Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is one of the most visually stunning moderate resorts at Walt Disney World. The brightly colored island-inspired buildings, the lush landscaping, and the laid-back Caribbean atmosphere give it a personality that no other Disney resort quite replicates. From the moment you arrive it feels less like a hotel and more like an island getaway that happens to be minutes from the most magical theme parks in the world.
We have stayed at Caribbean Beach twice as a family and have dined at Sebastian’s Bistro, the on-site restaurant. It is a resort that has grown on us with each experience.
The first stay helped us learn the lay of the land, and this is a large resort, which takes some getting used to. By our second stay we knew exactly where to request a room, how to navigate to the Skyliner, and why Sebastian’s Bistro deserves a reservation even if you are not staying on property.
Caribbean Beach is a moderate resort which puts it a step above the value resorts in both price and amenities. The main pool has a water slide, more dining options, and the theming is more immersive.
The rooms offer something unique for families of 5- a 5th sleeper option that can allow 5 people in one room, instead of getting connecting rooms. If you are a family of five, with younger kids it is one of the best options on property. If you are a family of 5 with older kids you may consider connecting rooms at Disney’s All Star Sports for the most budget friendly option.
Caribbean Beach Resort is one of 4 Skyliner Resorts to consider when you want to take advantage of the gondola transportation. See how they compare and find the best resort for your Disney trip in my Skyliner Resorts post.
Disney Caribbean Beach Resort Review- My Experience
I think it is an unpopular opinion, but I like Caribbean Beach. The Caribbean vibe of the resort really makes you feel like you are at a tropical island. There are sandy beaches (do not go in the water) and hammocks to relax in after a long day.
Caribbean Beach has excellent dining at Sebastian’s Bistro for a sit down meal, as well as a quick service options like Spyglass Grill and Centertown Market. Sebastian’s Bistro is one of our favorite table service dining options at a resort.
The main Skyliner stations are located at Caribbean beach and this is a big perk for guests. There is a station to Epcot and Hollywood Studios from Caribbean Beach Resort and this makes getting to the parks faster than traditional bus transportation.
Some people feel the size of the resort can be overwhelming. It is a very large resort and you may have a 10-15 minute walk to the main dining area and lobby, but many of the Walt Disney World resorts are spread out and I don’t find it to be a big issue.
It is also worth noting that Disney’s Riviera Resort is located on the same property. Guests staying at Caribbean Beach resort can easily walk to Riviera Resort, the Epcot Skyliner entrance is at Riviera property. Be sure to check out the murals at the Riviera of Tangled and Peter Pan, they are beautiful.
Still deciding between on-site and off-site? Read our Should You Stay On-Site at Disney World guide for the honest cost breakdown.
Caribbean Beach Resort Rooms
Caribbean Beach Resort has standard rooms that fit 2, 4, or 5 with a 5th sleeper option. The resort has 5 different sections and is a motel style set up with room entrance that goes outside.
On both of our stays we had a room with a 5th sleeper. The rooms we stayed in were Caribbean themed but more recently the Trinidad Section of the resort updated the rooms to an Under the Sea- The Little Mermaid theme. These rooms include a 5th sleeper.
Caribbean Beach Resort- 5th Sleeper Rooms
The updated rooms have a traditional queen size bed, a queen murphy bed, and a 5th sleeper. The older rooms have two queen size beds and a 5th sleeper. The perk of the murphy bed is it can be folded up during the day for seating in the room.
This layout is perfect for families with children under 10. We have reached the point in our family travels where our teens at Disney have outgrown the 5th sleeper. I can still fit on it and have a comfortable sleep, it is a single bed that fits someone under 5′ 5″, but I would not suggest it when traveling as a family of 5 with older kids.
You may want to consider connecting rooms at a value resort over a 5th sleeper room at a moderate. This is often less expensive and will give you more space plus two bathrooms. The rooms at Caribbean Beach are spacious enough, but for 5 adult sized guests it can feel a bit cramped throughout a week long trip.
We stayed at Pop Century and had connecting rooms during our last Disney trip. If you are not on a strict budget consider the family suites at Art of Animation.
Average Nightly Rate
Caribbean Beach typically runs $270-$350/night depending on season. I suggest checking the special offers on the Disney World site and comparing to Disney’s Caribbean Beach nightly rates. Check latest prices for Disney’s Caribbean Beach or reach out to our travel partner Nikki. She can help you find and book the best deals for staying at Disney World.
Traveling as a family of 5? Read our Best Disney Resorts for Families of 5 for our complete comparison of Caribbean Beach vs value resort connecting rooms vs Art of Animation family suites.
Caribbean Beach Resort Dining
Dining has become an important part of our Disney trips as everyone has gotten older and we’ve been able to enjoy longer sit downs as well as the kids enjoy trying new places.
Caribbean Beach has Sebastian’s Bistro which is a table service restaurant that is worth book even if you don’t stay at Caribbean Beach. It has a Caribbean inspired family style menu that has something for everyone.
