Ultimate Guide to Caribbean Beach’s Pirate Room
When a member of my family was turning the big 5-0, she wanted nothing more than to go to Walt Disney World (smart lady) and stay at the Boardwalk. This wasn’t all that many years ago, and even though my parents have taken me to WDW every year since I’ve been born…this was my first time staying on Disney Property!
Since my fantastic experience at the Boardwalk, it has become my personal mission to stay at every Walt Disney World Resort hotel….and the mission is more difficult to complete than I had first thought.
The trouble is, I’ve stayed at enough Resorts now to have my favorites, and it’s always difficult for me to stray from a guaranteed great Resort. When Caribbean Beach Resort finally re-opened after a lengthy remodel though, I just had to give it a try- pirate room and all!
Old Port Royale
A step into the newly-opened lobby washed away all thoughts of the old. Well, it actually white-washed those thoughts away, because the lobby, if nothing else, is WHITE. The open floor plan-style check-in/ guest seating/ eating areas effortlessly segue into the next, giving the massive new space an open-air feel that screams “vacation”!
My only fear for this immaculate-looking lobby is that it will start to show signs of usage, and quickly. White upholstery and sheer white drapery will likely be exposed to wet bathing suits, dirty suitcase wheels, and food stains that will ruin that clean-cut look in seconds flat. Perhaps some use will give it a more lived-in vibe though, because right now, the whole thing definitely feels ‘new’.
Center Town Market
The new eating area that replaced that lame excuse for a food court (can you tell I really didn’t like it?) is the most welcome change so far! In the past, the set-up was a nightmare. There were stations for burgers, stations for tacos, stations for kids’ meals…each with individual queue lines. So if you were craving a burger, and your daughter wanted something from the bakery, you would be stuck waiting in two different lines for your food.
The new food options are not only more expansive and more appetizing, but the days of waiting in multiple lines are over! Now, the ordering at Center Town Market happens at a singular order point. Instead of waiting in line, picking up your food, and carrying a lopsided tray full of your family’s food to the check-out, the food is brought to your table!
Similar to Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom, a remote buzzer will be given to guests when they order and, no matter where they choose to sit, a Cast Member will bring them their food! Additionally, real, metal silverware has replaced the plastic.
I think one of my friends has started to question my sanity, because of the smile on my face when I noticed the real silverware which will not only enhance the eating experience, but also supports Disney’s new pledge to reduce the plastic used Resort-wide!
Pirate Room
After thoroughly exploring Center Town Market and the new Old Port Royale, it was time to check in! My room was located in the farthest building at the farthest corner of the Resort…meaning my access to all those great amenities I just mentioned would be at least a 10-15 minute walk. When I stayed at Art of Animation, my room was just as far from the main Resort hub as it was here.
Unlike Art of Animation though, Caribbean Beach boasted a bus pick-up AND an additional eatery only a few paces from my room! Sea Glass Grill serves grub for every meal period of the day, and its poolside location makes swimming a breeze for guests like me whose rooms are very far from the main pool.
Of course Sea Glass Grill doesn’t have as many options as Center Town Market, but they certainly have something on the menu perfect for anyone needing a quick pick-me-up from an afternoon of swimming!
Even though this Resort is in the ‘moderate’ pricing category, I was not too pleased that there is no hallway or elevator- my room door literally opened to the outside, just like the ‘value’ Resort rooms do.
Stepping inside though, the pirate themeing was right on point! The bedframes were the star of the room, complete with real cannons, a wooden deck, and working lanterns! Subtle touches like the treasure chest (storage), unevenly stacked cargo (dresser) the rum barrel (refrigerator) really made the room fit the themeing!
Aside from slightly more floor space near the windows, the room reminded me an awful lot of the Little Mermaid room I stayed in at Art of Animation a few months ago, which I loved…at a value Resort!
I stayed with 2 other folks, so privacy was a partial concern for us. Unlike my Little Mermaid room at Art of Animation, the pirate room at Caribbean beach had two sinks, both separate from the toilet and shower. That, combined with the super-cool skull and crossbones divider curtain, really made getting ready in the morning a breeze.
The Verdict?
Overall, my experience at Caribbean Beach was positive. The location of my room had no effect on my vacation whatsoever, mainly because there was a Parks bus stop very close to my room! The Property itself was immaculately kept, and the Resort’s location along a beautiful lake (soon to be home to the Skyliner) supplies that waterfront access, just like any resort you’d find in the Caribbean!
The newly re-imagined Old Port Royale has a bright, open feeling. The light-colored curtains inside are just begging to catch a Caribbean breeze! Complete with a table with outlets for any poor unfortunate soul who has to work on their vacation, the new check-in area is as open and welcoming as any.
The pirate room gets my stamp of approval for any young swashbuckler out there, and I’m sure the subtle Captain Jack Sparrow touches will not be lost on them! So, now that you’ve read my thoughts, I want to know what you think of Caribbean Beach Resort! Leave me a comment and let me know what you thought of your stay!
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