Reviews of Caribbean Beach Resort (Moderate Resort)
Reviewed by boarddad Review Date: 08/24/2018
Rating: (4) Not Recommended
We had stayed at New Orleans Riverside the last 3 trips and decided to try someplace different. We tried to stay at Carribean Beach early August 2018. I say, tried, because after about the third time we tried just getting around CB on the internal bus system, we gave up and moved to the Art of Animation resort (LOVED that one!). The room was on par, if not a bit dated compared to French Quarter. The pool is nice - it has a couple of slides that are not as nice as NOR, but also has a really nice splash pad for younger kids. It is my understanding that CB also has a retail area a nice large dining area, but all of that was under construction while we were there. Dining was in a tent, there was a room converted to a small grocery and a mobile retail truck, none of which were up to Disney standards. We knew going in about the construction so not really rating CB based on that - it was the messed up bus system that drove us away.
Pros:
Can see the potentialCons:
Takes FOREVER to get anywhere, Construction everywhereReviewed by CanadianHolly68 Review Date: 12/06/2016
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
We were excited to try this moderate as we enjoyed Coronado Springs a few years ago but we were very disappointed with this resort.
CONS: long check in (room not available until late), not enough people working outside with baggage etc.., room was clean where you looked but not behind tv dresser where I dropped something (yuck!!), no special mouse-keeping animals for my DD, air conditioner had strange rattle that happened after it ran for awhile (loud enough to wake you up), bathroom constantly smelled like sewage (close door and run fan - disgusting!) , food court was nothing special and not enough healthy choices like fruit and cheese plate etc.. resort pathways wander aimlessly, buses were unreliable as times kept changing and some never showed up (the worst of any resort we have been to),
PROS: Room was quiet enough with courtyard view (martinique), close to a bus stop, pool area fine, hot tubs (2) fine, small towels though, queen beds are comfortable, lots of pillows,
This resort is an overpriced Value resort with queen beds.
It was clean and had pretty surroundings but nothing special or outstanding that would make you return. From our experience we would NOT return nor recommend CB.
Pros:
Queen BedsCons:
Resort layout, sewage smell in bathroom, no special mousekeepingReviewed by BacktoDisney Review Date: 01/03/2016
Rating: (8) Not Recommended
We've stayed at many Disney resorts over the years, and even stayed here 20+years ago. It is a large resort, and well worth paying for the preferred room. We stayed in Bldg 25 Martinique and it was well located. I just wouldn't recommend this for adults, our family of four is all over 18, and the themed pool was for the kiddies. The food court, was not as good as some other resorts in my opinion. No fear if you're booked here, I just believe that if you are a group of adults, you may be happier over at French Quarter in the moderate category. We were lucky to have wonderful weather this December, but you need to note that the bar is OUTDOORS, not necessarily usable all winter months. We used the quiet pool and that was fine. The food court states that it is open until 12, however, much of it shuts down earlier, and if you're looking for late night food the choice will be extremely limited.
Pros:
overall appearance of the resortCons:
food courtReviewed by Neffie Z Review Date: 11/15/2015
Rating: (4) Not Recommended
I stayed at CBR for two weeks in September. We had a room in Trinidad North, preferred with a water view. The room was beautiful, but I was a bit disappointed with the generic feel of the room. There was nothing to make it feel like Disney, unless you let down the murphy bed. The food court is woefully inadequate for the amount of folks they are looking to feed. One drink station. One. There was ALWAYS a line. One afternoon I tried to get into my room only to find that the battery in the RFID lock had died. I went to concierge who promised to send someone up immediately. Three trips back to concierge, and three and one half hours later, maintenance came up and changed the battery in 30 seconds. We were given two fast passes for our inconvenience. Meanwhile, we were hot, tired, and stuck in our bathing suits for three and a half hours. The evening before our departure, I called to set up our pick-up time and was told 8:30AM. At 8:50AM, I called again, asking if we'd missed the bus (we had been outside waiting, so I knew we hadn't) and I was told that the pick up order hadn't been written down. We were late for our ME. The food court has only a few stations open in the morning- far too few to service the hungry folks looking for a meal. Though the recent update was lovely, they really should think of updating and expanding their food and drink offerings at Port Orleans. Not a terribly good experience and one I won't be repeating. However, the Banana Cabana and Shutters were outstanding- service and product wise.
Pros:
lovely scenery, Shutters, Banana CabanaCons:
food court, magical express/bus serviceReviewed by BDev Review Date: 09/15/2015
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
We've been to Walt Disney World dozens of times and this hotel was our worst experience by far. We arrived with a large dance group at the end of June. We arrived at the resort at 10:00am not expecting a room immediately. What we didn't expect was to not get one until 6:00pm. When we got the room it wasn't very clean. There was trash still in the trash barrels and it smelled like housekeeping simply made the bed and sprayed 5 cans of Lysol in there.
