Disney's CARIBBEAN BEACH RESORT Information & Questions-Old Thread-New Thread Link in Post 1

[Madame]

Thanks. I feel really spoiled with this team the last 6 years. I've been fan for 40 years and to see them win it at home was priceless.

Well when you've got a Canuck at the helm... Sorry couldn't resist . He was born & played (go Spits!!) about 30 mins from us.

 

[pktbMouse]

62 days! Woot! Can't wait.

62 days also....wohoooooooo

 

[Simba's Girl]

Sometimes insomnia is a good thing...couldn't sleep last night. Wicked busy week this week between production week for my girl's dance recital, doctor's appointments for me and the last days of school. Top it off FP+ selections became available this morning! I suppose the plus side was that I was able to make all of our selections easily at 4:30am. I was surprised at how long it took, close to an hour. I did have trouble deciding which ones to get for the last days of our trip, so I went with illuminations and wishes. We have 3 MK, 3 EP, 1 AK and 1 HS FP+ parks selected, we do have hoppers so will be hopping quite a bit this trip I think.

 

[Kevin355]

Sometimes insomnia is a good thing...couldn't sleep last night. Wicked busy week this week between production week for my girl's dance recital, doctor's appointments for me and the last days of school. Top it off FP+ selections became available this morning! I suppose the plus side was that I was able to make all of our selections easily at 4:30am. I was surprised at how long it took, close to an hour. I did have trouble deciding which ones to get for the last days of our trip, so I went with illuminations and wishes. We have 3 MK, 3 EP, 1 AK and 1 HS FP+ parks selected, we do have hoppers so will be hopping quite a bit this trip I think.

Almost as hard at ADR's.

 

[dpswift]

My daughter is searing salmon and broiling veggies at the Port Royale Food Court for the next few months. She says it's intense, but she's having fun. She really likes the resort.

My daughter is doing the CP in MK in mechandise in the circus building. Her roommates are all in QS.

 

[gluestickgirl]

I hope he's still there.....I would love to be a cm after I retire in about 10 years!

I just learned about this too and need to do some investigating......


Gluestickgirl, are you a scrapbook er who used to be at 2peas?

I am! Were you over there too? The internet can be a small world. =)

 

[Metz172]

Here's an obscure question. Is anyone here familiar with some of the staff at Old Port Royale? On our trip this past January, we got talking to a gentleman who was cleaning tables in the food court. He was very friendly and told us a lot about himself. I believe he was over 90yrs old and as long as he could still clear tables (albeit slowly), Disney let him keep the job. I am forgetting his name. He was quite lovely and very talkative. He even made us a bit late for something, but I just couldn't tear myself away since he was so engaging! At first I felt sorry for him for needing to work when he was so elderly, but he genuinely enjoyed the interaction with guests and the job kept him moving and active. Does anyone know who I mean? I was there again in May, but didn't see him all week. Thanks for any info!

He was there a couple of weeks ago. I didn't catch his name but we enjoyed talking with him. He was so sweet.

 

[Music City Mama]

Got a strange question, someone had made comment that with the new "barn doors" to the sink area there is no privacy because they don't close all the way. Does anyone know if the inside of the doors have the same handle that is on the outside of the doors? I'm curious if one could put a hair tie or use some string to close them together. Just a thought

I remember reading this before I left, too. Our doors did close all the way. Sure, if someone put their face up to the crack, they could probably see in, but if they're respecting your privacy, there shouldn't be any problem. I did notice that from my bed (closest to the wall/bathroom), I could see in through the side -- again, I'd have to be purposefully looking for something, though, which I wasn't since I can see DH anytime.

 

[Music City Mama]

Just got back from our first stay at CBR. I had actually stayed here 19 years ago with an ex-boyfriend, but to be honest, I don't remember that much from that stay (I guess I blocked that trip out of my mind, LOL).

