Disney's CARIBBEAN BEACH RESORT Information & Questions-Old Thread-New Thread Link in Post 1

[blackpearl77]

Forgot to mention this!! When we were there last week they were installing the wait time signs at the bus stops. Right now it's just a box...

 

[wdw4rfam]

All 3 kids are just getting over a cold so I just started packing! We arrive in 5 days but leave in 3 days because we are driving from Canada! Yes 3 kids in a car for 17 hours. I think we are in for a National Lampoon adventure!

We drive every year 15 hours, it's not bad. We have 3 kids too, and the 18 yo is my complainer. Luckily her and her BF are flying down and meeting us, now with college schedules, I didn't want them to miss so many days ( I homeschool the other 2 so we aren't used to worrying about that). We just do quick stops frequently so it isn't so bad.

 

[Ladyfish77]

Forgot to mention this!! When we were there last week they were installing the wait time signs at the bus stops. Right now it's just a box...

Here's hoping Disney does something quickly--it sure would be nice to have these working for our trip. (I'm not holding my breath, though).

 

[CandiceF]

We drive every year 15 hours, it's not bad. We have 3 kids too, and the 18 yo is my complainer. Luckily her and her BF are flying down and meeting us, now with college schedules, I didn't want them to miss so many days ( I homeschool the other 2 so we aren't used to worrying about that). We just do quick stops frequently so it isn't so bad.

This will be our 3rd time driving with DS8 and DD5 and 2nd time with DS2. DS2 was a baby last time and really good but he is now go, go, go! We are worried confining him for that long will be torture to him! The schools here are really good about giving kids time off. DD is only 5 so she won't miss much in SK. DS8 is in grade 3 but does really well in school. We tell them as long you do well in school and catch up when we get back we can go during school. At least driving that far they get a Geography lesson!

 

[wdw4rfam]

This will be our 3rd time driving with DS8 and DD5 and 2nd time with DS2. DS2 was a baby last time and really good but he is now go, go, go! We are worried confining him for that long will be torture to him! The schools here are really good about giving kids time off. DD is only 5 so she won't miss much in SK. DS8 is in grade 3 but does really well in school. We tell them as long you do well in school and catch up when we get back we can go during school. At least driving that far they get a Geography lesson!

We have one child like that too, and we've drove the past 8 years, so she was just 8 months old the first time. That's why we stop every hour or hour and a half, even if it's just for 5 minutes. It takes a little longer, but that few minute break seems to make a huge difference.the iPads and DVD player in the van help too. I am totally using the trip as " geography" too, that's a great idea. We use our Epcot days as " science".

 

[wdw4rfam]

Forgot to mention this!! When we were there last week they were installing the wait time signs at the bus stops. Right now it's just a box...

This is wonderful news. I have to admit, transportation is the main reason we have saved CBR as our last moderate to try. The kids are super excited to stay here. These will help keep the guessing out of how much longer till the bus arrives. The question is, how accurate are they?

 

[KCSherri]

I apologize if my questions have been answered in this thread, but 281 pages is a lot to take in for anyone!

I am a frequent visitor to Caribbean Beach - after staying at most of the other resorts, I realized that CBR is my home. Normally, I drive our own car to the resort, which makes things much easier when it comes to luggage, room check-in, etc.

However, in two weeks, Hubby and I are flying down from Kansas City for the Wine & Dine Half-Marathon, and we will not have a car. Here's where some of my (stupid) questions arise.

We are using Magical Express to get from the airport to the resort, and back to the airport. I have never used Magical Express before, so this will be a new (and hopefully, not confusing) experience. When we arrive at WDW, our plan is to drop everything and head to Magic Kingdom.

1. Magical Express takes us directly to Caribbean Beach, correct? And we will be dropped off where we can check in?

2. We will most likely have carry-on luggage with us, which will have our racing clothes/shoes. I don't want to take this carry-on to the parks with us. If our room is not ready at check-in, are we able to leave our carry-on with Bell Services?? Will they deliver it to our room later (for a tip?)

3. When it is time to check out, do we wheel our luggage to Custom House? Or can we call Bell Services and they will come pick it up for us and take it to Custom House? (We'll have two large suitcases)

Again, I apologize…I've just been spoiled with my own car and have never had to worry about these questions!

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Wdw1015]

I apologize if my questions have been answered in this thread, but 281 pages is a lot to take in for anyone!

