Caribbean Beach Questions

[CrescentLake]

Hi there! This board was so helpful last year with advice on how to do Disney in the summer. Last years trip was an awesome success, and very much needed. Though it was a departure from the norm (We stayed at Pop, went with a group, went during the summer, 4th of July) it was awesome. At any rate, we're going again this year, and I have a few more questions for you all.

1) Caribbean Beach: what are your experiences? Best place to catch the bus? How is the pool? Anything I absolutely MUST experience at this resort? I've never stayed here before.

2) 4th of July Strategy? Last year we spend the day in the AK, and the evening in MK, got a spot 2.5 hours in advanced to watch the fireworks, which were amazing, but it was a zoo. Is Epcot a better option? DHS? What are your experiences and strategies?

3) Though I'm a Disney veteran, is there any not obvious snack that is a must? (Outside dole whip, turkey legs, ect. There will be no shortage of those...)

Anyways thanks in advanced! So excited to leave for the World on the 3rd!

 

[LizC]

I don't have much advice on CBR other than to ask for a room as close to the main building as possible. As far as I could tell from my one short stay there this resort is large.

Snacks I have a little more knowledge on, although not as much as many on this site. You will surely get lots of advice. Obviously cupcakes are a big thing in WDW, my favorite is the Butterfinger cupcake at staringrolls in HS. Also, try the pork shank at Gastons Tavern in MK. It is new so I have not had it yet, but I hear good things. Another new place I am looking forward to trying is the ice cream parlor in France. If you dare, they will top it with liquor.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[luv]

Best place to catch the bus would be the closest bus stop, IMO. The pool, like most Disney pools, is a little small for the amount of people it must sometimes hold, but it is nice.

Epcot is equally crowded on the 4th. I've never been to DHS for the 4th.

I'm a big fan of the chocolate mousse brownie in the America pavilion. No snack at CBR I would want to have, really. Maybe a cookie, but they're the same cookies everywhere and not all that good. They make s'mores on the beach in the evenings.

 

[PUSH]

I can't help you with the bus question, but I can help with other questions.

The pools are nice at CBR, but like the other pools they can get crowded (especially in the middle of summer). The resort is pretty big, and can be a hike if you get the right rooms. Things not to miss? If you just walk around that's enough, IMO. It has some nice sandy beaches with hammock, so maybe you'll want to hang out there?

Can't help with crowds, never been over the 4th.

Must eat snacks? I'd just say Disney has a lot of amazing snacks, but don't forget about the "common" ones. Disney popcorn is the best, and nobody ever seems to talk about it. Just my advice.

Have a great trip!

 

[TheMouseFan]

Ask for a room in Jamaica or Aruba that is near the footbridge that takes you to the pool and foodcourt. Otherwise, you will have to pay for a preferred room to be close. The resort really is beautiful, so try to take some extra time to just walk around and enjoy it. No bus stop is better than another because there are (I believe) 3 different entrances/exits to the resort that the bus uses depending on which park it is going to. Have a great trip!

 

[CrescentLake]

Wow thanks guys! Really appreciate all of the advice and responses here!

 

[LizC]

I agree with @PUSH Disney popcorn is a must have for me on every trip!

 

[erstwo]

We really enjoyed our stays at CBR. Our first stay was in a Pirate room, which was about as far away as you can get from the main areas and it was still wonderful/ manageable. I actually loved being that far away, as I loved the quiet and the nice walk.

Speaking of quiet, there are several quiet pools in addition to the main pool - which is awesome. Water slide, super cool & large pirate ship themed splash/ wading pool area for the kids, etc.

If you have kids in your party, be sure to check into the 'Pirate Adventures' offered at the resort. Also, you can bring your own fishing poles to fish and/ or book a fishing excursion plus paddle boat rentals, etc to navigate the resort's large lake.

Lots of nice little touches like that which make the CBR feel like a super nice resort - which is important to me when I go at a busy time & spend more time at my resort. Have a great trip!

 

[CamiLyn227]

We stayed at CBR once a few years ago. We were in Trinidad North. It was pretty close to the food court and the bus stop. We also enjoyed the quiet pool that was nearby.

One thing we didn't know was that you cannot take luggage on the internal bus that circles the resort. We thought on check-out day we could just hop on and not have to haul our luggage all the way to the front desk. Wrong-O! We did end up having to make the trek with all of our baggage in tow. Not a fun walk at all! I felt like my shoulders were going to dislocate after pulling my suitcase that far (I'm not a light packer). Not to mention we didn't plan on taking that long to get to the Custom House and we almost missed the Magical Express! A mistake that we will never make again. We learned that you can call the night before and arrange for bell service to come pick up your luggage at a certain time. By the time we discovered this little bit of helpful information it was too late.

As far as snacks go... I just got back last Sunday and while I was there I tried some new snacks that I've never had before. I really enjoyed all of them. We had chocolate dipped pineapple from the Main Street Confectionery, strawberry shortcake from Sunshine Seasons at the Land, school bread from Norway, and cherry ice cream in France.