Just back from my FIRST trip to CBR

[QTMichele]

Hello to all my fellow Disney lovers! My DH (35), DDs (7 & 3) and I (34) just returned from Disney. We had a wonderful time! We stayed at CBR for the first time (previously I've only stayed at BWV, BC and a few "deluxe" off site resorts). Overall, I was pleased with our choice. We were so busy in the parks that we only went to the main pool once and our quiet pool once. Although I missed the deluxe resorts (I just LOVE the Beach Club and Boardwalk!), I could not justify the expense when we used our room for sleeping and bathing (we went to the parks when we woke up and didn't return to our room until 10 or 11 each night). These are a few of my observations:

1. The resort is quite large and the grounds are beautifully maintained.
2. The main pool is on the small side. It is a great spot for the kids and people watching, but be prepared for crowds during the busy season (the pool was somewhat crowded while we were there - and we went during low season!)
3. Rooms are spacious and clean; however, there are some signs of wear and tear (showers could use some fresh caulking, carpet needed cleaning, marks on the walls and doors - nothing major, just my observation).
4. Our room had plenty of hanging and drawer space; however, a luggage rack would have been a huge help for us. We set up the ironing board and used it as a luggage rack - worked great!
5. The beds were comfy and the sheets were clean.
6. The towel animals were great! We found a small bunny, an elephant and a clown. GREAT fun for the kids AND adults!
7. Large linen carts were left in the corridors - they took up a lot of space and it was difficult to maneuver luggage around them.
8. Nice color scheme in the rooms - not too bold, not too bland and perfectly perfect for a Caribbean theme!
9. The rooms have a ceiling fan!!!
10. Window treatments consist of blinds and curtains; however, even with both closed, it is possible to see partially inside the room from the outdoor corridor.

Overall, the CBR is a nice place to stay and worth the money. It is comparable to a Hampton Inn - only Disneyfied.

*Edit: To clarify, CBR rooms are similar in quality to a Hampton Inn; however, the grounds are quite beautiful and make you feel like you are in a lovely resort. I tried to be fair in my observations during my recent visit. It would NOT be fair to suggest that CBR rooms are of deluxe quality - they are not. The rooms compare to a Hampton Inn or similar quality chain - just "Disneyfied." Just MHO.

Please feel free to ask any questions.

 

[bookgirl2632]

Thanks for the report. I'm glad you had a great time. We are considering a return to CBR next year, though it depends on the scheduled pool rehab. It may not be finished by our tentative trip dates, so we may shoot for CSR.

 

[QTMichele]

Thanks for the report. I'm glad you had a great time. We are considering a return to CBR next year, though it depends on the scheduled pool rehab. It may not be finished by our tentative trip dates, so we may shoot for CSR.

I've heard that CSR is a nice place to stay - we almost booked that hotel instead. I'd love to try it out next time. Have FUN planning your Disney trip - I'm ready to plan another.

 

[tinawv]

Hi Michele. Thanks for the great update on CBR. We stayed there in 2003, and enjoyed it very much. I agree that the rooms could use a little updating. What part of West Virginia are you from? I live in Parkersburg, WV.

 

[bigbabyblues]

tinawv--I sent you a PM.

 

[QTMichele]

Hi Michele. Thanks for the great update on CBR. We stayed there in 2003, and enjoyed it very much. I agree that the rooms could use a little updating. What part of West Virginia are you from? I live in Parkersburg, WV.

Hi, Tinawv! I live in the Teays Valley area - between Charleston and Huntingon. Are you a WV native? I'm a transplant, but have lived here for over 20 years now.

 

[Tio Marco]

Overall, the CBR is a nice place to stay and worth the money. It is comparable to a Hampton Inn - only Disneyfied.

Hmm....not exactly what i wanted to hear. Checking into CBR for the first time on Thursday morning.

 

[safetymom]

I have stayed in Hampton Inns and I think CBR is much nicer.

 

[Jen50]

Thanks for the trip report. Glad you enjoyed CBR but I also think it is much nicer than a Hampton Inn.

 

[Tio Marco]

SafetyMom:

I just noticed ur CBR Most Asked Questions thread this morning. I sent a pkg (via USPS PRiority Mail) to CBR, at the Cayman Way address vs the POB address. According to the USPS web site, "delivery was attempted, notice left" (on saturday, sep 8) and it should be picked up at the post office!

Is there any possibility this box will be waiting for me Thursday?

 

[safetymom]

I would call the resort and ask if they have it. It sounds like they don't.

 

[catbertdave99]

Well, I've also stayed at Hampton Inns, and while they are nice, here are some of the things CBR offers that they do not:

- I can walk out my door to a beautiful courtyard or a white-sand beach...
- I can rent boats and go out on the resort's own lake
- I can stroll around the lake on a wonderful promenade walkway
- I can hear Caribbean steel drum music overhead while I choose from a wide range of food court options
- I can relax in a hammock
- I can choose from 6 quiet pools and one mail pool and take a swim

I'm not knocking Hampton Inns -- I like them on the road, and they offer a nice continental breakfast, but CBR is just so much nicer IMO.

