Caribbean Beach Resort FAQ Part 3

[catbertdave99]

Take a poncho with you and don't worry about the rain. Rain here can be scattered and not raining on the other side of the park. www.wftv.com is a great local weather station.

In fact, we were in line for Space Mountain, and it must have rained while we were in there because when we came out, it was wet -- but the sun was back out and shining. We got back to CBR shortly after that, and it was completely dry. The rain doesn't always last long - and often doesn't - so just enjoy yourself!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

And if you don't want to take along a poncho, they sell Disney ones in every park, cart, resort.....when it really rains, the guests turn into poncho people. It like a club, everyone wears one, so no one feel weird.

Have a great trip!!

 

[DisMomAmy]

This question has probably been posted before, but there is so much to go through I'm afraid I might never find the answer on my own...

How are the buses at CBR? I've heard mixed reviews... this is our first time staying on-site as a family and I'm wondering if we need to keep the rental car that we plan on having for the first part of the week to visit family?

I really don't want the added expense but I'll do it if the buses take as long as I have read...

Thanks!

 

[catbertdave99]

We have used the buses on every one of our visits to WDW. Particularly at CBR, we think they're great. Recognizing how many thousands of people WDW moves on the buses every day, I think they do a great job.

Yes, you will have to wait sometimes for a bus to come. Yes, sometimes the first bus that comes WILL be the one you want, and sometimes it won't. Sometimes they're crowded, sometimes they're not. But they always keep coming, and the best part for me -- I DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE ! I love having a vacation from even having to think about traffic....

At CBR, bus transportation is better than a lot of places -- because there are 7 bus stops in the resort. Yes, that does make it take a while to get in and out
of the resort, but that also means there's a bus stop at every village AND at Old Port Royale -- no long walk to the room after a long day at the parks!

Honestly, I think a lot of it has to do with expectations... if you and your family will be ok with an occasional wait for a bus, you'll do fine!

 

[sdb72]

We are going in June,, I was wondering because I had heard that they did Movies on the beach at night sometimes if you know if they had daily activities such as that daily, we would like to because of the heat hang around the resort during the daytime.. Do you know anything about movies being shown?? or children and family activities.. thanks your forum is awesome, this is our first time at CBR..

 

[safetymom]

They were showing movies and having other activities while the main pool was closed. Not sure if they are still doing it.

 

[LuvsTinker]

This question has probably been posted before, but there is so much to go through I'm afraid I might never find the answer on my own...

How are the buses at CBR? I've heard mixed reviews... this is our first time staying on-site as a family and I'm wondering if we need to keep the rental car that we plan on having for the first part of the week to visit family?

I really don't want the added expense but I'll do it if the buses take as long as I have read...

Thanks!

I totally agree with "catbertdave". We've stayed at CBR 14x over the years and once in awhile you feel like you wait forever, but overall not a problem, and as long as you have a go with the flow attitude, you'll be fine.

BTW: I too have a Zachary, and love someone with Autism (my son)

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Quick question: I have been pouring through so many pages here and my head is spinning. Are all the villages renovated now? Are any still in progress or not begun? If so which ones?
We are booked now at POR but after seeing it on mapquest it kind of looks way off to the edge of WDW. CBR seems more central and I'd love a new room.

We got a great rate, $94/nt. using code OZI which expires tomorrow. I plan to call in the am to change to CBR.

Thanks!

I'm so excited. This will be our 1st onsite stay since 2001. It kind of sucked then. Our kids were only 1 & 4 and we were so cramped in 1 little room. Ds1 couldn't sleep unless the room was totally dark. It was crazy.
Now they're 12 & 8.5 and 15 trips later they are total WDW vets.
This should be awesome!

 

[knewton64]

And if you don't want to take along a poncho, they sell Disney ones in every park, cart, resort.....when it really rains, the guests turn into poncho people. It like a club, everyone wears one, so no one feel weird.

Have a great trip!!

--------------

Thanks for helping me to see that it's going to be ok.....

Besides.....I also made another decision just this am as well.....that is I am booking the 10 night Southern Caribbean DCL cruise for Dec 29th 2010 while I am onboard the Wonder next week. + =

 

[MAGGIED]

Question...... we will be at CBR Jan 24th - 31st... we have booked a preferred location (two teenage boys - want to be close to pool and food court).. since Martinique will have its quiet pool close and I imagine nasty looking barriers around it... would it be possible to request Trinidad.... or should I not worry about it.... we have never stayed at CBR... while we have had many visits to WDW this is the first for my sons friend who is traveling with us.... and I really don't want to be looking at pieces of plywood when I paid extra for a room... any suggestions???????

 

[safetymom]

Question...... we will be at CBR Jan 24th - 31st... we have booked a preferred location (two teenage boys - want to be close to pool and food court).. since Martinique will have its quiet pool close and I imagine nasty looking barriers around it... would it be possible to request Trinidad.... or should I not worry about it.... we have never stayed at CBR... while we have had many visits to WDW this is the first for my sons friend who is traveling with us.... and I really don't want to be looking at pieces of plywood when I paid extra for a room... any suggestions???????

