ECV at CBR check in

[prlady13]

Hi! We're planning on booking for 2015 and leaning towards CBR. I've read that the check in building is disconnected from the rest of the resort and you must take a shuttle or tram to your room.
My mother will be traveling with us and has her own ECV. Can these shuttles accommodate an ECV? If not, is there a convenient way to get around? I haven't been able to find any information on that.
Thank you!

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi! We're planning on booking for 2015 and leaning towards CBR. I've read that the check in building is disconnected from the rest of the resort and you must take a shuttle or tram to your room.
My mother will be traveling with us and has her own ECV. Can these shuttles accommodate an ECV? If not, is there a convenient way to get around? I haven't been able to find any information on that.
Thank you!

Yes, you are correct that the check in building is disconnected. The check in/desk area (called Custom House) is at the very front of the resort, right after entering the resort grounds. That's pretty much all that is there, so most guests probably only are at that building to arrive and when they leave. That is where DME drops off and picks up.

The food court, restaurant, gift shop and feature pool are in a different area, called Old Port Royale. That is pretty far from the check in building. The buses stop at both that area and the Custom House.

The resort provides golf cart- like vehicles to bring guests and their belongings between Custom House and their rooms.
Unless this has changed, those vehicles are not wheelchair accessible. If your mom can climb into the vehicle seat, they may be able to place her ECV in the back of the vehicle with luggage (probably only if it comes apart for transport). Otherwise, she could take the bus.

Caribbean Beach was the first Moderate resort built and they changed that when they built the next one. So, all the other Moderate resorts combined the check in and the amenities into the same building. We stayed there many times in the past from soon after it was built.mwe have visited to eat at the food court, but have not stayed there recently. It is a very peaceful and beautiful resort.

This is a link to the wdwinfo page about Caribbean Resort, with pictures, a map and video.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-resorts/caribbean-beach-resort/

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . they may be able to place her ECV in the back of the vehicle with luggage (probably only if it comes apart for transport). Otherwise, she could take the bus . . .

1) SueM in MN, I don't remember the park buses making a stop at Custom House.
. . . I know the DME stops there, but I thought buses to the buildings did not.
. . . If not, there isn't a way for the ECV to get to the buildings via bus.
2) Can you verify the bus route(s) withion CBR?.
3) Please help, so I know for future reference.
TIA

 

[SueM in MN]

1) SueM in MN, I don't remember the park buses making a stop at Custom House.
. . . I know the DME stops there, but I thought buses to the buildings did not.
. . . If not, there isn't a way for the ECV to get to the buildings via bus.
2) Can you verify the bus route(s) withion CBR?.
3) Please help, so I know for future reference.
TIA

I should have clarified that it is not all buses,as far as I know.
Besides the buses that go between the different islands (building areas) and the parks, CBR has internal buses that travel from place to place in the resort.
Those are the ones that go between the islands and Custom House.
I doubt that many people walk to a Custom House - it's a pretty long way.

This is a link to easywdw page about CBR, which includes bus information.
http://www.easywdw.com/resorts/caribbean-beach-resort-review-at-disney-world-orlando-florida/

Also, there is a great thread about CBR on the DISBOARDS Resort Board:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3285736

 

[SueM in MN]

When I was looking for proof of the bus routes for a previous poster, I found that allearsnet.com webpage about CBR says there is a wheelchair accessible van available to take guests who need that type of transportation to their rooms.

The operative word would be available and the question would "how readily available?"
We have asked at other resorts and have been told everything from "there is not one" to "we can call, but we have no idea how long".

So, I'm not sure I would count on that. If it's true, you have an easy way to get to/from check in to your room. If not, you can still ride the bus and have Bell Services bring the bags.

 

[lanejudy]

Yes, there is an internal bus that runs around the resort all day -- this bus does stop at the Customs House, all islands and Old Port Royale (dining, pool, etc.). This bus looks just like the parks buses and is wheelchair/ECV accessible.

