Caribbean Beach Resort FAQ Part 3

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Left CBR on Friday and I sooo sad!! The resort was great!!! We got there on 12/21 at 7:30 AM and the room was ready! I orginally wanted a room in Jamaica 45 and we got one in Trinidad South 37 (really far), but since it was ready, I didn't complain! Our room was right downstairs from the bus stop and a 7 minute walk from OPR. The resort was beautiful. The buses were always around. I don't think I ever waited more than 15-20 minutes for a bus. The food at OPR was good. Unfortunately, we never ate at Shutters, but I did have a great mango margarita from the Banana Cabana!! The pool was awesome. I'm so happy that we had some great weather and we used one of our days to go to the pool. The kids LOVED the slides and even I went down a few times. People were very friendly everywhere .

Here were my only two negatives.

When we got to the room, it smelled a little musty. No problem, we turned on the fans in the bathroom, the ceiling fan and the air conditioner and left the room and when we came back, it was better.

Another negative and please don't flame me on this one. I'm only going to say that it seems like CBR is a popular resort for people on scooters. I won't say disabled people because I say alot of people on scooters getting off and walking while other family members took a ride for a while. When you're up at 5 AM and in the parks until 11 and you wait on line for the buses at the end of the day, it's disheartening to see these same people get priority seating on the bus with 10 other members of their family and you just have to wait. I understand some people are really disabled, and I have no problem with them getting on the bus first, but maybe Disney can limit the number of people that skip the line to just 2 caregivers per disabled guest. And maybe Disney should start asking for a medical note before allowing anyone with a scooter in because it seems like a lot of people are taking advantage.

Other than that, CBR was great!!! You can check the link in my signature for my TR. I'll be starting it soon!!!

Thanks for the report. I look forward to reading your TR.

I have to say that I agree with you about the scooter thing. I totally understand that some people legitimately need them, but others are definitely taking advantage of the situation. Last year while waiting for a bus at DTD, one finally came. There was a man on a scooter so the driver got out and was going to get him loaded first. Well the ramp wouldn't come out of the back door. The driver messed and messed with it and finally told the man that it must be broke and he would have to wait for the next bus. The man then proceeded to get out of his scooter and lift it up and load it onto the bus himself.

 

[TJA]

Awesome trip report above -- thanks for posting!

As far as the pirate rooms.....it seems like they would have at least started on them by now? They are slated to open in a little over 3 weeks. By the proposed pictures posted of what the new rooms will look like, it seems like they may have a substantial amount of work to do....? Has anyone seem any stirring around TS?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Awesome trip report above -- thanks for posting!

As far as the pirate rooms.....it seems like they would have at least started on them by now? They are slated to open in a little over 3 weeks. By the proposed pictures posted of what the new rooms will look like, it seems like they may have a substantial amount of work to do....? Has anyone seem any stirring around TS?

I was thinking the same thing. I haven't heard that they have even started them, yet they are supposed to be done in 3 weeks. . . Anyone have any news there?

Also, is Jamaica done yet?

 

[SGMCO]

Left CBR on Friday and I sooo sad!! The resort was great!!! We got there on 12/21 at 7:30 AM and the room was ready! I orginally wanted a room in Jamaica 45 and we got one in Trinidad South 37 (really far), but since it was ready, I didn't complain! Our room was right downstairs from the bus stop and a 7 minute walk from OPR. The resort was beautiful.

Here were my only two negatives.

When we got to the room, it smelled a little musty. No problem, we turned on the fans in the bathroom, the ceiling fan and the air conditioner and left the room and when we came back, it was better.

Another negative and please don't flame me on this one. I'm only going to say that it seems like CBR is a popular resort for people on scooters. I won't say disabled people because I say alot of people on scooters getting off and walking while other family members took a ride for a while. When you're up at 5 AM and in the parks until 11 and you wait on line for the buses at the end of the day, it's disheartening to see these same people get priority seating on the bus with 10 other members of their family and you just have to wait. I understand some people are really disabled, and I have no problem with them getting on the bus first, but maybe Disney can limit the number of people that skip the line to just 2 caregivers per disabled guest. And maybe Disney should start asking for a medical note before allowing anyone with a scooter in because it seems like a lot of people are taking advantage.

