CBR -- Getting Worried

[Terk-1]

I'm booked at the Caribbean Beach in less than 30 days and after reading all of the comments on the ratings board, I'm getting really nervous.

There are several bad reviews and I'm worried I'm going to have a bad visit there. I've been trying for months to transfer the entire reservation to the Wilderness Lodge, but nothing yet.

Am I worrying for nothing?

 

[Laura]

Well, I don't know what others have been saying, but I had a great time when I stayed there. I like the moderates myself.

 

[Divamomto3]

I have never stayed there, but I've never had any of my friends rave over it. Friends just stayed there in July as part of the land and sea package and said it was worn down and the restaurants were terrible. I have no first hand knowledge of CBR though.

You're going to get some people that love a resort and some people that absolutely hate the same one.

 

[susy]

I have stayed there, and while I prefer CSR, CBR is really nice and I would not hesistate to stay there again. You will really feel like you are on "vacation" there. It's very colorful and tropical. The rooms are very nice (I prefer them to CSR's rooms) and the food court area was just redone. Don't worry. When you get there, just get a drink at the poool bar and relax in hammock. Oh yeah, we had the CUTEST towel animals there. have fun!

 

[2MuchOhana]

When reading reviews you have no real way of knowing what the person was expecting. I have read good and bad reviews for every single Disney Resort! I know that may seem hard to believe. Everyone has their own personal view and expectations from a resort. You will either love CBR, find it okay, or hate it. There is no way to tell until you try it.

I have no other resort to compare things to. I have enjoyed my stays at CBR. But it is not a place for everyone. If you are spoiled by the deluxes you may not appreciate it there. It is very large and spread out. The food court and main pool may be a 10 minute walk away. We have been blessed with good bus service. We know that it stops at all the Islands not just ours. If it is too crowded we wait for the next bus; but we haven't had to do that even in summer time. FYI: The rooms and food court have been redone.

I can't begin to tell you what is best for you. Only you can decide that for yourself. Regardless of what you do. Hope you have a good time!

 

[ead79]

I agree--you will find good and bad reviews of every resort. As a matter of fact, I was not very pleased with my stay at the Beach Club, even though it gets very consistently positive reviews here. I always say to go and form your own opinion. I know I have seen lots of posts from people who have liked CBR much better now that the rooms have been redecorated and refurbished.

 

[bnelvr]

We will be staying there also in Dec. I think that it really doesn't matter where we stay as we will be doing the park thing and only in the rooms to sleep. When I was at PO years ago, I thought it was a shame that we paid all that money and didn't even take advantage of the hotel. You will have a wonderful time where ever you stay! Just want clean beds, bathrooms and NO bugs!

 

[noel]

We'll be checking into the CBR this coming Sunday.....

We stayed there a few years ago and thought it was very nice. We just never went back because we wanted to try other resorts. The atmosphere was very relaxing.

Our room was plenty roomy for 3 adults and very clean and seemed to have been well kept.

The food court was nothing spectacular, but then again I've yet to be a spectacular food court. The breakfast food was good and portions were decent.

I'm sure you'll have a great time...I know I will!

 

[afsi3838]

We stayed at CBR last january. It was my first time on property, besides from when i was a kid, and i thought it was really cute. It is very colorful and serene. We took a number of walks at the beach, played in the hammocks, and walked up and down the islands. The rooms are clean and brightly decorated. From the moment you arrive you really feel like your in a carribean atmosphere. The shuttle services and the amazingly nice cast members made our stay even more enjoyable.
I would agree with the others. everyone has there own thoughts on a resort. just go to it with a open mind and a determination to have fun and you'll have a blast. Keep us updated after your trip

 

[jordanyosh]

I don't know how a person can say CBR was worn down, especially since they just completed a major rehab of the resort.

CBR is a nice resort. I like the fact that each village has it's own quiet pool in addition to the main pool. Depending on which village you are in, it can be very quiet. We loved staying in Barbados which is farther from Old Port Royale, the food court. However, it was also much more peaceful.....