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

thanks for your review! I think we're gonna book CBR for the bounceback promotion for our 08 trip.

Glad you had a great time!

 

[QTMichele]

Hmm....not exactly what i wanted to hear. Checking into CBR for the first time on Thursday morning.

Please don't worry! CBR is a very nice place to stay and I would stay again. I'm not sure what I said to make you apprehensive, but I can assure you that I would NOT stay again if I thought it was a bad experience. CBR has a resort-like feel to it. The grounds are beautiful and the rooms are nice, but don't go expecting it to be like one of Disney's deluxe resorts - it is not.

I have stayed in Hampton Inns and I think CBR is much nicer.

Yes, you are so right! My Hampton Inn comment was made to give a comparison at how well the rooms are appointed. CBR's grounds blow away any Hampton Inn I've ever stayed in; however, the rooms are comprable. I wrote that CBR is a "DISNEYfied" version of a Hampton Inn - I should have clarified that to state the ROOMS are Hampton Inn-like (or similar, moderate chain hotels). CBRs rooms are more than basic, but much less than deluxe. (For what it's worth, we stayed in a Hampton Inn in Clermont before we started our Disney vacation - it was the NICEST Hampton Inn I've ever stayed in (it was only a year old). It was beautifully appointed for that level of hotel. Again, not deluxe, but very nice.)

Thanks for the trip report. Glad you enjoyed CBR but I also think it is much nicer than a Hampton Inn.

You're welcome! Thanks for reading. I meant no offense by comparing CBR to Hampton Inn - please read my above comments to safetymom for clarification.

Well, I've also stayed at Hampton Inns, and while they are nice, here are some of the things CBR offers that they do not:

- I can walk out my door to a beautiful courtyard or a white-sand beach...
- I can rent boats and go out on the resort's own lake
- I can stroll around the lake on a wonderful promenade walkway
- I can hear Caribbean steel drum music overhead while I choose from a wide range of food court options
- I can relax in a hammock
- I can choose from 6 quiet pools and one mail pool and take a swim

I'm not knocking Hampton Inns -- I like them on the road, and they offer a nice continental breakfast, but CBR is just so much nicer IMO.

Yes, you're so right! Again, it's my fault for not clarifying that I meant the ROOMS are comprable to a Hampton Inn (or similar class). They are quite comfortable, spacious and have a few nice amenities (refrigerator, ceiling fan, etc.), but don't go expecting a 5 star hotel room.

thanks for your review! I think we're gonna book CBR for the bounceback promotion for our 08 trip.

Glad you had a great time!

Thank you! We did have a wonderful time and hope to go again soon!

 

[safetymom]

But the point is that CBR is not a 5 star or deluxe resort.

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

Checking in to CBR on Friday morning for our first stay there, and we are READY!! I am sooooo looking forward to this trip! Now, if only all the tropical storms/hurricanes stay away, it will be perfect. We absolutely cannot be stuck in Fla. for even one day extra, because DH has a last-minute business trip to Europe the day after we get home! He's more nervous than I...

 

[QTMichele]

But the point is that CBR is not a 5 star or deluxe resort.

Exactly. And it IS a nice moderate resort. I'd go again!

By the way, THANKS again for all the info you've posted on CBR. Your comments, pictures, etc. were very helpful to me.

 

[QTMichele]

Checking in to CBR on Friday morning for our first stay there, and we are READY!! I am sooooo looking forward to this trip! Now, if only all the tropical storms/hurricanes stay away, it will be perfect. We absolutely cannot be stuck in Fla. for even one day extra, because DH has a last-minute business trip to Europe the day after we get home! He's more nervous than I...

Have a WONDERFUL vacation!!! Good luck on the weather.

 

[SkcMom]

SafetyMom:

I just noticed ur CBR Most Asked Questions thread this morning. I sent a pkg (via USPS PRiority Mail) to CBR, at the Cayman Way address vs the POB address. According to the USPS web site, "delivery was attempted, notice left" (on saturday, sep 8) and it should be picked up at the post office!

Is there any possibility this box will be waiting for me Thursday?

Could you please post about what you find out? We are going to be at CBR in December and I was thinking of sending a box down to the resort before we leave. If it is not the thing to do I would sure like to know before I attempt it. Thanks! Hopefully all will be well with your package!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I'm glad you enjoyed your stay at the CBR. We fell in love with the resort in June, 2006. We didn't even consider staying anywhere else when we were planning our June, 2007.

We have a couple of down days during our vacation and found that the CBR is a lovely resort for just relaxing and hanging around.

We are trying the Wilderness Lodge for our June, 2008 stay (always our dream resort) but wouldn't hesitate a bit to go back to the CBR.