Not so newbie questions

[Pacesetters]

Been a couple years since we have visited WDW and are now considering a vacation in July/Aug 2012. We love the Contemporary but after checking vacation packages, the Carribean Beach Resort is about $2000 less so am thinking this will be the way to go this time.

I am looking for any suggestions on which "village" to request. Also do you have to pay for parking at the resort. We are flying and have always used Disney transportation in the past but am considering a rental car this year. Do you have to pay to park at the theme parks?

Any other suggestions/advice will be appreciated - just beginning to plan

 

[Hooked On The Mouse]

You do not have to pay for parking at the resort. And if you are staying onsite, you do not have to pay for theme park parking either. Friends of ours just returned from Caribbean Beach and absolutely loved it. We always get a rental car and find it wonderful to get around much more quickly.

 

[Sue M]

We had a 10 day stay at CBR and enjoyed it very much. We like Jamaica. Our room was across from the beach and next to quiet pool. We were in bldg 42 at the quiet pool end of the building. Just a short walk away. Also close to bus and bridge over to ammenities.

But our fav mod is POR and it has queen beds now. Resort rooms are in the process of renovation. We had new room in Aug. Very nice.

 

[Pacesetters]

Is it hard to find parking at the resorts during peak times? The year we stayed at Universal we had a car and at times it was tough to find a spot

 

[greengeen]

Is it hard to find parking at the resorts during peak times? The year we stayed at Universal we had a car and at times it was tough to find a spot

No! You may not get a spot right outside your room, but the moderate resorts all have MORE than enough parking.

Now the deluxes - at peak times they restrict parking (screening folks at the gate) to make sure non-guests are not taking up spaces, because there is less parking at the deluxes.

 

[Forever Fairy]

I liked staying in Martinique. It is considered Preferred because it's right next door to the bldg with the food court, which you could easily walk too.

Just some other info - The other primary differences between CBR and the Contemporary - I think most of the rooms at CBR are more Motel based have doors that lead directly outside where the Contemporary is more Hotel based with inside corridors. Also, CBR is not attached to any theme park. You will need to drive or take the bus everywhere you want to go. The Contemporary is monorail based and is within walking distance to the MK.

I have stayed at CBR before and enjoyed it - although that was in the summer and we could walk around the lake at night to relax.

 

[dskib]

I second Martinique. CBR is HUGE and I like being close to the food court / main bus stop.