What is it about CBR?

[UGAFan0829]

The DH and I will be staying at the CBR for our upcoming trip in September, and I have to admit that I'm a little bit nervous about it. I just haven't seen that many good reviews/posts about CBR and I can't figure out why? I know that the resort is really big and spread out, and we're willing to deal with that, but what other factors make this place so unpopular?
Last year we stayed at ASMo, and even though we weren't in the room very much since it was our first time in Disney, the resort worked for what we needed. I am really wondering if we should think about changing resorts now. I'm one of the OCD planners, so things like this really worry me. So I would love to hear what all of you have to say about CBR. I really researched all of the moderates before I chose the CBR, and it seemed to be the best fit for the DH and I. I did like POR, but I didn't really care for the theming of the rooms.
Please help!
TIA!

 

[Atchley]

Don't switch!
We were like you, thinking of changing resorts from all the bad reviews.
We didn't and we loved it!
If you liked the value resort, then you'll love CBR.
We were in Aruba Building 53 (I think)
It is a nice little walk across the bridge and island to OPR, but nothing major.
The landscaping is so beautiful, it makes you feel like you are in the Caribbean!

Check out my pictures below. They are from July 2006.

Have a great trip!

 

[catbertdave99]

First -- you just have to check out the CBR FAQ thread in this link:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=655543

Next, I just have to tell you that we love the white-sand beaches, the hammocks and beach chairs, the boat rentals on the resort's own 45-acre lake, the 1.4-mile Promenade walkway around the lake, the beautiful foliage, the quiet pools and convenient bus stops in every village, the food court and gift shops and game arcade at Old Port Royale with the main pool there too, and the Caribbean steel drum music overhead.... it's like going on a vacation within our Disney vacation!!

 

[Ness2289]

I felt the same way two years ago and was second guessing my choice. In the end, I was so glad we chose CBR! We stayed in Jamaica building 45 which was an ideal location for my DD and I. I think the more you research and read, you'll find all kinds of points of view regardless of which resort you choose.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[mikkiwikki]

I too would like to positive vibes around this resort.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

We love CBR too, but completely understand your concern.

I think most of the complaints are about the distance from some of the 'islands' to Old Port Royale. I have not found the CM's at CBR to be the most friendly or helpful - maybe because lots of guests check-in expecting the worst - but have always gotten a room that was perfect for us.

Last time we decided to pay for a preferred location, requested a building number and asked at check-in what might be available. We were always willing to wait for a room - it is easy there as it's so pretty around the resort.

It really feels like a vacation within a vacation. The first day I alwasy wonder if I made the right decision because I feel so far from everything - but it is not that we are far, it is that CBR makes one feel transported to the Islands!

It's wonderful! Hope you have a Magical stay!

 

[Magalex]

We visited this summer from 6/8 to 6/16 and it was wonderful. I was nervous too but we loved it We stayed in Jamaica bldg 44 courtyard view. It was an excellent location for the bus stop and a quick walk over the bridge to Port Royale. I will stay there again and recommend it to anyone

 

[stemikger]

I think the reason why you don't hear too much about CBR is because it is Disney's first moderate and has been around the longest of the mods. I too felt that way, but let me tell you the resort is breathtaking. Early morning walks around the lake are so serene and tranquil.

I would like to stay at this resort again. It is my favoriate of the mods I have stayed. You will not be disappointed.

 

[csharp7]

We're staying at CBR too, and I was a little worried. I've only ever stayed in Deluxe resorts - Polynesian, Dolphin, and Contemporary twice, but that was when I was young and my parents were picking up the tab! But I think from the pictures and what I've read from people who really like it there, that we'll love it.

I'm just glad we decided to upgrade, we were going to stay in ASMovies, but we were offered the free dining if we upgraded to a Mod and I heaved a sigh of relief - the All Star Resorts' decor is *way* too loud and bright for me to feel at all rested.

 

[Linda T.]

