Just Back from CBR

[jlaspoq]

We just got back from our first stay at CBR and we loved it!

The resort is very picturesque, and the marina / bike rental is a great way to take a break from the parks.

By the way, I had posted a question a while back about the family plan for the marina. There are two plans - one is $115 (four hours of boat rental) and the other is $199 (unlimited during stay) - but neither plan includes the Surrey Bikes! It seemed a little high to us, and we wanted the Surrey bikes (twice, as it turned out), so we just paid as we went and came out cheaper.

The food court was pleasant, although the lines for breakfast were very long at around 9am - they need to have the same menu at each location. We wound up standing in 4 different lines plus cashier, and I finally gave up and got a croissant for myself. The grab n go breakfast worked great for us.

Our room was very nice. Be prepared - not only is the resort large, once you're at your building you can have a meandering walk to get to your actual room. Ours had to be half way from any set of stairs we took. By the way, we were in Trinidad North and really liked it.

The island in the middle of the lagoon is very peaceful. We watched Epcot's fireworks from the bridge.

The pools and beaches are great!

Bus service was mixed - we had some rather long waits, and underestimated how long things would take. (Got to AK and Epcot about 10 min after opening, despite being out there a half hour before.) Plan 45 min if your timing is crucial. Also had some long waits to return - over 30 min one time, even though the buses are supposed to be running every 20 min. Other times we had great luck and walked right one - restoring hope in the system! So overall, it evened out.

Let me know if you have questions!

 

[debden]

jlaspoq,I am sooooo glad to read you loved the Caribbean Beach Resort! We leave this Tuesday (the 29th) for our trip.This will be our first time to WDW.Sounds like the resort is really nice! We hope to get the Aruba building #55...Near the quiet pool.Was it crowded while you were there? I mean the Resort and WDW?....
Is Check-in easy? Will they let you check-in early? We arrive at 11AM Tuesday. Are the quiet pools busy? Was it warm enough to swim? Did you end up having good weather? Sorry for all the questions....I'm just soooooo excited and can't wait to go!!!
Thanks,Debbie

 

[jlaspoq]

Debbie - you will love it!

Crowds were not bad considering it was Easter week. The crowds should be less for you. We did EE at the MK and it was great.

Check-in was easy - we arrived at 2pm and checked in (official time is 3pm). If your room is not ready, they will hold your luggage until it's ready, so you can get started early!

Express check out was a breeze.

Quiet pools were pleasant - themed pool was busy but fun. Yes, it was definitely warm enough to swim - especially in the afternoons. We had great weather.

Aruba is across the lake from Old Port Royale, so you will enjoy walking across the island!

Have fun!!!!!!

 

[safetymom]

Could you do me a favor and post your CBR review in the CBR FAQ's. That way someone new to the resort can read about the resort. I am afraid this post will get lost.

To answer the early check in question. We have checked in as early as 6:30 in the morning. If the room is ready they will let you in, otherwise they give you a number to call to see if your room is ready.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

Hello Thank you for the informative posts! They really help me with planning.

After reading as many as I could find on the CBR, I think I am going to fax a request for building 52 in Aruba, as a first choice for my 4th of July stay.

Do you all think that's a good choice? Would Aruba building 55 be better? It looks like it's closer to the bus stop.

Originally, I thought I would ask for Jamaica building 45 or 44, but after reading the posts on this board, I'm curious about the playground.

I do not have children yet and want to relax on the beach. Do you think I would enjoy the Aruba beach more?

Plus, other families might be vying for a room near the playground, and I don't want to take that away from someone with little ones.

The Jamaica buildings do look just beautiful in pictures, though! They are the yellow ones, right? So elegant.

I like the idea of about a 10 minute scenic walk to OPR, but I wouldn't want the walk to be much longer than that. What do you think about the distance from the buildings I've mentioned?

Aruba 52 seems removed from the parking area, which might be nice. I requested the standard view, so that might be what we get. If I'm in Aruba 52, it may be more of a courtyard view than a parking lot view.

It would be nice if somehow we lucked into a room with a view of the lighthouse on the other side of the bay. However, with the 4th of July and POFQ closing, I'm afraid every room will be filled.

We'll be lucky if we are able to avoid Trinidad South. I wouldn't want to have to cross the street to get to OPR. That would take away some of the magic. Although, I do have a car so it wouldn't be the end of the world.

I could ask for Martinique or Trinidad North. Do you think they will be swamped on the 4th? For some reason, my thoughts keep returning to Aruba 52 or Jamaica 44 or 45. I think that romantic walk across the bridge sounds just lovely.

If you think this would be a good request for me to make, please let me know.

Just for fun, does anyone know what color the buildings and roofs are in Aruba? Or in any of the islands! I'd like to know all the colors of the buildings and roofs Can't wait to find out!

Thanks so much!

 

[safetymom]

Every time we have been there the beachs have not been crowded so I am sure you wouldn't have a problem lounging on the beach.

Even the parking lot views at CBR aren't bad. We had one this trip in Martinique. There is so much landscaping that you have to look hard to see the cars.

