Caribbean Beach Resort FAQ Part 3

[who me?]

There are very solid, very definite facts here.

You can get the AAA discount on a ROOM-ONLY reservation no matter how you book. You can get the AAA ROOM-ONLY discount if you book directly through Disney, and even if you book through any travel agent.

However, if you want to get the AAA discount on a PACKAGE reservation, then you must book through AAA and only through AAA.

These are dead solid facts, not opinions.

Either you asked about booking a package, or the CM thought you were trying to book a package.

Well, actually I asked for both. Specifically. Twice. This is what I mean about conflicting information depending on what rep you get.

I wasn't asking for an opinion about a park or dinner reservation, just facts about AAA discounts and preferred room locations (was told CBR's preferred locations are next to 'the check in house' as they called it ... obviously not an opinion question either - when I questioned them they put me on hold then told me they spoke to CBR directly who confirmed that they were correct, preferred was not next to the main pool but near check in ...) ~ seems pretty straight forward to me for a Disney trained resort / vacation 'expert'.

Just bad luck I guess, others have been great, just leaves me skeptical about what I will find when I get there .... depending on people posting here vs trusting what the CR's tell me.

 

[katie111]

I'm planing a last minute trip and may stay here at the end of the month (its between here & WL). Does anyone know if I 'll most likely need a reservation to eat dinner at their sit down restaurant? I'm debating the dining plan but I know the restaurants are going to be super busy as at least part of my trip is during free dining. I'd like to at least know I can get a TS back at our hotel is nothing else is available.

 

[scotas]

We tried last year to get in on a Wed night. They gave us a 10:30 pm reservation. That was mid september. and I have to say the food wasn't worth it.

 

[lissiesmum]

I'm planing a last minute trip and may stay here at the end of the month (its between here & WL). Does anyone know if I 'll most likely need a reservation to eat dinner at their sit down restaurant? I'm debating the dining plan but I know the restaurants are going to be super busy as at least part of my trip is during free dining. I'd like to at least know I can get a TS back at our hotel is nothing else is available.

If you are going to eat at Whispering Canyon Cafe, definitely make an ADR. I just came back from the WL and ate there three times, twice for lunch and once for breakfast. I couldn't get an ADR for dinner, it was always packed. The food was fantastic and service was fun and entertaining. If you like smoked meat/BBQ, you will definitely enjoy your meal. Breakfast was great too. Their french toast with cinnamon icing was the best french toast I've ever had

 

[ahecht]

I wasn't asking for an opinion about a park or dinner reservation, just facts about AAA discounts and preferred room locations (was told CBR's preferred locations are next to 'the check in house' as they called it ... obviously not an opinion question either - when I questioned them they put me on hold then told me they spoke to CBR directly who confirmed that they were correct, preferred was not next to the main pool but near check in ...) ~ seems pretty straight forward to me for a Disney trained resort / vacation 'expert'.

They told you wrong. Barbados is closest to the check-in, Martinique and Trinidad North have the preferred rooms.

 

[mjamm]

So would it be safe to say if we have a preferred room booked for mid-November that we will probably get a refurbished room? I asked also if the are some pirate rooms available at the time of check in that we would like to request one...even though I know they will not be officially available until January. Thought it wouldn't hurt to try

 

[katie111]

Thanks for the dining info....I think I'm going to scrap the dining plan...just too much work on this trip and I really don't care that much where we eat.

Another question- are the preferred rooms the same the "water view rooms"? I was looking at the Disney official website and they had standard or waterview rooms listed with a price difference of $90 for 5 mights. I'd be willing to pay that if we were closer to the new pool.

 

[catbertdave99]

Thanks for the dining info....I think I'm going to scrap the dining plan...just too much work on this trip and I really don't care that much where we eat.

Another question- are the preferred rooms the same the "water view rooms"? I was looking at the Disney official website and they had standard or waterview rooms listed with a price difference of $90 for 5 mights. I'd be willing to pay that if we were closer to the new pool.

Preferred rooms are actually "preferred location" rooms, meaning they are in buildings 24, 25, or 26 in Martinique, or any of Trinidad North's rooms (31, 32, or 33) -- the closest buildings to Old Port Royale, where the main pool and food court are located.

Water view rooms are spread throughout the resort, and may provide a view of the lake, or perhaps a quiet pool instead. In my opinion, preferred location may be worth the extra cost to you, and then not to others. I don't think a water view room is worth the extra cost. Just my opinion.

 

[CTPacky]

The pool at CBR is scheduled to open at 10 am, again (Wednesday)
They are in there working on a small problem tonite.......................

This stuff is really starting to mess with my credibility!

 

[buzz1fan]

Does anyone know how deep the kiddie pirate pool is? The picture looks like there is not much at all.

 

[safetymom]

It isn't very deep.

 

[siouxi31]

Decided to just hop a cab after I check in to get our small order of supplies.....bottled water and beer/liquor (DH needs his Manhattan!). Anyway, I know Goodings is the closest and most expensive. I don't really care about saving a few bucks if the next store is a lot further away. Anyone know whether there is a liquor/grocery store that is close to Goodings and CBR? Anyone with an idea of what a cab will cost? TIA for any replies!

I think Goodings has liquor correct? It's been a long time since I was there but I thought they had liquor.

As of May 2008, the closest liquor store was about a mile past Goodings on Apopka Vineland.

After Downtown Disney, if you make a right on Hotel Plaza Blvd, when you get to Apopka-Vineland, make a left. It is about a mile down on the road on the right hand side at 11951 S Apopka Vineland Rd. It's called ABC liquors and is a well stocked store.

 

[Trissy]

We tried last year to get in on a Wed night. They gave us a 10:30 pm reservation. That was mid september. and I have to say the food wasn't worth it.

Yeah, I agree!

I liked Captain's Tavern

 

[inthemood]

Decided to just hop a cab after I check in to get our small order of supplies.....bottled water and beer/liquor (DH needs his Manhattan!). Anyway, I know Goodings is the closest and most expensive. I don't really care about saving a few bucks if the next store is a lot further away. Anyone know whether there is a liquor/grocery store that is close to Goodings and CBR? Anyone with an idea of what a cab will cost? TIA for any replies!

We used Garden grocer, last year and they purchased our alcohol for us.
This year I put in and order from them and added alcohol in the comments box and haven't heard that they can't do it.

I love to use them that way I don't have to spend my vacation time grocery shopping or going to the liquor store. And the delivery charge is less than a round trip taxi fee.

JMHO

ITM

 

[safetymom]

THE POOL IS OPEN!!!!

 

[hmdavid]

THE POOL IS OPEN!!!!

 

[motofox4]

OMG!!! We'll be there the 20th and as "corny" as it may sound, I just got chills reading this!!! LOL Yayyyyyyyy!!!!! Thanks for letting us know this good news!!!!

 

[OneBadApple]

THE POOL IS OPEN!!!!

I'm so excited for everyone that is there or that will be there soon.

I only have 79 more days til I see it.

 

[relcx4]

Oh boy what great news! Thanks for posting...so excited! Only 10 days until we're at CBR...and now we know the pool will be open!

YIPPEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I am so excited for all who are at CBR right now enjoying that new pool!!! And for those of your leaving soon!!!

Just over 4 months for me ~ 19 weeks from today to be exact!!


Thanks for the updates Safetymom!