Just back from CBR - update on bridge refurb

[kimb96]

We just got back yesterday from 9 days at CBR. I'm going to do a full review in a few days but wanted to give everyone a heads up on the bridge situation.

The bridge is out from the island to Aruba/Jamaica. Completely inaccessible. You can access the playground and island from the other side. I've heard reference to a boat shuttle and dedicated vans at each bus stop to ferry guests to OPR. I can't comment on the boat as we didn't stay in Aruba or Jamaica. But I did not see a dedicated van once in 9 days. Also IMO the resort shuttle blows in that I hardly saw it. It only comes around like every 20-30 minutes from what I observed. We did t use it at all.

My advice on requests...avoid Aruba. Without the bridge, it is the longest walk. The other side of Jamaica isn't too bad. We stayed in Barbados 13. It was only 1-2 minutes longer to walk to OPR than the non preferred buildings at Martinique. IMO go for buildings 13,14, and 15 in Barbados when you make your requests. I'm betting they are getting flooded with Martinique requests and you have a better shot at getting those buildings in Barbados. We requested Martinique. I was happy where we ended up. Those buildings are really close to the non preferred buildings at Martinique. 13 was a great location between the bus stop and quiet pool.

 

[crazycatlady]

Thanks for the advice! I did on-line check in before the bridge closure, so requested Aruba or Jamaica. Unfortunately, I have edited my on-line check in, but it won't let me change these requests, just add Martinique. I did call Disney and change my requests, so hopefully, that will help. Our plane comes in the night before our stay, so we will be checking in very early in the morning, so will be able to get our requests noted then, too. I will take your advice and add Barbados 13, 14, or 15 to my requests and avoid Aruba at all costs.

 

[nkereina]

Did you see any boat shuttles across the lake? That would be interesting, this is the first I've heard that. I can't picture any spot near Jamaica or Aruba where there is even a dock for a boat to safely pull up and load people.

 

[AngiTN]

Did you see any boat shuttles across the lake? That would be interesting, this is the first I've heard that. I can't picture any spot near Jamaica or Aruba where there is even a dock for a boat to safely pull up and load people.

Someone on another site was there when they closed the bridge. She posted about the boats and just said they were great but didn't mention specifically where they picked up

 

[hope23]

Does anyone know how long the bridge is expected to be under construction? Thanks!

 

[saskdw]

I would never stay at CBR without booking a preferred room anyway.

 

[AngiTN]

Does anyone know how long the bridge is expected to be under construction? Thanks!

Scheduled till late December

 

[AngiTN]

All I have found about the boat is this

they are running a boat right across the lake. Just goes back and forth 9-7. Takes 2 minutes and lets you off right by the pool

 

[HopperFan]

Someone posted a photo of the boat, it was a pontoon boat and looked like they were driving it up on the sand and there was a step up to get on it.

 

[BillyBuff]

I'm still at CBR right now staying at Aruba and have taken the shuttle vans to Old Port Royale and I can tell you it's a hassle and inconvenience. So after a few days we just drive our own car over instead. There's only two vans right now...one for Aruba and the other for Jamaica. There is a boat but it only runs from 9am to 7pm. The vans run from 6:30am to 12:30am.

 

[anniemae]

We just got back. We were assigned Jamaica based on our request. We obviously had no idea the bridge would be out when we requested it. They sprung that on us at check in after telling us we got our request. We tried the walk to OPR, but it was too long. We had to walk the opposite direction of OPR, go up a hill, over a bridge then down a hill and walk the whole length of the lake. It was too long for us.

The dedicated van shuttle was a pain. We waited 30 minutes at OPR for it only to be told they suspended the shuttle service due to the rain. The next morning at 6:30, we went to go to breakfast and the van pulled away as we were walking up to it, so we had to wait about 20 minutes for it to come back. Just too much waiting around for us, not how I want to spend vaca. We requested a switch to another resort, which they were ready to do, but when they checked, a room was available in Martinique so we took that. So much better than relying on the internal shuttle.

 

[Accident]

We also just got back and when weather was good, they had a pontoon boat between the aruba beach and the normal boat dock next to shutters that would take you back and forth quickly.

Resort shuttle wasn't the fastest depending on time of day and many did walk it. We were ina preferred so it didn't get much in our way but we did take the boat to explore the other side of the resort one day.

 

[gobln]

Does anyone know how long the bridge and island are to be out of service?

 

[dansdad]

Does anyone know how long the bridge and island are to be out of service?

Late December.

 

[nkereina]

Someone on another site was there when they closed the bridge. She posted about the boats and just said they were great but didn't mention specifically where they picked up

Thanks - I actually saw after I posted that, that the boats are pontoon style and pull right up onto the beach. The CM puts out a step stool for folks to board.