Caribbean Beach Resort any good?

[Keith]

Ok all, opinions needed... anyone stayed at CBR ? what did you like/dislike? would you stay there again?

The story so far....

We have AP rates on AKL for 7nights in december + 2nights at coronado (all we could get to fill in) then 7 nights at the grand floridian (SSSSHHHHHH don't tell! It's a surprise!) :hehe: :whistle:

...but I KNOW I'm going to miss that dining plan :( disney's tempter worked on me. I took the free dining in September and LOVED it so much I'd be willing to pay for it now.

So I've been looking at paying full rate to get the dining package in December for at least part of the time! I was thinking well forgot AKL and coronado and just do a value at full price plus dining.

anyway with todays discounts, Mac has found us CBR with dining for only a couple of hundred quid more than AKL+coronado. AYAY dining plan! :>>

Pros of moving to it:-
DINING PLAN!!!!! for 9 nights for not much more money at all
wouldn't need to pack up and do 2 nights at coronado then move again
we've never stayed at CBR so it'd be another one off our list :)

cons:
may lose AP deposits (dont know yet)
it IS still $400 more (but I think we'd spend more than that dining for 9 days/nights anyway ;-)
Lose out on a deluxe resort -> moderate


Having never stayed at CBR I just don't have any sort of clue if it's the kinda place we'd enjoy for 9 nights.

Any help??

[uscwest]

Caribbean Beach was interesting to say the least for it. I don't even remember right now what part of it we stayed in but do know that we were a bit of a walk to the food court. We loved the pool bar. My own personal preference in a Mod is POR or POFQ but if I could only get CB then I wouldn't complain.

[PaulaK]

I didn't like it :blush: It's a huge resort and we had to take our car to the food court. :hehe: We just thought it was dull, with no atmosphere. It was our first onsite experience and it felt no different than staying round the corner on HPB. We were quite disappointed with it. My main problem with it was the noise from large groups of teenagers. We moved rooms after a few nights to get away from one group. It put me right off staying anywhere with outdoor corridors and courtyards below! That's just me though. :blush:

[Whitequeen]

I can't see you at CBR.:unsure: There's nothing wrong with it, it's just noisy, busy, loud. I saw it as a 'Large Family Gathering' place, if that makes sense.
I didn't dislike it, but it isn't POR.

[triciacarole]

I found it OK, didn't like the long walk to the main buildings especially in the rain. Food choice rather limited also. The kids liked it.

[Whitequeen]

Yeah! That's another thing. Reception is a different building in a different location to the Food Court.:(
The main pool was very busy although the quiet pool we used was......well.....quiet.:D
I didn't like CBR when I got there as I'm sure was reported at the time,:rolleyes: but I warmed to it by the end of 10 days. I'm not sure for you and H though, Keith.:unsure:

[wdwgrandma]

I don't normally complain about having to walk to the food court, but we needed a back pack and hiking boots when we stayed there... We were pretty far away. And it was unusually hot that Mother's Day weekend. So by the time we walked all the way from the room, we were sweaty and tired. Really hot with the sun reflecting off all that concrete...

One plus is that it is a pretty resort.

[Keith]

Yikes back pack and hiking boots !

We've considered cbr before but always kinda been put off and I suspect it won't be a resort we're going to love (although you never know).

Thing is, I don't much fancy the idea of swapping a resort for just 2 nights either :/ and I do like the idea of the dining plan.

hmmmmm

[Whitequeen]

Well, you know, you MUST try all the resorts. :D Perhaps this is a good time to do CBR.............for the Dining Plan, of course.:wink:

[Johnie]

Any sacrifice must be made for the dining plan! Just think the walk will be good for you since you'll be on the dining plan :wink:

I've never been to CBR. It just doesn't appeal to me though I can't really say why. I do have a friend who absolutely LOVES it and won't stay anywhere else.