We just returned from a seven night trip at CBR and it was fantastic. We stayed in Jamaica, room 4404, and it was a perfect location for us. To my family, Disney is CBR. My daughters don't want to stay anywhere else. This trip couldn't have been any better. The staff was extremely helpful and friendly. The rooms were always nicely cleaned and cold from a long, hot day at the park. The bus service was excellent. We ate at the food court a couple of times and there was alot to choose from. We enjoyed the food and the entertainment at the food court for the kids. The main pool was very refreshing in the afternoon, and the landscaping was beautiful. One evening we sat on the Jamaica beach and watched the Epcot fireworks. To my family, CBR is the best moderate at Disney. Have a great stay!!

Linda T.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

June, 1979 - Offsite
June, 1995 - CBR
June, 1997 - CBR
June, 1999 - POR
June, 2003 - CBR
March, 2005 - Disneyland
June, 2005 - CBR
July, 2007 - CBR

Next Trip - July, 2009 - CBR

 

[bradk]

i've stayed at CBR for over a week and had no problems with it. never had the urge to go to OPR either for that matter. i'd consider it again if i didn't find my home at POFQ. but if POFQ is unavailable, i'd definitely consider Jamaica in CBR

what i don't miss though is all those clever folks singing kokomo on the bus all the time.

 

[ursula28]

We love CBR. Last November was our first trip there (dd10 & myself). We loved it so much we are going back this Sept w/ free dining. We were in Jamaica room 4239 second floor courtyard view, very lovely. In the 9 nights there we never once heard anyone walk outside our door or heard any noise in rooms around us. It was a vacation within a vacation, you feel like you are on a tropical island. Caribbean Cay is the small island that will take you from Aruba & Jamaica over to Olde Port Royale it was a lovely walk across the bridge and we'd stop to view the flowers and watch the boats go by. We walked the whole resort the last day there and wished we would have took the time earlier in the trip to do this, would have liked to see it all more than once. We've requested Aruba or Jamaica this time, the seemed almost identical, did not want to pay for preferred since we already had to pay for an extra adult. Wherever you end up, you will enjoy, it's very peaceful and beautiful.

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

I love CBR. Beautiful, amazing resort....You will love it there! Don't switch!

 

[nateryan]

sssshhhhh! don't tell everyone how great CBR is...leave that secret for us.

I love CBR for the resort itself. I've stayed at BC and Poly and liked it for the convenience. CBR is like a separate vacation to me. It's so beautiful and peaceful. Can't wait to the CBR in 106 days!

 

[*Emily*]

I've heard amazing things about CBR... just look at the replies! Can't wait to be there in 51 days!

 

[Tink-n-Peter]

We are staying at CBR and I am wondering what building I should request to be in, I don't want to pay extra if its not worth it.
Last year we stayed at SSR and the walk over the bridge to the main pool isn't bad at all. Does this compare?

 

[Pluto1976]

sssshhhhh! don't tell everyone how great CBR is...leave that secret for us.

I love CBR for the resort itself. I've stayed at BC and Poly and liked it for the convenience. CBR is like a separate vacation to me. It's so beautiful and peaceful. Can't wait to the CBR in 106 days!

I could not agree more the CBR is like a vacation within a vacation. My DF and I along with our families were planning a trip to WDW last October and I insisted we stay at the CBR and everyone loved it. We were even in Trinidad South which is a bit far away from Old Port Royale but everyone loved it. The resort is sooooooo serene and beautiful.

No flames please, but the DF and I really appreciated the CBR much more after a short stay at the All-Star Music resort last June. It was just a completely different Disney experience.

 

[nateryan]

We are staying at CBR and I am wondering what building I should request to be in, I don't want to pay extra if its not worth it.
Last year we stayed at SSR and the walk over the bridge to the main pool isn't bad at all. Does this compare?

You can book Preferred which is Martinique and Trinidad North buildings. Those buildings are about a 5 minute walk from Old Port Royale. Barbados (I stayed in building 16 which has to be the farthest away) was about 15 minutes away from OPR. Each building has a quiet pool.

The other buildings are the standard. We now book the Preferred rooms because of the kids. But the walk is so beautiful! I love the hammocks on the beach. Oh and seeing some of Illuminations...what am I doing....secret remember??

 

[cocowum]

We love CBR!!! can't wait to go back.

 

[POOHLUV69]

We stayed at CBR in June and loved it. We thought about switching after reading all the reviews, but decided not to. I'm glad we didn't. Our experience was great. The room was clean, we always had enough towels and soaps, and the maid cleaned every day. We will definitely go back