CBR newbie question

[wbabcock]

I have two small boys and we are staying in a preferred room in CBR in October. Now with this discount code we could move to a water view and save about $400. Is this worth changing? Is the preferred room location worth staying where I am?

 

[mickeystoontown]

Well, first of all Disney's idea of a water view is a little warped. Water view can be a full-on view of a lake, a full-on view of a swimming pool, a tiny glimpse of the lake or a tiny glimpse of a pool. I wouldn't pay extra money for a water view but you'd be saving money.

We have stayed in a preferred location and in a non-preferred location. We really didn't see that much difference. A lot of other posters say they would never stay at the CBR without staying in a preferred location. I, personally, wouldn't care if I stayed in a preferred location or not.

The entire promenade around the resort is just 1.4 acres and Old Port Royale (food court/main pool/marina/restaurant) is in the middle. So, to me no location is too far to walk.

I'd take the $400.00 and use it for something else.

Hope this helps, Lisa

 

[wbabcock]

Can you request to be staying in Aruba or Jamaica - and if so - will they guarantee you get one of those rooms in those areas?

 

[Devil_Dog99]

They will never 'gurantee' you that, but unless the hotel will be filled to capacity, and it sounds like it won't be when you are there, you should have no problems getting a room in either. If you are going with Aruba, building 51 is closest to Parrot Cay (the island in the middle) and thus the shortest walk to OPR. However, it is also furthest from the Aruba bus stop.

 

[jdd]

Can you request to be staying in Aruba or Jamaica - and if so - will they guarantee you get one of those rooms in those areas?

We were there at the end of April, and I had requested a room in Jamaica. When we checked in, the CM gave me the choice of two rooms, two different spots in Jamaica. We chose a second floor room in either bldg 44 or 45 (can't remember exactly). This building was about a 2 minute walk from the bus stop (okay a 2 minute run, because my boys are always running ), and a leisurely 5-7 minute stroll to Old Port Royale. The walk to OPR takes you over Parrot Cay and is absolutely beautiful.

My job at WDW is always to wake earlier than everyone else and walk to the food court to get some takeout continental breakfast items - this is one of my favorite parts of the trips (and the only time I get to be alone ).

Personally, I would not pay for the preferred room location - the grounds at CBR are beautiful, and if you can get Jamaica the walk is very enjoyable. Aruba is right next to Jamaica, so I don't think you could go wrong there either!

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

It's been many years since I've stayed at CBR (I was a kid), but I upgraded to the Preferred room with the discount code. I figured I'll be doing enough walking at the theme parks so I'd prefer a little more convenience at the resort. To each their own! Indeed the resort is beautiful.

 

[NeedaVacation03]

Well wbabcock, were they able to make your choice easier or harder? See you thought you were just going to set back and enjoy the next 48 days I am just giving you are hard time. Let me what you decided to do. Talk to you soon.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have two small boys and we are staying in a preferred room in CBR in October. Now with this discount code we could move to a water view and save about $400. Is this worth changing? Is the preferred room location worth staying where I am?

I would definitely change. $400 is a lot of money to be in the same room, with the same amenities, albeit in a close in location. I find CBR so lovely, that walking is a pleasure (however my kids are 10 and 12). You can request to be in Aruba or Jamaica and be across the bridge and a very short walk to the main area. We were in Barbados (bldg. 16) and loved that location. Close to the Custom House, between two lovely quiet pools and about a 5 minute walk to the main pool. There was a laundry room, busstop and playground all just a short (as in very short) walk from our room. Also, there is an internal bus that circulates regularly to take you around the resort.

If your boys are really small, I might suggest you take your own stroller. That way you don't have to lug kids from the bus to your room. Even in a preferred room, that can be a nightmare!

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

The preferred rooms are not worth the extra expense for us. But, I enjoy walking around the resort. We have stayed in Aruba, Jamaica, and Barbados and we loved all three areas.

The only area that I would avoid is Trinidad South.

 

[luvpalmtrees]

We stayed at CBR last year and loved it!!We stayed in Jamaica 45. (Room 4562) PERFECT LOCATION without spending the extra $! Short walk to buses and OPR.

 

[smiller]

I've stayed at CBR plenty of times and never once in a preferred location. We always do standard, non-water view, cheapest possible, and have always had a nice room with a great location. I agree with a PP, why pay more for the same room, just a little closer to OPR, if you don't really need it? Last September we were in Jamaica at the far end - just about as far from OPR as you can get, and it was still a nice, enjoyable walk - easy to do at the beginning of the day, and a great way to end the day, too. Then again, I love walking, as does my whole family.

I can think of lots of fun things to do with an extra $400 during a Disney vacation (and even just at CBR)... pina coladas at Banana Cabana, Caribbean-themed merchandise in the gift shop, renting watercraft on the lake, dinner at Shutters...

Good luck making your decision! I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time!

 

[G8r4evr]

For $400, I would even change to standard! So my answer would be Yes, Yes, Yes!

It is true that Disney's idea of a waterview could be a quiet pool, but if you get there and dont love the view, try calling and ask to be changed. We didnt like our original waterview room and CBR easily changes us to a "beach front room =)

 

[MinnieCandi]

We stayed at CBR in November in Trinidad (can't remember if it was north or south, but it was the farthest out). We had a water view room and our room was right across from the quiet pool and it overlooked the lake. It was great!

The walk to Port Royale was not that bad, and the kids loved walking along the lake to get there. The grounds are beautiful and there are pink birds walking all over the place.

We loved being able to be with lots of people if we wanted, or staying by the quiet pool which we almost had to ourselves the entire week.

IMHO, take the water view room and save the $400! I don't really think there is a bad location at CBR.

 

[Kathi OD]

I'm just thinking of all the extras you could buy for $400. I would change in a heartbeat...there are very few truly "bad" locations at the CBR that the $400 saving wouldn't be worth the change.