Caribbean Beach Resort FAQ's Part II

[safetymom]

Not sure of who the owner of the land is but it isn't Disney. When Disney was buying the land for WDW they couldn't get the owner to sell that piece of property. I guess Disney figured why would build there since it is bordered on 3 sides by Disney. Disney was made to give them access to the road in WDW.

I don't think it takes away from CBR. Once you are in the resort you don't really notice Bonnet Creek.

 

[cruiserkaren]

I'm curious about checking out. Not so much checking in b/c the luggage will be delivered thru ME. Checking out we'll have our luggage. Do we lug it over to the customs house? Is luggage allowed on the internal bus? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[CleveRocks]

From what I understand, luggage is not permitted on any Disney Transport buses, including the CBR internal shuttle.

Your best bet is to make an appointment with Bell Services to pick up your bags, in order to get them to the Custom House. If you call them right when you need the bags transported, you run the risk of Bell Services being too busy to accommodate you at that moment.

Since we paid for our package in advance and had no outstanding charges, we had NO NEED to go to the Custom House to actually check out at the front desk. Anyone in the same boat has the same option, basically just leave the premises and that's all.

We had a 4:00 p.m. DME bus pick up. Check out is 11:00 a.m. At 10:50 a.m. or so we called Bell Services to pick up our bags and store them; we were going from our room to our village's bus stop to go to DTD. The person on the phone told me they were absolutely swamped and couldn't pick up for maybe 45 minutes or an hour. She told me the only other thing she could offer me was the option of not waiting, and of just leaving our bags inside the room (grouped together near the door), with a tip left on top of one of the bags if we so desired. Between the 6 of us (connecting rooms) we had 12 bags (6 checked, 6 carry-on), and later when we returned to CBR and went to the Custom House, we had ALL of our bags brought to us out of storage, and soon after that our bus arrived and the driver loaded them onto the DME bus.

 

[KimRaye]

Not sure of who the owner of the land is but it isn't Disney. When Disney was buying the land for WDW they couldn't get the owner to sell that piece of property. I guess Disney figured why would build there since it is bordered on 3 sides by Disney. Disney was made to give them access to the road in WDW.

Very interesting, Thanks!

I don't think it takes away from CBR. Once you are in the resort you don't really notice Bonnet Creek.

I agree. Anyone who notices it is looking from the parking lot(s) anyway.

 

[KimRaye]

Your best bet is to make an appointment with Bell Services to pick up your bags, in order to get them to the Custom House.

I agree. Bell services even took all of us with them in the van! We didn't need to 'check-out' either and, we used DME, but we AND our bags needed to leave together, early.

I wanna go back!

 

[MickiMouth]

Just back & CBR was as pretty as ever. We had a very nice stay.
We were in Martinque 25, very short walk to Old Port Royale & the main pool. The quiet pool was just that- quiet.
We had a rental car but ended up using the buses everyday but one.
The food court was good and the CM's were very friendly.
DH and DD6 had a good time in the arcade.
There were 3 balloons and an anniversary card with a picture of Mickey and Minnie waiting for us in our room one day. That was a very nice surprise.
Every morning you could see quite a few hot air balloons in the distance, very pretty.
This was our 2nd stay at CBR and it was everything we remembered.

 

[Armandocme]

who does own the land?

Brooksville Development Corp. and the estate of the late Taiwanese investor Ling Kai Kung.

Photo Tour of Bonnet Creek Resort

Hilton and Waldorf Astoria

Wyndham

 

[cruiserkaren]

Just back & CBR was as pretty as ever. We had a very nice stay.
We were in Martinque 25, very short walk to Old Port Royale & the main pool. The quiet pool was just that- quiet.
We had a rental car but ended up using the buses everyday but one.
The food court was good and the CM's were very friendly.
DH and DD6 had a good time in the arcade.
There were 3 balloons and an anniversary card with a picture of Mickey and Minnie waiting for us in our room one day. That was a very nice surprise.
Every morning you could see quite a few hot air balloons in the distance, very pretty.
This was our 2nd stay at CBR and it was everything we remembered.

Leaving this weekend for CBR and glad to hear this report! Thanks

 

[CleveRocks]

Brooksville Development Corp. and the estate of the late Taiwanese investor Ling Kai Kung.

Photo Tour of Bonnet Creek Resort

Hilton and Waldorf Astoria

Wyndham

VERY informative and interesting post. Unfortunately, your Bonnet Creek link isn't working -- it looks like it has been somehow censored. There are 13 asterisks in between the www and the slash before "bonnet_creek."

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We will be staying at CBR for the very first time in October . I must honestly say that I am so excited about CBR. I have even thought about switching to WL, but have not because I really want to stay at CBR . As prep work for our trip I have just finished reading all 66 pages and 989 posts in this thread . My reading has been spread over quite a few days. Anyhow...

1) Everyone else (DW, DD9, DS6) think we are staying at Pop. Little do they know -nor will they until we roll onto property -that I have upgraded us to CBR. I think they're gonna be just a little excited

2) I paid the extra for a preferred room because I think the main pool is going to be a big hit with my two little pirate fans . Thru CRO I have requested non-smoking (which I have now learned was unnecessary), Trinidad North 31 or Martinique 25. I requested TN 31 first only because it looked just a tad closer to the main pool than the Martinique bldgs.

