Caribbean Beach Resort FAQ

[jadyson]

Wow, I can't believe I just sat here for over an hour reading these posts!! This is a great place for info.
We are going to be staying at WDW for 10 nights in October. My question is should we divide between two moderates (we've stayed at them all, Dixie Landings the most) or should we stay at CBR for the whole trip? I like the idea of the curtain since we are taking my mom with us and the bigger room. She is a complainer, too. Will she complain if we go to another resort (moderate) from there? I know you guys don't know her, but she will make comparisons between the two. Is there a big difference in the room space, amenities? We have not stayed at CSR or CBR since our honeymoon 6 years ago and my memory has faded.
Thanks.

 

[safetymom]

The rooms at CBR have been refurbished but not all the rooms at PO have been. Also the food court is new at CBR. The rooms are a little larger at CBR but not by much. PO doesn't have the curtain.

We have stayed at both and it all comes down to theming. I am sure she would be happy at both.

 

[tiggeroo42]

jadyson,

I know the rooms at CBR are technically just a little bigger than the other moderates, but they just appeared so much more spacious than our rooms at POFQ and even WL! I also think the CBR bathrooms are better laid out than the other moderates because they have storage space under the double sinks and there is a full counter area around the sinks unlike PO's pedestal sinks.

I think you'll love CBR!

 

[parrotheadlois]

We stayed at Port Orleans last fall (once in October in the Bayou section, then in November in the Mansion section) and just got back from CBR. Our preference is PO - the mansion side. We found it so peaceful, loved the boat to Downtown. We'd go back in a minute! CBR was nice too, no complaints, we just liked PO better. We're an older couple (50ish), if that makes a difference.

 

[jadyson]

Thanks everyone for your replies.
Now CRO get with it and give those AP rates!!!
I planned my trip last minute last year and avoided this headache. I think we will stay at CBR the whole time, it may be easier with the baby (16 months). Does anyone know if CSR has been included in AP rates in the past?

 

[safetymom]

Thanks you to DRU2L8

They took the time to take pictures of the new mug style at CBR on their recent visit and send them to me!!!!

I have added it to my albums on the Epson site listed below.

We were having a discussion a while back about what these mugs looked like so now everyone can see.

Thanks again.


Safetymom

 

[lasmickey]

Thank you soooo much for the pictures of the new mugs! My husband and I were thrilled to see that they now include Mickey (my favorite, of course) and Goofy (my DH's favorite)! Now if they only keep that design through our trip at the end of September 2004! Anyone have any idea how often the design changes?

 

[Mickeycrazie]

I love the mugs. Thanks so much for posting them. I like the color of the purple one, but I like the pictures on the green one. Decisions, decisions, decisions!!!

 

[Windsob]

I had posted this as a separate thread and Safetymom (love your name) has suggested I try here as well.

I was wondering if anyone has ever taken their own bicycles to the CBR? My DS (6) loves to ride and would be heart broken if he seen others riding and they did not have anything small enough for him.

Has anyone ever tried this? Was it worth the hassle?

Thanks!

 

[lucysdad]

We just returned from our Fairytale week at CBR. I had never stayed there before. We have always stayed at the Poly, since our first visit in 1972, but this was trip #2 this summer, with just my 4yr old DD, so we chose to economize and stay at a moderate.
The CBR was lovely. We stayed at Trinidad North. Our room was a corner king, decorated in lively fabrics. It seemed smaller than the rooms at the Poly, but was perfect for the two of us. The two sinks in the bathroom area were a definite plus. there was no hairdryer and no body lotion, but that was no biggie. Just know to pack them. And we got two towel animals from the mousekeeper! Yeah! The main pool was well themed, but so crowded. The spa was wall-to-wall kids. The food court was like a large Captain Cooks with a few other food choices. Lucy loved the lasagna. They do have a sit down restaurant named Shutters and it was nice, but certainly not on par with Kona's.
The CBR is huge and the beaches and walkways made walking anywhere seem like less of a trek. One night, on our way to the pool, we watched the Epcot fireworks from the beach walkway.
Our only complaint was the bus transportation. Waiting for buses was a bummer. So often they were full to bursting. One day we waited for 35 minutes to catch the bus to AK. Unfortunately, CBR is bus stop #10 at Epcot. That's a bit of a trek when you're tired after a long day. On the other hand, it was stop 2 (or 3) at the MK. Disney says that the buses come every 15-20 minutes, but that is little consolation when you are in a long line to get back to the resort. And, all that waiting promoted rude bus behavior among the guests. People wanting to get on the bus, and maybe even get a seat, started pushing through and cutting lines.
All in all, we had a spectacular time and enjoyed our stay very much. But, next trip I want to try the AK Lodge for a few nights to get on that Sunrise Safari before we head back to the Poly. I'd be happy to answer any questions that I can and if I can't, I'm sure Safety Mom can. Her site was very helpful to me when planning this trip. Thank you, Lucy's