The rooms in Trinidad North have not been refurbished yet. The ones in Martinique have. You could have a room in Martinique and not even see the quiet pool.

 

[DisneySherpa]

Question...... we will be at CBR Jan 24th - 31st... we have booked a preferred location (two teenage boys - want to be close to pool and food court).. since Martinique will have its quiet pool close and I imagine nasty looking barriers around it... would it be possible to request Trinidad.... or should I not worry about it.... we have never stayed at CBR... while we have had many visits to WDW this is the first for my sons friend who is traveling with us.... and I really don't want to be looking at pieces of plywood when I paid extra for a room... any suggestions???????

Here's what I love about CBR's quiet pools... they're actually quiet! They did this by building cemenet walls (painted to match the village's theme) around the pool deck with only a few entrance/exit arches and factoring in lots of foliage/landscaping to help buffer any noise. Not to mention that very few rooms actually "overlook" these quiet pools.

If you were placed 24, 25, or 26 you wouldn't even pass the pool area to reach the main building but a 2nd floor room in 24 could have a partial pool view. In buildings 21, 22, and 23 you would "pass" the pool area via the walkway along the beach... but could only see into the pool area if you stopped directly infront of the arch entrance/exit and caught a good angle.

I've never seen disney use "plywood" on property for a refurb. Park refurbs do use plywood frames, but paint them to match any of the attractions exterior colors. Pool refurbs usually use a chain link fence, set up with mesh fabric to prevent viewing. CBR's advantage is that their quiet pool area's are already framed by walls... so they only need to worry about the arch entrances/exits.

If it is really a concern for you... then I would request a room in Trinidad North, keeping in mind that it may not be refurbished in time for your arrival. With two teenage boys.. the draw for "nemo" may not be that strong tho

If they do offer you a room in Martinique, try and be placed in 24 (facing courtyard), 25, or 26.

 

[sapereaude]

Question...... we will be at CBR Jan 24th - 31st... we have booked a preferred location (two teenage boys - want to be close to pool and food court).. since Martinique will have its quiet pool close and I imagine nasty looking barriers around it... would it be possible to request Trinidad.... or should I not worry about it.... we have never stayed at CBR... while we have had many visits to WDW this is the first for my sons friend who is traveling with us.... and I really don't want to be looking at pieces of plywood when I paid extra for a room... any suggestions???????

We stayed in Trinidad, #31 I thought the rooms were fine personally. Trinidad is closer to the main pool - the main pool is on the Trinidad side of old port royal. In #31, we were closer to the main pool than to the Trinidad quiet pool, which we never used - just weren't interested in a regular old pool with the incredible main pool just as close!

 

[MAGGIED]

Does CBR still have the Family plan and Captains plan for bike / boat rental. I just called the marina and the guy had no idea what I was talking about. He told em I needed to call reservations?????????

 

[safetymom]

I don't think they offer the family plan anymore. If you look at the first post of this FAQ and scroll down I have a photo of the board at the Marina. They don't mention it on there.

 

[TJA]

Is there a "main" playground near the main pool area? I was just looking at pictures in the beginning of this thread and found 2 separate playgrounds in different areas, but I'm wondering about the main area. I know about the pirate pool play area, but I'm asking about a regular playground. Thanks!

 

[MAGGIED]

I don't think they offer the family plan anymore. If you look at the first post of this FAQ and scroll down I have a photo of the board at the Marina. They don't mention it on there.

I didn't see it on the photo you have posted but it is in the writing you have so I wasn't sure....

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Is there a "main" playground near the main pool area? I was just looking at pictures in the beginning of this thread and found 2 separate playgrounds in different areas, but I'm wondering about the main area. I know about the pirate pool play area, but I'm asking about a regular playground. Thanks!

There are 3 playgrounds that I know of and they are located on the village beaches of Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad South.

 

[DisneySherpa]

Is there a "main" playground near the main pool area? I was just looking at pictures in the beginning of this thread and found 2 separate playgrounds in different areas, but I'm wondering about the main area. I know about the pirate pool play area, but I'm asking about a regular playground. Thanks!

No, there is no playground located near the main pool area. There are 3 playgrounds, one located between Barbados and Martinque on the beach, one located in Jamaica on the beach, and one located in Trinidad South on the Beach.

 

[TinkOhio]

Just back from another trip and we love the CBR even more now! We were there for the first leg of our trip- Dec. 20-24th and it really seemed pretty empty. If we had neighbors, we never saw or heard them. More often than not, the quiet pools were empty and it was in the low 80's. Even the main pool wasn't very crowded. Our kids loved the main pool area, and we love the atmosphere there. So colorful and fun! We've stayed at all resort levels, and this place is still our favorite.

We like Barbados best and were placaed in a room there, as requested. Love the Nemo theme...the lighter color makes the room seem even larger. Our room was always well cleaned and the beds were very comfortable. We had a garden view room, and the parking lot and bus stop were very close by. (Bus service was great. We never waited more than 10 minutes.) The main pool area was a hike, but we love walking, and the landscaping was lovely.

We're already making plans for our next trip there.