CBR transportation

[Krispe]

Hi we're staying at CBR in December for New Years. I keep hearing that the bus transportation system at CBR is the worst! I'm getting nervous about this, why does it seem that CBR has the worst transportation out of the resorts. You would think that since the resort is so huge they would plan accordingly during busy seasons. I really don't want to have to rent a car since it would defeat the purpose of us staying on site and we really want to try CBR for a change.

Any one have any good experiences from the CBR transportation system? Is there a place we could write to in advance about the situation?

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

We are staying at CBR in October. Last time we were at CSR, and the bus service was wonderful. We decided to switch to CBR, to try a different place. I'm really nervous now. I don't want to change again. We were hoping for Martinique. Some places I read that its the 1st (or 1 of the 1st) bus stops, but other places I read that its the last, and worst.

Ihope I've made a good choice.

 

[safetymom]

Just like any other Disney property you hear good and bad. I suggest you read the CBR FAQ's listed below to read some more posts about the transportation.

CBR is a great resort.

 

[CarolA]

I have heard the same thing about OKW for years and have never had a problem with transportation there.

Don't worry, have fun!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Krispe
Hi we're staying at CBR in December for New Years. I keep hearing that the bus transportation system at CBR is the worst! I'm getting nervous about this, why does it seem that CBR has the worst transportation out of the resorts. You would think that since the resort is so huge they would plan accordingly during busy seasons.

You really tend to hear the complaints more than the good stuff. Transportation is one of those things that if its bad, you'll hear about it... but if it was decent, okay, or great... most of the time, you won't hear much. CBR is far from the "worst"

The big problem with CBR is that there are 7 bus stops. It takes less than 10 mins to make the full circle, but people still think it takes much longer. During busy times, a bus might fill up before it reaches all the stops. This is why we have Magic On Demand. With this demand-influenced dispatching system, we can respond to the crowds, and better serve the guests. Buses have 2 start points in order to better manage. Typically during morning hours, buses are double-dispatched. One to Jamaica, and one to Martinique.

All that said and done... Caribbean Beach is a large resort... somewhere around 2,000 rooms. It does get busy (by far the busiest of the Moderates), and during peak times, there will be crowds. This is to be expected.

I wouldn't worry... just sit back, relax, and enjoy your vacation.

 

[Krispe]

Chip 'n Dale Express & everyone else, Thanks for the info! As far "Magic On Demand" goes, if we are there and are waiting for a long period of time (some people say up to 40 minutes for MK!) do we just go to the front desk and complain? Or do we tell a bus driver for a different bus that passes?

Also, I see on these boards that some people say that at CBR Martinique is always the last stop, but then some people also say it is the first stop. Which is correct?

Thanks again in advance!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Krispe
Chip 'n Dale Express & everyone else, Thanks for the info! As far "Magic On Demand" goes, if we are there and are waiting for a long period of time (some people say up to 40 minutes for MK!) do we just go to the front desk and complain? Or do we tell a bus driver for a different bus that passes?

Also, I see on these boards that some people say that at CBR Martinique is always the last stop, but then some people also say it is the first stop. Which is correct?

Thanks again in advance!

I highly doubt you will be waiting 40 minutes for a bus. 20 minutes sometimes feels like 40, though. If you actually time it, and you've been waiting an actual 40 minutes, there are courtesy phones at each stop. There's a number for Bus Central posted, or you can dial 0 for the operator.

If you do approach a driver to ask them instead... please be polite... chances are you'll get further. I know if I have a guest who is nice to me, I'll usually see what I can do to find out what's wrong. If I have a guest yell at me and whatnot... I won't go so far.

But unless something major happens (like a bus breaks down or something) chances are you won't have this problem.


As for stops... there are two main start points:

A Side:
Martinique
Old Port Royale
Trinidad North
Trinidad South
Jamaica
Aruba
Barbados

B Side:
Jamaica
Aruba
Barbados
Martinique
Old Port Royale
Trinidad North
Trinidad South

 

[Krispe]

Chip 'n Dale Express,
Thanks! Wow, so it looks as though Martinique isin't a last stop after all! Thats nice to know! I wish we could some how move the stop list over to the CBR thread, there are always people there asking about the stop list.

I know what you mean about being nice to people, in general you should always treat people the way you want to be treated too. In our past experiences at the resorts, we've always had cheery drivers that sang Disney songs or cracked jokes, which was wonderful especially at the end of the day when everyone is tired. It just was a nice way to end the day.

Nice to know there are courtesy phones at the stops. We didn't notice them when we stayed on property last, we were at PODL, the buses were wonderful they came so frequently we barely had to wait....that's probably why we never noticed the phones! ha ha!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Krispe
Nice to know there are courtesy phones at the stops. We didn't notice them when we stayed on property last, we were at PODL, the buses were wonderful they came so frequently we barely had to wait....that's probably why we never noticed the phones! ha ha!

Port Orleans doesn't have them... lol... that's why you never saw them. Not all resorts have them.... CBR just happens to have them.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

Thank you very much.

 

[Disney Ella]

We stayed at CBR in December 2001 (not during the holidays) and had no trouble with the buses. Our longest wait, except for closing at MK one night was no more than 10 minutes.

 

[bunnyfoo]

No complaints here

I was there May 13-20 and didn't have any problems with the buses. I thought they were prompt, never more than 15-20 minutes either at the resort or at the parks. It seemed the MK bus ran a little less frequently, but I can't be sure of that. I think the bus spends about 5 minutes or so making the rounds at the resort before it finally leaves.

Maybe the buses will be a little more full, but if the bus completely fills up, another one is usually close by

 

[linny172]

We had excellent bus service during out stay at CBR. I think 10 minutes is the most we had to wait. We stayed in Jamacia and it seemed as this was the first bus stop, both to pick up and drop off.

 

[crzy4dsny]

We stayed for 14 days last month and the bus service was fine. There was a one day when the MK bus took 55 min to arrive. This Im sure was because of some sort of problem and is rare. The next morning there were 7 or 8 buses lined up at the bus stop going anywhere you wanted. Every once in a while there is going to be a problem no matter which resort you stay at. For the most part it was a 10 to 15 min wait.

 

[rkrivas]

Hi -- I have a related bus question regarding our upcoming stay at CBR from 8/18-8/25. We will have a car and we're planning on visiting MK, Epcot, MGM and the 2 waterparks. Which parks does it make more sense to drive instead of using the bus service? I remember that the bus service to MK often cut down on time because it bypassed the tram/monorail, but I'm not sure about the other parks.

Thanks -- Kelly

 

[safetymom]

Park at Epcot, take the monorail to MK. By parking at Epcot you can hit Epcot and MGM. We do it this way all the time. I did the bus to MK and then the monorail to Epcot but still like the first way better.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

As for taking the bus... MK for sure. It will be crowded, yes... however, so will the Monorail and the tram line. At least with the bus, you only wait once. Plus, it's more direct, and climate controlled.

Epcot... it's your call. I personally would take the bus... If you leave mid-day... the car will be hot. If you leave during the mass exit... you might run into a bit of crowds, but, you won't have to deal with the idiot tourists causing the traffic jam at the Epcot exit. (Uggh... but *I* do... lol)

Studios - It's a hop skip and a jump. Once again, see above for reasonings. The Studios exit gets clogged pretty bad during the exit... It's a short bus ride... and sure beats dealing with traffic. Studios can be much worse than Epcot.

I'd drive to the two water parks... It would take the same amount of time as a bus, but it'll allow you to carry spare towels, change of clothes, etc.