Disney's CARIBBEAN BEACH RESORT Information & Questions

[GirlDreamer]

In this thread it is stated that due to construction delays the opening of the food court, full service dining and shops will be in December 2018. I have read on other sites "fall" 2018 which technically could still mean December. I am hoping it means September or October.

I would love it if it's ready for September

 

[Vern60]

I've never been to CBR, but am planning on a stay either next year or in 2020. I was reading the "what resort will you never stay at again" and was concerned to see CBR mentioned over and over. The main complaint is the fact that the resort is so spread out and it's quite a walk to wherever you want to go as well as the buses and the fact that it often takes so long just to leave the resort or get to your bus stop.
When we stay, my plan is to request Jamaica 45. It seems like the walk to Centertown isn't too bad from there. Also, there's a bus stop close. When going to the parks does this stop then stop at Aruba and leave the resort? If so, is there a good chance that the bus if full by then? There will probably be differences due to the opening of the gondola, I would think. Thanks for any info. I'm really looking forward to staying here and was sad to read all of the negative comments!

I wouldn't let the negative comments put you off too much. We've stayed at all the moderates save POFQ and CBR is our favorite by far. Granted, we have not stayed there since the construction started but I'm thinking the gondolas will make it even more awesome. Of course everything depends on your personal taste, but the Caribbean theming is pretty nice. The pool is great as well, at least IMHO.
It's true it's quite spread out, though I used to love getting some extra exercise in the morning walking a loop or two. It did used to be a pain to refill resort mugs if you stayed far out but I think the island markets now have refill machines, is this correct? We used to just shower and pack everything in the morning and head to the food court for breakfast and then just get the bus there rather than return to the room before going to parks, that saved a lot of time. If the returning buses were crowded we often would get off at another stop and enjoy a beautiful walk where the lights of the pool area would reflect off the lake, very peaceful. Oh, plus you can see evening fireworks from the resort which is nice too.

 

[GoofyGraham]

If the WiFi is good enough in CBR I shall let peeps know my first impressions tomorrow night(ish).
Flight from London arrives 3:35pm if it’s on time, or perhaps Tuesday first thing if it isn’t.
Rather annoyingly the UK weather is forecast to improve greatly just after we’ve left

 

[AnakinsDad]

Which area is best for those of us locked into standard rooms?

 

[dansdad]

Which area is best for those of us locked into standard rooms?

Jamaica 45 and Aruba 51 are our favorites. Away from the major construction yet right across the bridge from the food tent and Main Feature pool.

 

[dis_guy]

I've never been to CBR, but am planning on a stay either next year or in 2020. I was reading the "what resort will you never stay at again" and was concerned to see CBR mentioned over and over. The main complaint is the fact that the resort is so spread out and it's quite a walk to wherever you want to go as well as the buses and the fact that it often takes so long just to leave the resort or get to your bus stop.
When we stay, my plan is to request Jamaica 45. It seems like the walk to Centertown isn't too bad from there. Also, there's a bus stop close. When going to the parks does this stop then stop at Aruba and leave the resort? If so, is there a good chance that the bus if full by then? There will probably be differences due to the opening of the gondola, I would think. Thanks for any info. I'm really looking forward to staying here and was sad to read all of the negative comments!

Yeah, I saw that thread too. Just like the old days before the main pool was redone, before queen sized beds, and before Pirate themed rooms. I thought about responding but thought better of it, some folks just want to stick with their opinions. That's fine with me. The last thing many of us around here want is for CBR to become *that* resort that everyone "just has to stay at".

1. Resort size. CBR just got quite a bit smaller with the removal of Barbados. I think this size complaint can be tied into how far away check-in and check-out is at the Custom House. By the end of the year, Old Port Royal will have the new "lobby" which will make it so much easier for checking in as well as getting to and from the DME buses. OPR will have an expanded bus stop (three covered stops) to better handle any crowding there. I've honestly never understood this complaint. DW and I are in our 60s, regularly do up to 35000 steps a day in the parks and are not bothered by a 5 or 10 minute walk around the resort. I don't know how others do the parks but a bit of walking around the resort should not bother any reasonably mobile guest. If it truly is an issue then Trinidad North or Martinique is the perfect location that will be close to everything.

2. Location. Jamaica is really a good choice for a close bus stop and more than reasonable walk to OPR. We were in 4616 a few weeks ago and it was just about perfect for this. Personally I have always liked Aruba 56. Extremely close to the bus stop and was very handy to walk to/from Custom House at the beginning and end of our stay. That'll no longer be a concern in the future so I'm not sure if 56 will continue being a draw for us. The walk over to the island and on to Centertown is a very pleasant one and I really missed it in 2015 when the bridge was undergoing reconstruction. We stayed in Barbados that time.

3. Park buses. As you note, there is no way to know what will happen once the construction dust settles and the gondola begins operation. Keeping this in mind, while we were there at the end of March, they were running separate bus routes during the mornings. Jamaica and Aruba had one bus and the others had theirs. It was a very busy spring break week and we never, ever saw a full bus come to our stop in the mornings and we had baseball and lacrosse players staying at the resort at the time.