But as everyone has said, everyone has their personal preferences. I have stayed at CBR, BWV, WL and YC and loved each one for different reasons.

Good luck. You will have a great time.

 

[PamOKW]

Myself, friends and family ranging in age from single 20 somethings to 60+ grandparents have all really enjoyed CBR. For some reason, it consistently is berated on Internet boards. My first-hand experiences have always been great. I really feel like I'm on a tropical vacation when I stay there and it is very conveniently located.

 

[safetymom]

I am here right now at CBR and it is as beautiful as it ever was. We have stayed here many times.

If you are referring to the reviews on the DIS boards I don't think the questions are very good.

You will have a wonderful time at CBR.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

We just were at CBR, earlier this month. We enjoyed the resort. We had a very good location, and I think that helped alot. We were in Martiniuqe #26, and very close to the food court, and big pool. I did hear a lot of complaints, from people, who were farther away.

We ate at Shutters one night, and thought the food was very good, and the restaurant was relaxing.

The main pool was crowded, but not too crowded to enjoy. We enjoyed the quiet pools too.

Bus service was decent. It did seem like a long drive around the resort though. On the crowded nights at the parks, the busses seemed to come one right after another. We would usually wait so the kids could sit, if it was crowded.

My only major complaint was check-in. We waited 1 1/2 hours in line, and then it seemed like forever to go through everything. The bellmen outside were overworked, and quite grumpy. 2 different ones would not take our bags, until checked in. Kind of crappy to have my DH sit and wait with luggage, while trying to keep 2 hungry kids happy. The person who checked us in apologized, for them not helping more.

I haven't stayed in the deluxes so I can't compare. I would prob. stay at CBR again. I would want the same bldg. WIth the price for the preferred rooms starting, that may switch me back to CSR.


Have fun. Don't worry.

 

[wltdsnyfan]

We just stayed at CBR this past August for 8 nights. It was great. It is not a Dolphin or Swan. But it has what you need. There is a food court that everyone in your part can have what they want. I also agree with the other person. they just did a rehab on Old port Royal. We have been staying there since it opened.

 

[DebbieB]

We've stayed there twice, once in 1998 and once last month. It is my favorite moderate, I love the grounds. I'll be there tomorrow night for 1 night, I have business in Downtown Orlando on Monday & Tuesday, I couldn't go there without at least one day at WDW!

 

[powellrj]

We were just at CBR in June and had a wonderful time. Its very bright and tropical. If you want something cool and modern this isn't your resort, but if you like an island feel this is the place.

 

[Terk-1]

I knew I was getting nervous for nothing. I have to agree that you have to experience a resort for yourself to know if you like it or not. For example, I tried Port Orleans Riverside once and did not care for it (combination of the resort and the cm's). Stayed at the Music and did not care for it, but stayed at the Movies and loved it. I tried the Wilderness Lodge once before and really enjoyed it, so I'm heading back there again on this trip (plus I was able to get the AP rate).

When I originally made the reservation, I tried to get the Wilderness Lodge for the entire stay, but they were sold out the first 2 nights, so I took the CBR. I did specify that I was going solo and would like a room in one of the Martineque buildings for security purposes. I'm not saying the resorts are not secure, but rather that I would be more comfortable having a room closer to the main building. The cast member on the phone was very nice and understanding and did put the building request into my reservation. When I called on Friday to check availability at the WL, the CM stated that it was still sold out for the days I was looking for, but to keep trying back, since you never know what may open up with cancellations, etc.

Now a quick question. Say I call the week of my trip and the WL opens up with an AP rate (not planning on it happening, but you never know). Can I make that change or is it too late? I did book room only through CRO. How long does it take for a deposit from one ressie to make it onto another?

Finally, is it too early to start packing? I'm just getting too excited about going!!!

Thanks again everyone!!!