The New Caribbean Beach FAQ Part VII

[Princess_Nikki]

Super excited to maybe get a refurbed room, but we are headed down for Thanksgiving this year and Im wondering if refurb will effect our enjoyment of CBR? For those who were there recently, did you notice the refurb that much?

Nope. Not even at all. In this thread I've read some refurbishing is going on in Jamaica, where we stayed, but they must be ninjas about it!

We were in Jamaica 4622 in May, which was actually a very nice location! If anyone books a Standard Room, a highly recommend that one.

I didn't see or hear any refurbishing going on the whole time we were there. I heard most of it was in Jamaica 41.

 

[afinnteach]

Thanks! I assumed that was the case, but its good to hear all the same! Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for pixie dust when our room is assigned. We have never stayed at CBR, but it looks beautiful!

 

[phillipsjp2003]

Two questions: 1. We are traveling with a group playing in a tournament at ESPN WWOS do y'all know if group check in takes place at the front desk or is there somewhere else for groups to check in. (Last time when we went we stayed at Coronado Springs and there was a separate checkin area for groups that I didn't know about - just trying to avoid being lost with 40 people again!!) 2. Do y'all know if groups are usually put into certain buildings? Trying to do my research ahead of time so at least one person will know where everything is!!

I have organized two music group trips to WDW each about 80 people. We stayed once at CRS and once at POR. Every large group is assigned a resort manager, they should contact you or the person who made your group reservation at least 60 days prior to your arrival. We also received a questionnaire asking about group arrival, check in, departure, and transportation. If I remember correctly we had the choice of one person checking in everyone or each room checking in separately. Since all of our families arrived separately we opted for separate check in.

For or room block I was able to request an area where we would like to be. I also had to send in a spreadsheet of everyone in our block, what rooms they would be in, and any special requests. All of our rooms were together except of 1 or 2, each who had made a special room request ( Murphy bed, connecting rooms, handicap, etc.)

Our resort managers were incredible both years. They made for a perfect and smooth trip. If you have not heard from yours yet, I am sure you will. They will also give you their direct number for any questions you may have. Happy travels for your group!!

 

[new york 1]

Whole Family going to CBR Aug 19-26

 

[mickeystoontown]

For anyone who may be interested, I have started my latest Disney trip report. It will include lots of pictures of the resort which were taken over our two week stay. I hope that some of you will join in on the fun.

Disney dangled the visual weinee and Mickeystoontown’s gang gobbled it up! Our two week adventure!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51642226&postcount=1

 

[debsters41]

For anyone who may be interested, I have started my latest Disney trip report. It will include lots of pictures of the resort which were taken over our two week stay. I hope that some of you will join in on the fun.

Disney dangled the visual weinee and Mickeystoontown’s gang gobbled it up! Our two week adventure!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51642226&postcount=1

on my way!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Oh shoot! I meant to post this while we were still at the resort....someone here asked if soy milk was available at the resort. I did see it in small single serve containers in the grab n go section. I took a picture of the containers but haven't found them in my pictures yet.

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

Not too surprising, I suppose, that I'm not that unique.

Watch this space: our mid-Nov 2015 trip may just turn into a March-April 2015 trip. Got some good flights on points, just need to convince DW! Wish me luck...

Bah! You sound like me! We're planning on November 2015, but I'm trying to talk hubby into March! Good luck!

 

[DBDiz]

July 9-15 2014 and debating booking a bounce back for Sept 2015 while we're at the park.

 

[hannahinwales]

Do they have scooped ice creams/ice cream sundaes at CBR and if so, whereabouts?

Thank you

 

[dworldlovers]

We'll be at CBR Dec. 18-24 and it will be our first time at CBR. Have enjoyed reading on this forum and appreciate all the info! We've reserved a preferred room with free dining and won't bother with a specific request. I've requested in the past at POR and it never worked, but no worries, we're at Disney!!!

 

[dis_guy]

Bah! You sound like me! We're planning on November 2015, but I'm trying to talk hubby into March! Good luck!

Well, it's not gonna happen for us. DW (and me too, I suppose) really wants to go during Food and Wine, so November it stays!

 

[RyMacJ]

I have organized two music group trips to WDW each about 80 people. We stayed once at CRS and once at POR. Every large group is assigned a resort manager, they should contact you or the person who made your group reservation at least 60 days prior to your arrival. We also received a questionnaire asking about group arrival, check in, departure, and transportation. If I remember correctly we had the choice of one person checking in everyone or each room checking in separately. Since all of our families arrived separately we opted for separate check in.

For or room block I was able to request an area where we would like to be. I also had to send in a spreadsheet of everyone in our block, what rooms they would be in, and any special requests. All of our rooms were together except of 1 or 2, each who had made a special room request ( Murphy bed, connecting rooms, handicap, etc.)

Our resort managers were incredible both years. They made for a perfect and smooth trip. If you have not heard from yours yet, I am sure you will. They will also give you their direct number for any questions you may have. Happy travels for your group!!

Ohh I have questions for you! We've just found out that our dance studio will be performing next June at WDW. We had a parent meeting this week and the director said that the last time they did this (years ago, before my kids were old enough to dance) that they stayed at one of the All Stars and were planning on doing the same this time, but that Disney would tailor to each family separately. I'm the only completely insane Disney nut in the group (about 60 families) so I didn't want to bombard them with questions right away.