 

[AnakinsDad]

For those of you that have stayed recently and eaten at the tent buffet, if you had the dining plan was this a QS or TS meal?

 

[dis_guy]

For those of you that have stayed recently and eaten at the tent buffet, if you had the dining plan was this a QS or TS meal?

Quick Service. I thought it was a pretty good deal.

 

[Peter T.]

I was just reading on the front page that it was confirmed that much of the new stuff is now delayed until December. Who was that confirmed with? I've never seen anything official or anything and it looks like the buildings themselves are done and that it's just the insides. -sigh-

 

[KSR0330]

I wouldn't let the negative comments put you off too much. We've stayed at all the moderates save POFQ and CBR is our favorite by far. Granted, we have not stayed there since the construction started but I'm thinking the gondolas will make it even more awesome. Of course everything depends on your personal taste, but the Caribbean theming is pretty nice. The pool is great as well, at least IMHO.
It's true it's quite spread out, though I used to love getting some extra exercise in the morning walking a loop or two. It did used to be a pain to refill resort mugs if you stayed far out but I think the island markets now have refill machines, is this correct? We used to just shower and pack everything in the morning and head to the food court for breakfast and then just get the bus there rather than return to the room before going to parks, that saved a lot of time. If the returning buses were crowded we often would get off at another stop and enjoy a beautiful walk where the lights of the pool area would reflect off the lake, very peaceful. Oh, plus you can see evening fireworks from the resort which is nice too.

Yeah, I saw that thread too. Just like the old days before the main pool was redone, before queen sized beds, and before Pirate themed rooms. I thought about responding but thought better of it, some folks just want to stick with their opinions. That's fine with me. The last thing many of us around here want is for CBR to become *that* resort that everyone "just has to stay at".

1. Resort size. CBR just got quite a bit smaller with the removal of Barbados. I think this size complaint can be tied into how far away check-in and check-out is at the Custom House. By the end of the year, Old Port Royal will have the new "lobby" which will make it so much easier for checking in as well as getting to and from the DME buses. OPR will have an expanded bus stop (three covered stops) to better handle any crowding there. I've honestly never understood this complaint. DW and I are in our 60s, regularly do up to 35000 steps a day in the parks and are not bothered by a 5 or 10 minute walk around the resort. I don't know how others do the parks but a bit of walking around the resort should not bother any reasonably mobile guest. If it truly is an issue then Trinidad North or Martinique is the perfect location that will be close to everything.

2. Location. Jamaica is really a good choice for a close bus stop and more than reasonable walk to OPR. We were in 4616 a few weeks ago and it was just about perfect for this. Personally I have always liked Aruba 56. Extremely close to the bus stop and was very handy to walk to/from Custom House at the beginning and end of our stay. That'll no longer be a concern in the future so I'm not sure if 56 will continue being a draw for us. The walk over to the island and on to Centertown is a very pleasant one and I really missed it in 2015 when the bridge was undergoing reconstruction. We stayed in Barbados that time.

3. Park buses. As you note, there is no way to know what will happen once the construction dust settles and the gondola begins operation. Keeping this in mind, while we were there at the end of March, they were running separate bus routes during the mornings. Jamaica and Aruba had one bus and the others had theirs. It was a very busy spring break week and we never, ever saw a full bus come to our stop in the mornings and we had baseball and lacrosse players staying at the resort at the time.

Thanks for the replies! It sounds like the resort will be even more wonderful once everything is complete. Now to hope a big increase in price won't go along with it!

 

[dis_guy]

Thanks for the replies! It sounds like the resort will be even more wonderful once everything is complete. Now to hope a big increase in price won't go along with it!

No, no, no, Disney would *never* do anything like that!

 

[dansdad]

I've never been to CBR, but am planning on a stay either next year or in 2020. I was reading the "what resort will you never stay at again" and was concerned to see CBR mentioned over and over. The main complaint is the fact that the resort is so spread out and it's quite a walk to wherever you want to go as well as the buses and the fact that it often takes so long just to leave the resort or get to your bus stop.
When we stay, my plan is to request Jamaica 45. It seems like the walk to Centertown isn't too bad from there. Also, there's a bus stop close. When going to the parks does this stop then stop at Aruba and leave the resort? If so, is there a good chance that the bus if full by then? There will probably be differences due to the opening of the gondola, I would think. Thanks for any info. I'm really looking forward to staying here and was sad to read all of the negative comments!

I'm a little late and see that others have tried to temper your concern. But wanted to say that before our first stay at CBR we were worried about all the haters of it here on the DIS. We had to try CBR instead of our go to at the that time, POR, in order to get Free Dining. After booking I started researching CBR here and came very close to switching to POR and giving up our discount. But a few DIS members were able to talk me into giving it a try and I am so grateful they did. Ever since that first trip CBR has become our favorite Moderate by far and our 2nd favorite resort in all of WDW right behind Boardwalk Inn. When I saw that thread you mentioned, I knew CBR was going to get bashed. But as I read through it all I tallied up the totals and was happy that CBR did not have the most votes. Pop had the most followed by Sports, Movies then Music. CBR did get the most Moderate votes but not by that much. CSR - 12, POR - 13 and CBR- 15.

