Caribbean Beach Resort Anyone Lately?

[Lyvonne]

I was just wondering about the CBR. Any one there lately? And any comments? Thanks in advance....

 

[safetymom]

I suggest you read the CBR FAQ thread. The link is below. There are recent trip reports there. Just read the last several pages for the most recent reports.

 

[jxh1]

I stayed there for a few days in October. If you have any specific questions, fire away and I'll try to answer them!

 

[Lyvonne]

My first ? would be where would be the best area to stay? And, how was the service, food court, and swimming pools? Thanks in advance!

 

[purplebelle]

Hi Lyvonne,
I can help too. I was in Martinique building 23 room 2335 (earlier this month). Martinique and Trinidad North are the closest to Old Port Royale which is the food court and small shopping area. Our mousekeeper was very sweet and our room was always spotless and cleaned by our early afternoon trips back to the resort. Building 23 is not RIGHT next to Old Port Royale...I think 24 and 25 are closer, but someone correct me if I'm wrong. The food court had a good amount of options and the food is basically like normal "Disney food"--- hamburgers and fries, chicken fingers, sandwiches, fruits, veggies, cereal, bagels, muffins, candy, desserts (ice cream and baked goods) and then there are some dinner time selections like chopped veggies with a chicken meal, pizza, etc.

The main pool gets the most use. It has a "cannon" theme with fake cannons that shoot water, etc. It's not massive, but works. Then there are many private pools that are located in between every few CBR buildings. These were completely empty when I was here so your family could practically have your own.

I love this resort, it was so great! Read Safetymom's thread b/c it has answers to questions I'm sure you haven't even thought about asking yet.

 

[Terk-1]

Was there for 2 nights at the end of November, before transferring to the Wilderness Lodge. Did not care for this resort very much. Found it way too spread out, check-in to be incredibly slow and lines designated for dining or for holiday events were doing check-ins, so you had to stand in one line to check in, then turn around and stand in another to get holiday stuff (i.e. CP or MVMCP). Most resort bus stops you have to walk across a parking lot to get to your building, which made me quite nervous at night, since I was there solo. When I went to get a ride to my building, bell desk sent me to the front entrance. Waited there over 10 minutes and found out that I needed to go around to the side of the building. Was not thrilled with the layout of the food area either. I like going into one spot, getting what I need, then checking out at once, rather than hopping from area to area. Not a huge selection in their gift shop. The rooms were ok. When I checked in I was in line for over 25 minutes, then had to go into the other line for another 15 minutes to get CP information for that night.

All in all, it was not a great experience at this resort and I think I'll pass on going back. Of all the moderates, I'd go back to Port Orleans French Quarter in a heartbeat. That is a great resort!!!

 

[mickeymule]

terk, I hate to disagree with you but here is my opinion. For the price difference between the WL and the CBR, the CBR wins for us. We stayed in Jamaica 44, it was a quick walk across the bridge and island to the food court, and a 2 min walk to the close pool. The busses ran fine, I suppose I can see your concern about walking alone solo at night, but that sort of thing does not bother me. The bus service was great, the rooms were nice, had a shelf and a bench seat with storage underneath it. Plus there is a curtain that seperates the sleeping area from the sinks and the bathrooms. It makes it easier to get dressed. When I went to check in, it was 8:00 or so in the morning, I waited for 1 person and then I got a room at 8 without issue.

When I was at WL, it was a nice resort, but for what I paid and from where we were, the CBR is easily the better hotel for us, all the walking was about the same distance, the room was nice, but not much different in size than the CBR. I am from New England, and when we got to the CBR we felt like we were somewhere else, but when we went to WL, they had cricket sounds and the woods view is the pine trees. I dunno, I liked it, but my wife and I agree that if we are to do it again with the family, we would go to CBR.

If we go with just the 2 of us (hopefully in 2 1/2 years) we would like to stay at a Delux resort on the monorail line.

Of course this is all just my opinion.

 

[purplebelle]

I love both so much!

...there that settles it.

 

[mickeymule]

I guess we all can get along ;-) Heck, that's why they make so many different types of resorts.

 

[Terk-1]

That's what I like about the boards. People have different opinions and are able to give them. I've stayed at 2 of the values (love the Movies), 3 of the moderates (LOVE Port Orleans French Quarter, but dislike both PO Riverside & CBR), & 4 of the deluxe resorts (stayed at these using a discount code, Annual Pass rate or CM rate). I'm not a snob regarding the values or moderates and would stay at the one's listed above again, just not at the CBR.

I know several people like the CBR, but I did not. I was even checked out by 6am that Sunday. The rooms were fine, as was housekeeping (found little towel animals) and it was nice with the little bench and the curtain in the bathroom, but there were several things that I disliked about the resort and staff to make me want to go back. Check-in was way too slow, the holiday/dining desks were taking check-in's (saw several people going over to that line, rather than waiting in the main like like everyone else) when there were people trying to get packages and dining done. Found the transportation slow both to and from the parks. I have never felt unsafe on Disney property, but having to walk across a slightly dimly lit parking lot to get to my room at night, made me feel uncomfortable.

I would stay at POFQ again in a heartbeat, but even if I got a great deal at the CBR, I won't go back.

 

[mickeymule]

That's OK, just remember, if you get free rooms for CBR, my family and I would be more than happy to take them off of your hands

That's why I like these boards too.

Plus. everyone here is mature enough to realize that everyone can have these opinions unlike some other boards I have visited where a disagreement like mine would have started a flame war.

This board is the way it should be, everyone sharing, just like at Disney.

 

[All Aboard]

As a one-time CBR basher, I like to give the resort its due when I can. Our terrible experience in February of 2001 (room was so badly in need of refurbishment, it should have been an embarrasment to Disney) we have since had 3 fantastic stays at CBR, and have another upcoming next month. They did a wonderful job with the refurbs and Old Port Royale is much better now, as well.

All that said, we do enjoy all three of the other moderates better. At DxL and PO, the food courts and pool are much better as well as the layout. At CSR, it is just as overwhelming in size, but the pool / playground complex is outstanding.

CBRs chief weaknesses are it's small pool, tiny slide, lack of a good playground, food court layout and sheer size. Try hard not to get a room in Trinidad South - you'll probably be closer to the food court at Pop Century!!