There are also grab and go and casual dining options at the Centertown Market as well as Spyglass Grill. Both offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner options with Caribbean flavored options. Take advantage of mobile ordering at either of these places.
Mobile Ordering is offered on the My Disney Experience app and allows guests to place an order before they arrive at a quick service spot. After a long day at the parks we will start our order on the bus or skyliner back to the resort, once we arrive you let them you know are here on the app, and your order will be ready. It saves waiting in lines once you get back and often some of us will head back to the room to start showers and half will stay to collect the food.
Caribbean Beach Resort Pools
There are five pools at Caribbean Beach resort in each section of the resort. The main pool, Fuentes del Morro, has a water slide and splash pad area. (Water slides are one of the things value resorts don’t have.) It is also the busiest pool at the resort.
We prefer the quieter pools at the resort but they are traditional pools without the slides. If you have small kids you will want to enjoy the splash pad area during your stay. Caribbean Beach Resort is one of two of the Skyliner resorts that have a water slide, Riviera Resort also has a water slide pool.
Around the Resort
The resort layout is sprawling over different sections. Use the map below to help decide what section you want to request when making reservations. It is not guaranteed but worth including in your reservation.
We prefer staying in Jamaica because it is close to the Skyliner entrance and the bus entrance. It is a bit of a walk to Old Port Royale where Centertown Market and Fuentes del Morro pool is but we like the shorter walk to the room after a day at the parks.
Perks
Disney resort guests have early theme park entry to all four theme parks 30 minutes before park open. On-site guest can make Lightning Lane reservations 7 days in advance from the day you check-in. This can be very helpful when trying to secure a lightning lane for a popular attraction.
For example if you check in on a Monday and plan to reserve a Lighting Lane reservation for Hollywood Studios on Thursday you can start booking 7 days before the Monday check in day. This gives you a few extra days to get ahead and we’ve always been able to book the Lighting Lanes we wanted.
Staying on-site also provides transportation to Disney Springs if you are including it is a rest day during your Disney trip.
Make sure you purchase tickets for Disney World before you arrive, they are not included with your resort stay unless you book a package that includes them.
Daily Activities
Daily activities at the resort are much like all the Disney resorts. Guests can watch movies under the stars, make Mickey Tie-Dye (additional cost), play trivia, and have campfires. At check-in you will receive a list of activities for your stay.
Transportation
There are two ways to get to the parks from Caribbean Beach. Guests going to Epcot or Hollywood Studios will take the Disney Skyliner. Caribbean Beach Resort is a skyliner hub which means you do not need to transfer to a different Skyliner Route. Pop Century and Art of Animation guests take the Skyliner to the Caribbean Beach hub and then transfer to the Epcot or Hollywood Studios gondola.
If you are visiting Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom you will take the bus transportation. Bus stops are located at each section of the resort and will make stops at all of them on your way to and from the parks. This is great for a shorter walk to your room but can add travel time on your way to the park.
Read more -> Disney Skyliner Resorts: An Honest Guide to All 4 Resorts on the Gondola
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort- Final Thoughts
Disney’s Caribbean Beach resort is a moderate resort that is great for families wanting to stay on the Skyliner. It offers upgrades over the value without the higher cost of the deluxe resorts.
Who is Caribbean Beach Resort Best For:
- families of 5 with small children that want the 5th sleeper
- guests wanting to have the upgraded water slide, dining but want to stay on a budget
- families visiting Epcot and Hollywood Studios that want Skyliner access
Who is Caribbean Beach Resort Not Best For:
- families traveling with adult children and teens who value more sleeping space
- guests wanting a smaller resort feel
- guests who do not like the Skyliner resort, there is no bus transportation to Epcot or Hollywood Studios when the gondolas are running
- families looking for the best budget option, who may prefer a value resort. Check out our review of the Disney value resorts for more information.
Overall I am very happy we experienced Caribbean Beach Resort when my kids were small. It is a stunning island oasis that is a great escape from the parks.
Planning your full Walt Disney World vacation? Our Walt Disney World Guide covers everything- park guides, Lightning Lane strategy, dining, and more.
Exploring all your Disney resort options? Read our Disney Skyliner Resorts Guide for our complete comparison of all four Skyliner hotels.
Don’t want to plan? Consider using a travel agent. Our friend Nikki at Royal Treatment Travel is amazing and has helped us plan and book many of our trips. She finds the best deals and her service is complimentary for most theme park vacations! It is a win-win. Learn more here.
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Leah has been traveling with her family of 5 since 2012 and sharing her expertise on planning family vacations and visiting theme parks since 2016. Leah has been featured in Visit Rochester, Undercover Tourist, and Home Publications. She has worked with brands like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Hersheypark, Toyota, and various Tourism boards and destinations. Leah creates family travel itineraries based on real trip experiences with her family. Her guides and tips help others plan great family vacations. Learn more about Leah and Five for the Road.