Resort Thread Disney's CARIBBEAN BEACH Resort

[ConnecticutNonna]

Has anyone sent their little swashbucklers to Pirate Camp?
Would love to hear about it!

 

[Kevin355]

Never sent our kids but did see it in person last stay we had. The CM's had the kids enthralled and was a pretty tame bunch. Don't know how it works, but I was impressed.

 

[Barbara76]

Never sent our kids but did see it in person last stay we had. The CM's had the kids enthralled and was a pretty tame bunch. Don't know how it works, but I was impressed.

Where was it held?

 

[Kevin355]

Looked like they were treasure hunting on the various beaches near the main pool. Remember seeing some kids with drawn on beards and shovels and buckets.

 

[Bree]

Ooohh, love the idea of the soccer academy! My daughter would love this...Must look into this

Here's the link for this year https://www.espnwwos.com/events/soccer/disney-soccer-academy/

FYI, if you don't live within 90 miles of WDW or had booked your resort stay by November 15th the year prior, you are required to book a hotel stay through their travel vendor. This year it's standard rooms at Caribbean Beach or All Star Sports. I wasn't aware of that and our plans got changed around a few times due to family commitments. We are now at AKL for our vacation part of the trip then at All Star Sports for 5 nights. We wanted CBR, but there was no availability so we are on a waiting list. I'm doubtful it will happen since Disney asked for some of the vendor's rooms back for the week leading up to July 4th (2nd session of the academy which my DD is going to). The prices per night were okay. My rate as an AP holder was a heck of a lot cheaper and I told them that. I'm glad I did because they did offer a different rate for AP holders. Not as cheap as if I booked on my own, but better than rack rate. If my DD likes the soccer academy I will make sure to book before November so we can stay where we want to stay.

Back to living vicariously through you all. I love CBR and hoping our waitlist comes through.

 

[go oilers go]

Here's the link for this year https://www.espnwwos.com/events/soccer/disney-soccer-academy/

FYI, if you don't live within 90 miles of WDW or had booked your resort stay by November 15th the year prior, you are required to book a hotel stay through their travel vendor. This year it's standard rooms at Caribbean Beach or All Star Sports. I wasn't aware of that and our plans got changed around a few times due to family commitments. We are now at AKL for our vacation part of the trip then at All Star Sports for 5 nights. We wanted CBR, but there was no availability so we are on a waiting list. I'm doubtful it will happen since Disney asked for some of the vendor's rooms back for the week leading up to July 4th (2nd session of the academy which my DD is going to). The prices per night were okay. My rate as an AP holder was a heck of a lot cheaper and I told them that. I'm glad I did because they did offer a different rate for AP holders. Not as cheap as if I booked on my own, but better than rack rate. If my DD likes the soccer academy I will make sure to book before November so we can stay where we want to stay.

Back to living vicariously through you all. I love CBR and hoping our waitlist comes through.

Thanks for sharing! I will have to consider it for next time I guess, but it sounds like fun . We live in western Canada, so a little more than 90 miles away ️ Hope your daughter has fun!

 

[mommykds]

Got back from a great first stay at Caribbean Beach last week and finally have time to post. We were there May 1st - 8th. Just me and DS12. We requested Aruba or Jamaica and ended up in Aruba building 52, which was perfect for us since it was a quick walk to the bridge. Also requested and got a corner room. Loved the nice walk to and from Old Port Royale. Beautiful landscaping. Had lots of fun at the pool. My son loved the Mickey waffles at the food court, but we didn't really eat any other meals there other than hamburgers one night really late. The resort never felt crowded, even the pool and food court areas. No problems or complaints with busses. Never waited more than a few minutes. One night at MK closing the line was very daunting looking, but three buses came pretty much back to back. Making stops in the resort didn't bother me. Only added a few minutes of time to the trip. No big deal. We never did find a good direct route from building 52 to the Aruba bus stop, lol. I think we took a different path each time. We used the Jamaica stop a few times, because it seemed just as close. Honestly, I'd rank the bus service above some of the deluxes we have stayed at, for sure. Only real drawback is that it is the farthest bus stop at the Magic Kingdom....about six miles away from the park entrance. Lol. Ok...obviously not really, but it is pretty much in the Contemporary parking lot and, although it doesn't seem like it should matter, that walk feels LOOOOOOONG at the end of the day. That's not something that would keep us from staying there again, of course. Just something we laughed about as we dragged our exhausted selves waaaaaay down there. Our room (5236) was beautiful. Very nicely done. I'd seen the pics, but it really looks much nicer in person. Everyone we dealt with there was wonderful. Some truly lovely CMs

