Caribbean Beach Resort FAQ's Part II

[KimRaye]

Do they make sure each person has their room key with them when you get into the pool? (I know they don't do this at Pop, but I've never stayed at a moderate.)

To answer THIS SPECIFIC question..NO, they do NOT require a room key at any of the pools.

 

[cinderella_mom]

Just double checking - all the moderates have fridges in every room, right? I'm bringing the milks and yogurt smoothies that don't have to be kept cold.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Just double checking - all the moderates have fridges in every room, right? I'm bringing the milks and yogurt smoothies that don't have to be kept cold.

There are refrigerators in all the CBR rooms.

 

[latrischler]

Our first trip to Disney resort (CBR) is in September!
We have been doing a lot of research, there are a couple questions DH has that I haven't been able to find:

1. From CBR to the parks - we know there are shuttles - from the parks to CBR how frequent? He is wondering if we should drive our car and park at the parks for more flexibility???

2. If we drive our car to the parks, is parking included as a WDW resort guest? (we will be driving to WDW, rather than flying)

3. Is there a shuttle from CBR to other disney places (not the 4 majors) - like Downtown Disney, or the Boardwalk area?

Thanks!

 

[catbertdave99]

1. The buses from CBR to the parks and from the parks to CBR seem to come every 15-20 minutes, sometimes sooner. Your car will give you more flexibility, but I always enjoy riding the bus into the park and watching the lines of cars waiting to get into the parking lot as our bus races past.

2. I believe it is, but I've never driven -- always used the buses.

3. Yes, to Downtown Disney, at about the same frequency, yes to the water parks (TL and BB), no to the Boardwalk area. You can walk to the Boardwalk from the World Showcase entrance of Epcot, or take Disney transportation to the Boardwalk resort from the other parks.

 

[jessi1375]

Just finished reading the ENTIRE THREAD, WHEW, talk about a lot of infomration! I will be at the CBR for my birthday and free dining September 12-16 and can not wait!!!!! This board has been so helpful and I appreicate all of the work that goes into keeping it updated!!!! Keep up the good work! I do have one question......do you get to keep the towel animals?

 

[tammy1210]

We got back from a week at CBR yesterday and I wanted to thank Safetymom and the others that reassured me around Christmas when I had read a lot of negative reviews, and talked me out of changing my ressies!

We had stayed at AKL in 2004, and though we liked the animals, and the lodge was beautiful, we weren't overly excited with our room - which we thought was kind of small - and they are in comparison to a lot of hotels now. So,when it came time to book this vacation, we really couldn't afford a deluxe, and that was one of the reasons we chose CBR - the rooms were not really smaller, but I was afraid about going from a deluxe to a mod anyway - my fears were put to rest. We LOVED CBR - more than AKL.

We checked in last Sunday afternoon - around 3:30 - no waiting to check-in, but our room wasn't ready. They had shampooed the carpets, and they had to dry - they checked us in, and gave me a number to call at 4:30 for our room number. So, we decided to look around for a while - we had 5:30 ADR's at Spoodles so I didn't want to dawdle too long. Of course, just about then one of FL's famous thunderstorms came up - with hail and all - and lasted much longer than most. We ended up leaving from Old Port Royale and going straight to Spoodles for dinner - then, finally, back to our room. We were in Martinique - building 26 on the first floor.

I was so happy to see our room - it was great - there was plenty of room for the four of us - and I think the fact that the beds are so high makes a huge difference. We put all four suitcases underneath - out of the way. We also had a corner room - I'm not sure if there's a big difference, except an extra window? There was one towel animal waiting for us that thrilled the kids - I was glad because I had heard a mixture of whether or not we'd get them there - the next day they got FOUR more - but that was it for the week. They would have rather gotten one a day, but they were happy! The room was spotless - of course, the carpets were clean, the bedding and linens were spotless, no bugs (I'm referring to some of the posts that scared me), plenty of soap and shampoo, extra towels and washcloths left daily. The refrigerator, tv, ac, and clock worked perfectly - and I LOVED having a ceiling fan in our hotel room - not that you needed it the AC worked almost TOO well!

The courtyards and greenery outside was amazing - I loved walking out and seeing all of it. My dd had to point out every flower each morning for us. Every evening at 9:00 we heard the first BOOM from Illuminations and we'd all go outside our room and watch - amazing! I'm probably going to miss that most of all.

We tried to hit the parks early each day and then came back to the room around 3pm - worked out well with the two kids, though I think there was actually two days that we got "naps." We really enjoyed the food court for breakfast and a couple of lunches - there was something for even the choosiest person. We ate at Shutters one evening and we all enjoyed it. We only went to the main pool once - it stayed packed - you couldn't even find a lounge chair, but we went to the "quiet" pool almost daily - there were never more than 15 people there - usually less than 10 - the kids loved it.

Saturday we rented the little motorboats, but were a bit disappointed because you could only go in a small section of the lake - not under the bridge because of the water level - however, since the area was reduced they only charged 1/2 price. Saturday night I finally got a chance to lay in the hammock on the beach nearby our room - it was just heavenly to lay there surrounded by all of that beauty!

All in all we had a great week - it was wonderful family time and probably the best vacation we've had yet - best of all, dh is ready to go back to CBR!

