Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Review

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Review

When we first started visiting Walt Disney World many years ago, we stayed mostly at Disney Value Resorts. They were cheap, convenient and since we spent all day in the parks anyway didn’t really need more. At one point, though, we realized we were missing out on a lot by choosing to only stay at the Value resorts and decided it was time to start exploring other resorts. As we are always longing for our next island vacation, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort seemed to be a perfect fit. Over the years, we have stayed here many times,  and it has become somewhere we always look forward to staying at. Read on for our reviews of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.

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Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is one of the largest on Disney property at 200 acres. With 5 areas and six bus stops, this resort covers a lot of ground. Separated into Island communities you can find Aruba, Jamaica, Barbados, Martinique, and Trinidad here. Surrounding a 45-acre lake, Caribbean Beach features a long walking trail that encompasses the entire waterfront, leading guests from the Trinidad all the way to the neighboring Riveria Resort. 

Caribbean Beach is also home to the Disney Skyliner station connecting to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT parks, making this a great choice for travelers wanting to get to these parks easily. 

Caribbean Beach Resort Atmosphere

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has a laid-back island vibe. It’s relaxing, to say the least. The grounds are super lush with tropical plants, and it definitely feels like you’ve traveled somewhere else outside of Walt Disney World. We love all the fresh new updates, new restaurants, and overall clean, elevated vibe.  

With the fresh refurbishments completed, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is almost on par with resorts in the Disney Deluxe Resorts category. Situated as little island communities that are set up so you can island-hop,  it feels like we’re actually in the Caribbean. The islands represented here are Aruba, Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, and Martinique. On the far side of the property, you will see the new Disney Riviera Resort and the Disney Skyliner station. and on the other side of the resort, Caribbean Beach houses the main station for the Disney Skyliner line. So you can choose whichever station is closest.

Old Port Royale

The main area of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is Old Port Royale. This hub acts as the center port where all the food, gift shops, and outdoor movies happen. This is also the location of the newest restaurant at Caribbean Beach Resort, Sebastian’s Bistro, as well as the outdoor pool bar, Banana Cabana. Here you can take advantage of pools, Movies Under the Stars, Volleyball Courts, Bike Rentals, and more. 

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Bridges and Gazebos

Connecting the “island areas” to Port Royal are a few bridges and a wooded section that also includes Gazebos. Situated in the middle of the resort, this bridge allows you to get to and from other areas easily. It also includes small hideaway areas. These include a kid’s playground area and private gazebos with just a couple of chairs each for lounging and quiet time. 

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Disney Caribbean Beach Resort Pros and cons

Little Mermaid Rooms Caribbean Beach

Disney Caribbean Beach Resort Rooms

Newly refurbished, the Disney Caribbean Beach Resort Rooms now have sliding doors that separate the sleeping and bathroom spaces. You can also count on a smart television, coffee maker, and all the regular toiletries. While the rooms are nothing to write home about, they are significantly nicer and more updated than Value Resort rooms.

Disney Caribbean Beach Resort Rooms Types

This resort offers Standard View, Water View, King Bed, 5th Sleeper, and Preferred Room Categories. Preferred Rooms are closest to Port Royale and are located in Martinique 24, 25, and 26. And in Barbados 31, 32, and 33. If you’re hoping for a 5th Sleeper room they are located in the Trinidad building. Also, be aware that there are no elevators at this resort, so if you cannot do stairs, be sure to request a first-floor room. 

Little Mermaid Rooms at Caribbean Beach Resort

The newest rooms to be added to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort are the Little Mermaid Rooms.  These are 5th sleeper rooms and they are stunning. There is no way to request them yet. Complete with a queen bed, a Murphy bed for a child 9 and under, a pull-down queen bed, tons of storage, and a whole new look, we really enjoyed staying in these new rooms.  Check out the New Little Mermaid Rooms at Caribbean Beach Resort. They are sure to draw some new guests to this resort, as they are both super cute and have a much more elevated feel than you’ll find at the rest of the resort. 

