Caribbean Beach FAQ part VI

[mickeystoontown]

Trying to decide whether or not to use Garden Grocer this time... We really just need some quick breakfast things, donuts & pop tarts specifically. I think they may sell them in the CBR gift shop but can anyone confirm this and about how much are they?

Found a few of them. I thought that I had more. As far as prices go, I believe that they were about the same as those on Garden Grocer, maybe a little higher but not shockingly so.

 

[thebs19]

Question on room requests:

We booked preferred and on the advice of some helpful DIS-ers put the request in for Martinique 25 or 26. We also have ground floor requested because we'll have our daughter, 1, with us who will often be in her stroller as we return.

I'm about 2 weeks out now and am weighing online check in or not. Previous trips we stayed at BC, had a balcony request but that was it, didn't find it to be a big deal, and just checked in online no issues. Both times got a balcony.

Is it wise to check in online, or wait it out and go through regular check-in to have a better chance of having requests granted, or if not, checks to see if they can be on arrival? Does it affect when the rooms are ready (we're arriving early, much earlier than 3 PM check in)? And finally, do the phoned-in requests stay on my reservation after I check in online, even if the online check in module doesn't allow for the same requests to be made?

 

[mickeystoontown]

Question on room requests:

We booked preferred and on the advice of some helpful DIS-ers put the request in for Martinique 25 or 26. We also have ground floor requested because we'll have our daughter, 1, with us who will often be in her stroller as we return.

I'm about 2 weeks out now and am weighing online check in or not. Previous trips we stayed at BC, had a balcony request but that was it, didn't find it to be a big deal, and just checked in online no issues. Both times got a balcony.

Is it wise to check in online, or wait it out and go through regular check-in to have a better chance of having requests granted, or if not, checks to see if they can be on arrival? Does it affect when the rooms are ready (we're arriving early, much earlier than 3 PM check in)? And finally, do the phoned-in requests stay on my reservation after I check in online, even if the online check in module doesn't allow for the same requests to be made?

For every stay, after booking the trip, I call to put in my requests. When online check-in becomes available, I do it and then, a week or so before we are set to arrive, I make another call and make sure that my original requests are still noted. Did that make sense? Even if you go through the online check-in line at the resort, you can still make changes if you don't like your room assignment.

 

[Mommy Poppins]

HELP!

My daughter (DD18) and I will be headed to WDW in July for the her to play softball at ESPN Sports Zone. There would have been 4 of us and we were going to stay offsite and rent a condo, etc., etc. However, fast forward a few weeks and now my DH is going to Boy Scout camp with our sons and the other player that was going to travel with us has decided that she is not going to be able to make the trip with the team to Florida.

So, now we are down to just the two of us. For some reason I feel safer staying on Disney property--even though it is going to cost a little more money--than just staying somewhere in the Disney area. Not sure if that makes sense to anyone and I know realistically bad things can happen anywhere, but somehow the Disney bubble makes me feel better! (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

Anyway, we have never stayed at CBR--mostly because we are a family of 5, but also because of the double beds. Since it is just the two of us, I am thinking that we will give it a shot this trip!

My question is regarding room requests. We are using the military discount so not sure if there will be any standard rooms available, but I would like to request a building/village when I make my reservation. I would really like to be close to one of the laundry rooms as we will need to wash the softball uniforms a few times during the trip.

Anyone have any thoughts on room requests? (Mickeystoontown--this means you!!! LOL)

Thanks everyone!

 

[mickeystoontown]

HELP!

My daughter (DD18) and I will be headed to WDW in July for the her to play softball at ESPN Sports Zone. There would have been 4 of us and we were going to stay offsite and rent a condo, etc., etc. However, fast forward a few weeks and now my DH is going to Boy Scout camp with our sons and the other player that was going to travel with us has decided that she is not going to be able to make the trip with the team to Florida.

So, now we are down to just the two of us. For some reason I feel safer staying on Disney property--even though it is going to cost a little more money--than just staying somewhere in the Disney area. Not sure if that makes sense to anyone and I know realistically bad things can happen anywhere, but somehow the Disney bubble makes me feel better! (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

Anyway, we have never stayed at CBR--mostly because we are a family of 5, but also because of the double beds. Since it is just the two of us, I am thinking that we will give it a shot this trip!

My question is regarding room requests. We are using the military discount so not sure if there will be any standard rooms available, but I would like to request a building/village when I make my reservation. I would really like to be close to one of the laundry rooms as we will need to wash the softball uniforms a few times during the trip.

Anyone have any thoughts on room requests? (Mickeystoontown--this means you!!! LOL)

Thanks everyone!

