CBR construction?

[scanmom]

So yesterday I booked CBR for next week. I knew that the gondolas were being constructed there, but I had no idea the extent of it. Apparently the restaurants etc are all closed and the food offerings are limited to a buffet somewhere and a grab and go from a resort guest room. Anyway, the CM never even mentioned the construction, much less the interruption of services. I'm worried about how this will affect our stay. We have never stayed here before and were looking forward to walking around the resort and enjoying the hot tub etc. Now I' wondering if we should change resorts, or keep this one. Or maybe see how bad the construction is when we arrive and if it' too bad. If it is, maybe try to change resorts then. What would you do??

 

[HopperFan]

Been all the talk here for over a year .... this is everything you need to know.

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO READ ALL OF THE UPDATES POSTED BELOW REGARDING THE CONSTRUCTION GOING ON AT THE RESORT. THESE POSTS ARE UPDATED AS MORE INFORMATION IS OBTAINED. ADDITIONALLY, UPDATES AND LINKS ARE POSTED IN THE INDIVIDUAL "INFORMATIONAL" POSTS IN THIS THREAD.

In order to access the links, simply click on the highlighted/different color wording and it will take you directly to the posts, pictures, etc.

Welcome to the latest edition of the Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort Information & Questions thread! The thread that was started in November, 2014 can be found here.

Many of us on The Dis have stayed at the resort multiple times and are more than happy to answer any questions which you may have regarding the resort. Having said that, you may very well find that your questions are answered by a look at the first few pages of this thread. However, all questions are welcome and I hope that you'll feel free to post them and we'll do our very best to answer them.

I strive to keep the information updated and rely heavily on information posted on the Disboards to do so but, with the way that Disney is constantly growing and updating things, I may miss "new" information. Please let me know (whether that's by private message/conversation or tagging me) if you hear of changes or see that I need to make corrections and/or additions.

The pictures that I post here are either my own or credit is given to the photographer.

Should you need to email guest services, you can find the information here.
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**Beginning May 1, 2017 through *June 30, 2018 (*dates subject to change as are all things at WDW...see additional information below) the resort will be undergoing a major refurbishment. The following information was provided to Disney Travel Agents:

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort:
Old Port Royale Food Court, Shutters at Old Port Royale, Cabana Pool Bar and Calypso Trading Post.

There will be a variety of dining options available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Centertown, a dining location, will serve an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet for breakfast and dinner. A selection of grab-and-go meals will be conveniently available for purchase in three island markets located in the Aruba, Jamaica and Martinique regions of the Resort. Additional a la carte offerings will be available at mobile food vending locations. Our in-room dining will remain available. Any work most likely to cause a noise impact will not begin until 9:00 a.m.

You can use this link to access the information posted on the Walt Disney World UK site.

Guests who choose to purchase their food at the food truck can use the seating in the new dining hall.

Although there has been no official word on when construction will be complete, @dansdad provided the following per rumors that many are hearing:

***New dining and Old Port Royal, July 2018. The Skyliner Gondola system, Spring 2019. The new DVC resort, Fall 2019.

posted by @dansdad on 1/31/18: @mickeystoontown I have received confirmation that they are behind schedule and now the new dining, shopping and pool bar will not be completed until some time in December.

**Edited to add the following posts. These are listed in reverse chronological order with the newest information at the top of the list.

1/31/18: Diser @parkbr posted a review of their stay here.

1/24/18: Diser @Bellesadventure posted a review of their stay here.

1/14/18: @larie21 posted a review of their stay here.

12/6/17: Disney Parks issues the reveal of the new details! You can find that information here.

10/4/17:@granmarquee posted their review of their most recent stay here.

10/2/17: @Mollymovacca posted their review of their most recent stay here.

9/28/17: @camnhan was at the resort and posted their thoughts here.

9/19/17: @TheSunriseStudent posted their review here.

9/14/17: As Diser @WEDWDW posted here, at times there is a food truck located in the village of Trinidad

8/30/17: @Kmygrl73 posted their review of their most recent stay here.

