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

[KrazeeK120]

OK, first of all, I ask for forgiveness if this is a really stupid question!

I am considering a visit to Disney this fall and CBR looks like a fantastic place to stay, especially with the refurbed rooms!

My question is, is the food court difficult to figure out? It appears that you order your food from whatever "station" you want and then pay somewhere else? Is that correct? How do you get your beverage with your meal?

Sorry, I'm just having a really tough time picturing this, having never been there. I'm also a crazy planner...I want to know EXACTLY how everything works before I go someplace! I don't like "figuring it out" when I get there.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

OK, first of all, I ask for forgiveness if this is a really stupid question!

I am considering a visit to Disney this fall and CBR looks like a fantastic place to stay, especially with the refurbed rooms!

My question is, is the food court difficult to figure out? It appears that you order your food from whatever "station" you want and then pay somewhere else? Is that correct? How do you get your beverage with your meal?

Sorry, I'm just having a really tough time picturing this, having never been there. I'm also a crazy planner...I want to know EXACTLY how everything works before I go someplace! I don't like "figuring it out" when I get there.

Nope, not difficult at all.

Yes, they have several different stations where you can order different types of food (or pick up premade foods) and then carry them to to check out stands (one over off to the side if you aren't going to sitdown to eat or the main lanes that lead into the seating area). If you are getting a drink they will give you a cup (or you can use your resort mug...you can also buy or activate the one with your meal plan there).

THe drink stations are in the seating area along with the condiments and to-go boxes and bags.

This works well if one kid wants pizza and another wants a burger...you can pay for everything at once instead of paying for pizza at one location and the burger at another (like you end up doing at places like Cosmic Rays).

 

[Momto8]

We leave this Friday and check in on Sunday at CBR. We are staying the first two nights at DBIL and DSIL's house in Lakeland, and we will all drive over together on Sunday to check in. Our trip is almost here! Woohoo!!

What kind of coffeemakers do they have, and do they give you both regular (for me) and decaf (for DH)? Are they the pod-type coffeemakers like they have in the other resorts? Is it usually just one pack of each for each day? I'm thinking about bringing our own coffee, so we have enough of both, but need to know what kind of maker it is.

TIA!

 

[Airship Ariadne]

We leave this Friday and check in on Sunday at CBR. We are staying the first two nights at DBIL and DSIL's house in Lakeland, and we will all drive over together on Sunday to check in. Our trip is almost here! Woohoo!!

What kind of coffeemakers do they have, and do they give you both regular (for me) and decaf (for DH)? Are they the pod-type coffeemakers like they have in the other resorts? Is it usually just one pack of each for each day? I'm thinking about bringing our own coffee, so we have enough of both, but need to know what kind of maker it is.

TIA!

Yes, the pod type, I think if you leave a note, mousekeeping can leave extras.

Ok, I've finally started my trip report..haven't gotten to the resort yet, but hope people will read along...it's the one with #KindnessMatters to start the name.

 

[Momto8]

Yes, the pod type, I think if you leave a note, mousekeeping can leave extras.

Ok, I've finally started my trip report..haven't gotten to the resort yet, but hope people will read along...it's the one with #KindnessMatters to start the name.

Thanks Airship Ariadne! We will leave a note to make sure we get both. I look forward to reading your trip report too!

 

[mrg013]

We returned from CBR just before Christmas, and very much enjoyed our stay overall! I had every intention of posting a review on here, but I ended up posting my long review on TripAdvisor first. I figure I'll share a link for those who may be interested. I know DISers tend to be most interested in all the little details, so I know some of you may find my overly comprehensive review more helpful than the general public on TripAdvisor would anyway

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34515-d85983-r247258267-Disney_s_Caribbean_Beach_Resort-Orlando_Florida.html

 

[ChristineOH]

We returned from CBR just before Christmas, and very much enjoyed our stay overall! I had every intention of posting a review on here, but I ended up posting my long review on TripAdvisor first. I figure I'll share a link for those who may be interested. I know DISers tend to be most interested in all the little details, so I know some of you may find my overly comprehensive review more helpful than the general public on TripAdvisor would anyway

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34515-d85983-r247258267-Disney_s_Caribbean_Beach_Resort-Orlando_Florida.html

Thanks for the detailed review!

