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?

 

[brent2124]

Check in is at a seperate building that is just past the security gate on your left hand side. This resort was built in the late 80's and the 1st WDW moderate so they may have learned to put the gift shops and check in at the same location as to get more people to shop.

I have never stayed in a preffered building but would recommend considering it. The walk from Trinidad South was a lot longer than anyone will want to take early in the morning for breakfast or late at night.

The buses do stop at each section of the resort as they do at POR and CSR.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Due to the high number of requests for Martinique and Trinidad North, they both are now considered Preferred buildings, and have a higher cost than the other "islands". The pricing is the same as a water/pool view, however, if you want the Preferred location you lose the choice of view as you are paying for the guaranteed building location.

They do run an internal bus - and after you check in they will use a van to take you to your room with your luggage, if you have it with you.

Don't forget the bridge in the center that connects Aruba/Jamaica with Old Port Royale.

Personally, I would avoid Trinidad South at all costs, unless you like seclusion.

 

[PalisadesPkteer]

Due to the high number of requests for Martinique and Trinidad North, they both are now considered Preferred buildings, and have a higher cost than the other "islands". The pricing is the same as a water/pool view, however, if you want the Preferred location you lose the choice of view as you are paying for the guaranteed building location.

They do run an internal bus - and after you check in they will use a van to take you to your room with your luggage, if you have it with you.

Don't forget the bridge in the center that connects Aruba/Jamaica with Old Port Royale.

Personally, I would avoid Trinidad South at all costs, unless you like seclusion.

Here is what I posted in an other thread.


I have stayed at CBR Sept. 28 to Oct.2 2007.

The rooms are slightly larger than other Moderate resorts.

Has fridge in the room but think all Moderates have them. Ceiling fan in room

Each Island or "Village" area has its own
1. Quiet pool
2. White sand Beach
3. Hammocks on the Beach and
4. Bus stop. (Covered)

Just refurbished the feature pool and it is very nice


Stayed in Aruba section and was near the footbridge to Food court and feature pool which was a short peaceful walk each day. The island you cross over using the footbridge had more hammocks, picnic tables and nice lush landscaping and local birds around sometimes. (Might have been a small covered sitting area there also but memory is fading.)

The food court was nice and the gift shop area was also this is were the concierge area is.

BUS System.

I DID NOT have any problems with the bus system. There is a dedicated internal bus system with covered waiting areas for each village.
So if you don't want to walk just sit and relax in the covered area till bus comes and get off at the stop you want.

Yes, the bus stops at each village but did not have a problem with it. Aruba was early in schedule during day so got on and just short waits and to the parks you go.

At night it was I think next to last. If you do not want to wait then you can get off at Old Port Royale and walk over to Aruba using footbridge which I did a few times and was not bad at all. Has a full service sit down restaurant which I didn't get to try.

To answer 1 of your questions, yes the main check-in building is separate from the buildings with rooms "villages". But I stayed in Aruba section and it was not that far a walk at least for me. The foot bridge is right there and you cross over it to the main pool and food court and again this was a short pleasant walk for me.(Old Port Royale area)

As stated by DisneyJoe they have an internal bus and I do seem to remember the van also.

Since they have a bus and or van to take you to village then I wouldn't worry. I feel Aruba was a great area.

If you have physical problems that are made worse when walking then go for the preferred locations.

EXTRA: During day bus goes. . Jamaica, Aruba, Barbados, Martinique, Old Port Royale, Trinidad North and then Trinidad South

At night. . Martinique, Old Port Royale, Trinidad North, Trinidad South, Jamaica, Aruba and then Barbados.

Hope this helps you.

 

[sbkline]

Thanks for the info so far, especially the tidbit about the preferred rooms. That is very helpful to know because, while I would like to be closer, it's not worth paying for. I just want the bare cheapest price.

So, regarding the check in building, is there anything there that would be of interest, other than checking in on arrival day and checking out on the last day? I mean, if the restaraunt, food court, arcade, and shops are all at Old Port Royale, what else would be at the check in building? Maybe the conceirge?

Somewhat on topic, somewhat off topic, but I figure I may as well ask it here rather than start a new thread just to ask this question...

