Stay In The Magic: A Review Of Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

Forbes

4 days ago

Guests visiting Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, ... More Fla.
'There's a hundred and four days of summer vacation, and school comes along just to end it. So the annual problem for our generation is finding a good way to spend it. Like maybe…' GOING TO DISNEY! See what I did there?
PHINEAS AND FERB - "Last Day of Summer"
Although our favorite sibling duo, Phineas and Ferb, didn't spend their summer days in Orlando, they still had a lot of fun and exciting adventures during their annual break–and you can, too! Between solo adventures, trips with my fun-loving nieces and nephews to theme parks, work trips, and catching spontaneous Delta flight deals, I've already had the joy of visiting Disney about seven or eight times this year. Since each park and resort offers something unique—whether it's seasonal activities, special menus, or entertaining performances—each visit feels fresh and exciting, making every experience special.
Ronny's family at Disney.
Whether you're looking to keep it budget-friendly or go all out with an 'over-the-top' adventure, it's really all about what best fits your style and desires. With a passion for storytelling and carefully thought-out details, one essential thing for families to know is that you can experience almost all that Disney has to offer without setting foot into a park when you 'stay in the Magic.' Here's what our recent stay was like.
Overview of Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Caribbean Beach Resort is a moderate-level hotel with a tropical theme, which I truly loved as an 'island gal' at heart. We had the pleasure of staying here during our recent visits in May and June. The vibrant, colorful buildings captured the lively and diverse spirit of the Caribbean. Each building's name—such as Barbados, Trinidad, Martinique, and Aruba—enhanced the delightful feeling of traveling through different Caribbean countries right from the hotel. With that in mind, it is a rather massive property, and depending on which 'country' you're in, you can be pretty far from the Skyliner or the main entry (Old Port Royale).
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort Room
Each of our visits was in Aruba. It was a fairly standard room, featuring double beds, a flat-screen TV, a round table and chairs for dining in the room, a mini-fridge, and ample storage space. The bathroom was separated from the room by a sliding double door. While all the rooms have been renovated, some feature a 'Little Mermaid' theme, adding a unique and exciting element to your stay. From my understanding, these rooms can not be requested, but you can get lucky if you're staying in Trinidad.
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
In our building, we were located near a pool and within a 90-second walk to the Skyliner. This hotel is one of four along the Disney Skyliner route, making it really convenient! We enjoyed a quick 15-minute ride to Epcot or Hollywood Studios. On days when we headed to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom, the bus ride was about 20 minutes, making travel extremely easy and hassle-free.
I would like to mention that, although there are accessible rooms, there are no elevators available. If you travel with heavy luggage, groceries, or kids, climbing a few flights of stairs might be challenging for you.
How To Spend Your Day At Caribbean Beach
Like many of the other resorts, you can find a lot of things to do on-site to occupy your day. The property boasts six pools, each with its own unique charm. The main pool, conveniently located near the lobby and Banana Cabana, is a hub of activity. It's not just a pool-it's a pirate-themed adventure zone with a splash pad for the little ones, a hot tub for the adults, two thrilling water slides, and a zero-entry area for easy access. The other five pools offer a more serene atmosphere, perfect for a relaxing evening swim, with one just steps away from the rooms.
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort Pool
Caribbean Beach's dynamic activities team, stationed both in the lobby and poolside, ensures there's never a dull moment. From engaging scavenger hunts to creative crafts, brain-teasing trivia, and exciting games, there's something for every family member to enjoy.
If you want a little rest, grab a book and head to one of the waterfront hammocks to lounge about for a bit. Or, take the kids over to Caribbean Cay for some playtime at the playground. There are plenty of shaded seats to hide from that blaring Orlando sun. In the evenings, join other families for a movie night under the stars or roasting marshmallows at the nightly campfire.
For those who want to be a little more active, fishing excursions are available, and there's a jogging trail for the fitness gurus.
Where To Eat On Property
This is always my favorite part of any hotel review: the food options. There's nothing worse than arriving at a hotel after a long travel day and finding limited or no tasty dining options on property. With Caribbean Beach being a moderate-level resort, they have more options than what you'd find at one of the value resorts. You can have poolside dining from Banana Cabana or Spyglass Grill. Or, spring for table service at Sebastian's Bistro. Centertown Market is another option providing quick-service meals.
Sebastian's Bistro At Disney Caribbean Beach Resort
