The New Caribbean Beach FAQ Part VII

[SGMCO]

They use the round filtered bags...like a tea bag, but round! It's Joffrey's Coffee. They give you decaf and regular, of course, in your room.

do you remember if the regular coffee was medium roast or dark roast? thanks

 

[o0quirkygirl0o]

I don't remember which it was but it tasted AWFUL. We walked to the lobby to get our coffee every day because it was so bad. Incredibly weak and not yummy.

 

[nmpd]

Hi, we'll be staying at CBR Aug 25-30 in a preferred room, this thread has made me feel at ease about staying there and the pictures have really helped me get a feel for the resort so thanks for that. I've only stayed on site once 18 (!!) years ago in what is now known as POFQ, really excited to be trying a new resort.

 

[Kayteemcg]

we'll be staying Sept 21 - 27! This will be our first time staying at a moderate and I am way to excited!

 

[pigletto]

We will be checking in on the 15th of December and checking out on the 22nd. I made all of our dining reservations this morning. I am looking forward to when some more pictures and reports of the refurb start showing up.

 

[heathjh]

Very curious about cell coverage. I am with ATT. Several have reported no coverage in Aruba 52. Are there other areas that are low/no coverage? Do you end up with wifi between the buildings too, or just in the rooms?

Trying to talk the husband into upgrading the teen kids to iPhones. This way they could at least iMessage us if we were at the food court and they went back to the room for something. Also our oldest will be staying in a separate room with other relatives. Many other perks to them being on a smart phone for Disney. So I am hoping this no coverage problem might be a reason for him to finally agree.

 

[dinosaurgertie]

I stayed at CBR a couple weeks ago. We requested our favorite building, Jamaica 42, but it was undergoing renovation. So we stayed next door in Jamaica 41. For days, building 42 was taped off since it was a work zone. Then, suddenly, the tape was gone so I snuck over and peaked inside the windows. Looks beautiful, but so different. I'm not getting the island "vibe," but I guess I should wait to make a full judgement. It was kind of a bummer seeing the workers gutting the rooms-- carrying the tables and beds away.

I never saw anyone check-in to one of the new rooms, so I don't have a clue when they'll open. Any guesses? (Sorry, I haven't read the full thread.)

Re: wifi and cell phone signal, it is completely spotty and, overall, terrible. I also have AT&T and had to leave the room to make a phone call. On my iphone, I could barely get a wifi signal in the room--not even enough to send a simple text message. But, for whatever reason (I don't know much about technology), I could get a strong wifi signal on my laptop while in the room. The wifi was also completely spotty outside the room. The only place it seemed to be dependable was outside Old Port Royale.

 

[dansdad]

Very curious about cell coverage. I am with ATT. Several have reported no coverage in Aruba 52. Are there other areas that are low/no coverage? Do you end up with wifi between the buildings too, or just in the rooms?

Trying to talk the husband into upgrading the teen kids to iPhones. This way they could at least iMessage us if we were at the food court and they went back to the room for something. Also our oldest will be staying in a separate room with other relatives. Many other perks to them being on a smart phone for Disney. So I am hoping this no coverage problem might be a reason for him to finally agree.

We have Verizon so I can't speak to the AT&T coverage. But I can say that we had very good luck using the wifi. We had good coverage all over the resort, even at the Jamaica bus stop! I will say though that we had some family with us that all had iphones and they were having issues with the wifi at CBR and the parks.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I stayed at CBR a couple weeks ago. We requested our favorite building, Jamaica 42, but it was undergoing renovation. So we stayed next door in Jamaica 41. For days, building 42 was taped off since it was a work zone. Then, suddenly, the tape was gone so I snuck over and peaked inside the windows. Looks beautiful, but so different. I'm not getting the island "vibe," but I guess I should wait to make a full judgement. It was kind of a bummer seeing the workers gutting the rooms-- carrying the tables and beds away.

I never saw anyone check-in to one of the new rooms, so I don't have a clue when they'll open. Any guesses? (Sorry, I haven't read the full thread.)

Re: wifi and cell phone signal, it is completely spotty and, overall, terrible. I also have AT&T and had to leave the room to make a phone call. On my iphone, I could barely get a wifi signal in the room--not even enough to send a simple text message. But, for whatever reason (I don't know much about technology), I could get a strong wifi signal on my laptop while in the room. The wifi was also completely spotty outside the room. The only place it seemed to be dependable was outside Old Port Royale.

You were in Building 41? I thought that the refurb in all building 41 rooms had been completed? From the looks of the pictures that were posted, I kinda sorta like the new room decor but I liked the old decor with the bright colors. Like you, I'll hold off on my opinion until we get back to the resort in May, 2015.

 

[dis_guy]

You were in Building 41? I thought that the refurb in all building 41 rooms had been completed? From the looks of the pictures that were posted, I kinda sorta like the new room decor but I liked the old decor with the bright colors. Like you, I'll hold off on my opinion until we get back to the resort in May, 2015.

Re: building 41, that's the way I understood it, too.

Just wondering, did you book your return trip for 2015 using a bounce back offer?

 

[meli121824]

We will be staying at CBR for the first time and are really excited. We usually stay at POP but my daughter is getting older and we wanted to try something different. Between AoA and CBR... CBR won out because we wanted something relaxing. We will be staying from 12/27-1/2 .... probably wont stay during that time again but its one of those things to cross off the bucket list ... I know its going to be CRAZY so I already have that in mind

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Very curious about cell coverage. I am with ATT. Several have reported no coverage in Aruba 52. Are there other areas that are low/no coverage? Do you end up with wifi between the buildings too, or just in the rooms?