I really wasn't too concerned about our location because I don't mind walking, but we were back in Aruba 56 (standard view), so pretty far from OPR. I came to the conclusion while driving around the resort (thank goodness for having a car) that if you're on the dining plan and/or are purchasing a refillable mug, just pay for a preferred location or it won't be that easy to get good use out of the mug -- unless, you spend a lot of time at the resort and aren't on any particular schedule -- or, if you have a car. Fortunately for us, we weren't on the dining plan/using mugs and we had a car.

I also wasn't terribly concerned over the reports of the bus service because it's hit and miss everywhere I've stayed. However, this was the worst, IMO. Packed to the gills for every park no matter the time of day. I can't believe that leaving MK one night, I had to stand in the stairwell of one of those huge, articulated buses -- it felt very dangerous to me. My younger DS didn't even have anything to really hold onto so I was trying to balance while keeping him balanced. We even opted to drive to TTC and ferry/monorail to MK one day instead of the bus (which is something I never do) rather than getting on the bus to MK again.

I couldn't really figure out the food court. Sometimes, you'd wait for your food and pay. Other times, they'd hand you a ticket and ask you to pay first and then come back and pick up the food. I couldn't figure out a rhyme or reason to when this was done. Maybe locations where the food took longer to prepare? Not sure. Also, I have NEVER had to circle a food court anywhere I've stayed for longer than 30-60 seconds looking for a place to sit. We went up there for breakfast one morning around 9:30/10:00 (which I figured was past the prime breakfast time) and it took us almost 10 minutes to find a place to sit down! Needless to say, cold breakfast. Wow, really not enough seats here for the amount of guests.

I don't know where the designated smoking area is here, but on two different nights, we were awoken around 1:00 a.m. from the very strong smell of smoke in our room. We were on the second floor and I don't know if our neighbors were smoking on the breezeway outside of our room and it was wafting in under the door (couldn't really hear voices to know) or what the deal was, but it about made me sick. I'm sure this can and does happen anywhere, but it's the first time it's happened to us.

We noticed within the first hour or two after we checked in that our room was very stagnant and just wasn't getting cool despite our efforts to lower the thermostat and turn on the fan. You could feel cold air blowing out, but it was only going in one direction. DH took the decorative cover off of the of a/c unit, and voila, air actually circulated around the entire room! So, remember that tip should you run into the same problem.

Again, this could probably happen anywhere, but we had a problem with our magic bands. We brought 3 each with us (so, 12 altogether). We tested them all out when got to the room. All of DH's worked, NONE of mine worked (MDE and the reservation was in my name), NONE of one our DS's worked, and 1 of our other DS's worked. So, up to OPR to the concierge desk to get that straightened out. I'm sure that's more of an MDE problem vs. a CBR problem, but that was the first time we've run into issues.


Housekeeping was fine as were the CMs. The pool was fun. I know my report sounds negative, but there are positives and I would stay here again. It probably wouldn't be my first choice, but I did not hate it by any means. If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

 

[Metz172]

Just got back from our first stay at CBR. I had actually stayed here 19 years ago with an ex-boyfriend, but to be honest, I don't remember that much from that stay (I guess I blocked that trip out of my mind, LOL).

I really wasn't too concerned about our location because I don't mind walking, but we were back in Aruba 56 (standard view), so pretty far from OPR. I came to the conclusion while driving around the resort (thank goodness for having a car) that if you're on the dining plan and/or are purchasing a refillable mug, just pay for a preferred location or it won't be that easy to get good use out of the mug -- unless, you spend a lot of time at the resort and aren't on any particular schedule -- or, if you have a car. Fortunately for us, we weren't on the dining plan/using mugs and we had a car.

I also wasn't terribly concerned over the reports of the bus service because it's hit and miss everywhere I've stayed. However, this was the worst, IMO. Packed to the gills for every park no matter the time of day. I can't believe that leaving MK one night, I had to stand in the stairwell of one of those huge, articulated buses -- it felt very dangerous to me. My younger DS didn't even have anything to really hold onto so I was trying to balance while keeping him balanced. We even opted to drive to TTC and ferry/monorail to MK one day instead of the bus (which is something I never do) rather than getting on the bus to MK again.

