Has Anyone Stayed @ Caribbean Beach?

[duchess1576]

I decided that when we go back to Disney World next February, we're going to stay at a Moderate resort. We stayed at All-Star Sports this year.

My son said he liked the way Caribbean Beach looks, and there's only like a $300 total difference between them and All-Stars.

So, who stayed there before, and what do you think?

What are some big advantages in staying at a Moderate instead of a Value resort. Or would I have to stay at a Deluxe resort to really see a difference?

 

[mcbates23]

I've stayied there many times with my family. It's a great resort for kids. Old Port Royal is where you you find the shops, fast food counter service and a great arcade. Each "island" has it own pool. Plenty of space around it filled with sun chairs and tables for parents who need a rest. Each "island" also has it's own bus stop. Which is real nice. Now I could be wrong on this but I beleive the CB has it's own buses. Meaning it doesn't share buses with other resortes.

You should have a wonderful time there.

 

[bsandersjr]

My wife and I stayed there for our honeymoon in 2001. We loved it. very relaxing, then again, we went in Jan.
The biggest difference between value and moderate, besides price, is there are mini refridgerators in the moderate rooms, and moderate resorts have hot tubs and sit down dining along with food courts. Value resorts only have food courts (which I do not mind)
Be warned though, if you do plan on staying there, request a room near the food court. CB is a very big, spaced out resort. We did not know any better, and ended up with about a 20 minute walk each way to the food court from our room.
I guess it all depends on what you are looking for. We stayed at Port Orleans in Feb 05, and at Pop Century in 5/05. One thing I have come to realize is that the value resorts are more fun and laid back. A lot of families with kids. The Moderates that we have stayed at, did have some families with kids, but not as many. Plus, it was a little more quiet. I dunno, it all depends on what you are looking for. But keep in mind, you can't lose!

 

[bsandersjr]

Each "island" also has it's own bus stop. Which is real nice. Now I could be wrong on this but I beleive the CB has it's own buses. Meaning it doesn't share buses with other resortes.

Correct.

 

[NCState]

First post!

My family vacationed at the CBR in Sept 2003 and loved it. We were in the Aruba (pink) village. With the Caribbean feel, you're transported to the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie, if only Jack Sparrow would appear We did take one day from the parks and just spent the day at the resort, there's plenty to do and enjoy the music at Old Port Royal!

 

[momhurtz]

I stayed at CBR last November after having stayed at ASMu 2 years ago. They were both nice, but I am a fan of the moderates. The theming is beautiful with lots of plants and flowers. At CBR you really do feel like you've escaped to a tropical island. The colorful buildings, sand beaches, hammocks on the beach and beautiful landscaping give a very relaxed feeling to this resort.

I like the sit down restaurant for a change of pace (although I must admit I thought the food was better at the foodcourt at ASMu than CBR). The rooms at CBR are larger than ASMu, have 2 sinks and a curtain to separate the dressing area. CBR also has a refrigerator in all of the rooms for no additional charge. I found it to be quieter than ASMu. There seem to be more groups of students at the value resorts (I was there with one of them).

I agree that you should try to stay closer to the food court if you stay at CBR, but instead of paying more for a premium location you could ask to be put in Jamaica or Aruba close to the bridge. We did that and it was a very nice stroll over to the main pool, food court, restaurants and shops.

Enjoy your visit no matter where you stay. WDW is great!

 

[juscet]

Caribbean Beach

Caribbean Beach is a very nice hotel. A couple things to take into account though. One each "island" has it's own pool so that's a good thing. If you don't get an "island" close to Old Port Royale the walk can be quite long. Plus you could be the first or last stop on the bus route which takes a lot of time. We liked Carribean Beach, but we didn't love it.

 

[WDWPrnces02]

OH My Favorite REsort......

I like walking through the path to Old port Royal and listening to the carribbean music...... My grandma and I world act like goof balls all the way to the food court.....

I would like to stay their again someday.......but to be good (budgetwise) I need to stay at the All star Music....

 

[Kadee]

Caribbean Beach is a very nice hotel. A couple things to take into account though. One each "island" has it's own pool so that's a good thing. If you don't get an "island" close to Old Port Royale the walk can be quite long. Plus you could be the first or last stop on the bus route which takes a lot of time. We liked Carribean Beach, but we didn't love it.

