Caribbean Beach Resort?

[PrincessTeddyBear]

In December, my family and I are going down to WDW. We made reservations for Caribbean Beach Resort but after reading a bunch of books and web sites I'm wondering if this was a good idea. My mom has a bad back and can only walk short distances; most of the time she's in a wheelchair; and by the sounds of it, the Caribbean Beach Resort is very spread out. My brother and step-dad really want to stay at the resort for the pool but my mom and I have been talking about switching to Port Orleans French Quarter where we stayed last time we were there because things were slightly closer. Does anyone have an opinion about this? Or maybe some recommandations. We booked the trip through AAA and they're telling us they can't promise that we'll get a close room.

 

[racheltyler]

I believe if you pay extra for a preferred location building at CBR, you are guaranteed a close room. However, considering your mom's bad back and good options for other resorts, I would recommend not staying at CBR for it is very spread out. Also, if you've never stayed at CBR, the pool there is the worst of all moderates, IMO. If you read many posts on this board, you'll find this is agreed upon by many. Very small pool for size of resort and difficult to find seating, very overcrowded and tiny hot tub in poor location. Pictures are deceiving of the pool area, IMO.

CSR is large also. POFQ sounds like your best bet for a moderate resort and nice pool also. Good luck!

 

[safetymom]

CBR is a beautiful resort. The pool is smaller than the other resorts. There are lots of fans of the resort. You might want to read the FAQ threads listed below before you make your decision.

Trinidad North and Martinique are preferred locations costing extra nightly. I wouldn't pay extra for a water view but a preferred location near the food court and pool is worth it.

I also have lots of pictures of the resort and pool on my web site.

You can't go wrong with any of the moderates but CBR is our favorite.

 

[MickiMouth]

Does anyone know how much extra a night it cost to stay in a preferred section?

 

[marriedmarylander]

If you go to disney's website and go through booking a room, usually it lists room options and shows you how much more it would be - I think it shows how much more total it would be, not pernight but you could always divide it by # nights.

 

[Mermaid02]

Does anyone know how much extra a night it cost to stay in a preferred section?

I think it's $15 a night extra for preferred location rooms.

 

[MickiMouth]

We stayed at CBR a few years ago and our room was in Trinidad north. That was before they charged extra for that section. I think I'd pay for the preferred section just so I wouldn't have to worry about being really far from Old Port Royale.

 

[estnh]

This is a beautiful resort, but if there is a question or a problem about being able to walk long distances comfortably, I would choose another resort. This is the oldest of the moderate resorts, and is not laid out very well. There is an inter-resort bus that travels the loop, but getting on and off with a wheelchair is not easy if you are just going to the food court.

We liked the resort--it is wonderfully themed and very nice. But we would never stay there again because of the layout. If you have any hesitation about getting around, I think you'll really be sorry that you didn't choose another resort.

 

[LibertyLover]

My DH and I have stayed at CBR (Trinidad North) and liked it very much. However it is a bit spread out and if you can't get a preferred location, it might be difficult for your mother. Having said that, I am staying there in May on my own for 3 nights with my DD2. I decided against paying extra for a preferred location. However, if I get there and don't like where I am, I might see if I can upgrade right then and there. I did think that the walking would be good for DD2 and tire her out some, but we'll have to see how "mom" is feeling after a very trying time at a family wedding.

 

[PrincessTeddyBear]

I just want to thank everyone for your opinions and response on this issue. My mom and I decided that the best move was to move to POFQ since everything is closer. We can't get preferred there at this point since all preferred is booked but they did say to keep trying back incase their are cancellations between now and December; but as we both agreed, POFQ isn't so large that it'll be difficult for her to get around.

 

[MickeysMommy]

On a side note, even if you could get a preferred room - some of those are quite a hike if you have a bad back. We have been lucky to always stay in Martinique and some of the rooms were in the first building as you drive in which is a little longer walk than if you were in the ones closer to OPR.