Sebastian's offers more than just a meal-it's a family-style dining experience that's incredibly delightful. Drawing inspiration from both Caribbean and Latin cultures, it's the perfect complement to a stay at a Caribbean-themed hotel. We indulged in some of their signature dishes, including mojo pork, fried coconut shrimp, cilantro rice, and plantains, all served in a warm and inviting atmosphere. The drink menu is quite solid, offering a wide variety of beers, wines, and cocktails. If you want a drink that will make you feel like you're on an island sitting under a coconut tree at first sip, go for the Pineapple Mule or Tallawah Punch. They're only open for dinner, and reservations are highly recommended.
Breakfast At Centertown Market
Centertown Market became our go-to spot, primarily for its convenience before visiting the parks. But if you're looking to skip the parks and enjoy a more substantial meal before relaxing by the pools or in your room, it's still the perfect choice. And the best part? You can enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch here. The Caribbean and Latin flair was also evident in the dishes here, with options such as fish tacos and ribs. But also more laid-back options, such as sandwiches, pizzas, and burgers. Of course, those beloved Mickey Waffles are available for breakfast!
Banana Cabana At Caribbean Beach Resort
We love bar food because it often features those go-to comfort foods, such as wings, chips and dip, or loaded fries. All of which are on Banana Cabana's menu. The jerk chicken sandwich and seafood fritters are also excellent choices for a mid-swim meal.
Spyglass Grill At Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Nestled by the Trinidad pool area, this little gem is a must-visit for food and coffee enthusiasts. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as a quick-service dining option, we serve up high-quality meals and drinks that will leave you satisfied. We recommend trying the Breakfast Cuban, served alongside potatoes, which offers a decent portion size that will leave you feeling full. And don't miss out on our specialty coffee drinks, such as lattes, and the Joffrey's Coffee Cold Brew Shakin' Jamaican. It's a mouthful to say, but a great drink to start the day! The patio area overlooks Barefoot Bay, offering gorgeous views.
The Perks And Magic You Can Experience At Any Disney Resort
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Many families consider staying off-site to save money during their Disney trips, including my family. And, while there are numerous cool hotels in the area (such as Caribe Royale Orlando, The Grove, and Villatel Orlando), visitors will miss out on some incredible perks. Aside from all the ways you can spend your day(s) frolicking about the hotel, let's unpack some of the fantastic things happening at Disney resorts when you opt to 'stay in the magic.'
Appearance From Minnie & Mickey Dining At Contemporary Resort
The best part about visiting Disney is the opportunity to meet the characters–something you can do without visiting the parks! There are various events at different resorts, including character breakfasts and dining experiences. But, if you're lucky, your resort will have some special friends drop by! From classic Disney princesses to the latest Pixar heroes, you never know who you may see. Your resort will have a sign posted in the lobby with the details, making it easy to plan your day around the appearances.
As you've read, there's always something for families to enjoy. My older kids can spend the entire day in the park without a second thought. However, the younger ones tire easily. They get cranky, and the last thing we want is a long wait and bus ride back to the rooms. That's why I appreciate the variety of activities available around the clock. We can participate, head back to the room for naps, and jump back into some fun when they're ready. Sometimes, when a meltdown is looming, it's a relief to avoid those long waits and bus rides, I can tell you that.
Movies Under The Stars Event
When we stayed at Caribbean Beach Resort, we enjoyed themed movie nights and had fun at the craft stations designed for kids. At Art of Animation, we even tried drawing our own animations! Each resort has activities themed to its property. For example, at Coronado Springs, guests delight in music, crafts, and trivia inspired by Mexican and Spanish cultures.
Disney Skyliner
These resorts also offer free and direct transportation to the parks by bus, monorail, or Skyliner, eliminating the need to worry about traffic or long walks from the parking lot. Plus, after a full day of exploring all the parks, I don't really feel like driving. How about you? As mentioned earlier, the Caribbean is a large property. Guests have the option of being picked up and dropped off at Old Port Royale (the main entrance) or designated bus stops located outside each building.
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
The best part about this summer is that if you're staying at a Disney resort, you get free entry into one of the water parks on check-in day! For Typhoon Lagoon, that's a fantastic saving of $68-$75 for each person in your group. You can grab a cabana rental, but you'll likely spend a lot of your time in the lazy river and the wave pool!
Plus, It's A Cool Kid Summer!
Cool Kid Summer
With Disney's newest event, 'Cool Kid Summer,' designed especially for families with children, the fun is just beginning. This fantastic event began at the end of May and will continue until September 1, 2025. Expect lots of surprises, chances to see new characters, lively DJ dance parties, and plenty of ways to save. Each park is offering something new and exciting, so be sure to check out the line-up linked above.
If you couldn't tell from our earlier mention, we're repeat fans of both Disney and Caribbean Beach Resort! It has a lot to offer, with a wide range of delicious food and fantastic value for families. We're already looking forward to three more trips this summer!