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Complete Guide to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (w/review)

Complete Guide to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (w/review)

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is 1 of Disney’s 4 moderate resorts located on Walt Disney World property. If you’re in the mood for some Caribbean vibes, this might be the place to stay.

Here’s what you need to know about the resort. 

What to expect in this guide

A large chunk of your Disney World vacation budget will be spent on lodging, so we want to make sure you have all the information you need when researching where you’ll stay. In this Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort guide, we’ll start with an overview of the resort and then dive into a review because we’ve stayed at Caribbean Beach many times, so we have some thoughts on the pros and cons of this popular resort.

Then, we’ll get into the specifics with lots of pictures, including what the rooms look like, your dining and shopping options, pools and more.

Overview

  • Resort Category: Moderate
  • 2024 Rates (low to high): $268-$552 per night
  • Theme: Caribbean islands
  • Room Types Available: Standard, Water or Pool View, and Preferred (all with either 2 Queen beds, 2 Queen Beds and 1 Child-Size Pull-Down Bed, or 1 Queen Bed and 1 Queen-Size Pull Down Bed and 1 Child-Size Pull-Down Bed)
  • Maximum number of guests per room: 4 adults and 1 child
  • Dining Options: Quick Service and Table Service
  • Transportation Options: Bus and Disney Skyliner
  • Proximity to Parks: Not within walking distance of any park

Pros: Beautiful grounds, good pool, access to the Disney Skyliner gondola system, within walking distance to Disney’s Riviera Resort

Cons: Rooms are often noisy, resort is large and spread out, the most internal bus stops of any Moderate Resort, no elevators

Found in the Epcot resort area, Caribbean Beach consists of vibrant colors, theming, and an overall tropical feel. There are even five “islands” surrounding the beautiful Barefoot Bay, where room buildings are located. They include: Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad, and Aruba.

The main “port of entry” is called Old Port Royale, where most of the main services are located, like check-in, concierge services, hotel amenities, dining, and the Calypso Trading Post gift shop.

Caribbean Beach Resort beach

And of course, we can’t forget the beaches.

Swimming is not allowed in the lakes, but just like the real Caribbean, you’ll find several beachy areas spread throughout the resort where you can relax in a chair or hammock and soak up the sun.

  • Caribbean Beach Resort Maps

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Review

Disney’s Caribbean Beach used to be far down on the list of our Disney resort rankings, but recently, we’ve kind of fallen in love with it.

And the things that changed our relationship with this resort for the better? The Disney Skyliner, much-improved food, proximity to the newly built Riviera Resort, and consolidating the main buildings.

Before they consolidated the main buildings at Caribbean Beach, there was one building that housed the front desk and one that housed the food court and other dining options. It was an awkward set-up that made the value of a Preferred Room not very valuable.

But then Disney did a total refurbishment and SHAZAM! The 2 buildings became one and suddenly, all was well in the world. Well, maybe it wasn’t THAT dramatic, but it was an improvement.

The next upgrade that this resort saw that has turned our feelings around was the installation of the Disney Skyliner. In fact, Caribbean Beach is the Skyliner hub. It is where both the Hollywood Studios and Epcot lines originate, making it extremely easy to get to those 2 parks.

disney skyiner at caribbean beach resort

Add to all that goodness the latest refurbishment, which brought touches of The Little Mermaid to the Trinidad section (and eliminated the dark Pirate themed rooms with the horribly small Full-Sized beds) and fresh, updated spaces to the rest of the resort, and one of our favorite restaurants, Sebastian’s Bistro, and this resort feels like it has been brought back to life.

But what about the negatives?

Probably the number one complaint about Caribbean Beach is the size. It is very spread out – and because the resort wraps around water, it makes getting around tricky and cumbersome.

little mermaid guest rooms caribbean beach resort

Because of the size, there is an internal bus to help you get around. But, there are also so many internal bus stops that it can greatly increase your travel time to the parks. Hold that in comparison to a resort like Pop Century that only has 1 bus stop, and you’ll see that it is a huge difference.

The other huge negative?

No elevators. Yes, you heard us right – there are no elevators. That means if you are on the second floor, you’ll be schlepping yourself (and your luggage!) up the stairs. If you are unable to use the stairs for an entire trip (remember, you’ll be doing a lot of walking, so don’t try to be the hero!) make sure you request a first floor room.