I wouldn't stress too much about seeing the lighthouse. Since CBR has open balconies you really need to walk to the balcony to see much of the view.

Even if the resort is crowded you should be able to get some of your requests. There is a lot of rooms in CBR that should fit your needs.

You will love the resort and the walk over to OPR is relaxing with the view.

 

[macnodos]

Debden, Aruba is a great building, good location, and has nice quiet pool. Although having two children, the next time we go I will make every effort to be closer to OPR ( closer to beverages, food, and theme pool which kids love). If you get there early, you will probably have some options, with regards to room preference. Bus stop was not a problem for us. Good Luck.


kevin

 

[jlaspoq]

Jamaica is definitely the yellow ones - that was the view across from us - and yes, it is very pretty. Trinidad North is pink - which my daughter loved. Can't really remember the others specifically.

Safetymom, I will try to copy my post into the other thread - thanks for the suggestion!

 

[safetymom]

jlaspoq , thank you for moving your information.

 

[kmc33]

OllieDannyandMe -
We just returned from our first ever trip to WDW and we stayed at CBR. So, that's my only experience there. But, you were mentioning the different buildings and I thought I could offer some insight.

We requested Martinique or Jamaica but were placed in Aruba. I actually liked Aruba more than I expected. I needed to go to the Custom House a couple of times so we were a little closer to it than we would have been from Jamaica. But it was a little more of a walk to OPR than from Jamaica. Having stayed across the lake from OPR, I think I would definitely request that again -- especially during a busy season. When we went over to the main pool it was loud and there was a lot of activity. I really liked the quietness of Aruba. I think Jamaica would be nice too. It's a lovely walk across the bridge to OPR. I thought the buildings in Jamaica were the prettiest, yellow with light blue roofs. And the decoration on the balcony rails was different in each village. It is really neat seeing the detail on the buildings. The buildings in Aruba were okay -- I think they were pink and lavender with aqua roofs. See, I can't even remember for sure. I only remember Jamaica since they really struck me as pretty.

As far as which building within the village, I didn't pay as much atttention to that. We were in building 55 and our room looked out onto a courtyard. It was very nice and convenient. I don't know if another location within Aruba would have been more or less convenient, though.

 

[WeirdEyes]

My husband called the CRO to request Martinique or Trinidad North (maybe it's South) when we arrive on June 6th. Should I fax them instead? We want to be close to the food!!

 

[safetymom]

You want either Martinique or Trinidad North. You can fax your request or just ask when you check in. Even if they have a room assigned to you they usually can switch you to the village you prefer.

 

[mimimom]

we will be at CBR this july and we will have a rental car. Is there only one main parking lot or are there several? im concerned with the amount of time wasted with having to walk to our car out by the custom house. and if there is only one, i requested martinique is this going to be ok? Is there parking by aruba because from what ive heard fom these boards it sounds like a nice place to stay{my 11 year old DS and myself} this will be our first time to the world!!!!!!!does time really move this slow or only when you have the trip of a lifetime planned? mimimom

 

[safetymom]

There are many parking lots at CBR. The only time you need to be at the Custom House is when you check in or need to buy tickets.

You are never a far walk away from your car at CBR. You will love any of the villages in CBR. They are all great.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

Thank you, SafetyMom and KMC33.

I appreciate the information. I'm still torn between a first choice of Aruba or Jamaica. Either will be fine.

If I remember all of the colors, I will post them when I get back in July, along with a detailed trip report.

I appreciate being able to discuss things here. It adds to the anticipation.

 

[safetymom]

Don't stress too much. Some of the best Disney Magic I have had is when the CM made the choice for me. You will have a great time no matter what village you are in. I have been so many times but really couldn't tell you what color the buildings are because there is so much to look at.

 

[S. C.]

Here is a link for carlsons cbr pictures. There are pictures of the outsides of the buildings.


http://64.41.109.164/cb/index.htm

 

[jody]

We just returned from CBR too. We loved it. The resort is beautiful. I had requested Martinique bldg. 25 when I made our reservations. When we checked in they had us in Trinidad South. We asked if there were any openings in Martinique 25 and the CM found one and gave it to us. We loved the location. It was a short walk to the food court/main pool area and the bus stop at Old Port Royale. It was also close to the quiet pool and there was a beach with hammocks right in front of the building. We heard no noise from the main pool area.

We have two teenage girls and we were glad to find that the rooms are a good size and there are lots of places to store stuff. The privacy curtain between the sink area and bedroom area was nice.

We had a grocery store stop on our way from the airport to the resort and usually ate breakfast in our room. We didn't use the food court a lot and when we did it was at off times. We did go in there at about 1:20 to have lunch before our flight out on the last day and the lines were long.

The bus service varied. Sometimes we waited a long time and sometimes we got right on. The longest we waited was over 30 minutes at Downtown Disney Marketplace. The buses were often full and there were people standing. I'm not complaining. I wish I could walk out the door right now, go to the bus stop, pick a park and go!

We rented the surrey bike. It was fun. My husband had fun ringing the bell and waving at people to embarrass the teenage DDs.

We would definitely stay at CBR again.