I am a frequent visitor to Caribbean Beach - after staying at most of the other resorts, I realized that CBR is my home. Normally, I drive our own car to the resort, which makes things much easier when it comes to luggage, room check-in, etc.

However, in two weeks, Hubby and I are flying down from Kansas City for the Wine & Dine Half-Marathon, and we will not have a car. Here's where some of my (stupid) questions arise.

We are using Magical Express to get from the airport to the resort, and back to the airport. I have never used Magical Express before, so this will be a new (and hopefully, not confusing) experience. When we arrive at WDW, our plan is to drop everything and head to Magic Kingdom.

1. Magical Express takes us directly to Caribbean Beach, correct? And we will be dropped off where we can check in?

2. We will most likely have carry-on luggage with us, which will have our racing clothes/shoes. I don't want to take this carry-on to the parks with us. If our room is not ready at check-in, are we able to leave our carry-on with Bell Services?? Will they deliver it to our room later (for a tip?)

3. When it is time to check out, do we wheel our luggage to Custom House? Or can we call Bell Services and they will come pick it up for us and take it to Custom House? (We'll have two large suitcases)

Again, I apologize…I've just been spoiled with my own car and have never had to worry about these questions!

Thanks in advance!!!

Yes, they will drop you off at Custom House which is where you will check in. You can leave your bags with Bell Services. We went back and picked ours up ourselves but they loaded them into a shuttle and took us to our room. He also carried them upstairs for us. When leaving, you can call Bell Services and they will load and shuttle you back to Custom House.

 

[KCSherri]

Yes, they will drop you off at Custom House which is where you will check in. You can leave your bags with Bell Services. We went back and picked ours up ourselves but they loaded them into a shuttle and took us to our room. He also carried them upstairs for us. When leaving, you can call Bell Services and they will load and shuttle you back to Custom House.

So, pretty much easy peasy - thank you!

 

[dis_guy]

Forgot to mention this!! When we were there last week they were installing the wait time signs at the bus stops. Right now it's just a box...

Now that's great news. We're there in 2 weeks so hopefully they'll be up and running.

 

[busymommy2pink]

Wow...we have had a rough go of it for the last week and a half! Our trip was even compromised! I started coughing up blood and obviously that was super alarming!! After a week of in and out of doctors, specialists and hospitals, it seems I have/had an infection in my airway. Hopefully, that's what it definitely is, and in the least, nothing flares up while we are in the World! The magic covers illness too right???? I'm still not 100%, but we have 16 days, so I am hoping that is enough to feel way better. I feel a lot better than I did, so it can only go up from here right? I thought I needed the vacation before now, man, now I REALLLLLLY need it!!!!!

Now I need to start packing. Normally I almost completely packed by now, but this illness has postponed that. Bring on the vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CandiceF]

Wow...we have had a rough go of it for the last week and a half! Our trip was even compromised! I started coughing up blood and obviously that was super alarming!! After a week of in and out of doctors, specialists and hospitals, it seems I have/had an infection in my airway. Hopefully, that's what it definitely is, and in the least, nothing flares up while we are in the World! The magic covers illness too right???? I'm still not 100%, but we have 16 days, so I am hoping that is enough to feel way better. I feel a lot better than I did, so it can only go up from here right? I thought I needed the vacation before now, man, now I REALLLLLLY need it!!!!!

Now I need to start packing. Normally I almost completely packed by now, but this illness has postponed that. Bring on the vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you feel better! Do you have travel medical insurance? We live in Canada too and I got ours through CAA. It might be good to have just in case. Soon you will be relaxing in the Caribbean!

 

[nobellybutton]

5 days!!! Woohoo!

 

[dansdad]

I apologize if my questions have been answered in this thread, but 281 pages is a lot to take in for anyone!

I am a frequent visitor to Caribbean Beach - after staying at most of the other resorts, I realized that CBR is my home. Normally, I drive our own car to the resort, which makes things much easier when it comes to luggage, room check-in, etc.

However, in two weeks, Hubby and I are flying down from Kansas City for the Wine & Dine Half-Marathon, and we will not have a car. Here's where some of my (stupid) questions arise.

We are using Magical Express to get from the airport to the resort, and back to the airport. I have never used Magical Express before, so this will be a new (and hopefully, not confusing) experience. When we arrive at WDW, our plan is to drop everything and head to Magic Kingdom.

