Caribbean Beach Resort FAQ's Part II

[catbertdave99]

I LOVE THIS THREAD! Thanks for starting it safetymom! I had a question about room assignments. We booked and paid for a king bed room and requested Martinique. We did not pay for preferred though, so from what I've read, that location is so we're not expecting it. Anyway...my question is can I call and find out about our room assignment? I always call Disney reservations the day before we leave to confirm the reservation, but
I was wondering if it was possible to call CBR before arrival and check on our room and which village we'll be in. Has anyone ever done this before?

When we were there in April, our room was not yet ready when we checked in before noon (that was ok with us), and while they wouldn't tell us what room we were in, they DID tell us we had gotten Martinique, which we wanted. We had paid for a preferred room, but requested Martinique. Bottom line, they try to accomodate whatever you request, but ANY of the villages are beautiful!

 

[PCFriar80]

Wink CBR Review
Just back from a busy, and a fun busy stay at CBR during marathon week! ME worked great! Off the plane at 10:30 AM and in our room by noon. That was after some waits at the ME check-in and CBR check-in. Amy (CM) at the front desk was great! We had requested Aruba or Jamaica, however we had been "upgraded" to Trinidad North. We were reluctant to have the upgrade as we like to cut across the lawn from Aruba to the sidewalk and walk to Epcot. More on that later. We then realized that we like to walk! Heck, we're running 13.1 mile in 2 days! What's another 1/4 mile? As I said room was ready (3153), clean and close to OPR.

So, all of these years we thought we were the only ones that walked to Epcot from CBR via the Hess Station and BW. Not! We saw at least 10 other people do this! Nuff said on that! Back to the review!

Grounds were clean, OPR had everything we needed pre and post race, transportation was excellent, and mousekeeping was great! As my DW lay in bed with her blistered post race feet, the mousekeeper worked around her, made one bed and told her to move to the clean one as she made the other!
Me, I was over at Epcot (no post race blisters) getting DW a lamb and chicken platter from Morroco for her to enjoy as she watched her UCONN games. Not me! As you can tell by my ID!

All in all, great value for price paid and a great facility for the marathoners!

 

[Wendy31]

Okay, I think we've made our decision regarding whether to stay at WL or CBR...

Today, I asked both our DS & our DD if, when we went back to Disney, they wanted to stay where we stayed last year (the cabin) or stay longer. They both, w/o hesitation, said, "Stay longer!" which was a little surprising to me because I had thought that they had loved our FW cabin so much that they wouldn't be happy anywhere else. I've been so worried about taking away some of the "magic"...

Anyway, so I think we're going to try CBR, and I've even managed to get excited about it! I'm a "tropics" kind of gal anyway, so the themeing at CBR really appeals to me more than that of WL. (I just wish it were closer to MK.)

So my questions:

I want our room to be close to a beach, a playground, the bldg pool, and not a horrible distance from Old Port Royale. A good view of Illuminations would be nice as well.

When I look at the map, Martinique #22 looks ideal. However, this is not a preferred room. If I request Martinique #22 what are the chances that I'll get it? Is it better to go ahead & reserve a preferred location room - even though I prefer another location to the preferred location - because I REALLY don't want to end up in Trinidad South.

And would Jamaica #45 be better than Martinique #22? When I look at the map, I think we'd be happy w/ Jamaica #45 or Martinique #22 or #25. How do I go about ensuring that I get one of these locations? I'm a little worried because we will not be arriving until a Tuesday. Will all the good rooms be gone by then (to all the people who check-in for a week on Saturday)?

Ideally, we'd like a corner room on the second floor of Jamaica #45 or Martinique #22 or #25.

So is it better to book "preferred" even though 2 of the bldgs in which we're interested are not preferred? I just have this worry of not booking "preferred" & checking in on a Tues & being put in Trinidad South - which wouldn't be bad if it were just me & DH but I don't think our 6 year old DD & 4 year old DS would be as happy.

What do ya'll think? Opinions? Thanks!!

And also thanks for making CBR sound so wonderful! I really am excited!

 

[scoutsmom99]

I want our room to be close to a beach, a playground, the bldg pool, and not a horrible distance from Old Port Royale. A good view of Illuminations would be nice as well.

