Caribbean Beach Resort FAQ Part 3

[Shell0616]

Has anyone ever gotten a parking lot view when paying for a preferred location? The Disney web site says " These rooms offer views of the courtyard, woodlands or Resort hotel." But I notice on the maps that some of the rooms do face the parking lots.

It wouldn't be that big of a deal but I would rather not face the parking lot if I had a choice.

Thanks

 

[PLibster]

I have a quick question for those who have used the DDP at CBR. Are there breakfast items for snack credits? I can't find any info on this. I would like to use a snack credit for yogurt, muffins, fruit, etc. Anyone know? Thanks!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Has anyone ever gotten a parking lot view when paying for a preferred location? The Disney web site says " These rooms offer views of the courtyard, woodlands or Resort hotel." But I notice on the maps that some of the rooms do face the parking lots.

It wouldn't be that big of a deal but I would rather not face the parking lot if I had a choice.

Thanks

We've not had one since buildings 24, 25 & 26 in Martinique became preferred, but those buildings do have some parking lot views. Our first stay at CBR, when it was brand new in 1988, was a corner room in bldg 26 kind of over looking the parking lot - 'kind of' because it was sooo pretty with all the flowers and palm trees that it did not bother us at all - and the room was light and airy.

View is part of what makes our vacation enjoyable. We enjoy a nice view at any resort no matter what level, yet that parking lot view from blg 26 was fine. We preferred it to some of the courtyard rooms we walked by.

The bus stop was 2 mins from the room, OPR a very short pretty walk, and the laundy and quiet pool a 3/4 min walk. We so enjoyed that first stay that we stayed every year for the next 5 trips rather than going back to the Poly or CR - where we'd stayed since 1981.

Have a wonderful stay at CBR!

 

[CleveRocks]

Has anyone ever gotten a parking lot view when paying for a preferred location? The Disney web site says " These rooms offer views of the courtyard, woodlands or Resort hotel." But I notice on the maps that some of the rooms do face the parking lots.

It wouldn't be that big of a deal but I would rather not face the parking lot if I had a choice.

Thanks

At CBR, "preferred location" has a very very specific meaning. It means being in one of the 6 buildings closest to Old Port Royale. There is NOTHING ELSE that is "preferred" about these rooms ... it's purely a distance factor to OPR. The views, amenities, interiors ... nothing special about these rooms compared with any other rooms in the resort. Some preferred location rooms happen to have a water view (but you can't reserve it that way). Some preferred location rooms have a king-size bed (but you can't reserve it that way). Some preferred location roms have courtyard views. Some preferred location rooms have parking lot views.

The above is fact. Now here's some opinion:
In MY opinion, "view" is completely unimportant at any of Disney's four Moderate resorts. Your window and door open onto an exterior corridor. In other words, there's a walkway in between you and whatever it is you are hoping to view. So if you have your curtains wide open to take in the view, please realize that everyone walking by has a great view of YOU. It's not like you have a private balcony or even a private window.

And even with rooms that face a parking lot, you're in a resort that has lush landscaping, and the trees and much of the shrubbery are at least 20 years old. To put it another way, if you REALLY WANTED a good view of the parking lot because you wanted an unobstructed view of your car, you might be disappointed at all the greenery blocking your view.

 

[catbertdave99]

In MY opinion, "view" is completely unimportant at any of Disney's four Moderate resorts. Your window and door open onto an exterior corridor. In other words, there's a walkway in between you and whatever it is you are hoping to view. So if you have your curtains wide open to take in the view, please realize that everyone walking by has a great view of YOU. It's not like you have a private balcony or even a private window.

And even with rooms that face a parking lot, you're in a resort that has lush landscaping, and the trees and much of the shrubbery are at least 20 years old. To put it another way, if you REALLY WANTED a good view of the parking lot because you wanted an unobstructed view of your car, you might be disappointed at all the greenery blocking your view.

He's right... here are a couple of 'views' that we've had in preferred location rooms:

Martinique 2549

Trinidad North 3128

But here's the catch -- we had to open our door and walk outside to get that view, and anyone walking past our room would have that view as well. But, we WERE close to Old Port Royale in both rooms.... and as CleveRocks said, THAT is what "preferred location" is about.... but you 'could' have a nice view right outside your door, too -- or you can just stroll around the resort and see it all That's what I like to do!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

At CBR, "preferred location" has a very very specific meaning. It means being in one of the 6 buildings closest to Old Port Royale. There is NOTHING ELSE that is "preferred" about these rooms ... it's purely a distance factor to OPR. The views, amenities, interiors ... nothing special about these rooms compared with any other rooms in the resort. Some preferred location rooms happen to have a water view (but you can't reserve it that way). Some preferred location rooms have a king-size bed (but you can't reserve it that way). Some preferred location roms have courtyard views. Some preferred location rooms have parking lot views.

