A few things need to be changed to truly make this a Caribbean paradise
We all love the Caribbean, and it seems Mickey Mouse does too - so much so that he came up with the idea of creating a massive resort at Walt Disney World to celebrate year-round great weather and some of the best beaches in the world.
That’s exactly what Caribbean Beach Resort is: a sprawling resort that takes about twenty minutes to walk from one side to the other, with rooms starting at $325 per night. The best thing about this resort? Direct Skyliner access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, making it incredibly easy to get around and visit two of the most adult-oriented theme parks at Disney World.
Caribbean Beach Resort is huge, featuring six different areas, each themed around the beautiful Caribbean. Every section has its own rooms and small pools, but the heart of the resort is Old Port Royale - the central hub where you’ll find the main feature pool, restaurants, and the lobby.
What We Like About Caribbean Beach Resort
The best thing about this resort? Skyliner access to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. It makes getting to the parks incredibly easy and efficient.
On top of that, you also get early entry, which means you can enter Disney World theme parks 30 minutes before they officially open. That certainly gives you a major advantage. You can hop on the Skyliner, head to Hollywood Studios or EPCOT, and ride top attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance before the crowds arrive.
Since EPCOT and Hollywood Studios have some of the most popular rides in Disney World right now, having direct Skyliner access is a huge perk. Even better? The ride to EPCOT takes just 14 minutes, and it’s only 6 minutes to Hollywood Studios!
There are six pools throughout the resort, but five of them are smaller, traditional pools located within each specific area. The main feature pool is Fuentes del Morro, situated in Old Port Royale, and it looks incredible.
Disney describes it as being themed after a colonial Spanish fortress, but honestly, it feels more like something straight out of Pirates of the Caribbean. You’ll find cannons, forts, slides, old pirate ships, and more, all adding to the immersive theming. The attention to detail is top-notch, and if your kids love pools, they’ll have an absolute blast swimming here.
What We Don’t Like about Caribbean Beach Resort
Although Caribbean Beach Resort offers direct Skyliner access, transportation is often seen as its biggest drawback.
This resort is huge, divided into six areas, and, as we mentioned before, it can take up to 20 minutes to walk from one side to the other. While this isn’t a major issue when using the Skyliner (even though the two stations are on opposite ends), the real problem lies with bus transportation.
If you don’t have your own car, your best option for getting to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom is the complimentary bus service. The problem? The bus makes six or seven stops within Caribbean Beach Resort before even heading to the theme park! That adds a lot of unnecessary wait time and can seriously impact your ride strategy.
There are even reports online of a bus ride to Magic Kingdom taking 80 minutes, from the moment a guest left their room to when they finally arrived at the park. That’s just crazy. You can avoid this major issue if you have your own car, as each area of the resort has its own parking lot, and parking at the theme parks is free for resort guests. But for those without any means of driving? They have to rely on bus transportation or Minnie Vans.
The rooms are a bit meh and feel somewhat bland. There’s nothing technically wrong with them, but they don’t really have that Disney magic, if you know what I mean. There’s too much white and not enough personality to make them stand out. The desks and TV stands look a bit dated, and most rooms lack sliding doors for the bathrooms, which is a bit disappointing.
So, what are our final thoughts about this resort? I think it’s a good option if your family loves a great pool and if your trip focuses on EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. It’s also a solid choice if you have your own car to get around. Otherwise, you might want to consider a more affordable hotel, or pay extra to stay at a Deluxe Resort like BoardWalk Inn or Yacht Club Resort.
Caribbean Beach Resort FAQ
How much is a room at Caribbean Beach Resort?
Room rates vary based on room type and time of year, but they generally start at $325 per night.
Does Caribbean Beach Resort have Skyliner access?
Yes, there are two Skyliner stations at Caribbean Beach Resort, offering quick access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
How long does it take to reach EPCOT and Hollywood Studios by Skyliner from Caribbean Beach Resort?
It takes about 14 minutes to reach EPCOT and 6 minutes to reach Hollywood Studios by Skyliner.
How do I reach Magic Kingdom if I’m staying at Caribbean Beach Resort?
To reach Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, you’ll need either your own car, an Uber, a Minnie Van, or the complimentary bus service from Caribbean Beach Resort.
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