On our first morning there, I noticed that someone had spilled some Cheerios on the stairs. We stayed at this hotel for 5 nights and those Cheerios were still there the day we left. Also, when walking to the food court in the morning I walked through the quiet pool area and it was littered with used towels, empty pizza boxes, soda and beer bottles, etc. from the night before. I partially blame the slobs that left all of that there, but I also blame the staff for not cleaning it up either.
I've never written a negative review for anything Disney related prior to this, but this was not acceptable by Disney standards. After our stay at Caribbean Beach we stayed for 6 nights at Bay Lake Tower and it was great.
Pros:
ThemingCons:
Size/Cleanliness/Customer ServiceReviewed by bigmamajo Review Date: 07/05/2015
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
We called and spoke to a room assigner 5 days before check in, requested Martinique 26, 2nd floor corner room. All those requests were granted, that is the only reason for 3 stars! Upon arrival, I stood as 3 cast members stood talking, I finally said aloud, "Can someone help me check in?" The clerk was not overly friendly, a supervisor, Carol stood and watched, but never spoke to me. I had to ask for my anniversary buttons, which were just handed to me, nothing written on them as I saw other locations do. We got the text our room was ready, when we arrived a maintenance man was in the room using cleaner on a spot on the carpet. I told him we were told the room was ready, he said no, but we could come in anyway. Never had any towel animals or "magic" around the room. I know this is not a guarantee, but in 5 other visits, this has always been a highlight for our kiddos! We called housekeeping to ask about getting one for our last day and was told CRB was no longer making towel animals. We spoke to manager at front desk and were told CRB does not teach housekeepers to make them. I told them we were very disappointed, and felt this resort had lost the Disney magic, from check in to check out not a positive experience, except the room request granted. This was our first visit, with the addition of the murphy bed (we are a family of 5) but will stay at POR from now on, even if it is not in the promotion!
Pros:
room request grantedCons:
poor customer service, no Disney magicReviewed by Jenn C Review Date: 01/21/2015
Rating: (2) Not Recommended
Stayed at CB from Dec 12 to Dec 21 2014 In Martinique. We paid for a preferred room and requested building 25 in Martinique with a water view. We were assigned a room in building 24 in Martinique with a view of the parking lot. When we requested a room in building 25, the check in cast member started sighing and rolling his eyes. He made it VERY clear that requests are not guaranteed. We told him we were aware of that and politely asked if he could check if a room with even one of our requests might be available. After much coaxing from my husband and explaining that it was our anniversary, and a lot of attitude from the cast member, he called and we were assigned a room in Martinique building 25 with a beautiful view of the Bay. We were disappointed at the cast members behavior but thrilled with the location of the room. That is until we opened the door!
The room was filthy!!! I had to wipe the dust off of the shelves under the vanity area in order to put personal items there. The fire sprinkler was caked in dust as were the little pineapples on the top of the bed posts. There were cobwebs running from on top of the pictures on the walls up to the ceiling fan. When we turned the ceiling fan on it blew dust all over the room. The full length mirror had a big lipstick lip mark where someone had kissed it that wasn't cleaned properly. The room smelled musty and the heat and AC could not be controlled by the thermostat on the wall. We had to manually turn the heating and AC on and off ourselves via the actual window unit. It was a challenge keeping the room one constant comfortable temperature. We had one day where Mousekeeping missed our room entirely and one day where popcorn we spilled on the floor the night before was still there after Mousekeeping had cleaned the room the next day. When we first arrived in the room there was a pen and note pad for use, we lost the pen and note pad and when we requested new ones, we were told you only get one of each when you first arrive in the room!
We reported all of the issues to the Mousekeeping manager who actually came to our room to see the issues and speak to us. She laughed most of the issues off and excused the uncleanliness in the room by stating our Mousekeeper was new and that the room was scheduled for refurbishment in the near future. We were made to feel like we were complaining about nothing. The mirror was eventually cleaned, the room was vacuumed properly and the shelves were dusted, but the dust and cobwebs caked on the sprinkler, pineapples, pictures and fan remained there for our entire stay, even after a calling everyday requesting the dust be cleaned. The heating and AC issue was not resolved during our stay either. We were continuously told someone would eventually fix the issues and that they were on the "list" to be dealt with. We were given a $50 credit but never an apology for the issues. We would have preferred that the room get a proper cleaning rather than the credit.
This was our first time staying at a moderate resort and we were completely disappointed by the room and cast members. We have stayed at Pop Century and all of the All Star Resorts on numerous occasions and the rooms and cast members have been wonderful there. Time to go back to the Value Resorts where Disney feels and looks like Disney!