8/17/17: @kmc8826 their review of their most recent stay here.

8/12/17: @rotlex posted their impressions here.

8/9/17: @SimonSez has kept us updated with posts during their stay. Links here, here, here, here, here, and here.

8/9/17: Diser @GBBTomorrow posted a review of their stay here.

8/8/17: @WEDWDW answered a fellow Disers question regarding the food truck that is sometimes spotted in Trinidad South. You can read that post here.

7/26/17: A fellow diser started a thread with their review. You can find that here.

Questions are being asked about the efficiency of the bus system now that the construction is going full-blast. @dansdad posted this regarding recent bus reviews.

7/25/17: Diser @luvpalmtrees recently stayed and shared their thoughts with us all. You can find that post here.

7/10/17: Diser @dinosaurgertie posted a link to aerial images of the construction. You can find the post here.

6/19/17: Diser @CTPacky posted the following info:
They have set up a temporary dock on Caribbean Cay (the Island) for the pirate cruise.

6/7/17: Diser @DavidHobart posted a very detailed post/review regarding dining at the resort. You can read that review here.

6/6/17: Numerous guests have reported that the bus system is still running as smoothly as any other Disney resort. Construction really hasn't had any effect on the bus system.

6/2/17: Theme Park Brothers frequently posts videos of the construction going on at various Walt Disney World Resort. They posted this one on 6/2/17.

5/19/17: Pictures of dinner from the dining hall can be found here.

5/17/17: A Disboard member asked if the bus stop at Old Port Royale/Centertown was still open. @WEDWDW reported the following:
Yes,OPR Bus Stop is still open.
Centertown Buffet is just outside "The Spa(Hot tub)" entrance to the Pool.

5/16/17: @WEDWDW posted the following for those looking for a late-night snack:
A little tip for any who are new to The Islands.
If you find yourself craving a little late-night snack after your Island Market has closed(10:00 PM)you will discover the only machines in the buildings are the ice machines and soda machines(and freestyles),but no snack machines.
Never fear-head straight for your Island Laundry!
There you will find an awesome machine with many drinks and snacks and you can "shop" for all you want and then "check out" and all your items will "dispense" together.

5/16/17: @WEDWDW posted the following regarding the temporary package pickup location:
Package Pickup is in Trinidad North room 3109(aka Concierge).
You can either have your "receipt" or use your MagicBand WITH some ID.
They will go to the room next door where they are keeping the Packages-they said it is FULL from floor to ceiling!lol

5/13/17: Guests are reporting that they have seen workers moving the dressers/fold down bed from rooms in the buildings in Martinique and Barbados into other buildings. *Edited on 5/17/17: @pktbMouse posted the following: My friend is there now and they are currently taking all the murphy beds out of the rooms that are to be demolished and putting them in rooms in and around Trinidad North. just some minor banging noises, nothing major.

5/13/17: Island Markets are set up for guests to pick up sandwiches, wraps, salads, snacks, etc. To view pictures of these markets, you can find them here, here and here.

Island Markets have microwaves but no toasters as of 5/10/17.

Island markets are located in room Martinique 2509, Jamaica 4308, and Aruba 5524

Pictures of the items available in the Island Markets can be found here, here, and here.

5/12/17: Some guests have received a small cooler bag upon arrival. You can view the pictures of those bags here and here.

5/10/17: @WEDWDW reported:
Tables and chairs are now in place on the little Beach across from the "trailer" that will house the new Bar.
The temporary Bar will be just to the right of Centertown Buffet and it "appears"(from looking through the "Rollin Shrubs") that Guests will walk up a few steps to the 2 "windows" of the "trailer" to place their order and then walk across the sidewalk to the beach and sit at one of the tables now in place there.
I would think the Bands would then move from the Pool area to this beach area.

5/9/17: Menus are up on the Disney site. You can use this link to access the main dining page for the resort.

