Is CBR THAT bad?

[Maci A.]

After reading another thread just now, I am scared to death our next trip to CBR, will not be that great! We stayed at POR on our last trip and loved it, but thought we would try something new on our next trip. Someone please tell me some great stuff about CBR,please! ......Or should I change our trip to POR?

 

[Disneydenise]

I think that there is always a post you will find from someone who is unhappy with a resort. That is why Disney has so many different themed resorts. For every 1 that you find that doesn't like it there are 5 that do like it. If you wanted to go for the tropical theme then I think you will like the CBR. I have never made a request for a room and if when I check in I don't like the room I call the front desk immediately. I do think that the person had a legitimate gripe with the bird poop around the walk way but I think that she would have had better luck with it if they had brought it to the attention of the management right away. I stayed at the CBR in April and I didn't like the location of my room so before we left the desk I asked nicely if they had anything else closer to the food court. They did and we were very happy with our room. I didn't care for the bus system but I don't like to take buses in DW. Our room was very nice and it was much bigger and better storage than the POR. I don't care for the food court but that is just me. Other people love it. I wouldn't worry about one post. If you checkin and dislike the place I would aske to be moved to another resort. Disney likes to keep their guests happy.

 

[hookedup]

We just returned from a week there in August. I had really wanted to stay in a deluxe but we could not afford it for a whole week so we split our stay between CBR and GF. I have to say that both my DH and I agree that we could have been VERY happy at the CBR the whole time. Of course the GF was awesome but the CBR was really great and we loved it. It is large and spread out but it is also beautiful and you really do feel like you are staying at a cool resort somewhere. I have nothing but high praises for CBR!

 

[beckygeez]

My family and I have stayed at the CBR twice and really loved it. You really feel like you're in the tropics. Our kids loved the pool with the castle theme and we were happy with the food court also. We requested Martinique both times and didn't get it either time but the two buildings we got were fine. Jamaica was really nice right across the bridge from the main pool and store. The hammocks hanging from trees in the sand were our favorite spot. We're going back in March and we're bummed that we have to switch to POR because our 3rd child will now be 4 so they can't accomodate us at CBR. We've never seen POR so I'm hoping we like it. Don't worry about CBR, I think you'll have a blast! Julie

 

[poohbears5]

We stayed at cbr 2001 and had great time and liked the resort .I think its like anythingelse someone is always going to have a bad experience here or there at any resort .

 

[Kim&Chris]

I have stayed at CBR many times since it opened, and have never had a bad time. In fact, we've always had a really wonderful stay!

Once you see this resort, I'm sure you'll fall in love with it. The location of the resort is awesome....very close to Epcot and almost "next door" to MGM Studios. You're also a stone's throw from Typhoon Lagoon and Downtown Disney. Each village has its own white, sandy beach and colorful buildings. Nothing beats lying on one of the hammocks at night and watching (or listening) to Illuminations coming from Epcot. It's the best!

Room location seems to be the biggest complaint about this resort. Because CBR is very, very large & spread out, many people request rooms in Martinique or Trinidad North so they can be close to the food court & main pool. However, we prefer Jamaica and Aruba because they're quieter areas, but only a short walk over the bridge to Old Port Royale. Most people try to avoid Trinidad South at all costs.

You may want to print a copy of the resort map & see what area is best for you.

As a previous poster stated, if you're unhappy with your room location, politely ask to be moved & I'm sure they'll take care of you. Don't let one post steer you away from one of the nicest resorts on property!

 

[eeyore0062]

NO!!! CBR is quite a lovely resort! We have stayed at both PO-R and CBR and found them both beautiful. Of course the theming is different, and many people are partial to one theme over another. The food court at CBR has issues, but since they are closing CBR for the big rehab this fall, they won't be issues any longer. Just like at PO-R, the amount you walk to get anywhere depends entirely on the building in which you are staying. The pools are all quite lovely, and the pool side bar at CBR can't be beat. You can rent water mice at CBR as well, or sit on the white sandy beaches and just enjoy your surroundings. The bus service here isn't bad, either. The loop around the resort isn't bad, and really doesn't take very long.

We stayed there in May 2001, and had read reports such as you have read, and were also uneasy...but once we got there, and saw how beautiful it was, and how great the rooms were, we were extremely happy. You can't let others make your impressions for you...trust your judgment, and go and see for yourself. It could become you new favorite resort!

 

[Disneylvr]

The Caribbean Beach is my favorite Disney resort!!! I love the white sand beaches, palm trees, the quiet pools, the hammocks, the colorful buildings, tropical drinks at the Banana Cabana and the recently renovated rooms. My ONLY complaint would be the food court set up as each counter has it's own cash register instead of a central one. From what I understand, this will all change once the foodcourt renovations are complete.

 

[Maci A.]