My thoughts exactly!!!!! We were stuck in a room WAY in the back ..... as far away from OPR (Old Port Royale) as you can get. Because of this, we never ate at the food court (one of the reasons we stay at moderates instead of deluxes). And if you have packages delivered to your resort, you have to go to OPR to pick them up. I'm sure it would have been a much more enjoyable trip if we had been closer to OPR. The only good thing I can say about our room is that it was VERY quiet back there. MAKE SURE you get a room close to OPR. Pay the extra money (not much more per night) to get a preferred building. It is definitely worth the money. Or at the very least, when you check in, tell them that you want the closest room to OPR that they can give you.

 

[GoldenFantasmic]

I haven't stayed at the CBR since 1988 . I think that may have been the year it opened also. The next time my family comes down for a visit, that will probably be the place we stay at. I have a few memories from my stay there, especially the bad case of sun poisoning I came down with and losing my dinner after my friends mother killed a giant spider that was on the wall of their room :hurl: .

 

[diddy_mouse]

i've stayed at the CBR twice and had an enjoyable time each time. we were in Trinidad North both times and it was actually quite close to Old Port Royale. the pool was nice and there are some nice quite spots around the lake, they have hammocks set up on the beaches.

word of advice: give you self a little extra time when you want to head out to the parks or whatnot...the buses take just a little longer because they have to go around the resort.

 

[GoofyFan1]

The CBR is my favorite moderate resort. We stay in Aruba, on the other side of the lake. It's quiet and you can start your day off with a nice walk across the island to get coffee or breakfast. I highly reccommend the CBR.

 

[Fantasmic!329]

Welcome back to the Boards!!
I stayed there once, and loved it.

 

[justducky78]

We stayed at the CB back in 1996 (in Trinidad) I think. The room was clean, bright and roomy and it was close to a quiet pool. We rented the little water sprees which was fun. Not sure of the current condition but for the price, it's not a bad option.

 

[PixyDust]

We stayed there once because we heard the rooms were the largest of all the moderates. We ended up in the building that was furtherest from OPR. The room size didn't make up for the walk. We bought into DVC on that trip.

But, then a friend at work stayed there last month. They had a room near OPR and absolutely loved it.

I think at this resort, its all about location.

 

[FanofDinsey1981]

Carribean beach is excellent for those who want a nice family atmosphere, and a quiet place to sleep. The rooms are nice and spread out, so there is some walking involved. but it is well worth it to have only a few neighbors instead of an building with several floors. The food at Old Port Royale is good, I enjoy the breakfast selection. The main pool is fun, but there are several small/quiet pools as well. I very much enjoy the place, we have never (in 8 stays) had a bad experience.

 

[geubux]

We stayed at CBR in 1999. My wife saw the pool on a video and always wanted to stay there. She was very disappointed. We had to pay extra back then for the fridge, which we needed for insulin. The beach was nice and the food court acceptable, but there was zero view out our window. Fortunetly(?), we were close to the main pool and the food court. After staying there a week with two small kids, we took the DVC tour and my wife swore we would never stay in room again. Maybe port orleans....

By the way, we bought DVC that trip.

 

[brich]

I'll add to the list of those who like CBR. When we go,we have no desire to stay anywhere but CBR when booking a moderate. Our trip in Oct, we will stay a few nights at AKL and Poly because we can only afford a few nights but for the bulk of our trip, CBR all the way. We just love the grounds and the walks and the pools and Port Royale. We request Aruba so that we aren't that far from Port Royale and we usually get a parking lot view simply because it's a bit cheaper and we never sit in our rooms for a view. It's a lot easier loading and unloading luggage and having the car right outside the door is so nice at the end of a long day at the parks... I'm all for CBR. :sohappy:

 

[bferrara16]

word of advice: give you self a little extra time when you want to head out to the parks or whatnot...the buses take just a little longer because they have to go around the resort.

if my main concern is to be the last pickup before the bus headed to the parks, what area should i ask for?

 

[FanofDinsey1981]

if my main concern is to be the last pickup before the bus headed to the parks, what area should i ask for?

last time I was there, it was the main entrance (old port royale) was the last stop.