Disney's CARIBBEAN BEACH RESORT Information & Questions

[dansdad]

Hello!! So. I’ve only stayed at CBR once and that was several years ago. It was not my cup of tea but I have decided to give it another try on my trip in December just because of the Skyliner and just wanting to give it another chance because it is a beautiful resort.
Here is my dilemma- deciding between a preferred or standard room. I want to be close to the skyliner. Right now, I am booked preferred but if I went to standard it would save me around 250 bucks for my trip. Any suggestions or advice would be very appreciated.

We have always booked Standard at CBR as the price difference never seemed worth it. Jamaica 45 and Aruba 51 are both great locations for a Standard room. Both are equidistant to either Skyliner Station and are closer to OPR and the Main Feature pool than some Preferred rooms.

 

[Dug720]

What I really want is a Tower room at CSR and I'm still hoping to snag one

You may already know this and may have already checked, but I've noticed that the GDT rooms are much further down towards the bottom, even after other room types not available. So there are times I've been looking and think they aren't when really they are.

Apologies if you already know that.

 

[disneydreamer781]

You may already know this and may have already checked, but I've noticed that the GDT rooms are much further down towards the bottom, even after other room types not available. So there are times I've been looking and think they aren't when really they are.

Apologies if you already know that.

Hi! Yeah, I have noticed that. Thanks for the info though!

 

[Spazz2k]

Yes, getting upgraded without asking can happen to anyone. It's not as common as reports on here would lead people to believe, but it does happen.

BUT in your post you specifically mentioned booking standard and then "if we don't like the location, we just goto the front desk and ask to change to wherever we would like to stay". Big difference between them upgrading you without your asking for anything and you asking for "wherever you would like to stay" - especially if you always book standard and then that "wherever you would like to stay" is always in a preferred location. Eventually you will run into a CM who says "Yes, we do have rooms in that area for x-amount more" and not do it for free.

Actually never stated that every time we ask to change location it is to a preferred room. We have no problem asking for any building depending on who we are with and what we are going to be doing. If we are doing DHS we will stay close to the skyliner and prefer to be there...if we are just hanging out at the pool and bar area, then we will ask to stay closer to that area. I really don't care if they can make it happen or not, but it def does not hurt to ask. There are people who do and there are people who don't....but I actually do not think luck has that much to do with it....just stating that if the person wanted to save $200...get a standard room, you can always ask for preferred location and see what happens....

 

[Dug720]

Actually never stated that every time we ask to change location it is to a preferred room. We have no problem asking for any building depending on who we are with and what we are going to be doing. If we are doing DHS we will stay close to the skyliner and prefer to be there...if we are just hanging out at the pool and bar area, then we will ask to stay closer to that area. I really don't care if they can make it happen or not, but it def does not hurt to ask. There are people who do and there are people who don't....but I actually do not think luck has that much to do with it....just stating that if the person wanted to save $200...get a standard room, you can always ask for preferred location and see what happens....

OK, fine.

BUT that person should be prepared to be charged for the upgrade if they ask.

 

[hereforthechurros]

Our first stay at CBR was in May 2017 when construction was in full swing. This definitely influenced our feelings regarding the resort and we’ve avoided it since. However we did one night there this past weekend and it won us over. The Skyliner is just the best. To waltz right onto transport without waiting, have your own space/quiet, enjoy great views and be to your destination within minutes is just amazing. But the resort itself has come so far. Love the new lobby, love Banana Cabana, love Caribbean Cay. We walked along the water and beach to Riviera for breakfast. I imagine with Skyglass and Sebastian’s open its even better.

We booked a preferred room and requested Barbados but were placed in Martinique. We didn’t mind the walk to the pool or Centertown nor the walk to the Skyliner at Riviera. First floor staring right at the parking lot which is always our luck.

POR is our fave mod but CBR may be right up there too!

 

[nkereina]

Any recent Skyliner to DHS reports? I saw a few pages back that someone lined up roughly 90 minutes prior to the Skyliner opening. So for a 10am DHS open, I believe Skyliner opens at 9am, so its advisable to line up around 7:30-7:45 to be near the front of the DHS Skyliner line. Is this accurate? How far back does this put you at the DHS entry line?

 

[GlowTheWeird]

Any recent Skyliner to DHS reports? I saw a few pages back that someone lined up roughly 90 minutes prior to the Skyliner opening. So for a 10am DHS open, I believe Skyliner opens at 9am, so its advisable to line up around 7:30-7:45 to be near the front of the DHS Skyliner line. Is this accurate? How far back does this put you at the DHS entry line?