Choosing a Room at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

When choosing Disney Caribbean Resort Rooms, remember that Trinidad is by far the farthest from the center of the resort. So, keep that in mind when making room reservations. Especially if you want close access to the main building, main pool, and main bus stop.  Trinidad does however have a small open-air quick-serve food court called Spyglass Grill to refill beverages and grab a quick breakfast as well as their own bus stop. It is the area closest to the Skyliner. As mentioned, it is also the only area currently with the new Little Mermaid Rooms.

You can request specific buildings, but they’re not guaranteed. Online check-in no longer allows for these specific requests, so you’ll have to call them in or have your travel agent call in your request.

  • You can request a room here in hopes of a better location in the resort, however, requests are not guaranteed. If requesting a room that’s not preferred, Jamaica 45 and Aruba 52 will be your closest to the food court.
  • The entire section of Aruba is great, as it gets you closest to the Riviera Skyliner Station. 
  • Martinique takes up the other side of the resort and is between the Riviera and Port Royale. Check the map below to see which area may make the most sense to you. 
  • We stayed in Jamaica 43 and 45 several times and were about 6-7 minutes walking distance to Old Port Royale via the bridge. We loved this location because we were also about 2-3 minutes from our bus stop.
  • Use ONLINE check-in. You have the option of choosing whether you want to be close to the Skyliner or the Main building, so choose wisely!

Pirate Rooms Disney's Caribbean Beach

Pros of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

 As a large resort, Caribbean Beach actually does feel like you are on an island somewhere. We’ve never felt that it was too crowded and there was always room for us on the beach. We love that the food court wasn’t too crazy in the mornings and the grounds are relaxing.  It’s such an atmosphere change from the All-Stars resorts. While not overly “Disney” there still is all the Disney flair in the gift shops, rooms, and shops at Old Port Royale. Plus, add in Sebastian’s Bistro and stroll along the beaches and you’ll remember you’re visiting the most magical place on earth. 

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Cons of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Let us first start by saying- the resort is, in fact, HUGE. It’s actually one of Walt Disney World’s largest resorts with several bus stops. Since it is so big, you could get very unlucky and end up on an “island” that is just too far. This could or could not be a deal-breaker for you.  It really depends on what kind of vacationer you are. Something to consider if you’re toting little ones. Know that you could end up walking quite a distance just to grab your morning coffee and pastry every day. The buildings that are closest to the food court are in Martinique. This island has preferred rooms and will usually cost you extra. But we’ve found Aruba and Jamaica to be about a 6-7 minute walk every morning, depending on which building you are in, because you can walk right over the bridge.

If you have an Epcot or Hollywood Studios heavy trip, being close to the Skyliner can be a huge plus. Trinidad, though far from most things, is close to the Skyliner. And the far end of Jamaica is also close to the main Skyliner building as well. If you’re staying in Martinique or Aruba, the Skyliner at Disney’s Riviera may be a better option for you. But keep in mind, since the Skyliner station at Caribbean Beach is a hub, the Skyliner might be quite full if you decide to take it from the Riviera and you may have to wait longer. Check out all our Pros and Cons of Disney Caribbean Beach Resort. 

Caribbean Beach Resort Disney Skyliner

Caribbean Beach Resort Transportation

As a larger resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has several transportation options including Disney Bus transportation, Disney Skyliner transportation, and an internal shuttle.

Disney Buses 

Disney Buses traveling to the Parks and Disney Springs pick up and drop off at several bust stops throughout the resort. For clarity, each island has its own bus stop, however, they all share the same bus. This means that buses can get very full. Buses generally arrive about every 15-25 minutes to take you to the parks. Bus estimated time of arrival is found on the digital screens at each stop. And in your My Disney Experience App.  The bus stops are covered, which is nice when it’s hot out, and they also aren’t too crowded, except during the holidays.

Disney Skyliner to Epcot and Hollywood Studios

The Disney Skyliner adds an extra perk here you can’t take for granted if you’re visiting Epcot or Hollywood Studios during your trip. By having access to the Skyliner, you can simply head to either the Caribbean Beach Skyliner Station or the Disney Riviera Skyliner Station. Both offer transportation to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. And as they bookend the resort will be within walking distance of your room. 

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Internal Shuttle

There is also an internal shuttle that can take you to other areas around the resort. This is convenient if you get off at the wrong bus stop or are some distance from the food commissary and pools at Port Royale. 

