News Caribbean Beach Expansion

[Casper Gutman]

Caveat: the CBR was always my least favorite moderate. That said...

These new public spaces look to be continuing the “blandening” trend that has overwhelmed Disney resorts in updates like those made to the Yacht and Beach or new construction like The Riviera. It’s white, generic spaces with minor accents that very, very loosely evoke a vague theme. The interiors could be from one of the nicer Holiday Inns in Florida.

Now, I am a hypocrite. It also reminds me of Uni’s Sapphire Falls - the shops, in particular, seem strikingly similar. And I like SF (although it’s only my third favorite resort at Uni). However, SF at least boasts a more impressive lobby, a few extra architectural details - and the fact that it was built by up-and-comer Uni, not the one-time master of hotel theming.

 

[peter11435]

It still has a store. The grab and go was on the original plans. The store is near it.

Caveat: the CBR was always my least favorite moderate. That said...

These new public spaces look to be continuing the “blandening” trend that has overwhelmed Disney resorts in updates like those made to the Yacht and Beach or new construction like The Riviera. It’s white, generic spaces with minor accents that very, very loosely evoke a vague theme. The interiors could be from one of the nicer Holiday Inns in Florida.

Now, I am a hypocrite. It also reminds me of Uni’s Sapphire Falls - the shops, in particular, seem strikingly similar. And I like SF (although it’s only my third favorite resort at Uni). However, SF at least boasts a more impressive lobby, a few extra architectural details - and the fact that it was built by up-and-comer Uni, not the one-time master of hotel theming.

You lost me when you called sapphire falls lobby impressive.

 

[surfsupdon]

Sherri (from your receipt), has been a Caribbean mainstay since the mid 90s. We love her!

 

[Casper Gutman]

You lost me when you called sapphire falls lobby impressive.

“More impressive.” Low bar.

 

[TJJohn12]

Sherri (from your receipt), has been a Caribbean mainstay since the mid 90s. We love her!

She was quick to remind us the a QS got a drink, even though we remembered our mugs. “Get a bottled drink!”

 

[peter11435]

“More impressive.” Low bar.

I have to disgaree there too. SF is the weeker lobby IMH. The only thing impressive is it’s size.

 

[TJJohn12]

Centertown Market is having a very hard time managing the breakfast load on a holiday morning - lots of angry guests fuming at the window with half hour waits for breakfast. Got a peek at the order screen - check those order pending times:

 

[wdwmagic]

Does the resort still have a merchandise store? The location that looked like it on the original plans is the grab and go, so curious where it’s moved to if it’s still there!

Yep here you go https://www.wdwmagic.com/shopping/c...ng-post-at-disneys-caribbean-beach-resort.htm

 

[wdwmagic]

At Centertown Market, you get a pager during breakfast and lunch, and then go pickup at the counter. At dinner, they will use trackers and they will bring the items to your table.

 

[WDWCBR]

Let me know if you have specific questions, we have somewhere there.

Thanks for all the photos and video. Great to see it so quickly. We are checking in this week.

I couldn't see a toaster in the photos or video, is there still one for guests to use? Thanks in advance.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Caveat: the CBR was always my least favorite moderate. That said...

These new public spaces look to be continuing the “blandening” trend that has overwhelmed Disney resorts in updates like those made to the Yacht and Beach or new construction like The Riviera. It’s white, generic spaces with minor accents that very, very loosely evoke a vague theme. The interiors could be from one of the nicer Holiday Inns in Florida.

Now, I am a hypocrite. It also reminds me of Uni’s Sapphire Falls - the shops, in particular, seem strikingly similar. And I like SF (although it’s only my third favorite resort at Uni). However, SF at least boasts a more impressive lobby, a few extra architectural details - and the fact that it was built by up-and-comer Uni, not the one-time master of hotel theming.

I am in total agreement. This looks so boring. Disney used to give people something different. Like eating a pisler in Iceland, sure it's a hot dog but your presenting it a little differently. What Disney is doing with these spaces is giving us something we can find at our local Marriott. Does anyone think one child will walk into this place and go "Whoa, cool"?And most adults will go.. meh

 

[wdwmagic]

VIDEO - Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort 30th Anniversary moment

 

[TJJohn12]

We ended up waiting a good long bit of our food. I ordered Eggs Benedict and DS ordered the veggie omelet.

Verdict? This food was worth an hour of rigamaroll - it tasted amazing. But I’m also a foodie and was in it for the taste. There were tons of folks who were upset they hadn’t hopped a bus for a park yet.

Overheard in the lobby between two suits: “We could have done this or a soft open - obviously we chose the more dangerous option.”

There is a good chunk of folk who *are* consoled by this fun little addition, though:

We’re headed to EPCOT now - more later.

 

[dvitali]

Question: why the story say the new entrance on Victory Way next to AOA when the entrance to POP is between the two?

 

[wdwmagic]

Thanks for all the photos and video. Great to see it so quickly. We are checking in this week.

I couldn't see a toaster in the photos or video, is there still one for guests to use? Thanks in advance.

Yep there is one

 

[surfsupdon]

Is there still an arcade? Goombay Games?

 

[iowamomof4]

Is there still an arcade? Goombay Games?

I was watching a live video this morning from Passport to the Parks and he asked a cm (because he wasn't finding it just looking around on his own) and the cm said there is no arcade at CBR anymore.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Looking at the pictures from the remodeled Calypso Trading Post. Nothing screams "Caribbean!!!" like the dull, bland, uninspired modern industrial look... Is there one thing in that store that looks even remotely "Caribbean" now? Oh, the sign behind the cash registers, and a sign over the beverage coolers. I guess that's good enough for today's TDO.

 

[Ben_since_1971]

It appears from the video that the seating area has been reduced? Or did they build some new seating out what used to be the back corner of the seating area to make up the lost space?

 

[WDWCBR]

It appears from the video that the seating area has been reduced? Or did they build some new seating out what used to be the back corner of the seating area to make up the lost space?

It does look smaller. I suppose they have 1.5 "villages" less than they had due to the Riveria.

 

[Andrew C]

Looking at the pictures from the remodeled Calypso Trading Post. Nothing screams "Caribbean!!!" like the dull, bland, uninspired modern industrial look... Is there one thing in that store that looks even remotely "Caribbean" now? Oh, the sign behind the cash registers, and a sign over the beverage coolers. I guess that's good enough for today's TDO.

Not sure this is a TDO thing. More the way the entire retail industry seems to be going these days. Let the merchandise be the show rather than it get lost in fancy displays.

I am digging the rest of the remodeled areas though, like the pool bar, old port royale and the market