The initial phase of Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, the first moderately priced resort at Walt Disney World, opened in the fall of 1988. Other resorts in varying categories have been added over the years, but the Caribbean Beach Resort, from its Custom House check-in area to the shores of Barefoot Bay, has remained a charming favorite for many.
The lodge buildings at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort are arranged in villages surrounding the bay, each named for an island in the Caribbean: Martinique, Barbados, Aruba, Jamaica and Trinidad. A stroll among the villages offers beautiful tropical vistas, punctuated by brightly-colored, colonial-inspired architecture.
Things aren't all "civilized," however. Step across the bridge to explore Caribbean Cay, an island in the middle of Barefoot Bay, and you'll discover an oasis of swinging hammocks, lurking (concrete) crocodiles and rambunctious children enjoying a hidden playground.
Caribbean Cay also includes a battlement and cannons, for defending Old Port Royale from pirates. Piracy may not be as rampant in the Caribbean today as it once was, but recently pirates have invaded one of the villages of Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort in a big way.
The Trinidad South village at the resort had historically been the least popular among Guests, due to its distance from Centertown at Old Port Royale (still only about a 10 minute walk). In 2009, the rooms at Trinidad South were redone in the spirit of Pirates of the Caribbean, making them now among the most requested at the property.
Inside, a pirate adventure awaits. The beds in the room are built in the shape of pirate galleons, complete with bow, wheel, functioning lanterns and cannon ports along the sides, and the custom bedspreads give the impression each ship is laden with golden treasures.
On the wall is concept art developed for the 2006 enhancements on the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Here, it's the scene of Jack Sparrow hiding out at the dress shop as the town's mayor is being grilled on the captain's whereabouts.
Furnishings throughout the room are unique and help create an environment of storytelling fun. End tables are barrels, the television sits on crates labeled for the East India Trading Co. and even the carpet is custom-designed to appear as wooden planks on the deck of a ship.
The pirate details don't stop there. Pull back the skull-and-crossbones drapes over the bathroom, and you'll find a shower curtain that pays homage to some of the legendary ships from pirates lore. There's the HMS Dauntless and Interceptor, ships of the Royal Navy which were, at one time or another, commandeered by Captain Jack Sparrow. There's also Empress, Sao Feng's vessel from Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, and the Wicked Wench, the ship seen in the bombardment scene on the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.
Just when you think you've made it safely past these formidable craft, you come face to face with this ghostly image of the Flying Dutchman, the ship captained by none other than Davy Jones.
The pirate enhancements to Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort make for a really fun experience. In fact, my boys never really wanted to leave the room!
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