Transportation Tips

  • There are 6 bus stops on this route, which means that sometimes the buses will take longer than planned to get to your stop.
  • This is one of Walt Disney World’s largest resorts, which also means most people stay here. The lines from the Parks will be long and you will usually end up waiting if you don’t time it correctly. Your best bet is to leave the parks early ( before 7) or late (11 pm-12 am).

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Centertown Market at Caribbean Beach Resort

Caribbean Beach Resort Restaurants

Caribbean Beach Resort has really improved its restaurant offerings over the last few years. Not only does it have an excellent table service dining option, but its bar and quick service locations have also gotten quite a facelift in recent times. Read on to learn about the dining options at Caribbean Beach Resort. 

Centertown Market at Old Port Royale

The main food court at Caribbean Beach is located at Centertown Market at Old Port Royale. With a newly revamped menu, we were happy to see that Centertown Market now offers fun, fresh flavors. And with unique dishes that we wouldn’t normally see at a quick-service restaurant. There is also a small café inside Centertown Market now with a variety of pastries and several different specialty coffees. We love coffee so seeing new coffees on the menu at Walt Disney World is always exciting for us! Disney Pro Tip: If you’re in a hurry, Centertown Market also offers mobile orders, which is one of our favorite ways to save time!

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Spyglass Grill at Caribbean Beach Resort

If you’re staying in Trinidad, Spyglass Grill is available to refill your mugs or grab a quick bite to eat. It is located close to the bus stop in Trinidad, so it’s a great place to stop by on your way out. It’s small and open-air. And it’s a place the “locals” know about, but no one else comes here, so it’s quiet. The menu is mostly the same as Centertown Market, with a slightly smaller selection, so if you’re just looking to grab something fast, this is a great option.

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Banana Cabana Disney Resort Lounges

Banana Cabana at Caribbean Beach Resort

Banana Cabana is the pool bar at Caribbean Beach. And guys, this place is just gorgeous.  With bright colors, fun furniture, an open-air setting, and a view of Barefoot Bay and Aruba in the distance. It really feels like a little island hideaway! Serving an array of delicious and tropically inspired drinks. You can also find a few quick bites here as well including crab cakes and jerk chicken wings. This is such a lovely upgrade to Caribbean Beach and we feel it really elevated the space. And they have some of the Best Mocktails at Disney if you’re looking for something to sip for you and the kids. 

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Sebastian's Bistro Restaurant in Walt Disney World

Sebastian’s Bistro at Caribbean Beach Resort

We love Sebastian’s Bistro, which is Caribbean Beach’s newer table service restaurant. Offering family-style dining at very budget-friendly Disney Dining prices, we think this is one of the most underrated restaurants at Walt Disney World. And it’s usually pretty easy to get a last-minute dining reservation here!  You can see our review of Sebastian’s Bistro here.  Spoiler Alert! We loved it and recommend it for a fun, unique meal in a beautiful, beachy setting. They typically open at 5 p.m., so be sure to grab a reservation as the waiting list can get kinda long. 

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Caribbean Beach Resort Activities

There is plenty to do at Caribbean Beach Resort! Between their main pools, the beaches, Movies Under the Stars, and more, we love Caribbean Beach for a more laid-back Disney vacation. Not to mention, it is on the Skyliner Route, making it easy to resort hop from one place to another. 

Caribbean Beach Resort Pool

Caribbean Beach Resort Splash area

Caribbean Beach Resort Pools

The main pool is located at Old Port Royale and is absolutely beautiful but is also more crowded. There’s a shallow play area for toddlers here too. Perfectly themed to a pirate ship, this splash area is perfect for hot days at Walt Disney World. Each island has its own quiet pool as well, which is smaller and not really “themed” but is a lot less crowded. So, if you’re looking for quiet sunbathing time, stick to your mini-island pool. 

  • The Jammin’ Pool Party Bash takes place at 2 pm daily and features a number of pool games, bingo, trivia, and more. 
  • An Island Dance Party happens daily at 3 pm for the kids and you can expect the pool area to be hoppin’ this time of day. 
  • Other activities at Old Port Royale include life-size chess, outdoor foosball, and sand volleyball. 

