Preferred CBR rooms worth it?

[sophie_the_pooh]

We stayed at CBR with a standard room reservation and requested a room in Martinique. We ended up at the far end of the Martinique village, but we only had about a 5 minutes walk to Old Port Royale, which was actually very nice because we could take the pathway surrounding the lake and had a great view.

 

[CP_alum08]

I disagree. Just ask for Aruba or Jamaica and save the money.

Thats exactly what I was going to say. Don't bother getting the preferred room, just request a building closer to either OPR or a bus stop.

FWIW, I've stayed (and worked ) at CBR and I love it.

 

[princessmommy]

Thanks for all the info guys!
We will request Jamaica or Aruba.
Does anybody know if there's a limit in requests? We've already requested connecting rooms and a ground floor lol.

 

[englanddg]

Thanks for all the info guys!
We will request Jamaica or Aruba.
Does anybody know if there's a limit in requests? We've already requested connecting rooms and a ground floor lol.

No, you shouldn't have any trouble with that. Especially if you are willing to wait when you arrive.

I had connecting rooms in Aruba a few years back. Though, I specifically asked NOT for the ground floor... But, I don't think you'll have any issues.

Just ask to be "near the bridge"...they'll know what that means.

 

[princessmommy]

No, you shouldn't have any trouble with that. Especially if you are willing to wait when you arrive.

I had connecting rooms in Aruba a few years back. Though, I specifically asked NOT for the ground floor... But, I don't think you'll have any issues.

Just ask to be "near the bridge"...they'll know what that means.

So should I ask for Jamaica or Aruba near the bridge or just near the bridge?

 

[englanddg]

So should I ask for Jamaica or Aruba near the bridge or just near the bridge?

"Jamaica or Aruba near the bridge" use that phrase. Theyll know what it means!

 

[daisyduckie]

So should I ask for Jamaica or Aruba near the bridge or just near the bridge?

That is where I was, on the advice from a bunch of posters, and I still say you are better off paying for preferred. It may not be that long of a walk, but it is long enough that if you are tired the food court will seem miles away.

Remember too that while you can request to be near the bridge, there is no guarantee that is where you will end up.

 

[englanddg]

That is where I was, on the advice from a bunch of posters, and I still say you are better off paying for preferred. It may not be that long of a walk, but it is long enough that if you are tired the food court will seem miles away.

Remember too that while you can request to be near the bridge, there is no guarantee that is where you will end up.

Of course you should do whatever suits you. For me, as long as I'm not in Trini South, it's not that big a deal.

I measured the walking distance using Google Earth and taking into account the jag the island path takes, and how you have to pass around the pool gates to get to the rear entrance.

It is just over ~850 feet from the start of the incline of the bridge.

So, that means...

Aruba 51 - Adds about ~130 feet to that, so ~980 feet
Aruba 52 - Adds about ~350 feet to that, so ~1200 feet
Aruba 53 - Adds about ~400 feet to that (I've stayed in that building with a garden view), so ~1250 feet

You don't want Aruba 54 / 55 / 56 if you can avoid it.

Jamaica 45 - Adds about ~75 feet to that (in my opinion the best spot on property), so ~925 feet
Jamaica 44 and 46 - Adds about ~250 feet to that, so ~1100 feet
Jamaica 43 - Adds about ~400 feet to that depending on where you are in the building (I only mention it because I've stayed there as well), so ~1250 feet

You don't want Jamaica 42 / 41 if you can avoid it.

Preferred, correct me if I'm wrong, are Martinique 24 / 25 / 26 and all of Trinidad North.

