Caribbean Beach Resort FAQ's Part II

[WisMom]

Thank you CatbertDave. That's a relief. I know CBR is big and I wouldn't want to drag my luggage from the other side of the resort. Especially since I read that luggage is not allowed on the buses.

I love your pictures. We have not stayed at CBR but all the pictures and good reviews here (and elsewhere) persuaded us to try it. We love a tropical feeling so we are really looking forward to this trip.

WisMom

 

[catbertdave99]

Thanks - you won't be disappointed when you get there -- the pictures just don't do it justice. Make sure you check out Safetymom's photos in the links in her signature too! Many others have great pictures as well!

 

[ursula28]

Anyone ever take a taxi from CBR to MK or AK. We have 8:00am reservations at both Cinderella's and Donalds Breakfastaures. I thought it might be less stressful if we just took a taxi that early in am, since parks don't open till 9:00am the days we are going. Anyone have any experience taking the bus that early?? Also anyone know the approx. cost of a taxi for 4 people to go to either place. Thanks!!

 

[ThinkTink75]

Hi
Please forgive me if this was already answered, it's hard to find the time to read every post.

How would we get help getting our luggage to the customs house? We will be using the Magical Express and I anticipate that our bus will leave around 8:30 am.

Thanks
WisMom

How long before the flights do the Magical Express buses leave? How can we figure out a good approx. time?

 

[catbertdave99]

How long before the flights do the Magical Express buses leave? How can we figure out a good approx. time?

Figure about 3 hours prior to your flight... at least that's what ours was.

 

[mollyseven]

Yes unfortunately the only problem with transportation to the airport is that it is WAYYYYY too early. Our flight home was at 10am and they came to our room at 6am for our bags and took us to the custom house for checkout and had a bus for us at 630 am....we could have easily taken a bus an hour later. We had 3 hours to kill at the airport before our flight....That was nuts.
I may next time arrange my own transportation back to the airport just because of this....or insist on a later ME to the airport.
3 hours with children in an airport is crazy....plus our flight was then delayed due to a thunder/lightening storm.
Also, about the pool. If the main pool isn't available for our next trip we will stay at CSR probably because the quiet pools are TINY...about half the size of a familys home swimming pool. The whole week we were at cbr I never saw anyone in the quiet pool...I suppose that's a good thing for quiet but they are small and boring.
The main pool is fabulous for kids...even the little ones can go down the waterslide with a lifejacket and a parent at the bottom for catching. Also it was a 2 minute walk from our room in North Trinidad.

 

[safetymom]

You must have a pretty big pool if you think the quiet pools are small. I have found them all to be a very nice size. Some are larger than others.

Also there are many times at MCO you need every minute of that time to get through security. I travel quite a bit and you can't believe the lines they have sometimes. I would rather be sitting at the gate with time to spare then running to my gate and miss the flight.

 

[mollyseven]

Huh....I guess I should've said IMO but seriously they are small.
The main pool is lovely though. It's not huge but there is plenty of room for everyone and lots of seating around it and it's really close to the food court for drinks...etc.
I agree I hate to be running for a gate but seriously in all my travels around the world the advance time in Orlando is not necessary....come on it's a relatively small airport. We're aren't talking Miami or Heathrow for goodness sake ...Orlando is not an airport that you need 3 1/2 hours advance for....unless it's christmas or some other prime time I suppose.
Of course, this is just My opinion.

 

[safetymom]

It used to be very bad at MCO. Many many people missed flights. You are right it isn't a Miami but if you fly out of MCO on the weekends it can be very crowded. It also is usually a crowd that doesn't fly very often so it takes longer for them to get through.

I purchased a Clear card that allows me to bypass the long security lines at MCO. It was well worth the money.

 

[mom*to*2*princesses]

I have to reply about the quiet pools. We were at CBR for a week (4/21-28) and only used the quiet pool in our village. The main pool looked fun but was packed and that's not our scene. We found the quiet pool to be perfect. It was bigger than any residential pool I've ever seen! There were always 4-5 families/couples there when we used it, mostly in the afternoons. I also spent that time doing laundry. The laundry room was a ghost town 2-4 p.m. According to the CM when we checked in, the resort was filled to capacity.