We’re sure that if the buildings were constructed now that would be different, but it still seems like a huge overlook by Disney considering the number of strollers, wheelchairs, and scooters that are in the parks.

But, despite those drawbacks, we still wouldn’t hesitate to stay here. We do, however, wish they had a room category that was designated to be close to the Skyliner. Something like that would likely push Caribbean Beach even higher on our list.

Guest Rooms And Bathrooms

Ok, let’s dive into the rooms. This is where you’ll be spending most of your time, and it’s always nice to get a feel for what to expect before you actually hit that “book now” button.

We have a few photos below, but we have tons more on our Disney’s Caribbean Beach Photographs (Photo Tour) page. So if you’re looking for a photo of something specific in the rooms, head over there!

The guest rooms and bathrooms at Caribbean Beach have all been recently refreshed – which is part of the reason why we have fallen back in love with this resort. Depending on which room you select, they will either sleep 2, 4, or 5 individuals.

Each room comes with the normal amenities, including a hairdryer, TV, free WiFi service, a coffee maker, a telephone, an in-room safe, an iron and ironing board, and a beverage cooler (not a mini-fridge – these beverage coolers don’t get as cold as the old mini fridges would, unfortunately).

caribbean beach room walt disney world

As far as storage goes, all the guest rooms have plenty of drawers for items, along with closets. However, unlike many other Disney Resort hotel rooms, there isn’t space underneath the beds for suitcases to hide. 

caribbean beach room walt disney world

There are also plenty of outlets for devices that need charging, which, of course, is always a must.

And, just a heads-up in case you skimmed over it earlier: each guest room building tops out at only two stories, but remember, there are only stairs for getting around, no elevators.

Caribbean Beach Room Types

There are 8 types of rooms to choose from at Caribbean Beach, including rooms that offer a king-sized bed and sleep up to 2 adults and 1 infant. And in all categories, there are both wheelchair and hearing accessible rooms available that include a roll-in shower and visual alarms.

Besides the King Rooms, you’ll have 2 other configurations – one that sleeps 4 plus an infant, and one called a “5th Sleeper” that sleeps 5 plus an infant.

What sets a 5th Sleeper room apart is that, on top of the two queen-sized beds, it comes with an extra little fold-down bed (about 63″ by 30″), perfect for a small child to crash on.

In the name of science, we did have one adult member of our team attempt to sleep on the fold-down bed, and despite only being 5’2″, she had a rough night’s sleep. So while it technically can sleep someone who isn’t too tall, the narrowness of the mattress makes it difficult.

If you are a group of 5 adults looking for an affordable option, you’d probably be better off booking 2 rooms at Pop Century or a Family Suite at either Art of Animation or All-Star Music.

Rooms that sleep 4 plus an infant (2 queen-sized beds):

  • Standard (least expensive) – Views of the hotel (including parking lots), courtyards, or woodlands
  • Preferred – Closest to Fuentes del Morro Pool and Centertown. Views of the Resort Hotel, Courtyard or Woodlands.
  • Water or Pool View – Views of the lake or a pool

Caribbean Beach standard floor plan

Rooms that sleep 5 plus an infant (2 queen-sized beds and 1 child-size pull-down bed):

Note: In some rooms, one of the queen beds may be a queen pull-down Murphy bed. We have found these beds to be equally comfortable as the “regular” queen beds and actually prefer having 1 bed we can fold up to give us more floor space during the day.

  • Standard – 5th Sleeper – Includes a small child-size fold down bed with Views of the Resort Hotel, Courtyard or Woodlands
  • Preferred – There isn’t a separate category for Preferred – 5th Sleeper, but if you have 5 people on your reservation, and you have booked a Preferred room, you should get a 5th Sleeper.
  • Water or Pool View – 5th Sleeper – Views of the Lake or Pool

Caribbean Beach Resort- 5p Queen Room-floor plan

What happened to the Pirate Rooms?

Yo Ho, Yo Ho, the Pirate Rooms are gone!

There used to be a separate room category that was for pirate-themed rooms; however, Disney has converted these rooms, and they are now themed after The Little Mermaid. There is no separate category for these rooms, though, like there was for The Pirate rooms.

