The 4F Trip Report - Day 1 - The DIS Discussion Forums

alan · 08-07-2009, 08:23 AM

Trip Report Index is here

Day 01 - Travel

After a hearty breakfast, we piled into the car. I gave Stephanie (the sat-nav system on my phone) the postcode of the off-airport car park we had booked months before, then put her on to silent mode for the time being. The twenty-five mile drive to Glasgow Airport wasn't a worry, the two miles from the airport to the car park considerably more so.

It turns out that Nokia Maps aren't terribly good with just a postcode. This was something I realised when an un-muted Stephanie announced that we had arrived at our destination, and we plainly hadn't. So I dug out the car park voucher and found the full address. I gave that to Steph (we're friends; I'm allowed to call her that) and she gave us new directions. This time, they worked.

So we dropped the car in space 352 of Glasgow Park 'n' Fly, and bus driver helped get our cases onto the bus. We were on our way!

From there it was fairly straightforward. The bus took us to the airport, and we joined the baggage drop-off queue. While there, Granny, Granda and Uncle John joined the Premium Economy checkin queue, which in truth didn't seem to go much faster than ours.

At the drop-off desk we presented our passports and started trying to load our bags onto the conveyor. But it didn't work; somebody else's bag in front of ours had caught on a protrusion and was simply not going anywhere. The girl at the desk tried to poke at it, but it was stuck. Eventually she had to go to the offending bag and, in her heels and tight skirt, try to wrestle the bag free while maintaining her dignity. Being a red-blooded male, I didn't enjoy the spectacle one little bit!

Eventually, however, we got through checkin, through security and it was time to bag a bite of lunch before boarding the plane.

We could see our aircraft waiting for us

A lot of waiting around, then we got to board and... we were off!

During the flight I managed to watch In The Loop which was very funny if a little on the crude side, and Paul Blartt: Mall Cop which was quite funny and very saccharin. But they both helped pass the time.

Eight hours later, we landed at MCO. We got off the plane, cleared immigration, collected our bags, cleared customs, dropped our bags onto the conveyor, and took the monorail to the other building

(Yes, we were feeling rather tired)

alan · 08-07-2009, 08:24 AM

Florida almost looks like a toy model of the real world, beautiful, clean and very green

The airport is pretty spectacular with its fountains

(drat, I'd been hoping to hide behind the camera all the time)

and is this a hidden Mickey?

We saw these as we went to collect our bags from the other end of the conveyor belt we'd dumped them on. It took a while for them to come, during which the Virgin reps tried to help, but looked confused when we explained that we had booked with the Disney Magical Express (Disney's free transfer from the airport to the WDW resorts - DME)

Eventually our bags arrived, and we had to cross the airport again to get to the DME gate

But we got there, went to the desk and checked in

then we went onto our bus

A kindly scrap-booker took a photo of all four of us with my camera

And we were underway. I don't know if I'd recommend the DME too highly; they did show some nice videos welcoming you to Disneyworld, but it was just a bus ride...

Here's a dreadful picture of the WDW entrance sign, taken through the bus' front windscreen

And we arrived at our destination - Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort.

The Caribbean Beach Resort is a huge hotel built round an artifical lake, and themed around the idea of its being a Caribbean village. It is divided into "villages", where each village is an accomodation area with its own children's play area, beach and swimming pool. Every room has its own door to the outside, and the accommodation is (I think) all two storeys.

We were in an upper-storey room in block 43, Jamaica. This was in fact a great location, as it was close - but not too close - to the main commercial centre of the resort.

The room was immaculate - I don't think I've ever been in a cleaner hotel - and we had even been left a towel animal

First order of the day was a quick freshen up, then over to the commercial centre to get some food.

We were on the Disney Dining Plan, which means that you pay in advance for three meals per person per day - one "snack" (e.g. a bottle of water or a muffin), one "quick service meal" (where you go to a till, order stuff, pay for it, go to a counter to get your food, then take it to a table and eat it), and one "table service meal".

So we used our first quick service meal, and we also bought souvenir mugs. When you buy a souvenir mug in a particular hotel (US$12.99, I think), you can then refill it as many times as you like at the beverage station in that hotel - so that includes water, fizzy drinks, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and others. A great deal, and highly recommended.

