Just Back from CBR - View from a "First-Timer" "On Campus"

[jeanadave]

DH and I just got back last Sunday from a week's stay at CBR. Taking into account that it's been almost 20 years since I've been to Disney and then stayed off-site, we weren't really sure exactly what to expect, but this was our experience at CBR:

Checked in at 11:00 a.m. on Mother's Day (waited maybe five minutes to check in) and our room was ready. We thought our room was very nice, clean and roomy.

We had a couple of problems with the TV and the refrigerator when we first got there and maintenance was there in less than 15 minutes of our call to the front desk and got everything working properly.

Housekeeping was fabulous the entire week. We had the same person all week with the exception of one day and could not have asked for anyone to be more friendlier or helpful than she was – she was GREAT!!

We stayed in Aruba and it did not take but 6 or 7 minutes to walk over the bridge to the food court area. We split a couple of counterservice meals from the food court and the food wasn't necessarily great, but it certainly wasn't what I would call bad.

We didn't see any bugs or lizards in our room and no birds attacked us!! The grounds were gorgeous and we really enjoyed the "beach" area.

We were very close to the bus stop for our village (Bldg. 54). Our average wait for a bus to the parks was about 15 minutes, with the exception of the day we were going to Animal Kingdom (don't know what the problem was, but it was about a 40 minute wait). Our average wait coming from the parks back to CBR was about 10 minutes.

We did express check-out and there were no errors on our bill.

I've seen a lot of negative remarks about this resort, but our week there was wonderful!

 

[3mickeys&me]

Glad you had such a great time!!! It is a very nice resort (our favorite Moderate) and it does seem to get a bad rap. I don't know why. We have been there MANY times and just LOVE IT. If we start talking about booking another trip thats the resort my kids always mention first!!

Wow first time back in 20 yrs?? What did ya think of all the entertaining changes in the parks since your last visit? Did you do Soarin??? That is our new favorite ride.

 

[JuneDisney]

Glad to hear you had a wonderful trip. We will be staying at CBR in 15 days!!!
We are so looking foward to this trip. Just a quick question, how long were the bus rides to the parks, not including the time you waited for the bus.

 

[Cthia]

Glad to hear you had a good experience at the CBR. We are staying there for 2 days in August and have requested the Aruba building per my TA. It is nice to hear the walk isnt' that long to food court.

 

[jeanadave]

Wow first time back in 20 yrs?? What did ya think of all the entertaining changes in the parks since your last visit? Did you do Soarin??? That is our new favorite ride.

We had a great time. I actually got to look around this time (I took my 11 yr. old son when I went "way back when" and he was the all-time park commando). We did do Soarin. I was afraid it would bother me cause I have a fear of heights, but I was fine and we did enjoy it.

 

[safetymom]

jaeanadave, glad to hear you had a great trip. Could you do me a favor and copy your report into the CBR FAQ II thread listed below. That way when others are planning a trip to CBR they will see your trip report. Thank you.

 

[jeanadave]

Just a quick question, how long were the bus rides to the parks, not including the time you waited for the bus.

It kind of depended on whether we were near the first of the pickups around the different villages or the near the last. Best case scenario (you're about the last village to get picked up get picked up) - about 10 to 15 mins. Worst case (you're the about the first to get picked up so you have to stop at all the others) - probably about 20 to 25 mins.

 

[JuneDisney]

Thank-you Jeanadave.

 

[daisyduck123]

For the OP....

We arrived at CBR 2 days before you did...we checked in the Friday before MOM's day & spent 8 nights there (checked out this past Saturday).

We were also in Aruba, on the 2nd floor.
Rhona was our mousekeeper & did a great job!
We had a fantastic time!!
We rented bicycles, rented a motorboat, & spent time at the quiet pool & the main pool.

We must have seen you at some point.
We were the family of 4 who wore matching shirts each day.

Do you mind my asking what room you were in?

 

[jeanadave]

For the OP....
We must have seen you at some point.
We were the family of 4 who wore matching shirts each day.

Do you mind my asking what room you were in?

We were in Building 54 - Room 5439. We the husband and wife who both had on Croc-offs (Payless Airwalks) - which by the way, were AWESOME! Wore them ALL week long - never a blister, no tired feet or legs.

 

[Troy0822]

Have stayed there twice, once in Aruba. Loved that peaceful walk across the bridge to food court and shops. I have never understood either why this resort gets a bad rap(as another poster said). We loved it both times and would recommend it to anyone. Glad to hear you had a great time, especially sice it was so long between visits.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks so much for the review. We are slated to stay there in June of 2007. I was a bit nervous since some don't seem to like it but figured I would take the word of Safetymom and people like you Jeanadave! I must say the reviews I have been reading lately have been all positive, so whatever people on this board used to complain about regarding CBR, I'm not seeing now. Glad you had a great trip!

 

[daisyduck123]

We were in Building 54 - Room 5439. We the husband and wife who both had on Croc-offs (Payless Airwalks) - which by the way, were AWESOME! Wore them ALL week long - never a blister, no tired feet or legs.

We were nearby in Room 5451!
We had a fantastic trip also. DD11 loved it but wants to try Coronado Springs next time. DS8 says "No way. We're going back to CBR".

 

[tampafan]

I am always suprised to see negative comments on this resort. We have stayed there 5 times and have never had a bad experience. I'm glad you had a nice stay.

 

[Magalex]

We are also planning a trip for CBR in June 2007. Love the great reviews. How is the ME service to CBR? We have a decision to make between car rental vs ME. We love to plan

 

[dismom9761]

I am sooo glad to hear the positive reviews.A group of fifteen of us are going in October and I picked the resort.Can anyone tell me how the slide was?My kids are looking forward to it and I had read that it is hard to slide on.

 

[3mickeys&me]

We Used the Magical Express to CBR in Novemember and it was great!!! We will use it again next time too!!

 

[Katmat75]

I'm so glad you had a great time at CBR. This is our favorite resort. I will not stay anywhere else. I tried a different resort once and hated it. I never understood why CBR gets a bad rap, I highly recommend it to anyone. Even my Aunts and cousins love it here. I'll be there in August. Can't wait!

 

[Cthia]

We Used the Magical Express to CBR in Novemember and it was great!!! We will use it again next time too!!

Do you know about how long it took you to get to the CBR after you landed?

I am trying to figure out how long it will take from the time we land to the time we get to CBR so I am can make ADR for dinner on Thanksgiving day. It will be our first time using ME. We are suppose to arrive at 5:52 so I have to plan on a time that I would want to eat but not too late.

 

[3mickeys&me]

Do you know about how long it took you to get to the CBR after you landed?

I am trying to figure out how long it will take from the time we land to the time we get to CBR so I am can make ADR for dinner on Thanksgiving day. It will be our first time using ME. We are suppose to arrive at 5:52 so I have to plan on a time that I would want to eat but not too late.

We landed around 11:30 am ish, and went to check in at the ME counter. We got in line and maybe waited about 20-25 minutes before we boarded the bus then sat for another 15-20 minutes. I believe we were at our resort and already checked in by 1:30pm.

Or you doing the dining plan?? You might want to consider just doing a counter service in the food court of the resort. Just a thought.