Caribbean Beach Resort

[bamillerpa]

It is a tradition of ours to arrive a day before our package starts and spend one day at a resort that we have never stayed at. This year we are arriving mid-afternoon and staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort. We made an ADR for Shutters for dinner and expect to spend the rest of the time wandering the resort and relaxing by the pool. The next morning we get up, check in at the Poly and start our "Disney" vacation.

I was wondering if anyone can give me their opinion of Caribbean Beach. I really know next to nothing about this resort other than what the tour book tells me. I want someone's opinion from this board that has actually been there. Is there a building I should request? We are in a standard room. How is Shutters? What about the QS breakfast? Thanks!

 

[Lucky]

QS breakfast is standard for mods - lots of choices, with the stations spread out in a line instead of set at right angles as in other resort food courts.

Most people seem to prefer the buildings near the main pool and food court.

It's large and spread out. If you're on the other side of the lake from the main pool, it could be a good walk.

There are more bus stops than at any other resort, but it sounds like you won't be using them. CB is also different in having a lobby/registration area separate from the food court/gift shop/main pool area. It's a pretty good walk to get from one to the other.

The atmosphere at CB is nice - there's always Caribbean or beachy music playing at the food court/gift shop area.

We didn't eat at Shutters.

The main pool is not quite as impressive as at some other mods.

 

[G00fyDad]

I want someone's opinion from this board that has actually been there. Is there a building I should request? We are in a standard room. How is Shutters? What about the QS breakfast? Thanks!

The resort is beautiful!! We loved every inch of it. Walking through the grounds and listening to the steel drum music was awesome, and very relaxing. The fact that it has a beach to relax on is a plus. Too bad you are not allowed to swim at the beach. The pool was redone several years ago and it is far better now than before. Shutters was okay for food. Not great, but it was still good. If you chose a standard room then you may not get too close to the main building, and this is something you may want to consider paying the money for a preferred room for. The walks from a distant room can be tiresome to say the least. We stayed in Martinique #26 when we stayed at CBR. Right next to the main building. You can also request Trinidad North. It is right on the other side of the main building. We never ate at the QS breakfast other than to stop in for a muffin or banana in the mornings.

 

[Tuvalu]

We spent one night at CBR for the same reason you are ~ it was the only moderate we hadn't tried and we had a good rate. The next day our "real" vacation began at a deluxe resort.

I was so glad that I had done online check-in...our wait was only 20 minutes, compared to the regular line, which was easily twice as long. Even though it was past 3 p.m., we were told our room wasn't ready. In fact, I kept checking in for the next 4 hours (we went to a park)and they still didn't have our room number! When we returned to the resort at 8 p.m. I demanded to see a manager who was finally able to give us our room.

We didn't have a building preference since we were only spending one night, but were very surprised that the buildings (2-story) did not have elevators...since our room was on the 2nd floor, it was a challenge schlepping our rolling suitcases up the stairs!

We ate dinner and breakfast at the food court and found it adequate. Did not try Shutters.

Glad that we can check CBR off our list, since we'll likely never return!

 

[bamillerpa]

It sounds like it should be nice enough. I'm not worried about having to walk too far since it's only for one night but I didn't know if some buildings were better than others for anything else. I will definitely do online check in, I normally do anyway, and I'll ask for a first floor room. My daughter tends to pack a ton of stuff and I can't imagine lugging it up steps.

I hope we aren't stuck waiting for a room since we won't have park tickets yet! I had wanted to combine our stay at the Caribbean with the Poly that starts the next day so we could just add one more day to our tickets but they wouldn't let us so we definitely need our room on time.

 

[luv]

I like CBR. The buildings are bright, colorful and cheery. They play Island music around the main areas and in the food court. Lots of palm trees and lizards. The white furniture and colorful umbrellas scattered amongst the buildings are adorable. If you feel like walking, a walk around the water is pleasant. I love the place. It's great.

The food court is always a long wait and they don't always open everything for lunch. Either they are busy and you have to wait for that...or they aren't busy...and you still wait. I can't rave about the pasta, but everything else is good. Breakfast is passable. It isn't good, but if you're hungry and in a hurry, you can fill up. Eating area has fairly comfy wood chairs in different colors.

Didn't care for Shutters at all. Hope you like it.

The rooms are okay for a night. They used to be great, but since they turned them all into Nemo rooms, they aren't good. First, the drapes clash with almost everything. Second, it is just too cartoony, with Nemo cartoon wallpaper borders and Nemo cartoon bedspreads. The first day, it's kind of cute...but by day three or four, I'm thinking up reasons not to be in the room. Third, the place needs some updating, especially the carpet.

I don't love the a/c. It's that old motel kind with a box instead of normal central air. Always too hot or cold.

Pools are okay. Not the best at WDW by any stretch, but it's cold water.

The gift shop...well, I've seen better. Its no BouTiki, that's for sure.

