Caribbean Beach Resort FAQ's Part II

[ThinkTink75]

For at least the past few years, Aruba 51 was the only smoking building; now there are zero. I can't remember how far back it would need to be when Martinique 26 was a smoking-optional building.

All I know is that our CM who checked us in said- he found us a great room that was on the first floor, corner, courtyard view and that it was in building 26 which used to be smoking but now just has an area you can smoke in on the side somewhere. I never looked into it or anything, and I didn't care much since I knew there was no more smoking and I don't smoke. Either way it was fabulous!

ThinkTink -- love your photos. Thanks for posting --- I can't wait!!!

You'll love it!

Love the photos! CBR is a fav resort

A CM friend mentioned that the former smoking rooms were supposed to be refurbed with fresh paint, new curtains, new shower curtains and new beds/bedspreads ~ wondering if you found this to be the case?

Thanks!!

Everything was in tip top shape!

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

We are so excited and can't wait to go!!!

 

[pamouselover]

Jen, glad you had a great time. Thanks for the post.

25 days I can not wait!

 

[QTMichele]

Add me to the list of "can't wait to go"! I was initially a little disappointed that we weren't going to stay at the BC, but, after reading so many great responses, I'm VERY excited to experience CBR!!!

 

[ursula28]

Hope it's ok to post this here, if not sorry. Quick question for disneyjen0504: per your signature I see you've stayed at CBR and CSR. We were torn between the two, but are going back to CBR because we loved it so. Could you do a comparison of the two for me. Your review of CBR was great so I thought you'd be a good one to ask!! Thanks.

 

[NeverlandPixie]

And oh so excited! CBR King, requested corner, lakeview and close to OPR (even if one of my requests is granted, I'll consider myself pixie-dusted)!

The CM at CRO was great, patient (as we went through some other resort availaibility and prices) and a blast. After we got to talking a bit, she noticed my birthday was a month away from my ressie and told me she would note my birthday on the ressie. Then we went a little off topic and I mentioned I would be graduating this spring after 5 years of university. "So noted," she said, "we'll see what Disney can come up with for your dual celebration."

Did I mention, I'm soooo excited!

 

[Eclpz314]

Thanks ThinkTink for taking the time to post those great pics! And thanks NeverlandPixie for relating the info about noting things by the CM. DH and I are doing a first trip w/o kids since we were married 28 yrs. ago. It'll be exactly a week after our dd's wedding, and only 6 days after dh turns 60. I laugh when I think about those old commercials........'so, you've just (whatever), what are you going to do now? We're going to Disney World!

 

[deejohn]

I saw you post and we stayed at both CSR & CBR. We liked them both, but felt that CSR was more adult. It could be because of the business center and convention center at CSR, but we also felt there were more adults than kids at the place. The dining area was also more geared to adults, kinda self-serve/table service.

I don't think either is a bad choice, just different.

 

[Sabre2th]

Today is my youngest DS's Bday and as part of the celebration we went to the travel agency and booked our trip to WDW today!
We'll be staying at CBR after all and we've decided to settle for a standard room instead of something more upscale. In fact which village would you say is the most secluded?
Since we plan on driving most of the time, are there any villages close to the parking but still settled in a nice garden setting? We don't mind doing some walking, just not a lot!

 

[safetymom]

Trinidad South is pretty secluded. Many like it because it feels like a private resort. All of the villages are close to parking.

 

[pooh4evr]

I am glad to hear things are/ have been great lately we are staying there in Dec (12-20) it will be our first time staying at a "Disney Hotel" so we are really looking forward to it- all the rooms there have small refrigerators right?

 

[ThinkTink75]

Just back from a wonderful trip to CBR!
Checkin at CBR was a breeze-friendly CM who got us off to a great start! We went to the parks and when we returned to CBR at 2pm, our room was ready and luggage was there when we opened the door.

Stayed in Martinique building 25 and it was well worth it! I could not imagine staying in Trinidad South or other areas that are quite a walk although when talking with other guests, they didn't seem to mind the walk. We preferred to be so close to OPR, bus stop, and pools.

Room was clean and comfortable. The air conditioning was so great we actually had to turn it down at times! This was nice for us since I absolutely hate when the air turns off in hotel rooms due to lack of motion in the rooms!
Mousekeeping was wonderful always leaving us extra towels and towel animals. So cute!

