Just Back from the Caribbean Beach!

[goofyboi]

Well, sadly, i'm back from a nine night stay at CBR. I've stayed at POR, and I have to say, CBR is by far, a superior resort. It's just that- it feels like a resort with the beaches and the white sand. It's like you have the best of both worlds- Going to a sunny beachy resort, and going to WDW.

Our mousekeeper was great. We didn't tip at first, but she made an animal one day, so we tipped after that, and we got animal towels for the rest of the trip! The pools were great... the only thing I was a little disappointed in was the food. I found it to be rather bland and uninspiring... I wish they had more excitment on their menu, but I think it's the same with all the resort Caf's.

The bus service was great. Although it's really hit or miss, there was only one day where we missed all our buses. But it's the luck of the draw. It would be cool if there were actually set times for the buses. IE: Magic Kingdom bus leaves at 9:04, 9:24, and 9:44 ... etc etc... Epcot leaves 9:15, 9:35,, 9:55 etc etc... I guess the logisitcs of it would be a little more difficult, but I think it could save people time.

Getting from one of the parks to Downtown Disney was absolutly ridiculous, on three different occations, trying three different ways, it took over 1 hour. It's ashame the don't have a direct bus for WDW resort guest, it would be as simple as having to show your key card when you board to prevent abuse. Shame shame shame...

Any questions please feel free to ask... I will deffinatly be staying there again.

 

[DisneyObsessed]

What building did you stay in? Were you able to see Illuminations at Epcot from the resort? Did you use the hot tub at all and how was it? I could go on and on......I'm so excited to get there!

 

[kayeandjim00]

Thanks for posting your experience. We stayed at POR last year and are really excited about staying at CBR this time! It sounds perfect, a nice relaxing place to go to after a day at the parks! I can hardly wait! Thanks again!

 

[goofy4tink]

Ohhhhh. Keep those reports coming!!! I've also stayed at POR and loved it. Have been a little nervous about changing over to CBR, but I'm really getting excited. Thanks for reporting in.

 

[tnkrbell]

Great report!! Sounds like I need to give Carribean beach another chance!! (We went about 8 years ago and it needed refurbishment) But it sure sounds like it is beautiful now!!
Thanks for posting!! And glad you had a magical trip!!

 

[Tess]

The length of time it takes to get from any point to DD is ludicrous! I've never made that trip in under an hour and usually 1.5 hours! It's just ridiculous. Think of the added revenue WDW would realize if it just made DD more accessible.

We usually go that way once during a 10 day stay and each time say the same thing "Why does it take so dang long to get there and get back". Then there are the inevitable standing room only buses! Jeesh. . . It's not a place you contemplate for an "evening out" if your kids are in a childcare facility. You spend more time getting to and from than actually enjoying the visit!

I should never have gotten started. . . it's a very sore point with us.

 

[margiemc]

Thanks for the info! Did you eat at the food court and the restaurant? Which building were you in and how far of a walk was it to OPR? This will be our first time staying there and I am excited!

 

[safetymom]

I was at CBR over the weekend. We watched Illuminations from the beach in Martinque. You could see the fireworks very clearly. We also had a room at the back of Martinique. It was a corner room. You could tell there was a parking lot back there but not see the cars. No noise from it either. I don't think there is a bad view in CBR.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

In regards to set bus times... we used to have them, actually (in a manner of speaking)... however, in the dynamic world of Disney, it didn't really work. Our MOD/Flex system currently is working quite well. With busses running in intervals as low as 5-9 minutes during peak seasons, there really isn't a need to post times.

In addition... it's very hard to keep our busses on "schedules"... There's always something to drag us behind... that's why we now use our Flex Dispatching system... so that busses always remain on time. It used to be 3 busses on one 36 min circular route with a 12 min interval... Say for example, bus #2 gets slowed down, and is behind schedule. Bus #3 catches up to him. So now, we have a 12 min interval, a 20 min min interval, and a 4 min interval.
With Flex... Each bus gets dispatched fresh... so the interval remains constant.


As for Downtown Disney... There are MANY reasons why we do not, and will not provide service from DTD to any theme park. The first and foremost reason are the people who ruined it for everyone... Those who park at DTD to avoid the $7 parking fee, and those staying at Hotel Plaza who dont want to use thier own provided transportation.

As for crowds... Well... *shrug* the only thing I can say is I guess you're not the only one who wants to go to Downtown Disney. We do put up extra busses for the peak times, but you have to understand, you're not the only one who wants to go to Downtown Disney. During peak rush hour times, All-Star busses get dispatched sometimes as frequent as every 5 mins... Port Orleans and Caribbean Beach are only a little bit more than that.

