Caribbean Beach Resort FAQ's Part II

[CleveRocks]

We're staying at CBR for the first time; was my travel agent accurate in stating that we can walk to MGM and Epcot? ("Everywhere is walking distance - if you have the time" - Steven Wright) Is this feasible? If so, should we be looking to request a particular village? Thanks for any feedback.

Well, as you've already read, you got bad information from your travel agent. He owes you an apology. I believe it should start, "Hi, this is Sal Governale ...."

 

[LM0601]

Hi Everyone,

We got back from the CBR last week. It was so wonderful. I have stayed at many Disney resorts including the Polynesian, Concierge Lagoon View last year. We decided on the CBR this year because it was less money PLUS we heard so many great things about it. We had a BLAST!

I would like to say that although the Polynesian is so beautiful and my favorite resort of all time, the Caribbean Beach Resort is in a tie for first place with my entire family.

The grounds were beautiful.

Check in was a breeze. Even though it seemed busy, I was able to check in within five minutes. The CM's were so friendly and made us feel very welcome. I paid for a standard room and requested to be near the main building and the night before we checked in, I received an email that we had a preferred room! I was so excited. The CM gave me exactly what I wanted, second floor facing a courtyard. I did not have to tell her. She had it all in her system. We stayed in Trinidad North, building 31.

Mousekeeping: Our mousekeeper, Linda, was wonderful. The day we arrived, there was a towel animal on the night stand. We forgot to tip her the first morning, however, she left us another one and arranged my children's stuffed animals nicely on their bed. I left a tip for her the following morning and she gave us TWO towel animals. We received a total of 6 during our four night stay! My boys were thrilled! Our room was immaculate..even better than at the Poly. We never, not once, received an towel animal at the Poly and we even stayed Concierge! Every morning I saw a maid making them on the third floor lounge, but we never got one. This trip at CBR we did!

The food court was nice. The selection is better at All Stars, but it was fine as we at there every day. My kids loved picking out whatever they wanted. My younger son got the Chicken Nugget Bucked three times. He now has three sand pails as a souvenir!

The pool was nice, but it really needs that renovation. I cannot wait to see how the fix it. I bet it will be great!

We rented a boat and went on the lake there. It was fun! We even saw the fireworks from the beach at Martinique on night.

We had great weather and only rained one day. It was brief and we were at Blizzard Beach so we were already wet.

In closing, we had an awesome time and we cannot wait to go back. Next time, we are going to stay at least 6 nights now that we know we LOVE it there!

 

[cdotla]

This warms my heart Me and DD4 are going in September...I love reading threads like this, and hearing your impression that it compares with the Poly.

My first and only WDW resort stay was at the Poly. It was a LONG time ago (pre 1980s) and needless to say I wasn't paying! Seeing pictures of the current Poly I literally have flashbacks to when we stayed there in the 1970s. Little appears to have changed. Don't get me wrong, I love it, but I think I would feel like I was in a time warp to stay there again.

I am quite looking forward to CBR. I have to admit that I am not a big fan of the room decor (it really needs a redo, especially those hideous bedspreads!) However, I didn't choose CBR for the room decor - I chose it for the grounds and beaches and buildings. I think it is the most classy of all the moderates hands down!

Anyway, thanks for posting and keeping the good vibes coming!

Hi Everyone,

We got back from the CBR last week. It was so wonderful. I have stayed at many Disney resorts including the Polynesian, Concierge Lagoon View last year. We decided on the CBR this year because it was less money PLUS we heard so many great things about it. We had a BLAST!

I would like to say that although the Polynesian is so beautiful and my favorite resort of all time, the Caribbean Beach Resort is in a tie for first place with my entire family.

The grounds were beautiful.

Check in was a breeze. Even though it seemed busy, I was able to check in within five minutes. The CM's were so friendly and made us feel very welcome. I paid for a standard room and requested to be near the main building and the night before we checked in, I received an email that we had a preferred room! I was so excited. The CM gave me exactly what I wanted, second floor facing a courtyard. I did not have to tell her. She had it all in her system. We stayed in Trinidad North, building 31.

Mousekeeping: Our mousekeeper, Linda, was wonderful. The day we arrived, there was a towel animal on the night stand. We forgot to tip her the first morning, however, she left us another one and arranged my children's stuffed animals nicely on their bed. I left a tip for her the following morning and she gave us TWO towel animals. We received a total of 6 during our four night stay! My boys were thrilled! Our room was immaculate..even better than at the Poly. We never, not once, received an towel animal at the Poly and we even stayed Concierge! Every morning I saw a maid making them on the third floor lounge, but we never got one. This trip at CBR we did!