As for the food, it was okay. Typically American high-calorie, fatty, highly-sweetened food, but very tasty!

So we ate, and managed to navigate our way back to our rooms before falling into a sound sleep. We deserved it; we'd worked hard!

TiggerD · 08-07-2009, 08:30 AM

Sounds like a grea start to your vacation, looking forward to reading more about it. Have a wonderful trip.

wickesy · 08-07-2009, 08:51 AM

Getting the refillable mugs was always our first stop when we arrived at the resort - best value in "the World".

jjk · 08-07-2009, 09:17 AM

great start

Pinky166 · 08-07-2009, 10:17 AM

We discovered the refil mugs on our last trip & I became highly addicted to the hot chocolate!

I can't wait to get more next month.

Great photo's - I love the nemo themed bedding.

irongirlof12 · 08-07-2009, 10:59 AM

brilliant start- you all look so happy to be going!

. I am glad you posted piccies of the signs for disney's magical express as we are using it and I was afraid I wouldn't find it!

I only seem to take notice of the things i need to each trip

nice room, glad it was sparkly

I have always fancies a stay at CB.

Goofysmate · 08-07-2009, 12:58 PM

Great start to your holiday

suzycute · 08-08-2009, 06:01 PM

Fantastic start to your holiday! I love your pictures!

UKDEB · 08-09-2009, 02:33 PM

Now, those photos are the work of a man who knows he is going to be writing a trip report!

florida sun · 08-09-2009, 05:16 PM

Great start, Brilliant pictures

Cyrano · 08-10-2009, 11:36 AM

Interesting to read your comments about DME.
Love the photos

tennisfan · 08-14-2009, 09:49 AM

Love the photos

arieljasmine · 08-14-2009, 04:46 PM

Pleased the travelling day went well and the CBR looks really nice. Glad Claire pointed out the Nemo bedding as I hadn't noticed it and it looks really neat!

Laur's xx

cap'njack. · 08-19-2009, 08:05 AM

A great start to your trip...off to find the other installments

08-07-2009, 08:23 AM	#1
alan DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Falkirk, Scotland Posts: 553	The 4F Trip Report - Day 1 Trip Report Index is here Day 01 - Travel After a hearty breakfast, we piled into the car. I gave Stephanie (the sat-nav system on my phone) the postcode of the off-airport car park we had booked months before, then put her on to silent mode for the time being. The twenty-five mile drive to Glasgow Airport wasn't a worry, the two miles from the airport to the car park considerably more so. It turns out that Nokia Maps aren't terribly good with just a postcode. This was something I realised when an un-muted Stephanie announced that we had arrived at our destination, and we plainly hadn't. So I dug out the car park voucher and found the full address. I gave that to Steph (we're friends; I'm allowed to call her that) and she gave us new directions. This time, they worked. So we dropped the car in space 352 of Glasgow Park 'n' Fly, and bus driver helped get our cases onto the bus. We were on our way! From there it was fairly straightforward. The bus took us to the airport, and we joined the baggage drop-off queue. While there, Granny, Granda and Uncle John joined the Premium Economy checkin queue, which in truth didn't seem to go much faster than ours. At the drop-off desk we presented our passports and started trying to load our bags onto the conveyor. But it didn't work; somebody else's bag in front of ours had caught on a protrusion and was simply not going anywhere. The girl at the desk tried to poke at it, but it was stuck. Eventually she had to go to the offending bag and, in her heels and tight skirt, try to wrestle the bag free while maintaining her dignity. Being a red-blooded male, I didn't enjoy the spectacle one little bit! Eventually, however, we got through checkin, through security and it was time to bag a bite of lunch before boarding the plane. We could see our aircraft waiting for us A lot of waiting around, then we got to board and... we were off! During the flight I managed to watch In The Loop which was very funny if a little on the crude side, and Paul Blartt: Mall Cop which was quite funny and very saccharin. But they both helped pass the time. Eight hours later, we landed at MCO. We got off the plane, cleared immigration, collected our bags, cleared customs, dropped our bags onto the conveyor, and took the monorail to the other building (Yes, we were feeling rather tired) __________________ No show planned sniff Links to my web sites at www.thepotters.org 2009 photo trip report here

