The New Caribbean Beach FAQ Part VII

[mcd2745]

So I know this is the CBR thread! For those of you who are madly and love! Where else have you stayed? What about CBR trumps that/those resorts?

The only other resorts we have stayedat were the Beach Club and Contemporary. I have no desire to return to the Contemporary. I find the place lacking any charm. I would go back to the Beach Club at any time. However, the ridiculous price tag, combined with the fact that we spend most time at the parks doesn't make it worth it.

We love CBR for the relaxed feel, the lush and tropical landscaping, the fantastic main pool, and the excellent food court.

 

[Tiggr924]

So I know this is the CBR thread! For those of you who are madly and love! Where else have you stayed? What about CBR trumps that/those resorts?

We love the feel of the resort. The layout and theme really suit us, as we prefer a beachy theme when we go on vacation. We enjoy walking around and taking pictures. Since its spread out, it never feels super crowded. I also like its location within WDW itself, nothing feels too far away. We have also stayed at POR and ASMo. The only thing that POR beats CBR on is the boat to DTD. We are staying at CSR for the first time this year, but I worry about it being more of a convention center.

 

[dansdad]

So I know this is the CBR thread! For those of you who are madly and love! Where else have you stayed? What about CBR trumps that/those resorts?

Beach Club - Loved the resort, hated the price
POR - Was our favorite moderate until our first CBR stay. We feel the pool, food court and overall feel of CBR are superior. The way it's laid out, even when at capacity, CBR never feels crowded.
POFQ - Nice but feels like a hotel instead of a resort. We don't like how small it is. Our vacation style has changed over the years and like to have a couple resort days and were bored after 1/2 a day.

 

[jdd]

So I know this is the CBR thread! For those of you who are madly and love! Where else have you stayed? What about CBR trumps that/those resorts?

Great question. We've stayed at a lot of the resorts (you can see in my signature!), and we've really enjoyed all of our visits. Our least favorite resorts were CSR and Beach Club. Just didn't like the CSR theming - a little dry/barren - and the food court was a pain in the neck. Beach Club seemed more like a hotel - long interior corridors, elevator rides, etc. It was beautiful and we loved walking to Epcot and DHS, but it just wasn't for us.

My absolute favorite resort is the Poly, but I'm not happy with the changes they're making over there, and it's so expensive!!

CBR just checks off all our boxes! Number one is the beautiful theming and relaxed feel we have there - it really just feels like vacation. The food court is great, the pool is fantastic for the whole family and the bus system works well (although we do use our car if we have it). And if the rehab does give us room capacity for 5, it will definitely be our number 1 choice in the future!

 

[Sunseadisney]

Palm trees lots of them bright colours

 

[TinkLovinMomma]

Adding a quick question! I saw that the lake is 1.4 miles around, and that it's good for walking/jogging - but can anyone tell me if there is a dedicate trail around it? Just so I know what to look for if I decide to take an early morning run? (Not that I will need the extra exercise after park days lol)

 

[dansdad]

Adding a quick question! I saw that the lake is 1.4 miles around, and that it's good for walking/jogging - but can anyone tell me if there is a dedicate trail around it? Just so I know what to look for if I decide to take an early morning run? (Not that I will need the extra exercise after park days lol)

There is a very wide sidewalk that goes around the lake. You can't miss it. You can see it on the map and here is what it looks like right outside Jamaica 45.

 

[TinkLovinMomma]

There is a very wide sidewalk that goes around the lake. You can't miss it. You can see it on the map and here is what it looks like right outside Jamaica 45.

Ahh you're right. I absolutely can see it on the map! Thanks so much for your patience and the pic! I can't wait to be experiencing that view in person!

 

[dansdad]

Ahh you're right. I absolutely can see it on the map! Thanks so much for your patience and the pic! I can't wait to be experiencing that view in person!

 

[Toffeewoffy]

Dansdad, as requested, I attach those photos I was talking about.

From the courtyard, facing building 25 (Martinique). Beautifully peaceful, as you can see.

Part of the seating area in the foodhall : it was more than 4 times the size of this, and the hub with the fountains, toasters, etc was huge. I'm sorry I didn't take more photos inside Old Port Royale.

The bathroom in our room.

Our room from the door. You can see how wide and bright it is - note that it was dark outside when I took this, and it still looks bright and airy: this is why we want the furniture to stay light wood! Also note that we didn't have any Nemo borders on our walls.