Trinidad 31
If you cut through the parking lot to the front doors - ~600 feet
If you cut along the water, then cut over to the parking lot to the front doors - ~750 feet
If you cut along the water and by the pool - ~1005 feet

Trinidad 32
If you cut through the parking lot to the front doors - ~850 feet
If you cut along the water, then cut over to the parking lot to the front doors - ~920 feet
If you cut along the water and by the pool - ~1175 feet

Trinidad 33
If you cut through the parking lot to the front doors - ~980 feet
If you cut along the water, then cut over to the parking lot to the front doors - ~920 feet
If you cut along the water and by the pool - ~1600 feet

Martinique 24
If you cut through the parking lot to the front doors - ~780 feet
If you cut through the resort to the front doors - ~790 feet
If you cut along the water and use the entry near the lighthouse - ~647 feet

Martinique 25
If you cut along the water and use the entry near the lighthouse - ~360 feet (that's really the best way to go)

Martinique 26
If you cut through the parking lot to the front doors - ~389 feet
If you cut along the water and use the entry near the lighthouse - ~340 feet

But, while it appears Martinique is the closest, a lot of that is due to it having the best access to the small rear entrance at Port Royal. That puts you right into the thick of the Food Court, near the Shutters seating area.

Distance to pool is another 350 feet, and distance to the Gift Shop is another 250 feet.

Anyhow, I think this exercise shows that the Trinidad rooms aren't that great a deal compared to Aruba/Jamaica, but the Martinique ones are a steal. So, if you do Preferred, I'd certainly ask for one of those buildings (specifically Martinique 25, imho).

To me, it's not worth the upcharge per night, as that's money I'd rather spend on other things, like souvenirs or a cocktail, and I honestly enjoy the stroll through the island and feel more "isolated" from the hustle and bustle from the rest of the resort that seems to occur more around Old Port Royale. For example, the walkways are far busier, because people from Barbados / Martinique, Trini North and South all use them (if they don't use the resort bus)...whereas, almost no one but Jamaica and Aruba Guests ever make use of the paths over by there...

So, anyhow...wherever you stay (EXCEPT TRINI SOUTH...WHICH IS WHERE THE PIRATE ROOMS ARE...DON'T GET A PIRATE ROOM) it's a great resort, and you really can't go wrong...

 

[daisyduckie]

I know you are trying to help, but saying that you use Google Earth to measure, then add that you are just guessing the distances doesn't seem to be accurate.

Also, I am someone who is on my feet at work all day. And I took the advice of other posters who state that I would be fine as long as I was near the bridge. It may not measure that long of a walk, but posters should remember they are already on a vacation where they are walking all day long. Even an added distance of 1100 feet can be too much tacked on to the many miles a day already spent walking.

I agree, people should do what is best for them. But I hate all of the downplaying of the distance that goes on when CBR is mentioned. And that doesn't include all of the posters saying Just ask for a spot by the bridge, as if it is a given they will get that location. It is a request, plain and simple. Not a guarantee.

 

[englanddg]

I know you are trying to help, but saying that you use Google Earth to measure, then add that you are just guessing the distances doesn't seem to be accurate.

Also, I am someone who is on my feet at work all day. And I took the advice of other posters who state that I would be fine as long as I was near the bridge. It may not measure that long of a walk, but posters should remember they are already on a vacation where they are walking all day long. Even an added distance of 1100 feet can be too much tacked on to the many miles a day already spent walking.

I agree, people should do what is best for them. But I hate all of the downplaying of the distance that goes on when CBR is mentioned. And that doesn't include all of the posters saying Just ask for a spot by the bridge, as if it is a given they will get that location. It is a request, plain and simple. Not a guarantee.

You're right, I was rounding.

Here's the measurement, for example, across the bridge/island.

But, you'll note that I said it was ~850 feet, when it's not. Why? I allowed for some error. I rounded up with a margin not because I was "guessing" in a random manner, I measured each path I posted, but because the distance will depend on which building and which room you actually get, its position in the building, and the proximity to walking paths.

For example, here is the path from Trinidad 33 (preferred) along the water.

But, I said Trini 33 would add about 1600? How did I get that? Simple...there's easily 100 feet+ walk depending on where you are in the building.

I've also actually STAYED there more than once (as have you) and walked these routes in person. And, on my trips, I was there with a 4 and later 5 year old with no stroller as a single parent. So, yeah, I have my experience as well.

