The New Caribbean Beach FAQ Part VII

[mickeystoontown]

Thank you, any word on when that will be?

Originally, it was thought to be completed in May, 2015 but some guests were told that it could be as early as March, 2015.

 

[tootiee6]

Ty! I guess I should go ahead n book po riverside to be safe , since there is a limited number of 5 people rooms or decide which kid to leave at home ;/

 

[chocolateavocado]

We are hoping for a discount of some sort for April!

We just got an email from a TA listing all of their agency exclusives for 2015 & they are offering agency exclusives for April. I just got a quote for BC over Easter week - but am waiting to hear back if CBR / CSR are included. The quote I got would save a few hundred dollars but due to the high Easter rates, we're really leaning towards CBR oe CSR. Hopefully I'll hear back soon if these resorts are included. (CR & GF are not participtaing - Poly is but with the construction we're not int'd).

 

[DancinDaisyDuck]

We returned last week from a wonderful stay at Caribbean Beach! Checked in at Custom House and received an upgrade to a Pirate Room in Trinidad South. I was shocked and excited (though a little disappointed not to have a refurbed room but that didn't last long!) and found out that thanks to the convention all the standard rooms were full of IT business people. Thanks, Gartner!

We asked bell services to take us to our building since we had lots of bags and couldn't take them on the internal shuttle. We waited maybe 5 minutes and the kids played with the complimentary swords they got when we checked in. We got to the room and everyone's Magic Band worked except mine The bell guy tweaked the RFID reader, I tried my band again and it worked. Whew! We had no issues with the RFID or room access the rest of the week. We were in building 36 on the second floor and had a water view : Couldn't have asked for a better location. Turn right and the stairs took us directly to the bus stop and the quiet pool. Loved it!

Here are some pictures of the Pirate Room. The kids loved it!

Fridge disguised as a barrel and the drawer to the left.

Shower curtain

Beds. Were very comfortable but I do wish they were queen size. Was not a big deal though.

Our first and only towel Mickey.

The room was very clean and our Mousekeeper, Marie, was wonderful. We never saw her but left a tip every day and she gave us extra coffee pods, towels, and bath toiletries. Our littlest one still has "accidents" during the night (especially when he's too deep asleep to wake up to potty or in an unfamiliar environment) and he wet the bed twice I felt awful she had to clean that up. We left a note each morning and asked her to please change the sheets and we left extra tip for her on those mornings.

Bus service to and from parks and DTD was excellent. It was busy in WDW this week and we never waited longer than 5 minutes for a bus anywhere. We had just missed a MK bus (literally saw it from the room at the stop!) and I thought we'd have a 15 minute wait but one came right after! There was an attendant at the bus stop every morning at 8 and it seemed he was communicating with dispatch if it seemed like too many people were waiting. We were usually the second or third stop coming back from the MK or DTD, only once were we very last and unfortunately this was the night after our marathon day in the parks. I didn't think it was possible for the kids to sleep standing up but I was proved wrong!

Food in Old Port Royale was yummy! We ate there a few times for dinner and lunch. It was smaller than I thought it would be but never crowded, there were plenty of tables to go around and we were there at some peak meal times.

We spent a day at the main pool and the kids loved the slides, as did the adults! It was a bright sunny hot day, we got there around 10:30 a.m. and found some loungers under an umbrella, which helped a lot! The pool here is great, nice theme and the water temps were perfect.

So over all a wonderful stay! This was my first moderate and I'm totally sold. I didn't think mods were much different from values so I've stayed at Pop so many times over picking CBR. I actually noticed a lot of differences between the two categories and given the choice I'll go with moderate from here on out.

Please let me know if you have questions. I do not know what buildings they were working on for the refurb, so please don't ask because I won't be able to help!

 

[shana398]

We returned last week from a wonderful stay at Caribbean Beach! Checked in at Custom House and received an upgrade to a Pirate Room in Trinidad South. I was shocked and excited (though a little disappointed not to have a refurbed room but that didn't last long!) and found out that thanks to the convention all the standard rooms were full of IT business people. Thanks, Gartner!

We asked bell services to take us to our building since we had lots of bags and couldn't take them on the internal shuttle. We waited maybe 5 minutes and the kids played with the complimentary swords they got when we checked in. We got to the room and everyone's Magic Band worked except mine The bell guy tweaked the RFID reader, I tried my band again and it worked. Whew! We had no issues with the RFID or room access the rest of the week. We were in building 36 on the second floor and had a water view : Couldn't have asked for a better location. Turn right and the stairs took us directly to the bus stop and the quiet pool. Loved it!

