Thoughts on Caribbean Beach?

[peachiepie]

We picked out Caribbean Beach for our next WDW trip...but after reading various reviews I'm a bit nervous! Can anyone reassure me?

I have stayed there before, but that was in 2001 and I was in my teens so wasn't really paying attention to things like the buses or the food court.

We are planning October 2015 trip so the referb will be over by the time we arrive.

We stayed at POR in 2012 and enjoyed it, but DH wants to try somewhere else this time. I'd love to stay at the Beach Club, but would need a lottery win I think!

 

[scoobydooby]

All I'd say is that it's massive so I would want a preferred room there near the food court and main bus stop. Other than that it's just the theming that's different. All the moderate rooms now have the same facilities and are exactly the same size. POR use to have watercraft but they just took those away. The pools are also offering depths and differently themed. Can has beach areas which you may or may not see as an extra.

 

[PrincessJo]

We stayed there a few years ago and loved it. We stayed in one of the Pirate rooms and thought the decor was fun.

The walk to the main building to eat and to go to the big pool was less than 10 minutes. No problems with the buses. The stop was less than a 5 minute walk and we never waiting more than 10 minutes for a bus to go by. The only drawback is the bus makes stops all the way around the resort and that can add on some time, but it didn't bother us.

This was a few years ago, but we'd stay there again. I'm thinking about tacking on a few days in the parks after our cruise in November and I've priced a stay at Carribbean Beach

 

[queendisney]

All I'd say is that it's massive so I would want a preferred room there near the food court and main bus stop. Other than that it's just the theming that's different. All the moderate rooms now have the same facilities and are exactly the same size. POR use to have watercraft but they just took those away. The pools are also offering depths and differently themed. Can has beach areas which you may or may not see as an extra.

I think CBR has double beds so they are smaller then POR/FQ beds which are queens. Also when you say watercraft its just the rental side that has gone not the boats to DTD..just thought I'd clarify that just in case.
Our fav moderate resort is POR but if it wasn't available I'd go for CBR next. It has such a lovely laid back feeling with hammocks in quite spots. The walk is not too far from where ever you are as there are bridges that cross the lake. The food court seemed to have a fair amt of choice but its extremely noisy in there I thought...its those wood chairs on the concrete floor and the sound just echo's I used to be 'no way I'd never stay there' but have revisited it I certainly would. I am sure you'll love it.

 

[Lucys dad]

We stayed there in 2008 and liked it. Our DD was 6 at the time and she loved it, especially the pool area. I found it better for kids than POR where we stayed in 2006. There are a few similarities to POR - size, layout, buses etc. I liked the food court at CB and also the poolside bar however the restaurant was very average.

I don't get the complaints about the length of the walk to the main area, the theming is very nice and its no more than a very pleasant stroll as far as I am concerned.

I would not hesitate to stay there again if choosing a moderate.

 

[chmurf]

I think CBR has double beds so they are smaller then POR/FQ beds which are queens.

this is correct. CBR has the smallest beds on property.

Our DD was 6 at the time and she loved it, especially the pool area. I found it better for kids than POR where we stayed in 2006.

Our DS (6yrs) is the opposite. He doesn't like CBR because the small slide at the feature pool is too small, and the large slide is in the dark and scares him silly.

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we stayed at CBR pirate room in november 2012.
the walk to the food court is not as bad as it sounds. Sure I liked better our preferred room at POR, much closer to ammenities. It sure comes with a price but so does a pirate room.

DW, DS and I, love POR better. CBR is nice, but doesn't appeal to us as much as POR. If I had to give 2 main reasons, it would be 1/ boat to DTD, 2/ bed size, the rest (atmosphere, theming, layout) is just a matter of taste.

 

[peachiepie]

Thank you all, I feel happier in our choice now. I made the mistake of looking on TripAdvisor which put the fear into me!

Apparently the double beds are being changed for queen size ones in the referb. Although we have a double at home, rather than a queen, so the bed size isn't too much of an issue for us either way.

 

[scoobydooby]

You are correct. The double beds are been replaced and as you explicitly said you are visited post refurb, you will indeed get the same room facilities as the other moderates.

 

[wdw4rfam]

We just booked CBR for the first time for September. First thing I learned- tripadvisor is scary- you will find people rip ANy resort apart there. We are just looking for something new, and since my parents are joining us- we can put one of our kids in their room and stay at CBR, something we couldn't even consider before with 5 people. Would like POLY or BC but as you said, need to win lotto first.

 

[meldobe]

I really like CBR we have stayed there 8 times and love the relaxed feel to the resort, it is a big resort but a walk to the food court from any of the buildings is no more then 10 mins, yes the buses can be busy but only the same as at any of the hotels/resorts. So lovely to sit at the bar and watch the Epcot fireworks, when we were there last year they also had a movie on each evening up on a big screen.

 

[PJGP]

We stayed there July 2013. Just two adults. We had a great time. Rented surrey bikes, people at the marina were great. They even put a Happy Anniversary sign in the bike. We used disney magical express and bags were at the room pretty quick. CBR has an internal shuttle, normal sized bus, that can be used to go to the main building in case you re far from it. We stayed at Martinique, and had 5 min walk for breakfast. Old Port Royale was never crowded (went early for breakfast). Never ate lunch or dinner there, and never ate at Shutters. We never had problems with the buses. Although the resort is huge there always seemed to be enough buses for everybody. Usually found a bus every 10 - 15 minutes max.
If they had started renovations, then you may get queen beds!
Overall, it was a colorful and nice resort. The only complain may be the lack of more caribbean food? Although at Shutters they may have it.
Have fun!

 

[thebadger]

We are booked up to stay there this October has the refurb started and if so is it a major one?

Anyway I found feedback on trip adviser to be o.t.t I found a few reviews slating the grand floridian resort these folk must live in a palace!

Anyway according to unofficial guides etc it's a basic moderate resort, the area with the least walking is Martinique and it's what I have asked for if my travel agent has messed things up (see my other thread)

We as a family will only be sleeping there and going back to chill during busy park times, yes it has a limited food court compared to other resorts but again we are planning on eating elsewhere!

I have no fears over staying there and will let you know what its' like on my return!