Reporting for duty! I can certainly understand why you'd want to stay in the Disney bubble to feel a little more secure and safe. If you are going to book standard, then I'd suggest either Martinique 23 or one of the Jamaica buildings. Our walks from both locations to Old Port Royale were about 5 minutes. There are laundry rooms next to each village quiet pool so you won't be more than a minute or two walk to one. For some reason, we just seem to like Jamaica more but I can't tell you why. Maybe it's because yellow is my favorite color.

 

[mcd2745]

Thanks...you just reminded me that I need to place my Garden Grocer order! We arrive in 18 days.

 

[Mommy Poppins]

Reporting for duty! I can certainly understand why you'd want to stay in the Disney bubble to feel a little more secure and safe. If you are going to book standard, then I'd suggest either Martinique 23 or one of the Jamaica buildings. Our walks from both locations to Old Port Royale were about 5 minutes. There are laundry rooms next to each village quiet pool so you won't be more than a minute or two walk to one. For some reason, we just seem to like Jamaica more but I can't tell you why. Maybe it's because yellow is my favorite color.

Thanks, Lisa!!! We are still debating CBR or a Royal Room at POR--since this is now a "girls" trip. And since she is off to college in the Fall, I want her to feel like a PRINCESS!!! I'm going to let her choose--knowing her she will say whichever is cheaper!! (she gets that from her father!) but no matter which, we will be AT DISNEY!!!!!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thanks...you just reminded me that I need to place my Garden Grocer order! We arrive in 18 days.

Glad that our posts reminded you that you need to order! Get on it!

Thanks, Lisa!!! We are still debating CBR or a Royal Room at POR--since this is now a "girls" trip. And since she is off to college in the Fall, I want her to feel like a PRINCESS!!! I'm going to let her choose--knowing her she will say whichever is cheaper!! (she gets that from her father!) but no matter which, we will be AT DISNEY!!!!!!

You are welcome! Wherever you end staying, I know that you'll have a great time!

 

[Disneylvr]

They do have some items in the CBR store but it's a bit limited. I don't remember seeing any pop tarts but I know that there were some boxes/bags of donuts for sale there. The grab-n-go section in the food court has cereal in the individual bowls. I will look and see if I can find my post of the pictures that I took of some of the food items for sale and repost it here for you.

Thank you for the photos!!!! I think we will just wait and get some snack and quick breakfast things at CBR this time rather than order from Garden Grocer.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thank you for the photos!!!! I think we will just wait and get some snack and quick breakfast things at CBR this time rather than order from Garden Grocer.

You are welcome. We placed an order from Garden Grocer for some things but are just going to buy the donuts and chips from the CBR store. I would like to look at the actual expiration date on the bakery items and pick up the chips myself to make sure they aren't crushed.

 

[Toffeewoffy]

Here the link to the pictures that I was referring to:

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b553/florida995/photo8_zps128d343c.jpg

Another wonderful Diser posted a link to the permits that were filed and they went through some time in May, 2015, I believe. Of course, they could always ask for more time but maybe they are thinking just a year to complete the refurb.

I'm sorry, but this design looks more Polynesian than Caribbean. It makes the room look so dark - and where is the fridge? The room we stayed in was large, bright and spacious - everything that these photos do NOT show. I think I'll be very disappointed to find that greeting me when we walk through the door in a year's time.

There's a door there which doesn't make sense - unless it's one of the interconnecting rooms. We also don't want a murphy bed: we need the storage! Also we need a large table and 2 chairs so we can both sit at the table with our laptops!!!

This was our room - and this is why we've booked to go back there! The ottoman at the bathroom end was very useful for keeping the suitcases on and keeping our laundry in.

 

[horse11]

For every stay, after booking the trip, I call to put in my requests. When online check-in becomes available, I do it and then, a week or so before we are set to arrive, I make another call and make sure that my original requests are still noted. Did that make sense? Even if you go through the online check-in line at the resort, you can still make changes if you don't like your room assignment.

WOW!!! This really helped me out too! I had the same questions. I did call our request in when we first made the reservations and did do the check in on line. The only thing about the online check in is that it only allows you to request and area and not a building #. I will call the week before we leave as well. Thanks for the info!

 

[horse11]

I'm sorry, but this design looks more Polynesian than Caribbean. It makes the room look so dark - and where is the fridge? The room we stayed in was large, bright and spacious - everything that these photos do NOT show. I think I'll be very disappointed to find that greeting me when we walk through the door in a year's time.

There's a door there which doesn't make sense - unless it's one of the interconnecting rooms. We also don't want a murphy bed: we need the storage! Also we need a large table and 2 chairs so we can both sit at the table with our laptops!!!

This was our room - and this is why we've booked to go back there! The ottoman at the bathroom end was very useful for keeping the suitcases on and keeping our laundry in.