5/9/17: As @dansdad stated:
There used to be a Concierge Desk in OPR, but now with the construction they have a Concierge Desk set up in room 3109 which is in Trinidad North.

5/9/17: Food truck menu was posted by @momto4obkids. You can view that post here.

5/9/17: Island Market pictures were posted by @momto4obkids. Here is where you can find the pictures.

5/8/17: @WEDWDW posted the following:
Freestyles are ONLY going to be in Buildings 25,55,52,46,43,33,34,38 by the 1st Floor ice machines.
Package Pickup is not at the Merch Truck-it is in 3109(Concierge Room).
The Buffets and Food Truck ARE eligible for DDP with the Buffets now being the only Buffets on property for one QS Credit.
All items on the Food truck are QS and Snack Credits.

5/8/17: Disboard member @momto4obkids had a friend who said it was okay to share pictures of the inside of the temporary dining hall. You can find those posts here, here, here, here, here and here. Pictures of the freestyle machines can be found in her post here.

5/8/17: You can use this link to access the CBR page on the Walt Disney World site. By using the dining link, and then this link, you can view more information about the Centertown Buffet.

5/8/17: Thanks to Disboard member @WEDWDW for posting the following review of the buffet:
I thought the Buffet was good-I guess my favorite was the Vegetable Frittatas.
You pay for the Buffet outside and get a wristband and then go right inside the tent and if you are getting a Mug Refill you walk on into the tent and go left.
There is no "mugwash" "station" so you'll need to wash out that Mug before heading to Centertown.
The Staff at the Buffet was AWESOME-as soon as you finish a plate a CM was there to remove it,as soon as a Guest left a CM was there to clean the table,the CMs would even offer to go refill your Mug for you.
CBR did the best they could in trying to "decorate" the tent,but if it walks like a tent and talks like a tent....lol
During Lunch,the tent will remain open and Guests can take their Food Truck(it is the "DHS-Themed one)food in there to eat.

5/7/17: Disboard member @WEDWDW posted the following:
A little Pool Bar news-it will be open for a couple more days probably and then move to a "trailer" by the "Dining Hall" and "Merchandise Hall".
and posted the following on 5/6/17:
Food Truck Hours:Breakfast 7:00AM-11:30AM
Lunch/Dinner 11:30AM-9:00PM
Pool Bar Hours:11:00AM-10:00PM
The Freestyle Machines are out now-they are at each Ice Machine "location".
CMs who have dined at the Buffet are very impressed.

Thanks to @AngiTN for the CBR map with what is believed to be removed from the resort map. The link to her post can be found here.

Disboard member @brewhome received some information regarding his November, 2017 trip and was kind enough to post a picture of one of the pages in the booklet. You can find that post here.

Disboard member @mel2014 posted a picture of the construction of the temporary dining area. You can find the picture here.

On 5/3/17, Disboard member @Tammy W posted the following:
Yesterday, the walkways to Custom House were closed - you cannot walk to or from Custom House. You can call for a ride, or take the internal shuttle. Barbados is closed and being emptied, as are the 3 standard buildings in Martinique. There was a pop-up gift shop "truck" parked by the pool last night.

Disboard member @lizzytizzy checked into the resort on 5/3/17 and was told the following regarding the temporary dining hall:
When I checked in yesterday, I asked the front desk about the buffet. I was told it will start on 5/8 and that it will be held under a tent at the parking lot.

Orlando Theme Park News posted the following on 4/27/17: (Thank you @WEDWDW)

To ensure Guests have convenient access to an array of Food & Beverage offerings throughout Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, the resort will be opening three “island markets” in Martinique, Jamaica, and Aruba. All of these locations will operate from 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily, offering a selection of grab & go foods (Coke Freestyle Machines will also be available). Breakfast items include cereal, pastries, yogurt, and more. For lunch and dinner, a variety of sandwiches, wraps, and salads will be available.