I would request Jamaica or Martinique

When I look at the map, Martinique #22 looks ideal. However, this is not a preferred room. If I request Martinique #22 what are the chances that I'll get it?

What time of year is your trip? If you are traveling at more of a peak season you will have a harder time getting your request. The last couple times I have traveled (value season) I have made a very simple request of Non-Smoking and Jamaica and my requests have been granted. It also doesn't hurt to ask when you check in about availablity in a certain area. If I were you I would keep my CRO requests simple. On my September (2005) trip the Front Desk CM said I see you requested Jamaica and I said yes and I asked if it was possible for building 44 and she said she did not have anything available immediatly in 44 but she did have immediate availablity in 43 or 46. I took 46.

Is it better to go ahead & reserve a preferred location room - even though I prefer another location to the preferred location - because I REALLY don't want to end up in Trinidad South.

Only book a preferred location if that is where you want to stay. If you would be happier somewhere else just make a notation of that on your ressie and then make a slight mention of it at check-in. Something along the lines of, "I would really like to be close to the playground area in Jamaica or Aruba becuase my children really enjoy playing on them."

And would Jamaica #45 be better than Martinique #22? When I look at the map, I think we'd be happy w/ Jamaica #45 or Martinique #22 or #25. How do I go about ensuring that I get one of these locations? I'm a little worried because we will not be arriving until a Tuesday. Will all the good rooms be gone by then (to all the people who check-in for a week on Saturday)?

Personally Jamaica is my favorite island followed by Aruba. I think for what you are looking for you would be fine in Jamaica 44, 45, or 46 for proximity to the pool, playground, and OPR. It is really hard to tell by looking at the map, but the way the buildings are done at CBR some rooms in 44 or 46 will be closer to OPR or the pool/playground area then those in 45. Martinique 22 and Jamaica 44-46 are pretty much the same walk to OPR, but from Jamaica you can enjoy the bridges and lush tropical Island. I will say however that catching the uppper shells from Illuminations IMHO is better from the Martinique side of the resort (keep in mind though you will only be seeing the upper shells that go off).

Ideally, we'd like a corner room on the second floor of Jamaica #45 or Martinique #22 or #25.

Once again I would keep your reqest to under 3 items. If you have too many requests I think you might find that they might not be granted. The room assigner can only do so much and by keeping your requests to a minimum it would really work more in your favor. I would say Non-Smoking, Martinique or Jamaica, 2nd floor room. Then once you arrive at the resort and are checking in talk and be friendly with the CM who is checking you in...ask how they are doing how the day is going. Then if they haven't said anything about your requests say would it be possible to get a room....

So is it better to book "preferred" even though 2 of the bldgs in which we're interested are not preferred? I just have this worry of not booking "preferred" & checking in on a Tues & being put in Trinidad South - which wouldn't be bad if it were just me & DH but I don't think our 6 year old DD & 4 year old DS would be as happy.

Once again I think this really depends on when you are heading to FL. I usually travel mid-week and have never had any problems getting a decent room.

Make sure to relax and enjoy everything. I honestly think if you bombard them with too many requests you will not receive what you are looking for. If you want to gauruntee your location the only way you could do that would be to book a preferred room. At least then you know that you will be in either Martinique (26, 25, or 24) or Trinidad North (31, 32, or 33). I think you will really like CBR. If you want any picutres of Jamiaca let me know. I have pics of the playground and pool area not to mention many shots of just CBR.

 

[safetymom]

Prioritize your requests. You probably won't get everything so decide what request is most important. For those not wanting to pay for a preferred location Jamaica or Aruba is a great location.

There are plenty of beaches and several playgrounds so you are never far from one. Jamaica has a nice one. I have pictures of the playgrounds on my website listed below.

 

[MariDisney]

We just got back from 8 days in building 22. Indeed, we were close to a beach, playground, and it was a reasonable walk to OPR. We ended up spending very little time at the resort this trip...only hit the pool once. So, other than filling our mugs, location ended up not to matter too much. We rent a car, and the drive to the TTC wasn't bad at all. Then again, I never think a drive between any two points on property is bad. I need to get my trip report done, but until then feel free to ask if you have any quetions about our location.

 

[Wendy31]

Thanks so much for all the help! I feel like I know all about CBR even before we get there, which is all due to this very informative thread & how helpful ya'll are!