Trying to talk the husband into upgrading the teen kids to iPhones. This way they could at least iMessage us if we were at the food court and they went back to the room for something. Also our oldest will be staying in a separate room with other relatives. Many other perks to them being on a smart phone for Disney. So I am hoping this no coverage problem might be a reason for him to finally agree.

I have ATT and when I was there a few weeks ago I had horrible cell service in my room, but it was better at OPR. Wifi though worked great everywhere for me (paths, room, OPR, etc), both on my phone and laptop.

You were in Building 41? I thought that the refurb in all building 41 rooms had been completed? From the looks of the pictures that were posted, I kinda sorta like the new room decor but I liked the old decor with the bright colors. Like you, I'll hold off on my opinion until we get back to the resort in May, 2015.

Building 41 was 100% the one being renovated when I was there a month ago. I took pictures of the outside of the building (couldn't get close!) and the building number is in them.

 

[dis_guy]

We will be staying at CBR for the first time and are really excited. We usually stay at POP but my daughter is getting older and we wanted to try something different. Between AoA and CBR... CBR won out because we wanted something relaxing. We will be staying from 12/27-1/2 .... probably wont stay during that time again but its one of those things to cross off the bucket list ... I know its going to be CRAZY so I already have that in mind

We've been at CBR for the Christmas-New Year week twice now. You already know what the crowds will be like. The good thing is that if the food court gets over filled during breakfast and lunch, they will open up the seating in Shutters, so it relieves some of the congestion. To be honest, the resort didn't feel all that crowded except for the food court during busy times.

The best advice I could give anyone would be get to the parks for opening, get your favourites done and go back to the resort mid day while everyone else smashes their ankles with strollers. Return later in the day for EMH, or often they will just extend the regular hours to give everyone a little extra time.

Have reasonable expectations about what you'll be able to do and enjoy the season, it is truly magical!

 

[dinosaurgertie]

Whoops! I got the buildings mixed up. We were in Building 43. They were working on building 41 when we got there (that's where I peeked in the windows when they were finished working). Then, they started work on 42. Sorry for the confusion-- I consulted a map this time around!

You were in Building 41? I thought that the refurb in all building 41 rooms had been completed? From the looks of the pictures that were posted, I kinda sorta like the new room decor but I liked the old decor with the bright colors. Like you, I'll hold off on my opinion until we get back to the resort in May, 2015.

 

[dis_guy]

Whoops! I got the buildings mixed up. We were in Building 43. They were working on building 41 when we got there (that's where I peeked in the windows when they were finished working). Then, they started work on 42. Sorry for the confusion-- I consulted a map this time around!

Ahhhhh. Thanks for the clarification. We are a bunch of real sticklers for detail around here, aren't we?

 

[KELLY]

Is Jamaica 41 Super far from the food court?I only ask because we are at pop and there is no way if my grandson joins us we can stay there will full beds. Four of us would be fine but 5 a bit to tight. He sleeps in a real bed no pack play at 16 months. My girls can share a bed with him but it needs to be a queen. I'm tossing the idea of POR around as well but that is another 300.00 because we an only get a garden view. My other options is CSR and I want to avoid POFQ. I know people love it but me not so much.

The pirate area at the pool is also a big draw as well. That would be perfect for him. Plus the zero entry would be great for him as well. My youngest dd could use the pirate area but she is more of big pool kind of kid.

The no stair thing is no big deal. My stroller is light weight and folds small. Ugh have been stroller free since dd was 3 she is 6 now. I told dh he is pushing it!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Whoops! I got the buildings mixed up. We were in Building 43. They were working on building 41 when we got there (that's where I peeked in the windows when they were finished working). Then, they started work on 42. Sorry for the confusion-- I consulted a map this time around!

I've typed numbers wrong before too and don't catch myself before I post. That's why I asked. Thanks for the clarification. We were in Building 43 when we were there and I, too, peeked around looking at the construction.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Is Jamaica 41 Super far from the food court?I only ask because we are at pop and there is no way if my grandson joins us we can stay there will full beds. Four of us would be fine but 5 a bit to tight. He sleeps in a real bed no pack play at 16 months. My girls can share a bed with him but it needs to be a queen. I'm tossing the idea of POR around as well but that is another 300.00 because we an only get a garden view. My other options is CSR and I want to avoid POFQ. I know people love it but me not so much.

The pirate area at the pool is also a big draw as well. That would be perfect for him. Plus the zero entry would be great for him as well. My youngest dd could use the pirate area but she is more of big pool kind of kid.

The no stair thing is no big deal. My stroller is light weight and folds small. Ugh have been stroller free since dd was 3 she is 6 now. I told dh he is pushing it!

The walk from building 41 to the food court is about 5-6 minutes. We've made it many times before and it wasn't that big of a deal. From what's being reported, they are now working on Jamaica 42 and if they keep with their previous schedule, it should be complete by the time you would arrive.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Re: building 41, that's the way I understood it, too.

Just wondering, did you book your return trip for 2015 using a bounce back offer?

No, the bounceback offers only went to the end of 2014. Of course, now that I've gotten back home, I've seen posts by other Disers who called anyway, spoke to a manager and were able to book into 2015.

 

[dis_guy]

Is Jamaica 41 Super far from the food court?

This whole distance thing really is very subjective. We tend to be an athletic bunch so the walk is really less than nothing to us. If we had my mother, who has serious mobility issues, with us, CBR would not be one of our choices. Most people say it takes 5-7 minutes. I've never timed it. Here's a map that might help you decide:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/cbrmap.htm

Good luck!