The resort will offer Guest soft openings for select locations on the following days:

Thursday, April 27, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Martinique: Building 25, Room 2509

Friday, April 28, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

• Martinique: Building 25, Room 2509
• Jamaica: Building 43, Room 4308

Saturday, April 29, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

• Martinique: Building 25, Room 2509
• Jamaica: Building 43, Room 4308
• Aruba: Building 55, Room 5524

These new locations are expected to be fully operational beginning Sunday, April 30.


For a while, Guests or their travel agents who were booking their reservations were offered a $75 per night gift card for their inconvenience. Then it was dropped to $25 per night. This applied for stays that fell after the construction/refurbishment was to begin. For anyone who books now, Disney is NOT offering the gift card.

**For guests who were told that they would be receiving the gift cards, you must pick those up at the Custom House.

I along with several others have been told by Disney cast members that the village of Barbados and possibly some of Martinique will be turned into DVC. They wouldn't go so far as to tell us if the buildings will be torn down and rebuilt but that's what the rumor is.

Additionally, permits have been filed to build two gondola stations at the resort. What is being said by fellow Disboard members and others on the internet is that the skyway/gondola system will be a selling point for those looking to buy into DVC. The skyway system plans appears to show the new gondola transportation system linking Disney's Hollywood Studios, Art of Animation Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort and Epcot. If you'd like to read more information about this, you can find it here.

The Orlando Sentinel posted this article on the gondola construction.
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Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, or CBR for short, underwent a major room refurbishment that began in May, 2014 and it is now complete. However, as is noted above, new construction has started.

With the 2013/14 refurb, all standard and preferred rooms were done and along with the refurb came rooms that sleep five! The rooms with pull-down beds are scattered throughout the resort and are in all villages with the exception of the pirate themed rooms located in Trinidad South.

After the standard and preferred rooms were updated, the pirate themed rooms were also refurbished. Thank you to Dave at **************.net for the pictures and review!

Additional information and pictures of the rooms are below.

This post will be updated with any "breaking news" regarding the resort.

Now, on with the show!​

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort is a tropical paradise located near Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney Springs and is considered an "Epcot Area Resort". Because of the resort’s central location, your ride, whether by taxi, your own vehicle or by Disney bus, to any of the four parks, two water parks or Disney Springs won’t be a long one.

View attachment 133214​

The CBR, one of Disney's five moderate resorts, has 2,112 rooms and consists of thirty-three two story buildings surrounding a 42 acre lake. The resort has six villages: Martinique, Trinidad North, Trinidad South, Jamaica, Aruba and Barbados. Each of the villages has it’s own quiet pool, laundry facilities and bus stop. If you are driving, you won’t have a problem finding parking as each village also has a parking area. I’ll post more specifics and numerous pictures of the resort buildings, rooms, pools, views, etc. in the posts that follow.

**The number of rooms and buildings will change as we find out more about the construction at the resort. As was posted above, all of the buildings in Barbados have been torn down and all of the non-preferred buildings in Martinique have been torn down. The link to the new resort map can be found by using the link below.

**New resort maps were posted on Facebook and you can find pictures of those here.

View attachment 133235
(Resort map prior to the start of construction)​

Let’s start out by talking about the first place you’ll visit when you arrive on the resort grounds, then, I’ll move on to the villages, rooms, food court, amenities, etc.

The Custom House​

The Custom House is where you will check-in for your reservation. If arriving by Magical Express, you’ll be dropped off under the portico at the Custom House entrance.

**Please note: Guests who booked during the time period in which the gift card was offered, you must stop by the Custom House to pick up your card.

If you completed on-line check in prior to your arrival, you should/may receive a text stating your room location. If you do receive this text, you may skip stopping at the Custom House. To view a screenshot of what your text may look like, you can view the post by @AngiTN here.

View attachment 133216
(Photo credit jensieb)​

If you are driving, you will need to stop at the guard station, give them your name and show an I.D. after which time they will direct you to The Custom House. Parking is plentiful, shaded and right outside of The Custom House itself.