The buses to the parks do not stop at the Customs House, which as Sue stated is really only check-in/check-out and very little reason to be there otherwise. Magical Express stops here. A couple of years ago the bus to ESPN WWoS also made a stop at the Customs House (nowhere else at CBR); I don't know if that has changed.

OP -- depending on what time you arrive, your room may or may not be ready. You can take the internal bus from the Customs House to your island or Old Port Royale to hang out a bit. I believe each island has it's own beach and quiet pool, as well as some courtyard areas. Bell Services will bring your luggage to your room once it is ready. As a note -- this resort has no elevators so you will want to request a first floor room if someone in the party is using an ECV. It is a large resort, but we love it and did not have any problem with the buses.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Toffeewoffy]

They don't use carts to transport you and your luggage, they use minivans with 2 or 3 rows of seats in them, and they put your luggage in the back.

The internal bus is a normal Disney bus in that it has the ramp and takes up to 3 ECVs and does stop at Custom House, but it won't take luggage.

The third alternative, which no-one has suggested yet, is for most of the party to go to their village/room by the shuttle or internal bus and the OP's mum can drive herself there in her ECV. There is a good network of paved paths round the lake and between villages so there's no reason why they can't be driven on.

 

[buffettgirl]

They don't use carts to transport you and your luggage, they use minivans with 2 or 3 rows of seats in them, and they put your luggage in the back.

The internal bus is a normal Disney bus in that it has the ramp and takes up to 3 ECVs and does stop at Custom House, but it won't take luggage.

The third alternative, which no-one has suggested yet, is for most of the party to go to their village/room by the shuttle or internal bus and the OP's mum can drive herself there in her ECV. There is a good network of paved paths round the lake and between villages so there's no reason why they can't be driven on.

I was thinking the same thing. If your mother is skilled at driving her ECV, it won't be any problem for her. Send the rest of the party on the van, and let someone walk with your mother while she's on her ECV. Here's a map:::

http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/cbrmap.htm

 

[prlady13]

Thank you all so much for your help! We booked CBR today and put in a request for a ground level room. We chose the preferred area so it's close to Old Port Royale. The preferred rooms seem to be quite a distance from the guest check in location so I don't I'd like to have her ride over on her ECV.
Is there a schedule for the times the internal buses or minivans are available? Do I just ask at guest check in for them to call, or do they come around often? Thanks again!

 

[disney david]

Thank you all so much for your help! We booked CBR today and put in a request for a ground level room. We chose the preferred area so it's close to Old Port Royale. The preferred rooms seem to be quite a distance from the guest check in location so I don't I'd like to have her ride over on her ECV.
Is there a schedule for the times the internal buses or minivans are available? Do I just ask at guest check in for them to call, or do they come around often? Thanks again!

The internal buses run all the time so you have to wait for it to come no need for front desk to call for the bus. They don't really run on a schedule it more on how long it take it to get around the resort.

 

[prlady13]

Awesome! thank you!

 

[Toffeewoffy]

Just to point out that Martinique is actually only a couple of minutes drive round from Custom House, and the first car park you come to is for buildings 21, 22 and 23, and then the next one is for the preferred buildings of 24, 25 and 26.

In fact, when we first drove out rather than get the Disney bus, I turned right instead of left (which was the really quick route) because I was so used to going clockwise on the bus. That will, of course, take you right down to Trinidad South and then back up the other side!

 

[prlady13]

Thanks for the tip! We're actually going to rent a car for a couple of days to visit US/IOA. But, for the most part we'll be using the Disney buses. Do you think it would be better to switch to another mod instead, where guest check in is easier? We loved both CSR and POR, but I like to try new places with each visit.

 

[disney david]

Thanks for the tip! We're actually going to rent a car for a couple of days to visit US/IOA. But, for the most part we'll be using the Disney buses. Do you think it would be better to switch to another mod instead, where guest check in is easier? We loved both CSR and POR, but I like to try new places with each visit.

I wouldn't change resorts the buses are not that bad and the drivers will help you it a nice resort. And lots to do i wouldn't let that ruin it and make you change resorts the buses are not that bad so I would stay.