Dead Rooms Tell No Tales: Caribbean Beach Pirate Retirement
Dead men tell no tales. If ye be brave or fool enough to face a DVC curse, proceed.
Walt Disney World has released 2023 vacation packages and resort reservations, and one room category was absent from the resort roster: Pirate Rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Nothing was available from January through October 2023, and the rooms weren’t even listed as unavailable. Vanished as if they never even existed.
The company followed up with a statement during the Walt Disney World travel agents webcast indicating that the Pirate Rooms at Caribbean Beach Resort were being discontinued. Disney also announced that the no new theme is planned to replace the Pirate Rooms “at this time.”
To some extent, this is totally unsurprising. The Pirate Rooms are more controversial among Walt Disney World fans than Captain Jack Sparrow. The beds are among the most uncomfortable we’ve ever slept in, although if I’ve learned anything recently about beds, it’s that they can always be made more unpleasant. In retrospect, I guess I’ve gotta commend Disney for not getting too authentic with these ships and giving them a poop deck. That definitely would’ve made them worse!
Joking aside, the Pirate Rooms are actually infamous. Our original Caribbean Beach Resort Pirate Room Review called them the worst at Walt Disney World. This was for a number of reasons–they’re location far from everything else at Caribbean Beach Resort, the small size of beds, and thin mattresses that literally felt like sleeping on an uneven pile of plastic.
Over the years, we cautioned readers against accepting an “upgrade” to the Pirate Rooms. Even though these rooms had a higher rack rate, they would be a functional downgrade for most guests due to the aforementioned location and comfort level.
In fact, that’s why Walt Disney World converted this section of Caribbean Beach to Pirate Rooms in the first place: to make this remote area of the hotel more appealing, and convince guests to book it. When that didn’t work, Disney would overbook the rest of the resort and hand out free “upgrades” to the Pirate Rooms. It’s the equivalent of getting a free copy of the Cats DVD–sometimes nothing is better than something.
If that was the entirety of this saga, Walt Disney World’s decision to retire the Pirate Rooms at Caribbean Beach would make perfect sense. It would be an open and closed case of guest satisfaction. (And maybe it still is.)
However, in the time since the Pirate Rooms debuted, so too have the Skyliner and Spyglass Grill. The hub gondola station is directly across the water from the Trinidad section of Caribbean Beach where the Pirate Rooms are located, and they now have a convenient dining option in Spyglass Grill. These are excellent enhancements that truly elevate the Pirate Rooms.
On top of that, a soft goods refurbishment that wrapped up early last year brought thicker new mattresses to the rooms, and also refreshed other furnishings to improve the functionality of the rooms. We still heard complaints even after this refresh, but the rooms were much improved–to the point that I’d no longer decline the upgrade.
Now, it’s entirely possible that guest satisfaction was still too low for the Pirate Rooms. Maybe Walt Disney World is going back to the drawing board, and plans to come up with a new TBD themed concept for this area of CBR. Or, perhaps they’re just going to renovate these into regular rooms, realizing the other improvements mean the “crutch” of themed rooms is no longer necessary.
I’m going to put on my tinfoil hat and bet against all of that. Instead, my guess is that an entirely new hotel is coming to this plot of land. I have zero information, insight, or even rumors to support my theory. Rather, this is entirely out of left field speculation, based on…pretty much nothing at all. Let’s just call it a hunch.
This is largely predicated upon how Walt Disney World handled the announcement. There’s no banner up on the Caribbean Beach Resort page that mentions a refurbishment, which would necessarily be required if the Pirate Rooms are going to be discontinued (unless the plan is to let them sit empty).
Moreover, there’s not really any information at all–just a brief statement during a travel agent webcast meant to preemptively quell questions about why the Pirate Rooms are no longer bookable. And although that call indicated the Pirate Rooms would be discontinued in 2023, they are already unavailable to book for the remainder of this year, too.
It’s not just that they’re sold out for select dates with the message: “This room type is unavailable for the dates, party size or offer selected.” The Pirate Rooms are gone completely, no longer bookable even though they very much still exist (for now).
So something is up. Again, the most realistic possibility is that it’s time for Caribbean Beach to get another room reimagining. The last one was several years ago, and we’ve noticed many rooms are looking tired and a bit worse for wear. Maybe Walt Disney World is simply going to start with the Pirate Rooms and move on to other buildings from there. That’s probably a better theory–and with 99% less tin foil–than what I think is going to happen.