I would line up at 730-745, this is what we said, and we were some of the first few into DHS. With that park being the most impacted with wait times, it’s worth doing the wait for the skyliner earlier than later.

 

[tinkattitude!]

We came back 10 days ago. We went about 30 minutes before Skyliner open and weren’t at the front of the line but once it started moving it was fast, got to DHS in plenty of time for park opening

 

[disneyfreak202]

Leaving for florida in about 9 days (we leave on the 24th). Currently we are booked at Pop for our first 3 nights, but I have been reading that it is insanely crowded and transportation isn't the best right now with Covid. Thinking of maybe switching to CBR. We can currently get a Water/Pool view-5th sleeper for about $163 more. Do you think it is worth it? It is just my boyfriend and I. The pop rooms appealed to us because we could leave the murphy bed up and the skyliner, thought we will only be using the skyliner once, possibly twice. Our plan is to arrive at 5:30pm then day 1 is MK, day 2 is AK and dinner at Ale and Compass, and then day 3 is Epcot and we are switching to BCV. Thoughts? Going to try and change tomorrow if people think it would be worth it. My biggest concern is transportation. I have stayed at Pop before and it was nice for a value, but just seems covid is making it busier at that resort?

 

[monica9]

Hi. Visting next Oct/Nov 2021 and staying Pool/Waterview. On touring plans I'm seeing there are a few rooms availble in the Barbados section. Is this the best choice to be closest to the food court and not too far from the pool? We stayed at CBR in 2010 last so all I remember is staying in Jamaica and it being so far from food court to grab coffee early in the morning! Do they now have coffee/soda stations in all the sections? What would you request if you can request (I know requests can't always be made but in the 8 years I've always gotten the request or close to it). Thanks for the help!

 

[GlowTheWeird]

Hi. Visting next Oct/Nov 2021 and staying Pool/Waterview. On touring plans I'm seeing there are a few rooms availble in the Barbados section. Is this the best choice to be closest to the food court and not too far from the pool? We stayed at CBR in 2010 last so all I remember is staying in Jamaica and it being so far from food court to grab coffee early in the morning! Do they now have coffee/soda stations in all the sections? What would you request if you can request (I know requests can't always be made but in the 8 years I've always gotten the request or close to it). Thanks for the help!

We had room 3150 water view/pool view type room in Barbados. Nice and close to run and grab food. We liked that location. The self serve soda stations and coffee areas are not open, you need to go in to the quick service area where they will give you a paper cup of soda. We liked CBR, but also, wouldn’t return because of how distanced the buildings are. The property is expansive, and sometimes I just want to run to grab a snack a bit easier. We were grateful to be in the Barbados building. Have fun on your trip!

 

[monica9]

Also, can you see fireworks from anywhere in CBR?

 

[monica9]

We had room 3150 water view/pool view type room in Barbados. Nice and close to run and grab food. We liked that location. The self serve soda stations and coffee areas are not open, you need to go in to the quick service area where they will give you a paper cup of soda. We liked CBR, but also, wouldn’t return because of how distanced the buildings are. The property is expansive, and sometimes I just want to run to grab a snack a bit easier. We were grateful to be in the Barbados building. Have fun on your trip!

We said we'd never go there again too because of how big it was. Right now Disney isn't offering enough in our price range since so many resorts are closed. Husband won't go to Pop so I'm stuck here. We hated Coronado Springs and would choose this over there.

 

[nkereina]

Leaving for florida in about 9 days (we leave on the 24th). Currently we are booked at Pop for our first 3 nights, but I have been reading that it is insanely crowded and transportation isn't the best right now with Covid. Thinking of maybe switching to CBR. We can currently get a Water/Pool view-5th sleeper for about $163 more. Do you think it is worth it? It is just my boyfriend and I. The pop rooms appealed to us because we could leave the murphy bed up and the skyliner, thought we will only be using the skyliner once, possibly twice. Our plan is to arrive at 5:30pm then day 1 is MK, day 2 is AK and dinner at Ale and Compass, and then day 3 is Epcot and we are switching to BCV. Thoughts? Going to try and change tomorrow if people think it would be worth it. My biggest concern is transportation. I have stayed at Pop before and it was nice for a value, but just seems covid is making it busier at that resort?