And as for how long it takes to get there... Well... you have to remember that Walt Disney World is approx twice the size of Manhattan. Downtown Disney is located on one of the far corners of property. However, despite this fact, it doesn't take as long as you think to get there. From AK Lodge... one of the furthest resorts, on the opposite edge of property... I can do a round trip in 32 minutes. Approx 13 mins each way.

 

[mm6mm6]

Top Ten Reasons CBR is so great:
#10: No one complained (to me anyway) about my snoring while I slept in the hammocks on the gorgeous white sand beaches.
#9: None of the ducks bit my DD5 while she fed them (no blood spilled at WDW!).
#8: The waterfall at the main pool is soft enough to massage your shoulders without causing a pounding headache.
#7: The double sinks in our room alleviated countless discussions about "who made a mess in the sink." We could both make our own messes.
#6: None of the washers or dryers in the laundry "ate" any of our clothes.
#5: The bus service was so good, I had to clean the rust off our minivan's brake rotors because we never moved it for four days.
#4: The CM's selling the "pick your own pearl" jewelry weren't too pushy. So one of these does NOT adorn my DW's neck, finger or ankle.
#3: We were not scolded for using only one CBR mug for all three of us (filled alternately with Orange Crush, Diet Cola, and Root Beer).
#2: The CM who rented the WaterMouse to us was very helpful when DW rammed it into the docks repeatedly.
and the #1 reason CBR is so great: Parrot Cay Island very clean...no need to rename it Parrot Poop Island.

 

[jaguar9748]

Tyler - thanks for that update! I appreciate the job that the Disney bus drivers do.

Ways to get to DD: At MK walk to the Contemporary and take the bus. At Epcot, walk to the Beach Club and take the bus. At MGM ride the boat to the Swan or Dolphin and take the bus. At AK, ride to AKL and take the bus.

We recently stayed at CBR too and loved every experience except for the food. We also felt the food was unsatisfactory. POR's food is MUCH better!

We find it hard now to rate one over the other so we just say that CBR and POR tie for first! If you like POR, I think you will really like CBR!!

 

[dgaston]

For Tyler:

Am I confused? I thought holding a multi-day ticket also entitled you to use of all Disney transportation. That would mean Hotel Plaza guests with APs or PH, or PHP are also using Disney transportation legitimately.

 

[CDizney]

I have read through these posts and I agree with the complaints of waiting a while to actually get where you need to using Disney buses. Not that I do not appreciate the bus service because some of the best stories or memories I have were conversating with folks on the buses but I have only one thing to recommend. Folks........RENT A CAR! I learned this the hard way. You will find that this extra expense is sooooo worth the money. You can get up and go where you please whenever you want and you get there fast. I would not say don't use the buses at all but I have found a car indispensable to me while on property. If you stay on property, you do not have to pay parking fees to park but if you stay off property I still find a car even more important. The cost of a car varies of course depending upon who you use but I have found Dollar, Budget, and Alamo the best. I usually rent a intermediate car each time and pay around 150 for the week each time. Also, getting out of the airport and on your way to the park is so much faster when driving yourself. When you subtract from the price of your car rental what you would be spending on airport shuttles anyway...the cost of a car is not too bad. Either way you cannot go wrong but if you try renting a car for your next adventure to Disney if you never have....you'll probably be much happier!

 

[Jinglebells]

Thanks for all the great info about CBR. I'll be there in March! One question--where do I find the hair braid place. i never saw that mentioned in any of my books.

thanks!

 

[safetymom]

The hair braid place is outside of Old Port Royale. It is on the pool side against the wall of OPR.

 

[vicnmickey]

Someone please tell me you can take the bus to DTD from CBR. We are planning on doing this the first night of our stay. Maybe I am confused, as I usally am or I am just reading something wrong.
Thanx

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

There is a direct bus from Caribbean Beach to Downtown Disney/Typhoon Lagoon. The bus runs from 8:30am-2:00am.

 

[jaguar9748]

Vic - the DD issue was that you can no longer get to DD from any of the parks. You have to go to a resort and catch their DD bus. CDizney brings up a good point about renting a car. If you want to get around Disney fast, that might be an option for you. However, I like to take things slow and easy at Disney so riding the buses are a part of my vacation! Leave the driving to the Disney transportation hosts!

 

[mickeyfan1]

To all who wrote about CBR, especially the top ten list, thank you! I have a large spot in my heart for CBR, been there twice, I love this resort. And thanks to Tyler, my transportation here, he always comes through with the times to and form everywhere. Getting to DTD used to be a long long wait from CBR on Friday nights, but I understand it is a lot better now. Yes, having a car can be easier for some things, but I have parked more often than used the car, so I save some $ and use the busses. For me, it's just easier. But it's not for everybody. JMHO

 

[parrotheadlois]

I see you had a nice corner room, what section did you stay in? Do you remember the room number??