Staying at Disney Caribbean Beach Resort is a polarizing experience. Honestly, if you ask ten different Disney regulars what they think of the place, you’ll get ten different answers ranging from "it’s a tropical paradise" to "it’s way too big and my feet still hurt." It’s basically the middle child of the Disney World hotel lineup—stuck between the budget-friendly Pop Century and the high-end luxury of the Riviera Resort next door. But here is the thing: since the Disney Skyliner opened, the value proposition of this resort has shifted dramatically. It isn’t just a "moderate" hotel anymore. It is a transportation hub.
The resort is massive. 200 acres. That is a lot of ground to cover just to get a Mickey waffle in the morning.
The Skyliner Factor: Everything Changed in 2019
Before the gondolas started flying over the lake, Disney Caribbean Beach Resort was a tough sell for people who hated riding buses. You were at the mercy of a loop system that felt like it took three days to get anywhere. Now? It is the only moderate-tier resort that serves as the main transfer station for the Skyliner. You can get to EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios in about 15 minutes. It’s effortless.
But there’s a catch. Not every room is near the station.
If you end up in the Trinidad section, you are looking at a hike. It’s a beautiful walk, sure, with the swaying palms and the smell of jasmine in the air, but when you are carrying a tired toddler and three popcorn buckets, that walk feels like a marathon. Most people don’t realize that the "hub" nature of this resort means it stays busy. You aren't tucked away in a quiet corner of the woods like you are at Port Orleans Riverside. You are in the middle of the action.
The Village Layout and Why It Matters
The resort is broken down into five distinct villages: Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Aruba, and Trinidad. They all circle Barefoot Bay, which is a 45-acre lake.
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- Jamaica and Aruba: These are the winners for Skyliner access. Jamaica is usually the first choice for seasoned travelers because it sits right next to the main Caribbean Beach station.
- Martinique: This used to be the "preferred" king because it was closest to Old Port Royale (the lobby/food area), but now that the Skyliner is the priority, its popularity has dipped slightly.
- Trinidad: This is the outlier. It’s where the "Under the Sea" themed rooms are. It’s charming, but it’s isolated.
Let's Talk About the Rooms (And the Pirates That Left)
For years, Disney Caribbean Beach Resort was famous—or maybe infamous—for its Pirate-themed rooms. They had beds shaped like ships. They were cool to look at, but let’s be real: those mattresses were basically thin slabs of foam on top of hard wood. They were notoriously uncomfortable. Thankfully, Disney finally leaned into a "soft" renovation.
The new "Under the Sea" rooms in the Trinidad area are a massive upgrade. They swapped the dark, clunky pirate decor for a brighter, more Ariel-inspired aesthetic. You get pull-down beds (Murphy beds) instead of those old-school sofa sleepers, which actually saves a ton of floor space during the day. It makes the room feel twice as large.
The bathrooms are standard Disney moderate fare. Dual sinks are a lifesaver when four people are trying to brush their teeth at 6:30 AM before a Genie+ reservation starts. Is it luxury? No. But the laminate flooring is easy to clean, and the storage under the beds is a smart touch for stowing away empty suitcases.
Eating Your Way Through Old Port Royale
The food situation here is actually better than most people give it credit for. Centertown Market is the main quick-service spot. It’s laid out like an indoor street market. You can get standard chicken tenders, but the real gems are the Latin-inspired dishes. Get the Mojo Pork. Just trust me on that.
Then there is Sebastian’s Bistro.
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This place is arguably the best-kept secret in all of Walt Disney World. It’s a family-style, all-you-care-to-enjoy meal that costs significantly less than the "character" meals elsewhere. They bring out pull-apart rolls with guava butter that I would honestly pay just to smell. The main course is a "Taste of the Caribbean" platter with citrus chicken, mojo pork, and flank steak. It is miles better than the food at some of the Deluxe resorts. People sleep on this place because it doesn't have Mickey Mouse walking around, but their loss is your gain when it comes to getting a last-minute reservation.
