Disney’s Hidden Oasis: Exploring Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World

Located on-site at the Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is one of Disney’s “moderate” category resort hotels, providing an array of amenities at a fairly affordable price. The resort originally opened in October 1988 and features 1,536 rooms surrounding the 45-acre Barefoot Bay lake.

The resort is grouped into five individual sections named after Caribbean Islands. These “islands” include: Martinique, Aruba, Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is located near the southeastern part of Walt Disney World directly adjacent to Disney Riviera Resort.  It is a short distance to all four Walt Disney World theme parks, the water parks and Disney Springs.  The Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando are both less than 30 minutes away.

Hotel amenities at this hotel are very good for a property of this price point (“Moderate” Resort) and include a size resort style pools, organized recreational activities / entertainment, a children’s playground area and an a sandy beach area.

Endless Summer is an affiliate with Marriott, Hilton & Expedia.com, receiving a small commission for each stay that was referred by our website.  So, if you thinking about staying at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort or any of the amazing hotels in the Orlando area, we would appreciate if you can use our links when making the reservations. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hotel rates at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort?

Since the Caribbean Beach Resort is one of Disney’s “Moderate Resorts”, prices are fairly affordable and typically range from around $300 per night to more than $650 per night depending on the time of year.  See our price chart below for rates during specific nights.

Does Disney’s Caribbean Beach provide transportation to the Walt Disney World theme parks?

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort offers complimentary bus transportation throughout Walt Disney World including the theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs and the Resort hotels.  There is also a Disney Skyliner station adjacent to the resort which provides access to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Is there free transportation from the Orlando International Airport to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort?

Complimentary transportation from Disney’s Magical Express is no longer offered.  However, Mears Connect shuttle service provides transportation from the Walt Disney World Resort to the Orlando International Airport at a cost of around $32.00 per person.

Is there a Resort Fee or Parking Charge at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort?

There are no Resort Fees at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort but self-parking costs $20.00 per night for hotel guests.

How many pools are there at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort?

There are six pools at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort – the main Fuentes del Morro Pool is themed after a colonial Spanish fort and features two water slides and several water cannons.  There are also five additional pools, included within each individual “island” village.

What are the food & beverage options at the Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort?

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort features a number of food & beverage options ranging from grab-and-go to resort casual dining.

What is the check-in and check-out time at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort?

The check in-time at the Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is 3:00 pm and check out time is at 11:00 am.

What is the pet policy at the Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort?

With the exception of service animals, pets are not allowed at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. However, Disney’s has an ongoing pilot program that allows pets at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and The Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort.  

About Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort originally opened in October 1998 and was the first “Moderate” resort at Walt Disney World.  The property is highly themed with Caribbean architecture and has outstanding lake views of Barefoot Bay.

There are 1,536 rooms in garden style buildings ranging from traditional hotel rooms, several of which have “pirate” theming.  Many of the rooms have views of the Barefoot Bay lake, the pool, courtyards or woodlands.

There are five distinct sections or “islands” at the Caribbean Beach Resort.  These five islands include:

• Barbados
• Jamaica
• Martinique
• Trinidad
• Aruba

In addition to the themed buildings, there is a large lobby building called Animation Hall which features the “Ink & Paint” gift shop, food court and check-in areas.  Bus transportation services pick up and drop off just outside of Animation Hall.

This resort hotel is located on-site within the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida in the Epcot Resorts area.  Access to the resort is provided by East Buena Vista Drive which connects to Epcot Center Drive and Interstate 4 just a few miles to the east.

It will take about 30 minutes to get to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort from the Orlando International Airport.  Guests can either take SR-528 (Beach Line Expressway) to Interstate 4, west to Osceola Parkway or SR-417 west to the Osceola Parkway.  Both routes are similar in mileage and fairly easy to navigate for out-of-area travelers.

From Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, the time / distance to the visitor toll plazas at the Disney theme parks are as follows (per Google Maps):

• Magic Kingdom Park: Approximately 10 minutes
• Epcot: Less than 10 minutes
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Less than 10 minutes
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Approximately 10 minutes
• Disney Springs (Orange Parking Garage): Approximately 13 minutes

The time / distance to other popular Orlando area attractions is as follows:

• SeaWorld Orlando: Approximately 20 minutes
• Universal Orlando Resort: Approximately 25 minutes.
• Downtown Orlando: Approximately 30 minutes
• Orange County Convention Center: Approximately 15 minutes
• The Mall at Millenia: Approximately 25 minutes

Amenities at Disney’s Caribbean Resort

Although Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is a “moderate” resort hotel it has many of the features of a full service resort and does not lack for amenities.

Resort Pool Areas

There are six (6) pools at the Caribbean Beach Resort highlighted by the massive Fuentes del Morro Pool.  This zero-entry resort pool is themed after a colonial Spanish fort and features two water slides and plenty of water play areas.  There is also a “shipwreck play area” for smaller children which have mini slides and a crow’s nest.

In addition to the main pool, there are five additional pools which are situated in each individual island village.  Every pool has ample patio seating.

Other Amenities

• Entertainment (games, movies & campfires)
• Guided Fishing Excursions
• Watercraft & Bike rentals
• Children’s Playground
• Jogging Trail
• On-site Arcade
• Beach Volleyball
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• On-site Laundry Facilitates 

There is also complimentary transportation provided throughout the entire Walt Disney World Resort.  The hotel features shuttle bus service outside of the Old Port Royale Centertown building to the theme parks as well as Disney Springs. 

Guests also have access to two separate Disney Skyliner stations. The main station is located adjacent to the Jamaica section of the resort with an additional station located between the Aruba section of the resort and Disney’s Riviera Resort.  Guests can use the Skyliner to travel to Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Boardwalk area.

The Rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

All rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort feature free wireless internet service, a coffee maker, mini-refrigerator, iron / ironing board, in-room safe, telephone with voicemail, hairdryer and bathroom products.

• Standard View: Two queen beds
• Standard View – 5th Sleeper: Two queen beds and one child sized pull down bed
• Water or Pool View: Two queen beds
• Water or Pool View – 5th Sleeper: Two queen beds and one child sized pull down bed
• Preferred Room: Two queen beds and one child sized pull down bed – close to Centertown
• Pirate Water View: Two double beds
• Pirate Standard View: Two double beds
• King Bed Room: One king bed

Hotel Rates

Like most hotels in the greater Orlando area, rates at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort are highly seasonal and we have found that rates and availability do vary quite considerably throughout the year.

Nightly hotel rates typically range from around $300 per night to more than $650 per night. There is a 6% resort tax on top of a 6.5% sales tax.  There are no resort fees or parking charge.

Disney is constantly running special offers and there are always discounts for annual passholders and Florida Residents.

What We Liked about Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

There are a number of things to like about Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.  Following are some of the highlights:

• Great location within the heart of Walt Disney World
• Extensive amount of amenities
• Complimentary Disney resort wide transportation include the Disney Skyliner

What We Did Not Like about Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

There are a few things about the Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort we do not like which include:

• $20 per day self-parking fee
• Crowded check-in, transportation service, dining and pool areas during peak times
• Pricing is steep for a “moderate” resort

What We Think Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is Perfect For

We were very happy with our stay at Disney’s Caribbean Beach and find that it is perfect for:

• Short and intermediate-term Disney vacations
• Sports team events at the nearby Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex

Our Thoughts

As Florida residents and annual passholders, we try to take advantage of special offers for any on-site Disney hotel.  Since typically we drive to Orlando, the Disney’s transportation service to the theme parks as well as Uber / Lyft for off-site restaurants is not a concern. 

However, without a vehicle guests are not fully able to explore the Orlando area outside of Disney (this of course is by design).  Outside transportation service costs can add up if you are looking to visit non-Disney theme parks or off-property restaurants so keep that in mind for your next visit.