Best Rooms & Locations at Caribbean Beach Resort
Choosing the best room location and building at Caribbean Beach Resort is tricky, as it’s the only Walt Disney World hotel with two Skyliner gondola stations and non-stop access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. This post covers room recommendations based upon various priorities. (Updated June 8, 2023.)
First, I’d be remiss if I didn’t start by mentioning that we love Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. When it comes to Moderate Resorts, it’s right up there with Port Orleans for us, albeit for very different reasons. For a basic primer on Caribbean Beach, including a look inside the guest rooms (all of which were refurbished only a few years ago), read our comprehensive Caribbean Beach Resort Review.
In the last several years, we’ve seen a massive transformation of Caribbean Beach Resort. This included the construction of Disney’s Riviera Resort, reimagining of Old Port Royale, and addition of the Skyliner. Most recently, the Pirate Rooms were reimagined into The Little Mermaid rooms with a style that borrows from higher-end Disney Vacation Club rooms. With that, the once-weakest rooms at CBR became the best!
Suffice to say, there have been a lot of growing pains at Caribbean Beach, and the lushness and laid back tropical vibe we loved about the resort has to a degree been traded for nicer amenities and significantly better transportation. We’ve been meticulously documenting the evolution of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort over the last several years, and regular readers of the blog have no doubt seen at least some of our monthly construction updates from the hotel. We’ll spare you a rehash of that.
The fruits of all this work have been a lot of new and unique features for the Caribbean Beach Resort. Which of these matter most to you will play a large role in determining the building and room type you should book and request. Let’s dig into the best & worst options…
If you are thinking you might want to stay at Caribbean Beach, or have already booked a stay, the question becomes which building(s) we recommend this resort now that the Disney Skyliner gondola has debuted and Disney’s Riviera Resort has opened.
Let’s start with our “best of all worlds” recommendation, which assumes you want balance…
In this scenario, the location you want to request at Caribbean Beach Resort is buildings 51 or 45 (the yellow/blue and green/pink buildings pictured above). Personally, this is my favorite location in all of the resort. You’re removed from the heart of all the “action,” but you still have a centralized location that’s convenient to literally everything at the resort.
You have a leisurely walk across the bridge through Caribbean Cay to get to the Fuentes del Morro Pool, Centertown dining options, Banana Cabana bar, and everything else in the Old Port Royale lobby. From most rooms in these two buildings, you’re roughly 5 minutes to everything in this area, which is great considering the sprawling size of Caribbean Beach Resort.
For us, the more significant upside of this location is that you’re almost dead-center between the two Skyliner gondola stations. Each will be around a 7-10 minute walk from here, which again, isn’t bad given the layout of Caribbean Beach.
The upside to being centered between the two stations rather than really close to one or the other is that this means you have direct, non-stop access to everywhere you want to go. While we love the Skyliner, not having to hassle with potentially waiting in a second line is nice. This location guarantees you the shortest transit times and only having to bother with buses for 2 parks.
If you want a more specific recommendation, we’d recommend requesting rooms 4501-4504 or 4529-4532. These are going to be a mix of your shortest walk to the Skyliner, bus stop, lobby, and even the Coke Freestyle machine over in building 46.
Really, though, such a specific request is unnecessary–just go for a standard view room in buildings 45 or 51. You can’t go wrong with any of the rooms in this location. All of the buildings adjacent to these are also good options, too. If you’re less picky, we’d expand our recommendations to anything in the range of buildings 43-53.
You might notice that we stopped short of recommending buildings 41-42 and 53-56. The former two buildings are actually closest (albeit across Sea Breeze Drive) to the Caribbean Beach Skyliner hub station, while the latter three buildings are closest to the Riviera Resort Skyliner station.
If you know you’d prefer to be closer to one Skyliner station, you should definitely go for one of these sets of buildings. In terms of Skyliner convenience and breadth of options, the lower number buildings near the hub station are the significantly better choice.