Did the families in your group have access/authority over their own reservation? As in, to book dining? And now of course, FP+. I love the office manager at our studio, but I don't trust anyone to make my Disney reservations. I wouldn't even trust DH to get it all organized himself. LOL.


Also, I do not want to stay at an All Star. DH and I had already been discussing 2016 and we were already pretty set on CBR. We want to keep most of our plans and just move our trip up by a year for the dance performance. Did any of the families in your group opt to stay at a different resort? And if not, do you know if they would have been able to had they preferred that?

I'm super nervous about going to Disney and not being able to plan my own stuff. I really hope we can just somehow call and book ourselves and specify that we're with our studio.

 

[horse11]

Dansdad and Mickeystoontown my chapter in regards to CBR is now complete. I just hope I have done it justice. I will be add more about CBR the further I get into my trip report. Thank again for all your help!

Here is the link to the chapter:http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51640782&postcount=23

 

[Mikeyr71]

Booked for September 14-20th 2014, preferred room. I hope we get a building with the Queen beds, would make for a much more comfortable stay! So glad to hear such positive reviews about the resort, first stay for the family at a moderate.

Hello,We will be there Sept. 13th-21st. We are also from NY near Buffalo.

 

[spottycotty]

Hi
Is there a microwave in the room at CBR?

 

[maui13]

Ohh I have questions for you! We've just found out that our dance studio will be performing next June at WDW. We had a parent meeting this week and the director said that the last time they did this (years ago, before my kids were old enough to dance) that they stayed at one of the All Stars and were planning on doing the same this time, but that Disney would tailor to each family separately. I'm the only completely insane Disney nut in the group (about 60 families) so I didn't want to bombard them with questions right away.

Did the families in your group have access/authority over their own reservation? As in, to book dining? And now of course, FP+. I love the office manager at our studio, but I don't trust anyone to make my Disney reservations. I wouldn't even trust DH to get it all organized himself. LOL.

Also, I do not want to stay at an All Star. DH and I had already been discussing 2016 and we were already pretty set on CBR. We want to keep most of our plans and just move our trip up by a year for the dance performance. Did any of the families in your group opt to stay at a different resort? And if not, do you know if they would have been able to had they preferred that?

I'm super nervous about going to Disney and not being able to plan my own stuff. I really hope we can just somehow call and book ourselves and specify that we're with our studio.

I can help you if you are planning this trip with World Class Vacations, Dance the World. our dance studio will be dancing there July 1st. with Dance the World.

 

[phillipsjp2003]

Ohh I have questions for you! We've just found out that our dance studio will be performing next June at WDW. We had a parent meeting this week and the director said that the last time they did this (years ago, before my kids were old enough to dance) that they stayed at one of the All Stars and were planning on doing the same this time, but that Disney would tailor to each family separately. I'm the only completely insane Disney nut in the group (about 60 families) so I didn't want to bombard them with questions right away. Did the families in your group have access/authority over their own reservation? As in, to book dining? And now of course, FP+. I love the office manager at our studio, but I don't trust anyone to make my Disney reservations. I wouldn't even trust DH to get it all organized himself. LOL. Also, I do not want to stay at an All Star. DH and I had already been discussing 2016 and we were already pretty set on CBR. We want to keep most of our plans and just move our trip up by a year for the dance performance. Did any of the families in your group opt to stay at a different resort? And if not, do you know if they would have been able to had they preferred that? I'm super nervous about going to Disney and not being able to plan my own stuff. I really hope we can just somehow call and book ourselves and specify that we're with our studio.

Families were able to get a reservation number for each room and make their own dining reservations. Your director will have to turn in your housing spreadsheet before reservations numbers can be assigned. Perhaps let this person know they should do this in advance of the 180 day deadline.

FP+ may be quite different. We had to book our tickets through Disney youth programs. This was not done until much later so I am not sure how this will work with FP+ as your MDE is tied to your park tickets, but I would guess Disney will have a plan. The good news is the group tickets are at a very good discount. Like $211 for a 7 day park hopper (that was 2 years ago)

For the resorts we were given the option of all star, POR, POFQ, CBR, and CSR. Deluxe are not open for youth groups, I can't imagine why We chose moderate because we are not fans of the value resorts. The resort room block is separate from the ticket package. So people from your group can stay at another resort or the entire group can stay off resort. However, to qualify for the Disney group resort discount you have to have a certain number of rooms and people. I really encouraged everyone to stay with the group so our entire group can keep the discount. It is $50 a night off the room rate per room. Plus it was more fun for us. We all met at the pool, watched the evening movies, caught the bus together to the parks. Part of the fun with the big group is experiencing some things together.

There are also some really fun special group events you can do. We had a private breakfast at the dinosaur club in AK and got to be the first people to ride Everest for the day. There are also private fireworks parties, either buffet or dessert, and a buffet at Fantasmic, and a fantasy gardens dance party. These are really fun because they are only available for the youth programs. It feels very VIP for the kids.

 

[Princess_Nikki]

Hi Is there a microwave in the room at CBR?

No there are not. At least not yet. I haven't heard if them being installed in the refurbished rooms yet.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Dansdad and Mickeystoontown my chapter in regards to CBR is now complete. I just hope I have done it justice. I will be add more about CBR the further I get into my trip report. Thank again for all your help!

Here is the link to the chapter:http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51640782&postcount=23

Oooh I missed that you had started! I'm headed over there now. Did you see that I had started a report as well?