Overall, we really enjoyed our stay. Loved the atmosphere, pool, landscaping, room, cast members, buses, etc. No complaints at all. I've now stayed at all the moderate resorts, and I'd say Caribbean Beach probably ranks as my third favorite. I still love Coronado Springs best because it feels just a bit more "deluxe" than CBR. POFQ is a solid second for me because of it's compact size and charm. But Caribbibean Beach is definitely a good third and I'm sure we will be back there again. As for PO Riverside (which is still Dixie Landings to me, if that tells you how long I've been hanging around here) it just doesn't do anything for me at all. It feels kind of bland and blah...although I know it has a legion of loyal fans, so I'm sure it's just me. For what it's worth, my newly 13 year old son says he would rank Caribbean Beach in a tie for first with Coronado as his favorite moderate resort.

So, there you have it. That's my short report. If anyone has any questions, I'll be happy to try and answer them!

Thanks for the great post. Glad you enjoyed your stay.

 

[LadyRayado]

We have a water view room booked. It's just me and a toddler - with stroller, backpack, etc - so I'll need a ground floor room. What building(s) do you suggest? I'm only planning one pool day and honestly don't plan on visiting the food court at all. I'd rather be close to transportation and maybe even one of the first pick-ups? Thanks!

 

[dansdad]

We have a water view room booked. It's just me and a toddler - with stroller, backpack, etc - so I'll need a ground floor room. What building(s) do you suggest? I'm only planning one pool day and honestly don't plan on visiting the food court at all. I'd rather be close to transportation and maybe even one of the first pick-ups? Thanks!

Every village has its own bus stop so you'll be close to one no matter where you are. I would request Trinidad North, Martinique 24, 25 or 26.

 

[Ninja]

We are going at the end of 28th July- 11th August is it easy go get a hammock on the beach at this busy time?

Got back from a great first stay at Caribbean Beach last week and finally have time to post. We were there May 1st - 8th. Just me and DS12. We requested Aruba or Jamaica and ended up in Aruba building 52, which was perfect for us since it was a quick walk to the bridge. Also requested and got a corner room. Loved the nice walk to and from Old Port Royale. Beautiful landscaping. Had lots of fun at the pool. My son loved the Mickey waffles at the food court, but we didn't really eat any other meals there other than hamburgers one night really late. The resort never felt crowded, even the pool and food court areas. No problems or complaints with busses. Never waited more than a few minutes. One night at MK closing the line was very daunting looking, but three buses came pretty much back to back. Making stops in the resort didn't bother me. Only added a few minutes of time to the trip. No big deal. We never did find a good direct route from building 52 to the Aruba bus stop, lol. I think we took a different path each time. We used the Jamaica stop a few times, because it seemed just as close. Honestly, I'd rank the bus service above some of the deluxes we have stayed at, for sure. Only real drawback is that it is the farthest bus stop at the Magic Kingdom....about six miles away from the park entrance. Lol. Ok...obviously not really, but it is pretty much in the Contemporary parking lot and, although it doesn't seem like it should matter, that walk feels LOOOOOOONG at the end of the day. That's not something that would keep us from staying there again, of course. Just something we laughed about as we dragged our exhausted selves waaaaaay down there. Our room (5236) was beautiful. Very nicely done. I'd seen the pics, but it really looks much nicer in person. Everyone we dealt with there was wonderful. Some truly lovely CMs

Overall, we really enjoyed our stay. Loved the atmosphere, pool, landscaping, room, cast members, buses, etc. No complaints at all. I've now stayed at all the moderate resorts, and I'd say Caribbean Beach probably ranks as my third favorite. I still love Coronado Springs best because it feels just a bit more "deluxe" than CBR. POFQ is a solid second for me because of it's compact size and charm. But Caribbibean Beach is definitely a good third and I'm sure we will be back there again. As for PO Riverside (which is still Dixie Landings to me, if that tells you how long I've been hanging around here) it just doesn't do anything for me at all. It feels kind of bland and blah...although I know it has a legion of loyal fans, so I'm sure it's just me. For what it's worth, my newly 13 year old son says he would rank Caribbean Beach in a tie for first with Coronado as his favorite moderate resort.