Have a wonderful trip anyway

 

[mambrose]

Hello we are booked at the CBR for over the christams holidays- DEc 20th- dec 27th. There are 14 of us going- 7 adults , 7 children- including little ones- ages- 1,1,2,4,5,7,and 10. I have been reading many different things about this resort on this site and others and seems like i am getting mixed reviews. I have a few questions- is this clean- i have read a good bit of reviews that say the walls are very dirty and need painting, that the housekeeping, things are outdated, etc- i am wondering if this is true. This will be the first time for that majority of the kids going to disney and their parents- and i want to make sure everything is nice. Also- is the food horrible? Are the rooms really snmall- or aare they smae size they would be at any of the moderate resorts?
ANd if oyu do not recommend staying here with all these kids-w here would oyu reccommend staying?

Please help- i hate being the one in charge of planning everything- becasue if ti isn't nice- it is all my fault somehow!!

 

[safetymom]

CBR is a beautiful resort. I have been in many rooms at CBR and haven't had a bad one yet.

CBR has the largest room size of all the moderates. It is in good condition.

You are more likely to read about bad reviews than good ones. If you have a good time most people won't post anything.

CBR at Christmas time is a beautiful place to be. We have done it many times.

You might want to check out the CBR FAQ thread and my links to many pictures of the resort.

 

[mambrose]

Thank you- have you ever stayed here with kids- is it a hassle to get around- are any of the other moderate resorts really any better with set up? I am jsut concerned because we have so many little ones, and we also have a child with alot of special needs coming with us.

 

[Lilolvr]

In December, my family and I are going down to WDW. We made reservations for Caribbean Beach Resort but after reading a bunch of books and web sites I'm wondering if this was a good idea. My mom has a bad back and can only walk short distances; most of the time she's in a wheelchair; and by the sounds of it, the Caribbean Beach Resort is very spread out. My brother and step-dad really want to stay at the resort for the pool but my mom and I have been talking about switching to Port Orleans French Quarter where we stayed last time we were there because things were slightly closer. Does anyone have an opinion about this? Or maybe some recommandations. We booked the trip through AAA and they're telling us they can't promise that we'll get a close room.

With short walks needed, your best bet is POFQ. For best pool, you want CSR.

 

[Hope73]

We stayed there and loved it. I don't think there is a bad location. THe food is wonderful and busses are great from there.

 

[car55]

I loved CBR. I think Martinique is a great location. its close to the food (5 min walk) and there is a regular pool there. When I go back I will try to stay there.

 

[bnk1120]

I stayed at CBR in February 2005 (President's week) and loved it. The rooms were large and clean and mousekeeping was great. They have several quiet pools which we really liked better than the main one. We only ate at the food court once- pretty much standard disney counter service. The resort is beautiful and has a relaxed feeling about it. However, it is very large. Many of the rooms are very far from the food court and if you plan on going there often this would be a real pain with all of those kids in tow! We were in the building next to the food court, so it was not a problem for us, but if I had been anywhere else it would have been. The other thing that was a problem for us here was that the busses were always full. It was difficult to stand with a 2 year old all the time! Coming back from Downtown Disney we had to wait for a second bus because the first one was so packed. Since you will also be going at a busy time of year, this is something to consider.
This year we stayed at POFQ during President's week. I wanted to stay at CBR again but my husband wanted to try this one. Boy was I glad we did! This resort was so quaint and small and really pretty. My daughter loved the pool and the boat to Downtown Disney. The room was a good size and clean. There is only one bus stop at this resort but the busses were never too crowded. The busses are shared with Riverside. They pick up at French Quarter first then Riverside and drop off at FQ first then Riverside. The one time that the bus was completely full going to the MK in the morning there was a bus that pulled up right behind it and people just got on that one. The food court is definitely smaller here and it did take quite a while to get or food one evening, which was really annoying. Next year we are going to stay at FQ again and I would recommend it to anyone with little ones. Just the small size of it makes it easier. The boat to Downtown Disney and the less crowded busses also ake it more appealing.

 

[dbm20th]

Here's a rather irreverant review written by a co-writer of mine..

http://www.mouseextra.com/2006/12/01/45/

I pretty much agree with him. I like the place, but there are challenges to staying there. The good thing is that it offers so much. It has quiet sections, fun sections, nice pool bar, etc.

 

[RAIDER]

We went in December 2006 and we were in Barbados and it was perfect for us .We were close to the entrance to get away in the mornings and it wasnt to far from the food hall . The resort is quite unique and we had a very relaxing time The private pools are an excellent size ...

My only gripe was size of the bath and the small amount of tv channels .

I would go back again however