 

[WICKEDW3NCH]

Does anyone have a copy of the January event calander? They emailed it to me but the link was broken.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

We returned from CBR just before Christmas, and very much enjoyed our stay overall! I had every intention of posting a review on here, but I ended up posting my long review on TripAdvisor first. I figure I'll share a link for those who may be interested. I know DISers tend to be most interested in all the little details, so I know some of you may find my overly comprehensive review more helpful than the general public on TripAdvisor would anyway

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34515-d85983-r247258267-Disney_s_Caribbean_Beach_Resort-Orlando_Florida.html

Very good review...I agree that people exaggerate the size of the resort...it is like the comment I heard Neil Gaiman share, when you are in America, 100 years sounds like a long time, when in England 100 miles sounds like a long way...the size of the resort is only big when compared to places like POFQ.

 

[mrg013]

Very good review...I agree that people exaggerate the size of the resort...it is like the comment I heard Neil Gaiman share, when you are in America, 100 years sounds like a long time, when in England 100 miles sounds like a long way...the size of the resort is only big when compared to places like POFQ.

Great quote! It's definitely all relative. I would just really hate to see people miss out on a good resort because of worries about its size. Especially at busy times of year, I really see the size as a positive in creating some feeling of privacy and seclusion, which is well worth it in exchange for a little extra walking.

 

[yankeepenny]

MRG013- Thank you for sharing.

 

[twinspluscade]

We returned from CBR just before Christmas, and very much enjoyed our stay overall! I had every intention of posting a review on here, but I ended up posting my long review on TripAdvisor first. I figure I'll share a link for those who may be interested. I know DISers tend to be most interested in all the little details, so I know some of you may find my overly comprehensive review more helpful than the general public on TripAdvisor would anyway

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34515-d85983-r247258267-Disney_s_Caribbean_Beach_Resort-Orlando_Florida.html

I spotted your review on TA yesterday! I found it very helpful, especially all the photos.

 

[gonitts]

Without going through the whole thread I have a few questions. We are possibly coming to DW in October and was thinking of staying here. This is the only moderate resort we haven't tried.

1) We probably will just get a standard view room. Are the beds queen size in these rooms?
2) It will be two adults one child 14 and one child 6. From photos on page 1 it looks as though there is a pull out bed. Is this standard in a standard room?
3) Is there a water slide at any of the pools in the different islands?

Thanks for your help.

 

[mrg013]

Without going through the whole thread I have a few questions. We are possibly coming to DW in October and was thinking of staying here. This is the only moderate resort we haven't tried.

1) We probably will just get a standard view room. Are the beds queen size in these rooms?
2) It will be two adults one child 14 and one child 6. From photos on page 1 it looks as though there is a pull out bed. Is this standard in a standard room?
3) Is there a water slide at any of the pools in the different islands?

Thanks for your help.

(1) Before the current renovations, standard rooms had 2 double beds, but these are being replaced with queens in the renovation process. As of right now, most (but not all) standard rooms have had the doubles replaced by 2 queens. By October, all of the standard rooms should definitely be done, so any standard view, non-pirate room should have 2 queens when you stay at CBR (renovations are actually expected to be done by May).

(2) Some of the renovated standard rooms do have pull-out beds, but not all of them. No one really knows what the exact breakdown in number is between rooms with and without these beds. Disney has started taking reservations for 5 people per standard room at CBR, which indicates that any reservation for 5 would be guaranteed a pull-down bed (since there's no other way to accommodate more than 4 people in a room). However, as of right now, there's no indication that there's any way to guarantee a pull-down bed if you're only booking 4 people in a room. There could possibly end up being an option to request one via online check-in in the future, but it seems that the only way to get one without booking 5 people in a room would be to make some sort of request for it and hope that the request is honored.

(3) The only pool that has a water slide is the main pool by Old Port Royale. The individual island quiet pools are all pretty basic, and don't have any special features.

 

[gonitts]

(1) Before the current renovations, standard rooms had 2 double beds, but these are being replaced with queens in the renovation process. As of right now, most (but not all) standard rooms have had the doubles replaced by 2 queens. By October, all of the standard rooms should definitely be done, so any standard view, non-pirate room should have 2 queens when you stay at CBR (renovations are actually expected to be done by May).