 

[rykdad]

Bumping up. We're debating between CBR and Wilderness Lodge and wondering if WL is worth the almost $100 per day (incl. tax) difference.

 

[kshavu]

Rykdad - I had originally booked a room at the WL for our family of 5. After much thought and research, I decided to book 2 rooms at the CBR for about the same price as 1 room at the WL. I'm sure both resorts are beautiful, but have a very differect feel/theme to them. For us, the benefit of having the extra space to relax in at night after the kids are in bed will far outweigh the benefit of staying in a slightly more deluxe resort. Not sure what your situation is kids wise, but this seems like the perfect compromise for us!

Karen

 

[cewait]

Originally posted by parrotheadlois
We just got back from a week at CBR. Although I had requested Martinique when I made our reservations, we got "assigned" to Jamaica.

Felt that way the first time I stayed in Jamaica/Aruba ten years ago. Would not go back to the zoo on the other side of Parrot Cay if they paid me! It's just not that long of a walk to the other side. Plus being first ont he bus route is a great benefit in the AM

 

[hulabird]

CBR is one of my favorite resorts. For those looking for specific rooms that would be considered as decent, I can say that the two rooms below are excellent choices/

Jamaica 4632-King Room, Waterview, 2nd Floor, corner room..walk to OPR about 4 minutes, close to busstop, stayed inthis room in Aug 2001 and it was brand new. Very close to quiet pool.

Jamaica 4253-King Room, Standard view (this one faces a garden like area), 1st floor, very close to parking lot and bus stop, walk to OPR is about 2-3 minutes, close to quiet pool. Stayed in this room in Aug 2002 and it was brand new.

Both rooms were excellent. The water view was nice in 4632, however to be really honest, you don't go out there that often and for long periods of time, and from your window, because of the rail and stuff, you can't even SEE the water. We got this view because we always get a King bed and it just happened to also be a waterview, but I would not recommend paying the extra bucks just for the so called "water" view.

My CBR Photos 2002

 

[safetymom]

Just an FYI that you can always find this thread at the top of the resorts board. It is in with the other resort FAQ's.

 

[Zandy595]

Mickeycrazie ~ I couldn't find the pictures of the mugs on SafetyMom's site, but I was just there a couple weeks ago and we got two of them (purple and turquoise). They all have the same pictures on them. Mickey, Goofy, and Donald are in hammocks on one side and on the other they're playing in a band. Now you don't have to make that tough decision! LOL!

 

[lasmickey]

Zandy595 ~ Are purple and turquoise the only colors there are to choose from? There are 4 of us, and we always like to get a different color for each person.

 

[Zandy595]

lasmickey ~ I know they also had green and I think orange. Maybe someone else knows for sure and will post.

 

[hulabird]

I KNOW WHEN WE WENT THERE WERE PURPLE, HOT PINK, DARK GREEN AND BLUE

 

[TimeWarp]

I haven't seen many comments on renting water crafts. They are in all the picture of CBR and I was curious to hear about them. How much? Worth the money? Do they rent in the evenings? When you travel the entire lake do you see other things besides CBR? Thanks.