OPR was much better than I remembered it from our trip back in 2000. The food was good to great! Really enjoyed the omelettes for breakfast! No matter what time of day it was, we never had to wait very long for food, to pay, or to find a table in the food court. Refills in our mugs were convenient and definitely saved us money on drinks.

The buses were very good. We never waited more than 10 minutes, usually less than 5. The buses were only packed on the nights we left a park at closing, and that was to be expected but we always got lucky and had a seat. Even waiting for the bus to make it around all the villages was not bad. It went by fast and didn't cause us any problems making it to parks or ADRs on time.

If you are staying at CBR for your next trip you will realy love it. The CMs were super friendly and I really can't say any negative about this resort. We really had a great experience at CBR!

Wow! We may have been vacaton nieghbors! I was there last week and we were in building 26!

I saw you post and we stayed at both CSR & CBR. We liked them both, but felt that CSR was more adult. It could be because of the business center and convention center at CSR, but we also felt there were more adults than kids at the place. The dining area was also more geared to adults, kinda self-serve/table service.

I don't think either is a bad choice, just different.

We just did CBR and I have been trying to get my boyfriend to go to the Poly for our next trip (probably in another year and half although he wont let me talk about it much now...lol).... since we are thinking of winter I thought if we cant afford deluxe maybe trying CSR.

I am glad to hear things are/ have been great lately we are staying there in Dec (12-20) it will be our first time staying at a "Disney Hotel" so we are really looking forward to it- all the rooms there have small refrigerators right?

Be sure to report back! I am interested to hear about CBR in wintER !

 

[safetymom]

Yes the rooms have a fridge in them. The resort is beautiful decorated for Christmas.

 

[agentpleakley]

I am glad to hear things are/ have been great lately we are staying there in Dec (12-20) it will be our first time staying at a "Disney Hotel" so we are really looking forward to it- all the rooms there have small refrigerators right?

We will be there with you!! 12-13 to 12-20.

This is our first time at CBR. Last year we stayed at CSR -- we loved it - but wanted to try something else -- our goal is to stay at every Disney resort.

 

[Eclpz314]

And oh so excited! CBR King, requested corner, lakeview and close to OPR (even if one of my requests is granted, I'll consider myself pixie-dusted)!
Did I mention, I'm soooo excited!

I'm still trying to decide what building to request for Dec.8th - 14th, and now you've thrown in 'requested a corner'. I don't know much about the resort, so could you tell me why you requested that? Also, it'll just be dh and I, so walking will not be a problem anywhere in the resort, but I'd also like the lakeview with one of those little beaches w/ hammocks nearby. And it could be secluded, not a problem. It would also be nice to see the fireworks from Epcot. Anyone care to tell me what bldg I want? I'm open to all suggestions! Thanks.

 

[NeverlandPixie]

Eclpz314: The corner rooms are no different than the other rooms, except that you have two windows - one beside the door, and the other on the corner wall. To me, it just gives a more airy, sunny feeling (I'm not one to close my curtains unless I'm sleeping or changing )

As for buildings, as safety mom said, Trinidad South would probably be the quietest. I've also heard that Jamaica is a nice distance away, but too far away either. You can see a resort map of CBR at Deb Willis' site, http://http://www.allears.net/acc/faq_cbr.htm

 

[Eclpz314]

Thanks! I think an extra window would be nice too. I think I have the map printed out that you're talking about. I'm trying to get my bearings. Am I correct in thinking that you can only see the Epcot fireworks and not any of Epcot itself?

 

[NeverlandPixie]

I know you can see SEE from parts of the resort. I believe if you are on the Jamaica beach looking towards OPR, you can see it. Or anywhere looking towards OPR, I think. I know I've asked this question on the FAQ page before, so the exact answer should be somewhere on these pages ... lol.

EDIT: Found it, compliments of spiceycat:

yes you can see spaceship earth from CBR - the side facing Epcot.

here is a map
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/cbrmap.htm

the front of (you also have a clear view - no trees or shurbs in the way) - no make that facing the water - Martinique, North Trinidad and even South Trinidad - the back of (not facing the water) - Jamaica, Aruba and Barbados.

 

[Eclpz314]

Thanks! I could probably just wait and be surprised at what's there, but that's no fun. I know we're talking about renting bikes and just riding around the resort to explore. I just don't want to miss any nook and cranny that's there.

 

[Sabre2th]

I checked out the map and I think Trinadad south looks just right for us! I can see it has a beach but I'd like to know for certain that there are hamocks on the beach. Is this so?