My mini review of Caribbean Beach Resort

I just arrived back from WDW. I stayed at CB from 11-20-06-11-26-06.
We had a wonderful time at the World!!
As for the resort, I was disappointed. I had never stayed there. (or any oher moderate for that matter.) I have stayed at ASM, Allstar Sports, and POP, Contemporary, and Ploynesian (as a kid).
I was very excited about staying there, but let down when I arrived.
The resort is beautiful, but not set up well at all. I had read about spread out it was so I went expecting that. I had no idea how spread out! I was in Trinidad South Bldg 36. It was a major ordeal to get to Old Port Royale! That Internal Resort Shuttle (dubbed the IRS by my group on the trip) took forever and made so many stops. I wish I had not even bought the refillable mugs because we never made it over to the food court to actually refill them. The buses back from the parks were alo a nightmare. It took a long time to get back because it stops at each village on the way. We also had several occasions where we waited 30-40 minutes at a park for the bus to arrive. Other resorts would have multiple buses arrive while all the CB people kept waiting. As for the rooms, very spacious, well decorated, and love the double sinks. Now the beds...awful!!! Full size beds are too small and the things were the noisiest beds I have ever slept on. For the first 3 nights, I constantly woke myself up by simply moving. The slightest movement resulted in an obnoxiously loud creaking and squeaking sound. My brother-in-law called the beds "the boat". We had connecting rooms (which was great) and they had the same issue with their beds next door. After night 3, I either got used to it or was so exhausted that I slept through the noise.

Overall, it was a great trip. The time spent in the rooms by our group was minimal. (showers and sleeping) I would have to say that I would not stay at CB again. The bus situation and distance from the food court made it difficult to really enjoy the resort.

 

[Miss Bell]

Not all moderates are created equal. We felt much as you did after staying at CB, but absolutely love both of the Port Orleans resorts.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Ihave to agree. CBR bottoms the list of the moderates. It is also somewhere to AVOID during busy times for the transportation issues you cited (all the resorts are that way, but CBR seems to be particularly bad).

Actually, with what you cited, I would highly suggest the Manor homes at POR or POFQ for your next trek.

 

[Chux]

I wouldn't call it a horrible resort. I had a great time the last 2 times I stayed there. Just ask for a room in Trinidad North or Martinique(I think, either that or Jamaica) and you'll be right next to OPR. Granted, nothing you can do will stop that bus trip around the resort from being long.

I've since become a deluxe snob :lol:

 

[bhg469]

I got the same impression from the place and asking for a different room location is nice for getting around in the resort but it doesn't make the busses any less crowded and any more frequent. I liked POR alot but i still love Coronado springs. Its a huge resort but its set up much smarter IMO. Also it has the best transportation hands down when compared to any other resort. The longest wait i ever had for a bus was 20 minutes and they are rarely ever packed.

 

[Alztybrn]

I also enjoyed my time at CBR the last two summers. One thing to remember about the bus system at CBR is that is has its own dedicated bus. You may make a few more stops around the resort, but you do not have any other resorts to stop at along the way.

 

[GoofyGuySouthFl]

We stayed here not long ago, back in october. We had the same issue with the beds. The slightest little move and it let out this horrible creaking and groaning sound. We stayed at this resort at the request of my parents who were traveling with us b/c they had stayed there back when it first opened and loved it and wanted to try it again. However after this last trip this will probably be our last stay at CBR.

 

[Tiggerfanatic]

We just got back last night - stayed at CBR also. Didn't have a problem with the room, requested and got one in Jamaica on the 1st floor with a 2 minute walk to the bus stop. I do agree that the bus service was about the worst I've ever experienced. We waited @ Epcot for 45 minutes yesterday and I finally had to call to resort to come pick us up so we wouldn't miss the ME bus back to the airport.

 

[saltmom1]

I love CBR. Our room in Jamaica (building 44-first floor-4403) was a 2 minute walk to the bus stop and a nice 5 minute walk to OPR and the main pool. We had about a 2-3 minute walk to the quiet pool as well. I would stay there in a heartbeat over POR with the 20 minute walk to the mansions.It pays to mke a room request. Aruba is close to everything too. Premium rooms are Martinique and one of trhe Trinidads but I can't remember which one. The bus route either starts at Jamaica or {Martinique (?)} so keep that ij mind if you don't want a very crowded bus when you get on.

 

[GoofyFan1]

I'm a big fan of the CBR. :sohappy:

We usually stay in building 52 (Aruba). I get up, shower and walk across the island to get coffee while the girls (3) get ready for the parks. For me, living in the north, the lush tropical feel is perfect.

This summer we stayed at the Boardwalk Inn. We were not impressed, esp. with the bus system. We had to stop at the Swan, Dolphin, Beach Club and Yacht Club. Because of the busses, we were forced to cancel several dinner appts..

If walking at the CBR is a problem, You can request a building such as 52 or 45 in Jamaica without paying for a preferred room, or you can pay a little more and stay in Matinique which is closest to OPR.

