Detailed CBR review and park info!

[boston-yachter]

We just returned from another great week at Disney!
We were originally booked at the YC...but due to recent events...we were forced to downgrade...we choose CBR...a family favorite!

we pulled up with mears to the custom house (please note that the check in building is seperate from the main resort!) and there was about a 10-15 min wait to check in...
when we reached the desk we asked for the best room possible on the second floor...we we're given room 5160 in the Aruba section!

Bell service was a short wait...less than 2 mins...and they took us to our building...my daughter refered to it as the barbie buildings (pink/dark pink colors) It was a corner room...over looking the parking lot and some grounds...our room was close to a set of stairs in which we're nearly a hop, skip, and a jump away from the bridge to the food court!

The rooms themselves are rather attractive...soft green furniture, palm leaves carpet.....the only contrast would be the bright colored comforter and matching curtains as well as the tacking border lining the ceiling! None the less...there are no eye sores in these rooms...the amoire provided plenty of storage for the three of us...plus the bench next to it had storage as well...we placed our suitcases under the bed for the week....
The bathroom area was perfect....the double sinks had storage shelfs under....and the closest also features a large shelf...and plenty of coat hangers! The curtain that slides across was fantastic! What I liked even more was the fact that...in the bathroom itself...there was a pull-across clothes line to dry your clothes...plus a shelf at the foot of the tub...and a towel rack above it!

The food court was perfect! Old Port Royal features an arcade, main gift shop, and CBR gift shop, plus Shutters and the main food court!
The food offereings were great...everything from peanut butter brownies to grilled chicken with mushroom gravy! I never understand why people complain about the food court and how expensive it is for the quality of meal! I thought the meals were exceptional and service fast...and yes it is expensive..but what isn't in disney!
We did invest in the mugs...and they were great...we got much use out of them!

bus service was OK...Saturday night (23) was the only time to see spectromagic....so we got a bus to the MK (waited less than 5 mins) and saw the parade...when the park closed...we headed to the bus stop...Our resort line was all the way back to the sign that says which bus stop you are ( a good 20-30 yards) It was obvious they hadn't had a bus for a while...though the line was long...they sent bus after bus after bus...we even had 3 buses at our stop at one time...we waited close to 20 mins....
we also waited a good half hour for a bus to MGM...to say the least we missed fantasmic that night!
Overall the buses were fast and we didn't really wait more than 10mins for a bus!

The main pool was packed!! I went down to this same resort last year at this time and no one was in it...quite the oppposite this trip...even at midnight kids would be swimming....
the quiet pools were also crowded...especially at Martinque (went to visit a friend)...the pools across the bridge were less crowded though....

tips and other CBR information!
~I know alot of people request the villages closest to the Food court...sometimes those rooms can be a longer walk away then the villages across the bridge....upon check in request the "best room possible"...and you might be suprised~
~ any room close to a bus stop is great...no matter what village...the resort has an internal bus that was no more that a 5 min wait...in fact...i wish we got a room like this...its so much easier!~
~the food court closes at 11pm~
~Jaimica and Trinadad South are usually the first bus stops...the bus route goes...
-Jamaica
-Aruba
-Babrabadoes (sp?)
-Martinique
-OPR
-Trinadad North
-Trinadad South
Sometimes buses will go to T.S. first then go to Jamaica!~
~both the main and quiet pools were open till midnight~

The parks....
~Parks were not nearly as crowded as I expected...we would arrive to the MK around opening (never did EE for any of the parks) and would be able to walk onto peter pan, snow white, pooh, and Space mountain...in the early afternoon Splash would only have a 20 min wait...
Epcot and MGM were never crowded...we were able to ride Mission Space, Test Track, get a bus to MGM, ride RRC twice (one front, one back) in a matter of 2 1/2 hours....this was around 2pm too!
AK was dead in the morning....managed to wait 2 mins for the safari (mainly walking the que) and the same for the rapids...it was a short wait for Dinosaur and Primevil wurl as well~
~ BTMRR is closed...which left alot of folks standing infront of SplM...which is why the line would get so long in the afternoon...~
~Avoid EE...its not worth it to get up early...avoid that park for the day...we did this...and finished the park within hours of its opening...~
~Get there at park opening! This is vital!~

I'd be happy to answer any questions regarding the parks or resort...just feel free to ask!

already planning our next trip!