08-07-2009, 08:24 AM	#2
alan DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Falkirk, Scotland Posts: 553	Florida almost looks like a toy model of the real world, beautiful, clean and very green The airport is pretty spectacular with its fountains (drat, I'd been hoping to hide behind the camera all the time) and is this a hidden Mickey? We saw these as we went to collect our bags from the other end of the conveyor belt we'd dumped them on. It took a while for them to come, during which the Virgin reps tried to help, but looked confused when we explained that we had booked with the Disney Magical Express (Disney's free transfer from the airport to the WDW resorts - DME) Eventually our bags arrived, and we had to cross the airport again to get to the DME gate But we got there, went to the desk and checked in then we went onto our bus A kindly scrap-booker took a photo of all four of us with my camera And we were underway. I don't know if I'd recommend the DME too highly; they did show some nice videos welcoming you to Disneyworld, but it was just a bus ride... Here's a dreadful picture of the WDW entrance sign, taken through the bus' front windscreen And we arrived at our destination - Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. The Caribbean Beach Resort is a huge hotel built round an artifical lake, and themed around the idea of its being a Caribbean village. It is divided into "villages", where each village is an accomodation area with its own children's play area, beach and swimming pool. Every room has its own door to the outside, and the accommodation is (I think) all two storeys. We were in an upper-storey room in block 43, Jamaica. This was in fact a great location, as it was close - but not too close - to the main commercial centre of the resort. The room was immaculate - I don't think I've ever been in a cleaner hotel - and we had even been left a towel animal First order of the day was a quick freshen up, then over to the commercial centre to get some food. We were on the Disney Dining Plan, which means that you pay in advance for three meals per person per day - one "snack" (e.g. a bottle of water or a muffin), one "quick service meal" (where you go to a till, order stuff, pay for it, go to a counter to get your food, then take it to a table and eat it), and one "table service meal". So we used our first quick service meal, and we also bought souvenir mugs. When you buy a souvenir mug in a particular hotel (US$12.99, I think), you can then refill it as many times as you like at the beverage station in that hotel - so that includes water, fizzy drinks, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and others. A great deal, and highly recommended. As for the food, it was okay. Typically American high-calorie, fatty, highly-sweetened food, but very tasty! So we ate, and managed to navigate our way back to our rooms before falling into a sound sleep. We deserved it; we'd worked hard! __________________ No show planned sniff Links to my web sites at www.thepotters.org 2009 photo trip report here

08-07-2009, 08:51 AM	#4
wickesy Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow, you're always a day...closer to our next Disney trip I will be opening a sack full of cards and fighting off the advances of lots of lovely ladies Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sydenham, London Posts: 2,653	Getting the refillable mugs was always our first stop when we arrived at the resort - best value in "the World". __________________ David Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow, you're always a day...closer to our next Disney trip. Sep '92, Apr '07 - Contemporary Resort ~ Apr '08 - Animal Kingdom Lodge ~ Aug '08 - Grand Californian ~ Mar '09 - Saratoga Springs Trip Reports: WDW April '07 ~ Canada August '07 ~ WDW April '08 ~ SF & Disneyland August '08 ~ WDW March '09 ~ Smokies August '09

08-07-2009, 09:17 AM	#5
jjk Pete and I wait and watch some lovely baby lizards I have always booked myself "Play Up Pompey" Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 17,202	great start __________________ Rachel "Play up Pompey, Pompey Play up" 2000 Disneyland paris 2003 Ramada inn 2004 Quality inn plaza2005 Cumbrian lakes2006 Emerald Island July and December2007 Emerald Island May and July2008 Emerald Island and Contemporary Resort2009 Saratoga Springssaratoga springs 2010