What you are saying is that, to you, the extra charge per night is worth it. And that is extremely valid.

To me it is not. The ~$25 a day on the trips I take (Around 14 days) is $350 dollars I'd rather spend on something else. For you, that is not the case, and there is NOTHING wrong with that, nor am I questioning your advice (because it's good advice based on your experience). Just as others saying it's fine to make a room request is good advice based on THEIR experience.

But, in the end, it's up for the OP to decide what is best for her and her family.

 

[englanddg]

I'll also add another benefit of Aruba / Jamaica. The busses run clockwise on the loop around the resort.

As a result, the Aruba / Jamaica stops tend to be the last to be picked up before departing to a park, and the first to drop off upon return. This isn't always the case, but more often than not, it is. And, to me, after a long day at the parks, being able to get back to my room quickly without having to wait through all the other stops, was nice. As well as being able to depart and knowing I only had 1 or 2 stops ahead of me, most of the time, before we headed to the parks instead of having to wait through the whole circuit.

It's minor, but it's true.

 

[daisyduckie]

I'll also add another benefit of Aruba / Jamaica. The busses run clockwise on the loop around the resort.View attachment 83137

As a result, the Aruba / Jamaica stops tend to be the last to be picked up before departing to a park, and the first to drop off upon return. This isn't always the case, but more often than not, it is. And, to me, after a long day at the parks, being able to get back to my room quickly without having to wait through all the other stops, was nice. As well as being able to depart and knowing I only had 1 or 2 stops ahead of me, most of the time, before we headed to the parks instead of having to wait through the whole circuit.

It's minor, but it's true.

During my stay Jamaica was almost always the first stop picked up, not the last. It was great for getting a seat. It was not great that you were on the bus at least 15 minutes before heading out to the parks. Maybe the route changes depending on time of year.

 

[tinkerbell24]

Just out of curiosity, this will be my first time at cbr too. My last stay was in pors but I like to try a new resort each time or I would have returned(and I was outnumbered by others in our group) Our room was in oak manor at pors and was the perfect distance for my tired legs. My question is, are any of the non preferred rooms at cbr a similar distance from the main building as oak manor would be at pors? I understand it would only be a request but with mobility issues and not wanting to pay the extra for a preferred location, your knowledge would be very appreciated. Sorry for jumping in on your post op

 

[princessmommy]

Just out of curiosity, this will be my first time at cbr too. My last stay was in pors but I like to try a new resort each time or I would have returned(and I was outnumbered by others in our group) Our room was in oak manor at pors and was the perfect distance for my tired legs. My question is, are any of the non preferred rooms at cbr a similar distance from the main building as oak manor would be at pors? I understand it would only be a request but with mobility issues and not wanting to pay the extra for a preferred location, your knowledge would be very appreciated. Sorry for jumping in on your post op

No worries!
I think the consensus is that with a standard room the best building to request is Jamaica 45 so that you are near the footbridge

 

[daisyduckie]

If you have mobility limitations, I would definitely book a preferred room. That will give you the location you need. I wouldn't take a chance on booking standard and hoping you get the location you have requested. What if you don't? Would it ruin your vacation, or make it very painful for you?

 

[Tinkerkelle]

We stayed in a pirate room in 2013. We knew it was in the farthest away buildings but it was our first time in WDW with our 2 boys (aged 6 and 9 at the time) and they were really into pirates then. It was a gorgeous room and our boys loved the themeing but, a good 10 minute walk to the pool/restaurants meant we used the pool only twice in a 10 day stay and rarely bothered with the refillable mugs which were part of our free dining plan. Being our first time with the boys, we knew we were going to focus on the parks and spend little time at the resort. Most days we were out by 8am and weren't back to the room till after 8pm so we knew we wouldn't be using the pool much anyway. If we had wanted to spend more time at the resort, I would have considered paying for a preferred room instead. The grounds were beautiful and the pool was great. We really enjoyed our stay but, like I said, if we had intended spending more time at the resort we would have wanted to be closer to the amenities.