[Mickeymac]

Keith, I wandered in here, and knew you were going to get concerned. Remember that for every Guest who posts what can be construed as a negative experience, there are 10 positives guests who just silently shake their heads and say 'but *I* had a great time there' and don't post because they don't want to cause conflict. I don't like Pop, had a rough time there. Yet I chaulk that up to one experience and keep recommending it, because although something might not be right for ME, it might be right for someone else's family, know what I mean?

Do what YOU want to do. :p As Whitequeen says, if dining plan is more important than the resort, go for it. If ambiance is more important, it doesn't get any better than AKL. Just don't second guess yourself after the fact or you'll drive me - UH! I MEAN - yourself and your wife - nuts. :D

[Whitequeen]

Yes, you'll need the excercise.:lol:

Request Building 25 or 26 in Martinique. If you got any nearer to the Food Court, you'd be helping in the kitchen.:D It's a long way to check-in from there though.:shrug:

[Johnie]

Let me ask a question. Years ago when we went to Dixie Landings, the took us and our bags via the golf cart to our rooms. Do they still do that? I would think a place as large as CBR would.

[Whitequeen]

I think they do, Johnie. We, obviously got there somehow.:lol:

[Johnie]

:lol: good to know. I remember thinking that place was huge. You know we only made it to the food court once.

[Keith]

Just don't second guess yourself after the fact or you'll drive me - UH! I MEAN - yourself and your wife - nuts. :D

:lol: too funny :)

I'm not exactly worried... but I did want to get feedback from people I knew on how they found it. I'm willing to sacrifice a fair deal for the dining plan because dining in nice places is a big deal for us so I think we get a lot out of it. It's just I wouldn't want to be stuck somewhere with some really objectionable feature for 9 nights.... if we were a really long way from the food court then I must admit, that would be a problem.

To be honest, after reading all the posts and loads of reviews, although I don't think it'll be our fave resort, I think it'll be fine for december as long as we can snaffle a room close to the food court :/ the martinique blocks get rave reviews for closeness.

I do like AKL but Im not sure I want to give up 9 nights of dining plan for it :/

[uscwest]

We have a tendency to use the food courts on a daily basis, if for no other reason than to get our first cup of coffee. When we were at CBR, as Donna says, it was a long walk and the coffee cooled quite a bit before I got back to the room. So I would take the car so that I could come back with hot coffee. :lol:

[Keith]

:lol: good to know. I remember thinking that place was huge. You know we only made it to the food court once.

See that's the scary part.... Helen would definitely want to start off the day with a drink and some fruit at the food court. If we're REALLY a long way off, that would be a definite problem and there's no chance we'd want to wait for an internal bus.

[luvalab]

Let me ask a question. Years ago when we went to Dixie Landings, the took us and our bags via the golf cart to our rooms. Do they still do that? I would think a place as large as CBR would.
They took us in a van. Beautiful place. A short walk to the food court, of course what a nice way to start the morning, no hurry up to walk to get some where. We stayed at Jamica and the bus stop wasn't far and it was the first stop. Just a great relaxing place. Not crowded, I think that was because of it being so big, which I like. We would stay again in a heart beat.:thumbs:

[wdwgrandma]

Let me ask a question. Years ago when we went to Dixie Landings, the took us and our bags via the golf cart to our rooms. Do they still do that? I would think a place as large as CBR would.
I don't know... Maybe... We had a car.

[PaulaK]

Horses for courses! no...not literally I don't think they're on the dining plan.....:D but I know I had reservations about The Poly, a few bad reviews and I was dreading going, but look at me now, can't stay away from the place and I know you weren't that keen! Many of us have completely different views on places.

AKL is the one place I would never, ever have considered booking in the past purely based on 2 things, the location and the fact that the theming does nothing for me whatsoever. Next year we may well try to do 3 or 4 nights there though because after i've give it more thought, we have the car, we don't use the buses anyway and I think the kids will love it. If they're happy, we're happy! We don't know until we try it :shrug:

I think the Swan/Dolphin/CS are a good example of how peoples opinions differ. Many see them as 'conference' resorts and say they don't have the 'Disney magic'. I loved The Swan though, the location is fantastic, the rates were great and I liked the fact that men in suits shuffled to their meetings, but we had the pool to ourselves all day!