If a person doesn't put in any specific requests and lets his room be assigned randomly, is it assigned on the day he books the room, or the day he arrives? For example, let's say I book my room for April 4, and someone else comes along a month later and books a stay, arriving the same day, April 4. Do each of us get assigned a specific room at the time we make the booking, or does the computer just know that there were "X" amount of rooms before I booked, and now there is one less, leaving the specific assignment to be made once I check in? To clarify a bit more, in case I'm not making any sense, is Room 2421, for example, assigned specifically to me when I initially book the room months in advance? Or does it just reserve me a generic room when I book, and then give the specific assignment on a first come first serve basis on check in day?

Perhaps the difference is trivial but I am just curious if those who arrive the same day I arrive, but who get there first, can get "better" room assignments since they got there before me, or if those assignments have already been made months in advance in the order that the reservations were made.

 

[PalisadesPkteer]

There is a concierge at the customs house. There is one at Old Port Royale also.

There was a small waiting area with a TV showing Disney cartoon etc.
The check-in / check-out area, magical express pick-up / drop-off area and luggage assistance (bell services) and a shuttle van to take you to your room. The airlines check-in is also there

Maybe this will help some more.

http://www.passporter.com/articles/disneys-caribbean-beach-resort.php

I was treated like royalty there.

Don't know for sure how they assign a room. Think it was your last idea. Think they generic reserve room then get a specific room to you when you arrive. Some people can cancel at last moment etc.

Contact me if you would like any additional info. (I was given building 52 - 2nd floor in Aruba facing the lake)(It was a corner room with extra window very nice)

I guess the only other thing I can add right now is that no resort is perfect. Some people have had their not so fun experiences. But my 4 night 5 day trip was heaven there. When I stayed there it had the old pool theme which was great. The updated theme is similar but really nice now.

An other helpful link. http://allears.net/acc/faq_cbr.htm

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Thanks for the info so far, especially the tidbit about the preferred rooms. That is very helpful to know because, while I would like to be closer, it's not worth paying for. I just want the bare cheapest price.

So, regarding the check in building, is there anything there that would be of interest, other than checking in on arrival day and checking out on the last day? I mean, if the restaraunt, food court, arcade, and shops are all at Old Port Royale, what else would be at the check in building? Maybe the conceirge?

Somewhat on topic, somewhat off topic, but I figure I may as well ask it here rather than start a new thread just to ask this question...

If a person doesn't put in any specific requests and lets his room be assigned randomly, is it assigned on the day he books the room, or the day he arrives? For example, let's say I book my room for April 4, and someone else comes along a month later and books a stay, arriving the same day, April 4. Do each of us get assigned a specific room at the time we make the booking, or does the computer just know that there were "X" amount of rooms before I booked, and now there is one less, leaving the specific assignment to be made once I check in? To clarify a bit more, in case I'm not making any sense, is Room 2421, for example, assigned specifically to me when I initially book the room months in advance? Or does it just reserve me a generic room when I book, and then give the specific assignment on a first come first serve basis on check in day?

Perhaps the difference is trivial but I am just curious if those who arrive the same day I arrive, but who get there first, can get "better" room assignments since they got there before me, or if those assignments have already been made months in advance in the order that the reservations were made.

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.

 

[CleveRocks]

There are 6 villages. Each village is comprised of 6 numbered guest buildings (except for Trinidad North, which has only 3 guest buildings).

Trinidad South is 100% comprised of Pirate theme rooms, so unless you pay extra and reserve a Pirate room, you won't be in Trinidad South.

Trinidad North and half of Martinique's buildings are preferred location (and half of Martinique's buildings are standard). Preferred location means it's one of the six buildings (3 in Trinidad North, 3 in Martinique) closest to Old Port Royale. You must pay extra for and reserve a preferred location room.

So the only places you can get a standard room are Jamaica, Aruba, Barbados, and half of Martinique.

Of all the standard buildings, the three closest to Old Port Royale are Aruba 51, Jamaica 45 and Martinique 22. All three are exactly the same distance to OPR.

Seeing that Jamaica has one of the closest standard buildings to OPR, many assume that requesting Jamaica will get them a room relatively close to OPR. Unfortunately, that's not true. Jamaica 41 is the very farthest standard building from OPR. Aruba 56 is just about as far. With Barbados, you are guaranteed not to get a room very close to OPR, but on the other hand you are guaranteed not to get a room very far from OPR, too.