 

[safetymom]

Thanks for the report. Could you copy and paste the info into the CBR FAQ listed below? Thanks again.

 

[tinawv]

Hi boston-yachter. We have reservations at the CBR for the period Dec. 13-20. My parents who are in their early 70's are also going. I was wanting to request a room on the second floor, but was worried about the stairs being too much for my parents. Are the stairs steep or long? This is our first stay at the CBR. I wanted to stay at AKL, but got out voted by the other family members. They wanted to save money. Shame on them. lol

Thanks in advance.

 

[bru_ellman]

The stairs at CBR aren't too bad. If you're parents are in reasonable shape they shouldn't be a problem.

We'll be at CBR around the same time (12/11-18) and always request a second floor room. BTW, we've stayed at AKL and we prefer CBR. To us CBR has more of a "resort" feel. Though every trip we have our first dinner at BOMA to soak up some of the AKL atmosphere.

 

[arielfan]

Hi! Boston-Yachter I wondering was the disney buses pretty
good as far as not making you wait long because they do have
alot of stops?? We stayed at All Stars Movies last time and
never had to wait long at all maybe 5 minutes...Do you think
renting a car is good idea?? Were also going to be there in
December...Thanks for the good thread about CBR...

 

[Ethelina]

Why do you feel 2nd floor is better to request? How far is the self-parking lot to each village? I have requested Martinique 24 but I don't have to be close to the bus stop. Would be nice if Main pool & food court is close. I have looked at the map on the CBR FAQ page but can't tell how far. We will have a stroller but it is a lightweight one which shouldn't be to bad to carry up stairs. I did read someone like the corner rooms also??

Thanks for your advice!!

 

[safetymom]

Ethelina, the pool is right next to the food court. You don't have a long walk to the parking lot from the rooms. It is landscaped so beautifully you have a hard time seeing the parking lot until you are right there.

I don't think you can go wrong with a first floor room. Someone had mentioned bugs in one thread but most people never see them anywhere let alone on the first floor.

 

[boston-yachter]

ariel...each village have around the same wait time while inside the resort...its the location your in...that will have you either waiting on the AC bus...or muggy bus stop...
for those in Jamica wait times might be 5 mins...for those in T.N. wait times might be 10mins...but when you factor the 5mins the Jamica folk spent on the bus waiting...it equals out...
Bus service was fast...and I heard no complaints from anyone!
As for renting a car...I personally would pass on it...though it does have some benefits...I really like the ability to pull up at the front entrance in each park...and not having to worry about parking trams...and what lot I'm in!
I feel that renting a car is a waiste of money when expected to cut down on travel time...though you may think that your shaving time off...in retro-spect...your equalling out when you factor in the wait to park, the walk to the tram, and the tram ride...just my opinion though!

Ethelina...I always request 2cd floor as I feel the walkways are less traveled...and we don't take the chance of being caught under a noisey family! Also...we like the view better...even a room overlooking the parking lot has a nicer view on the second floor with all the trees!
Parking is extremely close...the buildings are small...so its not a hike to the parking lot...some rooms are a little further away...but the longest walk would have to be 2mins...
Thats a great building...the walkway to the food court lines the beach...and is really short! It is farthest from the Martinique bus stop...but one of the closest to the OPR bus stop...
I love the corner rooms...they feel so much more open...and the extra light is fantastic!
The main pool is close to you as well....i think that building is in a great location!

safety mom...I'll post my review ASAP on that thread!

feel free to ask more questions!

 

[safetymom]

I love having a car when I stay at CBR. The only park we don't drive to is MK. We park at Epcot and go to MGM and MK also. One parking spot but we visit 3 parks.

We never wait for the tram and my kids enjoy the ride. They are always talking to the greeter at the back of the tram. They hold their hands in the air like it is a roller coaster. These are teenagers.

We like being able to come and go and visit DTD, and other areas off property. I had to stay at CSR in June for business without a car and I didn't enjoy it as much. That is what is great about WDW you have choices. You will be fine if you decide to use Disney transportation but I enjoy driving around the area.

 

[arielfan]

Thank you for the information every little bit helps...I think were
going to use disney transporation because like I said it was good
at All Star Movies and I think it's an easier way to get around..