First time at CBR

[Iwant2BAprincess]

OK, so we have always stayed at POP and love it but it is not available for the FD promo and between the cost to upgrade the dining plan we decided to make a change and go for CBR. I don't handle change well so I prefer to be prepared so....... What does a newbie to CBR need to know about this resort and things it offers to make sure we make the most of it?????

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

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[summermac]

We stayed at CBR in 2009 and loved it. I wanted to stay there again but I showed my son Sports and he promptly declared that we MUST stay there. The things we do for our kids.

It is a big resort but it never felt that big to me. The busses stop at like 6 or 7 places so it's not like you have to walk far to a bus stop. There is also an internal bus.

We requested Jamaica 45 (and got it!) and it was a perfect location - just across the bridge from the pool and we were actually b/t two bus stops which was nice because depending on which park you are at that day, the bus comes in a different way. Being b/t the two stops allowed us to get off at either stop, whichever came up first.

 

[dansdad]

IMHO, CBR is a great resort. The grounds are so beautiful and serene. Even when it's filled to capacity, you don't feel like you're right on top of anyone. It is a great place to truly relax when taking a break from the parks. Here are some things I would suggest.

Rent a surrey bike, it's a great way to check out the grounds. And fun too!

Our favorite thing to do after a long day at the parks was to grab a drink at the Banana Cabana and slip into the hot tub. Then on the way back to the room, walk on one of the beaches barefoot. Walking on the sand is very soothing, at least to me.

The main pool has 2 great slides and there is a kiddie splash area.

The sandwiches served at lunch in the food court are HUGE and delicious.

If you are completely against a lovely 5 or 6 minute walk to OPR, then I suggest a preferred room. Anything in Jamaica 45 or Aruba 51 is a very short walk over the bridge.

Enjoy!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I have tons of pictures of the resort and lots of tidbits about the CBR in my trip report. Just click on the link below if you want to take a look-see. We have never stayed at POP but have been there to look around and have lunch. I didn't feel like the CBR (where we have stayed 6 times) was much larger than POP and we walked all over the property.

If you booked a standard room at the CBR, then I'd suggest that you make a request for a room in either Jamaica or one of the non-preferred buildings in Martinique. We have stayed in Jamaica Bldgs. 41 and 42 (both standard rooms), Martinique 25 & 26 (both preferred) and two of the standard Bldgs. in Martinique. The longest walk that we had from our rooms to Old Port Royale (the main pool, food court, marina, etc.) was about 5 minutes at a leisurely pace. My mother is 78 years old and had no problems whatsoever walking around the resort.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the extra amenities offered at the CBR. For one, the rooms are larger (340 square feet) and have both a coffee maker and fridge in them. Each resort village has a quiet pool, white sandy beach complete with hammocks and beach chairs, and a laundry room. You can do laundry and swim at the same time. Every evening, we would go down to the beach and unwind after a long day in the parks.

There are covered bus stops in each of the resort villages so you don't have to walk far to get to one. The buses do stop at each village before heading to the parks but it doesn't take long to make the loop around the resort. Because the CBR is centrally located (not too far from POP), your bus rides to the parks and DTD is fairly short. We have been to the CBR during Star Wars Weekends, Memorial Day, mid-May, early August and mid-August and we have never had any issues with the buses.

As far as the food court goes, the set up is not that much different than the one at POP. You'll find a nice selection/variety of foods to choose from. Some of our favorites are the Reuben sandwich, the soups, the fresh tossed salad and the baked goods in the grab n go station.

I hope that this helps you feel better about the transition from POP to the CBR. I really think that you'll enjoy the resort. If you have any specific questions that I didn't answer, just post 'em and I'll try to answer them for you.

 

[P00H1010]

I love CBR!!!! Until our trip this summer it will have been the only Disney resort I have stayed in. The grounds are so gorgeous! It is a very relaxing, laid back atmosphere. The resort is very large but not overwhelmingly so(sometimes people over-exaggerate the size so beware lol). CBR's layout is spread out with the different "villages" (which in my opinion is why it is so quiet and peaceful, you aren't right on top of everyone). The food, gift shop, main pool etc. is located at Old Port Royale. There is a walkway around the resort you can take over to this section or you can take the internal bus shuttle over to Old Port Royale as well. Each village has its own beach and pool. There is a "scenic" walkway around the resort which is really nice, there are private cabanas and a small playground and such along the way. It really is a wonderful resort, I think you'll have a great time!

