Caribbean Beach Resort FAQ Part 3

[Minnie&Nana]

Room question for those experienced CBR folks. After reading all of the bldg location posts, I'm not sure what I should request. We stayed at CBR a long time ago and we had a view of the garden. I loved the water and so this time, I paid for water view.

To be sure I get a water view, do I have to request a certain bldg or room location? I thought I knew what to request but I'm not sure now. The walk to OPR is not a big concern to me. My daughter and I loved the walk across the bridge and along the beautiful lake.

Thanks!

Others might have a better suggestion, but since water view can include a pool view, I would add Lake view as your first request, maybe the only request. Then at check-in , if not assigned a lake view, would ask again if there is anyway it would be possible. Sometimes there might be a room available, but not ready for check-in.

We've been fortunate and have always had a lake view when requested when we booked a water view.

Good luck and have a wonderful visit!

 

[CleveRocks]

Others might have a better suggestion, but since water view can include a pool view, I would add Lake view as your first request, maybe the only request. Then at check-in , if not assigned a lake view, would ask again if there is anyway it would be possible.

EXCELLENT suggestion! Sorry I missed that. I totally agree that "lake view" be your ONLY request.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Can anyone tell me about taking a ride down the new slide at the pool? My DDs are dying to know what it is like!!!!!

 

[pistachio]

Others might have a better suggestion, but since water view can include a pool view, I would add Lake view as your first request, maybe the only request. Then at check-in , if not assigned a lake view, would ask again if there is anyway it would be possible. Sometimes there might be a room available, but not ready for check-in.

We've been fortunate and have always had a lake view when requested when we booked a water view.

Good luck and have a wonderful visit!

Thanks so much!

I have saved many of the great tips and suggestions found on this board into an email sent to myself, so I can print it out as a checklist when preparing to leave.

 

[kennylaf]

Just got back yesterday from a week long stay at the CBR and can honestly say that the resort was great. Got two enjoy the new pool two days and it was alot of fun. We had a great location for our room, in building 31 of trinidad which i found out was a preferred location, even though I had not asked for or paid for a preferred location. I just asked to be close to a bus stop and the food court, as my wife is 4 and 1/2 months pregnant. the location was great!!!

Couple observations that I made at the resort
1.. There are some cheap people out there. I saw numerous people come up to the bar, order a drink or two, pay $10.92 for the two drinks, and make sure they walked away with their 8 cents. Come on..at least give the bartender the 8 cents. Take care of your bartenders as they are taking care of you. Mike and Cathy kept my cold beers coming each night i was at the Banana Cabana and they do an awesome job.

2. I talked to one of the lifeguards who said that they could use maybe one more guard, saying that they had a few blindspots around the pool and had to be extra dilligent.

3. A sign showing people how to slide down the slides would help for those that don't speak english. I saw the lifeguards yelling numerous times for kids and adults to slide down feet first. I know that it says in english to slide down feet first, but I heard alot of foreign languages being spoken while I was there.

Hoping that they add some kind of family suites in the future as my next visit to Disney we will be a family of five adn would love to stay at CBR again.

 

[motofox4]

Is Banana Cabana still open?? If so, what time do they close at night?? Just wondering in case we want to stop by after the parks...

 

[mollyhan]

I am going crazy over planning like I always do so here is my problem (ha ha).....I have booked a pirate room for February, but the more I read I am thinking about changing to a Nemo themed room because my 2 year old LOVES Nemo...I was wondering if anyone has pictures of the Nemo room before I change reservations because I know the pirate rooms will go fast.Thanks for helping me with my craziness

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Just got back yesterday from a week long stay at the CBR and can honestly say that the resort was great. Got two enjoy the new pool two days and it was alot of fun. We had a great location for our room, in building 31 of trinidad which i found out was a preferred location, even though I had not asked for or paid for a preferred location. I just asked to be close to a bus stop and the food court, as my wife is 4 and 1/2 months pregnant. the location was great!!!

Couple observations that I made at the resort
1.. There are some cheap people out there. I saw numerous people come up to the bar, order a drink or two, pay $10.92 for the two drinks, and make sure they walked away with their 8 cents. Come on..at least give the bartender the 8 cents. Take care of your bartenders as they are taking care of you. Mike and Cathy kept my cold beers coming each night i was at the Banana Cabana and they do an awesome job.

2. I talked to one of the lifeguards who said that they could use maybe one more guard, saying that they had a few blindspots around the pool and had to be extra dilligent.