Another possibility is that Disney will continue to place guests in the Pirate Rooms, but without them booking the category. Given the complaints about Pirate Rooms over the years, that may not go well from a guest satisfaction standpoint.
My theory is that Walt Disney World has earmarked this site for its next resort expansion. That an announcement will come in the not-too-distant future, possibly at the D23 Expo in September. Shortly after that, the buildings of Trinidad will be razed.
Just think about it. This plot of land is conveniently located across from the main Skyliner station, could share infrastructure with an existing resort, and wouldn’t require a tremendous amount of redevelopment. It basically checks all of the boxes for Disney’s ideal expansion.
There’s also the reality that exactly this has been rumored before. Back between 2014 and 2016, credible sources indicated that a Disney Vacation Club add-on to Caribbean Beach Resort was in development, and likely to occupy either the Trinidad location or area across the water from it.
Of course, that project did end up coming to fruition, albeit on the other side of Caribbean Beach. In part of the area where the DVC add-on was originally rumored, the Skyliner hub station was built. Nevertheless, if DVC expansion was viable in this area back then, that would be just as true today.
It doesn’t even require rumors or a vivid imagination to envision this. Caribbean Beach is only a few years removed from exactly this happening with Disney’s Riviera Resort. That DVC resort replaced several guest room buildings at Caribbean Beach Resort, providing a cost-effective way of expanding Disney Vacation Club and consolidating CBR.
Pretty much the exact same scenario played out over at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Gran Destino Tower was added there rather than on a standalone parcel to utilize existing infrastructure, keep costs manageable, and help “fix” that sprawling resort. The recent past is filled with examples of Disney adding on to existing resorts rather than building in fresh locations.
In fact, those examples are part of what gives me pause about the viability of this theory. Right now, Disney Vacation Club is in the process of expanding its portfolio at the Grand Floridian and Polynesian, and there are still a ton of unsold points at Disney’s Riviera Resort.
Even after those “low hanging fruit” projects are finished, it probably makes more sense to revisit the abandoned Reflections site, as prep work was already completed there. While that would be a standalone resort, its proximity to Magic Kingdom gives it a lot of appeal, especially with Wilderness Lodge seeing a spike in its popularity. All of that casts doubt on the timing for another DVC addition at Caribbean Beach.
Rather than more DVC, this could be another tower hotel a la Gran Destino.
This makes sense for similar reasons, minus the need to sell more points. Those who have followed the saga of unavailable resorts at Walt Disney World over the last year-plus might think this is a no-brainer. However, that lack of availability has come while not all hotels were open, and even those that were operating weren’t filling 100% of their rooms. Once occupancy rates normalize, it’s hard to say what the balance of supply and demand would be.
Ultimately, it’ll be interesting to see what happens with the Pirate Rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. As should be patently obvious from the rambling commentary, I have no clue whether there are bigger plans…or it’s just going to be a simple refurbishment to remove the swashbuckling soft goods.
Basically, this is just my way of going on record to guess that Walt Disney World has ambitious plans for this parcel. Maybe not this year or in 2023, but eventually my tinfoil theories will be vindicated. It might not be until 2055, but it will happen someday. With the monorail loop only able to sustain so much development, more will be built around the Skyliner in due time. Replacing the Trinidad buildings at Caribbean Beach with a tower makes too much sense for it to never happen.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you disappointed that the Pirate Rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort are being discontinued? Think this will be a garden variety room refurbishment, or something more? Does the nearby Skyliner hub change your perspective on the Trinidad section of CBR? Do you agree or disagree with my assessment that this real estate is too ‘prime’ to remain part of Caribbean Beach forever? 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!
Yes, the pirate rooms weren’t great, but this is worrying me that they’re making the wrong decision. What they really need to do is create NEW pirate rooms that are actually GOOD. I would stay there in a heartbeat. The Royal Rooms at Riverside are my favorite design on property, because they leaned heavily into the theming.
There are a lot of new (very themed) resorts they could build that I’d be thrilled with — full-on pirate resort maybe to continue the theme? But given recent choices, this idea greatly concerns me, and it could further spoil Caribbean Beach as well. *sigh*
Thinking about booking CBR for January. Most recently I’ve stayed at Contemporary and Grand Floridian with my 3 small children, ages 2-6 because they love walking to MK. Can the same be said for CBR in relationship to the skyliner being so close to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT? They price difference is tempting, so looking for some expert advice from those who have stayed at CBR.