If you never had the chance to stay in one, the Pirate-themed rooms were exactly the same size as the Standard and Preferred rooms. These rooms, however, only had double sized beds and, as their name implies, were over-the-top pirate-themed.

(We have pics of the old Pirate rooms on our Disney’s Caribbean Beach Photographs page if you want to see what you missed out on.)

New The Little Mermaid-themed rooms

If you’d like one of the The Little Mermaid rooms, you’ll need to request the Trinidad section of Caribbean Beach Resort. That is the only area where you can find them, it is also the least desirable area since it is furthest away from just about everything.

Little Mermaid room at Caribbean Beach

BUT – these rooms are adorable. They include lots of subtle nods to The Little Mermaid, plus the furniture and furnishings are different, too.

Little Mermaid room at Caribbean Beach beds

Which room should I request at Caribbean Beach Resort?


Lots of folks reach out to us with questions about room requests at Caribbean Beach Resort, more so than anywhere else. And honestly? The answer’s always a bit of a “it depends,” because there’s just so much to think about.

To cover all of the options, we’ve written a guide to Caribbean Beach room requests to help you narrow down your choices.

VIDEO: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort tour (rooms, pools, dining)

Checking In And Out

When it comes to checking in and out at Disney’s Caribbean Beach, you have a few options: at the front desk, online through the official Walt Disney World website, or via the My Disney Experience app.

We like to use the online check-in option, and then if necessary, we will follow-up at the front desk if there are any problems with our room location.

The lobby is located in the main building, aka Old Port Royale.

disney's caribbean beach resort sign check in
  • Checking-In: The official check-in time for Caribbean Beach Resort is 3:00 pm, although sometimes rooms may be available sooner than that. After you check in online or using the app, you’ll receive a room-ready notification via text. You can then use your MagicBand or MDE’s digital key feature to unlock your room door.
  • Checking-Out: Check-out time is 11:00 am. Currently, guests will automatically be checked out of their rooms. But, if you have unresolved charges to your hotel folio, you’ll need to visit the front desk.

Note: Guests also have the option to chat virtually with resort Cast Members via MDE for any assistance. 

caribbean beach resort lobby

The pickup and dropoff location for Mears Connect (which is the replacement for Magical Express) and the Old Port Royale bus stop are also right outside the main lobby, along with luggage storage for those who have checked out or are waiting to check in.

caribbean beach resort sign directions

Note: Resort Airline Check-In and Magical Express are no longer available.

How to ship items to Disney’s Caribbean Beach

Thinking about shipping some supplies to Caribbean Beach?

You can have packages and groceries delivered to your Disney Resort hotel, along with shipping select items home.

Disney used to have a service where you were able to purchase items in the parks and then have them delivered to your resort’s gift shop. However, that service has been unavailable for several years now.

Parking

Although parking at Disney World resort hotels used to cost a nightly fee for resort guests, Disney has changed their policy so that parking is now free for all on-site resort guests. This change was implemented on January 10, 2023.

Complimentary standard self-parking is also available for non-resort guests exploring dining, shopping, entertainment, and other experiences during the day.

We have a complete Walt Disney World parking guide you can browse.

parking lot caribbean beach disney

Amenities And Shops

Forgot your deodorant and need to buy some? Looking for one more souvenir or maybe you like to do your laundry before you head home?

Disney’s Caribbean beach has all the standard amenities you’ll find in all of the Disney Resorts. Here’s some of what you can expect to find:

Important note: Some of the following amenities might not be available at all times.

  • Laundry Services: There are 24-hour self-service laundry facilities available, including in Aruba, 2 in the villages of Jamaica, Martinique, Barbados, and Trinidad. You can purchase tokens for washers and dryers in each laundry room.
caribbean beach resort laundry room
  • Dry Cleaning Services: For dry cleaning or valet laundry service, drop off your items with Bell Services prior to 9 a.m.

Pools And Recreation

Although it can be hard to stay out of the parks, we highly recommend you save time on your trip to enjoy your resort.

Swimming pools

The pool is a great way to soak away some of those aches and pains you accumulate after long days in the parks.