3) I cannot think of a single question I have now that is unanswered at this point. Major thanks to safetymom for hosting this thread , and to all the other "regulars" who provide frequent and insightful info about CBR . Because of you I am sold and psyched on CBR. Please keep the delightful pix coming.

 

[Robin Hood]

Just booked CBR a few days ago so now I'm wondering what the best location for me to stay is. It will be me, DW, DD(4), and DD(2). We aren't too worried about long walks we just want a nice view and something fairly quiet since we will be coming back for afternoon naps.

1. Could/should we request a King and let the kids sleep on a air mattress? How big of an air mattress could the room accomadate?

2. What view can we get with just a standard view? Do any standard views come with a King?

Thanks for any tips/information!!!

 

[CleveRocks]

I paid the extra for a preferred room because I think the main pool is going to be a big hit with my two little pirate fans . Thru CRO I have requested non-smoking (which I have now learned was unnecessary), Trinidad North 31 or Martinique 25. I requested TN 31 first only because it looked just a tad closer to the main pool than the Martinique bldgs.

In reality Martinique 26 is the closest to the OPR building, and I believe Martinique 25 may even be a tad closer than Trinidad North 31. However, Trinidad 31 is probably half a hair closer to the main pool than Martinique 26. They're all great; preferred location is a great idea at CBR if being close to OPR is important to you. It takes the guesswork and stress out of the equation.

 

[safetymom]

They will not assign you a king room for more than 2 adults and a child under 3. King rooms are scattered all over the resort and you could have have a standard, courtyard, water view room.

 

[MickiMouth]

In reality Martinique 26 is the closest to the OPR building, and I believe Martinique 25 may even be a tad closer than Trinidad North 31. However, Trinidad 31 is probably half a hair closer to the main pool than Martinique 26. They're all great; preferred location is a great idea at CBR if being close to OPR is important to you. It takes the guesswork and stress out of the equation.

That's true

 

[bdhdch80]

Hi All,

My family and I are looking at staying at CBR for the second time in Nov. We were there 2 years ago and really liked it. With two teenagers, we prefer WL sleeping arrangements when we can get the bunk beds. But, this time we're going to save some money and do CBR.

Here's my question: has anyone tried to get 2 airmattresses in a CBR room (either the king room or the 2 doubles)??? We used a rollaway last time and would prefer a mattress over that, since the airmattress can be moved or even deflated. If we bring down 2, then my wife and I don't have to sleep in a double (we're used to a king and we just don't sleep as well in a double).

Is there room between the doubles to put a double-sized airmattress? I was thinking of inflating that one "in place" so it would fit in a tighter spot. I know this would take up almost all the floor space, but it's only when we're sleeping. We can deflate if we have to during the day.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[safetymom]

No there wouldn't be room between the bed for a double size air mattress. For your size family they will not assign you a king room because you have two older children.

 

[liveforthemagic]

OK Guys. Very technical question--I'm trying to minimize foot travel.

Here is how I am planning it would work--let me know if I'm correct.

If I check in and my room is ready, no prob.

If I check in and my room is not ready, they will let me check in anyway, keep my luggage at the front desk and give me my key to the room. I can go over to the pool, swim a bit, then buy some groceries at Old Port Royale and make my way over to my room when I anticipate it will be ready.

Other option (I don't like as much) is that I can still leave my things at the front desk, go to the pool and kill some time. Come back to Customs House to get my room assignment and then go back to OPR for groceries, then go my room.

I just had to switch from preferred to regular because of $$ issues and am trying to get a feel for this.

Thanks!

 

[PCFriar80]

OK Guys. Very technical question--I'm trying to minimize foot travel.

Here is how I am planning it would work--let me know if I'm correct.

If I check in and my room is ready, no prob.

If I check in and my room is not ready, they will let me check in anyway, keep my luggage at the front desk and give me my key to the room. I can go over to the pool, swim a bit, then buy some groceries at Old Port Royale and make my way over to my room when I anticipate it will be ready.

Other option (I don't like as much) is that I can still leave my things at the front desk, go to the pool and kill some time. Come back to Customs House to get my room assignment and then go back to OPR for groceries, then go my room.

I just had to switch from preferred to regular because of $$ issues and am trying to get a feel for this.

Thanks!

Room not ready when checking in; here's the catch. While they will give you a key, they will not give you the room number. I know there are exceptions to this, it's happened to us a few times at BCV, however that is the "policy". Yes, you can store your luggage with bell services at the Custom House. Yes, you can use the pool and shop at OPR. In the case where your room is not ready, you will be given a card with a number to call to check on room being ready status. You could call from the pool and then shop once you get the "green light". Hope this helps!

 

[safetymom]

They will let you check in. They will give you a phone number to call, you can call from a house phone at the resort if you are going to stick around.

 

[cruiserkaren]

Are there any tricks to the A/C at CBR to keep it running? I'm asking b/c my mom has some SERIOUS hot flashes and she sleeps where you could hang meat. Thanks