We most likely won't return to CBR as we like to try new places, but it was well-kept and I would recommend it, depending upon one's vacation needs. I found many positives about the resort that I'd read prior to our trip to be true, but the negatives were true as well. As long as you go in knowing what to expect, it should be fine.

Kerri

 

[pixie dust 112]

I think the quiet pools at CBR are fairly large!

 

[deejohn]

How long before the flights do the Magical Express buses leave? How can we figure out a good approx. time?

We contacted bell services the night before, which they prefer, and told them our situation. Our flight was at 12:30pm, so they picked up our bags at 9am to have them ready for ME for a 10am pickup.

The pick up man was very very busy with everyone leaving in the AM and told us they were backed up 2 hours and it was a good thing that we called scheduled the night before!!!!

 

[ThinkTink75]

I have to reply about the quiet pools. We were at CBR for a week (4/21-28) and only used the quiet pool in our village. The main pool looked fun but was packed and that's not our scene. We found the quiet pool to be perfect. It was bigger than any residential pool I've ever seen! There were always 4-5 families/couples there when we used it, mostly in the afternoons. I also spent that time doing laundry. The laundry room was a ghost town 2-4 p.m. According to the CM when we checked in, the resort was filled to capacity.

We most likely won't return to CBR as we like to try new places, but it was well-kept and I would recommend it, depending upon one's vacation needs. I found many positives about the resort that I'd read prior to our trip to be true, but the negatives were true as well. As long as you go in knowing what to expect, it should be fine.

Kerri

Just out of curiosity... what pros and cons did you hear about CBR beforehand that were on the money?

 

[amy390]

Just wanted to add my opinion. Just back from 8 glorious days at CBR. Let me start by saying the resort was/is total heaven, at least for us. It's lush & beautiful with white sandy beaches and immaculate grounds. The quiet pools are great for relaxing. My DD(5) wanted to leave the parks everyday to go back & swim. Which is exactly what we did. We thoroughly enjoyed the resort as much as the parks. CBR has a very calming effect on you. We were upgraded (free) from Jamaica section to Martineque, a corner room overlooking the quiet pool. Awesome. Mousekeeping was right on everyday. Totally kept us well stocked with extra towels & many towel animals. My DD loved coming pack from the parks everyday to find all her fuzzy friends. Our room was very clean, floors, bathroom, etc. No complaints at all. Staff was always friendly, efficient and eager to please.

Food court was good with many choices, and Shutters was always crowded (which is a good sign). In fact, one of our friends who frequents the Grand Floridian told us that the Chef at Shutters also cooks for the Grand Floridian. Same food, but much cheaper prices. We had heard from numerous families who ate at Shutter that is was delicious.

We loved it so much we're booking for next May again (but staying 10 days next time)! Loved CBR and highly recommend it !

 

[brenda1966]

Thrilled to hear about your stay -- I'll be staying there the first time in October and am really looking forward to it. I have requested a room in Jamaica.

Just curious how you got the free upgrade? Did you just ask at check in: "any way I can get a free upgrade??" I'm not sure how this is done. LOL.

 

[ktink]

I have a couple of questions, please. We'll be staying at CBR this 9/2-9/9 w/ free dining. The CM I spoke w/ told me that you can view fireworks from Illuminations at CBR and I had read that here as well. What village can you see these from?

And how is Shutters? Thanks

 

[safetymom]

You can see Illuminations from several locations but our favorite spot is the beach at Martinique. You can sit in a chair or watch them from a hammock.

 

[ktink]

You can see Illuminations from several locations but our favorite spot is the beach at Martinique. You can sit in a chair or watch them from a hammock.

Thank you so much! BTW, love all of your pics.

 

[MNRMommy]

I have a couple of questions, please. We'll be staying at CBR this 9/2-9/9 w/ free dining. The CM I spoke w/ told me that you can view fireworks from Illuminations at CBR and I had read that here as well. What village can you see these from?

And how is Shutters? Thanks

We're checking in the same day. Requested Martinique so maybe we'll see ya there We are leaving the same time too but we move to the BC on the 5th.

 

[ktink]

We're checking in the same day. Requested Martinique so maybe we'll see ya there We are leaving the same time too but we move to the BC on the 5th.

Hope to see ya there! I'll tell ya what, why don't you take us to the BC w/ you. Lucky you!