Caribbean Beach Resort FAQ's Part II

[Eclpz314]

Thanks for sharing all the great pics! I don't get tired of looking at them at all!

 

[lourodrigis]

If anyone has any questions, I will be happy to answer!!

Thanks for the great and informative post. I'm planning to stay at CBR this January for the Marathon. I have stayed at POR before, and loved it, but this is my first trip to CBR. My only concern is that the main pool will be closed during my stay. Normally I do not care about the pools at resorts, because we usually hang out at the parks all day, however, this trip I am not bringing the kids and planned to use the pool a lot. I mainly expect to relax in the pool before and after the race.

• Would you stay at CBR with the main pool being closed?
• If yes, which building(s) would you stay at? I'm assuming I will need to stay near a quiet pool.
• Which building would put me close to some hammocks and relaxing views?
• Did the size of the resort present any problems for you?

Thanks!

 

[Bashful in TN]

UGAFan0829 - Thanks for the great review. We check-in in 3 days and you're review just got me more excited (if that was possible)!

 

[nklooz]

Hi, I am considering CBR, if we do moderate instead of value for our Sept. '08 trip.

I am really wondering about the impact of the main pool being closed.

I know that the first page of this forum says that two of the small pools will have slides put in, but, will these be small/not as fun slides? Will they be way too crowded?

Does anyone have any info. on this?

Finally, should we expected a lot of noice, etc. due to construction?

Also, will CBR be offering special rates given the construction?

Thanks in advance!

 

[safetymom]

The slide at the main pool wasn't that exciting so I think the ones at the quiet pools will be as good. As information is received I will be updating the first post.

I doubt the noise will be bad. Disney usually doesn't give discounts because of construction.

 

[Bashful in TN]

UGAFan0829 - Thanks for the great review. We check-in in 3 days and you're review just got me more excited (if that was possible)!

 

[allerobed]

I have another question! All these thoughts keep coming the closer I get to leaving -- only 3 days left!!
Does the pool at OPR have life jackets for toddlers? We stayed at BWV last year, and they did supply them. So we are hoping for the same this year. And along the same lines, does BB or TL provide them for the day as well???
Thanks again for the help!

There were life jackets for toddlers at the main pool when i was there in August. I have no idea about BB or TL. Have a great trip!

 

[Sabre2th]

I was wondering how strictly do they enforce the pool hours there at the smaller pools? If you keep it quiet, and the weather's premitting, is taking a midnight dip allowable? Or at least possible?
I won't bother asking about the clothes option; I'm fairly certain I already know the answer to that one.

 

[allerobed]

I was wondering how strictly do they enforce the pool hours there at the smaller pools? If you keep it quiet, and the weather's premitting, is taking a midnight dip allowable? Or at least possible?
I won't bother asking about the clothes option; I'm fairly certain I already know the answer to that one.

We went swimming in the pool well past midnight on several nights that we were there. We weren't the only ones. I didn't see anyone from the resort come to check on the pool...ever. I think as long as you keep it quiet they really don't care.

 

[pamjb]

I finally have some of my pictures online so I can post them here. We were in Aruba Building 51.


I have more somewhere, if anyone wants to see them

Denise

Great Pics Denise. I stayed in building 51 last December. At that time, it was one of the smoking buildings. Have the rooms being "cleaned" from the smokers? I loved the location of building 51. We didn't need a smoking room, but the smell wasn't that bad, in my opinion. Going back to CBR in December again and asked for Aruba 51. Just curions to see if the rooms had been renovated.

 

[Shooby doo]

Hi folks we have just booked to stay on-site for the 1st time at CBR,we had originally wanted CSR (mainly because it was newer & had a fitness centre) but it wasn't available.I've been told that if I keep checking back rooms will "free up" BUT would you change or stick with CBR? I used to be indecisive & now I'm not sure! SD

 

[kittythepoohbear]

Hello all! I recently returned from my first stay at CBR and wanted to share my experience. Overall it was a nice resort but my mom and I were a bit disappointed. This is the resort I have wanted to stay in since I was 12 (18 years ago!) and my mom loves vacationing in Puerto Rico so I think we may have had our hopes set very high to begin with.
Our room (Barbados 1539) was clean but the shower head leaked badly and the towel rack over the bathtub was loose. Maintenance fixed the shower head promptly but it was such a bad leak that we wondered why it wasn't reported/fixed sooner. There was also a sandwich in a ziplock bag in the fridge. My mom threw that out herself since she didn't want to get housekeeping in trouble but we got the impression that rooms get a quick once over between guests, not a thorough cleaning. Besides the sandwich, housekeeping was very friendly and did a good job of straightening up the room. No towel animals, but plenty of fresh towels and such. On our third day, I wasn't feeling well and stayed in the room all day. My mom spoke with the housekeeper in the hallway who made her sign something stating that we did not want the room cleaned that day then loaded her up with extra towels, toiletries, cups and coffee. We tipped housekeeping $5/day.
The grounds were lush and generally clean. I fell in love with all of the gorgeous tropical foliage. I wish they would grow in my PA garden! The pool areas were also nicely maintained as were the beaches. I claimed a hammock one evening to enjoy my trashy vacation novel and had the pleasure of watching a lovely sunset. My one complaint about the hammocks - bring a small pillow or something to pur under your neck as it became a bit painful to read after a while. My mom visited the pools more than I did and loved it. The water was warm, which she really enjoyed and the quiet pool was generally quiet. One day she witnessed a family of stupid guests eating INSIDE the pool and being rowdy and unpleasant. When asked to stop acting like fools by another guest, they pulled the "I payed a lot of money for this vacation and we can do whatever we want to do" card. My mom then witnessed Disney security come in ("They looked like Gantu from Lilo and Stitch!") and remove said family. She later learned that they were kicked out of the resort. Go Disney!
The food court was disappointing. As a vegetarian, they had few options beside spaghetti and pizza. My mom wasn't thrilled with her choices either. However, we were both pleasantly surprised by Shutters. We ended up eating there twice for dinner and really enjoyed both food and service both times. I had the pasta dish both times but it was so tasty I didn't mind. She had steak and prime rib. I will include a tidbit I just learned from my aunt and her husband who stayed overnight at the resort at the ame time we were there. Upon returning to the hotel after EMH at Epcot at around midnight they went in search of a snack. Not only was Old Port Royale closed, they couldn't even find a snack vending machine. They went to bed with tummies rumbling. So make sure you either have snacks in the room, you grab something at the parks, or you get to the hotel early enough to get something before they close for the night!
Bus service, which I was worried about after reading some not so good reviews, was excellent. We rarely waited more than 5 - 10 minutes for buses and perhaps 20 - 25 minutes at park closing. It was also very efficient in going through all the stops and it never felt like too long of a ride, even when we were the last stop after a day in the parks.
In all, we enjoyed our stay at CBR but we weren't thrilled. It is a resort I would consider staying in for a few days at the end of a long trip when all I want to do is lie in a hammock and look at beautiful sunsets.

 

[SkcMom]

Thanks for taking the time to write a review! Glad you enjoyed your stay for the most part.

 

[EnnEss]

Great reply Kitty. The snack thing you mentioned is true at nearly all resorts, and its absolutely ridiculous. I experience that problem regurlarly while there. What I wouldn't do for a 24 restaurant, non disney, on site somewhere that you could access via their bus system until 12 or so.

 

[mickeystoontown]

We drove in so we were able to bring along some snack foods. I always keep snack cakes, pop tarts, cookies, nuts, chips, etc. in our room. You never know when you'll get the munchies.

 

[MissMet]

Quite a while ago I remember reading about mailable (is that even a word?) coconuts that are sold in, I think, CBR's gift shop.

Has anyone seen them & preferably recently? I'll be at POP three days before my cruise & would LOVE to send them out before I get on the ship.

I appreciate any info you guys can give me.

Thanks!

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Quite a while ago I remember reading about mailable (is that even a word?) coconuts that are sold in, I think, CBR's gift shop.

Has anyone seen them & preferably recently? I'll be at POP three days before my cruise & would LOVE to send them out before I get on the ship.

I appreciate any info you guys can give me.