Finally, DD took this of the other side of the lake on our first morning. Great photo!

 

[Mbuksa]

We have a preferred room booked for Nov. 1st-9th. I'm hoping to extend our stay by a day because flights will be a much better price on the Monday. After all, why would I give money to an airline that I can use to stay at Disney? I've called a few times and there has not been any availability, but I'll just keep trying and crossing my fingers until then.

Great minds must think alike. I also extended our stay until Monday. What I would have spent extra on airfair, was able to spend another night. Keep trying... I'm sure that Monday will open up so you can spend an extra night. If you haven't already, call in to extend you vacation. When I looked on line, it didn't look like there was any availability, but when I called disney, they were able to book me an extra night without any problem. Good luck

 

[Joceyposse]

My mom and I will be staying at CBR in September/October, so I thought I'd jump in and say hi! We can't wait!

 

[tiggore91]

November 20-29th for us!! Can't wait, never been at a moderate before!!!

Question though, Can anyone tell me in the rooms in the bench if there is storage in it at all? It looks like it might lift open or there might be a drawer in it. Thanks!

 

[dansdad]

November 20-29th for us!! Can't wait, never been at a moderate before!!!

Question though, Can anyone tell me in the rooms in the bench if there is storage in it at all? It looks like it might lift open or there might be a drawer in it. Thanks!

Welcome! I know there's storage in the bench seat but for the life of me I can't remember if it's a drawer or lifts open. I will check my pics to see if I have any that show either way.

 

[austinsmommie]

Welcome! I know there's storage in the bench seat but for the life of me I can't remember if it's a drawer or lifts open. I will check my pics to see if I have any that show either way.

The bench seat has one large drawer under it.

 

[tiggore91]

Awesome, that's what I was hoping for!!!!! We like to unpack our clothes in the drawers and then as they are dirty, put them in the suitcase. There will be 3 of us this trip, normally the dresser only allows enough room for 2 people's clothes. Thanks a bunch!!!

 

[dansdad]

The bench seat has one large drawer under it.

Thank you!

 

[LoveSplashMountain]

We will be flying down for the first time this fall. Also for the first time, we will be completely dependent on Disney transportation.

Our first day, we are going to relax at the resort, but we have dinner reservations at 7:50 pm at Whispering Canyon. I checked out the link to the bus/transportation routes, and it looks like CBR to Epcot to WL will be pretty easy. However, with it being opening day for the Food and Wine festival, and Epcot closing at 10, I don't think we will want to take the same route back. We can either take bus or boat to MK then bus back to CBR or go to DTD and back to CBR by bus. Does anyone have experience doing either of these. Just wondering which option, or alternative option, may be best.

Thanks in advance!

 

[mickeystoontown]

We will be flying down for the first time this fall. Also for the first time, we will be completely dependent on Disney transportation.

Our first day, we are going to relax at the resort, but we have dinner reservations at 7:50 pm at Whispering Canyon. I checked out the link to the bus/transportation routes, and it looks like CBR to Epcot to WL will be pretty easy. However, with it being opening day for the Food and Wine festival, and Epcot closing at 10, I don't think we will want to take the same route back. We can either take bus or boat to MK then bus back to CBR or go to DTD and back to CBR by bus. Does anyone have experience doing either of these. Just wondering which option, or alternative option, may be best.

Thanks in advance!

I would suggest staying away from the downtown disney buses if you want to get anywhere quickly. The wait times for all disney resorts from downtown disney are usually pretty long and if you catch it at market place you will also stop at pleasure island.

Your best bet would be to take a bus to the magic kingdom and then the boat to wilderness lodge. Sometimes the boats go to both the wilderness lodge and fort wilderness. At other times they have their own boats.

 

[DisneyAnytime]

I'll have a car. Is there any significant time/convenience advantage driving to the parks? Or are the buses pretty good?

We had our car this trip (first time) and still preferred to use Disney Transportation. Some will agree, some will disagree. However, I think it's not too much of a stretch to assume it will be mostly unanimous to stay away from driving (more specifically parking) at DTD. It's a nightmare!

We did drive to DHS and it was not a bad experience. It's fairly easy to find your way around if you opt to drive places. There are directional signs everywhere.

Have a great trip!!