Caribbean Beach Resort ** NEWS & VIEWS **

[jaguar9748]

I would guess that since Disney announced that some of the CBR CM's may not have positions for a few months that morale might be a little low. After all, folks have bills and responsibilities and there are probably a lot of worried folks. I really feel for them.

 

[Jinnyboom]

Its 8pm ET and here is the current status:

OPR/FQ both available at the same rate as CBR.

AKL Savannah available for $116.50 per nite. Standard rooms also available.

WL Courtyard available for the same price. I believe (may be wrong)...that there were no woods/standard rooms left.

Poly....SOLD OUT for these dates.

 

[kymgfan17]

We have been moved all around too. We started at the Pop Century for Sept (14-20) then that opening was delayed so we switched to CBR, then this happened. We booked thru AAA who didn't know a thing about the closing we I called. She said they would call her and to just wait. Today I was so nervous after reading all the posts, I called her today and we ended up getting AKL Savanna view for only $20 more a night.
I am soo excited to stay there. I have never been there so I am looking forward to it.

 

[cindyfan]

We have had some issues with the CMs at CBR!
The worst was at checkin....
He insisted that there were no other rooms in the ENTIRE resort except rooms at Trinadad SOUTH!! To make a long store short, it wasn't until I asked for the phone to call another resort that he told us to wait a minute. Then went in the back room and came out with a whole list of other rooms!!!!

I also had an issue with a CM at the gift shop...she totally ignored me and DD for what seemed like forever because she was looking for something in the newspaper!!! Then was rude when talking to us
And from what we experienced at the food court....most of them were simply not friendly!!
So that is why we decided NOT to make ressies at CBR for Oct. SOOOOOO now that is why we won't be at the Poly!!!! BOO HOO

 

[honeymom]

Definitely call and ask for CBR relocation team.

My sister had been afraid she wouldn't get Poly for Mickey's Scary Halloween weekend (she'd been booked at CBR and doesn't like the other moderates)so she jumped the gun and called and moved to Poly for $189/nite. I told her about the $109 rate that I read about here. She called back and was put through to the special team. They graciously changed her to the lower rate ($119 in her case - 5 people in the room caused the extra $10) no problem. Talk about Disney Magic.

I don't think there is any reason for anybody to wait for a call this time. If they were willing to rebook my sister at the lower rate, I don't see why they wouldn't offer people the lower rate. Just ask for the special CBR team.

At that price, I wish that I was going too. Oh well, at least I'm headed for Disneyland in a couple of weeks.

 

[Jinnyboom]

I too had CBR ressies for December with DC.....called a half hour ago and was put through to the "special team" with no problem whatsoever...got AKL Savannah for only a few dollars more per night!!

 

[Tesabat]

Kid at heart - we had this same experience a couple years ago - but not with CBR - with WL. I had been reading construction at the villas and there wasn't a clear consensus on any boards as to what stage it was at, how noisy. After numerous info calls that were very vague, I finally called WL. First person I spoke to was really, really nice...but didn't know the answer to my question...she hooked me up to someone else..and oh MY gosh...if I had to judge the whole WL on that one person, well, it would not be favorable. You know the people that talk with that sarcastic TWANG in their voice - thru their nose - like they are just SO much smarter than you and what are you doing even BOTHERING them with your stupidity?? Well, that was this guy. He REEKED of it. He gave me my answer, but I hung up the phone and thought - what are we getting ourselves into?? Take me back to the All Stars, Off site - anywhere - but here!!

Well, when we got to the WL - I have to say - these were the NICEST group of people we have EVER met. We fell in love with this place...and it wasn't just the theming, it was the PEOPLE behind the theming!! They made it come alive. Everyone, from the CM covering the pin cart in the lobby, to the chef at Artist Point was friendly and made you feel like they meant it! It was in their eyes...you could SEE that they were enjoying their jobs and their surroundings. We thought - WOW!! These people genuinely like their co-workers and their positions, and their managment staff!

Now...does that mean "everyone" will? Absolutely not. Hey, I've been there - trying to coach along an un-coachable person! So - that first person I got on the phone?? Well, hopefully, with an attitude like that he was gone...because, trust me, his co-workers and the management staff would not have liked him very much either! You run into those types of people everywhere...even Disney. It truly isn't an indication of the PLACE - only the PERSON!!

Now - that being said - facing a layoff is not fun. Probably many of us on this board have become intimately aware with that process - I know my family did! I would approach the staff there with understanding, and trust that the vast majority are decent people, working hard, making a wage to support families...and most of the working world tends to stick to their jobs and make the best of unfortunate situations! I'd be worrying too ( I certainly was about the WL ) but, in the end, it turned out to be needless worry.

Enjoy your vacation!!

 

[Palenque]

We had reservations for Caribbean Beach Oct 24-27 with
a post card offer of $89 a night with a free night after the third night providing we toured the Disney Vacation Club.

I had to change resorts with these choices ONLY
Animal Kingdom Lodge $ 129 night before tax
Wilderness Lodge $ 129 night before tax
or select another Moderate at same price of $ 89 night before tax.

Polynesian was NOT an option available on this code.

We went with Coronado Springs.

 

[Tesabat]

You do realize everyone staying at AKL standard - not even savannah- at, even a code rate, is extremely jealous?? Well, maybe not everyone, but I sure as heck am!

I wouldn't hesitate to upgrade to a deluxe....these are great prices. Having stayed at both deluxe and moderates in the past (POR), IMHO, there is "something" extra at the deluxes.

Either WL (my favorite place so far) or AKL would be very nice at these prices. Really!! And, depending on religion, WL is supposed to be very nice during Christmas. I've seen pictures of their decorations...and many people state it is the best time to go there. We loved the WL in early November. I think with either one, you couldn't go wrong.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[BeanoC]

We were initially upset, because we all love CBR and it had become our "home away from home"... but I too decided not to wait for a call from Disney, and this morning I got through to a VERY helpful CM who upgraded us to the Poly and it actually - are you sitting down - SAVED me $15.00!

When I made my original CBR ressies, there were no discounts available for that time period and/or that moderate. But since we were set on staying there and nowhere else, I paid the higher rate; darn near rack rates. Well, with the special offer to upgrade to the Poly, along with a DC discount, I do in fact save 15 bucks by moving from CBR to the Poly. Not bad huh?

So, my family has gone from upset to excited! Poly here we come...

My only concern now is this:

Supposing that CBR was fully booked or near so, that means you have displaced over 2,100 families - not people - FAMILIES. So that's maybe 8,500 people that all have to squeeze into the other resorts. Point is, I wonder if these other resorts, namely the Poly, WL and AKL will seem overcrowded with "CBR castoffs" during the closure period... Just a thought. Hope not!


'Beano'

 

[Princess_Aurora]

It just hit me. I couldn't figure out why everyone was getting better rates than me when they took the upgrade from CBR to AKL. I just figured it out. We have 4 people in one room. DUHH! So $126/night for four people in a savanah view room isn't that bad then, huh?

 

[BeanoC]

I got an upgrade to the Poly during our October stay in WDW. Then I got to thinking...

If CBR is anywhere near capacity, you are talking roughly in the neighborhood of what - 8,500 people??

(2,112 rooms x 4 per room on average = 8,448)

If all those people are placed in 3 other resorts, won't those resorts be wall-to-wall people??

As you all know, CBR is a HUGE resort, and all those people gotta fit somewhere, right? Seems to me it could mean alot more sardines in a smaller can, so to speak...


Thoughts?


'Beano'

 

[disney mnms]

I, too am headed to Poly. I must say that everyone I talked with about the CBR closing was very helpful and informative.
I was told that 1700 Reservations were displaced due to refurbishment.
I can't wait!!!!

 

[Tesabat]

First - no, I would kill for that rate! And, second - is that an extra adult?? If so, you are correct...that includes the "extra" adult rate. Wow - AKL!! I know that's very different from CBR...but, my whole family thinks we are going to CBR and I'm surprising them with AKL...so, I think it is great! Enjoy!!!

 

[robinb]

I know I said I would wait for "The Phone Call" after my call to CBR Relocation Team crapped out, but I am so jealous about all of you staying at the Poly, at the WL or AKL I can't stand it .

So ... has anyone received an upgrade for Christmas Week?

 

[CarolMN]

I sincerely doubt that the CBR was anywhere near booked to capacity. I'd be surprised if it was even booked to 50% of its capacity. September, October & November are traditionally slower periods for WDW and resort occupancy levels have been depressed due to the economy. (I know October was recently changed to regular season from value season, but IMHO, that was mainly due to the convention business). FWIW, guests of the CBR are being spread to the other moderates as well as to the Poly, WL & AKL.

Even if the Poly, AKL and WL end up booked to capacity, I don't think that necessarily makes for a "crowded/bad" resort experience. If it did, why do all those people keep going back at the very, very crowded Christmas time? (And they are even willing to pay rack rates)! We usually stay at the BWV, which is almost always booked to capacity (sold out DVC resort). We've never felt that a full resort negatively impacted our enjoyment.

JMHO. YMMV.

 

[CarolMN]

That would be truly awesome! However, my understanding is that the CBR will be open again by the start of the Holidays. My guess is that it will be open no later than 12/20 (start of the peak season).

 

[Jinnyboom]

Thank you for your comments....

I myself chose AKL for these dates because we already have WL reserved for the last two days of our vacation...(I can't wait to stay at the WL)!!!!!!

You may find this hard to believe....and trust me...I LOVE WDW...and would be happy to stay anywhere....but...the AKL would have been my LAST choice.....(just not being familiar with the resort I suppose)....am doing some research now...and am starting to get more excited about the AKL....

Thanks for the encouragement!!!

 

[robinb]

Yeah, I know. A girl can hope, though .

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by robinb
Yeah, I know. A girl can hope, though .

Indeed, she can! Hope you get an upgrade!