There’s additional upside of being in buildings 53-56, which is proximity to Disney’s Riviera Resort. This recently-added DVC/Deluxe Villa Resort is easily accessible via the walkway that circles Barefoot Bay and connects the two sister hotels.
The dining options at Disney’s Riviera Resort are fantastic, with Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera. This is a Signature Restaurant at dinner and character breakfast–we love and highly recommend both meals.
Likewise, we are big fans of Primo Piatto, the counter service restaurant at Riviera Resort, and also recommend checking out Le Petit Café for dessert and Bar Riva for drinks. If you think you’ll eat a lot at Disney’s Riviera Resort, the buildings closer to it are recommended.
In general, we like the dining options at Caribbean Beach (Sebastian’s Bistro is one of our favorite dinners in all of Walt Disney World), but the overall lineup is better at Disney’s Riviera Resort. That should be unsurprising given that it’s a higher caliber hotel.
Next, what we probably wouldn’t recommend. That would be any of the Preferred Rooms, which are in Barbados and Martinique. Not because there’s anything wrong with these rooms–to the contrary, they’re super convenient for Fuentes del Morro Pool and Centertown.
However, the “Preferred” classification for Caribbean Beach was created pre-Skyliner, meaning you’re paying a premium for buildings that are some of the farthest from both stations. Unless you are gondola-averse, we see little reason to pay more for this location.
We also don’t really see the point in paying extra for a water or pool view room at a hotel with exterior hallways, but perhaps that’s just us. During hours when guests foot traffic outside our room is heaviest, we seldom open our blinds, but again, maybe you’d prefer a view.
One specific room request we would make is for a corner room, which has the advantage of two windows as opposed to one. This isn’t a huge thing, but we find it makes what can otherwise be a dark room a tad more light and airy.
If you are Skyliner averse and do intend upon spending a lot of time at the pool or in the lobby, what to request really depends upon when you’ll be visiting and what you want to utilize.
If you might want to explore Disney Riviera Resort’s dining scene, go for something in Martinique. If you want to dine at the hidden gem that is Spyglass Grill, opt for Barbados.
The new-for-2023 Under the Sea rooms inspired by The Little Mermaid in Trinidad are another option. We just did a stay at these in June 2023 (room review and photo/video tour coming soon!) and found them to be a tremendous improvement over the infamous Pirate Rooms that they replaced.
Our opinion of these rooms is much more positive now, to the point that we now highly recommend Trinidad. These Under the Sea rooms are great for families who want more space while they’re not sleeping, as the pull-down beds make the main living area far less cramped during the day. In addition to the quality of the Under the Sea rooms themselves, having Spyglass Grill right there plus a nice view of the gondolas gliding overhead across the water is pleasant and relaxing.
Oddly enough, the Under the Sea rooms are not a distinct booking category despite being dramatically different from the regular rooms at Caribbean Beach Resort. In order to obtain these Little Mermaid inspired rooms, you need to start by booking the 5th sleeper category.
That’s not all, though, as there are a number of 5th sleeper rooms all around Caribbean Beach Resort. During the online check-in process, you’ll need to make a room request, and will have the option to choose between Old Port Royale or near the Skyliner–pick the Skyliner. To really cover your bases, follow that up with the in-app chat feature and request a room in building 34 or 35.
Those are going to be the shortest walk to the Skyliner station and Old Port Royale, whereas buildings 36-39 are much more of a hike. (Building 39 is literally across from the Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation–a totally different resort!)
Ultimately, we know this presents several options and a lot to contemplate. Normally, we aren’t overly-keen on room requests, and think Walt Disney World planners put too much emphasis on them. However, one thing we’ve learned with Caribbean Beach Resort is that location is often make or break in terms of guest perception of the resort.
