DISNEY CARIBBEAN BEACH RESORT- A caribbean oasis in Disney
Written: May 21 '01 (Updated Jan 04 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Charming and moderately priced
Cons: I would have preferred some privacy while using the sink
The Bottom Line: A great place to stay, at a reasonable price.
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| tracmd's Full Review: Disneys Caribbean Beach |
Recently, I just went to Disney World on my honeymoon. My husband and I were suppose to stay at the Magnolia Bend in Port Orleans (formerly Dixie Landings), but our reservations got screwed up, soooo, we had a choice of a room from one of the moderately priced resorts. We chose the Caribbean Beach because my husband had stayed there before, liked it, and I liked the pictures of it.
The Caribbean Beach consists of clusters of motel like structures in bright colors, that are each named after a tropical location. Each cluster is different in outward appearance, from the next. When you check in, you actually go to the "customs house," which is located apart from the location where the rooms are. It seems authentic in style, with its ceiling fans, dark wood and tropical print decor, and piped-in caribbean music.
The hotel is located on a tremendously large piece of property, filled with palm trees and other tropical greenery. There is a pond on the property, and it also borders a "lake"- type structure. The clusters of rooms are bordered by parking, so all parking is convenient. Disney did a nice job with the landscaping, for there is lush greenery all around. Ducks and other birds would wonder the property. We stayed on the second floor, with the door and window opening to the walkway. From a design standpoint, I would have preferred the window be in a location where it would overlook the beautiful landscaping- as opposed to other tourist walking by. Because of this, we always kept our blinds closed when we were in the room, for some privacy. Despite this, the walkway around the building felt very authentic, with its brightly covered stucco, and draping palms nearby.
The room was decorated in a casual, but tropical style. The chairs were covered in a tropical fabric, and the bedspread was also tropical with bright hues. The headboard was a nice whitewashed wood, with an engraved pineapple on the center, and on top. The TV was nested in a green painted armoire, which had drawers beneath for storage. The rug was green with a leaf pattern. The bathroom area had a ceramic tile floor. Now onto the interesting part- The toilet and bath were in their own room, which is quite normal for hotels these days. However, the his and hers sinks were facing the rest of the room when you walk in. Meaning, there was only a pull-curtain that would separate the sink area from the rest of the room. Also, the only "closet" area was in this bathroom area. I didn't quite understand this design, for if the curtain was pulled, the room didn't look too great. However, when it was open, you would see the sinks as you lay in bed. I think it would have been better from an aesthetic and privacy stand point if the sinks were not facing the rest of the room. This room design seemed to be geared more towards a family with young children, than to honeymooners.
Now onto one of the most critical pieces of a hotel stay- the food. In addition to a pricier seafood restaurant, the Caribbean beach also had a great food court which served breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The prices were extremely reasonable, and the food was quite tasty. There were also a number of vegetarian options. The establishments to choose from were Deli, Pasta, Pizza, Chicken, Burgers, and Bakery. I would highly recommend the omelettes for breakfast. The spaghetti was also tasty, and was a sizable portion.
The building which housed the food also had a large Disney store, an open "market," and an arcade. At the back of this building was the main pool, and a bar with a plenitude of seating. The pool had a nice feature, a little "tower" which had a mini water slide. Behind the pool was a beach area, bordering on a man-made lake. The beach had hammocks and volleyball netting, but people were not to swim in the water.
Throughout this area were mini-bridges leading to tropical walkways, where one could soak up the lush beauty, or feed some ducklings. There were also some paddle boats made available to the guests.
I think a true test of a hotel is if you can stay there for 9 nights, and still enjoy it. Well, I gave the Caribbean Beach resort the true test. I thought it was attractive and welcoming, while offering a lot at a "moderate" price. Though there were some design elements that I didn't quite understand, they added a unique charm to the facility. The Caribbean Beach would be a great place to stay- whether you are taking your whole family, or want a peaceful stay for a romantic rendezvous. No matter the case, you will feel as if you had taken a detour to the islands.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
tracmd
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Member: Tracy
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 81
Trusted by: 8 members
About Me:
I am a happily married mother of a precious daughter and furry baby (a cat).
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