Help me to get excited for CBR (changing from POFQ)

[Wendaeh]

My TA (Lori from Magical Memories rocks! ) was able to get me in on "the code" for our upcoming stay from 12/4 to 12/11 -- 3 rooms for our family! We are also able to get the dining plan, which is really a big savings since we are doing Candlelight Processional and a number of TS meals.

Unfortunately, there was no availability for POFQ for the code , so we are moving to CBR. I have spent the past 2 months falling in love with POFQ -- the quaintness, the boat to DTD, etc....Telly's pics really made it look so beautiful.

So we're moving from New Orleans (I think some of my attachment to FQ has to do with Katrina) to the Caribbean. Never been to either one (last, and only trip to Disney was AS sports).

Help me fall in love with this resort also. Best buildings? Little nuances?

Thanks!
Wendy

 

[safetymom]

I have plenty of information on CBR. You should start by visiting the CBR FAQ threads listed below.

I also have lots of pictures of the resort to get you in the mood.

CBR is a beautiful resort and you will have a wonderful time there. If you have any questions about CBR you might want to post in the FAQ thread and someone will be able to answer your questions.

 

[CleveRocks]

I love CBR. I stayed there in 1990 and again this past May.

Let me be fair and say that, in my opinion, it's nothing like the Caribbean. But CBR is beautiful. The setting is tranquil yet fun. Colorful but not tacky.

I loved it so much that when I took my first trip to the actual Caribbean, less than a year after my 1990 stay at CBR, I was actually disappointed that the real Caribbean looked different than CBR -- I liked the look of CBR better!

Some people complain about the sprawling size of CBR. I guess I've been lucky. In 1990 my room was in Aruba (by just plain dumb luck), which is across the lake (via bridge) from Old Port Royale, the location of the main pool, food court, shops, sit-down restaurant, etc. In May, I paid extra for "preferred location" (meaning the buildings nearest OPR) because we had 2 pre-schoolers as well as 2 out-of-shape in-laws who love to complain.

A lot of people say Jamaica is the village to request (to be close to OPR) if you don't want to pay extra for preferred location. I never understood why alomost everyone says Jamaica and almost no one says Aruba. The bridge that crosses the lake (to get to OPR) ends right at the dividing line between Jamaica and Aruba. Seems about equal to me. Trinidad South is fairly secluded and is the farthest village from OPR.

The food court food stalls are by no means gourmet, but are definitely a cut above fast food.

Each "village" has its own pool, plus there's the huge main pool at OPR. The village pools, called "quiet pools," are fairly large themselves.

At night, you can see some of Epcot's IllumiNations fireworks from several spots in CBR. I spied them by accident while I was in the Trinidad North pool one night.

The Custom House is the first building you'll go to when you arrive. This stand-alone building is the hotel "lobby" and has the front desk, guest services, etc. If you're the type of person who feels the need to physically visit the front desk or guest services every day (for some strange reason I don't think I'll ever figure out), then you'll want to request a room in Barbados, the closest village to the Custom House.

CBR seems to me to be fairly centrally located within WDW, which makes transportation pretty convenient.

CBR advertises it has beaches; there are beaches at each village. They're not "real beaches" in that you can't bathe in the lake waters. The beaches are nice to look at, and have wonderful hammocks to spend some lazy time napping in, but they're not like real beaches. I live at the beach. I love the beach. Those things aren't beaches.

But I love CBR. The resort isn't like the Caribbean. The beaches aren't like beaches. But if you just take CBR for itself and don't compare it to anything, it's a wonderful place to spend time with your honey or with your family. I really, really love it there.

-- Eric

 

[Golf4food]

A great review by Eric. My DW and I spent most of a week at CBR this year and loved it. We were in Aruba (by sheer chance), which is just across the bridge within easy access of OPR, and we enjoyed the walk across the bridge. It wasn’t crowded when we were there, so it was a nice relaxing stroll holding hands past palm trees, sand, water, etc. Very nice.

We didn’t eat at the food court or swim in any of the pools, but I’ve read nothing but good reviews about them all.

We look forward to trying the other resorts, but CBR is definitely someplace we would be more than happy to return to in the future. Give it a chance and I think you’ll enjoy it as well. Just as relaxing as PO, I would think, just a different setting.

And definitely check out the CBR FAQ threads, that’s where we learned most of our info before we visited. The FAQs are fantastic, and SafetyMom is fantastic, too – she’ll answer darn near anything. Thanks!

 

[Wendaeh]

Thanks for the feedback -- I'm sure in no time I will be excited about our destination (we're going to Disney!).

Eric, got to agree with you about beaches -- we have a place in Stone Harbor. That's one reason why the Boardwalk at Disney doesn't interest me at all......

I'm going to start checking out the FAQs. I also appreciate the hints for a building preference.

Wendy

 

[Avalanche]

We stayed at CBR in July 2003 and POFQ in July 2004. We prefer CBR. I thought the bus service was better and since we love MGM and Epcot we were a lot closer at CBR. The CM's and mousekeepers at CBR were the best we've encountered at any Disney resort. The rooms are a little bigger, but with a lot more storage space. (suitcases fit under the beds at CBR)

The only downside we had at CBR was that the pool seemed a little dated, but was still fun.

We were lucky to stay in Martinique before there was an extra charge, but even if you are in one of the farther buildings it's not that bad of a walk. The grounds are beautiful.

