We might be stuck at home, but we’re taking ya with us on a virtual trip to the Caribbean (cost free 😉 )!

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort finished a BIG multi-year renovation a few years back AND the Skyliner Gondola System was added as a direct transportation line to the hotel. This helped the resort garner a lot more attention from guests, including us!

So, as a little get-away, we’re taking you with us to Barefoot Bay to kick back and relax in the recently redesigned rooms at Caribbean Beach!

In 2015, the standard rooms were changed from their previous appearance to a more modern look. On top of updating other spots around the resort, like a new lobby and the addition of a new Joffrey’s Coffee, the refurbished rooms were meant to breathe some life back into Disney’s Caribbean Beach.

The hotel was looking a little rough compared to the other Disney World resorts, so the renovation pulled out ALL the stops to give the atmosphere some much-needed changes and updates. We’re talking about a fresh take on restaurants, pool bars, and a design that helps you really feel like you’re in paradise.

While we can’t visit in person right now, we’re still taking you with us on a tour of one of the recently redesigned rooms to make you feel right at home at the resort!

When you enter your room, you’re transported to a beach-y Caribbean atmosphere with rattan-feel accents atop beige walls. A terra cotta-colored square patterned carpet matches the walls and looks kind of like sand (except you’ll have to go outside to build a sandcastle 😉 ).

Plus, just LOOK at those coral curtains!! They’re just as fun and bright as the Caribbean itself. You can also sit on updated contemporary blue furniture that reminds us of the beautiful ocean water surrounding the islands…

…while you get a lovely breeze from the A/C vent next to it.

But, you can set your little oasis to whatever temperature you want (we like to keep it COLD!).

The TV stand has a simpler design with the brown wood and rattan looking fronts similar door design. It has a small coffee maker with a stash of Joffrey’s Coffee packets, tea…

…and a bright green ice container that adds a pop of color to the room!

Just below, you can also pull open the front of the TV stand to find a mini fridge…

…so you can store all the goodies that you buy in the parks to enjoy as a late-night snack later! Note that there’s nothing that even pretends to be a freezer area in here, just FYI.

While the beds previously has floral covers, the standard room has been updated with a sleeker (read: plain) bed design.

A dark carved headboard and a light fixture sit directly above it. Doesn’t the colorful light fixture look FUN?!

But note that the light fixture is your only “bedside light,” so if you have little ones who go to sleep before you do, remember to bring these little beauties.

Each room is equipped with a standard Disney room phone with direct access to everything you could need while there (don’t forget to set a wakeup call from Mickey!).

While the room has a sleeker look with less theming, you can still spot some artwork with a colorful picture of a Caribbean island. It kind of looks like Neverland to us, don’t you think?? Below it is where you can set up your suitcase!

Before you leave the bedroom to go into the vanity area, you can close the wooden bathroom dividers behind you (for some privacy away from the kiddos)…

…before getting yourself ready for the day or night! The darker bathroom vanities from before have been exchanged for a brighter version with light-colored tops, double sinks, and orange fronts. The bathroom tile has also been switched from a more rustic design to a smoother pale version.

You can use some of the H20 products available…

…iron out your outfits for the week…

…and hang up any clothes or jackets!

The bathroom is classy with a streamlined design and a SUPER CUTE shower curtain with tropical blue colors and orange feather (maybe Orange Bird paid a visit?). The neutral colors accented with the bright pop of color looks great, doesn’t it?

You also have a full-length mirror on the door here.

You can hop in the shower or take a nice bath…

…using the newer shampoo, conditioner, and body wash canisters that have started to be put in the resorts.

Just like any of the Disney Resorts, there are pros and cons to staying in the refurbished standard rooms at Caribbean Beach.

With all the renovations, there are some great spots to grab a bite or a drink like Banana Cabana (we love chilling by the pool with a cocktail in hand!), dig into some seafood at Sebastian’s Bistro, or even snag a quick breakfast at Spyglass Grill.

The main pool is a wonderfully family-friendly spot with waterfalls, waterslides, water canons, and a children’s play area so you can take a break from park-hopping. It looks like taking a dip in a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean! Plus, there’s even a sandy beach close by at the resort!!

Caribbean Beach also has easy access to transportation with the bus system (which takes you anywhere in Disney World) and the Skyliner that directly connects to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. The hub of the Skyliner system is housed at Caribbean Beach making it an ideal spot to access locations on the Skyliner routes.

Note if you’d like to request a room CLOSE to the Skyliner, request rooms in Barbados and Jamaica to be close to the Caribbean Beach Resort station, and rooms in Aruba to be close to the Riviera Resort Skyliner Station!

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort also has themed rooms like the Pirate Rooms, but they’re an added upgrade of almost $50 extra per night, like the Royal Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside.

It’s worth noting that the guest rooms in two-story buildings at Caribbean Beach Resort do not have elevator access, so if you’re mobility impaired or will have a stroller with you, consider requesting a first-floor room to avoid the stairs.

If you’ve ever been to Caribbean Beach, you’ll also know that it’s a HUGE resort. It can take a good bit of time to walk across the resort or to common areas. And there is an internal bus loop, which can add time on to your commute to the parks.

In fact, some sections like Aruba and Martinique are actually situated closer to Disney’s Riviera Resort, and like we said, it might be more feasible to walk to THAT resort for food or Skyliner access.

The Martinique and Barbados sections are closest to Old Port Royale (the main building housing Caribbean Beach’s amenities), and the Jamaica section is closest to the Skyliner Hub. We really recommend closely checking the maps of the resort beforehand to figure out which section makes the most sense for your group to stay in. 

Regardless of the pros and cons of the resort itself, the updated standard rooms are very streamlined and appear more spacious than before. But, we definitely miss some of the theming and use of color!!

Go on a tour with us of the renovated Animal Kingdom Lodge rooms here!

Have you stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort before? Let us know in the comments below!