Caribbean Beach Resort

Post by **spaulo** » Nov Wed 16, 2005 12:48 pm

So, my girlfriend and I are partially insane.

Back in February, as we were flying back from Disneyland to our suburb of San Fran, we decided we wanted to go to Walt Disney World this winter. We talked and talked and talked about where to stay. A few months ago, we booked 7 nights at the Coronado Springs Resort, and thought we'd be very happy there. The themeing, especially, suits my girlfriend who loves Palm Desert, New Mexico, etc...

But then we looked at more and more pictures of the resort.

I don't want to insult anyone and if your favorite resort is CSR, don't take this personally... but the rooms looked cheesy. Like, hole-in-the-wall tacqueria furniture and ridiculous colors inside the rooms. So, last night we examined Port Orleans French Quarter and Caribbean Beach (I've stayed at Riverside before, and we want to stay somewhere together that I've never been)...

We actually like FQ better than CBR, but liked them both better than CSR... unfortunately, King Bed rooms at French Quarter for our dates are booked, and we can't change the dates because we have plane tickets already. So, we switched our reservations... 23 days from leaving... to the Caribbean Beach Resort.

Long story short... anyone here stayed at CBR? Got any good tales or horror stories? Any tips? Info? Better/worse villages to stay at? I know this is a smaller community so maybe no one has stayed at CBR, but I figure it was worth asking my fellow Subsonicers.

cranbiz · Post by **cranbiz** » Nov Wed 16, 2005 6:44 pm

My wife and I stayed at CBR for our anniversary in June. We had a king room in Aruba and it was great. A short walk to Olde Port Royal, good transportation. We loved the rooms, the carribiean theming was excellent. We spent time relaxing on the island between Aruba and Olde Port Royal. There are several secluded spots there for "quiet time".

The Aruba village is not a preferred location, but still just a short walk away from the action if desired.

My brother and his wife stay there all the time and we know why now.

Post by **spaulo** » Nov Wed 16, 2005 8:03 pm

Thanks for the info... funny story though...

I decided to check with AAA Travel about our dates... didn't realize I could get a AAA discount on the room AND book a package through them... through Disney it's one or the other... and get this... AAA had POFQ king bed rooms!

So now, we're staying in our preferred resort, with AAA discount, and the Dining Plan... now we're completely psyched!

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » Nov Wed 16, 2005 9:16 pm

The area you stay in can drastically affect your experience. Some are very close to the food court and such, and some are pretty friggin' far away. Also the bus service can be very different depending on your building. (If you're at the end of the bus run, the buses can fill up before they get to you, and either way you're going to have to sit through a lot of extra stops in the morning or in the evening.)

Unfortunately, I don't remember which areas are best, but this is something to try and Google before you make reservations.

Personally, I liked the theming a lot, and didn't mind a long early morning walk to the food court. The CSR sounds better than it looks, in my opinion.

I really like that style, but most of the area looks like a mall to me. The food court is pretty nice, though, and the pool areas are fun.

Also you might want to look at a map and see which hotel is closest to your favorite park. That bus travel gets tedious. Makes you really appreciate the monorail.

Mickeymac · Post by **Mickeymac** » Nov Thu 17, 2005 7:18 am

Spaulo,

So you got French Quarter??? That is wonderful. It's a great, intimate resort with lovely theming. I love that you can stroll or boat to one of our favorite restaurants on property, Boatwrights, and take a carriage ride after, or stroll in the moonlight. It's in a smaller footprint than the other moderates, so easy to get from building to building, or to the main amenities. If you want a really fun time out, head over to Riverside and go watch Piano Bob - the guy is truly amazing.

Did you know you can also request a water view if you've a king bedded room booked? As your TA to list it on your requests.

