I've stayed at multiple disney resorts including CBR. My only 2 stays at cbr were in a regular standard room in 2004 and a pirate room in fall 2012 I think it was...the rooms were new then. I recently switched our upcoming June reservation from POFQ to CBR to take the greatest advantage of the summer savings offered (a $400 difference by making the switch). We have other family members coming from out of town so in order to save the most money for everyone this is what they opted for.
My worry comes from reading quite a few reviews posted on trip adviser were pretty negative. Reports of the rooms needing serious rehab, dirty with poor mousekeeping, smells, and mold for examples. I'm not worried about bus complaints or having to take my bags up a flight of stairs...no biggie there and I know the resort is big but I have my car. We've booked standard rooms.
Any recent stays with opinions particularly about the rooms?
CBR always seems to get a bad rap. Considering it is the red headed step child of the moderates, I'm not surprised.
However, I've stayed there twice in 2010 and 2011, and loved it both times. Though, I do have some advice.
First off, don't stay in the Pirate Rooms. They are in Trinidad, which is by far the worst placement on the resort property (probably why they built them there, to encourage people to that part of the resort)...
When you book, call. Ask to be put "as close to the bridge" as possible. The booking agent will very likely know exactly what you are talking about. You do not need to pay extra for a lake view (unless you feel like it) as the Garden Views are fantastic, but do put a note on your reservation asking to not have a view of the Parking Lot.
Of course, Disney won't guarantee you'll get that, but in my two visits I've never been disappointed.
There are several reasons why I tout Aruba and Jamaica (especially close to the bridge) as the perfect spot to stay at that resort.
1) Close enough to Old Port Royale that you can easily walk back and forth, but far enough away that main pool noise (though that really isn't a major issue, but general hustle and bustle is) isn't right at your doorstep. You feel "isolated" in your rooms, but are only a quick walk to entertainment across the bridge.
2) Easy access to both the Aruba and Jamaica bus stops, so you can choose either (not that it makes a huge difference, but depending where in the "island" you are, you may find that the neighboring bus stop is actually an easier walk. For example, when we stayed in Aruba, we still mostly used the Jamaica bus stop, as if you cut through the hotel gardens and through the parking lot, it was actually an easier walk.
3) Bus stop order. The Aruba and Jamaica stations are among the last to be picked up, and first to be dropped off (this depends where you are going and coming from, but as a general rule). So, that means when leaving for Magic Kingdom in the morning, if you catch the bus at Jamaica, you are 2 stops away from heading to the Park. If you stay in Martinique, you are 6 stops away. In addition, upon return to the resort, there is a side entrance off of Victory Way, and Jamaica and Aruba are the first two stops. So, while you won't always avoid having to make the whole loop, many times you will, due to where the stops are located on the bus route.
4) Ambiance. I touched on this earlier, but you feel completely isolated, especially with a Garden View.
5) Illuminations. You can see it from the Port Royale pool. That...is a fun experience.
I could go on...
The rooms were renovated in 2010/2011 I believe, so all the rooms are in good shape, I would suspect. I have no complaints.
Most of the complaints I've read online are from people who stayed there 5+ years ago...if you enjoyed your 2012 stay, you should expect similar quality from the other rooms (the renovation project was all done at the same time).
Also, the mousekeeping there puts Pop (my latest experience) to shame. Not only did we get towel animals, but our rooms felt much cleaner than I recall Pop feeling upon return. Sometimes I wondered if all they did at Pop was empty the trash...