 

[Ladyw/theTramp]

Wendaeh,

We are exactly in the same boat!! We had to switch from POFQ to CBR to get the discount. We also haven;t stayed in either, so I guess we really won't know what we're missing... but it's going to take a little while to get used to the idea. I was excited to be somewhere where the resort wasn't so big...(shlepping 2 sleeping kids around at the end of the day can get LONG!!)

But, I am excited that learning about CBR will give me something to do to has the next 62 days til we leave!!!

 

[anty30]

We have stayed at CBR 4 times. It is our hotel of choice. We always stay in Martinique. Love, love, love this hotel. I have sent many friends there and they love it. My kids love the pool with the castle and canyons and big slide. They have kids activities in the pool in the afternoon and they also have a kiddie pool that is only about a foot deep, but it is big and round. The bar is fun too and they have planty of lake rentals. Bike rentals for 2 or 4 people. Plus, they do hair braiding for the girls.

 

[Wendaeh]

Oh, my DD will be so all over that (she still has her braid in from this summer).

Lady W/the Tramp
I know we'll have a blast. I'm such a wrought iron/Southern Living fan that POFQ really appealed to me. But, I AM coming from cold NJ in December, so a little Caribbean should be refreshing!

Wendy

 

[tinkermell]

My TA (Lori from Magical Memories rocks! ) was able to get me in on "the code" for our upcoming stay from 12/4 to 12/11 -- 3 rooms for our family! We are also able to get the dining plan, which is really a big savings since we are doing Candlelight Processional and a number of TS meals.

Unfortunately, there was no availability for POFQ for the code , so we are moving to CBR. I have spent the past 2 months falling in love with POFQ -- the quaintness, the boat to DTD, etc....Telly's pics really made it look so beautiful.

So we're moving from New Orleans (I think some of my attachment to FQ has to do with Katrina) to the Caribbean. Never been to either one (last, and only trip to Disney was AS sports).

Help me fall in love with this resort also. Best buildings? Little nuances?

Thanks!
Wendy

I'm new here, so please keep that in mind. What is "the code"? I keep hearing about that, so I was just wondering. Also I was reading a thread about somebody getting "the code" on the POFQ recently. Thought I'd pass along what I was reading. It was in a thread about getting back from the POFQ this past week, and giving a review on it. Anyways...you are going to WDW! That's what counts!!! WOO HOO!!!

 

[AUTUMN SUN]

We have stayed at CBR 4 times. It is our hotel of choice. We always stay in Martinique. Love, love, love this hotel. I have sent many friends there and they love it. My kids love the pool with the castle and canyons and big slide. They have kids activities in the pool in the afternoon and they also have a kiddie pool that is only about a foot deep, but it is big and round. The bar is fun too and they have planty of lake rentals. Bike rentals for 2 or 4 people. Plus, they do hair braiding for the girls.

How big / long is the slide into the pool? Thanks!

 

[SueBill]

I am new to the forum so can someone explain to me what the "code" is ?
I assume it is a discount but how do you obtain it ?
I will be staying @ POFQ from 11/19-11/26 and will be paying approximately $1100.00 for the week. Any discount I could get would be great !!

Thanks for your help !!

 

[lisamomof3]

Our family stayed at CBR for our first family visit to WDW June of 2004. We loved it!!! Very relaxing. We stayed in Trinidad North, which was a quick walk to the main pool and food court. Our girls loved playing with the ducks in the mornings. Then in September my husband and I got to go back for a business trip. We chose to stay at POFQ to check out a different resort. We liked that POFQ was smaller and the boat ride to DTD, but for some reason we missed CBR. Don't worry about having to change resorts. At least you are at WDW!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

we stayed at CBR in my first visit to the world and I loved it. the resort is beautifully themed and it just seemed so quite and peaceful. I also loved that each village has a convient bus stop. The CBR food court and gift shop were also well laid out and rarely congested. Enjoy your trip.

suebill and tinkermill check out the discount and codes board or just go to waltdisneyworld.com then tickets and reservations and the 2 new promos will come up in ads near the bottom. There is a room only code to get a discount if you don't need tickets. Or the package for 4 nights gives you a little better discount when purchasing tickets and room.

 

[tinkermell]

My TA (Lori from Magical Memories rocks! ) was able to get me in on "the code" for our upcoming stay from 12/4 to 12/11 -- 3 rooms for our family! We are also able to get the dining plan, which is really a big savings since we are doing Candlelight Processional and a number of TS meals.

Unfortunately, there was no availability for POFQ for the code , so we are moving to CBR. I have spent the past 2 months falling in love with POFQ -- the quaintness, the boat to DTD, etc....Telly's pics really made it look so beautiful.

So we're moving from New Orleans (I think some of my attachment to FQ has to do with Katrina) to the Caribbean. Never been to either one (last, and only trip to Disney was AS sports).

Help me fall in love with this resort also. Best buildings? Little nuances?

Thanks!
Wendy

I'm new here, so please keep that in mind. What is "the code"? I keep hearing about that, so I aws just wondering. Also I was reading a thread about somebody getting "the code" on the POFQ recently. Thought I'd pass along what I was reading. It was in a thread about getting back from the POFQ this past week, and giving a review on it. Anyways...you are going to WDW! WOO HOO!!!