We love CBR and want others to share that same appreciation, hence this long analysis of the best and worst locations at Caribbean Beach Resort. If you’re still torn or are now more conflicted than before and want us to make your decision for you, go for building 45 if you’re a solo traveler or couple. If you’re a family with kids, opt for the Under the Sea rooms in Trinidad, requesting buildings 34 or 35.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you stayed at Caribbean Beach Resort since the resort’s reimagining finished? What about since the Skyliner gondolas debuted? Which building were you in? How did you like the location? Would you agree or disagree with our Caribbean Beach Resort building and room recommendations? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Hi, I have learned so much about Disney from your website! So now I am just in the process of booking the Caribbean resort for Autumn 2024. We are a family of one 10 year old and one 3 year old. I am thinking of requesting the Jamaica section, as it seems quite convenient for a lot of the resort? I like the idea of the new little mermaid rooms in Trinidad, but feel it’ll be a stretch for the kids to walk everywhere from there. Do you have any recommendations for what would be the best section for young children? We will be going to MK, Epcot & HS as priorities during our stay.
Thank you so much!
Are there any 5th sleeper rooms in buildings 51 or 45? We are planning a trip for April 2024 with two adults and three kids. I think we’re set on Caribbean beach but trying to decide what the best room request for us would be. If not in those buildings would you ask for 34 or 35?
Jessica,
We love that area of the resort. So close to the Skyliner! And yes, I believe every building is mostly 5th sleepers. It’s all I’ve ever used.
Have a great trip! CBR is one of our favorite resorts!
Are the Little Mermaid inspired rooms more expensive than the standard view 5th sleeper rooms since they aren’t a separate category?
The 5th sleeper rooms, in general, are more expensive than standard rooms–but the Little Mermaid ones aren’t more expensive than other 5th sleeper rooms.
Tom, this article is excellent! I have stayed at both CBR and Riviera, and have just booked to return to CBR with the intention to leverage excellent dining options at Riviera. I stayed in a Tower Studio last year and though it was nice, it is very difficult to justify the pricing. Skyliner is one of the greatest improvements since my first stay at CBR in 2019 and your considerations on where in the resort to stay are spot on and have helped me greatly. Thank You!!!
Stayed at CBR a couple times, 2015, 2016 I believe and thought about staying there for our upcoming trip this fall. However, when last there back in November, we checked out the new food court and I am totally turned off by it. I liked the old way where you could take your time and look at each section instead of having to wait in a single line then place an order and get it at the pick up counter.
We stayed in building 36 in March 2023 and we loved it. Newly renovated room, right by Spyglass Grill and a quick walk to the Skyliner. We have four kids (one is a baby) and the amazing amount of storage made the room great for our family.
We had 17 nights in Trinidad rooms for big family trip in April whilst it was lovely food is limited and long walk for us oldies to skyline r and main pool however biggest disappointment was findin drawers in room had dirty food left by previous guests I complained they cleaned but I was disgusted after paying loads of bucks for three rooms
I actually miss the pre-refurb/skyliner days of Caribbean Beach resort… It was never crowded, and always had the biggest discounts because of its reputation. Buses weren’t crowded and getting to a theme park wasn’t a hassle. It’s ironic that we always got “stuck” in the far reaches of Aruba or Jamaica and weren’t crazy about the long walks to breakfast, but now the far reaches of Aruba are great for access to the Skyliner and Riviera resort!! Change is not nesessarily a bad thing!!
Same. I “fondly” remember walking from Trinidad to the Custom House for a package pickup of Beauty and the Beast costumes we ordered for MNSSHP…and then having to walk back with a huge box. It was absolutely miserable.
Aside from that, I actually loved the sprawling layout and serenity of CBR. That’s one thing I still appreciate about Port Orleans, but if I’m being honest, I’ve come to favor the practicality of the condensed properties over the true ‘resort’ feel of the large ones. To each their own, though!
This will be our 4th trip, all at CB. We stayed during the remodel & loved the Coke stations near our room. When we stayed in ‘21, I couldn’t find any of them other than at Old Port Royale. Is it only in building 46?