Here are some pictures of the Pirate Room. The kids loved it!

Fridge disguised as a barrel and the drawer to the left.

Shower curtain

Beds. Were very comfortable but I do wish they were queen size. Was not a big deal though.

Our first and only towel Mickey.

The room was very clean and our Mousekeeper, Marie, was wonderful. We never saw her but left a tip every day and she gave us extra coffee pods, towels, and bath toiletries. Our littlest one still has "accidents" during the night (especially when he's too deep asleep to wake up to potty or in an unfamiliar environment) and he wet the bed twice I felt awful she had to clean that up. We left a note each morning and asked her to please change the sheets and we left extra tip for her on those mornings.

Bus service to and from parks and DTD was excellent. It was busy in WDW this week and we never waited longer than 5 minutes for a bus anywhere. We had just missed a MK bus (literally saw it from the room at the stop!) and I thought we'd have a 15 minute wait but one came right after! There was an attendant at the bus stop every morning at 8 and it seemed he was communicating with dispatch if it seemed like too many people were waiting. We were usually the second or third stop coming back from the MK or DTD, only once were we very last and unfortunately this was the night after our marathon day in the parks. I didn't think it was possible for the kids to sleep standing up but I was proved wrong!

Food in Old Port Royale was yummy! We ate there a few times for dinner and lunch. It was smaller than I thought it would be but never crowded, there were plenty of tables to go around and we were there at some peak meal times.

We spent a day at the main pool and the kids loved the slides, as did the adults! It was a bright sunny hot day, we got there around 10:30 a.m. and found some loungers under an umbrella, which helped a lot! The pool here is great, nice theme and the water temps were perfect.

So over all a wonderful stay! This was my first moderate and I'm totally sold. I didn't think mods were much different from values so I've stayed at Pop so many times over picking CBR. I actually noticed a lot of differences between the two categories and given the choice I'll go with moderate from here on out.

Please let me know if you have questions. I do not know what buildings they were working on for the refurb, so please don't ask because I won't be able to help!

We are headed to CBR Nov. 16! How was the walk from your room to OPR? I have heard that it is a vey long walk, and that is one thing we are a little worried about. Or did you take the internal bus, and, if so, how was that?

 

[DancinDaisyDuck]

We are headed to CBR Nov. 16! How was the walk from your room to OPR? I have heard that it is a vey long walk, and that is one thing we are a little worried about. Or did you take the internal bus, and, if so, how was that?

Good question, I meant to write about it but forgot. We never took the internal shuttle. The walk from Trinidad South was about 10 minutes from Old Port Royale. I did this walk several times by myself and with the whole family. 10 minutes was the average. Unless you have a mobility issue, this should not be a problem for most guests. If you are concerned for health reasons, it would probably be better to book in the preferred category or send in requests for Jamaica or Aruba.

 

[champdds]

This is really a two part question:

1) Do all buildings have some rooms with a KING bed available as a bed option?

2) Of those, what is the better building for a single traveler? I will be at WDW solo this week for a meeting and the 1/2 Marathon and would prefer a building that is more adult and close to a bar...

So what should I request at the online check-in since I am allowed 2 options?

Thoughts?

David

 

[spayne12]

Question...In the my dis experience.
My dates are correct, but the days are not adding up. WE leave on a Friday and checking out on the next Saturday. However, it has us listed as 9 nights and ten days....Anyone else seeing this come up odd? When I called the other day she said the same thing I said no eight nights. so strange...

 

[Dash7]

Question...In the my dis experience.
My dates are correct, but the days are not adding up. WE leave on a Friday and checking out on the next Saturday. However, it has us listed as 9 nights and ten days....Anyone else seeing this come up odd? When I called the other day she said the same thing I said no eight nights. so strange...

Mine appears that way in my travel documents, too. The arrival and departure dates are correct, but the number of nights is wrong. As long as the dates are correct though it doesn't concern me.

 

[spayne12]

Mine appears that way in my travel documents, too. The arrival and departure dates are correct, but the number of nights is wrong. As long as the dates are correct though it doesn't concern me.