The above is fact. Now here's some opinion:
In MY opinion, "view" is completely unimportant at any of Disney's four Moderate resorts. Your window and door open onto an exterior corridor. In other words, there's a walkway in between you and whatever it is you are hoping to view. So if you have your curtains wide open to take in the view, please realize that everyone walking by has a great view of YOU. It's not like you have a private balcony or even a private window.

And even with rooms that face a parking lot, you're in a resort that has lush landscaping, and the trees and much of the shrubbery are at least 20 years old. To put it another way, if you REALLY WANTED a good view of the parking lot because you wanted an unobstructed view of your car, you might be disappointed at all the greenery blocking your view.

Hey, Eric While I agree with most of what you wrote, this thing about folks being able to see guests inside the room always gets me posting my 2 cents. We've never closed a curtain at any level of resort (unless at night or someone was dressing etc) and in over 50 visits since 1981 we had one child and one elderly gentleman actually stop and look. We figured they were just curious because it was at a mod with a corner room and they probably wondered (at least the older fellow) what was different. We waved but neither seemed to see us inside and were gone within seconds.

Since it takes about 3 seconds for someone to pass the room, even of they glance what would they possiblly see in a few seconds? And not eveyone even glances, most are on their out or coming back to their room, hardly interesting in staring into another guest room.

Of course, this is just my 2 cents after many years of experience - and it's only our experience.

To all those who close the drapes and lock yourselves in darkness rather than enjoying the view - take a chance and keep those drapes open - other guests really don't want to look at you!

 

[safetymom]

I have my laptop sitting on the table and don't want anyone to get any ideas when I stay at CBR. I can't tell you the number of times people have looked in our window.

Even the parking lot view is great at CBR. The landscaping is so lush that it is hard to see the cars in the lot.

 

[Mississippianna]

What kind of coffee maker is in the rooms? I can't quite tell from the photos that have been posted. Is it a standard 4-cup with glass carafe and a basket filter? I'm thinking of bring my own coffee and filters.

Also, for anyone who has stayed in the past 6 months or so and ordered groceries: is the staff here pretty friendly to grocery delivery? Will refrigerated things be kept in a fridge at the front desk until we call to have the groceries brought to our room?

I tried searching this thread, but it wouldn't work. Thank you all for so patiently answering all these questions!

 

[CleveRocks]

is the staff here pretty friendly to grocery delivery? Will refrigerated things be kept in a fridge at the front desk until we call to have the groceries brought to our room?

It's just business as usual for them ... they handle grocery deliveries every day. It's not a matter of them being on friendly terms with the grocery people or not ... it's just part of their job to handle incoming grocery deliveries. Bell Services has a fridge and freezer for this exact purpose, and Gooding's and Garden Grocer separately bag and label the groceries that need refrigerating and freezing. WeGoShop typically requires that they deliver directly to you. Garden Grocer prefers it that way, but upon request they will deliver in the style of Gooding's, meaning that they purposely deliver to Bell Services directly.

 

[CleveRocks]

Hey, Eric While I agree with most of what you wrote, this thing about folks being able to see guests inside the room always gets me posting my 2 cents. We've never closed a curtain at any level of resort (unless at night or someone was dressing etc) and in over 50 visits since 1981 we had one child and one elderly gentleman actually stop and look. We figured they were just curious because it was at a mod with a corner room and they probably wondered (at least the older fellow) what was different. We waved but neither seemed to see us inside and were gone within seconds.

Since it takes about 3 seconds for someone to pass the room, even of they glance what would they possiblly see in a few seconds? And not eveyone even glances, most are on their out or coming back to their room, hardly interesting in staring into another guest room.

Of course, this is just my 2 cents after many years of experience - and it's only our experience.

To all those who close the drapes and lock yourselves in darkness rather than enjoying the view - take a chance and keep those drapes open - other guests really don't want to look at you!

I know what you're saying. I never meant to suggest that people stop and gawk and pull up a chair or anything. Just the feeling that some people walking by are glancing into my room ... it's just not my idea of a good time.

 

[Mississippianna]

It's just business as usual for them ... they handle grocery deliveries every day. It's not a matter of them being on friendly terms with the grocery people or not ... it's just part of their job to handle incoming grocery deliveries.

Thank you! I guess "friendly" wasn't the word I meant. I meant more... is it pretty common to get grocery delivery here, pretty routine, or something like that. I have never gotten a grocery delivery at home or a hotel, so I'm a little nervous about how it will all work.

