Disney's CARIBBEAN BEACH RESORT Information & Questions

[dansdad]

Again you are the bestest
Can you just plan my whole trip?
Thanks
Hey take the kids and I’ll just sleep the whole week in the hotel lol

 

[G719]

So trying to finalize things and am thinking of arrival day . I know check in time is 3 officially but we will be arriving around noon.. I will pack all our swim stuff etc in carry ons just wondering what time most ppl are getting in and what time would be safe for grocery delivery. Think 2pm or should I just say 3?
We have dining res at TRex at 6 pm
Thanks

Bell services can hold your groceries if your room isn't quite ready when they are delivered.

 

[dis_guy]

I'm back now, from another wonderful week at CBR. This was the first time in five years that we've gone as a family with our two adult kids. Apparently the magic of WDW is that it turns us all into 12 year olds again. We had a blast!

After a 6:00 AM MDT start from home with a successful but tight 43 minute connection, we arrived at MCO right on time. As we had used our yellow DME tags, we strolled directly to the Magical Express and boarded immediately. After maybe 5 minutes, we were on our way with CBR being the first stop. Nice.

This was our first time experiencing the new OPR and I must say I totally approve of the change. No lines, just lots of CMs waiting to greet guests and they simply approached us and escorted us to an available check in counter. So, we were all checked in and ready to go to our available rooms at 4:30 PM. So being in no hurry, we explored the new OPR, bought our resort mugs (come on Disney, it's time for a new design) grabbed some drinks and wandered over to our rooms.

I had requested 1) connecting rooms (as we decided to have a room for the kids and another for mom and dad- glad we did, much less stressful) 2) Jamaica and 3) near the bus stop. We were given 4641 and 4642. Bingo on all three requests, though the CM who checked us in insisted it was in Aruba, hmmm. We just smiled, but a first time guest might have been confused by that.

After dropping off our carry ons, we wandered around the resort awhile then went to our rooms to freshen up a bit before heading to EPCOT for evening EMH and some much needed food at Sunshine Seasons. It was exactly 6:30 when we opened our door to go the the bus stop and what did we see? Our luggage being brought to us by a bell man. Let me emphasize this, TWO hours after check in and the bags were in our rooms. Think about that. Not even in the "good old days" when the standard was about three hours after checking in did they actually arrive this quick. I was amazed, and I told him so. Last time, we checked in at 6 PM and our bags finally arrived after 12 AM. It was a very nice surprise, to say the least.

I'll probably be adding some posts with more details but for now ,I'll leave you with a couple of interesting pieces of news from CBR.

First is the arrival of gondolas at the CBR station. I could plainly see some on a trailer from Trinidad but we did glimpse maybe a dozen or so already hanging in the gondola parking area in the back of the station. All still had the plastic "wrap" on them.

Second is the removal of lots of palm trees near the lake in Jamaica and Aruba. I suspect this has to do with the Skyliner path and hopefully they will replace them with shorter species. That is just my guess.

Once I get unpacked, I'll put up a few pictures if I can remember how to do it.

 

[Dis703]

3 days out and I totally forgot about ordering groceries this trip. Although it's only 2 adults so no worries about the kids snacks as usual.

I think I'm just going to pick up a few things at the resort gift shop. Do they still sell cases of water though? I thought I remembered reading that some resorts didn't have it anymore. Also does anyone know what the cereal selection is like? I think they mostly carried Kelloggs throughout the parks, but couldn't remember the selection.

TIA!

 

[dis_guy]

@Dis703 I didn't see water by the case there last week. We ordered some from Garden Grocer and if you're quick you can avoid the next day delivery fee they have. Pricy, yeah, but way cheaper than paying Disney Prices for individual bottles. Can't help with the cereal question, though.

 

[G719]

3 days out and I totally forgot about ordering groceries this trip. Although it's only 2 adults so no worries about the kids snacks as usual.

I think I'm just going to pick up a few things at the resort gift shop. Do they still sell cases of water though? I thought I remembered reading that some resorts didn't have it anymore. Also does anyone know what the cereal selection is like? I think they mostly carried Kelloggs throughout the parks, but couldn't remember the selection.

TIA!

You could use instacart. I found them to be cheaper than garden grocer.

 

[Dis703]

@Dis703 I didn't see water by the case there last week. We ordered some from Garden Grocer and if you're quick you can avoid the next day delivery fee they have. Pricy, yeah, but way cheaper than paying Disney Prices for individual bottles. Can't help with the cereal question, though.

Thanks. I know it's been hard to find sometimes in the past and even kept in back last time I was at Pop. Worst case we'll have a car I just don't care to have to go anywhere.

 

[Dis703]

You could use instacart. I found them to be cheaper than garden grocer.

Thanks. We may just drive somewhere if it comes down to it. Really just need some breakfast items and water so not really worth the delivery fees.

 

[firefly_ris]

Our incoming flight arrives at 7:50pm in a few weeks. I'm trying to figure out if I should use the luggage tags or not. I'll be flying with my 3 kids by myself (ages 5, 7 and 8). I'll have at least one carry on. I'm wondering just how late the luggage could arrive at the room with that late flight. I don't think it would wake up the kids but I don't want to go to bed at 1am either... not sure what the wisest move is here.