Located within The Custom House are the check-in/out desks, lobby concierge, restrooms and airline check-in. There are separate lines and windows for standard check-in, online check-in and concierge and a separate area for airline check-in.

View attachment 133218​

View attachment 133217
(Photo credit jensieb)​

Large valuables can be left at The Custom House if they will not fit in the room safes. Ask for more information upon check-in.

Just outside and to the left of The Custom House entrance, you’ll find Bell Services. If you need assistance in getting your bags to your room, stop there after checking in and they’ll be glad to help you. Large luggage is not allowed on the resort buses. If you arrive via Magical Express and have nothing but your carry-on, you have a couple of choices: 1) use Bell Services to take you to your room; or 2) you can catch an Internal Shuttle bus to your village. The bus picks up just to the side of The Custom House.

Bell Services will also assist you when you check out. If you are using Magical Express, it is best that you call or go to Bell Services the day/evening before your check out date. You can schedule a time for Bell Services to pick up you and your luggage and take you to The Custom House.

**Please note that luggage is not allowed on the Internal Shuttle Bus

Keep in mind that most guests will not need to go to The Custom House except at check-in, airline check-in and Magical Express pickup. Should you need assistance while at the resort, you can either take an Internal Shuttle Bus to The Custom House or go to the concierge desk located in Old Port Royale. The internal shuttle bus, which is clearly marked, stops at each village bus stop and loops around the resort.

Check-in and check-out​

Check-in is at 3 pm, at the Custom House. There is a possibility that your room will be available to you prior to the official check-in time of 3 p.m. If your room is not available, you can leave your luggage with Bell Services and use any of the resort amenities. Once you are in your room, you can call Bell Services and they will deliver your luggage to you. If you arrive via Magical Express and you let them handle your luggage for you, your luggage will be delivered to your room.

If your room is not ready, you can leave a mobile number with the cast member who checks you in and you will receive a text when your room is ready. Having said that, some report that they never received the text message. If you are on the resort grounds and do not receive a room ready notification, you can go to the concierge desk in the Custom House or to the temporary concierge desk that has been set up in Trinidad North Room 3109.

Online check in, options and requests
​

Once you are 60 days out from your arrival date, you will get notifications in your My Disney Experience account that you are able to do online check in. You are not really checking in when you go through the online check in process. They really should call it online pre-registration as that is what you are actually doing.

You will verify your personal information, add a credit card for charging privileges to your room and you can also add room requests. You will also add an estimated arrival and departure time.

View attachment 133219 ​

Please keep in mind that requests are just that, requests, and are not guaranteed by Disney. I usually have my requests noted on my reservation at the time that I make the initial reservation. I then call approximately two weeks prior to our arrival to make sure that they are still noted. When making requests, it is best to place them in the order of importance to you.

There is no set restriction on how many requests a guest can make. But, that doesn’t mean that you can go crazy with the requests either. As a general rule, you should limit your requests to your top three. You’ll want to be sure to list your preferences in the order of importance to you. For example: 1) The XYZ section of the resort; 2) Ground floor; 3) Near the resort food court/restaurant. If you overwhelm the room assigner with your requests, they won’t know what is most important to you and may just choose one over the others.

For more information about making requests. click here.

For more information about where to find things at the resort during your stay, click here.

 

[scanmom]

Thanks. After looking at reviews and many pictures of the construction at CBR, we decided to change resorts. They had our discount available for Pop Century in a preferred room. So, we are actually saving 100 dollars, and have requested a refurbished room. I hope we get one, they look great! I'll miss the hot tub, but I just couldn't do CBR with so much construction. A little would have been fine, but not this much!

 

[megs1313]

I've read through the CBR thread, but wondered if there are any current photos???

 

[lillyshula]

I've read through the CBR thread, but wondered if there are any current photos???

I am not sure about the current photos, but I have seen several YouTube videos about the construction. There were many that gave a good look at what you can expect to see if you are traveling in the near future. I hope they keep it up for our trip in June.