Travel Guide to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: A Moderate Resort with Island Vibes

If you’ve ever dreamed of a Disney vacation with a tropical twist, then Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort might just be your perfect match. This moderate resort wraps you up in vibrant island vibes, colorful villages, and a relaxed atmosphere—while still giving you all the perks of being right in the middle of Walt Disney World magic.

Our family loved how it felt like a vacation within a vacation. One minute, you’re sipping coffee lakeside, and the next you’re hopping on the Disney Skyliner for a quick ride over to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios. It’s a beautiful blend of island relaxation and Disney convenience.

Resort Overview

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is spread out around the stunning 45-acre Barefoot Bay lake, with five themed “villages”: Aruba, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad, and Barbados. Each village has its own colorful pastel buildings, quiet pool, and sandy beach areas with hammocks that practically beg you to slow down for a moment.

The centerpiece of the resort is Old Port Royale, the lively hub where you’ll find the main pool, dining, shopping, and the bustling Banana Cabana bar. The whole resort feels like stepping onto a Caribbean island—palm trees swaying, steel drum music playing, and plenty of spots to sit back and soak it all in.

Because it’s a moderate resort, you get more amenities and space than the Value resorts, but without the higher price tag of the Deluxe properties. For families like ours, it hit that sweet spot of comfort, theming, and budget.

Dining Options

You won’t go hungry at Caribbean Beach!

  • Sebastian’s Bistro – A table-service restaurant serving Caribbean-inspired dishes. Perfect for when you want to sit down and enjoy a meal without leaving the resort.
  • Centertown Market – The main quick-service location with lots of grab-and-go or mobile order options. We loved the convenience of grabbing breakfast here before heading to the parks.
  • Banana Cabana – The poolside bar and lounge that’s a favorite for both snacks and tropical cocktails and a great place to catch the fireworks at night!

Rooms & Accommodations

The rooms at Caribbean Beach Resort keep the theme going with light, tropical décor. Standard rooms fit up to four or five guests, depending on the configuration, and have either two queen beds or a queen plus a pull-down.

If you’ve got little adventurers in your crew, you can book a Pirate Room—complete with ship-shaped beds and treasure chest touches. These are so fun for kids, but do note they’re located in Trinidad, which is a bit farther from the Skyliner and Old Port Royale.

Mama Tip: If you’re traveling with strollers, little ones, or wheelchairs, request a ground-floor room. Like many Disney moderate resorts, there are no elevators in the standard two-story buildings.

*Old picture* These rooms have now been freshly painted with light tropical colors.

Pools & Recreation

The Fuentes del Morro Pool is the star here—a pirate-themed fortress with water slides, cannons, and plenty of space for kids to splash and play. It’s one of the most themed pools at Walt Disney World, and our kids could have spent all day here.

Each village also has its own quiet pool, which is great if you want a more relaxed vibe without the hustle of the main pool.

Other fun options include playgrounds, bike rentals, fishing, and jogging trails around Barefoot Bay. At night, you can join in the Campfire on the Beach to roast marshmallows, followed by Movies Under the Stars—a perfect way to end the day.

Transportation & Location

This is where Caribbean Beach really shines: it’s the hub of the Disney Skyliner. You can glide your way to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, making park hopping so much easier (and honestly more fun!). The Skyliner station is centrally located and a big reason why many families love this resort.

For Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, you’ll still take Disney buses, but having the Skyliner makes a huge difference in overall convenience.

Cost & Value

Caribbean Beach falls into the Moderate Resort category at Walt Disney World. Pricing is higher than the Value resorts but more affordable than Deluxe resorts. For what you get—larger rooms, better dining, incredible pool, and Skyliner access—it’s a great value, especially for families who want more amenities without splurging on Deluxe prices.

Tips for Families

  • Request rooms near the Skyliner (Aruba or Jamaica) if you plan on using it often.
  • Ground floor request for strollers, wheelchairs, or little kids (no elevators in standard buildings).
  • Pirate Rooms are fun but farther away from the main action—keep this in mind if proximity matters to your family.
  • Pack refillable water bottles! There are plenty of water stations around the resort.

Final Thoughts

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is a fantastic choice for families who want a mix of relaxation, theming, and convenience. Between the island vibes, the fun pool, and the unbeatable Skyliner access, it truly feels like a vacation within your Disney vacation.

For us, it struck that perfect balance: plenty of activities to keep the kids busy, beautiful grounds for the adults to enjoy, and easy transportation that saved us so much time.

If you’re planning a Walt Disney World trip and want the best of both worlds—fun and convenience at a moderate price—Caribbean Beach Resort is definitely worth considering.

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