 

[Haley R]

Our incoming flight arrives at 7:50pm in a few weeks. I'm trying to figure out if I should use the luggage tags or not. I'll be flying with my 3 kids by myself (ages 5, 7 and 8). I'll have at least one carry on. I'm wondering just how late the luggage could arrive at the room with that late flight. I don't think it would wake up the kids but I don't want to go to bed at 1am either... not sure what the wisest move is here.

Hmmm that is a tough one. I’ve never been with kids but that seems like a lot of hassle to get bags for all of you. What airline are you flying in with?

 

[ksromack]

Our incoming flight arrives at 7:50pm in a few weeks. I'm trying to figure out if I should use the luggage tags or not. I'll be flying with my 3 kids by myself (ages 5, 7 and 8). I'll have at least one carry on. I'm wondering just how late the luggage could arrive at the room with that late flight. I don't think it would wake up the kids but I don't want to go to bed at 1am either... not sure what the wisest move is here.

I would just check them with the yellow tags and hope for the best. That is too much for you to handle with 3 kids....at least it would be for me!

 

[Caitlyn Allen]

I stayed at Caribbean Beach once before with my family but really didn't take advantage of the resort at all.
Are there any hidden gems or activities I should know about? This was also before the refurb as well!

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Our incoming flight arrives at 7:50pm in a few weeks. I'm trying to figure out if I should use the luggage tags or not. I'll be flying with my 3 kids by myself (ages 5, 7 and 8). I'll have at least one carry on. I'm wondering just how late the luggage could arrive at the room with that late flight. I don't think it would wake up the kids but I don't want to go to bed at 1am either... not sure what the wisest move is here.

It'll be too much to handle luggage and kids.

I think you can request at bell services for them to hold your luggage until the morning, and call when you get up for them to deliver it. Negative with this is that it prevents an early morning departure for a park.

Personally, I would bite the bullet and stay up waiting for the luggage to arrive. Chances are good it'll come by 11 pm (though as you said, it could be later).

 

[dis_guy]

Personally, I would bite the bullet and stay up waiting for the luggage to arrive. Chances are good it'll come by 11 pm (though as you said, it could be later).

This is what I'd do. Yes it's a roll of the dice, but if you're lucky, it'll pay off, if not, you'll get your bags in the morning. We come from the west so on arrival 12 AM feels like 10 PM so it's not as big a deal for us as for folks on eastern time. As always have your essentials for the first night in your carry ons.

Good luck. Let us know what your experience is like after your trip.

 

[msrika]

Are the smoking areas the ones with orange cones? I'm trying to figure out my room request and the room I'm most attached to has a bench with a trash can and then an orange cone next to it. My son and I both have asthma so its probably best we avoid a smoking area (as best as we can).

 

[firefly_ris]

Thanks all. I'll be planning to have our essentials in the carry on, so if the luggage doesn't come until really late or morning then it won't affect bedtime routine.

My husband will be meeting us at the resort when we arrive (he gets there a day ahead due to being in FL for work) so I won't be alone there but yeah I'll be alone with them at the airport (Southwest for Haley who asked). I think I'll do the yellow tags and wait up for it... one less thing to have my eyes on!

 

[CplUseless]

Again you are the bestest
Can you just plan my whole trip?
Thanks
Hey take the kids and I’ll just sleep the whole week in the hotel lol

I would gladly volunteer if a plane ticket and a bed are included! Actually a pillow and a spot on the floor wouldn't be a deal breaker either...

 

[jimitrout]

Thank you to all the knowledgeable people who are on this thread. Just spent some time reading through the last few pages and there is so much info here!! We are planning our 2nd wdw trip and were planning to go to pop again but just changed to cbr and we are so excited! I think I have some good ideas on where we might want to request. I just have a question about parking. We will be driving to the resort and driving to the parks each day. We will also be lugging the giant double stroller with us! I read there are no elevators so I should request ground floor. Any other things I need to consider? From the map it doesn’t look like any buildings would be too far from parking but please let me know if there are any places it would be difficult to get to/from with our littles. Thanks so much!

We did the same thing originally booked Pop then when specials came upgraded to moderate(CBR). We are Excited. Something to think about. as far as the Stroller and the first or second floor. We have always rented a car and have a double stroller but the stroller rarely leaves the car trunk so the upper floors werent a big deal for us and we just like the view from second floor better. Just a thought.

 

[Haley R]

Thanks all. I'll be planning to have our essentials in the carry on, so if the luggage doesn't come until really late or morning then it won't affect bedtime routine.

My husband will be meeting us at the resort when we arrive (he gets there a day ahead due to being in FL for work) so I won't be alone there but yeah I'll be alone with them at the airport (Southwest for Haley who asked). I think I'll do the yellow tags and wait up for it... one less thing to have my eyes on!

The reason I asked is because southwest is on the opposite side of dme so you would have to go downstairs to get your bags, back upstairs, across to the other terminal, and downstairs to dme.

 

[firefly_ris]

The reason I asked is because southwest is on the opposite side of dme so you would have to go downstairs to get your bags, back upstairs, across to the other terminal, and downstairs to dme.

I see! Good thought thanks. Sounds like some extra trekking I can avoid by using the tags then, I had not thought about that. Wish me luck!