(2) Some of the renovated standard rooms do have pull-out beds, but not all of them. No one really knows what the exact breakdown in number is between rooms with and without these beds. Disney has started taking reservations for 5 people per standard room at CBR, which indicates that any reservation for 5 would be guaranteed a pull-down bed (since there's no other way to accommodate more than 4 people in a room). However, as of right now, there's no indication that there's any way to guarantee a pull-down bed if you're only booking 4 people in a room. There could possibly end up being an option to request one via online check-in in the future, but it seems that the only way to get one without booking 5 people in a room would be to make some sort of request for it and hope that the request is honored.

(3) The only pool that has a water slide is the main pool by Old Port Royale. The individual island quiet pools are all pretty basic, and don't have any special features.

Wow, thank you for info. What island would we need to book to be closest to the water slide pool. I can look at a map I suppose but you seem to know so much.

 

[shannon006]

Considering staying here for our 5/30-6/7 Star Wars trip. We stayed here many years ago and loved it. Very peaceful and relaxing. However we had a car with us. This trip we will be relying on bus transportation only we recently came home from Coronado springs and the bussing was a nightmare. I have looked at the maps, but would still like another opinion to personal experience with the busses. We would stay in a preferred room. I am pretty sure those are close to main pool and food court?

 

[Gymbomom]

(1) Before the current renovations, standard rooms had 2 double beds, but these are being replaced with queens in the renovation process. As of right now, most (but not all) standard rooms have had the doubles replaced by 2 queens. By October, all of the standard rooms should definitely be done, so any standard view, non-pirate room should have 2 queens when you stay at CBR (renovations are actually expected to be done by May).

(2) Some of the renovated standard rooms do have pull-out beds, but not all of them. No one really knows what the exact breakdown in number is between rooms with and without these beds. Disney has started taking reservations for 5 people per standard room at CBR, which indicates that any reservation for 5 would be guaranteed a pull-down bed (since there's no other way to accommodate more than 4 people in a room). However, as of right now, there's no indication that there's any way to guarantee a pull-down bed if you're only booking 4 people in a room. There could possibly end up being an option to request one via online check-in in the future, but it seems that the only way to get one without booking 5 people in a room would be to make some sort of request for it and hope that the request is honored.

(3) The only pool that has a water slide is the main pool by Old Port Royale. The individual island quiet pools are all pretty basic, and don't have any special features.

The CM I spoke with this week said you could request the pull down bed. I requested building and for a pull down bed. You do lose some storage space I heard, but it is worth it to me so my kids don't have to sleep together. They complain about this since they are 13 (ds) and 17 (dd).

 

[Airship Ariadne]

Wow, thank you for info. What island would we need to book to be closest to the water slide pool. I can look at a map I suppose but you seem to know so much.

Considering staying here for our 5/30-6/7 Star Wars trip. We stayed here many years ago and loved it. Very peaceful and relaxing. However we had a car with us. This trip we will be relying on bus transportation only we recently came home from Coronado springs and the bussing was a nightmare. I have looked at the maps, but would still like another opinion to personal experience with the busses. We would stay in a preferred room. I am pretty sure those are close to main pool and food court?

The preferred rooms are in Trinidad North and Martinique...the buildings closest to Old Port Royal, the food court, and pool.

But for standard rooms that are closest, you would want Jamaica or Aruba and the buildings closest to the bridge across to Caribbean Cay. Jamaica 45 and 46 and Aruba 51 are your best bests.

I've never been on Star Wars weekends (we get our Star Wars fix at the Comicons) but would assume heavy crowds for buses heading to HS...and back at the end. I don't think you are going to find any resort that doesn't have this issue...but I will say, that when there were big crowds for one park, they often aren't making the CBR buses make the full loop, then split the resort in half and send buses in the two different entrances, so there are only three stops for each. I can't swear that they will do that in May, but they were doing it in December for MK and EPCOT on days with EMH in those parks.

 

[SweetMommy]

Can you add me to the roll call for Feb 18-22!!! Never stayed at CBR before so I am super excited for a new experience!

 

[Dug720]

Wow, thank you for info. What island would we need to book to be closest to the water slide pool. I can look at a map I suppose but you seem to know so much.

Just as a note, it's not like a cruise ship where you can book your cabin in advance. At the resort you cannot book a specific village - the one exception being Trinidad North which is all Pirate Rooms. Even preferred you could be put in either of two villages.

You can REQUEST a village when you do online check-in, but you are not guaranteed that village. SOMEONE has to be in Barbados after all. LOL.