I think you’d be happier with boardwalk in that case. Although if you request Jamaica you will be in a fairly good location. I will say it’sa fun resort for kids and we do like the atmosphere there.
My guess is that they aren’t as popular as Disney hoped they would be. The 2022 military discounted resorts didn’t include any of the Skyliner resorts unless you wanted a pirate room at CBR, Even with the discount and a desire to be at a Skyliner resort, we still didn’t take the pirate room. Yes, it’s closer to the Skyliner, but most won’t be using the Skyliner every day they’re there. We wouldn’t. We would, however, be using the pool every day, and the pirate rooms are just too far from the feature pool, as well as the lobby, gift shop, QSR, arcade, and other amenities. And while it’s compatible with the Pirates of the Caribbean, it’s still not as Disney-centric as many families want.
We stayed in one of the pirate rooms at CBR in late April and we LOVED it! I am really sad about this change. Granted, we took our 4 year old, pirate-obsessed son and spent most evenings playing “pirate attack” on both of the beds. But even beyond the childlike fun to be had, we loved the location of Trinidad. It was quiet and tucked away, the Skyliner was literally a 5 minute walk, and the big pool at the center of the resort wasn’t much more than a 10 minute walk away. I was hoping to return to this exact spot next year. Alas, we’ll need to think of something else I guess.
My only quibble with another resort there is sharing the CBR pool. I suspect lots of Riviera guests pop over to use it (I don’t blame them, it’s awesome). When we stayed at CBR we were told we can’t use the Riviera pool, but they could use the one at CBR. Having another top tier resort with access to the CBR pool would make it even more crowded than it already is almost all the time.
If they build a tower then hopefully they would build or update the pool. There is already a pool in Trinidad along with the spyglass grill which had been closed since covid, so maybe they will rethink that whole area. It would be great if so. We stayed there last year with my son bc I got a deal that made it cheaper than a value, and honestly the rooms themselves are great for 2-3 guests. But it’s such a long walk to get anywhere!!!! I literally started taking the Skyliner to Riviera for breakfast. CBR is the most popular moderate. My wish for the buildings is that they do a tower but if they don’t do that, they should connect the rooms and renovate them a la All Star Music family suites and universal’s Kids Suites. Leave every other pirate room, add a day bed, then connect it to a renovated King room with a sofa bed. Tada, sleeps 9 and you can charge like $750/night. Open spyglass grill, refresh the pool with a splash pad. Done. You’re welcome Disney. I could sell that all. Day. Long.
We stayed in a pirate room for a night to extend a trip and enjoyed it. I thought the bed was ok. Sorry to see them go.
Tom – I love your photo reference to the Ancient Aliens guy. If anyone can make us believe a crackpot theory, it’s Giorgio.
I would love to see an ‘all suite’ development go up there. Think Art of Animation but with Caribbean Beach theming. I have a family of 3 teens/tweens. I’m the only adult so 2 rooms is out. Shoving us all in one room for a week, even with a 5th sleeper, is less than desirable 🙂 AOA Family Suites are the perfect size for us, and we love them, but it sure would be nice to have another option aside from renting DVC points.
We always do WDW with my mom, and I am all about this idea!!!!! I’d also love to see sleeping arrangements that are bed-only (no foldouts) and include bunk beds. My older kids don’t want to share a queen anymore, and I hate having my 70-year old mom sleep on a foldout couch at the cabins. That new Murphy bed/sofa combo at ASMu family suites seems like a great solution.
If I’m remembering correctly, there was a lot of speculation (and excitement?) that a CBR DVC addition would have to be sold at a lower price point, as it would be attached to a moderate resort. I suppose the Riviera positioning addresses that – a new tower would likely add another pool and a couple restaurants. Combined with the access to Riviera’s dining and the recently expanded dining at CBR, I’d have to imagine that a new DVC tower would come in at premium pricing.
Oh yeah, I think the idea of a Moderate DVC is off the table. Anything that gets built at this point is at the higher end of the spectrum–or at least, treated like it is–regardless of location.
That patch of land across from Trinidad is still huge! That’s where I thought the DVC expansion would go, too, and there’s still space for something. About half of the Caribbean Beach Skyliner station is north of the Trinidad parking lot (obviously on the opposite side of Barefoot Bay).
