Caribbean Beach Resort FAQ Part 3

[mom2taylorandemily]

I have stayed in All Star Movies and not preferred and loved it. It really wasn't a long walk. We were in Mighty Ducks building 2. We often used Music. I didn't find the resort that big.

I hear Carribean is much larger? So, in your opinion is it worth the extra $$ to get a preferred? Of the two building mentioned, which one do you recommend? Is there a building that over looks the main pool?

Thanks

Charleyann

We book preferred and to us YES it is worth the extra money. My family enjoys being close to the food court, arcade and pool. We let the DDs go over to the arcade when we are there and then we meet up with them, grab a drink and then we all get a dip in the pool.

 

[kadee_29]

Closer to the main pool would be Trinidad North or Martinique. You would pay for a preferred location. It is about $15 extra nightly.

So for 6 nights its less than $100 for a preferred vs regular room.

Can I call and change to a preferred at any time? I havent put in any room requests yet because I just wasn't sure where we wanted to be.

I think for us a preferred room would be better because I know the kids will want be clost to OPR and the pool.

 

[CleveRocks]

Can I call and change to a preferred at any time? I havent put in any room requests yet because I just wasn't sure where we wanted to be.

Do it ASAP. Do it today. Preferred location rooms can sell out. Remember, it is NOT a request, it is a different room category.

 

[Mazzy]

I've just been checking out the menu for the CBR foodcourt. I'm a vegetarian, and wondered if anyone knew what the Vegetable Platter consists of?

Just hoping I can find something to eat other than pizza, lol, don't get me wrong I love pizza but would like healthier choices on occasion.

 

[CleveRocks]

I've just been checking out the menu for the CBR foodcourt. I'm a vegetarian, and wondered if anyone knew what the Vegetable Platter consists of?

Just hoping I can find something to eat other than pizza, lol, don't get me wrong I love pizza but would like healthier choices on occasion.

I've never had the veggie platter there, sorry.

But the tabouli platter was great [UGH! I just saw the updated menu online -- no more tabouli platter :-( ]. Surprisingly, so was the hand-tossed chicken Caesar salad ... just have them hold the chicken (it truly is hand-tossed, it's not pre-made). My real fave there is the Oriental chicken salad. It's really mis-named, because it's not chicken based, like when you think of chicken salad at a deli or diner. It's udon noodles and some veggies (I can only remember carrots and either napa cabbage or bok choi, but I know there were others) in a yummy sesame-infused dressing, but again it's made fresh so you can just ask them to not put chicken in there.

 

[heath-and-javens-mom]

Hi everyone,
We have a WL resort/package planned for Aug 31-Sept 6th., HOWEVER, Some friends of ours that I met on DIS live 2 hours from us and are leaving ONE day earlier than that SO I booked one night at CBR just so we could follow each other down to FL, we will not be doing any park passes for AUG 30th, we thought once we arrived we would just let the kids swim and maybe go to DTD that 1st day...then in the morning we will get in our van and drive over to Check in at WL- then hit the parks!

So I guess my question is, what part of the resort is best for swimming and taking busses to DTD? I do know that we have a WATER view, not quite sure what that means because I didnt request it- it was just all that was available.....so what buildings should I request for our one night stay at CBR?
Also I do realize that the main pool will be closed BUMMER...so whats teh next best.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the novel.

 

[KatieMill]

So my question: we'll be at CBR Sept 4-8. I truly think we'd rather be closer to a bus stop than the pool. Do I need to request a preferred room?

I don't anticipate that we'll be eating at the resort much. My dd is 4 years old and truly a snacker. I'll be bringing her favorite snack items and we're getting the free dining. I'm thinking we'd rather be closer to the bus stop for tired, tired evenings walking back to the room....and then when we go to the pool we could walk a little farther.

This thread seems to think the main pool could be open by then...but who knows?

I'm thinking just wait and request a room closer to a bus stop...

Weigh in for me, please. I know that the main info people on this thread answer alot...I just can't seem to decide what fits my need. (And 50+ pages is a lot of info!!) Help!

 

[CleveRocks]

So my question: we'll be at CBR Sept 4-8. I truly think we'd rather be closer to a bus stop than the pool. Do I need to request a preferred room?

CBR has 6 islands or villages and each one has its own bus stop. There's no such thing as a room that's too far from a bus stop. Each village has 6 numbered buildings (except for Trinidad North, which only has 3).

At CBR, "preferred location" means a room near Old Port Royale, the complex that has the main pool, food court, shops, etc. Yes, OPR has a bus stop as well, but like I said, no matter what village your room is in, that village will have its own bus stop. Don't pay extra for preferred location if your only aim is to be near a bus stop.

Put a request onto your reservation that says something like "near bus stop." Whatever village you get, it should be easy enough for them to give you a room near your village's bus stop.

ENJOY!

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Hi everyone,
We have a WL resort/package planned for Aug 31-Sept 6th., HOWEVER, Some friends of ours that I met on DIS live 2 hours from us and are leaving ONE day earlier than that SO I booked one night at CBR just so we could follow each other down to FL, we will not be doing any park passes for AUG 30th, we thought once we arrived we would just let the kids swim and maybe go to DTD that 1st day...then in the morning we will get in our van and drive over to Check in at WL- then hit the parks!

So I guess my question is, what part of the resort is best for swimming and taking busses to DTD? I do know that we have a WATER view, not quite sure what that means because I didnt request it- it was just all that was available.....so what buildings should I request for our one night stay at CBR?
Also I do realize that the main pool will be closed BUMMER...so whats teh next best.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the novel.