1. Magical Express takes us directly to Caribbean Beach, correct? And we will be dropped off where we can check in?

2. We will most likely have carry-on luggage with us, which will have our racing clothes/shoes. I don't want to take this carry-on to the parks with us. If our room is not ready at check-in, are we able to leave our carry-on with Bell Services?? Will they deliver it to our room later (for a tip?)

3. When it is time to check out, do we wheel our luggage to Custom House? Or can we call Bell Services and they will come pick it up for us and take it to Custom House? (We'll have two large suitcases)

Again, I apologize…I've just been spoiled with my own car and have never had to worry about these questions!

Thanks in advance!!!

I know @Wdw1015 answered all your questions but just had to add that we have driven and flown when staying at CBR and have found that using Magical Express is so much easier. On arrival day once we roll our luggage to the driveway to wait for the limo we don't touch them again until we get to our room. On departure day, once we pack our luggage we don't touch it again until the luggage carousel at our home airport. Now when vacationing somewhere else we really miss the Magical Express.

 

[oj01]

We are here!

We didn't get our Martinique request though. Instead, we got connecting rooms in Jamaica 45. Brilliant if the bridge wasn't closed.

However, have just walked to OPR. Took 10 minutes, so not much of an issue.

Pretty much dark by this time so will have a better feel of the resort tomorrow.

 

[Kevin355]

Wow...we have had a rough go of it for the last week and a half! Our trip was even compromised! I started coughing up blood and obviously that was super alarming!! After a week of in and out of doctors, specialists and hospitals, it seems I have/had an infection in my airway. Hopefully, that's what it definitely is, and in the least, nothing flares up while we are in the World! The magic covers illness too right???? I'm still not 100%, but we have 16 days, so I am hoping that is enough to feel way better. I feel a lot better than I did, so it can only go up from here right? I thought I needed the vacation before now, man, now I REALLLLLLY need it!!!!!

Now I need to start packing. Normally I almost completely packed by now, but this illness has postponed that. Bring on the vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get better...that is a direct order. And enjoy your vacation.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

We don't arrive for 19 days. This last 3 weeks are dragging by. When does everyone start to pack? With working full time as a night nurse I don't want to be running around at the last minute trying to get everything ready.

Our last trip started on a Thursday. We had everything packed by the Sunday before and packed up the car Wednesday night. It worked perfectly and we were able to leave bright and early at 4:30 am.

 

[5kidsmommy]

Question about check-in, what is streamlined check-in? Does that mean I just go to the online check-in desk? Or is there another location? I ask because of the wording.

"
Congratulations!
Your online check-in is complete. Your reservation has Streamlined Check-in, just show your ID at the designated location in the resort lobby. Look for the logo. If your room is not ready upon your arrival, we will send you a notification to ********** as soon as your room is ready."

 

[dansdad]

Question about check-in, what is streamlined check-in? Does that mean I just go to the online check-in desk? Or is there another location? I ask because of the wording.

"
Congratulations!
Your online check-in is complete. Your reservation has Streamlined Check-in, just show your ID at the designated location in the resort lobby. Look for the logo. If your room is not ready upon your arrival, we will send you a notification to ********** as soon as your room is ready."

After completing Online Check In you will have one of the following 3 experiences:

Bypass The Front Desk - You will receive an email about 5-10 days before your arrival saying Congratulations, you will be able to Bypass The Front Desk. When you arrive on property, you will get a text. If you room is ready, the text will have your room number. If it's not ready, the text will say so and then say you will receive another text once your room is ready. Either way you can now head to the parks if you want.

Streamlined Check In - Once completing Online Check In you will receive a pop-up, like you posted above, stating you will be able to participate in the Streamline Check In process. Once you arrive at CBR, you will proceed to the Streamlined Check In Kiosk and hand the CM there your ID. They will check your ID and if your room is ready, they will give you your room number. If it's not ready, you will receive a text with your room number when it is. You can now head to the parks.

Online Check In - If do not receive the Bypass the Front Desk email nor the Streamlined Check In pop-up, when you arrive at CBR head to the Online Check In desk to the right of the normal check in desk. The CM there will check your ID and if your room is ready they will give you your room number. If it's not, you will receive a text with your room number when it is ready. You can now head to the parks.

Nobody has been able to figure out how they decide who gets to do what. We were traveling together with another family, on the same plane, on the same ME bus, same packages, etc and we were able to Bypass The Front Desk and they did the Streamlined Check In.

 

[oj01]

@mickeystoontown Jamaica 4535 has a murphy bed