Ok, thank you! I feel better! I love tropical themed anything, so I think I will like it! As hookedup said I would love to stay at a deluxe like poly of GF, but would have to cut the trip in half to do that, more time is better!
Hopefully the food court situation will be fixed, we arent going til April so it will be after the refurb!
Thanks again for the reassurance!

 

[Kermit]

I'm one of the people who's not a big fan of CBR, but I think you'll be perfectly happy. We like POFQ better, but CBR is fine, and I can see why some people like it more. It's a bit spread out for our tastes, but the grounds are absolutely gorgeous. Our room had a wonderful courtyard with lush plants and several benches, and then the beach was just a few steps away. Even if you decide that you'd rather not go back, you'll still have a great vacation.

 

[linny172]

After our July trip CBR is now my new fav. We(as everyone else) requested Martinique but it was not available. We were in Jamaica (Ithink it was 44) and it was fine. This was one of the best trips yet it was so relaxing. The food court was fine, we didn't eat there a lot but what we had was good.
I would not hesitate to stay here again. I am sure you will have a wonderful time.

 

[SamS]

My wife and I had a room in Aruba that adjoined my son, dl and grandchildren this past June. We loved CBR. No transportation problems. Pools were great, etc. I could go on and on, but it would just be redundant.

 

[Jen D]

Welcome to the DIS!!

 

[NHBelle]

Okay here's the thing, every Disney resort in not only unique in theming but also in atmosphere and the general "feel" of each resort. We love carribean theming, but did not like this resort. Another example is that we dislike the whole "wilderness" lodge theming, but found we really liked the reosrt and would definately stay there. I completely understand how you are feeling. I was in your place just a few months ago and decided to stick with CBR because of the theme there, however we found upon check in that this resort was just not "us". We moved to the AKL and had a fab time. It's our new favorite resort. We love everything about it and are so glad that things worked out the way they did. Anyway, the point is that no matter what we all say, you will never really know if you are going to like it until you get there. All I can say is this is a huge resort with LOTS of bus stops and it is also a favorite resort of many so obviosly it has many good points. It's just all a matter of individual taste. What I do suggest is that if you get there and are not happy MOVE, we did and it worked out great. You will probably love it and lets face it you'll be in Disney and that is the most importat thing. One more bit of advice...Make time to visit resorts. I agonized so much about which resort to stay at and ended up unhappy with CBR and since I didn't want that to happen again I visited several Dis resorts and now know which ones appeal to me so next time I will not be going crazy over where to stay. Good luck!

 

[roque]

we spent a week at CBR in June and LOVED IT. we stayed in Jamaica and had a corner room on the second floor and enjoyed it. it was a large room with a privacy curtain in the vanity area and we were less than a 5 min walk to the main pool and restaurants. I think you will enjoy the resort and the hammocks ARE so relaxing. have fun and i personally think you don't have anything to worry about. However, if something is not to your liking call the front desk immediately and i am sure, if they can they will acccomadate you.

 

[Daisimae]

Esp. because the price allowed me to stay on-site the first year it opened. I returned once again, before POFQ was opened, and would have been very happy with it if POFQ had never opened.

What makes me like POFQ better is that POFQ is smaller and their front desk gift shop and food ct are very close together and are very close to the bldg we usualy stay in (#4). I like the front desk close, because I lock things up in the safe there. those are the only reasons why I prefer POFQ.

At CBR, the food ct and front desk are not in the same bldg. and both times I stayed there getting to the front desk required using a bus that just circled the resort. It wasn't convient. I did like walking over to the lounge for drinks in the evening, or coffee in the am, (before they had coffee makers in the room), and I loved the pools and the fact that they were so close to the self-serve laundry. After we got out of the parks at night, I would put my clothes in the washer then go for a swim, get out, put clothes in the dryer and go for another dip.

Daisimae

 

[cinmell]

The CBR is great! Wonderful theming, several pools, water activities, bikes, beaches, walkways, food court, etc. We've stayed at this resort four times and are thinking of going back in May. We've never had a negative experience. We've always found this resort to be very clean and the CM's to be very pleasant.

Don't let negative posts change your decision to stay here as people have different experiences and expectaions. Just keep in mind that building requests are just that, requests. If you don't like something you can always call the front desk to fix it. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[zurgswife]

To Maci A.....who really picks awesome names for her kids

We only have stayed in CBR prior to purchsing DVC and we loved it each time...and this was before the refurbishment of the rooms...

I'm sure you will have a wonderful trip....

Ps if you like to be close to the Food court pick Martinique 26

 

[WDWHound]

Another fan of CBR checking in. We loved the theming and the beauty of this resort. The fact that it is so large and spread out was a plus for us. I have very fond memories of walking across the bridge from Jamaica in the morning to get breakfast at the food court. It was very calm and peaceful.

 

[Maci A.]

Thanks for all the great posts guys! It is nice to hear all the postitive experiences!