So, there you have it. That's my short report. If anyone has any questions, I'll be happy to try and answer them!

Did you have a freezer compartment in your fridge?

We are at CBR now. It's a beautiful resort. This is our second stay here. Just wanted to mention that we are in the Jamaica area, room 4421 and there is a Murphy bed in the room. My 5'3" daughter is sleeping on it but her feet are right at the end of the bed. We actually didn't pay for the extra bed; it was a bonus, esp because our daughters do not sleep well together. . Our bathroom has a metal pocket door. We are very happy that we decided to stay here again. It's so quiet and peaceful here after being at the parks!

What's a metal pocket door? Also did you have a freezer compartment in the fridge?

 

[dansdad]

We are going at the end of 28th July- 11th August is it easy go get a hammock on the beach at this busy time?

We've never had an issue getting a couple hammocks. In fact our first stay at CBR on day 4 we had a resort day and were looking to relax. We had not seen anyone in any of the hammocks since we checked in so my wife made me ask a CM if the hammocks were "real" or just for decoration. And we are always at CBR during Free Dining when the resort is at capacity. You shouldn't have any problems.

Did you have a freezer compartment in your fridge?

Some fridges do and some don't.

 

[Kevin355]

Some fridges do and some don't.

What rooms have freezer compartments?!?!?!?!

 

[EpcotBill]

What rooms have freezer compartments?!?!?!?!

It's luck of the draw. I think there are very few that have them.

 

[Kevin355]

It's luck of the draw. I think there are very few that have them.

I was making a joke...guess I failed on that.

 

[honeybunches]

Last year we requested Jamaica and got Jamaica. We were so happy since Jamaica is just a quick walk and over the bridge to OPR. After we finished with check in, the lady told us the bridge was out. We would have to either take a shuttle which we did not want to do, or walk up a hill around a bridge, down a hill and then walk the entire length of the lake. We tried the walk once and said "no way" it was just too much for us. They switched us to Martinique, but we had to wait until the next day, which was not a problem, but they were good at working with us and showing us all the rooms that would be available over the next couple of days.

I'm nervous about staying at CBR without the shuttle. We stayed in Jamaica 42 last year and the shuttle was great -- we rode it several times a day to OPR to refill drinks or have meals. We're staying at CBR again, and I'm worried that we were spoiled by that easy van ride!

 

[Kevin355]

I'm nervous about staying at CBR without the shuttle. We stayed in Jamaica 42 last year and the shuttle was great -- we rode it several times a day to OPR to refill drinks or have meals. We're staying at CBR again, and I'm worried that we were spoiled by that easy van ride!

It will be a much quicker walk since the bridge is done. Even quicker than the van/shuttle boat that CBR had last year.

 

[dansdad]

I'm nervous about staying at CBR without the shuttle. We stayed in Jamaica 42 last year and the shuttle was great -- we rode it several times a day to OPR to refill drinks or have meals. We're staying at CBR again, and I'm worried that we were spoiled by that easy van ride!

You can always take the internal bus if you want. But as @Kevin355 said, it will be much quicker to walk.

 

[honeybunches]

Thank you!

 

[Ninja]

We've never had an issue getting a couple hammocks. In fact our first stay at CBR on day 4 we had a resort day and were looking to relax. We had not seen anyone in any of the hammocks since we checked in so my wife made me ask a CM if the hammocks were "real" or just for decoration. And we are always at CBR during Free Dining when the resort is at capacity. You shouldn't have any problems.




Some fridges do and some don't.

Cheers, I was hoping it will be easy to grab a hammock, have a couple of lazy mornings around the resort planned as it looks so peaceful and relaxing

 

[DSMVP]

Hi everyone. I am booked in a king room (8/28-9/2) at this resort with my 13 yo DS. It is our first stay at CBR. Am I correct that this room category can be in any section of this resort except where the pirate rooms are located? Should I wait until check in to see what section is available or request one now. I would like to be close to the foodcourt. Thanks!