I couldn't really figure out the food court. Sometimes, you'd wait for your food and pay. Other times, they'd hand you a ticket and ask you to pay first and then come back and pick up the food. I couldn't figure out a rhyme or reason to when this was done. Maybe locations where the food took longer to prepare? Not sure. Also, I have NEVER had to circle a food court anywhere I've stayed for longer than 30-60 seconds looking for a place to sit. We went up there for breakfast one morning around 9:30/10:00 (which I figured was past the prime breakfast time) and it took us almost 10 minutes to find a place to sit down! Needless to say, cold breakfast. Wow, really not enough seats here for the amount of guests.

I don't know where the designated smoking area is here, but on two different nights, we were awoken around 1:00 a.m. from the very strong smell of smoke in our room. We were on the second floor and I don't know if our neighbors were smoking on the breezeway outside of our room and it was wafting in under the door (couldn't really hear voices to know) or what the deal was, but it about made me sick. I'm sure this can and does happen anywhere, but it's the first time it's happened to us.

We noticed within the first hour or two after we checked in that our room was very stagnant and just wasn't getting cool despite our efforts to lower the thermostat and turn on the fan. You could feel cold air blowing out, but it was only going in one direction. DH took the decorative cover off of the of a/c unit, and voila, air actually circulated around the entire room! So, remember that tip should you run into the same problem.

Again, this could probably happen anywhere, but we had a problem with our magic bands. We brought 3 each with us (so, 12 altogether). We tested them all out when got to the room. All of DH's worked, NONE of mine worked (MDE and the reservation was in my name), NONE of one our DS's worked, and 1 of our other DS's worked. So, up to OPR to the concierge desk to get that straightened out. I'm sure that's more of an MDE problem vs. a CBR problem, but that was the first time we've run into issues.


Housekeeping was fine as were the CMs. The pool was fun. I know my report sounds negative, but there are positives and I would stay here again. It probably wouldn't be my first choice, but I did not hate it by any means. If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

I am sorry that this was your experience anyone of those would be frustrating but together that's a lot. We were there from the 1st of June until the 7th and had the totally opposite experience you did with the food court and buses. We never got tickets for paying before the food. It was never crowded so you didn't have a table and we did all three meals at least once over the course of the trip.

We only had to stand on buses coming back from parks at peak times. Ie after fireworks, when it rained and that was because we chose to get on instead of waiting for next bus.
I wonder why such a big difference in experience in just a weeks time?

 

[tink9702]

I really wasn't too concerned about our location because I don't mind walking, but we were back in Aruba 56 (standard view), so pretty far from OPR. I came to the conclusion while driving around the resort (thank goodness for having a car) that if you're on the dining plan and/or are purchasing a refillable mug, just pay for a preferred location or it won't be that easy to get good use out of the mug -- unless, you spend a lot of time at the resort and aren't on any particular schedule -- or, if you have a car. Fortunately for us, we weren't on the dining plan/using mugs and we had a car.

How long was the walk from Aruba 56 to OPR? And is that moderate pace or are your kids young and dawdle? Thanks for the info!!!

 

[Music City Mama]

How long was the walk from Aruba 56 to OPR? And is that moderate pace or are your kids young and dawdle? Thanks for the info!!!

I was kicking myself for not timing it because I knew people would be interested. DH and I felt like it was probably around 8-10 minutes. This was walking at a moderate pace (not very brisk, but not dawdling). Keep in mind, I was at the farthest point you could be in Aruba 56 (there are other closer spots in that same building).

 

[Music City Mama]

I am sorry that this was your experience anyone of those would be frustrating but together that's a lot. We were there from the 1st of June until the 7th and had the totally opposite experience you did with the food court and buses. We never got tickets for paying before the food. It was never crowded so you didn't have a table and we did all three meals at least once over the course of the trip.

We only had to stand on buses coming back from parks at peak times. Ie after fireworks, when it rained and that was because we chose to get on instead of waiting for next bus.
I wonder why such a big difference in experience in just a weeks time?