Also, definitely get your dining booked - the restaurants are very busy in December, and you'll be hard pressed to find walk-up space at the popular venues.

foldmama · Post by **foldmama** » Nov Thu 17, 2005 11:43 am

So happy you got into the French Quarter. I stayed there twice last year and it's absolutely my favorite resort. I love the small intimate feel and nothing is far way. The water views in building 6 are great. Plus, the bus service is wonderful from the FQ. You are always the first pick up in the morning and the first drop in the evening. Note that if you take the bus from Down Town Disney back to the fQ you will be the last stop (but the first stop home on the boat). Don't forget to take the boat at least once to DownTown Disney. It's a beautiful relaxing ride.

Sarah Turp · Post by **Sarah Turp** » Jan Sun 15, 2006 6:59 am

FQ is a nice resort, but my favorite still remains the Port Orleans Riveside, i.e. the good old Dixie Landings. Having said that All 3 CBR included are in someways nicer than the Delux resorts i have stayed at. The moderate resorts like these are much quieter and more peaceful, which after a hectic day at the parks is just bliss. The Delux resorts like AKL seem more hectic as everyone is in the same building and round the same swimming pool. You just cant beat the grounds of the moderate resorts, especially the old Dixie Landings!

gorilla · Post by **gorilla** » Jan Wed 18, 2006 3:57 pm

Tsaying there in April. Haven't been there before. One of the things we do when we stay at a new place is stay in a studio 2 nights, and 1 bedroom the next. This was we get to experience both. So I'll see if we can stay at completely different places in CBR.

We use our DVC points and bank the rest. Great way to see a new place, and kids think its kind of fun to switch to new room.

I'm about to call now to add more DVC points

jd3921fl · Post by **jd3921fl** » Jan Thu 26, 2006 3:13 pm

I've stayed at the Carribean Beach and CSR. I prefer the CSR. In my opinon it scores less in the "cheesy" factor. Carribean beach didn't fool me at all. Then again I live in Florida and have seen the real thing many times so maybe i'm being too harsh.

bribren · Post by **bribren** » Feb Mon 13, 2006 8:57 am

I actually liked the CB for the hammocks and the soothing walks. Lots of pools. Parrot cay is also a nice touch. Seemed like there were more busses that other resorts Ive stayed at. I would stay there again.

stev02 · Post by **stev02** » Feb Mon 13, 2006 9:34 am

I've stayed at CBR many times and always loved it. But, ever since we got the DVC we stay at Old Key West but this year we're trying out Coronado Springs.

SpringheeledJack · Post by **SpringheeledJack** » Feb Mon 13, 2006 10:29 am

All the midrange resorts are kind of cheesy in their own special way. None of them are much more than a nice Quality Inn, in my opinion. It's the amenities outside that make all the difference in the world. I'm particularly fond of Coronado, and love the outside portion, especially including the indoor restaurant/marketplace which is one the neater things in any of the resorts if you ask me. But both resorts have their own level of fun/Disney Magic. Rooms are just... well... rooms. A place to throw your crap and fall down exhausted after a fun day of vacationing. Unless you're not planning on packing your day with activities, you'll never notice what the room's like.

MouseMan · Post by **MouseMan** » Feb Sat 18, 2006 5:52 pm

We have stayed at the CBR and my Inlaws have been there a few times. We think its pretty good. Great theme. Food court will satisfy a wide range of taste. It's one of the older midranges I think and some of the rooms seem to be showing there age. My only real "complaint" is that there are many bus stops in the resort. So I think the transportation takes longer to get around than at other resorts. Having said that We stayed at the PO and I would sooner go back there than the CBR.

keneka · Post by **keneka** » Jun Wed 11, 2008 2:15 am

Never stayed at CBR though visited it enough times, always stay at POR-always dixie landings in my heart (94-08), the resort has a good shop and dining options (shutters is nice and food court is quite good), the beaches are awesome and the resort has a nice relaxed feel (ideal after a day in the parks) - I've also been to CSR and didn't think that much of it - I get the feeling it's used alot for conventions (like swan and dolphin are)

metsofny · Post by **metsofny** » Jun Wed 11, 2008 11:49 am

All I know is they have some great food.