If you think CBR will fit the bill, i'd go for it :yes:

[Slowhand]

Keith, Sorry I can`t help with your main question regarding CB, but....


then 7 nights at the grand floridian (SSSSHHHHHH don't tell! It's a surprise!) :hehe: :whistle:



...I just wanted to say :excited: :banana: :tigbounce :excited:

[PaulaK]

Another one that's coming after you if he doesn't like it Terry! :wink:

I totally missed the GF part!! Way to go Keith :banana:, i'm sure Helen will be very impressed!

[Slowhand]

Another one that's coming after you if he doesn't like it Terry! :wink:



I`d better have a word with some of the CM`s there to make sure that you all get the red carpet treatment or I`ll never be able to live it down!:rotfl:

[Keith]

I`d better have a word with some of the CM`s there to make sure that you all get the red carpet treatment or I`ll never be able to live it down!:rotfl:

:lol: yeah I'm REALLY excited about the gf. It's Helen's favourite resort, she loves it and we ALWAYS go there, spend time looking around, but somehow we've just never got to stay there. Even better, we'll be there for our christmas trip with all the decorations and our wedding anniversary for which we have v&a booked! :wiggle: :wiggle:

[Slowhand]

:lol: yeah I'm REALLY excited about the gf. It's Helen's favourite resort, she loves it and we ALWAYS go there, spend time looking around, but somehow we've just never got to stay there. Even better, we'll be there for our christmas trip with all the decorations and our wedding anniversary for which we have v&a booked! :wiggle: :wiggle:
You will relly appreciate the decorations there Keith.
I am told that the tree in the lobby is the largest on Disney property and the huge gingerbread house they build in the corner of the lobby is a sight [and smell!] to behold.
Shame I won`t be there around Christmas this year.:sigh:

[Keith]

You will relly appreciate the decorations there Keith.
I am told that the tree in the lobby is the largest on Disney property and the huge gingerbread house they build in the corner of the lobby is a sight [and smell!] to behold.
Shame I won`t be there around Christmas this year.:sigh:

Really is a shame :( would've been great to meet up with you both!

[PaulaK]

We've always wanted to stay at the GF, so we thought our 10th anniversary was the perfect excuse. We're not there at Christmas, we're staying PR and BC, but we have booked Citrico's on Christmas Eve to soak up the atmosphere. I'm sure it'll be magical!! Are you actually there for Christmas Keith?

[Keith]

We've always wanted to stay at the GF, so we thought our 10th anniversary was the perfect excuse. We're not there at Christmas, we're staying PR and BC, but we have booked Citrico's on Christmas Eve to soak up the atmosphere. I'm sure it'll be magical!! Are you actually there for Christmas Keith?

We're there a week or so before... we have to get back for christmas sadly or else we could've met up with you and the WQ crew :)

Have you tried Citricos before? That's another of those places I always want to try but never get round to?

[Slowhand]

Have you tried Citricos before? That's another of those places I always want to try but never get round to?

Go for it Keith!:thumbs:
You and Hellen will enjoy Citrico`s.

[PaulaK]

No, we've not tried Citrico's but I hear many good things about it. If I don't like it....i'll blame Terry for that too! :wink:

Shame we'll just miss you! :sigh:

[Keith]

No, we've not tried Citrico's but I hear many good things about it. If I don't like it....i'll blame Terry for that too! :wink:


oh absolutely! ANYTHING that doesn't work out GFwise will automatically be Terry's fault ;)

[Mickeymac]

Keith, CBR has coffeemakers and refrigerators in the rooms now - nice to be able to make your own coffee in the morning.

also, Martinique and Trinidad (north?) are a surcharge, however, Aruba and Jamaica are just over the bridge and don't cost extra (sort of the distance from Magnolia to Boatwrights)

[Johnie]

Clean out your coffee pot before using it!!