 

[rcapolete]

I hve stayed there twice and will not stay there again. I stayed at POP last time and would recommend it over CBR. THe CBR is layed out horribile. The walk to the food court is way to long.

 

[WildcatDen]

I love CBR. Our room in Jamaica (building 44-first floor-4403) was a 2 minute walk to the bus stop and a nice 5 minute walk to OPR and the main pool. We had about a 2-3 minute walk to the quiet pool as well. I would stay there in a heartbeat over POR with the 20 minute walk to the mansions.It pays to mke a room request. Aruba is close to everything too. Premium rooms are Martinique and one of trhe Trinidads but I can't remember which one. The bus route either starts at Jamaica or {Martinique (?)} so keep that ij mind if you don't want a very crowded bus when you get on.

Amen. We loved our stay in 2004 and will be booking in January for Thanksgiving 2007. I think we were in Barbados. We were in the building group closest to the main check in building and about as far "North" from Port Royal as you can get. The kids enjoyed the walk along the water and the walk to the bus was under a minute. Of course, we were at the parks all day and only spent time at the resort to sleep and get a few gifts. We did eat a few times at the food court, which I also thought was really nice.

Long live CBR.

I wonder if they would ever do some theming to Pirate of the Caribbean since it is the Caribbean Beach Resort?

 

[BonzoAPD]

I love the CBR. I have stayed there twice so far and was there the same time you were. I am not sure what you are talking about with the lack of bus service. Bus service was very quick especially for such a busy time of the year. As for it being spread out, yes it is. If you don't like to walk then CBR is not the place for you. I was in Aruba and had a water view which was beautiful. I will post some pictures later. CBR is a favorite of mine and my family and I would definitely stay there again.

 

[TTARider]

My family loves CBR, but probably becasue we always stay close to the Main Building.

 

[Master Yoda]

Overall size is the worst thing about both CB and CS. For this reason PO is always our first choice for moderate resorts.

 

[starflyer59]

We stayed at CBR Dec 1-3 and that will probably be the last time we stay there. It is a beautiful resort but everything is so far apart. We stayed in building 38 Trinidad South. It was like a ghost town out there. We never really saw many people at all. The fridge did not work, the beds were so small. We had to drive to the main pool because the pool close to our building was closed. When we checked in, the line was out the door and they had two windows open. It took over an hour to check in. We took advantage of the free parking pass and just drove to the parks since you don't have to pay for parking.

 

[surfsupdon]

We usually stay in building 52 (Aruba). I get up, shower and walk across the island to get coffee while the girls (3) get ready for the parks. For me, living in the north, the lush tropical feel is perfect.

If walking at the CBR is a problem, You can request a building such as 52 or 45 in Jamaica without paying for a preferred room, or you can pay a little more and stay in Matinique which is closest to OPR.

You're a smart one there with Aruba 52!! We too are huge CBR fans and have always requested and have received rooms in Aruba 52, second story, lake view. We have hundreds of great memories here.

But, we too ahve been bitten by the Deluxe bug and ahve not stayed at Caribbean since 2002, but we always visit for a walk around the promenade, a lunch at OPR, and just a great time.

 

[SewIn2Disney]

I wonder if they would ever do some theming to Pirate of the Caribbean since it is the Caribbean Beach Resort?

Last time we visited there (Aug 06) the whole gift shop area was decorated with a Pirates theme. They had a huge ship in the center, with a whole corner dedicated to Pirates merch. They also had life size pirates on the fake balcony that is over the store, looking down...very creepy, but cool.

 

[maelstrom]

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the resort.

CBR is my favourite moderate and one of my favourite resorts altogether. We always book a preferred room so that we're close to OPR (it's only an extra $10 per night). There are non-preferred rooms close to OPR as well, you just have to request/ask for one. As far as the double beds, that is an issue in all moderate and value rooms; they all have double beds; only the deluxes have queens). I've never found issue with the bus service at CBR, despite the multiple stops within the resort. I have, however, had consistently bad bus service at POR and POFQ.

 

[surfsupdon]

I've never found issue with the bus service at CBR, despite the multiple stops within the resort. I have, however, had consistently bad bus service at POR and POFQ.

The CBR busses have never let us down either, but we are peak season travelers when busses must be constant. The multiple internal stops at CBR are equivalent to the Dolphin, Swan, Yacht, Beach, BoardWalk bus debacle, as well as the MK Resort area bussing. At least at Caribbean the route is a large loop. On the other hand, the many zig zagging roads throughout the Deluxe Epcot Resorts never allow the bus to move all that fast and there are so many stop signs.


And to the original poster, remember that if you are not happy with your location, simply head back to Custom House and request an area more convenient for your group. (Holds true at any Resort at any destination.) I know they have connecting rooms elsewhere besides in Trinidad South. And to stay at that island when the pool was under construction seemed silly as well; simply visit the front desk and see what Disney magic can be done for you. A long walk and a closed pool sound fair to ask to be in another location. Not complaining, just asking.

Sorry you were less than pleased.