 

[Cheryl Adams]

2. Location. Jamaica is really a good choice for a close bus stop and more than reasonable walk to OPR. We were in 4616 a few weeks ago and it was just about perfect for this. Personally I have always liked Aruba 56. Extremely close to the bus stop and was very handy to walk to/from Custom House at the beginning and end of our stay. That'll no longer be a concern in the future so I'm not sure if 56 will continue being a draw for us. The walk over to the island and on to Centertown is a very pleasant one and I really missed it in 2015 when the bridge was undergoing reconstruction. We stayed in Barbados that time.

Thank you @dis_guy! I've been trying to get this kind of info about CBR. We will be there in Sept.

 

[AnakinsDad]

If you have existing reservations, is there a way to specify that you want a particular building/area of the resort?

 

[dansdad]

If you have existing reservations, is there a way to specify that you want a particular building/area of the resort?

Yup. Call the Main Reservations line and add any room requests to your reservation. This can be done anytime from the day you book up until 4-5 days out. When within that time frame makes no difference.

 

[GoofyGraham]

Well, we’re here...... just a quick update as I’ve been up since 5.45am (UK time) that’s now 20 hours!!
Seeing the new resort building on the way in isn’t the best greeting but, it is what it is, and we’re not here to sit and look at it.
Check in was efficient, bell services delivered us to the room quickly and gave us a quick tour of the site.
I’d requested a ground floor room close to a bus stop and within walking distance to as much as possible as I don’t know how my lung cancer will fare after doing the parks during the day. We’ve got 4604, it’s best feature by far is it’s spitting distance from the Jamaica bus stop.
We’ve walked around parts of the resort, stopping at the food tent to get our refillable mugs... went in to fill them and had a look at the buffet. It looks and smells fantastic (looks dashed good value for QS credit). Didn’t eat there tho, walked over to Spy Glass; the chorizo burger is really good!
It began to get dark while we were out and the resort still looks nice all lit up.
I have no regrets about booking here and am looking forward to the next 2 weeks.
Enough for now as I can barely focus, need sleep.

 

[Disneylvr]

Well, we’re here...... just a quick update as I’ve been up since 5.45am (UK time) that’s now 20 hours!!
Seeing the new resort building on the way in isn’t the best greeting but, it is what it is, and we’re not here to sit and look at it.
Check in was efficient, bell services delivered us to the room quickly and gave us a quick tour of the site.
I’d requested a ground floor room close to a bus stop and within walking distance to as much as possible as I don’t know how my lung cancer will fare after doing the parks during the day. We’ve got 4604, it’s best feature by far is it’s spitting distance from the Jamaica bus stop.
We’ve walked around parts of the resort, stopping at the food tent to get our refillable mugs... went in to fill them and had a look at the buffet. It looks and smells fantastic (looks dashed good value for QS credit). Didn’t eat there tho, walked over to Spy Glass; the chorizo burger is really good!
It began to get dark while we were out and the resort still looks nice all lit up.
I have no regrets about booking here and am looking forward to the next 2 weeks.
Enough for now as I can barely focus, need sleep.

Thanks for your report and have a restful night.

 

[speeb]

Also here now. Got Aruba 54. I love it here. My 6yo wasn't impressed with being the last stop coming back from Epcot this evening, but it really wasn't that bad.

Because of how the islands are set up, it's pretty easy to forget about the construction IMO. Until you look at the northern part of the lake. It's a beautiful resort and I would 100% stay again. Oh, but keep in mind, too, that we're a family of 5 and that does limit our options. The Murphy bed is adorable. We're rotating the kids through.

The island markets are pretty uninspired, but they are convenient. It would be nice if they made them permanent and gussied them up.

Pulled pork hoagie was 'meh'. But the warm potato salad is like a delicious hash. Anyone know if they serve that at breakfast?

Hoping to get over to Spyglass Grill at some point here...

 

[Minniemoo15]

We are huge CBR fans - 15+ stays over the years and no matter which resort we try we keep coming back. This year we stayed at Beach Club and AKL due to the construction at CBR. We really loved BC but found AKL just OK (it was nice and everything but we really prefer the theming of CBR).

Anyway - looking ahead to March 2019. We have a request in with Davids for BC, but I want a back up if it doesn’t come through. What are the chances OPR will be up and running by March 2019? I’m trying to get excited about POR or CSR and I just can’t. I don’t mind the gondola or Riviera construction but have no desire to eat in a tent.

 

[CopperWife]

Hi! We are booked for our first stay at CBR in early June. I’ve been lurking in this thread for a while and read the first couple of posts a couple times now. I am considering a fishing expedition on our last morning as a surprise to the husband and kiddos. The post regarding fishing says they no longer rent boats, but I’m assuming the guided tours are different? The Disney website lists CBR as a location for fishing. Anyway, had anyone done a fishing “trip” here?