CBR- is it really that bad??

[chucklhd]

We're scheduled to arrive at CBR this Tuesday for 4 nights with my 5 month old daughter. I've read some horrible reviews on here and on trip advisor. It's been years since we've stayed here. We've stayed in many of the resorts but decided to go back here for the free dining. So how bad is it really? Will it be hard to get a crib instead of a pack n play? How's the food court these days? It used to be good years ago.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We're scheduled to arrive at CBR this Tuesday for 4 nights with my 5 month old daughter. I've read some horrible reviews on here and on trip advisor. It's been years since we've stayed here. We've stayed in many of the resorts but decided to go back here for the free dining. So how bad is it really? Will it be hard to get a crib instead of a pack n play? How's the food court these days? It used to be good years ago.

CBR is our least favorite Disney resort if I'm being honest, but it wouldn't call it "bad". If you liked it before, you'll probably like it now. Lots of people love it.

 

[CanadianPaco]

I feel the same way! I am so unsure if this is the resort for us! Particularly the report of musty/stale smelling rooms.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

I've stayed at CBR twice now, and it's one of our favorite on-site resorts! We've never had a problem with the rooms, buses, or food court. We did request to be in a building right across from the bridge so that our walk to the main pool and foodcourt would be shorter.

Enjoy your stay!

 

[lovedworld]

I loved it when we stayed there last year, no complanits whatsoever. I would definitely stay there again. Food court was good, bus service was fine, our room was wonderful and the resort itself is very beautiful. I wouldn't worry. We stayed in Jamica and it was an easy walk to the main building and the food court.

 

[JennyDrake]

I have stayed there multiple times w/o any negative issues. It IS a LARGE resort. If you plan to use the food court frequently, I would pay for a preferred room--and I do not say this about most resorts. The food court has limited options, but really, there is something for everyone.

The rooms are large and QUIET. The grounds are beautiful. I love having numerous quiet pools, each with a deep end.

 

[Sue M]

CBR was our first on site resort. We loved it. We stayed there before the last refurb, and I hear it's due again. I thought it was a pretty resort, no dirty musty rooms. We were in Jamaica, great location. Loved those hammocks on the beach.

 

[Idreamofmickey]

We're scheduled to arrive at CBR this Tuesday for 4 nights with my 5 month old daughter. I've read some horrible reviews on here and on trip advisor. It's been years since we've stayed here. We've stayed in many of the resorts but decided to go back here for the free dining. So how bad is it really? Will it be hard to get a crib instead of a pack n play? How's the food court these days? It used to be good years ago.

I do not believe they have regular cribs available, only pack n play.

 

[PaulaVonSchweetz]

We stayed there once and found it to be overly large. Far too much walking in addition to the parks for us. Too few bus stops for its size.
I did find it to be lovely though and the beaches relaxing.
Other than size I had no complaints.

 

[NJRRK]

I would only stay there in a king bed room. My partner and I are ok in a queen or king, but we can't sleep comfortably in a double bed.

Other than that we have no problem with CBR.

 

[dansdad]

Out of the mods we have stayed at, CBR, POR and POFQ, CBR is our favorite. We had read the bad reviews too and were apprehensive before our first stay, but are so glad we gave it a try anyway. We haven't been able to pull ourselves away from CBR for our last 4 trips.

 

[WDWOswald]

I'd prefer to stay at a value over caribbean beach. This is simply because I do not want to have to take a bus to get to the amenities. The CBR is just plain massive. Of course, if you have more than two people in a room, the extra space might be the deciding factor.

It's still a very nice place to stay, it just has some compromises that are kind of a bummer. I feel the same way about Old Key West, it's just too large and spread out and doesn't have the convenience you want on a relaxing vacation.

This is totally out of left field but you should look at wyndham bonnet creek. It's adjacent to caribbean beach and you can get a massive 1 bedroom suite with a full kitchen, dining area, living area, jacuzzi etc. for about $90/night or even less. They provide bus service to the parks also. I hate to say it but it's hard to stay in a dinky room at CBR for almost double the price when you can stay somewhere like bonnet creek which is just spectacular.

 

[Chott]

We stayed in Sept of 08 in the Barbados section, Bldg. 11. It was not "bad" then and I doubt that it is "bad" now. I will say that the long required walks in September were really, really tough with the heat and humidity but the weather this time of year would probably make those walks very pleasant. For the record, we now limit our trips to cooler times of the year.

One negative is they have Double beds, not Queen. I am staying at Coronado Springs Dec 1-7 on free dining and felt I could justify the extra cost with Queen beds and the health club. I upgraded to that from an original booking at All-Star Music with free QS and was offered upgrades to CBR multiple times with free dining before CSR was available but refused each time. Not because it is bad but because with double beds, I just don't think it is worth the $500 plus extra cost.

So for Me, is it bad - no, it is a nice resort. I thought the food court was fine and was similar to Pop Century. Can't help on the crib. Would I change my reservation now - no, I would not. Would I have probably just booked at Pop Century and saved a few bucks? Yes, I think so. Would I change my opinion of CBR if they ever get Queen beds like every other moderate now has? you bet.

 

[mickeystoontown]

We're scheduled to arrive at CBR this Tuesday for 4 nights with my 5 month old daughter. I've read some horrible reviews on here and on trip advisor. It's been years since we've stayed here. We've stayed in many of the resorts but decided to go back here for the free dining. So how bad is it really? Will it be hard to get a crib instead of a pack n play? How's the food court these days? It used to be good years ago.

You're going to read negative reports on all of the resorts here on the Disboards and, especially, on Trip Advisor. Trip Advisor seems to be the place for people to complain. There are quite a few good recent reviews of the resort on the CBR thread right now.

If you stayed at the CBR and are aware of it's size, check-in area, bus system, etc. and were fine with it before, you'll be fine.

We eat at the food court several times every trip and it's always been good. Again, if you enjoyed it before, you' shouldn't have any issues.

 

[SheenaXena21]

I stayed there for the first time two years ago, and it wasn't horrible. We went when they were refurbishing the bridge, and taking the long way around got old really quick.

The rooms were clean, and the pool was great, two very important things to me. They have a great gift shop also!

Even thought the food court was good, it was very small for such a large resort. I also didn't like the fact that the check in/out was a totally seperate building, and you had to take a van to/from check in/out... it was weird.

We had no problem with smells.

If we stayed here again, I will book a preferred room closer to the food court/main pool/gift shop.

 

[WendyWuWu]

While I do not think any WDW resort is "bad", I have to say CBR is our least favorite of the ones we've stayed. Our biggest complaint would have to be the customer service. I booked and had paid for a King room, however, when we got there and checked in, they gave us a regular double room. I informed the CM that I'd booked a King room. DH is 6'5'', and I am 5'10". A double just wouldn't work for us for a week. The CM informed us that she was sorry but there were no King rooms available, nor would there be for the rest of our stay. I told her I needed to speak to a manager, and after probably half an hour of complaining and getting no where, the manager gave us a waterview room (which costs the same as the standard king did). I was NOT happy. At the time, I did not know that I could insist to be moved to another resort with King rooms, so we hiked the 20 min walk to the far side of the resort...I can't remember exactly where...Barbados maybe? I remember we walked through a "swampy" area that I hated walking through at night for fear of snakes. I will admit, the view of the lake was beautiful each morning, but definitely didn't make up for DH and I crammed in a double bed.
Otherwise, the resort was ok. But this horrible experience will forever taint it for us.

 

[cruisingtwins]

Yes it is that bad.

Very small rooms with old carpet.
The bus loop is insane it took us like 15 minutes just to get out of the resort.
No disney feel at all the only disney thing was a nemo border on the walls.

 

[luvmikids]

This will be our third time staying at CBR in February. We have never had any issues that many have reported. Our room has always been clean, no musty smells. We are a family of 4 and really don't spend a lot of time in the room but to sleep. So size didn't matter. Food court is just like most food courts and we only a few breakfasts and maybe a dinner or two. During free dining we try to take advantage of the many choices through out all the resorts and parks. We didn't mind the walking or the buses, who doesn't need to walk a little more getting to the parks can make you anxious because you just want to get there, we just leave a little earlier to get there by rope drop
Hope I eased your anxiety can't wait for our CBR FREE DINING MAGICAL VACATION

 

[maxiesmom]

It isn't as if CBR is a portal to hell, but it is my least favorite out of all of the moderates. I would stay there again, but I would either book a preferred room or rent a car. The resort has way too many bus stops (7!) and it seemed like it took forever to do all of the stops and get going anywhere!

I also didn't find much to like at the food court. I could make do by eating nuggets and burgers, but I much prefer the Pepper Market at CSR, or the food court at POR.

 

[starousse]

It isn't as if CBR is a portal to hell, but it is my least favorite out of all of the moderates. I would stay there again, but I would either book a preferred room or rent a car. The resort has way too many bus stops (7!) and it seemed like it took forever to do all of the stops and get going anywhere!

I also didn't find much to like at the food court. I could make do by eating nuggets and burgers, but I much prefer the Pepper Market at CSR, or the food court at POR.

I think this sums it up. Way too spread out with too many bus stops. It felt like it took forever to get to a park. If you weren't located somewhere in the middle, it was hassle to walk to get a drink or a quite bite to eat. I like to walk but if I want a quick drink or something from the gift shop, I don't want it to take an hour to go back and forth.

Our biggest issue was the worms in our room. They weren't gigantic, but they were still worms. They were in the bathroom, next to the bed, one by the phone, by the air conditioner. Just gross!