No, there are more Freestyle machines. Google “Disney”s Caribbean Beach map” and you’ll be able to see little icons where they are located. We stayed in Aruba 52 last month and there is one in that building. I counted 8 in total all around the resort on the map.
we were in 45 I think back in April, first time at CBR, and it was fantastic, we like the short walk to the skyliner and short hop over the bridge to food and the big pool. Directly under the skyliner path, can hear the chime sound as the announcement comes on from the ground. Will definitely ask for this area again next trip!
In Early May had a 9 day stay in building 52 is by far the best option, requested it based upon recommendations. Aruba and Jamaica are the only buildings I would stay in and again specifically building 52 close to skyliner station, a secondary pool, laundry facility, coke free style. and Riviera Resort. . Also is a quick walk across the bridge to the main hub area. Great for two parks skyliner is the best Disney means of transportation. The one downside for Aruba is you are the last stop on the bus back from AK/MK. HOWEVER biggest tip to give, Do not take the CBR bus back. Simply take the RR bus. The lines at the park are shorter and it is one stop and a quick walk over from RR to your room. Truly believe you get the best of all worlds at this resort and specifically Aruba like building 52. But stay in say Trinidad you would probably hate this resort and your stay as would I.
I saw a recent video of the soft goods update of the rooms outside of Trinidad and they are the most boring and bland rooms ever. They now have hard floors, platform beds, the same curtain as the Under the Sea rooms, the walls are painted light blue with new lighter colored fabric on the dining chairs and the sitting bench under the TV and the bathroom has the most boring plain white shower curtain.
I thought they looked ugly especially those lighter colors against those ugly dark furnishings. Just my take on it. I’d definitely request Trinidad section and keep my fingers crossed. Those rooms are really nice compared to the others, it’s odd there isn’t a separate booking category for them.
We love the CBR since our first stay in 1994. However, on our most recent stay in 2021, the rooms were really showing their age. I’m glad to hear the rest of the resort is getting a soft goods update, but I am concerned that basic infrastructure issues aren’t being addressed. I’m looking forward to seeing the Under the Sea room review!
The central location given by Tom is advantageous: walk to the main station if you want to go to Hollywood Studios or the Riviera station. If you get on at the Main to go to Epcot, you don’t get off, but there is a slowdown. If you get on at Riviera to go to Hollywood (or Pop/Art of Animation) you need to get off and board a different Skyliner.
There are 3 different Skyliner lines: Pop/AoA to Main, Main to Hollywood Studios, and Main to Epcot with a boarding/unloading through station at Riviera.
It is a very easy walk from these rooms across the bridge and the Cay to the main pool and Centertown. Your circumstances might vary, but considering the distances traveled by foot, stroller, scooter or wheelchair at WDW, the triangular location between these rooms, Main Station, Riviera station & Riviera Resort and the pool/Port Royale, is as good as it gets.
We consider Caribbean beach our “home” resort. On our most recent trip, we stayed in building 44 and found the location to be ideal as compared with others we’ve been in. You touched on all the reasons why in this article. It is central to everything. As an added bonus, the Skyliner passed directly over our building and I was initially concerned the noise might be a nuisance but it was quite the contrary. The only noise that could be heard in the room was the muted sound of the announcement chime, which I found quite comforting at night, akin to the sound of a distant train. Since you had a recent stay, any insight on the room refurbishment expanding to others sections of the resort? Also, congrats on your recent good news!
An additional thought: being able to hear the chime in the room was a great way to know whether or not the Skyliner was running before even leaving the room.
“Since you had a recent stay, any insight on the room refurbishment expanding to others sections of the resort?”
Yes, they’re working on other buildings currently. It’s not even remotely invasive or noticeable, though.
Thus far, those other rooms have not gotten the ‘Under the Sea’ treatment–just a soft goods refurbishment. I hope that’s simply a matter of wanting some variety and they do more of the pulldown bed style.
