just back from CBR

[racheltyler]

Just returned from a long weekend trip to CBR. Stayed in Jamaica, bldg 44 - good location to quiet pool and beach area, a little long to food court and main pool with our small children (5 and 2). The main pool did not appeal to us at all. The entire pool area seemed small, chairs crammed together-none available, no umbrellas with tables - not very relaxing. Kids loved the beach area with jungle gym, quiet pool, hammocks, feeding the ducks along the bridge was a must! Also, surrey bikes were fun. Food court was very good. Room was nice, beds uncomfortable and squeaky though. Entire resort is beautiful and well themed. We will definitely choose another next time. I would rate our experience with resorts as follows from best to worst: Swan/Dolphin!!, BC/YC, AKL, WL, BWV, CS, POR, CB. If the main pool is not a huge priority and you don't mind walking, CB is a good value. Hope this review helps someone!! All the reviews I've read on this board have helped me alot - thanks!

Sharon

 

[ptrbryant]

Wow! I was hoping for a thumbs up CBR review as we're considering it (or POR-Mansions) to split a stay with WL in October. Aside from the pool and walking, are there other reasons why you would rate it below POR and CSR? All of us considering CBR are dying to know!

Thanks!
Karla B.

 

[ms.ojo]

Or were they trying to walk to the food court? Sorry to hear it's at the bottom of your list. We're planning on splitting a stay there in Apr/May

 

[safetymom]

Sorry to hear you were dissapointed in CBR. Most people that stay in Jamaica mention it is a short walk to the food court. Jamaica is a favorite location.

You are right about no umbrellas at the main pool. The quiet pools do have them. The main pool is not as big as some of the resorts but we always enjoyed it.

For other thinking of staying at CBR I suggest looking at my pictures listed below so you are prepared before you arrive.

Is it a matter of personal taste that you ranked CBR so low?

 

[racheltyler]

We did have a great time at the CBR, don't get me wrong! I think when you have so many other great places to choose from, it does get easy to criticize really great places (like the CBR). We did have a stroller for the kids but we do spend so much time at the resort over the parks that it did make it difficult to always bring the stroller everywhere. We like to fill up our mugs alot and we eat alot of meals at the food court so the resort wasn't as convenient for us because of that. I think the main disadvantage we saw was the main pool. We just love the other resort pools more (CSR, POR, etc). We will spend days just at the pool and we like to bring our snacks and lunch right where we are sitting that day. And this main pool was not set up with the tables and it just felt so cramped with the lounge chairs packed in like cattle. We saw people tripping all over each others stuff. CSR is spread out also but the main pool area is better for us there with the playground, tables, sand play area, pool bar with food right there, nice and spacious. And you can refill your mugs right there also, day or evening. But then the rooms there are a little smaller with only one sink. And then we love the boat ride to Downtown Disney from POR which gives that one an advantage (and nicer pool IMO) .So you have to weigh everything out and decide what's most important. Overall though, you just can't go very wrong with any resort at Disney. Hope any of this helps. I'd be happy to provide any more info.

Sharon

 

[kimg826]

We stayed a CBR in 2003 and enjoyed it so much we are going again in May. Although my DH is one that does not like to try new things. He says he knows his way around there now. We have a teenager and a preteen so we do not have to worry about the strollers. CBR is a beautiful resort, last time we stayed in Barbados 13, this time we have requested Jamaca 51 or Aruba 46. We are keeping our fingers crossed that they have put fridges in these rooms, does any one know if they do?

 

[ms.ojo]

Thanks Sharon, your extra explanation was very helpful. I looked for your trip report but couldn't find it. Can you share the link? We had been between POFQ and CBR for our next trip. We're leaning towards CBR as we like the theme better (having honeymooned in Aruba), but there certainly are a LOT of POFQ lovers on this site that make it hard to ignore. I just don't think my kids will find New Orleans theme that interesting. Probably have to try them both out at some time.....who knows, maybe it will be decided for me when AP codes become available or not available, as the case may be!

 

[racheltyler]

There was a fridge in our room and from what I've read on these boards, this is now standard in all rooms. It was in a nice cabinet next to the tv (so it was nice the little ones didn't know what was in there!). It was an actual nice piece of furniture it was housed in. The fridge was also a very nice size. Lots of storage in the CBR rooms with extra in the bench and hooks on the shelves for hanging coats!

We checked out the POFQ while we were there and thought this would be great with little ones like everyone says. Nice and compact with the rooms being close to everything-pool, food court, even boat to DTD and POR. Nice pool area there also and great selection at food court. Their food court had a nice big tv with cartoons playing (not at CBR though) and they were handing out balloons to kids as we were leaving. Nice touch! The theme wasn't as appealing to us but maybe the convenience would outweigh this with little ones. Can't go wrong either way! Good luck!

Sharon

 

[ptrbryant]

Hi, Sharon,
Thanks for giving us such a clear picture! Our family is just DH, DS9 and myself and we all enjoy walking, so I don't think the resort being spread out would be that much of a problem. We'd probably be a bit disappointed in the pool, but that's not a big deal to us, either.
But, I was wondering if you'd say the quality of the guest rooms at CBR were any better, worse or the same as at POR. It's hard to be more specific, but you know how just the type of furniture, bedspreads, etc. can give you a feeling of better quality or not.
Thanks again!
Karla B.

 

[scoutsmom99]

And this main pool was not set up with the tables and it just felt so cramped with the lounge chairs packed in like cattle.

I was at CBR Jan 19-26 and they did have tables with umbrellas by the pool area...so I don't know if that changed within the past week or not. When I was there they had the lounge chairs on the same deck as the pool and one step up from the pool and next to the pool bar were a number of tables that people were using to eat thier meals at.

 

[stemikger]

I agree with the original poster. The pool at CBR is a real let down. It is way too small for the size of this resort.

I have been to POFQ, CBR and Pop Century.

So far Pop Century was my favoriate. The main pool area at Pop is awesome.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

We were also disapointed in the pool area.

Slide was short, and small. I did not like the way the pool is broken up, not being able to see everywhere, and keep track and the kiddie pool not being visible to the main pool. I felt the hot tub was way too small.

I liked the pool much better at CSR. I could sit with my little one, in the kiddie pool, but still be very close to my older DD in the main pool.

 

[Goofy41]

I agree also about the main pool area. The area is big, it has a bar, pleanty of eating space, but the pool is small. There were umbrellas when we stayed there both times. We plan on going again this May/June and we will be staying at CBR. I love the atmosphere.