The New Caribbean Beach FAQ Part VII

[Donald - my hero]

Hey guys! I'm in the process of checking in online (60 days!!!) and I was hoping to get some opinions on room requests. I've requested Jamaica and corner room currently... thinking of changing the corner to water view. Does anyone have a preference of one over the other? My main concern is being on the balcony with cigarette smoke (non-smoker with bad allergies) if that is a concern with the water view rooms. Any truth to this? This will be my husband and I's first trip together and I'd like to make sure we get all the pixie dust we can. He's never been to Disney (thought it was for kids) and I haven't been since I was about 8... 20 years ago. Need a little help. Thanks!

I called and had it noted on my reservation that we need a room away from the smoking section due to medical reasons, I would suggest you do the same

Also - does anyone have suggestions on an inexpensive place to stay the night before check-in that is near CBR? We plan to drive down the day before our reservation starts to tour the resort decorations and take the wagon ride through FW to see the Christmas lights, but want to be able to get to the resort and check-in early the next morning and be to HS for rope drop.

Why not check out getting a room at one of the All-Stars? That's what we're doing, I was able to snag a room for about $100.00 using the current RO discount. Looking for a date around 60 days from now i get around $130 -ish for All-Stars Sports. This will put you in the thick of things from the get go

 

[prettypolkadots]

Why not check out getting a room at one of the All-Stars? That's what we're doing, I was able to snag a room for about $100.00 using the current RO discount. Looking for a date around 60 days from now i get around $130 -ish for All-Stars Sports. This will put you in the thick of things from the get go

I could not find a current room only discount. was hoping to spend a little less than $130...

 

[AmyKat]

I could not find a current room only discount. was hoping to spend a little less than $130...

There isn't a discount for the date you are looking for. There was an additional discount that came out for late December but not early/mid December.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I could not find a current room only discount. was hoping to spend a little less than $130...

There are a lot of inexpensive hotels on Highway 192 (also known as West Irlo Bronson Highway) in Kissimmee. You can find a list on the Kissimmee website. Also, have you looked at the Downtown Disney resorts?

 

[prettypolkadots]

There are a lot of inexpensive hotels on Highway 192 (also known as West Irlo Bronson Highway) in Kissimmee. You can find a list on the Kissimmee website. Also, have you looked at the Downtown Disney resorts?

Thanks! I have not looked at DTD, do you suggest a particular resort/hotel or site to search?

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thanks! I have not looked at DTD, do you suggest a particular resort/hotel or site to search?

Here's the link to the Downtown Disney Hotels:
http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/

And the link to the Kissimmee Tourism site:
http://www.experiencekissimmee.com/

 

[prettypolkadots]

Here's the link to the Downtown Disney Hotels:
http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/

And the link to the Kissimmee Tourism site:
http://www.experiencekissimmee.com/

You are AWESOME! I'd be lost without the DIS and all of its wonderful members.

 

[cjhinch]

We booked at a Hampton Inn right down the road from Disney for the night before for our trip. I wanted one of the Value resorts, but they were all booked up somehow!

 

[mickeystoontown]

You are AWESOME! I'd be lost without the DIS and all of its wonderful members.

You are very welcome! I wish that I had more help when we first staryed going to Disney. Even after twenty trips and one hundred plus days, I still sometimes have questions and the disboards are a great source of info.

 

[WindyCityGirl23]

Hi All! Just returned from our 4 night stay at CBR, and unburied myself from the laundry! . We had a great time. I put in a phone request for Jamaica, and faxed a letter 5 days prior to request Jamaica or Aruba. We were placed in Aruba 54- about a 7 minute walk over the bridge to OPR- a bit of a hike for my taste when you just want to refill your coffee cup, but we had a rental car and drove up a few times. The nice thing about our room was that it was VERY close to the Aruba bus stop- made it easy after those long park days. We had a King room with a pack n play. The refurb room was very clean and well done- loved the sliding doors to the sink area. When we arrived to the room, the pack n play was not there yet, but when I called they said they deliver it after we arrive to the room to make sure everything is ok with the room and they don't have to move us, and sure enough it arrived like 5 minutes later. . Disney magic. It took us a night to figure out the best spot for it- we had it by the adjoining door, but soon realized the air from the air conditioning unit was blowing almost directly on it. Poor babes. We ended up moving the bench by the bathroom and putting it there which was a much better spot.
We did not really eat at OPR other than to grab some snacks, etc. The pool was crowded on our first day so we mostly stuck to our side pool. Just a note, there are no towels at the side pool, so make sure to grab some from your room or the main pool area. One afternoon while DD slept, my CM friend and I sat by the beach where we observed a family swimming in the lake- eew. We were wondering if they did not see the no swimming signs when another guest came up and told them that they have seen baby gators in the waters, so they would not swim there if they were them. Whew. Thank goodness for guests bolder than me! I hate to be the bearer of bad news!
One issue I am still dealing with- we left a bag of hair bows for my DD in the nightstand drawer, about 15 bows from Etsy and various places, and I am still trying to track them down. I called the resort 3 times and keep getting routed to lost and found where I can either leave a message, or just give my info to someone. Ugh. It makes me frustrated bc I feel like the further from the checkout date I get, the more of a chance of them being lost or stolen. Ugh. I will try again today, and CM friend is going to try to take a ride over there. Any tips on these situations would be appreciated!
Other than that, it was a great trip! A little hotter than we had expected, but only 1 afternoon of rain (and I think it cleared the park out a bit), and no one got sick- lots of Chlorox wipes and hand washing! I truly owe so much to this thread, and Dis. Boards in general- learned so much, was able to get all the ADRs and FPs that we truly wanted (booked an ADR for Akershus from the cancellation thread, booked Anna and Elsa at midnight when my 60 days opened, and got BOG FP for lunch- good thing too bc they were 'closed bc of capacity' for lunch). If anyone would like any further info, please don't hesitate to message me!