Since you are really looking for swimming, each section of the resort has its pool, so you should be close to a pool at each area. But you can request to be near one.

 

[heath-and-javens-mom]

Thank you momtotaylorandemalie-- I appreciate your help

 

[mikkiwikki]

What is interesting about this is that someone on another Disney board I frequent who has a lot of good info and is correct much of the time has concurred that Jim Hill is correct on this and that the 300 rooms in the Nemo style will be Trinidad south and they will be family suites. I thought it was odd that they would put all Suites together in one of the farthest spots. It is also interesting that 300 rooms will be Nemo and 900 rooms will be Pirates. What about the other half of the rooms? Will those stay the same, get remodeled as something else which would end up causing trouble as everyone may want the Pirates rooms. Or maybe there will only be 1200 units at the CBR from now on.

I know its not official =- however it would make sense for Disney to compete with Universal in this way - I assume all know about the Loews PBH - Dr. Seuss suites... see here : http://hotels.about.com/b/2008/06/23/stay-in-a-dr-seuss-suite.htm

and they have the kids Dinosaur suites..here:http://www.visitflorida.com/experts/family/action.blog/id.294

..Anyway you slice it - competition is a good thing - and will hopefully result in exciting improvements for the customer! IE. US!! Fingers crossed

 

[Mazzy]

Eric - thanks so much for the food info, sounds like I will be OK!

 

[LizAgna]

A friend of mine is wanting to stay at CBR. She has decided that she wants to stay in the Martinique section because of its proximity to Old Port Royale. It is preferred. Well, the only choices for her are Standard and Water View. If she chooses Water View is there a chance that she will get in the Martinique section? Or should she just choose Standard View and request the closest building to Old Port Royale at check-in?

 

[catbertdave99]

A friend of mine is wanting to stay at CBR. She has decided that she wants to stay in the Martinique section because of its proximity to Old Port Royale. It is preferred. Well, the only choices for her are Standard and Water View. If she chooses Water View is there a chance that she will get in the Martinique section? Or should she just choose Standard View and request the closest building to Old Port Royale at check-in?

Personally, I wouldn't pay the extra money for a water view -- it can just as easily be of a quiet pool as of the lake itself. Take the standard room, and you might request Jamaica or Aruba -- they are a short walk across the bridge from Old Port Royale -- not too far away, and the walk is beautiful!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

So I guess my question is, what part of the resort is best for swimming and taking busses to DTD? I do know that we have a WATER view, not quite sure what that means because I didnt request it- it was just all that was available.....so what buildings should I request for our one night stay at CBR?
Also I do realize that the main pool will be closed BUMMER...so whats teh next best.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the novel.

With many stays at CBR we would request:

bldg 22
near bus stop
near quiet pool

The quiet pool is right between bldg 24 and 22 - while the request cannot be met exactly due to the pool and bus stop being in different directions, they could put you cental to both Also ask at check-in.

Have a wonderful trip Great resorts!!

 

[safetymom]

I agree I wouldn't pay for a waterview. Their chances of gettin Martinique are no better than anyone elses with a waterview. I would keep trying for a preferred location if it is really important to them.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

We love a waterview and have either pd for that view or a preferred location. We would absolutely never stay at CBR with only a std room booked.

With a waterview we request a lake view in Martinique bldg 22 and have always received our request.

So, it is worth it to some guests!

 

[safetymom]

I have had quite a few water view rooms at CBR. Some of the water views have been quite creative. If you are booking a waterview because you don't want a standard view of the back of the building no worries. The landscaping is so lush you would have a hard time seeing the cars in the lot.

If you are sitting in your room it is hard to see the lake. If you stand near the window you can see the water but then you feel like you are in a fishbowl with everyone looking in your room.

The preferred location is worth the money though. Personally my favorite rooms at CBR have been the courtyard rooms.

 

[LizAgna]

Personally, I wouldn't pay the extra money for a water view -- it can just as easily be of a quiet pool as of the lake itself. Take the standard room, and you might request Jamaica or Aruba -- they are a short walk across the bridge from Old Port Royale -- not too far away, and the walk is beautiful!

I agree I wouldn't pay for a waterview. Their chances of gettin Martinique are no better than anyone elses with a waterview. I would keep trying for a preferred location if it is really important to them.

We love a waterview and have either pd for that view or a preferred location. We would absolutely never stay at CBR with only a std room booked.

With a waterview we request a lake view in Martinique bldg 22 and have always received our request.

So, it is worth it to some guests!

Thank you all!! I will let her know all of your replies. We've never stayed at CBR so I didn't know what to tell her.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Hi, safetymom,

We've been staying at CBR since 1988 - so years before there was a preferred room catagory, but there was always a water view (in the early days known as Deluxe).

We have never had a creative water view room (call us dusted), but then if we are not assigned our request at check-in, we work with the CM to find a room that meets our needs. Our water view rooms have been full lake view rooms in bldgs 22. 25 or 26 (25/26 when we have pd for a preferred location after that policy went into effect). We have also had std rooms in bldg 26 before and after the preferred policy. Never had a room/location/view we didn't enjoy.

My only experience with these locations is 20 yrs of stays

I agree, preferred location courtyard rooms and even parking lot in Martinque have been beautiful too One does not need a water view to have a lovely view at CBR For us it's been more about a medical need for location & need for a lot of light.