Resort Thread Disney's CARIBBEAN BEACH Resort

[SPOERLX3]

The order of bus stops is not dependent on which park you are going to. It is dependent on which entrance the driver decides to use. If it's the side entrance then Jamaica is 1st. If it's the main entrance then Martinique is first.

In all of our stays at CBR we have never seen a w/c be left behind at a bus stop. Now I know it's impossible to say if it will happen as it is completely dependent on how many guests using a w/c are there at the same time as you and when they are heading to the parks. But just wanted to throw that out there that we've never seen it happen.

Thank you dansdad!
I guess the way my crazy mind works: we are at the bus stop with everyone else for rope drop, if we are in a village that is later in the bus loop and they have already stopped to pick up at a couple of other villages, the bus pulls up and is full, what happens? I guess I am just trying to figure this bus stop situation at CBR out since we have always been at POP.

I truly appreciate everyone and all the help you have all given me and my crazy, over-planning brain!

 

[SPOERLX3]

We went with an ECV in December. It was never a problem. Often we were the last stop coming back bc that made it easier for the driver to unload him, but no big deal. Once or twice we had bus issues where the driver didn't quite know how to let out the ramp, but never a huge deal. We were at park opening every day with no problems.

Thank you WDWAurora! I am truly feeling much better with everyone's input!

 

[dansdad]

Thank you dansdad!
I guess the way my crazy mind works: we are at the bus stop with everyone else for rope drop, if we are in a village that is later in the bus loop and they have already stopped to pick up at a couple of other villages, the bus pulls up and is full, what happens? I guess I am just trying to figure this bus stop situation at CBR out since we have always been at POP.

I truly appreciate everyone and all the help you have all given me and my crazy, over-planning brain!

In all our stays at CBR we have never seen a bus have to leave anyone behind, w/c or not. In a rare instance in the morning rush the bus will be standing room, but "no man left behind" so to speak.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I am close to doing online check in so I wanted to confirm something with all of you experts. I have booked a preferred room. Is it possible to get a water view preferred room, if I request it? Or are those 2 things mutually exclusive (I know water view is also a separate booking category). Thanks in advance!

 

[dansdad]

I am close to doing online check in so I wanted to confirm something with all of you experts. I have booked a preferred room. Is it possible to get a water view preferred room, if I request it? Or are those 2 things mutually exclusive (I know water view is also a separate booking category). Thanks in advance!

Rooms are either Preferred OR Water View. There are no rooms that are both. So requesting a Water View will be a wasted request.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Rooms are either Preferred OR Water View. There are no rooms that are both. So requesting a Water View will be a wasted request.

That's what I was afraid of. Thank you for confirming!

 

[dansdad]

That's what I was afraid of. Thank you for confirming!

Hope you have a Magical stay at our beloved CBR!

 

[DebnPaul]

Officially less than 90 days until we get to CBR! Since it is our first time staying at CBR I have read every page of this thread and thanks to all who post. Great information!

 

[WDWAurora]

I am close to doing online check in so I wanted to confirm something with all of you experts. I have booked a preferred room. Is it possible to get a water view preferred room, if I request it? Or are those 2 things mutually exclusive (I know water view is also a separate booking category). Thanks in advance!

Our preferred room was technically water view. We could see a quiet pool to our left and the lake straight ahead. My dad's room next door you could've opened the door, walked straight about 25 steps, and been IN the lake. We didn't make any requests for that, though-just requested first floor due to his ECV.

 

[dansdad]

Our preferred room was technically water view. We could see a quiet pool to our left and the lake straight ahead. My dad's room next door you could've opened the door, walked straight about 25 steps, and been IN the lake. We didn't make any requests for that, though-just requested first floor due to his ECV.

Interesting. It sounds like you were actually assigned Water View rooms. Which would be a shame because Water View rooms are less $$ than Preferred so you should have gotten a refund. Preferred rooms will face the inner courtyards, another building or the parking lot. Unless they've changed their room classifications very recently.

 

[SPOERLX3]

Our preferred room was technically water view. We could see a quiet pool to our left and the lake straight ahead. My dad's room next door you could've opened the door, walked straight about 25 steps, and been IN the lake. We didn't make any requests for that, though-just requested first floor due to his ECV.

If you don't mind, would you share your room numbers?

 

[chocolateMinnie]

Great review, thank you!
I do have a question
When you say "buses were never available on the two MK early opening days until it was too late".
Was it just that they came late or was it that when the bus got to Jamaica, the bus was full?
On early morning magic hours we normally get to the bus stop at 7am and have never had any trouble at POP, this will be our first time at CBR so I am a little nervous.
Thank you in advance

The first week of early magic hours we got to Jamaica bus stop for 7.15am. The bus arrived at approximately 7.35 am and by the time we reached the park it was already opened. The second week we thought we would learn from our mistakes and arrived at the bus stop at 7am. No bus this time until a similar time. My kids were able to get into the park at just before 8am as they had no bags but as I had a bag I was obviously delayed at security. The lines were only open on one of the three MK sides for EMH and I was through at 8.25am. By the time I got over to fantastyland it was thirty minutes into EMH.

Jamaica is the first stop for all parks except Disney Springs (or at least it was for the fortnight we were there). The first few buses in a morning ran as two separate collections - Jamaica/Aruba/Barbados and out was our bus. There were approximately 5 times in the fortnight that the bus ran from Jamaica to Aruba and was unable to collect guests from Barbados but would stop and advise them that he/she had called for another bus to come for them.