Thankfully, Caribbean Beach has several pools to choose from, including 1 main feature pool (near Old Port Royale) and five leisure (aka quiet pools) that are spread out through the rest of the resort.

Plan to spend all day at the park? Disney Resort pools also make a great way to relax on non-park days.

Fuentes del Morro Pool caribbean beach resort

Important note: Some of the pools and recreation options might not be available at all times.

  • Fuentes del Morro Pool – Feature Pool: A themed Spanish fortress with pirate adventures, 2 waterslides, and spray cannons. There’s also a shipwreck play area with mini slides and a crow’s nest. There’s even a 12-person spa pool, perfect for adults.
pool ship area caribbean beach
  • 5 Leisure Pools: Smaller pools without slides or spas are available in each of the 5 villages. These pools are also known as “quiet pools” simply because there won’t be music and planned activities – you don’t literally have to be quiet when using them.
leisure pool caribbean beach resort

Other fun things to do at Disney’s Caribbean Beach

In addition to swimming, there are lots of other things you can do for fun at Disney’s Caribbean Beach. And unless noted, they are all free, too!

  • Movies Under the Stars: Watch complimentary Disney movies on select nights at Caribbean Cay Island.
  • Campfire Activities: Roast marshmallows around a campfire.
Caribbean Beach Resort marshmallow Roast
  • Volleyball
  • Fishing (costs extra)
chess board caribbean beach resort
  • Bike Rentals (costs extra)
  • Jogging Trails
caribbean cay playground caribbean beach resort
  • Playgrounds, including an interactive water play area and the amazing Caribbean Cay playground (which is on an island)

Restaurant & Dining Options

Disney’s Caribbean Beach has several different places where you can grab everything from a full meal to a quick snack.

First, let’s talk about one of our most favorite resort Table Service restaurants: Sebastian’s Bistro. We love it because not only is it affordable, but the Caribbean inspired food served is absolutely delicious. Plus, they have fantastic plant-based options here, too.

Caribbean Beach also has a great food court called Centertown Market. There you’ll find a decent sized menu that includes all the basics (like burgers, etc.) plus a nice selection of entrées with a Latin flair.

There’s also another small Quick Service restaurant at the resort, plus a place to grab coffee and a pool bar.

And don’t forget that Caribbean Beach is right next door to Disney’s Riviera Resort where you’ll have access to even more great dining including Topolino’s (which has a fantastic character meal breakfast) and their stellar Quick Service option – Primo Piatto. Guests in the Aruba and Martinique villages will be the closest to Riviera. And guests in Jamaica will be close to the Skyliner which would be a quick ride over to Riviera, too.

Table Service dining

Sebastian’s Bistro: This gem offers a laid-back vibe with a Caribbean twist on the menu. It’s a hit for its flavorful dishes, perfect for a relaxing dinner. Plus, it’s super affordable for a Disney table service!

sebastian's bistro caribbean beach resort

Quick Service dining

Centertown Market: For quick bites, this is your spot. It’s convenient and fast, making it great for families on the move. Located at Old Port Royale, it can be a hike to get here if you’re in one of the further away villages.

centertown market caribbean beach resort

Spyglass Grill: Nestled in the Trinidad area, it’s a cozy spot for outdoor dining (covered seating only, no indoor seating). Great for an easy breakfast or lunch with a view. The menu is small, but it is often easier to grab something here rather than going to Old Port Royale if you are in the Trinidad section

spyglass grill caribbean beach resort

Everything Else

Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company: The go-to for coffee lovers, serving up your caffeine essentials plus some sweet treats. Perfect for a morning boost or an afternoon pick-me-up. You’ll find this one right next to the entrance to the Skyliner, which makes it especially convenient for folks staying in the Jamaica section.

joffrey's caribbean beach skyliner station

Banana Cabana Pool Bar: Serving drinks only, this is a great spot to grab a cocktail while enjoying the chill Caribbean vibes. There is a large shaded seating area here but no indoor seating.

banana cabana bar caribbean beach resort

Centertown Market Grab ‘n Go: At Centertown Market Grab & Go in Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, you can find a variety of on-the-go snacks, bakery items, coffee, smoothies, and bottled beverages. It’s a convenient spot for quick and easy options.

