This Disney World hotel gets a ton of hate we say it doesn’t deserve.
Believe it or not, the Caribbean Beach Resort is one of the most important hotels in Disney World history. The complex, which opened in October of 1988, was the first Disney-owned hotel at Disney World located outside of the Magic Kingdom resort area, and kickstarted a period of massive hotel construction and expansion of the resort that would see another 14 hotels added to other areas of the resort. Despite this important place in Disney history, Caribbean Beach tends to be somewhat… unpopular amongst many Disney guests.
Looking over our guest reviews of the Caribbean Beach Resort, the major issue many have with the hotel – even those who left mostly positive reviews – is that the hotel is too spread out, with lots of walking and/or use of the in-resort tram system required to maneuver it. Beyond that, other issues tend to be a feeling of dated rooms.
While these complaints have merit, especially with those who have physical issues which could affect their ability to walk the resort, we still think there’s way more good than bad to staying at Caribbean Beach, including:
Fuentes del Morro Pool
The Caribbean Beach Resort’s primary pool – the Fuentes del Morro Pool – is one of the best on Disney property. The massive pool complex is themed to a Spanish Colonial-era fortress, featuring towers, footbridges, and water canons. The main pool area also features 2 waterslides, shipwreck play area (complete with mini slide and a crow’s nest) for youngsters, and a 12-person spa and Banana Cabana pool bar for adults.
In addition to this main pool, the resort also features leisure pools in each of the guest room villages area if one is looking for a slightly more relaxing pool experience.
Sebastian’s Bistro
Sebastian’s Bistro isn’t one of the most popular restaurants at Walt Disney World, but it’s arguably the one that provides the most unique “bang” for one’s buck. The restaurant offers an all-you-care-to-enjoy Caribbean buffet option for some of the best prices on Disney property.
Currently, for $38 per adult or $20 per child, guests can indulge in a Taste of the Caribbean Menu which includes house-baked pull-apart rolls, a salad, oven-roasted citrus chicken, slow-cooked mojo pork, grilled chili-rubbed beef*, sustainable baked fish, cilantro rice and beans, vegetable stew, and grilled vegetables, and house-made coconut-pineapple bread pudding for dessert. The restaurant also offer a similar-in-flavor’s plant-based menu.
Have you been to Sebastian’s Bistro? Be sure to leave a review!
Sebastian's Bistro Restaurant
Services: Table Service
The Skyliner
Arguably the biggest benefit to staying at the Caribbean Beach resort is access to the Skyliner. Caribbean Beach provides mid-level options for those who wish to stay on the Skyliner line — with its easy access to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT — but want to stay at neither the value Pop Century or Art of Animation or spring for the Riviera Resort.
Now, here’s where we’ll address the distance issue. Yes, there are some rooms at Caribbean Beach far from the Skyliner. However, there are also some very close to it. The key is to, when booking, request a room in the resort’s Jamaica section, most specifically in buildings 41, 42, or 43.
Deluxe Level Theming
We’d argue that the Caribbean Beach Resort is one of the best-themed hotels at Disney World, arguably more on par with Deluxe category hotels as opposed to its fellow moderates. The aforementioned pool, the lush landscaping, the villages are themed to different Caribbean islands. All of it blends together to create a tropical getaway in the midst of central Florida.
Agree with us? Think we’re crazy? Let us know by leaving your own review of the Caribbean Beach Resort, and be sure to stay tuned to AllEars for more on Disney World’s hotels.
5 Reasons to Take the Skyliner to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Even If You Aren’t Staying There
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What do you think of the Caribbean Beach Resort? Let us know in the comments below.
I loved Caribbean Beach’s theming but until they upgrade the HVAC I won’t go back. The number of rooms that smell of damp and cigarettes is overwhelming.
We haven’t stayed at CBR in several years since we prefer POFQ. Our only negative was the fact it didn’t have elevators. Being older it was a bit tough on us. Since we had our car it wasn’t a big deal for us to drive back to the front to eat and shop at the resort. I would like to give it a try again albeit on a ground floor in the Jamaica section. Gotta talk hubby into it though.