That was my idea too, but I was thrown by the number and counted and recounted lol I thought I overbooked I also had an issue with the wrong dining plan showing too but that is now fixed. they were doing system upgraded so maybe technical stuff cannot wait!!!

 

[Airship Ariadne]

Online check-in complete, FP+ made last night...making final payment tonight. This was to be the big celebration day, DD had a major heartbreaking tragedy in her friend circle, so I am not making a big deal like we had planned. But in 60 days (58 till we hit the road) we will finally be making a return trip one year later than planned.

 

[colemarie]

So is it overkill if I do online check in, call and then fax my requests? Really hoping for a refurbished room as we have a room with four adults in our party. Or maybe I really just want something to do most of my planning is done, fastpasses and ADRs are in place -- I am in planning withdrawl!!!

 

[Airship Ariadne]

So is it overkill if I do online check in, call and then fax my requests?

Hope not because I'm doing the same...made Request for Aruba or Jamaica when I called in my last changes to teh booking in Sept. Then selected Jamaica and 2nd floor in the online check in, but since a building preference wasn't an option, I will fax in a request for a couple of specific buildings. We have decided corner room is low enough on our wish list that we will take any room on the 2nd floor in Jamaica, though preferably 44, 45, or 46.

 

[colemarie]

Hope not because I'm doing the same...made Request for Aruba or Jamaica when I called in my last changes to teh booking in Sept. Then selected Jamaica and 2nd floor in the online check in, but since a building preference wasn't an option, I will fax in a request for a couple of specific buildings. We have decided corner room is low enough on our wish list that we will take any room on the 2nd floor in Jamaica, though preferably 44, 45, or 46.

I think you are going same time we are ... I just saw you were at you 60 days -- we check in Dec. 13. Almost the same requests except that we are looking for first floor (stroller). Faxing over a request now for Jamaica 45 on first floor. Wish it would hurry up already

 

[AmyKat]

I think you are going same time we are ... I just saw you were at you 60 days -- we check in Dec. 13. Almost the same requests except that we are looking for first floor (stroller). Faxing over a request now for Jamaica 45 on first floor. Wish it would hurry up already

We are checking in December 12. You have a while to go before it's time to fax. The general recommendation is 5-7 days before check in.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

I think you are going same time we are ... I just saw you were at you 60 days -- we check in Dec. 13. Almost the same requests except that we are looking for first floor (stroller). Faxing over a request now for Jamaica 45 on first floor. Wish it would hurry up already

we will be a day behind you, checking in on the 14th...we debated first floor but decided we would rather do the stairs after a long park day than risk a noise upstairs neighbor.

 

[colemarie]

We are checking in December 12. You have a while to go before it's time to fax. The general recommendation is 5-7 days before check in.

Thanks I would have done it today... like I said I just am having planning withdrawl lol .... Nothing left to do really except make my final payment and that is no fun. This is the first time I have really gone on the boards and what not so I have always been the one that shows up clueless up until now ..... it seems like it is almost impossible to head down with no preparation at this point with all the reservations needed and the fastpass system as it is now. It wasn't too long ago we walked in whatever restaurant was convenient when we got hungry. The neurotic OCD side of me LOVES all the advance planning!!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

This is really a two part question:

1) Do all buildings have some rooms with a KING bed available as a bed option?

2) Of those, what is the better building for a single traveler? I will be at WDW solo this week for a meeting and the 1/2 Marathon and would prefer a building that is more adult and close to a bar...

So what should I request at the online check-in since I am allowed 2 options?

Thoughts?

David

Touring Plans has a neat room finder page that you can use to view the location of certain type of rooms. Here's the link:

http://touringplans.com/hotel_maps/disneys-caribbean-beach-resort#

In my opinion, there aren't any buildings that I would consider to be more adult than others. Having said that, Jamaica, Aruba and the non-preferred Martinique buildings are all quick walks to the pool bar.

 

[notrub98]

Just got back! We had the good fortune of being in a renovated room in Aruba, though we did not get any of our room requets (made online, fax, and phone). We really wanted a room with a murphy bed but c'est la vie. The renovated room was very nice! We were quite pleased with how comfortable the beds are (and surprised).

 

[notrub98]

Does anyone know ehen they will begin letting you book the 5 person rooms at cbr?

I asked at check-in and the front desk person said "If I had a dime for the number of guests who ask this question" with a smile on her face. She said they have not received word as of yet, and do not expect to see official booking options until the Spring 2015.