 

[Twindisneykids]

Hi All! Just returned from our 4 night stay at CBR, and unburied myself from the laundry! . We had a great time. I put in a phone request for Jamaica, and faxed a letter 5 days prior to request Jamaica or Aruba. We were placed in Aruba 54- about a 7 minute walk over the bridge to OPR- a bit of a hike for my taste when you just want to refill your coffee cup, but we had a rental car and drove up a few times. The nice thing about our room was that it was VERY close to the Aruba bus stop- made it easy after those long park days. We had a King room with a pack n play. The refurb room was very clean and well done- loved the sliding doors to the sink area. When we arrived to the room, the pack n play was not there yet, but when I called they said they deliver it after we arrive to the room to make sure everything is ok with the room and they don't have to move us, and sure enough it arrived like 5 minutes later. . Disney magic. It took us a night to figure out the best spot for it- we had it by the adjoining door, but soon realized the air from the air conditioning unit was blowing almost directly on it. Poor babes. We ended up moving the bench by the bathroom and putting it there which was a much better spot.

We did not really eat at OPR other than to grab some snacks, etc. The pool was crowded on our first day so we mostly stuck to our side pool. Just a note, there are no towels at the side pool, so make sure to grab some from your room or the main pool area. One afternoon while DD slept, my CM friend and I sat by the beach where we observed a family swimming in the lake- eew. We were wondering if they did not see the no swimming signs when another guest came up and told them that they have seen baby gators in the waters, so they would not swim there if they were them. Whew. Thank goodness for guests bolder than me! I hate to be the bearer of bad news!
One issue I am still dealing with- we left a bag of hair bows for my DD in the nightstand drawer, about 15 bows from Etsy and various places, and I am still trying to track them down. I called the resort 3 times and keep getting routed to lost and found where I can either leave a message, or just give my info to someone. Ugh. It makes me frustrated bc I feel like the further from the checkout date I get, the more of a chance of them being lost or stolen. Ugh. I will try again today, and CM friend is going to try to take a ride over there. Any tips on these situations would be appreciated!
Other than that, it was a great trip! A little hotter than we had expected, but only 1 afternoon of rain (and I think it cleared the park out a bit), and no one got sick- lots of Chlorox wipes and hand washing! I truly owe so much to this thread, and Dis. Boards in general- learned so much, was able to get all the ADRs and FPs that we truly wanted (booked an ADR for Akershus from the cancellation thread, booked Anna and Elsa at midnight when my 60 days opened, and got BOG FP for lunch- good thing too bc they were 'closed bc of capacity' for lunch). If anyone would like any further info, please don't hesitate to message me!

Thanks for the update. Leaving in 23 days! I was recently in a car accident and have tore a ligament in my ankle so I am hoping my request for Aruba 54 or Jamaica 45 can be granted

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

Are the only rooms in Trinidad South Pirate rooms? SIL booked a pirate room because that was all that was available. DSIS and I booked water views. We do NOT want to be in Trinidad South. Are there regular rooms in that building? Thanks!

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

Hi! Another question: Why is water view an option for on-line check-in if it is a bookable category? If I have booked a water view, why would I choose it as a request? Won't I automatically get it since I paid for it? Thanks! Love this thread.

 

[Toffeewoffy]

[QUOTE="Cinder" Ella's Mom;52471519]Hi! Another question: Why is water view an option for on-line check-in if it is a bookable category? If I have booked a water view, why would I choose it as a request? Won't I automatically get it since I paid for it? Thanks! Love this thread.[/QUOTE]

There's 'water view' as in look out of your window directly onto a lake, or 'water view' as in if you crane your neck you can just about see it over the hedges/round the corner. Obviously, if you pay for a water view you'll get a good one.

 

[EpcotBill]

[QUOTE="Cinder" Ella's Mom;52471506]Are the only rooms in Trinidad South Pirate rooms? SIL booked a pirate room because that was all that was available. DSIS and I booked water views. We do NOT want to be in Trinidad South. Are there regular rooms in that building? Thanks![/QUOTE]
All T South rooms are Pirate rooms.

 

[bellebookworm9]

Hi! Another question: Why is water view an option for on-line check-in if it is a bookable category? If I have booked a water view, why would I choose it as a request? Won't I automatically get it since I paid for it? Thanks! Love this thread.

Yes, if you paid for one, you will get it. I think it's a request for king bed rooms like I had. When you book that category, your only guarantee is a king bed. No specific location or view. I requested a water view and was lucky enough to get an awesome one!

 

[Bellanota]

I am debating a solo trip in the summer while my kid is with her father...

I can do more days by staying at the Caribbean instead of like the boardwalk, but I am looking for opinions on this resort for a solo traveler. I will be spending more time at the park, but i do have one off day in my schedule.

 

[mandi321]

So excited we check in tomorrow at Caribbean Beach can't wait!!!

 

[Bama_C]

This will be our first stay at CBR, and we are so excited! It will be our 8th year for FD in the fall. I have been reading and reading this thread and others about CBR, trying to get a feel for the resort. Thanks to all who have posted tips and pictures, etc. !!

I have seen conflicting posts about double beds vs. queen beds in Jamaica and Aruba. I was wondering if anyone can confirm that there are actually queen beds now in either or both sections.

Thanks!!

 

[mellamom2]

I see that all the rooms in Aruba and Jamaica have been refurbished. Are all of these rooms "preferred rooms"? What's my best chance of getting a refurbished room without paying extra? I am able to do online check-in now and just wondering the best "room requests" to get queen-sized beds...
Thanks