There was only the one time where we couldn't find a table -- the other times, it was crowded, but no problems finding a table. I just figured if that were to happen in the morning, it would be more like 8-9, not closer to 10, you know? It was weird with the food tickets (and no real consistency). I don't know why the buses were so crowded. I would say, overall, the frequency in which they came was about average when compared to the other resorts (of course, the one you want is just pulling away or 3 come for the same park you're not going to -- the usual bad luck you can run into anywhere), but the sheer packed-ness even during non-peak times was mind boggling. Again, maybe just unlucky. We mainly drove, so I can't complain too much, but I was trying to observe as we drove by the other village bus stops and looking at their buses and that just seemed to be the case most of the time.

 

[dis_guy]

I couldn't really figure out the food court. Sometimes, you'd wait for your food and pay. Other times, they'd hand you a ticket and ask you to pay first and then come back and pick up the food. I couldn't figure out a rhyme or reason to when this was done.

In all of my stays, I have never seen this. Does anyone know if this is a recent "thing"?

We went up there for breakfast one morning around 9:30/10:00 (which I figured was past the prime breakfast time) and it took us almost 10 minutes to find a place to sit down!

During really peak times, like Christmas, they will open up Shutters in the morning to provide for extra seating. I wonder if there were any groups or teams there? We've experienced this during spring training in April.

I don't know where the designated smoking area is here,

As far as I've noticed (I'm not a smoker) smoking areas are in the courtyards scattered around the buildings or on designated benches around the Promenade.

 

[branfam]

Just got back from our first stay at CBR. I had actually stayed here 19 years ago with an ex-boyfriend, but to be honest, I don't remember that much from that stay (I guess I blocked that trip out of my mind, LOL).

I really wasn't too concerned about our location because I don't mind walking, but we were back in Aruba 56 (standard view), so pretty far from OPR. I came to the conclusion while driving around the resort (thank goodness for having a car) that if you're on the dining plan and/or are purchasing a refillable mug, just pay for a preferred location or it won't be that easy to get good use out of the mug -- unless, you spend a lot of time at the resort and aren't on any particular schedule -- or, if you have a car. Fortunately for us, we weren't on the dining plan/using mugs and we had a car.

I also wasn't terribly concerned over the reports of the bus service because it's hit and miss everywhere I've stayed. However, this was the worst, IMO. Packed to the gills for every park no matter the time of day. I can't believe that leaving MK one night, I had to stand in the stairwell of one of those huge, articulated buses -- it felt very dangerous to me. My younger DS didn't even have anything to really hold onto so I was trying to balance while keeping him balanced. We even opted to drive to TTC and ferry/monorail to MK one day instead of the bus (which is something I never do) rather than getting on the bus to MK again.

I couldn't really figure out the food court. Sometimes, you'd wait for your food and pay. Other times, they'd hand you a ticket and ask you to pay first and then come back and pick up the food. I couldn't figure out a rhyme or reason to when this was done. Maybe locations where the food took longer to prepare? Not sure. Also, I have NEVER had to circle a food court anywhere I've stayed for longer than 30-60 seconds looking for a place to sit. We went up there for breakfast one morning around 9:30/10:00 (which I figured was past the prime breakfast time) and it took us almost 10 minutes to find a place to sit down! Needless to say, cold breakfast. Wow, really not enough seats here for the amount of guests.

I don't know where the designated smoking area is here, but on two different nights, we were awoken around 1:00 a.m. from the very strong smell of smoke in our room. We were on the second floor and I don't know if our neighbors were smoking on the breezeway outside of our room and it was wafting in under the door (couldn't really hear voices to know) or what the deal was, but it about made me sick. I'm sure this can and does happen anywhere, but it's the first time it's happened to us.

We noticed within the first hour or two after we checked in that our room was very stagnant and just wasn't getting cool despite our efforts to lower the thermostat and turn on the fan. You could feel cold air blowing out, but it was only going in one direction. DH took the decorative cover off of the of a/c unit, and voila, air actually circulated around the entire room! So, remember that tip should you run into the same problem.

Again, this could probably happen anywhere, but we had a problem with our magic bands. We brought 3 each with us (so, 12 altogether). We tested them all out when got to the room. All of DH's worked, NONE of mine worked (MDE and the reservation was in my name), NONE of one our DS's worked, and 1 of our other DS's worked. So, up to OPR to the concierge desk to get that straightened out. I'm sure that's more of an MDE problem vs. a CBR problem, but that was the first time we've run into issues.