I first felt that way too when I saw the pictures. It reminds me of the 70's with the brown and tan colors. Not at all what I picture the carribean to look like. I really like the way the rooms look now so I am hoping for a room that is not refurbished. However if we do get one then our hope is for a queen bed. I have finally come to terms with things we just can not change on this trip and the room being one of them. We figure we will spend very little time in our rooms and are looking forward to the atmoshpere of the resort itself. After the initial shock you may even come to like the new rooms. If you love CBR it may be worth it just to try the new rooms. I do understand what you are going through though. We had a big disappointment when we first booked the Poly and then found out they were doing construction. MASSIVE CONSTRUCTION that is. Just give yourself some time to get over the inital shock and it will allow you to still have a great vacation.

 

[LoveToTravel2001]

I'm sorry, but this design looks more Polynesian than Caribbean. It makes the room look so dark - and where is the fridge? The room we stayed in was large, bright and spacious - everything that these photos do NOT show. I think I'll be very disappointed to find that greeting me when we walk through the door in a year's time. There's a door there which doesn't make sense - unless it's one of the interconnecting rooms. We also don't want a murphy bed: we need the storage! Also we need a large table and 2 chairs so we can both sit at the table with our laptops!!! This was our room - and this is why we've booked to go back there! The ottoman at the bathroom end was very useful for keeping the suitcases on and keeping our laundry in. http://s928.photobucket.com/user/LeonieM/media/DSCF1974.jpg.html

Glad I'm not the only one that felt this way when I saw the pictures. It's so dark, it makes the room look smaller, and the rolly door thing just looks odd. The chairs and table do not look comfortable at all, and what's up with the ugly light fixture?. I realize it's in need of an update but something bright and airy would be nice. While we don't spend a lot of time in the room, when we are in the room, we like it to be appealing. And I also wonder - where are they hiding the fridge? Glad my trip is in 27 days and I will have one last chance to enjoy the resort/rooms the way they currently are.

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

Glad I'm not the only one that felt this way when I saw the pictures. It's so dark, it makes the room look smaller, and the rolly door thing just looks odd. The chairs and table do not look comfortable at all, and what's up with the ugly light fixture?. I realize it's in need of an update but something bright and airy would be nice. While we don't spend a lot of time in the room, when we are in the room, we like it to be appealing. And I also wonder - where are they hiding the fridge? Glad my trip is in 27 days and I will have one last chance to enjoy the resort/rooms the way they currently are.

I was thinking the same thing, but everyone else seemed to like it. It does not seem Caribbean at all to me. It is WAY TOO DARK. I hope they've at least added a little splash of color somewhere. Isn't everything bright and colorful in the Caribbean? I will take whatever they do though since I've been dying to stay at CBR and need that Murphy bed...

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

Just wanted to give you an update about my Garden Grocer order. I received a telephone call this morning from them verifying that they did receive my order, when I could expect it to arrive, that they would send me a text message before delivery, etc. Like you, I have one more thing to check off my list of things to do.



I'm ready to see what the new rooms will look like. Hopefully, the work will start soon and I'll get a new room when we go in May.

Oh, I so hope you get pics of something! My sister was going to stay there at the end of April, but she switched to POR, so you'll have to be my source. You'll have to share any and all info you can get with us!

 

[summersun47]

whats the depth of the quite pools? also is there a open close time to them?

thanks for all your help

 

[micknpluto]

Do you find you have to allow for more time to get to a park because the resort is so large and it has to make several stops within the resort ? I'm only use to staying at pop and sometimes u get lucky as soon as u walk out to the bus stops the bus u needed is there. U hop on and on your way.


Thanks in advance !

 

[blackpearl77]

Trying to decide whether or not to use Garden Grocer this time... We really just need some quick breakfast things, donuts & pop tarts specifically. I think they may sell them in the CBR gift shop but can anyone confirm this and about how much are they?

Not sure about pop tarts but they definitely have donuts. We always buy the little white powdered donuts in a bag and a 1/2 gallon of milk. In the food court they have a section where you can buy muffins and pastries. I tried looking online for a picture of the breakfast items sold in the gift shop but the only one I found was a picture of a wall of chip bags!

I did find a picture of the medicine section in the gift shop if that can help anyone: http://www.disneycaribbeanbeach.com/content/calypso-trading-post-7

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Just jumping in to say I too am not a fan of some of the décor in the test room pics. I would not get too worked up about it yet though. From what I have seen in other resort test rooms leaked here on the DIS, Disney tends to "try" ideas out in these rooms. Some décor makes the cut and others do not. I would wait and see the final product after the first buildings are rehabbed.

Is anyone onsite to see if there is any indications of the impending refurb? I have a good friend who wants to book CBR in Oct but only if she can get a refurbed room with the Queen beds. Crossing my fingers for her and her family