The food court was nice. The selection is better at All Stars, but it was fine as we at there every day. My kids loved picking out whatever they wanted. My younger son got the Chicken Nugget Bucked three times. He now has three sand pails as a souvenir!

The pool was nice, but it really needs that renovation. I cannot wait to see how the fix it. I bet it will be great!

We rented a boat and went on the lake there. It was fun! We even saw the fireworks from the beach at Martinique on night.

We had great weather and only rained one day. It was brief and we were at Blizzard Beach so we were already wet.

In closing, we had an awesome time and we cannot wait to go back. Next time, we are going to stay at least 6 nights now that we know we LOVE it there!

 

[Jrabbit910]

Can anyone tell me about thier experiences traveling w/ a toddler to this resort? I was wondering if it is kid friendly, is it easy to get around w/ a stroller & do you think its too much walking around the resort if you dont get a preffered room?

Also, I know that they are updating thier main pool.... and I dont know if its just from the pictures that I am seeing but it looks boring (compared to the other mods) and UN-fun.... what are some of your opinions on the pool?
does anyone know if they are going to remodel the whole thing or just leave it the same and do some updating here and there?

 

[safetymom]

I think CBR is very kid friendly. I don't think the walking is bad at all with a family. The main pool isn't as big as some of the mods pools but there is plenty to keep kids occupied.

Nothing has been mentioned yet what they will be doing to the pool when it closes.

 

[lissiesmum]

I saw a post on here about bus stops and which village has the first stop when buses come around and pick you up to go to the parks (and of course I can't remember which page it was on ) Is there a village that is better over another where you have a better chance at getting on a bus first? or is it just luck of the draw as to which village the buses stop at first?

 

[lissiesmum]

The more I read this FAQ, the more questions I have I was wondering if anyone knows or has a link to the resort map or info on the rooms before the rooms all became non smoking? (or if you know off hand which buildings were smoking) I would like to request a room that was never a smoking room just in case. Thanks as always!

 

[safetymom]

Aruba 51 was the only smoking building.

 

[lissiesmum]

Thanks, Safetymom!

 

[CleveRocks]

I saw a post on here about bus stops and which village has the first stop when buses come around and pick you up to go to the parks (and of course I can't remember which page it was on ) Is there a village that is better over another where you have a better chance at getting on a bus first? or is it just luck of the draw as to which village the buses stop at first?

Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney buses start at Martinique, and from there go clockwise to Old Port Royale, Trinidad North, Trinidad South, Jamaica, Aruba and then finally Barbados before heading to either MK or DTD.

Epcot, MGM and Animal Kingdom buses start at Jamaica, and from there go to Aruba, Barbados, Martinique, OPR, Trinidad North and then finally Trinidad South before heading to Epcot, MGM or AK.

One night after MK closed and everyone seemed very tired, the driver got us to do a singing contest to decide if he would start the drop-offs at Martinique or Jamaica. I don't know if my "team" really sang louder than the other team or if he was just kidding because, as per the pattern, that bus stopped at Martinique first.

 

[lissiesmum]

THanks, Eric. I like that your bus driver had a sense of humor and made the ride home fun. We had a bus driver like that on the way to the grand canyon. Made the long trip more exciting after a long day!

 

[Sabre2th]

THanks, Eric. I like that your bus driver had a sense of humor and made the ride home fun. We had a bus driver like that on the way to the grand canyon. Made the long trip more exciting after a long day!

OK, this is what happened. I've had my heart set on French Quarter for some time now, but would not make the ressies until I knew for certain that I'd have the money to go this year.
good news is I've got enough money to make the ressies now, but I found out today that there are no AAA rooms available at FQ at the time I'm scheduled to go. However there are rooms at Riverside and Caribbean Beach. Between these two, Caribeean sounds more fun. However, we have two autistic sons who can't deal well with line lines or overly crowded buses.
We stayed at All Stars Music once and only reason why we won't stay there again is the bus service!
Is the bus service relatively decent at Caribbean, or is it usually a test of patience? At least it sounds like the bus drivers have better personalities than some who service All Stars.

 

[ursula28]

I stayed at POR in June of 2006 and CBR in Nov of 2006. All around enjoyed CBR over POR, that's why were headed back to CBR in Sept. As for the bus service, I feel CBR was much better. We never waited more than 5 to 10 minutes to catch a bus to the parks. When leaving parks the lines seemed shorted at CBR than POR. I liked the location at CBR also very close to MGM and Epcot. The only thing that I missed at CBR that POR had was the boat ride to Downtown Disney, very scenic but also very time consuming. Both resorts however are very peaceful and should be wonderful for your boys. We started out at the values but are more moderate folks now. Mainly because of the quietness and less crowded atmosphere at the moderates. After a busy day at the parks it's nice to have some peaceful relaxation on the beaches of CBR.