 

[exit30]

Check this video tour of CBR, it will give you some insight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkT2l2fFXsU

 

[Lillabelle0]

I love CBR too!! I have never found it crowded and absolutely love relaxing on the beach or in the hammock after a long day in the parks. I have stayed in North Trinadad, which is a preferred location, as well as Jamaica. I enjoyed both but in some ways loved Jamaica more because I was able to explore the beautiful grounds while going to my destination. My kids loved it too and NEVER complained at all about the short walk. In fact, we tried a new place last year for a different waterslide and the kids begged me to return to CBR. It's their Disney home too!! Good Luck...but I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

[Iwant2BAprincess]

Thanks for the positive comments!! For anyone that has toured POP, usually we stay in the far 50's section, typically in the jukebox building-how is the walk at CBR from the Aruba/Jamacia section compared to the one from 50's to the main hall???

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thanks for the positive comments!! For anyone that has toured POP, usually we stay in the far 50's section, typically in the jukebox building-how is the walk at CBR from the Aruba/Jamacia section compared to the one from 50's to the main hall???

As I said above, we did go to POP, walked around and then ate lunch there. I can't remember the walking at POP to be much different than the walks at the CBR. Let's see if I can put the walking at CBR into perspective a little bit. The walk around the entire resort promenade is 1.4 miles all the way around. Old Port Royale (main pool, food court, marina, etc.) is approximately in the middle of the promenade. So, even if you were in one of the furthest buildings (with the exception of those in Trinidad South where the pirate rooms are), your walk wouldn't be, roughly, more than half of 1.4 miles from OPR. When we were in Jamaica 41 and 42 which are the furthest out Jamaica buildings, our walk to OPR took us about 5 minutes at a leisurely pace.

 

[MusicMouse]

We stayed at CBR for our first trip in 2010 and absolutely loved it. We ended up in Barbados and I was worried that it was so "far away" from everything, but we were 3 min. from a bus stop, less than 1 min. from the quiet pool and laundry, and a 7 min. walk to OPR. It was a fabulous location and even had a courtyard view. Everything there was amazingly beautiful and peaceful, especially after a day in the crowded parks!

 

[Offsides]

I have tons of pictures of the resort and lots of tidbits about the CBR in my trip report. Just click on the link below if you want to take a look-see.

I rarely read trip reports, but I checked yours out and, whoa, was it fabulous! You guys seem like such an awesome family and I had so much fun reading about your trip. You rock!! Adopt me, please?

Now, about CBR. My mom surprised me with a Happy Birthday Disney trip last April. She said we were staying at POP, but super surprised me with an upgrade and chose CBR. I was so excited! And I have to say, I LOVED it there. It was so quiet and peaceful. We were in Aruba, and I loved the walk over the bridge to OPR. A few years prior I took a trip with my 2 bff's and we stayed at Coronado Springs. I loved it there as well, but think I prefer CBR. My BF and I planned an impromptu trip at the end of this month, and I persuaded him into trying CBR. It's a great resort with an awesome atmosphere.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I rarely read trip reports, but I checked yours out and, whoa, was it fabulous! You guys seem like such an awesome family and I had so much fun reading about your trip. You rock!! Adopt me, please?

Now, about CBR. My mom surprised me with a Happy Birthday Disney trip last April. She said we were staying at POP, but super surprised me with an upgrade and chose CBR. I was so excited! And I have to say, I LOVED it there. It was so quiet and peaceful. We were in Aruba, and I loved the walk over the bridge to OPR. A few years prior I took a trip with my 2 bff's and we stayed at Coronado Springs. I loved it there as well, but think I prefer CBR. My BF and I planned an impromptu trip at the end of this month, and I persuaded him into trying CBR. It's a great resort with an awesome atmosphere.

Aww, thanks! Come on over to Louisiana and join the family! The more the merrier.

I wish we were headed to the CBR at the end of this month.

 

[Offsides]

Aww, thanks! Come on over to Louisiana and join the family! The more the merrier.

I wish we were headed to the CBR at the end of this month.

I've always been charmed by the idea of the South. Never visited, though. You've just gained yourself another daughter!

I am VERY excited to be at CBR at the end of the month. It doesn't seem to get much love on here, I don't get it.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We stayed at CBR for the first time last Feb (thanks Free Dining!), and we were surprised one night to find that we could step outside of our door (we were in Barbados) and see the higher fireworks from Illuminations! Very cool!

 

[mickeynut1]

Our first stay onsite was at CBR and we loved it . We thought the grounds were beautiful, the pool was great, and the food court had alot of variety. Plus we loved the transportation. CBR is centrally located that it never took more than about 10 minutes to get to any theme park, water park, or DTD . I don't think you will be disappointed in CBR as it's a great resort .