Carribbean Beach Resort

[sbkline]

Having stayed at POR twice and CSR this past April, it's time now to try CBR, which we plan to do on our next trip, in April. I've just been re-reading the review of it in the issue of Celebrations a couple issues back, as well as in the Unofficial Guide. My question is, do I understand correctly that the check in/lobby building is in a different location than the restaraunts and gift shop? When staying at POR and CSR, the main check in building was also the building that all the shops and restaraunts were in, as well as right by the marina. However, if I read correctly, it seems that the gift shops, restaraunts and main pool area are all in Old Port Royale, and that area is seperated by the lobby building by Martinique and Barbados. Is that correct? That just seems kind of odd to me that it would be that way, as one would think that the check in building would also house the restaraunts and shops.

I'm just trying to determine the best Island to stay at so I can note that request in a couple weeks when 2011 rates come out. It looks like Martinique may be the best one as it is located pretty near both buildings. What do you all think?

 

[sbkline]

May have missed it but didn't see if you have kids along with you on this trip. If not, we stayed in Barbados and thought it was a good location. We were in Building 16, just on the other side of Martinique so it was equidistant to the Barbados and Martinique bus stops depending on which park we were going to (someone else mentioned the typical routes depending on the park). It was about 5 min walk to Old Port Royale and was a nice quiet location. If you aren't looking to pay extra for preferred, this might be another good option. With kids I can see you wanting to be closer to the hub, so something on the other side of the footbridge might be better.

I think it's more my wife that I am thinking of than my son. He's got alot of energy and so do I, so I don't really mind walking so much, and if it's an issue for our son, we can always put him in the stroller. But my wife sometimes is such a baby about having to walk, especially if she's tired from the theme parks, I thought it might be easier to be closer. :lol:

I was kind of surpised to hear on the phone that the buildings only have two floors. We stayed at Coronado in April and we had 3 floors and my son just loved the elevator and being the one to push the button. When I booked CBR and was asked if I had a preference, I told her that I would prefer an upper floor since my son loves to push the buttons on the elevator, and she said that they only have two floors and no elevator. Even with only two floors, the lack of an elevator kind of surprises me because I figured as diligent as Disney is to accomodate the handicapped, that they would offer elevators for those who, due to handicap, or old age or whatever, might have trouble going up the stairs, especially with all their stuff.

I remember staying at POR a couple times and even though it is mostly only two floors, there were a few places where there were 3 floors, and we stayed in such a place on our second visit there. Are there not any such places at CBR?

 

[sbkline]

One more question about CBR.

I had been under the impression that Pirate Rooms and Nemo rooms were both options and that there was a third, standard type room for those who do not opt for Nemo or Pirates. However, one of the CMs I talked to on the phone told me that Nemo IS the standard room and that the Pirate rooms are the optional ones. Is this true, or is that just another example of a CM not knowing what he's talking about?

 

[CleveRocks]

One more question about CBR.

I had been under the impression that Pirate Rooms and Nemo rooms were both options and that there was a third, standard type room for those who do not opt for Nemo or Pirates. However, one of the CMs I talked to on the phone told me that Nemo IS the standard room and that the Pirate rooms are the optional ones. Is this true, or is that just another example of a CM not knowing what he's talking about?

Wow, a rare example of a call center CM giving 100% correct information. :ROFLOL:

There is only one THEMED room at CBR, and that's Pirate theme. ALL other rooms are just regularly-decorated rooms. Every single room in the resort was refurbished in 2008. 384 of the rooms were set up with an elaborate Pirate theme, and these rooms are a separate booking category that costs more per night. All of the rest of the rooms at the resort have a slight Nemo motif.

It's unfortunate that several places on the Internet people refer to Nemo rooms or Nemo-themed rooms, because there is no such thing. Like I said, they're just normally-decorated rooms ... there are a few Nemo characters on the wallpaper border that goes around the top of the walls, and there are a few Nemo characters on the bedspreads.

So remember, this is ALL of the non-Pirate rooms ... so whether the room is standard, water view, king bed, or preferred location, it has some slight Nemo decor.

 

[sbkline]

Alright, on this past April's trip, we ended up switching to the Wilderness Lodge instead, so we still haven't done CBR. We are currently booked there for April 2012, so I thought I would dig up this thread rather than start a new one with the following question, or any others I may have.

I enjoyed taking my son out on the pontoon from the Wilderness Lodge, and I thought I would take him out on the lake at CBR next time. Just wondering how far you can take the boat out? From some of the pictures I have seen, their is a bridge that goes over the water at the edge of the resort, and on one side of the bride, it's the lake, and on the other side of the bridge, it is a river/creek that runs out away from the resort. If we get a boat, can we go past the bridge, down the river, or are we limited to the lake itself? And does the river go anywhere in particular, or just it just kind of narrow off until it disappears somewhere?

 

[forevermickey]

The Custom House is just a check in and guest services area. You are correct that the setup at CBR is not ideal, and that is why none of the other moderate and value resorts have followed that model. I have had a meeting with the former finance manager of that resort, and he said that it is a huge money loss for them compared to the other resorts that have everything packaged together in one building.

I am surprised at this.. because I love that the gift shop is in with the food court and main pool.. I feel I spend more money at the gift shop because I am in that building more because of the food court and the pool area...I only go to the Custom House to check in ... when I first arrive I am not interested in making souvenier purchases.. I like the gift shop where is it.. but I guess numbers don't lie:shrug:

 

[sandy139]

stays at CBR

I also liked having the food court, pool and gift shop all in one area. I always pay for the Martinique building since it is the most convenient of all the "islands" we have stayed in. We check in and never again head to the Customs House. As for the boats, the bridge can accomodate a boat underneath. The lake is really the only area you can take the boat.

 

[YankeeMouse]

We've stayed at Aruba twice, it is close to the footbridge which is a short walk to the foodcourt and main themed pool. I'd recommend it because it is not a preferred room so is the standard rate. You could request a building that is close to the footbridge, check the resort maps.