CBR: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

[jaimee1024]

I have a couple of questions. First of all, I am a newbie and I don't know what OPR means. Can someone please tell me? I have reservations for the CBR in Dec. 2006. I am concerned hearing that the rooms are shabby now, since that is over a year away. We stayed there in May of 2002 (when did they close for refurbishment?) Our room was fine. We were pretty far from the main pool and restaurants and on the second floor, so this time we requested a "preferred" room closer to the main area (I'm assuming that is what OPR is referring to, but can't figure out the acronym). But we loved the atmosphere...the hammocks and the walk along the lake. Yes... it does have a bit of an apartment complex feel, but that just made me feel like it was more of a home away from home. Our room wasn't luxurious, but certainly adequate for our needs and the maid service was fine. But as I said...I am new and that is the only resort I have ever stayed at, so any input will be greatly appreciated. I don't mind paying a little more for a better resort and now I'm wondering if I should go ahead and make the change.

 

[safetymom]

OPR stands for Old Port Royale, the food court at CBR. To be close to the food court you need to stay in a preferred location that costs $15 extra nightly. You can request it but chances are you won't get it unless you pay the extra money. This would be several buildings in Martinique and Trinidad North.

 

[safetymom]

You will see reports from some that weren't thrilled at CBR but you will find that from any resort. If you look on the resorts board today you will find someone who loved WL and another that didn't enjoy it.

I suggest reading the CBR threads listed below for more information on the resort. It is a great place to stay.

 

[Sammie]

yes, why DON'T they have chairs outiside the rooms to sit and enjoy the view of the lake?? We spent 2 hours each day at the room while DD napped....we took turns on the hammock, but had there been chairs we could have sat outside the room and chatted.

I had read conflicting reviews on CBR when we booked but I loved the beachy/Carribean atmosphere so that is what drew me to it. None of the others seemed to have that. I am fortunate that it turned out well for us.

But now I am a little reluctant to recommend it to others or to stay there again!

they don't have chairs because this is a public walkway not a private balcony or patio, it would be a safety issue.

 

[safetymom]

There are some chairs in the courtyard. It would be hard to walk if there were chairs outside of every room. Realistically how many people would actually sit in the chairs?

 

[sarsah]

We just got back from CBR. We stayed in Jamiaca building 44 and I didn't think it was very far from OPR. We were almost directly across the lake and very near the bridge.

I too was surprised about the condition of our room. It wasn't awful, but there was a circle of wallpaper missing in the middle of the bathroom wall -- can't imagine how that happened.

Overall, I thought the theming was a little lacking compared to PO where we usually stay, but the kids enjoyed the sand and the playground, so we will probably stay there again sometime.

 

[CleveRocks]

I've stayed at CBR twice, in August of 1990 (when it was about a year old or so???) and just this past May. I was impressed with CBR both times. In May I paid for preferred location and got Trinidad North rooms 3339 and 3340 (connecting). If I had the experiences of the OP I'd be fuming mad, but my experiences in Trinidad North this May were exactly the opposite. Maybe the OP got no maid service because all the mousekeepers were in my room making towels animals and incorporating my kids' toys and stuffed animals into elaborate play scenes on both beds (in the one room) and the windowsill each day. I think for the remainder of May back here in New Jersey I was feeling towel animal withdrawal, and my 2.5 year old daughter was probably thinking my wife and I were losers because we were unable to make her cherished towel animals for her. For a week in May in Florida I was a towel animal zookeeper.

I was completely impressed with CBR. I agree with a previous poster who suggested that there are probably similar complaints/horror stories about every WDW resort. I disagree with the poster who said that CBR is no longer up to WDW standards -- that's WAY too much of a sweeping generalization. I also agree with many others here who've said paying for a water view room in CBR is simply not worth it. Besides, the water you might have a view of may be a village quiet pool and not the lake. And besides, because the balconies outside the windows are public walkways, if you have your curtains open to enjoy the view, then everyone walking by is getting a good view of you inside your room.

Enjoy CBR.

-- Eric

 

[simzac]

We stayed at CBR for the first time ever this past January. We loved it. Our room was in top shape, and the maid service was great. We stayed in TS, which may have something to do with that due to most not wanting to stay so far from OPR. We are only going to POP this year to try another resort. We will definitely stay at CBR again.

 

[LoveBuzz2]

I've stayed at CBR twice, in August of 1990 (when it was about a year old or so???) and just this past May. I was impressed with CBR both times. In May I paid for preferred location and got Trinidad North rooms 3339 and 3340 (connecting). If I had the experiences of the OP I'd be fuming mad, but my experiences in Trinidad North this May were exactly the opposite. Maybe the OP got no maid service because all the mousekeepers were in my room making towels animals and incorporating my kids' toys and stuffed animals into elaborate play scenes on both beds (in the one room) and the windowsill each day. I think for the remainder of May back here in New Jersey I was feeling towel animal withdrawal, and my 2.5 year old daughter was probably thinking my wife and I were losers because we were unable to make her cherished towel animals for her. For a week in May in Florida I was a towel animal zookeeper.

I was completely impressed with CBR. I agree with a previous poster who suggested that there are probably similar complaints/horror stories about every WDW resort. I disagree with the poster who said that CBR is no longer up to WDW standards -- that's WAY too much of a sweeping generalization. I also agree with many others here who've said paying for a water view room in CBR is simply not worth it. Besides, the water you might have a view of may be a village quiet pool and not the lake. And besides, because the balconies outside the windows are public walkways, if you have your curtains open to enjoy the view, then everyone walking by is getting a good view of you inside your room.

Enjoy CBR.