DH and I switched from Pop to CBR about a month ago because of the reports I was seeing about bus service from Pop. I think bus service will be long no matter where you're coming from because of the social distancing measures, but it seems to be better managed at CBR from what I can gather.

As far as the Skyliner, you're at a better advantage coming from CBR because you would not have to transfer lines like you would coming from Pop. CBR is the main hub.

Personally, I think its worth $163 more to change resorts. We made the same decision and paid more than that. Also, being that you'll likely have more time to spend at the resort than normal, its a nicer resort with more amenities that would be conducive to this. Also walking distance to Riviera.

Also, can you see fireworks from anywhere in CBR?

Maybe from DHS? I know when Illuminations was still showing, you could see and hear some of the fireworks. But that was not really something that could be enjoyed outside of the park, since the bulk of the show was on the water with a few fireworks at the end.

 

[monica9]

DH and I switched from Pop to CBR about a month ago because of the reports I was seeing about bus service from Pop. I think bus service will be long no matter where you're coming from because of the social distancing measures, but it seems to be better managed at CBR from what I can gather.

As far as the Skyliner, you're at a better advantage coming from CBR because you would not have to transfer lines like you would coming from Pop. CBR is the main hub.

Personally, I think its worth $163 more to change resorts. We made the same decision and paid more than that. Also, being that you'll likely have more time to spend at the resort than normal, its a nicer resort with more amenities that would be conducive to this. Also walking distance to Riviera.


Maybe from DHS? I know when Illuminations was still showing, you could see and hear some of the fireworks. But that was not really something that could be enjoyed outside of the park, since the bulk of the show was on the water with a few fireworks at the end.

Very true about the resort. I'm not too keen on the skyliner only because we were there when it first opening last September and were on it the day those people got stuck on it for hours because of the crash. agh! I guess we will still go on it but I will be holding my breath the whole time!
We really liked the splash pad and pirate themed pool so looking forward to that. Still thinking about renting dvc points from someone and staying on the monorail like we did last year. It's cheaper than staying at CBR but with so much unknown, I'm not willing to pay upfront for it as of yet.

 

[WEDWDW]

Also, can you see fireworks from anywhere in CBR?

Absolutely!!!!

You can see Epcot and DHS fireworks VERY well(the high ones) and also the MK fireworks in the distance.

My favorite spot is right outside Banana Cabana.

 

[emsstacey]

Leaving for florida in about 9 days (we leave on the 24th). Currently we are booked at Pop for our first 3 nights, but I have been reading that it is insanely crowded and transportation isn't the best right now with Covid. Thinking of maybe switching to CBR. We can currently get a Water/Pool view-5th sleeper for about $163 more. Do you think it is worth it? It is just my boyfriend and I. The pop rooms appealed to us because we could leave the murphy bed up and the skyliner, thought we will only be using the skyliner once, possibly twice. Our plan is to arrive at 5:30pm then day 1 is MK, day 2 is AK and dinner at Ale and Compass, and then day 3 is Epcot and we are switching to BCV. Thoughts? Going to try and change tomorrow if people think it would be worth it. My biggest concern is transportation. I have stayed at Pop before and it was nice for a value, but just seems covid is making it busier at that resort?

I stayed at Pop last week... it was fine but I would have enjoyed CBR more. I wish I had switched and paid the extra. I miss hot tubs, and Pop is the only value open.

 

[kaitlin-n-mom]

Does anyone know if CBR has cases of water to purchase in the gift shop or quick service restaurant?

 

[Sujo1214]

DH and I switched from Pop to CBR about a month ago because of the reports I was seeing about bus service from Pop. I think bus service will be long no matter where you're coming from because of the social distancing measures, but it seems to be better managed at CBR from what I can gather.

As far as the Skyliner, you're at a better advantage coming from CBR because you would not have to transfer lines like you would coming from Pop. CBR is the main hub.

Personally, I think its worth $163 more to change resorts. We made the same decision and paid more than that. Also, being that you'll likely have more time to spend at the resort than normal, its a nicer resort with more amenities that would be conducive to this. Also walking distance to Riviera.


Maybe from DHS? I know when Illuminations was still showing, you could see and hear some of the fireworks. But that was not really something that could be enjoyed outside of the park, since the bulk of the show was on the water with a few fireworks at the end.

I also changed from POP to CBR about a month ago due to the skyliner lines I was reading about. I am going next month. I was especially concerned that lines would be worse once AOA opens.