Other than that, CBR was great!!!

Thanks, for the pictures of TS. Do you have any of the
Trinadad South grounds, Courtyards, Water area/Beach, or the pathways?
We will be staying in TS the Pirate rooms next Sept. but have hardly seen any pictures of
the grounds in TS area (mostly the other islands have plenty of pictures).
from the few pictures I did see of TS it doesn't seem like the landscaping is a lush
as other islands, is this the case?

I agree with the scooter problem, when we were at PO last trip a
large family (one lady in scooter--loaded 1st) with everyone in party
jumped off of the scooter and helped load all of the junk onto the bus
while everyone else was watching in amazement at the nerve,
She was picking up strollers and large diaper bags ect.
Plus they took up most of the back of the bus with very small kids which they
let walk around on the seats instead of sitting while everyone else stood trying to hold on
to the poles without falling on top of these kids who keep
grabbing at people trying to hold on. I told the lady to watch the baby (maybe 1-1/2 years old) because the driver was cutting sharp curves and we were being pitched around and
I was afraid I would fall on the child. She continued letting the kid run around on the seats.

Also I just noticed in the TS Bus Stop Picture there is a Ad for Pizza and it looks like
there are New Resort Mugs with the Carribean Beach Theme on them--was this the refillable
mugs that they had out?

 

[tkitty]

Awesome trip report above -- thanks for posting!

As far as the pirate rooms.....it seems like they would have at least started on them by now? They are slated to open in a little over 3 weeks. By the proposed pictures posted of what the new rooms will look like, it seems like they may have a substantial amount of work to do....? Has anyone seem any stirring around TS?

I'm sure that most would be done now. Someone had poster a "real" photo of a finished room, here somewhere. It was very close to the artists rendering.
We decided to try the pirate room for our next trip this fall.

 

[safetymom]

http://www.idhal.com/photogallery/photo2058/real_p.htm If you scroll down the page there are some of Trinidad South.

 

[catbertdave99]

So, any news on the Pirate Rooms? Does anyone know when guests will commence staying there? And if guests already are, then what are the reviews? Pictures?

Thanks, we'll be in a pirate room in April!

There's a publicity photo of the room posted on page 202 (post 3020) !

 

[DisneySherpa]

I too am surprised to see the PP's trip report in regards to Trinidad South. Do you think it's possible that not "all" rooms in this village are going to get transformed? Perhaps it will be like the Family Suites at ASmu.... converting most, but not all rooms in this section?

With Holiday demand, I'm not "too" surprised to see this... but definately curious. Perhaps bookings weren't as strong as disney had expected (although I must admitt that publicity for these new rooms wasn't all that strong) and they've been able to stagger the refurb?

With talks of "how bad" things could be for disney this year... I'm slightly concerned on where they'll make cuts if needed. The last thing I want is to check in and be placed in King, Water, or Preferred room with a "sorry, there are no available pirate rooms at this time"

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Okay dumb question.

What exactly is a sea racer???

 

[EyeoresPal]

Where are the taxis at CBR? Can they come directly to our bulding or do we need to go to the Custom's House.

We're spending one night there next week and were upgraded to the Boardwalk Inn for our next 3 nights as part of our marathon package. I'd reather take a taxi the 1.5 miles than do the whole luggage transport thing.

Thanks, EP

 

[DisneySherpa]

Okay dumb question.

What exactly is a sea racer???

obviously... it's a racer... on the sea

Sea Raycers (formally Water Mice) are small, two person boats. They can be rented at several marinas across Disney Property including CBR. They take a little getting used to to operate but for the most part drive and handle like the Tomorrowland Speedway Cars

There's a steering wheel and "accelerator lever" (lets just call it that because I have no idea what the true "boat term" is for it ) that allows you to speed up, slow down, and reverse. Life jackets must be worn, there is no official training, and you must be 12 years of age to drive (with signature of a legal guardian or parent). Basically you walk up to the Marina, pay and rent for a specific time, and your off!