I couldn't care less which building I get. Other than proximity to (or distance from) the food court/ main pool (hustle and bustle), I can't imagine a reason to select one over another.

Last time I was there, they made a fire and some s'mores around sunset. I don't know if they're still doing it. I think that was too great a thing for Disney to keep for long.

Since you'll just be there the one night, pack a garbage bag on top inside the suitcase with one set of jammies and change of clothes and spare yourself the lugging of all that luggage! BTDT.

I finally had to give up on CBR due to the rooms getting on my nerves, but otherwise I've always loved it.

 

[Goof-Man]

CBR is a wonderful resort. We have eaten at shutters on two different trips. The food is good, but both times service was horrific and sloooow and I mean slow. Due to this, we will never eat there again.

Rooms are nice and the grounds are spacious. We got engaged there almost 2 years ago!

Enjoy CBR!

 

[jmcdougall]

we have been going to disney for 30 years. after several trips that were years apart at offsite hotels we finally started staying onsite. we have stayed at Coronado, AK Lodge, Caribbean, and Shades of Green. SOG is so great but can only stay there when our daughter and son-in-law are with us. We have stayed the most times at the Caribbean and we love it. The atmosphere, grounds, everything is wonderful. The food is standard but being from Louisiana we don't go on vacation expecting great food (haha). It is a great resort.

 

[Nicole]

This is our favorite resort - IF we have a car. If you have time to lie in a hammock on the beach that's a nice spot to take a break, and if you have little ones they can play in the sand. My daughter loved that when she was younger.

We've stayed in several of the different areas and they're all about the same. It's a huge resort and easy to get lost going back to your room from the bus stop though. If you're just staying one night that shouldn't really be an issue.

 

[worldfanatic]

The only time I stayed at Caribbean Beach Resort, we were put in the Jamaica section.
It turned out to be a blessing.
We loved crossing the bridge and beautiful island when making our way to Port Royale and the main pool.
The Aruba section also requires use of the bridge.
I'd request one of those two sections.

 

[PeterPanFan5]

We always stay at this resort, and love it. Beautiful buildings, the lake is lovely, the setting just says Disney to us. The suggestion to stay in Jamaica or Aruba is a good one -- we always request Building 45 in Jamaica, which is the closest to the bridge crossing over to the food court/main pool. We are closer to those locations than some of the buildings in Martinique where they charge you extra for proximity to the central area of the resort. We have never had a long wait at checkin, and in our nine times staying there, we have arrived at all different times of the day and night. The pool is fun, especially if you have kids who like the idea of Pirate cannons shooting water at them. This resort gets a bad rap because its is so spread out, but the same is true for Port Orleans Riverside, and you never see that criticism. We've had many chances to choose another resort through the years, and always come back to CBR -- we love it.

 

[JillC LI]

We loved CBR. I agree with those who said to request a room in Jamaica or Aruba "near the footbridge." It's a quick walk to the food court (which was great) and main pool area, and it gives you a view of the whole layout of the beautiful resort. We also loved the steel drums music while hanging out in a hammock "on the beach." Enjoy!
(Can't comment on Shutters as we didn't try it.)

 

[Captain Disney]

The girlfriend and the kids and I stayed at CB in April, we LOVED it!!!! We stayed in Trinidad south. The bus service was quick. The walk to the main pool was not that long. In the evening we swam in the local pool right out side of our room. We are trying to go again in Oct and are planning on staying at CB again. I have been a loyal Poly nut, but I am willing to stay at the CB as a good alternative.

 

[Bluewaves]

Don't bother with Shutters, its horrific at best, the rest of the resort is gorgeous, my favorite place to stay on property

 

[bethymouse]

Decent Resort

No one mentioned the pirate rooms. Although far from the "main pool" and food complex, it is a fun room to stay in!

I loved Aruba- 1st floor. We loved crossing the bridge each day and watching the turtles, birds,and fish!

Shutters was OK. We had a great waitress though, which made the experience all the more magical- lucky I guess!

My Mom- 70 yrs old, was in a scooter, and we did have trouble getting a bus one time, but the CM quickly apologized ( after 20 minutes) and said it would never happen again- and it didn't!:animwink:
The grounds are large, but pretty. You can see some of EPCOT's Illuminations from the beach.
We liked the pool, especially the slides. Our 6 year old twin boys loved the PIRATE POOL for kids!

Overall, we'd stay there again!:wave:

 

[bamillerpa]

No one mentioned the pirate rooms. Although far from the "main pool" and food complex, it is a fun room to stay in!

I think the pirate rooms look cute but since we are only staying one night we just wanted the cheapest rate, especially since we are spending more on lodging for the rest of the trip.

I'm thinking of going with what people have suggested and request one of the building directly across from the main area so we have to cross the island. It sounds amazing. I also think we are going to find someplace else to eat other than Shutters. We will have a car so it won't be a big deal.

Thanks everyone! I love this site!:sohappy: