Caribbean Beach Resort - second thoughts

[Shellyred8]

The other potential con to CBR is the lack of elevators.

Which, during this time of COVID-19, could actually be a benefit! No elevators = no elevator wait time.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Okay, fine. Con if a guest has trouble with stairs.

 

[bookwormde]

I am another split stay vote, 3 nights CR followed by 4 at CBR.

Make Epcot your transition day park and just monorail (if running) then mid day head over to CBR by Skyliner.

Disney moves luggage/food so that is easy.

Best of all worlds, you check CR off your bucket list, save money and are next to the park you are going to 4/6 days. of course you could use the money you save to do an extra day!!

Not sure when you are going, but being optimistic if dining plan reopens before then you should be able to do it for one of your stays and not the other if that works better

 

[cdobert]

Please keep in mind that the skyliner doesn't run when there's lightening in the area. We found this out the hard way at Epcot and it took Disney transportation 1.5 hours from the close of the skyliner to get a bus for Pop folks. Depending on your dates, this is something to keep in mind.

 

[bakerworld]

CBR is a favorite moderate resort because we like the tropical theme and now the skyliner access. Contemporary is very cold themed and, even though they've tried to update it, the rooms feel outdated (I love the Poly and I still think the rooms are very 70's). Plus the skyliner is working were the monorail is not.

 

[Dan_Mc]

Never stayed at Caribbean but it always looked cool to me. Was curious why it gets mediocre reviews....

 

[Summer2018]

Never stayed at Caribbean but it always looked cool to me. Was curious why it gets mediocre reviews....

It is a very spread out resort, and you have to walk quite far to get anywhere. After walking miles in the parks all day, the last thing I wanted to do was walk all over my resort just to get to my room. The buses have to make a lot of stops, and it takes a long time to get to the parks. The themed pool, which is super cool, was always so crowded...literally body on top of body. We were forced to swim in the quiet pool which was less exciting. The rooms are too small IMHO, and I didn't find them particularly attractive. The only improvement I see is the skyliners making transportation to some places more convenient, unless there's a thunderstorm.

On our next trip, we saved a boat load of money staying at the All Stars Music Resort, which we loved so much more than the Caribbean. The main pool is huge, so even when crowded, there's room to swim with your family and friends. Now we stay deluxe for the larger rooms and better amenities, but if I had to go back and spend less money, I would pick a value like ASM or Pop Century over the Caribbean.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I booked our first trip to WDW yesterday through a travel agent. I elected to get price quotes only for Contemporary and Caribbean Beach Resort. I'd prefer Port Orleans, but both locations are not showing availability for our dates. I decided on Contemporary, mostly since I have dreamed of staying there since I was a little girl. This stems from the fact that growing up, it was the hotel shown most frequently in connection to Disney World. I also love the idea of the monorail right into the hotel. Outside of those 2 facts, I don't have an emotional attachment to Contemporary.

After thinking about it for the whole day, I've now talked myself into switching to the Caribbean Beach Resort. I love the idea of using Skyliner. And, while money is not the only factor, I don't mind saving a little extra money by staying at Moderate vs Deluxe. But I am second guessing again, and now looking at every available option and have worked myself into an anxiety induced self doubt party.

We will be staying only 7 nights, with 6 days in the parks. The break down is 2 in MK, 2 in Animal Kingdom (my daughter is obsessed with Avatar. But is that too much?), 1 day in Epcot and 1 day in Hollywood Studios. I would like to be able to return to the hotel if needed to allow my kiddos to have their inevitable mid-day break down tantrum in the cool of our room vs in the parks.

Any pros or cons that experienced guests can pass my way? I'm feeling very overwhelmed, and just want to feel comfortable with this decision and I don't know the factors I even need to take into consideration.

Do take into account that the skyliner isn’t always running. We’re at CBR now and with summer pop up storms the skyliner has been down some and the buses do Epcot and DHS are once an hour average. It’s really not a guaranteed perk and the rooms are so dated. I’ve stayed at CR and CBR and would not stay at CBR again after this most visit.