Pros:
Quiet roomCons:
MousekeeoingReviewed by NY10543 Review Date: 08/29/2014
Rating: (2) Not Recommended
I agree 100% with the previous reviewer. I had the exact same experience the week of 8/16-8/23. This resort is way too large. It took us 10 minutes to walk to the main building (Port Royale) After a day in the parks in the August heat, the last thing you want to do to is to have to walk more! The food at the food court was marginal at best, the choices were poor. I have been to WDW 10 times, 8 staying inside Disney and have never complained. I prefer some of the value resorts over Caribbean Beach. It was not worth the extra money.
Pros:
Decor, landscaping, ease of check-in/outCons:
Size of resort, food in food court, bus serviceReviewed by SMReichert Review Date: 08/22/2014
Rating: (1) Not Recommended
I can only speak for my experience this week at CBR. This is my 12th time in WDW. First time in CBR. I usually stay in Deluxe, but have stayed in French Quarter and was very happy there. I stayed this week in CBR. (We are still here). When I checked in on Tuesday, the registration wasn't too busy, but I still waited a bit to check in. The person who finally checked me in, came over to me in the line with an ipad and started the process as I stood there in the line. When she asked me for my credit card info, I asked if we could go somewhere that I could put my stuff down, and give her the info in a less public area. (I think she was new).
When I saw that our room was at the far end of Trinidad south (Furthest from the center hub of the resort), I asked if we could be closer to the pool and the restaurants. It was just my son and I, and I don't like to have to walk far in the dark by ourselves. They told me I couldn't move from the "pirate room" because it was a "premium" room and moving me to a different room would mess up my "package" (Whatever that meant). But they did move me "closer" in Trinidad South, which ended up being farther from the bus stop and actually further walking distance to the restaurant. They seemed very bothered by the fact I asked to be closer. It definitely was not worth the extra money for a pirate room!!!
Since we were at the end of the resort, the buses were always late and full. Since it was extremely hot, people were not respectful of the people who were already waiting and butted in front of the people who were waiting. So we had to wait for a second bus to get to a few of the resorts this week.
I want to add that we met a nice family while waiting for the bus back to CBR from MK. They were complaining about the same problems I was having.
I wasn't given anything about the resort like I have received from other resorts like what restaurants they had, hours of operation, etc. I did receive the dining plan brochure, a list of activities at the pool and a map of the resort.
The first night, we were hungry and in our room. There wasn't any info in our room on private dining or pizza delivery. We called the front desk. They said there were places that delivered here, but we would have to go to the front of the resort to get it! Definitely not walking distance especially at 10 pm! So they recommended in room dining. I was transferred to another person. I asked what they offered and they said it was in a brown folder on the table. There was no folder. They asked what room I was in and they said someone would get it out to me. After 40 minutes, we called back. They said they didn't offer in room dining (What??) but they offered pizza delivery. (They think I was transferred to someone who was unaware I was calling from CBR.). We got the pizza (disappointing, but something)
The food at the food court isn't that good. The grab & go doesn't have prices on anything. We have the refillable mugs, but a waste since we are so far away that we aren't there to fill them. Or we would have to carry them with us to the parks all day.
Our room wasn't cleaned today. Not sure why. We didn't have washcloths in our room when we checked in, but them came right away with them along with extra towels.
I have NEVER complained about WDW ever! Not sure if its the weather, but even the bus drivers are grumpy! The hotel employees are not happy or pleasant. The DVC rep was happy & Disney like, but no one else. I am very disappointed. My 11 year old has noticed it too. We are having fun though. It is WDW! But CBR is a total disappointment. Maybe if we were closer, we wouldn't have rated it so poorly, but being so far from everything, waiting so long for a bus to go to the resorts, and the food, I can't give it a good rating. Sorry. Back to Deluxe next year.
Pros:
CleanCons:
Too far from everything; slow bus/full buses; not thrilled with food choicesReviewed by mkhmn Review Date: 07/30/2014
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
We scheduled our vacation at this resort to give it a try after spending the last four visits at Coronado Springs. We had combined conference time with tacked on vacation in the past and Coronado Springs did not disappoint. After retiring we decided to try the other resorts in the near or same price range. Bad idea.
We arrived on the Magical Express from the Orlando Airport and so far, so good. We are welcomed into the lobby by the major domo at the door...again, nice touch. We get in line to register, although I'm expecting to sail on through as I have "checked in" using My Disney Experience and should only have to grab room keys and be gone. WRONG.
We are in line and are approached by a woman castmember who is carrying on an argument with a male castmember about why is she doing what she is doing (which is apparently helping with check-in). They continue arguing and we are waved over before she concludes her argument and can talk to us.
