Greetings from CBR! Any questions?

[boltjames]

Just arrived at the CBR and the weather's beautiful. Those on the boards who helped me, thanks a lot as your advice paid off.

In an attempt to return the favor, if anyone has any questions about the CBR please post 'em and I'll answer as the AOL connections are pretty good from the hotel.

I can tell you that there is some construction going on by the food court here and one of the pools at Martinique (I think) is closed.

BJ

 

[donmil723]

I hope you continue having good weather.

We will be at CBR on 4/8. Could you find out for sure which quiet pool is closed and for how long? We have requested Martinique but will be spending a lot of time at the quiet pool so we might change our request to Trinidad North. Martinique are the blue buildings with red roofs.

Thanks!

 

[4merlurkerchris]

Have a great time!
Chris

 

[boltjames]

I'll get you the answer and post tomorrow. It was either Martinique or Barbados as we walked from the Old Port Royale area counter clockwise towards Jamaica.

The construction at Old Port Royale has cut off the loop around the lake. In order to the full circle or just get to the main, themed pool you need to go through the food court (and the crowds) from Martinique. I'd tell you that from the looks of the retaining walls and signage that this is a big refurb job.

On a positive note, the chicken strips over french fries in the food court haven't lost their luster. The new syrup rationing program for breakfast is pretty lame though....

BJ

 

[vellamint]

WHAT refurbishment job.....please.......what is involved.....can you find out what they are doing and how long it will take to be completed.....PLEASE!!!!!!!

 

[minniek]

What building are you in? Is it mobbed down there now? Hope you're having a great time!!! According to ACCUWEATHER you're in for the weather of your life!!

 

[DeeCee]

???Syrup rationing program?????? Huh?

 

[cottontail]

Hi:


Have a great vacation. How do you find the new rooms?

Deb.

 

[wdisneelvr]

I just returned last week from CBR and the construction is no biggy really. It's at Old Port Royale at the back of the bldg and it has a green fence around it. You really don't even noticed it since you walk the other way to get into the bldg. It is far away from any of the bldgs where the guest sleep.

I didn't have any problems with syrup for my french toast. You just go up to the fixin counter and pour some into the cups. It was plenty for the pancakes, waffles and french toast...and it comes out warm too, gotta love that!!!

Have fun everyone, CBR was beautiful!!!!!!!

 

[corvair]

Would it be better to stay in Trinidad north since you have to walk in food court to get to the pool from Martinique?

 

[lvs_eeyore]

Can I ask what AOL number you are using to connect from CBR? I plan on bringing my laptop and I would love to be able to connect from a local number.

 

[tjhj]

do they have the playground on the island at CBR? We have two children and we are staying their in May . So any info you have will be great keep it coming.

 

[boltjames]

First off, the weather's perfect, I'm here and you're not, and all that other stuff.

Answers to your specific CBR questions:

donmil723: The pool that is closed is in Martinique. It will reopen this week on the 22nd, so you're all set. Have a great time!

vellamint: As previously posted, the refurb job is not unsightly, but it does put a damper on the Marina and breaks up the nice flow for those of us who like to walk around the lake after the food court is closed. There's no way to go from Martinique to the themed pool (for example) after the food court's closed. Don't know when it's going to be finished.

minniek: Were in Jamaica 45 which is a building I highly recommend as it's right at the foot of the bridge to the food court and is far enough away from the pool/beach/playground to be nice and quiet. Also, if you park at the lot for Aruba 51 you're literally parking right behind Jamaica 45 which is a major plus for strollers and stuff.

DeeCee: Sounds *****y, but I liked the old Kraft syrup containers. Poke 'em with a fork, squeeze 'em, and the syrup's out. Now I've got to balance my tray, carry it to the fork/knife station, balance it to the drink machines, balance it to the napkin area, and then (if I've done well this far) balance all that with my mugs filled and then get some drippy, thin syrup to not spill on the tray. PITA compared to the old days.

cottontail: The new rooms are terrific. Cleaned up and looking brand new, the best part is all the new storage space. All our luggage fits under the beds, there are hooks and shelves everywhere, and the bathtub doesn't look old like it used to. Major improvements. For those into Video, the new Sony TV's have input jacks on the front, so bring the cords needed to plug in your camcorder, DVD, etc.

corvair: Yes, if the themed pool after 11pm is what you're looking to access then I'd steer clear of Martinique the next few weeks.

lvs_eeyore: The AOL connection is strong and is only 75 cents a call for an unlimited time period. Want to surf for 3 hours? No problem. Just put 407-210-4265 into the AOL dialup config and you're all set.

tjhj: On the island in the middle of the lake there is a playground, but it's not the biggest or cleanest IMHO. Depending on their ages, I'd recommend the playgrounds that are on the beaches by the lake in front of the individual villages.