 

[CleveRocks]

OK, this is what happened. I've had my heart set on French Quarter for some time now, but would not make the ressies until I knew for certain that I'd have the money to go this year.
good news is I've got enough money to make the ressies now, but I found out today that there are no AAA rooms available at FQ at the time I'm scheduled to go. However there are rooms at Riverside and Caribbean Beach. Between these two, Caribeean sounds more fun. However, we have two autistic sons who can't deal well with line lines or overly crowded buses.
We stayed at All Stars Music once and only reason why we won't stay there again is the bus service!
Is the bus service relatively decent at Caribbean, or is it usually a test of patience? At least it sounds like the bus drivers have better personalities than some who service All Stars.

Every resort, from time to time, will have bus service that is a test of patience. Overly crowded buses are a Disney World tradition! ANd lines and delays can happen at any resort at any level at any time. Stuff happens.

Honestly, in your situation, you should consider the pros and cons of renting a car so you won't have to deal with overly crowded buses. I know it is an expense, versus an expense of ZERO using Disney Transport buses. But it might be better for your sons, as well as for your peace of mind. And this is coming from someone who will never rent a car at WDW because I enjoy NOT driving for a week!

 

[catbertdave99]

Honestly, in your situation, you should consider the pros and cons of renting a car so you won't have to deal with overly crowded buses. I know it is an expense, versus an expense of ZERO using Disney Transport buses. But it might be better for your sons, as well as for your peace of mind. And this is coming from someone who will never rent a car at WDW because I enjoy NOT driving for a week!

I agree with CleveRocks -- I will also never rent a car because part of my vacation is NOT driving for a week -- however, he's right. I love the fast and plentiful bus service at CBR, but sometimes the buses are indeed crowded. The transportation really is good, and other riders are pretty accomodating, but it does get crowded, especially returning from the parks at night. Just a thought.

 

[cdotla]

I am in the same boat of trying to decide whether I need/want a car. But my reasons are different - my main motivator is not special family needs, but in order to at some point during our trip get to the outlet shops. But I digress...

Purpose of my post was to advise what I discovered: car rental rates at Orlando airport are SIGNIFICANTLY less than I expected. I got a 5 day car rental (econo) with car seat for under $100!!!

The rate with the same company picking up the car in WDW/Lake Buena Vista area as opposed to the airport was surprisingly was a tad more. Instinct would have told me that the airport would have been more -shows how much I know.

Anyway, I just wanted to post about the price as it sure made my decision a whole lot easier.

However, I am still torn because a large part of me actually wanted to feel the excitement of being on the Disney bus and sharing that experience with others.

Every resort, from time to time, will have bus service that is a test of patience. Overly crowded buses are a Disney World tradition! ANd lines and delays can happen at any resort at any level at any time. Stuff happens.

Honestly, in your situation, you should consider the pros and cons of renting a car so you won't have to deal with overly crowded buses. I know it is an expense, versus an expense of ZERO using Disney Transport buses. But it might be better for your sons, as well as for your peace of mind. And this is coming from someone who will never rent a car at WDW because I enjoy NOT driving for a week!

 

[pamouselover]

I had my heart set on staying at POFQ this year also, till I came upon saftey moms pics a couple months back
I understand having children who are autistic.
My friend who stayed at CBR and loved it, has a child who is autistic.
I dont know the how autistic your child is, but hers did fine.
She told me if it was very loud she made him put in his ear plugs.
I hope that helps!

OK, this is what happened. I've had my heart set on French Quarter for some time now, but would not make the ressies until I knew for certain that I'd have the money to go this year.
good news is I've got enough money to make the ressies now, but I found out today that there are no AAA rooms available at FQ at the time I'm scheduled to go. However there are rooms at Riverside and Caribbean Beach. Between these two, Caribeean sounds more fun. However, we have two autistic sons who can't deal well with line lines or overly crowded buses.
We stayed at All Stars Music once and only reason why we won't stay there again is the bus service!
Is the bus service relatively decent at Caribbean, or is it usually a test of patience? At least it sounds like the bus drivers have better personalities than some who service All Stars.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Well, I want to thank all of you who have posted your wonderful experiences at CBR. My family has had a MYW with DDP for 9 days booked at GF, and for some reason the who vacation was not sitting well with me, so today DH and DDs and I jumped that ship and booked a 10 day stay at CBR and saved over $1000 we are so excited. We can't wait now!!!!

 

[EnnEss]

I'm sure the extra 1000 will come in handy on your trip! Enjoy yourselves.

 

[tsd1202]

Does anyone know how much can you really fit into the refridgerator?