Caribbean Beach Resort FAQ's Part II

[imlazar]

Hi folks, we're considering either CBR or CSR for an early April visit. Since this will be peak time can we expect the CBR pool to be jammed? We're traveling with our two sons, ages 6 & 4, and pools are important to them.

How would those of you who have stayed at CBR and CSR compare the two, where should we stay (we plan to be there for six nights, with likely a trip to each park and two trips to Epcot (we may cut out AK and hit MK or MGM twice).

 

[safetymom]

I don't think the main pool will be jammed but you may enjoy using the quiet pools in your village.

The pool is bigger at CSR but beyond that I much prefer CBR. It comes down to the theming you like best.

CSR has the mandatory 10% tip at the Pepper Market. I felt like I did more walking at CSR.

I love being able to stroll around the island with all the landscaping. The hammocks on the beach are a great way to relax. You can also see the high Epcot fireworks at night on the beach.

 

[catbertdave99]

Hi folks, we're considering either CBR or CSR for an early April visit. Since this will be peak time can we expect the CBR pool to be jammed? We're traveling with our two sons, ages 6 & 4, and pools are important to them.

When we were there the first week of April in 2005, the main pool wasn't really all that crowded. There were people there all the time, but I found it easy to move around in the pool and have plenty of room and so did my kids.

Having said that, Safetymom's comment about the quiet pools is dead on right. Although we went to the main pool a couple times, they really liked the quiet pools because they almost always had them to themselves!

We're going back the last week of March, and I'm not worried about crowds at all -- CBR doesn't feel crowded at all to us! It's our vacation within our Disney vacation!

 

[aide4]

Great pictures! Can't wait to see the decorations in person on the 23rd!

 

[Wishes2you]

Safetymom the pictures are beautiful. I want to go back. We have only been home a week and I'm wishing I was there. Thanks for the Pictures again.

 

[mamalle]

thanks for all the great tips. we got back yesterday from a short trip. we normally like to stay at CSR but it was booked for our rate so we stayed at the CBR. check in was quick- we got in around 0800 and my request for Martinique was granted- we stayed in 2232 and it was a corner room. Perfect for the kids and parents. They enjoyed the pool and the water was warm enough for them to swim. we really only ate breakfast there and it was crowded at certain times but nothing too bad. The pool side bar was nice for a afternoon beverage while we watched the kids swim. The bus service was fine for the most part- just a longer wait for the bus for the xmas party. we got there at 3:25 and the bus didnt come till 4:05. I was told they only run on 30 minute schedules now- which I had thought must be something new.. I loved the grounds esp since I had to run two mornings in a row there. overall definitely a resort I would recommend and stay again.. thanks again!!

 

[loralie]

thanks for all the great tips. we got back yesterday from a short trip. we normally like to stay at CSR but it was booked for our rate so we stayed at the CBR. check in was quick- we got in around 0800 and my request for Martinique was granted- we stayed in 2232 and it was a corner room. Perfect for the kids and parents. They enjoyed the pool and the water was warm enough for them to swim. we really only ate breakfast there and it was crowded at certain times but nothing too bad. The pool side bar was nice for a afternoon beverage while we watched the kids swim. The bus service was fine for the most part- just a longer wait for the bus for the xmas party. we got there at 3:25 and the bus didnt come till 4:05. I was told they only run on 30 minute schedules now- which I had thought must be something new.. I loved the grounds esp since I had to run two mornings in a row there. overall definitely a resort I would recommend and stay again.. thanks again!!

What did you think of CBR compared to CSR? We stayed at CBR in 2005 and plan to stay at CSR in May, 2007 so I was wondering what you thought since you stayed at both.

Thanks,

Loralie

 

[coastgirl]

Hi everyone.

I had already read enough to know that Jamaica is supposed to be a great location without the premium for preferred...and was so looking forward to it! Have since found out the cheerleaders and dancers will be there while we are, and that they are placed in Jamaica, Aruba and Barbados. We have little kids who go to sleep early, and frankly, we can be cranky about noisy neighbours, so the best bet is just to try to stay away from them.

South Trinidad was recommended by a CM as being cheerleader-free, but is this one of the "takes forever to walk there" locations that people complain about? Dh and I are able bodied and would enjoy the walk, but we have a 4 and 6 yo who have been known to dawdle...or whine...or occasionally both. (But delightful children otherwise! ) I just had my heart set on Jamaica.

Would Trinidad South be, f'rinstance, too far to nip out to fill a mug at the food court or whatever? I see it has a playground on the beach like Jamaica.

Also liking the idea of corner rooms. Are they all king beds, does anyone know, or can we get the doubles for us and the kids? (And not to complicate it, if I ask for top floor corner does it exist as doubles?)

Thanks for all the info, have enjoyed all the positive energy from those who've posted about CBR.

