Help! Caribbean Beach Questions!! About This Page:

[SARH7]

Okay, so dh LOVED the pics online of CBR.....and is completely convinced this is where we need to stay for our next trip...loves that there is a beach there. This would be our first time staying at a mod.

I am not convinced this is the place for us......... so here are a few of my concerns!! Please give me your comments...good and bad!!!!

#1- No elevators. This is a big deal to me...dh swears that if we cannot get a first floor room, he will lug everything up the stairs, including 2 sleeping children and a double stroller, even if he has to make two trips!

#2- the bus service. I didn't realize until I looked at the map how gigantic this resort is!!!! How does the bus service work?? I read there is an internal bus service...is that something different than the buses that go to the parks??? Bus service is a huge deal for us and I don't want to be stuck being miserable for 10 days!

#3- Room location....some are sooooooooooo far from Old Port Royale...the main building with all the shops, restaurants, etc.... We thought staying in Jamaica would be cool...seeing as this is our 10th anniversary trip and Ocho Rios, Jamaica was one of the stops on our honeymoon cruise. The Jamaica buildings at CBR seem pretty close to OPR....just across the lake.

#4- You can't actually go in the water on the beach?? I had visions of us relaxing mid day on the beach and playing in the water....that's not gonna happen, huh??

[goofy4goofy]

Hi there. I work at the front desk at CBR. I hope I can answer your questions.

If you book a preferred room at CBR, you are guaranteed to be in the 6 closest buildings to OPR. If you go to the food court often, it's a great location. Are you aware that the main pool will be closed for refurbishment from january until September?

1. There are no elevators. If you request a first floor room, it is usually not a problem receiving this request, especially if you fax it in and then mention it again upon checkin.

2. The internal bus system runs throughout CBR. It stops at each island, OPR, and the Custom House. It tends to run every 10 to 20 minutes (depending on amount of people, wheelchairs, etc).

3. Jamaica is a fabulous island if you only booked a standard or water view (or king..but you can't since you are travelling with more than 2). I highly recommend this island, as it is just across the bridge from OPR and it is a little more quiet than the preferred location. Again, if you request this via fax and then upon checkin, your chances of receiving the room in Jamaica are better.

4. No, you can not swim in the water at CBR for a number of reasons. Not only is there a six foot alligator (and others) swimming in the lake, there are also snapping turtles. Also, I'm not sure if you have seen the news lately, but a few children/adults have died from swimming in the freshwater lakes/ponds in Florida. It is due to a bacteria that grows in the water. For these reasons, we ask our guests to refrain from swimming in the lake.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask!!!!

Kelly

[SARH7]

Alligators and bacteria! No thanks!!!

So is the internal bus system something completely different than the bus that takes you to the parks???

Oh and our trip is Oct 08...so hopefully the main pool would be re-opened!!

[bradk]

the internal bus is only different in that it doesn't leave the resort - just loops around. if you want to go from the island to the custom house or OPR for example, you would just take this bus. you can still get park buses at any island.

[Mares75]

I actually liked the bus system at CBR better than at ASmu. Since there are multiple stops for the buses to the parks, the wait seemed easier - no long lines of people waiting in the hot sun. Yes there may be people waiting at other stops too but it never seemed to be a problem getting a bus and this was in July. We never used the internal bus because our room was right across the parking lot from OPR, only used it to and from the custom house. We loved CBR and I can't wait to go back sometime.

[lukeandbrookesmom]

We loved the internal bus system at CBR (heck, we loved everything at CBR!). We stayed in Aruba #54 and thought the location was great. It was quiet, a two minute or less walk to the bus stop, and we could take the beautiful 10 minute walk to OPR or take the internal bus. Keep in mind, my walk times are with two small children, too. Also, I don't believe you can swin in any of the lakes at any of the resorts for all the reasons Kelly said, not just CBR. The beaches are still beautiful to sit on and relax.

[SARH7]

Thanks for the help!!!

So are the internal buses labeled different??? I'd hate to get on one thinking I am going to Magic Kingdom and just loop around the resort!! LOL!!

I know DH will be bummed about the lake.... I wonder if just the beach will be enough for him!!

[bradk]

yes, they say INTERNAL LOOP or something to that effect

[SARH7]

That's what I figured! Thanks!!

[Sue M.]

I took Kelly's advice & we stayed in Jamacia. It was beautiful. We were in bldg 42 which is very close to the quiet pool, and a short walk to the bridge across tha lake. We enjoyed the walk. Grounds are lovely. Bus stop was just across the parking lot. If you want to be a bit closer to the bridge ask for Jamacia 45. We never took the Internal Bus as our location was very central. On check out we used the Magic Express to the airport & the staff at CBR picked us & our luggage up to take us to Custom House (where you check out).
I really enjoyed the hammocks on the beach, esp in the afternoon when we came back for our break! The pool was close by for a swim.
We were there for 10 days in Aug. & just loved it.
Sue

[daemonguy]

The buses at CBR were about a hundred times better than those at the Boardwalk. They ran constantly, ONLY went to the CBR (vs the buses at a supposedly 'Deluxe resort', which share with Swan/ Dolphin/ BC, etc.). I don't think we waited more than 5 or 6 min for a bus to ANY location.
We requested a first floor room both by FAX and when we checked in -- and that is exactly what we received. Trinidad North was our Blg and we loved it.

As previously mentioned, the lake water is right out. No need really, since the main pool is just dandy with a little tiki bar right next to it for the adults to relax at while the kids swim.

Have no fear, you will love the CBR.

[Brettchief]

So there are king rooms in Jamaica? Im staying at the CBR in Dec for my anniv. and trying to decide on what building to request

[pita]

We LOVE the CBR. We are a family of 5....so we haven't been able to go back with the kids lately...but will once we can convince them to stay in a separate room. (I still have a couple of little ones).

The pool is wonderful! The food court is GREAT. The colors are fun.

This is a great resort. We have never had a problem with the buses.

[ilovedisney0_0]

I just got back from CBR - we were there last week. I can't say enough good things about what a gorgeous place it is!! Taking Kelly's advice, we requested Jamaica. However, upon check-in, we were upgraded to first floor, bldg 25 in Martinique. It was a 3 min walk to OPR, and I L O V E D it there!!! I thought the food court was a little disorganized and hectic, but the CM's are so warm and friendly!! On our last night, we sat on the beach with our toes in the sand, and watched Illuminations fireworks from Epcot. We could even faintly hear the music! The only thing I would do differently next time is to plan more 'down time' to hang out at the resort. Once I was there, I didn't want to leave!

[Ms_Butterfly]

I highly recommend CBR! I stayed there in May and will stay there again for my next trip (here's hoping it happens - gotta talk to my cousin again about it).

The beach is great to sit on, dig your feet into the cool sand, etc. There are volleyball courts, too, I believe. In the area I was in, the pool was steps away from the beach, so if you want to swim after sitting on the beach (or vice versa), you really don't have to walk anywhere.

The bus system worked out just fine for both my friend and I (she was in a scooter, I have my service dog to help me walk). I loved the internal bus even though we had my friend's car.

The food court is lovely and I love the theme of it. We didn't go into the sit-down restaurant at all. We did shop in the stores there, though (got coconut postcards [cococards? Postnuts?] to mail, too!), plus picked up items there that I'd purchased at Downtown Disney and didn't want to carry around (LOVE that service!!).

I've only stayed in one other moderate (the rest have been deluxe), but this is definitely my favorite!