By far... the highlights of our trips... especially taking these out on the SSL.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

obviously... it's a racer... on the sea
Sea Raycers (formally Water Mice) are small, two person boats. They can be rented at several marinas across Disney Property including CBR. They take a little getting used to to operate but for the most part drive and handle like the Tomorrowland Speedway Cars

There's a steering wheel and "accelerator lever" (lets just call it that because I have no idea what the true "boat term" is for it ) that allows you to speed up, slow down, and reverse. Life jackets must be worn, there is no official training, and you must be 12 years of age to drive (with signature of a legal guardian or parent). Basically you walk up to the Marina, pay and rent for a specific time, and your off!

By far... the highlights of our trips... especially taking these out on the SSL.

Ha ha ha. Very comical!

I think that will be safe for DH and DS to go on for a bit together. I didn't know if it was more like a jet ski which I'm afraid to put DS on. But that looks pretty good. Thanks!!!!!!!!!

 

[Pinkpony]

We had a taxi come right to our building in Aruba to pick us up. No need to go to the customs house.

 

[DisneySherpa]

I think that will be safe for DH and DS to go on for a bit together. I didn't know if it was more like a jet ski which I'm afraid to put DS on. But that looks pretty good. Thanks!!!!!!!!!

These boats do not travel nearly as fast as a jet ski or most motorized boats... especially if you take them out at CBR. The smaller the water area, the slower the boat (especially with two people). Even on the SSL, the boats traveled at a comfortable and safe speed.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

These boats do not travel nearly as fast as a jet ski or most motorized boats... especially if you take them out at CBR. The smaller the water area, the slower the boat (especially with two people). Even on the SSL, the boats traveled at a comfortable and safe speed.

Thanks! I'm sure they will have fun! Okay that's one hour of peace I get. What shall I do!?!?!? Well I'll have DD but she's my peaceful one!

Now that I say that she'll be a holy terror that day! LOL

 

[disneybam]

I have read through this thread because we are thinking about staying at CBR this summer, and noticed that some of you would like to see pictures of the new pirate rooms at CBR. On the trip report forum, there is a report written by DisneyJo that includes pics of the new pirate rooms.

Since I don't have enough posts to add a link, see the next post. Thank you Disneynutbsv!!

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Here's a direct link to that page:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=29194085&postcount=144

 

[DisneySherpa]

I have read through this thread because we are thinking about staying at CBR this summer, and noticed that some of you would like to see pictures of the new pirate rooms at CBR. On the trip report forum, there is a report written by DisneyJo that includes pics of the new pirate rooms.

Since I don't have enough posts to add a link, see the next post. Thank you Disneynutbsv!!

WOW... thanks so much for that info and thanks Disneynutbsv for the direct link!

Can't wait

 

[Taylor'sMom]

Sorry if these are repeat questions, I've read about 150+ pages thus far.
2 questions:

1. I know you can't swim in the lake. Can kids still play in the shallow water to fill sand buckets and get a bit wet??? Where do they draw the line?

2. We aren't going to spend $ on a preferred room, so I'm thinking I'll ask for Jamaica 44 or 45, Aruba 51 or Martinique 22. I anticipate us using the beach areas in the afternoon. I prefer to face the water (i.e. watch the children) while facing the sun. Are either of these 3 beaches better for facing INTO the sun on the beach in the afternoon? (I hope that makes sense)
If I read the map correctly, I would expect Martinique's beach to be better b/c it faces south??

(we'll be there in May)

Thanks for the great FAQ thread!!!

 

[Disneynutbsv]

WOW... thanks so much for that info and thanks Disneynutbsv for the direct link!

Can't wait

Your welcome