Hi there. What is the process for requesting a room ahead of visiting? We arrive in a couple of weeks from the UK and can see that we could check in now via the app – but would like to request a specific building.
Is there a place on the app to do this?
Thanks!
I used the “chat with us” feature in the My Disney Experience app and let them know that I wanted to make a specific room request for my reservation.
The App has limited requests available. I found the best way is to call reservations or if you’re using a travel agent ask agent to have your request attached to your reservation. My fav location is Jamaica 45
We just got back from a March 5-10 stay at Caribbean Beach Resort and stayed in building 45 based on the recommendations in this blog post. Agreed that it is a great location central to the skyliner, a bus stop, pools, and the central resort facilities.
P.S. We made the room request via chat in the MDE app about a week out from our check-in date.
Were any of the rooms being updated in Jamaica during your stay?
We are planning a Disney Trip for this summer and looking at staying at CBR for the first time. My family LOVES the Skyliner and have only stayed at Pop and Art of Animation. Because of our love for the Skyliner, we are looking at CBR for our upcoming stay. My biggest concern is bus transportation to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. With having so many bus stops, how bad is it really? We are big fans of rope drop and try to get to the parks very early. Will the bus situation here slow us down at all?
I just got back from a stay in the Jamaica section. I was worried about this ahead of the trip but it was fine. Jamaica was the second to last bus stop, so we were off and running to the parks quickly. We sat a few times, we stood a few times, but we always got on the first bus that showed up at around 8am each day.
On the way back, we were usually the 5th stop. It did add some extra time, but I didn’t mind it as much on the way back. A few times we got off at Old Port Royale (the second stop) and walked across the bridges to get back to our room which probably didn’t save any time but allowed us to grab snacks.
How do you request a specific building when booking your reservation? Also, thank you so much for your helpful content. I’ve been reading this blog for over a year now and I think am finally ready to start planning a trip for next year and am so thankful to have read all of your tips and tricks!
This is my Fav resort I have explored all of them and here are the reasons why I like CBR
.1 I love how there are diffrent islands and its not like other hotels when its like For example if you stay at the swan its just The swn If you stay at CBR You dont know what island you are in until you check in which is cool.
.2 The Pool Is AWESOME! I love the dark water slide alot and I Really like how sebatstains and bannana cabana is right next to it. I also love the water cannons!
.3 I love the transportation to. My personal fav island is barbados. I go to trinidad skyliner for hollywood and If I go to epcot I will transport to riviera which is easy to get back to barbados. Barbados also has Spyglass. Tip If you dont like bus transport to magic kingdom just take the skyliner to the art of animation and walk to magic Without a bus.
.4 I personally really like centertown it is welcoming and family friendly. The food is good and on the last day we go to the nice shop there where we can get stuff.
.5 I like the hotels to! If you go to trinidad you get pirate rooms but I would not reccomend it. In the others once you walk in its nice has a bathroom a bedroom and a storage room with a sort of brushing teeth area. The beds are really soft and there is a pulldown bed for kids I’ll say 12 and down. the tv is really good because it tells you must do ´ s to do at disney. You also have a safe with a password you make to store your valuable belongings
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.6 There are events such as 6:00 -7:00pm you can roast marshmallows for free. For other dining options a quick meal at center town is good for your 1st 2nd and last days. For dinner if you are not at a park and are taking a pool day I highly reccomend sebastians. They bring out all the food and you get to choose what you want with no menu by just putting it on your plate.
.7 The staff is really nice and can litterally give you any help at all. Even medical service.
.8 They have a sandy spot almost like a beach to turn your vacation to a beach one to! They even have a hammoc.
Hey Nathan-
Your tip (which is the 3 bullet point on your list) for walking to the Magic Kingdom form the Art of Animation resort is wildly inaccurate. AoA is nowhere near the Magic Kingdom or Seven Seas Lagoon. Perhaps you meant something else. I didn’t want our esteemed group of Disney World enthusiasts to be misled.