If this pans out, we only need one accurate yet obscure prediction to declare you some sort of savant. Let us not forget the Regal Eagle!
I’ve also had plenty of bad guesses over the years. Let us not forget those, either! 😉
My daughter and I stayed in the pirate rooms a few years ago. Got a great Fl resident rate, guess I get why now lol. But honestly we absolutely loved it. The theming was so much fun! We had no problems with the beds whatsoever, slept very well. It was a total hike to the main pool, shops & food but a lovely one! I think your idea makes a lot of sense though and it will be a great addition if it happens.
Property Control? Now that’s a new one on me. I just googled it, and it appears that WDW Property Control is open only to CMs with valid ID and a limited number of their guests. But this could be an interesting place to browse for WDW guests who aren’t linked to a CM. Have you written about Property Control before, Tom? If so, please provide a link. If not, how about a story? Thanks!
Since it’s not open to the public, I have not written about it. I only mentioned it because Beth is a Cast Member and her son wants one of the beds–she has a good chance of getting one and may not have even known it!
I come for the on point analysis…and stay for the Cats movie jokes…
We can always count on you, Tom!
Right? I almost spit out my coffee laughing at the Cats DVD quip.
Oooooh, interesting theory! Am I disappointed these are being discontinued? Are you kidding? They were the only rooms there offered at a discount to us military and I always wondered why they were punishing us! Who wants to sleep in a double bed? And the outdated everything was obvious. I’d surely stay in a new tower-Gran Destino was a very luxurious stay!
There is still the plot of land between the skyliner hub and AoA, if its buildable. You put a tower with amenities there and suddenly Trinidad doesnt need pirate rooms to raise rates.
We have a standard room booked for February 2023 at Caribbean Beach. How worried do you think we should be about getting placed in Trinidad now? Do you think if they keep the existing buildings that refurbishments still be going on in Feb 2023?
Interesting review as I had never stayed in one of the pirate rooms.
I do feel that in the current market and moving forward to the 3rd and 4th quarter of the year we will see big changes.
Looking on travelocity 2nd week of July there were 14-15 resorts available from Grand Floridian and the Contemporary all the way down the list to the 3 all start resorts!
This amount of available rooms tells me that in the middle of July when you have rooms at almost all top tier resorts and a lot of other mid and low tier hotels available on property at Disney something smells fishy!
I think we could be starting to see the wheels coming off for travel as gas prices and food is skyrocketed to levels not seen. To boot I think Disneys PR issue ruffled a lot of feathers of a large amount of Disney fans.
This could be a Down turn in attendance and hotel stays more and more the further we get towed the end of the year and could be cracks starting to form.
Time will tell but we could see projects stop or cut back if it gets bad enough and we have a bad recession.
But even if we get a mild one if gas are 6-7 bucks a Gallon Disney is going to take it on the chin bad in my opinion. I am getting the popcorn ready as I am afraid it’s going to be something I have never seen since I was a child in the 70s.
Hope you’re right Tom!
I’m personally a huge fan of this resort area. Love the Riviera, with the option to walk to Spyglass and Sebastian’s Bistro.
Disney could create another Boardwalk-esque feel here
We stayed in a pirate room in early Feb. this year. As a cast member, I’m eligible for great discounts but pretty much the best discounts are on rooms no one seems to want. We really enjoyed our stay, loved the proximity of the Skyliner and didn’t find the beds that uncomfortable, albeit small. We almost booked it again for our next visit In September but ended up getting a killer deal at All Star Music and a premium room. Sorry to see these rooms go because the theming really added to the magic. My 35 year old son is hoping he’ll see the beds on EBay so he can snag one!
“My 35 year old son is hoping he’ll see the beds on EBay so he can snag one!”
Keep a weather eye on Property Control, as it’s possible that they’ll end up there.
I want a fireworks headboard from the Princess rooms at CBR!
As a family that can afford deluxe accommodations, I’ve looked seriously at CBR due to its proximity to the sky liner. A tower in Trinidad would be exactly what my family would desire. You may be crazy but I don’t think you’re wrong.
Being crazy and being right are not mutually exclusive. I’m always the former, sometimes the latter. 😉
We’re a DVC family and just had a quick 2 night stay at CBR and we all loved it! Beautiful grounds, great food options, so quiet and the SKYLINER! Loved everything about it.
Great analysis and reasoning