-- Eric

I have to agree with this poster. You are going to find these, to use his words, sweeping generalizations about every resort at WDW. Shabby, run down, not up to standard, etc. We've stayed at CBR three times and were happy with each stay. Location is helpful, but we have even been in the furthest building. For our honeymoon we were in Jamaica, right in front of the bridge to OPR, and I felt this was by far the best location. I loved the scenery walking over to OPR. Our mousekeeping was great and we enjoyed towel animals each stay. The last stay was in 2003 after the refurbishment and I thought the rooms looked nice. We were impressed with each stay. Everyone is going to have a different experience. I am just happy that so far, all of our have been good. I am sorry the OP did not have a good experience.

 

[dennisnlisab96]

We were there last March for my daughters birthday. Overall I really liked CBR. Our room location was great however, we had a few problems while we were there. They have since been resolved through Disney Risk Management!! Because one of the problems was VERY serious we will NEVER stay at CBR again!!!!

 

[LiteBrite]

We were there last March for my daughters birthday. Overall I really liked CBR. Our room location was great however, we had a few problems while we were there. They have since been resolved through Disney Risk Management!! Because one of the problems was VERY serious we will NEVER stay at CBR again!!!!

Ok, are you going to just leave us hanging like this? (Just kidding - if you don't want to tell that's cool, but it does kind of make a person curious.)

 

[LvsTnk]

Ok, are you going to just leave us hanging like this? (Just kidding - if you don't want to tell that's cool, but it does kind of make a person curious.)

I'm with you.....if you could please tell us I would greatly appreciate it.

I have been following this thread and others because we used to really like CBR and now that I have been taking a few trips without DH this resort is back on our list. But I have a son with special needs so I would definately not want to put him at risk.

Also, seems like I would have to book a preferred location and view so hopefully we could be by a pool and close to OPR since he uses a special stroller.

 

[safetymom]

There are quiet pools in each village but for your needs I would pay for the preferred location.

If anyone gets to any resort and sees a mold problem they should alert the front desk but I have stayed in many high end hotels that had problems with mold in the room. My late husband was very highly allergic to mold and once they cleaned it he was ok.

 

[Gerweniel]

We are traveling to CBR on Saturday and we couldn't be more excited!!!! It will be our first stay there. I am leaving our room location to chance - no requests other than non smoking. The boards have explained the potential ups and downs of the property and we are well prepared. (Thanks Safetymom!) Hope we don't run into any Mousekeeping issues, but we'll deal.

How come single digit waiting days move so much sloooower than double digit waiting days!!!

 

[Ilovestitch]

In the last 2 yrs we've stayed at Martinique and Jamaica and both rooms were spotless and everything in them looked brand new.

We've also had great mousekeeping experiences at CBR- LOT of towel critters!

The first time I took my bf to WDW, we stayed at CBR. He had bought some Nightmare Before Christmas beanies and when we returned from the parks to our room they were all positioned on the bed w/the remote watching t.v.

He walked in and could not figure out who did this, he thought it was the neatest thing

 

[liquid]

We had a wonderful time at CBR a few months ago. Mousekeeping was great, bus service was pretty good, OPR was charming, pools were nice. We paid the extra $$ for a preferred location - Martinique. We had two rooms and there were a few scuffs, a small stain on one of the rugs. It didn't bug me at all - everything was clean and comfortable.

 

[colleen costello]

We stayed last spring and I was so pleasantly surprised. DH wanted to try somewhere different and I was anxious about leaving my beloved Riverside. I could not have been more pleased! Let me say that when you DO score a true "preferred view" then you understand why they charge extra... We were assigned to Martinique #25 and when you walked around the corner of the building near our room, this GORGEOUS vista was in front of you, looking across the shining lake, at all the colorful Village rooftops, with the little beaches and hammocks... perfect! We felt the resort was especially nice for spring break, because back at home everything had been dead and gray for 3 months!

Our room was in perfect shape and the housekeeping was great. The woman at check-in was a doll... Saw my Mom using a walker and assigned us to this wonderful location, even though we booked standard. We were only there 2 nights, before heading to our DVC room, but I wold have stayed all week. I felt like I was in the tropics with all the colors and music and sunshine. I even found a print in the gift shop that depicts the very building we stayed in! Every time I look at it I smile... So if it's "sweeping genaralizations" you want, how about "This is a darn nice resort."

 

[ADisneygirl]

Everytime we return from a trip to WDW I post a little report on the resort. I have to say that overwhelmingly the reports are positive. This trip had a lot of negatives, and even though they were true for us certainly doesn't mean they are going to be true for everyone else going or even one other person. I know I like to read both the good and the bad reports.

I was mad about the room location change. That was CRO's fault not the front desk. But the woman at the desk was very unfriendly. I was worried about my mom and hiking up those stairs, but she couldn't care less. I was sad that mousekeeping was so bad for us this time as they usually are as others pointed out ~ making towel animals, setting up the stuffed friends, leaving lots of extras.

All I can say is each trip is unique. I hope everyone on their way there has a great experience.

 

[JobeeC]

We were there last March for my daughters birthday. Overall I really liked CBR. Our room location was great however, we had a few problems while we were there. They have since been resolved through Disney Risk Management!! Because one of the problems was VERY serious we will NEVER stay at CBR again!!!!

i would also like to know what the problem was. since it was resolved through risk management, i can only assume it was theft.

 

[cntkg1]

Just a quick post on the "up"side of CBR.

We stayed at CBR 3 times and each time in Aruba (we requested it). Mousekeeping was fantastic the first two years (we requested Melanie and got her twice). Third time was ok but late (sometimes around 4:00 pm).

All in all...we love CBR and definitely return next year in May!!