Banana Cabana is the outdoor bar right next to the pool. It’s got a vibe that makes you feel like you've actually left Florida and landed in the Virgin Islands. Order the Caribbean Smuggler. It’s refreshing, strong, and exactly what you need after four hours in the Magic Kingdom sun.
The Pool: Fuentes del Morro
If you have kids, the pool is the main event. It’s themed like an old Spanish fort, complete with water cannons and two waterslides. One of the slides is 102 feet long. It’s impressive. There’s also a massive shipwreck-themed play area for the little kids that features a "tipping bucket" that douses everyone every few minutes.
The downside? It gets crowded.
Because Disney Caribbean Beach Resort has over 1,500 rooms, the main pool can feel like human soup on a Saturday afternoon. If you want a quiet swim, every village has its own "quiet pool." They don't have slides or bars, but they do have silence, which is a rare commodity at Disney.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Size
The biggest complaint you see on forums like DISBoards or Reddit is that the resort is "too big." People act like they need a Sherpa to get to the lobby. While it is large, the internal shuttle bus runs constantly. You don't actually have to walk everywhere.
Also, the proximity to the Riviera Resort is a huge perk that people forget. You can walk over to the Riviera (it’s literally right there) and eat at Primo Piatto or Topolino’s Terrace. You are essentially getting "Deluxe" dining options while paying "Moderate" room rates. That’s a massive win.
A Few Brutal Truths
- Walking is non-negotiable: Even with the shuttle, you will walk. If you have mobility issues, you must request a room near the Skyliner or the main house.
- The Skyliner closes for weather: If there is lightning or high wind, the gondolas stop. You will be put back on buses. It’s annoying, but it’s Florida. It happens.
- Check-in is far away: The Custom House (where you check in) is physically separated from the rest of the resort. Use the My Disney Experience app to skip the front desk entirely. Seriously. Don't waste your time going there.
Is It Worth the Price?
Prices fluctuate, but you’re usually looking at $250 to $400 a night depending on the season. Is it worth $350? Maybe. It depends on how much you value the Skyliner. If you are planning on spending most of your time at Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom, you aren't getting the full benefit of the resort's location because you'll still be taking buses.
But if you are an EPCOT-heavy family? It’s a no-brainer.
The ability to leave your room and be inside the International Gateway at EPCOT in under 20 minutes is a game-changer. No folding up strollers for the bus. No waiting in massive lines for the monorail. You just glide through the air.
Actionable Tips for Your Stay
To make the most of a stay at Disney Caribbean Beach Resort, you need a strategy. This isn't a place where you just show up and hope for the best.
- Request Jamaica or Aruba: Use the chat feature in the Disney app 5 days before you arrive. Ask specifically for these villages if you want the shortest walk to the Skyliner.
- Book Sebastian's Bistro Early: Reservations open 60 days out. It’s popular with locals and "in-the-know" fans, so it fills up faster than you’d think.
- Mobile Order Everything: Centertown Market gets backed up during breakfast. Order your coffee and breakfast sandwich while you are still getting dressed in your room.
- Pack a Refillable Bottle: There are Coca-Cola Freestyle machines at the main hub and near some of the village pools. Use them. Buying bottled water at $5 a pop is a rookie mistake.
- Walk to Riviera for Coffee: The coffee at Le Petit Café in the Riviera lobby is lightyears better than the Joffrey’s served in the Caribbean Beach food court. It’s worth the 5-minute walk.
Disney Caribbean Beach Resort is far from perfect. It’s sprawling, sometimes loud, and the humidity around the lake can be intense. But it offers a sense of "vacation" that the sterile, concrete-heavy resorts lack. When the sun starts to set over Barefoot Bay and you’re sitting in a hammock with a drink in your hand, you'll get why people keep coming back. It’s not just a hotel; it’s a vibe. Just make sure you bring comfortable walking shoes. You’re going to need them.