7 Awesome Things about Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

If you like the sun, you will love this Disney resort! The Caribbean Beach Resort is the second largest of the Walt Disney Resort so there are many guests who call it their “Home” away from home. This is a Moderate Disney Resort which offers larger rooms and more amenities than the Value resorts, yet is still more affordable than the Deluxe resorts.

7. The casual dining restaurant is Shutters, and it is only open for Dinner. It serves traditional American and Caribbean menu items. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are all served in the food court, Old Port Royale. The menu has some Caribbean favorites as well as traditional American food court fare. The décor is that of a Caribbean market with different shop fronts. There is also a Grab ‘n Go section if you are in a hurry. There is a nice selection of food which is nice if you are going to eat there often during your stay. Unfortunately the seating of 500 is inadequate for the number of people desiring to eat there so some folks have to spill out into the patio areas outside which is pretty hot in the summers. There are umbrella tables that will offer you some relief from direct sun. Guests can order from a limited room service menu from 4PM to 11:30PM. There is no table service restaurant at this resort.

6. This 200-acre resort is so large that it needed an internal bus system. This resort just sprawls out and while I prefer to walk through the resort I do see many guests opting for the bus transportation. The sections are Aruba, Jamaica, Trinidad South, Trinidad North, Martinique, and Barbados. The resort has 2,112 rooms.

5. White Sand Beaches along the manmade lake make it easy to get time toasting in the sun, or perhaps playing a game of sand volleyball. You may be even lucky enough to find that patch of sand that also has a hammock! There are lounge chairs beachside that adults can enjoy while their children are playing nearby in the sand. Did you forget the sand toys? No worries, you can pick up a good variety at the gift shop in Centertown. Be sure not to go into the water though, it is not for swimming in.

4. A Variety of areas to experience-The long walkways from the spread out island-themed sections of the resort have little shade, but you can take a break from the sun and duck into those somewhat hidden courtyards with tables and large sun umbrellas. Find them inside the courtyards of each island. When everyone is tired from playing in the water, head over the footbridge to Caribbean Cay a small “island” covered in lush tropical plants amid benches, picnic areas, shady gazebos or restful hammocks. The lush tropical plants really make you feel like you are in a tropical paradise! Want some exercise? Enjoy all of it by taking a jog or walk along the New Balance trail through the resort. You can rent bicycles, surrey bikes for the family, boats, a fishing excursion, corn hole, play volleyball, or when you need a break from the sun and heat head into the arcade in Old Port Royale.

3. The location of the resort is actually a valuable asset. It is fairly close to all the parks making the commute from the resort to the park fairly short in comparison to other resorts on property. What is a bit odd though, is the building where you check-in, the Custom’s House, is located to the outside edge, away from anything else. This is where you will be dropped if you arrive via Magical Express. You can either take a bus that travels within the resort itself to your “island” area that your resort room is in, or you will need to walk there. The walk could be quite long depending on where your room is located. The main building, Old Port Royale, where you will find the food, shopping, and swimming areas is quite a long walk from the Custom’s House. Ask for Martinique or Trinidad North locations to be closer to Old Port Royale. One thing that is much appreciated if you are driving is that the parking lots are close to the rooms in each section. You can catch some of IllumiNations at Epcot while standing between the Martinique section of the resort and the main buildings at Old Port Royale.

2. Water fun-Many families with young children can be seen heading down the long pathway in the morning, the family dressed in bathing suits and light cover-ups and large bags of toys for sand and water play that will be their entertainment following breakfast in Centertown. Taking along fresh fruit for snacks and water bottles to stay hydrated, it looks like they are ready for a fun day at the resort. The children will certainly enjoy the main pool that looks like a stone fort. Cannons are shooting water out and two slides, including a 102-foot long slide that has a big twist in it. There is a water playground next to the pool as well as a kiddie pool and hot tub for the adults. The Banana Cabana pool bar serves alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic beverages. It serves specialty cocktails, beer, wine, full bar, and frozen beverages for kids and adults. There are games for the children in the afternoon at the main pool. If they are feeling really adventurous, your children ages 4-12 can take part in a Pirate Adventure Cruise for an additional fee.

1. Argh! Would ye like a room worthy of a pirate? Ask for this special theming in some of the rooms. The beds are inside pirate ships and the chests of drawers looks more like ship cargo. The other rooms have a definite island feel with bright colors and a Finding Nemo accents. The rooms are comfortable and worth the step up to a Disney Moderate resort.

Credit: Disney Dining