That's it from here. If you've got any more questions, fire away. Onto Magic Kingdom tomorrow!

BJ

 

[lvs_eeyore]

Thank you so much for the AOL information!!! We have four trips planned for Disney this year....one starting on the 27th of this month.....and I want to be able to take my laptop and connect from the room!!! Tooooooo Kewl!! Thank you so much!!!

I sure hope all the rehab is done before our August vacation. We are planning on staying at CBR in Martinique.

 

[boltjames]

lvs_eeyore: You're welcome for the info. If you *really* want to have fun surfing (and if you're a Verizon or ATT user) bring your mobile phone and a modem connecting cord and surf the web from a hammock by the lake at 10pm as I am right now

Strawberry daquiri in my left hand, bag of pretzels in my right, moon over my head, lake behind my feet. Kids and wife asleep. Can't get much better than this now can it?

BJ

 

[corvair]

sounds great... hows the weather? did you request jamaica? how long does it take you to get to the food court? this location sounds great. we are going in june and i requested martinique but i am worried about the construction. how about trinidad north? what is that like. thanks for all the great info.

 

[lvs_eeyore]

Unfortunately we have Voicestream and I cant find a mobile phone that will work with a laptop through them. Due to all the problems we have had with this company I really am considering switching mobile phone companies. I would love to be able to surf like that. We will be at CBR in August so I have a bit before I can hammock surf LOL.

It sounds like you are having a heavenly time!!!

 

[boltjames]

corvair: I've read a few of your posts in other thread's, so here's some info to put your mind at ease so you can focus on other things:

1. Choose CBR over AKL. Bigger rooms and more fun stuff for kids (in the age bracket you've got) to do. The kids can be independent within the hotel grounds without you being concerned at all. Tons of little kids trekking over the bridge from Jamaica to the bigger themed pool.

2. By the time you get here in June, all the construction around the food court area and Martinique pool will be over.

3. Requesting Jamaica is a bit tricky, but you can get it if you follow my fool-proof system: Beg. Make your reservations through central reservations like you should and make sure you request Jamaica, but about 10 days before you land in Florida get the number for the CBR front desk and ask them to pull up your reservation. Make up a story about staying in Jamaica on your honeymoon and they'll make an additional note in the system. Now, the night before you leave, call again and tell them how important it is that you get Jamaica and get that person's name. When you arrive the next day, you're all set.

4. I've stayed at Martinique and Jamaica (and checked out Trini North), and Jamaica's better. It's an extra 3 minutes of walking time from Jamaica but it's over the bridge and is really part of the magic. As Martinique is near the food court area, I find that it's less private when you want privacy, you've got no need for the bridge (sad), and the pools are more crowded. Being in Jamaica gives you the best of both worlds- proximity to the food court and a little (but not too much) seclusion.

5. The weather's great! No humidity and high 80's. Best ever.

Now relax and get ready to have fun!

BJ

 

[Disneylvr]

What time does the CBR food court open and close these days? We will be arriving on a 10pm flight and was hoping we could get a bite to eat upon arrival at the resort. I know it used to be open until midnight. How late is pizza delivery???

Will the construction at Old Port Royale and the Marina be completed by May 11th? I know the Martinique pool will be opened again by that time but is the construction moving on to another section? Sorry about all the questions. I hope you are having a wonderful time at CBR! It is my favorite Disney resort even though we haven't stayed there in 4 years.

 

[JALaP]

bj,
Wow! thanks for the info, just in the nick of time- We're checking in tomorrow, Tuesday, and I'd requested Martinique . But based on the pool info, I just called to rescind that request---Now we're asking for jamaica, and they told us the only non-smoking building is 45, where you are!
One question: since the rest of the buildings are non-smoking, have you noticed that there are a lot of smokers at the quiet pool? I mean, does that make a difference one way or the other?
Thanks again for the heads up! Judy