We've stayed at CBR twice before and enjoyed it both times.
The first time was in Aruba for the first night of our honeymoon before we left for our cruise the next morning, so we were only there for about 8 hours total.
The second time we spent 5 days in Jamaica and had a nice time.
The most common complaints I've read are...
1. "It's too big!"
My husband and I rode bikes around the whole loop and it really wasn't that big. The bridge across the middle of the lake means that pretty much every room is close to Old Port Royale. I wish they had a bridge like that at CSR because that would really help. The rooms that are the furthest from everything are in Trinidad South, but those are now pirate rooms, so you know you won't be in there unless you book one. As far as non-pirate rooms go, the most inconvenient ones would be in Barbados, but they still wouldn't be bad. You can also use the shuttle bus to get around, but we found it easier to walk.
2. "The check in is separate from everything!"
Obviously being the first non-deluxe resort that was built, some things are different at CSR. The check in house is a totally separate section from food court and gift shop. This really bothers people for some reason, and I've never understood why. In fact, I kind of like it that way. It makes the check in so peaceful and calm and keeps the people just arriving and dragging luggage everywhere away from the food court and gift shop. If you don't have a car, the shuttle bus loop stops at all islands and check in and is the only Disney bus you are allowed to take luggage on.
3. "There are too many bus stops!"
CBR has seven bus stops. This is another thing that really upsets people that I actually like. At the single stop resorts, you have a lot of people waiting in a small area, then everyone has to fight to get on the bus and hope to get a seat. But I know people like that as soon as they get on the bus, they're on their way. At CBR, each island, as well as Old Port Royale has its own bus stop. What's so nice about this is that no matter where you are, you know you're close to a bus stop. I also find the bus moves quickly around the loop and the stops seem easy and less problematic - they open the door, a few hop off, a few get on, then you're heading to the next stop. This may be more trouble with an ECV since if you're a later stop, another ECV rider may board at an earlier stop, so you end up waiting for the next bus. I vaguely remember reading about a procedure they have where they will page the next bus for that park to stop at that island first, but I don't remember well enough to say for certain that is true. I think Jamaica is the first stop and the bus goes clockwise around the loop.
The colors are fun, the music is fun, the pool is awesome (with two hot tubs and three slides), the kiddie water play area looks amazing - all in all it's a great place. The only thing that I hate is the Nemo decor. When we stayed on our honeymoon, it was before the Nemo remodel and it was so pretty. I don't mind some characters in the room, but the amount of Nemo they used is a bit over the top to me.
Can't wait to take my twin boys on their first trip to Walt Disney World! Planning on heading there sometime Feb-May 2014!