[Slowhand]

oh absolutely! ANYTHING that doesn't work out GFwise will automatically be Terry's fault ;)

OK now I can reveal a secret.
I`ve been fooling you all along...I`ve never actually set foot in the place!:lol:
[I think I`ve got away with that!]

[Keith]

Keith, CBR has coffeemakers and refrigerators in the rooms now - nice to be able to make your own coffee in the morning.

yeah that's definitely a good thing!


also, Martinique and Trinidad (north?) are a surcharge, however, Aruba and Jamaica are just over the bridge and don't cost extra (sort of the distance from Magnolia to Boatwrights)

...but it's a charge I could pay? it's not a different room category we'd have to get or anything, it'd just be a preferred surcharge? People have been saying martinique is just a really short walk whereas aruba/jamaica you're best going via the island in the middle (I havent looked at the map yet though, going to go do that :)

(I only ask because my cruel TA will tell me off if I make too many changes ;)

[Keith]

OK now I can reveal a secret.
I`ve been fooling you all along...I`ve never actually set foot in the place!:lol:
[I think I`ve got away with that!]

:rotfl: DOH!

[miraclemoments]

Just one more tiny suggestion for CBR...request a ground floor if you're not fond of stairs...CBR has no elevators...

[Keith]

Just one more tiny suggestion for CBR...request a ground floor if you're not fond of stairs...CBR has no elevators...

Thanks MM!!!! I just read that on one of the reviews too.... thing is, I do prefer not to be on the ground floor so have to think about that one :lol:

MM I know you stayed at cbr and werent amazed by it, what are your thoughts on it?

[PaulaK]

We had a third floor corner room that had 2 big windows. The room itself was very nice. When we went, there were no coffee makers or fridges either. Had we had those, we probably wouldn't have used the food court at all, we ate in the parks and off-site a lot that trip.

Johnie, everytime I see a coffee maker now I think of how the toilet cloth may have cleaned it :lol:

[Keith]

Johnie, everytime I see a coffee maker now I think of how the toilet cloth may have cleaned it :lol:

*ME TOO* :lol:

[triciacarole]

I never though of that, oh I feel sick now :sick:

[miraclemoments]

Honestly? You're right, I wasn't *amazed* by it...but given you're choices (i.e. swapping out the deluxe with no dining plan vs. staying in the mod, not having to switch for two nights, AND being able to add the dining plan) I think I'd go for it...because, for me, the drawbacks aren't so prohibitive that they would keep me from staying there if there were added perks (i.e. the dining plan).

For me, the drawbacks were this:

It *is* a large resort, we stayed in Martinique #22, and IMO, it was still a bit of a walk to the food court/main pool. However, I only noticed this because the kids were with me, and they complained about it (guess they are *spoiled* by the AStars :wink: ) Honestly, I don't know that Martinique was *that* much further of a walk than most of the AStars, but for the kids, it was boring. Now, the flipside to that is, for a couple...I can see how that walk might be quite romantic...as long as you aren't rushed...I think if I weren't with the kids, I would have seen it as more of a stroll 'round the pond than a "hike"...the grounds are quite lovely and the private little beach areas with the hammocks are very inviting...

Secondly, I wasn't fond of the food court...but then again, you and H won't be using the food court very often if you're on the dining plan, now will you :D

Also, I agree with Paula when she said she wasn't impressed because it didn't have that "Disney feel" to it. It's just sort of a "resort." It's relaxing and beautiful, but it's not anywhere near being as Disneyfied as the All Stars, or even some of the deluxes...however the flipside to that is that if you want to "get away from it all" every now and again, this is a great place to do it :D

Finally, I was quite disappointed by the pool. One of the primary reasons we stayed there was for the kids to be able to enjoy the big pool with the slide...unfortunately, the slide seemed to be closed more often than it was open. Now, unless I miss my mark, I wouldn't think either you or H would be interested in sliding down the slide :D And in fact, I'm pretty certain that the two of you would far more enjoy the private, quiet pools located in each section...