 

[serinlea]

Apologies if this has been asked before, but this is a huge thread and I couldn't get the "search thread" function to work. It says on the first page of this FAQ that all rooms at CBR have refrigerators now. Is this really true?

I'm just confused, because when I booked the 4/3 deal earlier this month, it had a place to "request" a refrigerator, no guarantees that you'd get one. I'm just trying to plan what to buy for in-room snacks/quick breakfasts, and I don't want to plan on having a fridge if we end up without one. (We will be driving so I'd be bringing the food with me in a cooler...Missouri's groceries are cheaper than Orlando's!)

 

[CleveRocks]

Apologies if this has been asked before, but this is a huge thread and I couldn't get the "search thread" function to work. It says on the first page of this FAQ that all rooms at CBR have refrigerators now. Is this really true?

I'm just confused, because when I booked the 4/3 deal earlier this month, it had a place to "request" a refrigerator, no guarantees that you'd get one. I'm just trying to plan what to buy for in-room snacks/quick breakfasts, and I don't want to plan on having a fridge if we end up without one. (We will be driving so I'd be bringing the food with me in a cooler...Missouri's groceries are cheaper than Orlando's!)

No worries. All WDW guest rooms (except for the Value resorts) have had refrigerators since some time in 2005. They are as standard in CBR rooms as carpeting and a TV.

 

[shellbelle]

Apologies if this has been asked before, but this is a huge thread and I couldn't get the "search thread" function to work. It says on the first page of this FAQ that all rooms at CBR have refrigerators now. Is this really true?

I'm just confused, because when I booked the 4/3 deal earlier this month, it had a place to "request" a refrigerator, no guarantees that you'd get one. I'm just trying to plan what to buy for in-room snacks/quick breakfasts, and I don't want to plan on having a fridge if we end up without one. (We will be driving so I'd be bringing the food with me in a cooler...Missouri's groceries are cheaper than Orlando's!)

The request for refrigerator comes up for all the resorts. The only one it is needed for is values. As PP said, no worries!

 

[Ronald Duck]

What an excellent (and ACTIVE) resort thread! We'll be arriving two weeks from today (that's Super Bowl Sunday ), and I'm enjoying just keeping up with the current posts...let alone going back to the beginning!

Although we stayed at Caribbean Beach once before, it was 15 years ago, so DW and I are looking forward to re-discovering it. I have some general questions about the food there, and would appreciate it if the "veterans" would weigh in on them:

-I recall that back in the early 90s the food court seemed quite cramped, mostly because of its rectangular layout (as opposed to the more open floor plan at the other moderates). How well do things move along these days? Is it especially important to avoid the most popular hours for the three meals of the day? Also, does the CBR food court have anything special to offer (e.g., like the beignets at POFQ)?

-How is Shutters, both food quality-wise and crowd-wise? Is it usually available for walk up, or is a reservation needed for the more popular hours? Are there any favorite items on the breakfast or lunch/dinner menus?

Thanks in advance.

 

[catbertdave99]

The food court is great! I think it went through a refurbishment several years ago -- Safetymom could answer that for sure -- but we've never had a problem finding a table (although I confess, I LOVE to eat at the tables outside, too!) but we love the food selections!!

 

[MRYPPNS]

These are pictures of the parking lot behind Buiding #13. I took them from the walkway.

As you can see there is very little "concrete", and lots of green!

 

[ktmetke]

I have an odd question......Do the rooms on the first floor feel claustraphobic? Last January we stayed at POFQ and we were in a first floor room because of my two boys and strollers.....I just felt so claustraphobic walking in that room and now I'm afraid I'll feel the same way at CB.....I usually request a room on a "higher" level at any hotel, but since it will be just my mom and I again with the two boys and strollers the first floor room makes sense! Thanks for your answers in advance!

 

[serinlea]

No worries. All WDW guest rooms (except for the Value resorts) have had refrigerators since some time in 2005. They are as standard in CBR rooms as carpeting and a TV.

The request for refrigerator comes up for all the resorts. The only one it is needed for is values. As PP said, no worries!

Good to know; thank you so much!

 

[TinkOhio]

I have an odd question......Do the rooms on the first floor feel claustraphobic? Last January we stayed at POFQ and we were in a first floor room because of my two boys and strollers.....I just felt so claustraphobic walking in that room and now I'm afraid I'll feel the same way at CB.....I usually request a room on a "higher" level at any hotel, but since it will be just my mom and I again with the two boys and strollers the first floor room makes sense! Thanks for your answers in advance!

I would request a refurbished room. The rooms at the CBR are larger than the other mod rooms to begin with, but the new light color of the refurbed rooms makes it seem even bigger. We were just there, and I remember thinking that the room felt somehow a good bit bigger.