centertown market grab and go caribbean beach resort

How to Get from Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to Anywhere at Disney World

There are two main forms of transportation available at Caribbean Beach: Walt Disney World buses and the Disney Skyliner.

old port royale bus stop caribbean beach resort

Regarding the latter, the gondolas connect guests to several Disney Resort hotels (Pop Century, Art of Animation, Riviera, Disney’s Boardwalk area, Boardwalk Resort, and both Yacht and Beach Club) in addition to 2 of the 4 theme parks – Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Bus transportation here is one of the things that we dislike the most about this resort. If you have a car and plan to drive to the parks, you probably won’t be as bothered by the buses, but if you plan to leave the driving to Disney, here’s what you need to know:

Like other large resorts, Caribbean Beach has multiple internal stops. In fact, they have the most internal stops of any resort. That means your travel time to get from your stop to your final destination can be a lot longer than what you might have planned.

With that in mind, make sure you allow extra time when using the buses. And if time is of the essence (for example, you’re running late to get somewhere), think about using alternative transportation like a Minnie Van or Lyft/Uber.

Another one of our favorite hacks is if you are staying in a building near Disney’s Riviera, you can always walk over there and use their buses, too.

disney skyliner station caribbean beach

You can browse all of the different ways to get from Caribbean Beach to anywhere at Disney World below.

wdt_ID Starting Point Ending Point How to get there
1 All-Star Movies All-Star Music Follow these steps:
  • Walk (takes about 5-7 minutes)
  • Arrive at your destination
Want to get there faster?
Or have feedback about a route for us?
2 All-Star Movies All-Star Sports Follow these steps:
  • Walk (takes about 15 minutes)
  • Arrive at your destination
Want to get there faster?
Or have feedback about a route for us?
3 All-Star Movies Animal Kingdom Follow these steps:
  • Bus to Animal Kingdom
  • Arrive at your destination
Headed to an early morning breakfast reservation at Animal Kingdom? Buses to Animal Kingdom from Disney resorts usually start running around 7-7:15 a.m. daily.
Want to get there faster?
Or have feedback about a route for us?
4 All-Star Movies Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House (main bldg) Follow these steps:
  • Bus to a theme park or Disney Springs
    (both resorts are closest to Animal Kingdom, so that bus will likely be your best option)
  • Bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village bus stop
  • Arrive at your destination
Want to get there faster?
Or have feedback about a route for us?
5 All-Star Movies Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village
Follow these steps:
  • Bus to a theme park or Disney Springs
    (both resorts are closest to Animal Kingdom, so that bus will likely be your best option)
  • Bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village bus stop
  • Arrive at your destination
Want to get there faster?
Or have feedback about a route for us?
6 All-Star Movies Art of Animation Follow these steps:
  • Bus to a theme park or Disney Springs
    (All-Star Movies is closest to Animal Kingdom, and Art of Animation is closest to Hollywood Studios, so those buses will likely be your best choices)
  • Skyliner (from Hollywood Studios) or    Bus to Art of Animation
  • Arrive at your destination
7 All-Star Movies Bay Lake Tower Follow these steps:
  • Bus to Magic Kingdom
  • Walk (takes about 10 minutes) or    monorail to Bay Lake Tower
  • Arrive at your destination
Want to get there faster?
Or have feedback about a route for us?
8 All-Star Movies Beach Club Villas Follow these steps:
  • Bus to a theme park or Disney Springs
    (All-Star Movies is closest to Animal Kingdom, so that bus will likely be your best option)
  • Bus to Beach Club
  • Arrive at your destination
Want to get there faster?
Or have feedback about a route for us?
9 All-Star Movies Beach Club Follow these steps:
  • Bus to a theme park or Disney Springs
    (All-Star Movies is closest to Animal Kingdom, so that bus will likely be your best option)
  • Bus to Beach Club
  • Arrive at your destination
Want to get there faster?
Or have feedback about a route for us?
10 All-Star Movies Blizzard Beach Follow these steps:
  • Bus to Blizzard Beach
  • Arrive at your destination
Want to get there faster?
Or have feedback about a route for us?
Starting Point Ending Point

Scheduled Refurbishments

None scheduled right now.

Other Info

Caribbean Beach Trip Reports

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