 

[tinabheart]

When I was there last year, we had connectiong rooms with a corner room on the second floor in Martinique. It had two double beds. I don't know if all the buildings are set up that way, but I know Martinque Bldg #25 works that way.

In my opinion, it is definitely, definitely worth paying the preferred rate to be closer to Old Port Royale. We are going back next spring and I can't imagine being all the way on the other end of the resort. I have a DS13, and it is nice to be able to just 'send him down' to get his own drinks or food, or to swim. I would think that with little kids, it would be nice as well to be closer.

As far as the corner room, the only advantage to a corner room in my opinion is having a little more light in. We had a lake view last year, and while it was wonderful, we kept our shades pulled most of the time so that people couldn't see in. We didn't sit in our room looking out at the beautiful views. We went and grabbed a drink from the AWESOME Banana Cabana and found a chair on the beach!!

If I get a parking lot view, or courtyard view this time I won't care. It's not like you have a balcony that you go and spend a lot of time on. I think any room would be nice - in the preferred section.

 

[CleveRocks]

Would Trinidad South be, f'rinstance, too far to nip out to fill a mug at the food court or whatever? I see it has a playground on the beach like Jamaica.

Also liking the idea of corner rooms. Are they all king beds, does anyone know, or can we get the doubles for us and the kids? (And not to complicate it, if I ask for top floor corner does it exist as doubles?)

Thanks

No exaggeration, you're looking at at least a 10 minute walk from Trinidad South to Old Port Royale, and then 10 minutes back. To me, hardly worth it only for a mug refill.

I love CBR, but it IS large and s-p-r-e-a-d o-u-t. During my last stay, we paid for preferred location and I'm glad we did it. I was in room 3340, Trinidad North, about as far from OPR as you can get and still be in preferred location. It was about a 5 minute walk from my preferred location room to OPR. And by the way, that was a corner room, NO king bed inside -- we had 2 double beds, for us an our then 5 year old and 2.5 year old.

Although I still love the look and vibe of CBR, I'm now a devoted convert to POFQ. It wasn't as serene and lush as CBR, but it was lovely and pretty and quite compact. My room at the far end of building 2 wasn't the farthest from the food court, but it was almost the farthest. I timed the walk from my room to the food court -- 2 MINUTES. That was nice.

 

[mtpalmer]

safetymom...thankyou for all your wonderful info...we stayed at Jamaica 46 and thought it was the best place to be...we were near a bus stop and near the isalnd very easy walk for both places...we stayed at POP last year in the 90's and felt like we walked for ever...the pool was a big hit for the boys even though it was too cold all but one day but they stayed in that pool for hours...We will definatly stay here again...thanks again

 

[safetymom]

I am glad to hear you enjoyed your stay at CBR.

 

[my2dogs]

We just returned from CBR yesterday. We were in South Trinidad (I was unhappy at check in about this) BUT we had a wonderful time there. It is a 10 minute walk to and then from Port Royale and longer if you have a 4 year old granddaughter We did enjoy the walk and when we tired of it by the end of the week, we caught the resort shuffle. Our mousekeeper was great! We had towel animals and the grandchildren had their stuffed animals arranged each day. We were very impressed by the service there.

The buses ran very frequently to the parks. Everyone at Disney made our first visit magical!

 

[mamalle]

I stay there again for sure! we like both equally. the kids might say CSR though due to the dig site and larger slide..

 

[MiaSRN62]

We returned 12/4 from CBR. We checked in at 10:40 am. My requests had been received. Problem was, a room close to the food court would not be available until 4-5 pm. At this point, I ask for "anything", as long as it's non-smoking. I am told there is a room ready now, in bldg 41 (Jamaica). I figured, since I had a car, I was not going to worry about how far I was from the food court and take it. The room was clean and mousekeeping was great. We only had one towel animal, but that was ok. We decorated our window with a holiday theme. We were the only ones on Friday, and then the rest of the weekend, we must have inspired some guests, because there were at least a half dozen windows decorated. Enjoyed the resort and had a great time. Weather was awesome !

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Wishes2you, you can take your flight info to the Custom House, and and one of the CM's will access the website for you so that you can check in for your flight . We have done this before with no problem.

Why didn't I think of that? We always like to do our airline check-in online and never have for our flights home. Thank you for the heads up!

 

[tubachick]

Just booked 2 nights in March (after our DCL trip)

we loved bldg 45 - Jamacia so much last year, we had to do it again!!!

Is the main pool going to be closed then, or in 2008?

 

[safetymom]

The pool is closed in 2008.

 

[tubachick]

The pool is closed in 2008.

Thank you!!!

(and thank you for turning me on to CBR last year )

 

[spacecat]

I just found out from a friend at CBR that the main pool will be closed all this week, the memo just went out on the 8th. We arrive tomorrow, and am very upset . My boys were so excited the pool is a huge part of the experience, hopefully we will get a transfer.