We never had any other problems from Jamaica in the two weeks (and we went to one park each morning and a different late afternoon or evening). Jamaica turned out to be a blessing although we wanted Martinique because you were basically guaranteed to get on a morning bus and although you then had to wait for the bus to collect other guests (and my teenage kids regularly gave up their seats for elderly guests or Mums with kids) it was a guaranteed ride. Coming home after evening fireworks we were obviously the first drop home of seven which was awesome.

They must be aware of the MK problems as this was the only bus where we regularly had a bendy bus.

 

[WDWAurora]

Interesting. It sounds like you were actually assigned Water View rooms. Which would be a shame because Water View rooms are less $$ than Preferred so you should have gotten a refund. Preferred rooms will face the inner courtyards, another building or the parking lot. Unless they've changed their room classifications very recently.

We were in Trinidad north, a short walk from the main building. Oh, and I do not remember the room numbers-I did post them earlier in the thread somewhere.

 

[dansdad]

We were in Trinidad north, a short walk from the main building. Oh, and I do not remember the room numbers-I did post them earlier in the thread somewhere.

Yes, there are 3 room categories in Trinidad North; King Bed, Water View and Preferred.

 

[mshl_7]

For anyone that has stayed at Trinidad North, were buses a problem?

 

[dansdad]

For anyone that has stayed at Trinidad North, were buses a problem?

What do you mean? After over 55 nights at CBR we have found the buses to be no better or worse than any other WDW resort. But as a whole have had very good experiences at CBR.

 

[paultheroyal]

Typhoon lagoon update - basically if you go there before 1pm which I guess most of us would do then you get the Disney springs bus (they also label this as typhoon) and you are on your way. Bizarrely you drive past typhoon lagoon, then onto Disney springs, into the car park out of the car park and back to typhoon lagoon. So good news you don't get off but it adds 10 mins to your journey. Do get there early as you get a free run at picking the best spit to choose your base for the day.

4pm today park good as shut as lighting! It looked manic as everyone was heading for the buses but loads were provided. So coming back you get on Disney springs, get off and short walk to Caribbean stop to head back to resort. More of a faff compared to other resorts but no real issue. Just allow yourself more time by 10 mins.

Hope that helps.

 

[SPOERLX3]

The first week of early magic hours we got to Jamaica bus stop for 7.15am. The bus arrived at approximately 7.35 am and by the time we reached the park it was already opened. The second week we thought we would learn from our mistakes and arrived at the bus stop at 7am. No bus this time until a similar time. My kids were able to get into the park at just before 8am as they had no bags but as I had a bag I was obviously delayed at security. The lines were only open on one of the three MK sides for EMH and I was through at 8.25am. By the time I got over to fantastyland it was thirty minutes into EMH.

Jamaica is the first stop for all parks except Disney Springs (or at least it was for the fortnight we were there). The first few buses in a morning ran as two separate collections - Jamaica/Aruba/Barbados and out was our bus. There were approximately 5 times in the fortnight that the bus ran from Jamaica to Aruba and was unable to collect guests from Barbados but would stop and advise them that he/she had called for another bus to come for them.

We never had any other problems from Jamaica in the two weeks (and we went to one park each morning and a different late afternoon or evening). Jamaica turned out to be a blessing although we wanted Martinique because you were basically guaranteed to get on a morning bus and although you then had to wait for the bus to collect other guests (and my teenage kids regularly gave up their seats for elderly guests or Mums with kids) it was a guaranteed ride. Coming home after evening fireworks we were obviously the first drop home of seven which was awesome.

They must be aware of the MK problems as this was the only bus where we regularly had a bendy bus.

This is what makes me nervous. We have an 8am pre park opening breakfast at CRT on our last day there and I would hate to be 30 minutes late! I would hate to be 5 minutes late! Anyone else had this problem with the CBR buses to MK, trying to get there by 8a? We were planning on being at the bust stop at 7am. I was thinking that would surely be enough time but now I am concerned. Hopefully this was a fluke. dansdad, with all your stays, have you had problems getting to MK before 8a?

 

[dansdad]

This is what makes me nervous. We have an 8am pre park opening breakfast at CRT on our last day there and I would hate to be 30 minutes late! I would hate to be 5 minutes late! Anyone else had this problem with the CBR buses to MK, trying to get there by 8a? We were planning on being at the bust stop at 7am. I was thinking that would surely be enough time but now I am concerned. Hopefully this was a fluke. dansdad, with all your stays, have you had problems getting to MK before 8a?

Whenever we have a 8:00 ADR at MK we are at the bus stop by 6:45 and have never gotten to MK later than 7:15. If you're there by 6:45 you will be on the first bus. If you miss that one you'll have a 20-25 minute wait. The early ADR buses don't run as frequently as the normal buses.

 

[KNovacovschi]

Question, if you are driving and deciding to take the bus to a park, which park would it be? I'm debating whether to use the bus or just drive. Like Spoelrx3 we have only ever used the busses at POP and know that schedule like the back of hand.

If it helps this is our itinerary:
Mon: 1900 PF breakfast and then Epcot
Tues: HS
Wed: 8:10am CP and MK day. We also have Ohanas at 6pm and EMH till 1am which we may utilize
Thurs: Epcot
Fri: Chef Mickeys and then AK however we check out this day so have to drive as we checkin into a townhouse

Also has anyone paid for the preferred parking at MK? I'm thinking of using it on Oct 1st.