Disney Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney Movies Under the Stars | 7 pm

Caribbean Beach, like all the other Walt Disney World resorts, plays a Disney movie every night near the pool. Which we think is a great way to unwind. There’s also a campfire s’more roasting party on the beach. Be sure to grab the Disney Recreation schedule from the front desk at the resort to see which films are playing during your stay. 

S’mores Campfire

And if you’re looking for s’mores, you can find them at the Caribbean Campfire on Fuentes del Morro Beach at 5 pm. This is the beach next to Port Royale closest to Disney’s Riviera Resort.

Bikes at Caribbean Beach

Or you can rent bikes and Surrey bikes to fully explore the resort. Bicycles and Surrey Bikes are available for rent by the half-hour. Open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

Islands of the Caribbean Pirate Cruise

If your little ones love the idea of being a pirate for a few hours, there is a small pirate cruise that drives around the lagoon area. This costs extra but is a great way to get a few hours of relaxation to yourself without worrying about the kiddos. This cruise experience is for children ages 4-12. Young pirates sail the Caribbean in search of treasure and adventure. Cruises are available Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. When offered you can find pricing and details of the Enchanting Extras Disney Pirate Cruise, on the website. 

www.polkadotsandpixiedust.com

Caribbean Cay 

On Caribbean Cay, which is accessible via the bridge between Jamaica and Aruba, there is also a kid’s play area open from sunrise-sunset. Caribbean Cay offers playground spaces and covered deck areas for taking a morning coffee, or just a relaxing time in nature. These spaces are open to all guests of the resort during daytime hours. And a wonderful way to just get away from it all. 

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Beaches

We mentioned Caribbean Beach Resort has beaches right? These little beaches are strewn all over the resort and offer seating and hammocks throughout each. Perfect for an afternoon break, or toes in the sand.

Jogging Trails

Caribbean Beach Resort offers a 1.4m. Jogging Trail that surrounds the lake. Perfect for runDisney training, or walks the trail is littered with small beaches perfect for breaks. One of the many resorts that offer Walking Paths at Walt Disney World.  

Disney's CAribbean Beach Resort

Caribbean Beach Resort Cost

Caribbean Beach tends to be one of the less expensive moderate resorts and usually has more availability than the others. That being said, since renovations are currently being done here and some rooms are completely unable to be booked, availability may be lower during busier times. The addition of the Skyliner has also made this resort a little more desirable, which also increases the price a little as well. You can usually find Caribbean Beach Resort rooms somewhere between $300-$400 per night, and once in a while if you can find a discount, these rooms can be found for slightly lower prices during less busy times. 

Is Caribbean Beach worth the price?

For us, yes it is! It’s one resort we continuously come back to time and time again. We love the easy access to the Skyliner. We love the relaxed atmosphere. And even though many people don’t love how large it is, for us, it makes it feel less crowded. Which is always a good thing! With the addition of the new Little Mermaid Rooms at Caribbean Beach Resort, we think this makes it even more appealing to stay here.

Caribbean Beach Resort Check-In 

Skip the lines at the desk with online check-in. You can check in online up to 30 days in advance of your reservation and manage all of your room info, including your room number in the My Disney Experience app. 

Disney Caribbean Beach Resort Map

The giant green space at the top right-hand corner of the map is currently Disney’s Riviera Resort.  Skyliner locations are directly above Aruba, and directly below Jamaica.

UPDATED Disney Caribbean Beach Resort Map

Would we Recommend Caribbean Beach Resort?

Overall, we love the Caribbean Beach resort. It’s a great escape at the end of a hectic day at Disney. We highly recommend this resort to those looking for an island-like getaway while visiting Walt Disney World. And if you’re working within a budget! It’s one of the cheaper moderates and has an atmosphere worth experiencing. While we know this is probably one of the more glowing reviews of Disney Caribbean Beach Resort, we hope you give it a chance. And hope you love it too!

Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World has just be refurbished, has a new restaurant and will be will be one of the Disney Skyliner resorts! Here is everything you need to know. #polkadotpixies #disneyresorts #disneytips

 

Co-Founder and Director at Polka Dot Pixie Co LLC | Website | + posts

Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.


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