So, really, all of the things that I found disappointing about CBR, you and H may well find advantageous...and like I said, given the choice...I think I'd be quite tempted to go for it as well!!!! (And I haven't even EXPERIENCED the dining plan yet :wink: )

[miraclemoments]

Thanks MM!!!! I just read that on one of the reviews too.... thing is, I do prefer not to be on the ground floor so have to think about that one :lol:


I can understand that conundrum ;) But given the choice in this case, I'd go for the ground floor :D

[Keith]

Thanks MM :) yep definitely want honest.... that way I can make a proper decision.

I DONT think I'm going to like it as much as AKL but then... dining plan mmmmm :)

[miraclemoments]

You're right, you probably *won't* like it as much as AKL...but it's a new experience...and you're sure to enjoy that...and then there's that dining plan ;) And not having to sort out tips :)

[Keith]

You're right, you probably *won't* like it as much as AKL...but it's a new experience...and you're sure to enjoy that...and then there's that dining plan ;) And not having to sort out tips :)

see you know me too well ;) tips yeah I'd forgotten about that! REALLY nice to have all those taken care of hmmmmmm :)

[miraclemoments]

...and it's not like you won't have the GF to look forward to...it's not like you won't be getting your "deluxe" fix at all :D :D (push, push, nudge, nudge :wink: )

[uscwest]

We've done Citrico's a few times now and it is one of our favorite restaurants.

[Keith]

...and it's not like you won't have the GF to look forward to...it's not like you won't be getting your "deluxe" fix at all :D :D (push, push, nudge, nudge :wink: )

Mickeymac's paying you isn't she? :>

[Keith]

We've done Citrico's a few times now and it is one of our favorite restaurants.

oooo that's good to hear! your recommendations have always worked out very well indeed. What's nice about Citrico's food/atmosphere wise?

[miraclemoments]

:rotfl: I'll never tell :D :D

[Keith]

:rotfl: I'll never tell :D :D

:lol:

ps. good luck with your upcoming trip! I can't really add much to your thread on it, me being so completely and totally inept with children of any age :lol: but I know you're going to have such a brilliant time and I hope I get to see photos! Have a BRILLIANT time!

[miraclemoments]

:lol:

ps. good luck with your upcoming trip! I can't really add much to your thread on it, me being so completely and totally inept with children of any age :lol: but I know you're going to have such a brilliant time and I hope I get to see photos! Have a BRILLIANT time!

:blush: Thank you.

I'm looking forward to it so much...and you are absolutely NOT totally inept with children!!! I know better!!!

Now go book the CBR, and more importantly...that dining plan!!!

[Keith]

:
Now go book the CBR, and more importantly...that dining plan!!!

/me salutes.... yesssssss miss! :wink:

[miraclemoments]

:evil: hehehehehe

[uscwest]

Keith, with the food it is hard to comment since they change their menu so frequently based on the season. Suffice to say that whatever we have ordered has always been full of flavor and cooked to perfection. Since you like to eat later in the evening you shouldn't have too much of a problem with noise in the restaurant. The lights are dimmed, the waiters have always been friendly and as Donna would tell you they make a right good martini here, though she actually prefers the ones made at 50's Prime Time :D

I know you like a good steak and I believe Donna has ordered their steak here and enjoyed it but I'm not sure what else you enjoy eating. Unless I go to a steakhouse I tend to order things like lamb, veal, or fish (stuff I normally don't get at home) and I have always had a great meal.

[Keith]

Sounds great!!!!! many thanks for that... I think we'll make room for a visit then :)

After all, if it doesn't work out, we can always blame Slowhand :D

[wdwgrandma]

We've always had fabulous meals there, Keith! Click here to read one of our trip reports when we ate at Citrico's: Citrico's (http://wdisneyw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21388&highlight=citrico%27s)

[Keith]

We've always had fabulous meals there, Keith! Click here to read one of our trip reports when we ate at Citrico's: Citrico's (http://wdisneyw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21388&highlight=citrico%27s)

ooo fantastic thanks! I'll go read :)