Having stayed at OPR twice, the only time I ever needed to go to the Custom House was to check-in and to talk to Guest Services (now called Lobby Concierge). However, both stays were before they made a Lobby Concierge desk at Old Port Royale. Now that that's there, I can't imagine why I'd have much need to go to the front desk for anything. So what I mean to say is that I don't find it bad that the front desk is separate from the food court, shops, etc.

 

[AJScooch]

Stayed at CBR during the X-mas/NYE week in '08/'09. We really loved to resort. Stayed in Jamaica, Building 42. I have to agree with other posters. If you're trying to save some money, stay in either Jamaica or Aruba. Both "islands" are just across the little bridge from Old Port Royale. This is a map of the resort and you'll understand what everyone is saying.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/cbrmap.htm

The entire resort have a very serene feeling and you feel like you're actually in the islands. The food court is really good and the table-service restaurant, Shutters, was really nice as well.

Hope you enjoy your stay.

 

[LuvMyLatte]

Carrribean Beach Resort

I stayed at CBR Nov. 2010 and I have to say I was a little disappointed. The pros were: nice room, nice pool. The cons were: Cast members are very slow (I"m from New York so I lke a little speed) , the food was bad (even my 5 yr old was not inmpressed), Mousekkeping left no towel animals and did not replace out soap when needed. :shrug:Our sheets were not changed all week. ON the other had...I love Port Orleans. Clean, Attentive, good food, great pool and relaxing! :king:

 

[Disneykidder]

Does anyone know which building the pirate rooms are located in and are they close to the main hub?

 

[brent2124]

Does anyone know which building the pirate rooms are located in and are they close to the main hub?

Nope. They are in Trinidad South.

 

[me_stitch]

we stayed at Trinidad North and it was only a couple minute walk to the pool and Old Port Royale. loved it.

 

[Disneykidder]

So you pay extra for a cool pirate room but then they stick you kin the back?? Oh my.

 

[The Mom]

To answer the room assignment question.

Most hotels don't assign a room (unless you have a special request) until one is clean and ready, especially at busy times. So when you check-in, they will look to see which rooms are ready, and give you one. The first person may or may not get a bteer room - it depends upon when the previous occupant checked out, how quickly it was cleaned, etc.

There is no magic formula for getting an upgrade, or even a more desirable room, without reserving and paying for it. And one person's upgrade might be someone else's downgrade.

I would not consider a pirate room an upgrade, for instance. Nor would I want to be close to the busy pool. 10 years ago I would have been delighted with that upgrade and location.

 

[si23]

the bus usually stops at martinque first i was in building 25 and didnt pay any extra as i dont think this is classed a prefered room it was exactly a 4 minture walk to old port royale and it only takes about ten minutes to get out the resort goin go all stops, remember beach club shares some buses with yaught boardwalk and swan and dolphin

 

[CleveRocks]

Martinique 25 IS one of the preferred location buildings ... looks like you got a free upgrade!

Buses running to Magic Kingdom and buses running to Downtown Disney start at Martinique. Buses running to the other parks start at Jamaica.

 

[JillC LI]

Having stayed at CBR last October....

I HIGHLY recommend it. We requested -- and were lucky enough to get -- a room in either Jamaica or Aruba (we got Aruba) near the footbridge. It was not considered a preferred room, but I would choose that location over all others because it is a very short walk over the footbridge to the food court and the main pool area (less than 5 minutes). When you go over the footbridge, you have a beautiful view of the whole resort. We loved the theming at CBR.

 

[WVParkfan]

So you pay extra for a cool pirate room but then they stick you kin the back?? Oh my.

We stayed in Trinidad South before the remodeling, and loved it. We couldn't afford a "preferred" room, so we just took what they gave us.

Trinidad South is so quiet, and very nice. We really loved staying there, and the village pool and beach were perfect for us. We only went to the main building once, and were very disappointed with the pool (which was before the remodeling). The foodcourt was OK, but we only ate there once.

If we were to ever stay at CBR again, we would request Trinidad South. It was SO quiet, SO secluded, and SO relaxing!

 

[Master Gracey 5]

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.