Caribbean Beach Resort - Need Some Input

[lovinwdw]

DH & I are going back in October of next year (yipee!!!) I am thinking about staying at Caribbean Beach Resort. We stayed at Coronado Springs this year and I didn't like it at all. I didn't like the way the food court was run and I thought it was too much of a business atmosphere. Can you give me some input on CBR? I want to see some opinions before I book. I already know that it is a gigantic resort, but I am planning on getting as close to the main building as possible.

 

[robertchance]

I have stayed at the CBR a few years ago. it is a nice place. I have a feeling that the foodcourt there would be no different then where you stayed, in a way, all the moderate resorts are clones of each other.

 

[catbertdave99]

We stayed at CBR in April of this year and loved it. Here's the deal on the food court. At Coronado, a gratuity is automatically added to your bill -- that is NOT the case at CBR. At CBR, you walk in, mill around and get the food from whatever counter service you want it, and when you have everything you want, you go through the checkout line, and then you pick your own table, take it outside, back to your room, whatever you want. The drink station is just the other side of the checkout area and large and convenient.

My kids and I all loved the food court -- lots of good choices (though it IS a food court, and not fine dining) and we never stood around not able to find something that would really hit the spot. There is a Grab'n'Go place in the food court where you can get juice, beer, bagels, donuts, fruit, cereal, milk, etc and pay right there if you want, as well.

CBR is absolutely beautiful -- I loved it as an adult, and my two DS's (14 and 11) loved it too! Have a great time!

 

[disneymagic02]

My DH and I have styed at CBR Twice once on our Honeymoon and once in 2003, we LOVED it. It is a large resort but we really liked Aruba building 51 when we stayed there it was just a walk accross the little Island ery morning and we were at Port Royal. I would not stay in Trinidad South, that it very far from everything, Port Royal and the bus stop. Here is a link to a map of CBR. We also enjoyed the food court when we were there, here is a link to a pic of the food court. It looks like ti is outside, I love the themeing.

I hope this helps.
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/cbr201.jpg
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/cbrmap1.jpg

 

[NCombs]

My husband and I will be there in December. I'm very excited to check it out. I ended up getting a King-bed room with an email rate I received. I can't wait to be there over during the holiday season.

 

[Bashful2]

We're also planning a trip October of next year and thinking of staying at CBR. We plan on paying the little bit extra it costs to get a preferred room so we can be sure we won't be stuck far away from Old Port Royale.

We also stayed at CSR once and didn't like it. We felt the same way as you about the food court & the business atmosphere. We've stayed at a few of the resorts on all levels and, besides GF, it's the only one we didn't like.

 

[safetymom]

The food court is totally different at CBR. We didn't care for the food court at CSR. There is also a grab and go market where you can get premaid sandwiches, snacks, etc.

They do have a central check out now.

You will love CBR. You might want to check out the faq's listed below along with my web site.

 

[SeaSpray]

I have some pages of pictures and info from our stays at CBR. Click on the links below

From our 2002 trip:
http://www.brownfamilyvacations.com/html/CBRmain.htm

From our 2001 trip:
http://www.brownfamilyvacations.com/html/cbr.htm

 

[Rella Bella]

We loved CB! I thought that CSR was too huge and the desert theme just made it look barren. The tropical feeling at CB was great. The only thing that wasn't as nice was the water slide in the main pool... but that may not matter to you.

The food court area didn't have as much selection, but there was plently and it was nice. I liked that better than Pepper Market which just overwhelms me... I wander forever trying to make a decision.

 

[marc1477]

CBR is a great resort. We love it. We have stayed in Jamaica in bldg 44 and it was very nice. Its not far from OPR(food court) either, just about 5-7 min walk. Its not far from the Customs House either. Its very relaxing too, especially the hammocks.

 

[misslissa]

Hi there! My fiancee and I stayed at CBR last year and loved it. I haven't been to CSR but I imagine that there have got to be some similarities... however, we've stayed at many hotels... including lots of Marriott franchises, Hilton franchises and many 3-5 star hotels and am quite picky and I enjoyed this hotel very much. I also write hotel reviews from time to time and didn't find any complaints about the CBR at all. The only problem was one night when there was the cheerleading competition... there were SEVERAL 'kids' (and I'm only 22) in the pool and they were rather rowdy but that's it... the staff were quick to handle it.

I would recommend requesting that you stay at the "Jamaica" building... it is the closest to the main pool and food court.

As for the food court, it was my favourite counter service place during the trip!

 

[7906birch]

We stayed at CBR in August andloved every minute of it.

We were in Trinidad South, Bldg 35 with a water view. It was perfect.

The rooms were clean, the staff friendly and Old Port Royale was like a second home. The food court was good. Nothing fancy but it made a great stop at the end of the day.

As I said, I was in Trinidad South, the buildings farthest away from the main building and it wasn't a problem.

I actually requested it because of it's location. It was quiet and the walk to OPR was no more than 10 minutes. It all depends on what you like. For us, being out of the main flow was relaxing and as I said, at night it was peaceful.

The only thing was that the main pool wasn't anything special. We went there once and the kids decided they liked the pool at TS better. (Less crowded, warmer water)

Anyway, I highly reccomend CBR and can't wait to go back (October 06 hopefully)We stayed at CBR in August andloved every minute of it.

We were in Trinidad South, Bldg 35 with a water view. It was perfect.

The rooms were clean, the staff friendly and Old Port Royale was like a second home. The food court was good. Nothing fancy but it made a great stop at the end of the day.

As I said, I was in Trinidad South, the buildings farthest away from the main building and it wasn't a problem.

I actually requested it because of it's location. It was quiet and the walk to OPR was no more than 10 minutes. It all depends on what you like. For us, being out of the main flow was relaxing and as I said, at night it was peaceful.

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[Tigger2252]

My family stayed at CBR and loved it! We had to stay at CSR last year because everything else was booked, and we didn' care for it at all! The kids compared it to CB every minute. The food court at CBR is soooo much more appealing. We hated the food court at CSR and rarely went there. I also thought it was way to "Convention Center" for me. The room at CB was very bright and the grounds were really lovely. Our room overlooked the courtyard, and my daughter loved going down and sitting at the tables. I will say that our room was quite a distance from the food court and we were one of the last bus stops. But, we didn't really mind and wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[Troy08]

Have stayed trice at CBR-once in Aurba(as lovely short walk across the bridge) and once in a preferred location(Martinique). Had a great time both stays. Loved renting a bike or surrey and riding around the resort or biking over to Fort Wilderness.

The gift shops are well stocked, lots of "beachy" themes items, and the food court was not bad at all. There are lots of choices, as another poster said, not fine fining, but more then adeqate for your needs.

I found the grounds to be beautifully landscaped and the rooms are quite large. We were four and had plenty of room, even with a roll a way bed.

I think you will enjoy your stay there, yes it big but managebale if you plan accordingly.

 

[MyGoofyfamilyandme]

We went to CBR last year in may and the food court there was pretty good they have premade sandwiches and stuff and its in totally walking distance from where u might stay

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I stayed at CBR for my first trip to WDW. I loved it. The atmosphere is just fun. We really liked the food court and the layout of the resort. Also the best bus services we have ever had. I would definately stay there again.

 

[lovinwdw]

I would just like to thank everyone for their input. Our trip is booked and we are staying at CBR from 10/1/06 to 10/8/06!!! CAN'T WAIT!!!!

 

[TheWog]

Sorry to jump in here, but can you request a certain "country" such as Jamaica, Aruba, etc. when booking or does Disney decide that for you?

 

[catbertdave99]

You can request a certain area (Jamaica, Aruba, etc.) and even a certain room (Martinique 2549, etc.) -- but they are only requests, not guarantees. However, you'll find that the CM's try really hard to give you what you want.

 

[TheWog]

Great. Thank you!