 

[lazidazi07]

Thanks for the great report! I'm so excited to go...NEXT WEEK!

 

[safetymom]

tammy1210 I am glad to hear you had a great time!

 

[ziggybaby]

I have a question. Which island would you reccomend? My fiance and I are staying here for our honeymoon. I requested a king suite but I don't want to end up in Trinidad south and I was thinking of requesting Aruba or Jamaica. We are both non smokers and would rather not have to deal with alot of screaming children (I love kids but it is our honeymoon).

I'd like to ask the same question, but we are both smokers, any recomendations

Many thanks

​

 

[safetymom]

Jamaica or Aruba seems to be the favorite of many. As far as smoking rooms I would take a look at the maps posted to see where the smoking areas are and request a room near them.

For a honeymoon you might enjoy staying in Trinidad South. Since it is more remote you will feel like you have your own private resort. Did you pay for a king bed room or just request one? They are a category that you can pay for.

No suites at CBR but lots of lovely rooms.

 

[lazidazi07]

I'm sure this has been answered somewhere, but I cant seem to find it.

How do most people manage to get from the Custom House to their room? It looks like a bit of a walk to Aruba or Jamaica (crossing our fingers for those!) from the Custom House. Do you get on the internal bus with all your luggage or do you just walk? We have a towncar service so driving to our village isnt an option.

TIA!

 

[CleveRocks]

I'm sure this has been answered somewhere, but I cant seem to find it.

How do most people manage to get from the Custom House to their room? It looks like a bit of a walk to Aruba or Jamaica (crossing our fingers for those!) from the Custom House. Do you get on the internal bus with all your luggage or do you just walk? We have a towncar service so driving to our village isnt an option.

TIA!

Bell Services will deliver your luggage to your room. If they aren't very backed up, they will load your luggage in a van right then and there and drive you and your luggage to your room. If they can't give you a ride, you can walk or take the internal shuttle. As long as you are healthy and the walk won't be a hardship, it'll likely be quicker to walk if you are in Aruba. Jamaica will be a little farther, but just a little. It sounds like you requested Aruba or Jamaica, but I'm sure you realize that you might be assigned a room anywhere.

Luggage (other than a carry-on or backpack) is not permitted on Disney Transport buses, even on the CBR internal shuttle, which is a regular Disney Transport bus just like the park buses.

 

[lazidazi07]

Thank you!

 

[pperfectmom]

I have a question that is OT. What is the nearest large grocery store to CBR and how do we get there? I don't really care what chain it is or anything, just the easiest to get to that would have a good selection.

Also, another more "on" topic question. We requested a courtyard room on the first floor so the kids could play while we sat and watched. This was before they put the smoking areas in the courtyards. Has anyone been there since the change to tell me what it is like? I'm not terribly concerned about a few smokers every now and then around my kids, but I don't want them to be playing in an area with a ton of smoke. Does that make sense? I just wondered if I should change my request. Also, if you have a 1st floor room other than courtyard are there chairs around where you can sit and relax or should we plan on bringing a few folding ones? Thanks wonderful CBR folks!!!

 

[kelleigh1]

safetymom: I'm turning to you for your expert opinion and because your last post just made me think. Hubby and I are heading to CBR after Thanksgiving. We have requested Jamaica, but now I'm thinking, might Trinidad South be a better option?

It's just the two of us and we will be renting a car. We might like the secluded atmosphere.

Do you think that it would be even more private at that time of year? Would there be any drawbacks to staying there rather than Jamaica? (We requested Jamaica because we were married in Jamaica, but aren't the "islands" at CBR basically the same?)

Is it a ridiculous walk from Trinidad South to Old Port Royale?

 

[safetymom]

kelleigh1, you might like Trinidad South. It is about a 10 min walk to the food court. You would always drive up at park at Old Port Royale instead of walking. It is like a private resort staying in Trinidad South. The islands are all basically the same.

 

[kelleigh1]

Thanks! I printed out the map and I'm going to talk to hubby. He usually wakes up before me and goes for a walk in the morning. Last year, we stayed at POFQ and we were probably a stones throw from the main building, so his walk to fill our mugs was short. He may like a 10 minute walk (each way) even better.

 

[Magalex]

I have a question that is OT. What is the nearest large grocery store to CBR and how do we get there? I don't really care what chain it is or anything, just the easiest to get to that would have a good selection.

Also, another more "on" topic question. We requested a courtyard room on the first floor so the kids could play while we sat and watched. This was before they put the smoking areas in the courtyards. Has anyone been there since the change to tell me what it is like? I'm not terribly concerned about a few smokers every now and then around my kids, but I don't want them to be playing in an area with a ton of smoke. Does that make sense? I just wondered if I should change my request. Also, if you have a 1st floor room other than courtyard are there chairs around where you can sit and relax or should we plan on bringing a few folding ones? Thanks wonderful CBR folks!!!

I can answer your question about the courtyard. We just came back. We stayed in Jamaica Bldg 44 courtyard 2nd floor. I never saw any smokers in the courtyard or alot of people enjoying the courtyard. We had a small breakfast at one of the tables during one morning. It was nice.

 

[catbertdave99]

That's great to hear -- we had a 1st floor courtyard room (Trinidad North 3128) in March and loved it. We had the courtyard to ourselves just about all the time, and really enjoyed it. Thanks for the update.