained (with big gestures) that we had already called from our room, had already packed all of our things, we had exited the room, my whole family and all of our stuff we waiting in our car all I needed was for her to give me a new room. "So you are ready to move rooms now?" Was her reply. "Yes!" Again to the back she goes. When she comes back out she says that when she gives us a new room we can't go back to the old one and finally reprograms our room keys. Our new room is in building 34 and faces the parking lot but crossing over the bridge road is very quick to get to opr. Last night I went to find the laundry and ended up passing our room twice in the process! The CMs in opr have all seemed pretty rude. So when we woke up on Monday we found a red millipede type thing in the bath tub. We set it free outside. Then we noticed another on the carpet, then another, then another. We had a whole herd of these things stampeding through the room. Then Tuesday morning while I was having a soak in the bathtub while my family slept, I noticed a frog in the bathroom with me. It's now Wednesday morning, I wonder what creature we will find today. We would have asked to switch rooms, but don't really want to waste another 3 yrs of my life at the front desk. Magic bands work great and are super easy to use for room keys, charging, dining plans, fp+. The only thing that was tough was when I was scheduling them having to guess what areas of the park we will be in then. It definitely throws all of the go-with-the-flow out the door because you have to live your life around these fp reservations. Parks are crowded, lines are long, sun is hot. It's not terrible, but it is hot and very humid. We are here until Sunday.

Did your new room have a working fridge? Not looking forward to critters in the room but with the outside doors and the area it's to be expected I guess. I know people like all glowing positive reports and I like those too. But I am more of the type that if I know some things are less than perfect before I arrive I have a plan to handle it. I would rather know the good and the bad and be prepared.

Thanks for your report!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

There is always something someone loves and something someone hates -- the biggest issues, and they will result in me requesting a room change, are those that relate to personal safety and health. Mold in the room, get me a new room, snake in the room, get and AED and an ambulance, bugs crawling on the floor, get me a new room.

But, not liking the layout or vastness, you get what you pay for -- last fall I stayed at the GF and it was compact and maybe a 40 second monorail ride to the MK. It also cost 300+ more per night than I am spending to stay at CBR. So, if I have to walk an extra 10 minutes to get to the food court, or if my room is smaller and at the end of a long walkway -- well, that's what I paid for.

If I was going purely for the resort/room, I'd be heading to the Westin Maui or Altantis --- I'm heading to DisneyWorld and will be sleeping in a moderate room.

My 2 cents,

Tom

 

[kimmy85]

Magic bands work great and are super easy to use for room keys, charging, dining plans, fp+. The only thing that was tough was when I was scheduling them having to guess what areas of the park we will be in then. It definitely throws all of the go-with-the-flow out the door because you have to live your life around these fp reservations. Parks are crowded, lines are long, sun is hot. It's not terrible, but it is hot and very humid. We are here until Sunday.

Hello - just curious as to how you were able to get MB at CBR? I thought the resort was scheduled for MB release on October 7th?

Thanks.

 

[kimmy85]

There is always something someone loves and something someone hates -- the biggest issues, and they will result in me requesting a room change, are those that relate to personal safety and health. Mold in the room, get me a new room, snake in the room, get and AED and an ambulance, bugs crawling on the floor, get me a new room.

But, not liking the layout or vastness, you get what you pay for -- last fall I stayed at the GF and it was compact and maybe a 40 second monorail ride to the MK. It also cost 300+ more per night than I am spending to stay at CBR. So, if I have to walk an extra 10 minutes to get to the food court, or if my room is smaller and at the end of a long walkway -- well, that's what I paid for.

If I was going purely for the resort/room, I'd be heading to the Westin Maui or Altantis --- I'm heading to DisneyWorld and will be sleeping in a moderate room.

My 2 cents,

Tom

 

[smiths02]

Hi fellow CBR'ers,

Am I the only one who get's bummed out by people putting negative things on the boards about CBR?

I have never stayed in WDW before and this will be my first trip with my two boys and fiance. We have been counting down since January 2012 and are very excited to be checking on one month today...

And then someone gets on the boards and talks about how disappointing CBR is etc etc.

I find this frustrating as it's not nice for those who have saved hard and paid a lot of money to stay on WDW property.

I accept people are entitled to their opinion and that they are just trying to advise others on here, but sometimes I wish I never looked at the thread as the comments can be deflating.

At the end of the day - some of the things people say about CBR are minor issues in my opinion - and things that will not make or break my holiday. I just wish some people could be a bit more positive...

We have chosen CBR because I know my boys will love the pirate themed room we have booked and that the tranquility of the resort will contrast from the parks.

So come on guys - tell me why CBR is so great and that I am going to a fab resort!

I have stayed at the seemingly least popular deluxe (Animal Kingdom Lodge) twice and the least popular moderate once. We had wonderful vacations EVERY time!

The pirate rooms were so much fun! We are short people and we like firm beds, so we had no problem. [And how many people stay in the values and then CBR gets such a bad rap for having double beds. My DH and I slept in a double bed in our tiny apartment for 3 years.] The walk was longer to OPR and the pool, but it was a very pretty walk (and we went in JULY when it was scorching hot). The buses were wonderful. DS thought it was a ride itself, and I was so glad not to park and drive in unfamilar places! We are rope drop people and we don't exit a park right after a parade/fireworks/closing, so we didn't really deal with the bus crowds.

We watched 4th of July fireworks from the beach. (I know it isn't a Poly view of Wishes, but it was fun!)

I think it is beautiful and relaxing.

The pool is cool, and if you have smaller kids the kids play area is AWESOME.

For our next trip (2015), I would love to stay Poly or AKL, but it is looking like a moderate will be more for us. We will be a family of 5 (2 adults, 9 year old, 2 year old twins)...so I keep looking at POR and cannot get excited. We live in GA, my ILs have a house in the mountains...southern plantation or woodsy bayou doesn't really appeal. I am so hoping that CBR has refurbished the rooms to include an extra murphy/pull out bed and queen beds-if CBR does upgrade to queens (which only matters b/c of the family of 5 thing), we would stay here again. (I only wouldn't do a pirate room again because I wouldn't want to scare my 2 year olds and because with 5 people, there would be a fight as to where everyone was sleeeping! But if we were a family of 4...I would do pirate rooms again too!)