Housekeeping was fine as were the CMs. The pool was fun. I know my report sounds negative, but there are positives and I would stay here again. It probably wouldn't be my first choice, but I did not hate it by any means. If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

My family and I also just returned from a trip to wdw and staying at CBR. We were in Martinique 21. We weren't super close to OPR but it wasn't a problem. Even though our room faced a parking lot the lush greenery almost covered it up. For us the food court was good. A little slow but good. We had our AC set on 65 for the entire week. By the end of the week the room got down to 69 degrees but didn't feel cool. Mousekeeping was fine. The buses......

I thought I was prepared. We have stayed on-site many times at all levels. My husband loves a Disney vacation because he doesn't have to drive. (He commutes 90 miles per day to from work.) The buses were mostly exceptionally bad. If they were timely they were overcrowded. 3 times we waited close to 45 minutes. Yes we used the bus stop phone to complain. It was like we forever going to the wrong park and other buses came instead of ours. We literally saw 3 HS buses one day before 1 MK bus.

CBR was beautiful and peaceful BUT bus service is an important part of our trip so we will stay elsewhere next time.

 

[Tardisblue]

My family and I also just returned from a trip to wdw and staying at CBR. We were in Martinique 21. We weren't super close to OPR but it wasn't a problem. Even though our room faced a parking lot the lush greenery almost covered it up. For us the food court was good. A little slow but good. We had our AC set on 65 for the entire week. By the end of the week the room got down to 69 degrees but didn't feel cool. Mousekeeping was fine. The buses......

I thought I was prepared. We have stayed on-site many times at all levels. My husband loves a Disney vacation because he doesn't have to drive. (He commutes 90 miles per day to from work.) The buses were mostly exceptionally bad. If they were timely they were overcrowded. 3 times we waited close to 45 minutes. Yes we used the bus stop phone to complain. It was like we forever going to the wrong park and other buses came instead of ours. We literally saw 3 HS buses one day before 1 MK bus.

CBR was beautiful and peaceful BUT bus service is an important part of our trip so we will stay elsewhere next time.

Staying in a Preferred Room starting on Saturday, so it will be either Martinique or Trinidad North. First time staying here, we've stayed at POFQ the last 2 family trips and these posts have me wondering if we made the right choice. I'll post an update next week when we return.

 

[HCinKC]

how many cribs do they have and what are the chances of them running out.

also when is the best time to ask for one, we don't arrive until Nov this will be out first trip with our son and he will be 22 months and probably still sleeping in one.

I don't know if anyone answered this. I am pages and pages behind.

While a rare crib is reported, you will most likely get a pack n play. I don't have any idea how many they have, but I have never heard of anyone not getting one. You can add it now. I added ours at the time of reservation (online), double checked it when making room requests about a month out (phone), and double checked again about 7 days prior (phone). It was already set up plus an extra sheet when we got to our room. I did bring a sheet from home, so the baby was sleeping on something familiar.

 

[dpswift]

Staying in a Preferred Room starting on Saturday, so it will be either Martinique or Trinidad North. First time staying here, we've stayed at POFQ the last 2 family trips and these posts have me wondering if we made the right choice. I'll post an update next week when we return.

Please do update. I stayed in CBR over 2 decades ago so I do not remember much about it. Since then we have only stayed value. I was soo disapointed when we were at POP in May to see that CBR had the furthest walk to the bus stop at MK. My boys and I are staying at CBR in Nov and DH and I are at POFQ end of dec.

 

[NickyDD]

My first time posting, been reading the thread for a while.
73 days until we check in, first time staying at CBR, last time we stayed at the AKL and the kids had a blast! I can't wait!!

 

[dis_guy]

My first time posting, been reading the thread for a while.

Awesome! Welcome to the CBR thread. You'll find the people here to be among the most knowledgeable and helpful anywhere. Mostly they're just really nice folks, that's why I hang out here!