Our clerk takes FOREVER to get the information for our room and manages to make 3-4 mistakes that take FOREVER to correct. We want my daughter's credit card tied to her name and my card to mine, even though we are sharing a room. We don't want to share our charges. He doesn't understand, messes it up and has to do it again. The kids (8 and 11) are now running around the lobby even though they have been threatened and we have now been in the Custom House for 30 minutes. At 45 minutes we are done and my sons (who are sharing a room of their own) step forward. Two hours later - I am NOT KIDDING - their information is finally entered into the computer even though they also did the My Disney Experience check-in. In the process we have called a supervisor, who has called another supervisor who in the time he worked with the computer, called someone somewhere, managed to completely WIPE OUT all my information on the Disney Experience site, including fast passes and reservations. No sorry, no let me help you, no NOTHING for the extreme inconvenience. I have told my daughter and grandkids to go onto our room and hit the pool or something after the hour mark - I've stayed to lend moral support and maybe ramrod this thing as my sons are handicapped and not the most assertive.
So when we're ready to finally leave we go out to bell services. The bellman was annoyed to have to take us to our rooms which are quite a walk away. He just got back from taking my daughter and grandkids. I'm like, you just took them? and he said yes. So in spite of getting them out of there an hour ago they've had to wait for a ride. Nice.
I tell him we have a grocery service delivery waiting as well to be taken and that annoys him further. I have never been treated like this before at Disney. A woman bell person gets the groceries from a room and we are finally heading out with the disgruntled bell person.
We arrive at the rooms and he brings up the groceries, semi complaining the whole way ("I've had a long day, it's hot, wow it's tough coming up these steps all the time"). Gave him a tip that he didn't deserve just to take in the room without him around.
Not good. Neither room's refrigerators are plugged, so we're starting from hot with insulin to cool. The carpet feels damp and the room smells strange. We ask for housekeeping to come look at the refrigerators and are given a lecture over the phone about plugging them in, are both down? etc. I tell them to forget it and plan to ice the stupid insulin for the remainder of the trip.
The groceries are fine, however, and we have one thing that has gone right. Yippee.
Head for the food court at the big pool and are shocked to see several white sand beaches leading to...nothing. No water access to the very green lake (thank goodness) but what is the point of the sand, then? I guess if you like to sunbathe on a chair over sand, fine, but don't expect to cool off. You have to walk to a quiet pool or to the big pool - and it's a major hike - to get wet. I must have been naive to think that beaches meant water access. WHAT IS THE POINT OF THE BEACHES??
On the dining plan for the first time as well and cannot believe the disappointing choices we have for dinner. Never heard of half of the stuff we are offered and got a crazy sandwich cut in a wedge that was hard and inedible. We never ate here again.
The gift shop attached was really pretty full of most things you could want and also had some grocery items including a large selection of beers and wines by the single serving, or larger packages.
Checked out the "amazing pool" with the pirate theme - the water was the same temperature as a warm bath. Ugh. Never came back here, either. The quiet pool by our room had cool refreshing water albeit without a slide.
Decide to hit Downtown Disney and the bus transportation still seems to be working great. We walk down to the stop and head out with a minimum wait. Downtown is still the same, more or less and we came back a few hours later.
The refrigerators are still not working - off to get ice to pack the insulin in till hopefully they kick in. Our luggage has partially arrived and same bell person comes back with one last suitcase after we call to report it missing. He is again unhappy to have to come back - this guy needs a new job somewhere else. Tipped him again, reluctantly.
Over the course of the days we were there we had housekeeping miss us entirely one time (called and asked for them to come at 8 p.m. and the man who answered said, "really?" like that was outrageous. They did not come.
On the day we left, I called for bell services to pick up our luggage to take in for the Magical Express. We had the most surly, unpleasant person come - a man whose name I wrote down but can't remember now. He gave us nothing but grief about the fact that we all had ipads that would need to be locked up till the time for the bus. Why did we all need one, we ought to get our heads out of them and look around, etc. My daughter wanted to take him on verbally but I told her to just let it go and we'd never come back here again. Again, a reluctant tip, but I also wanted to have my stuff back when it was time. This guy looked like he could "lose" our stuff if crossed.
I intend to keep my promise. I WILL NEVER GO BACK HERE AGAIN. I have never been treated so shabbily at a Disney resort. Oh, by the way, no soap dispenser in the laundry worked for the entire time of our stay. We had to ORDER soap to be delivered to the room from the grocery company again - no one we asked about it at the Custom House gave a care. I know others complained, but NO ONE CARED.
I would avoid this huge property with its insane beaches that go nowhere and its unfriendly clerks, bell persons and staff. Go to Coronado Springs - we will.