3. A sign showing people how to slide down the slides would help for those that don't speak english. I saw the lifeguards yelling numerous times for kids and adults to slide down feet first. I know that it says in english to slide down feet first, but I heard alot of foreign languages being spoken while I was there.

Hoping that they add some kind of family suites in the future as my next visit to Disney we will be a family of five adn would love to stay at CBR again.

Glad to hear you had a great trip!! Thanks for posting!

 

[CleveRocks]

I may be wrong, but I believe the "Nemo" theming is limited to two touches: the wallpaper border around the top of the room, and the bedspread/comforter.

 

[tavettava]

Love bugs are bugs that fly around in two's. They are called love bugs because they are "stuck together", they are "in love" ...and in September they are all over Disney World. They are a little annoying but not scary. Just kinda like big gnats that aren't afraid to demonstrate their affection for each other.

Hope this helps!


DW 29 DH 39 D girls

6 days till our trip

The Lovebugs were horrible when we were there in May too.

 

[wpxc]

The pool is currently open as everyone is aware but it is still currently considered a "soft opening" meaning not everything is complete yet. A good friend of mine is one of the CMs on the opening team and he has been saying there are still tons of kinks that are being worked out for the pool. For instance a big one is a lack of signage, for pool hours, pool closed signs, general rules. These things are making it very difficult for the recreation dept (lifeguards, etc) to perform their job efficiently/effectively. However all of these are being worked out and should be solved in the near future.

They will also be installing umbrellas in certain locations around the pool deck to provide shade to those who need/want it.

Unfortunately the current ruling on the pool being open past 10pm is that it will not happen anytime in the near future. However, they are planning on having simple openings from 8am-10am with ONLY the pool, no slides or kiddie area available or lifeguards on duty and then at 10am everything else will open.

Here is an explanation behind the mystery of the pool's actual opening date. According to my friend none of the CMs closely associated with the pool (lifeguards, coordinators, etc) knew when the exact opening date would be. Everyone was instructed to tell any guests who asked that the pool was still scheduled for a mid-September opening. Keep in mind that once a new area is "finished" with construction it must still undergo thorough inspection before it can be approved for use by the general public. Apparently some of the backstage areas on/around the pool deck are still somewhat incomplete but have just enough done to make it appear that the entire pool is complete.

Disney is not known for completely ignoring guest complaints so please let them know of any issues you may have (especially for anyone visiting CBR soon) with the new pool so they can try to accommodate everyone and work out all of these kinks!!

 

[inthemood]

Couple observations that I made at the resort
1.. There are some cheap people out there. I saw numerous people come up to the bar, order a drink or two, pay $10.92 for the two drinks, and make sure they walked away with their 8 cents. Come on..at least give the bartender the 8 cents. Take care of your bartenders as they are taking care of you. Mike and Cathy kept my cold beers coming each night i was at the Banana Cabana and they do an awesome job.

Not to say that what you witnessed was not someone being cheap...But..
Whenever you buy a drink an alcoholic drink that is, it has the gratuity added to the bill for all alcohol! This is WDW policy.
unless this has changed from last year, I don't know. But I will find out in a few days!
I think this is a little known fact and really should be spread around because IMHO it is a little sneaky ..

By the way we always rounded up!
ITM

 

[who me?]

The Lovebugs were horrible when we were there in May too.

ok - I am going to say it ... eeewww ... I hope they are gone by early October ?!!?!

Q: I know there are fridges in the rooms ... do they have small freezer compartments? Looking to be able to freeze partialy full water bottles (16oz Poland Spring type) to keep our water cold for long days at the park also, ice makers are pretty standard at most hotels / resorts same to assume at CBR?

Q: Anyone aware of the pool towel situation? debataing on bringing our own depending on availability / quality.... hoping to save luggage space if possible.

thanks

 

[lvvacation]

Is Banana Cabana still open?? If so, what time do they close at night?? Just wondering in case we want to stop by after the parks...

I'm curious about this too, I haven't read much about Banana Cabana. Having a few cocktails at night is part of a great vacation!

 

[safetymom]

Sure it is still open. They didn't close while the pool was closed. Not sure what time they close.

 

[wpxc]

Banana Cabana's hours are noon-midnight. There are towels available at the pool, they are just standard pool towels of decent quality.

 

[safetymom]

They were open earlier than noon the days I was over there.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Rats!

My flight gets in late, not sure if I will make it for a late night cocktail! lol

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Midnight is pretty late - maybe you could take along some wine.

 

[missmissy]

Do they have towels available at all the pools or just the big one?