I guess I should have mentioned that we'll be there from Tues, June 13th, through Tues, June 20th.

I know that will be a busy time of year, so, since we're not arriving until Tues, I'm worried that, if we don't go ahead & reserve a preferred location, we'll end up in Trinidad South.

Again, looking at the map, I actually prefer Jamaica or Martinique #22 to the preferred buildings at Martinique & Trinidad North.

So, I'm not sure what to request and if I need to just go ahead & book a preferred location. Then, when I get there, I could say, if a room was available in Jamaica or Martinique #22, we'd prefer that instead. Would that work?

 

[safetymom]

You pay extra to be in the preferred buildings so not sure how they would work if you wanted a different location.

 

[Hollyster2]

I will be staying at the CBR this July. Can you tell me something about using the buses? We have stayed here before but always rented a car. This time we are not going to. Any words of wisdom?

 

[scoutsmom99]

So, I'm not sure what to request and if I need to just go ahead & book a preferred location. Then, when I get there, I could say, if a room was available in Jamaica or Martinique #22, we'd prefer that instead. Would that work?

Honestly if you do not want the preferred locations do not book them. By booking them you will not increase your chances of getting Martinque 22 or Jamaica once you arrive and ask. It will probably just make things more complicated for the front desk CM.

Just make a simple reqest and slip what you want into the conversation when you arrrive if the CM does not mention anything. Although Saturday is a large travel day people will arrive other days during the week and I think everyone is fairly spread out around the resort. A lot of people probably have not done as much research as you have and do not even know about making requests!!

CBR is a large resort with a lot of rooms I honestly think if you just make a small request you will be granted with it. If they do for some reason give you Trinidad South ask for another room even if it means your room wouldn't be ready when you check in. I know lots of people really enjoy Trinidad South's location.

 

[scoutsmom99]

I will be staying at the CBR this July. Can you tell me something about using the buses? We have stayed here before but always rented a car. This time we are not going to. Any words of wisdom?

I have always had wonderful service at CBR using the busses. In all of my stays there I have only had one long wati and that was like 25 minutes for an MGM studios bus last January. CBR IMHO is very centerally located. Disney MGM Studios is very close by (less than 5 minutes) and you are practically in Epcot's backyard. I would say your longest trip using the CBR busses would be AK.

ETA:
They also do not share a bus with any other resort which is really nice. The busses are dedicated to CBR.

 

[catbertdave99]

I will be staying at the CBR this July. Can you tell me something about using the buses? We have stayed here before but always rented a car. This time we are not going to. Any words of wisdom?

We've never rented a car, and enjoy the WDW buses -- I'm always amazed how they move so many people all over the parks and resorts. At CBR this April, we found the bus service to be excellent -- no long waits, no huge crowds. You'll love CBR!

 

[bch044]

I know there are Fridges in the rooms. How big are they ? Will the hold a gallon jug ?

Microwaves are there micros in the rooms ? If not are they available upon request ?

Thanks
Steve

 

[safetymom]

No microwaves in the rooms. You can use the microwave that is in the food court if you need to heat something.

 

[scoutsmom99]

bch044,

Here is a shot of a fridge at CBR:

The shelves are adjustable inside as well so I'm sure you could easily fit a gallon if you just move up the bottom shelf a little...or move the top one down. It is so nice to have that fridge and cold water waiting for me when I get back from the parks or when I head out to the parks.

 

[dismom9761]

Scoutsmom,thanks for the picture.I am going to love having a frig.With four kids we can really go through some water and milk.

 

[Samsma]

Hi! New to this thread so bear with me. I read that the smoking area was Aruba building 51, is that still true? That info seemed to be from last year, so I'm just making sure. That looks like a fine location for my needs. Usually with smoking we get put in the most inconvenient places. Thanks!

 

[safetymom]

Yes that is still the location.

 

[safetymom]

I added new pictures of the fridge at CBR along with new maps.
http://www.idhal.com/photogallery/photo2058/real_p.htm
http://www.idhal.com/CBR/cbr.html

The island in the middle of the lake is no longer called Parrot Cay. It is Caribbean Cay.

 

[catbertdave99]

Safetymom -- thanks for the new photos!! Boy, do I wish we were there now!!