Thanks!

The mailable coconuts were at Old Port Royale. If you get off the bus at OPR, go in the nearest entrance and go straight ahead. They were right by the food court. I saw them at the end of August, want to say they are about $9.00.

 

[MissMet]

The mailable coconuts were at Old Port Royale. If you get off the bus at OPR, go in the nearest entrance and go straight ahead. They were right by the food court. I saw them at the end of August, want to say they are about $9.00.

Thanks!

 

[pamouselover]

I too, wish we could get some of those flowers to grow up here that they had a CBR. How about them gorgeous purple trees...
Good for CBR kicking that family out. I witness a young men saying many nasty words to the life guard will we were there. She ignored them, and I thought you need to report them.

Hello all! I recently returned from my first stay at CBR and wanted to share my experience. Overall it was a nice resort but my mom and I were a bit disappointed. This is the resort I have wanted to stay in since I was 12 (18 years ago!) and my mom loves vacationing in Puerto Rico so I think we may have had our hopes set very high to begin with.
Our room (Barbados 1539) was clean but the shower head leaked badly and the towel rack over the bathtub was loose. Maintenance fixed the shower head promptly but it was such a bad leak that we wondered why it wasn't reported/fixed sooner. There was also a sandwich in a ziplock bag in the fridge. My mom threw that out herself since she didn't want to get housekeeping in trouble but we got the impression that rooms get a quick once over between guests, not a thorough cleaning. Besides the sandwich, housekeeping was very friendly and did a good job of straightening up the room. No towel animals, but plenty of fresh towels and such. On our third day, I wasn't feeling well and stayed in the room all day. My mom spoke with the housekeeper in the hallway who made her sign something stating that we did not want the room cleaned that day then loaded her up with extra towels, toiletries, cups and coffee. We tipped housekeeping $5/day.
The grounds were lush and generally clean. I fell in love with all of the gorgeous tropical foliage. I wish they would grow in my PA garden! The pool areas were also nicely maintained as were the beaches. I claimed a hammock one evening to enjoy my trashy vacation novel and had the pleasure of watching a lovely sunset. My one complaint about the hammocks - bring a small pillow or something to pur under your neck as it became a bit painful to read after a while. My mom visited the pools more than I did and loved it. The water was warm, which she really enjoyed and the quiet pool was generally quiet. One day she witnessed a family of stupid guests eating INSIDE the pool and being rowdy and unpleasant. When asked to stop acting like fools by another guest, they pulled the "I payed a lot of money for this vacation and we can do whatever we want to do" card. My mom then witnessed Disney security come in ("They looked like Gantu from Lilo and Stitch!") and remove said family. She later learned that they were kicked out of the resort. Go Disney!
The food court was disappointing. As a vegetarian, they had few options beside spaghetti and pizza. My mom wasn't thrilled with her choices either. However, we were both pleasantly surprised by Shutters. We ended up eating there twice for dinner and really enjoyed both food and service both times. I had the pasta dish both times but it was so tasty I didn't mind. She had steak and prime rib. I will include a tidbit I just learned from my aunt and her husband who stayed overnight at the resort at the ame time we were there. Upon returning to the hotel after EMH at Epcot at around midnight they went in search of a snack. Not only was Old Port Royale closed, they couldn't even find a snack vending machine. They went to bed with tummies rumbling. So make sure you either have snacks in the room, you grab something at the parks, or you get to the hotel early enough to get something before they close for the night!
Bus service, which I was worried about after reading some not so good reviews, was excellent. We rarely waited more than 5 - 10 minutes for buses and perhaps 20 - 25 minutes at park closing. It was also very efficient in going through all the stops and it never felt like too long of a ride, even when we were the last stop after a day in the parks.
In all, we enjoyed our stay at CBR but we weren't thrilled. It is a resort I would consider staying in for a few days at the end of a long trip when all I want to do is lie in a hammock and look at beautiful sunsets.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Good for CBR kicking that family out. I witness a young men saying many nasty words to the life guard will we were there. She ignored them, and I thought you need to report them.

I completely agree!! WDW is a family vacation destination and I don't like when people use foul language around my children.