08-07-2009, 10:17 AM	#6
Pinky166 a little on the OCD side very impulsive, which doesn’t bode well for our credit cards! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Herts, England Posts: 9,799	We discovered the refil mugs on our last trip & I became highly addicted to the hot chocolate! I can't wait to get more next month. Great photo's - I love the nemo themed bedding. __________________ Claire x Here Come the Girls! - Pre Trip Report It's a "Wonder" I survived! = September 2009 Trip Report - Work in progress! Getting ill with the Maguire's! = December 2008 Trip Report - Completed Sept 2000 - Offsite, Sept 2002 - Offsite, Sept 2003 - AKL, Sept/Oct 2006 - Univ PBR, June 2008 - DLRP, Hotel NY, Dec 2008 - Univ HRH, WL & YC, Sept 2009 - OKW, 4 Night Cruise & Poly, June 2010 - Bay Lake Tower, Girls only! January 2011 - Inaugural Dream Cruise, August 2011 - 7 Night Alaskan Cruise My DIS/I.C.E buddy is Rachel (jjk)

Sponsored Links
DIS ad Register to remove Join Date: 1997 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,000,000+	<div align="center">This information cannot be displayed because your browser does not support inline frames.<a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com">Click Here</a> </div>

08-07-2009, 08:30 AM	#3
TiggerD Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 107	Sounds like a grea start to your vacation, looking forward to reading more about it. Have a wonderful trip.

08-07-2009, 10:59 AM	#7
irongirlof12 Am I the only one who loves Quorn Sausages? I would love to be at Ghiradelli's ice cream parlour with a massive choc sundae Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rutland U.K. Posts: 4,239	brilliant start- you all look so happy to be going! . I am glad you posted piccies of the signs for disney's magical express as we are using it and I was afraid I wouldn't find it! I only seem to take notice of the things i need to each trip nice room, glad it was sparkly I have always fancies a stay at CB. __________________ Andrea xxx 1994:Grosvenor 1996:POFQ 2002: Comfort Inn LBV 2007: CSR 2009:OKW no ticker yet ! link to my 'free DDP' food report http://www.disboards.com/showthread....4#post33535714

08-07-2009, 12:58 PM	#8
Goofysmate Isn't fussed where she is, as long as it's a bit warmer than here Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Northamptonshire. (UK) Posts: 7,349	Great start to your holiday __________________ Jill Dis Ice Buddie's Saratogirl (Jules) & T16gem (Gems) Oct 2002 Davenport Lakes (Villa) Sept 2004 Weston Hills (Villa) Sept 2006 Weston Hills (Villa) Nov 2008 Regal Palms (Town House)

08-08-2009, 06:01 PM	#9
suzycute DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: St Albans Posts: 1,087	Fantastic start to your holiday! I love your pictures! __________________

08-09-2009, 02:33 PM	#10
UKDEB Found the Tag Fairy's hangout All whacked up on Scooby Snacks Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Gloucester, UK Posts: 10,937	Now, those photos are the work of a man who knows he is going to be writing a trip report! __________________ October 1992 ~ Enclave Suites, I-Drive May 1996 ~ Omni Rosen, I-Drive October 1998 ~ Villa-Clear Creek August 2000 ~ Beach Club/Villa-Sunset Lakes July 2001 ~ Animal Kingdom Lodge/Hard Rock Hotel/Villa-Formosa Gdns Christmas 2001 ~ Villa-Formosa Gardens October 2002 ~ Hard Rock Hotel/Villa-Formosa Gdns May 2003 ~ Portofino Bay/Villa-Cumbrian Lakes January 2004 ~ Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes/Villa-Formosa Gardens July 2004 ~ Grand Floridian/Portofino Bay/Villa-Formosa Gardens December 2004 ~ Villa-Rolling Hills/Disney Wonder Cruise/BoardWalk Grand Villa/Contemporary April 2005 ~ Washington DC, Shenandoah, Blue Ridge Parkway, Charleston, Savannah, Royal Pacific Resort/Villa-Acadia Estates January 2006 ~ Reunion Resort/Royal Pacific Resort April 2006 ~ Celebration Hotel/NCL Jewel Cruise/Hotel Victor, Miami/Beach Cottage-Disney's Vero Beach October 2006 ~ Reunion Resort/BoardWalk Villa/Rosen Shingle Creek August 2007 ~ Saratoga Springs//Reunion Grande January 2008 ~ Saratoga Springs/Beach Club Villas/Reunion Resort November 2008 ~ BoardWalk Villas/Royal Pacific Resort/Saratoga Springs

08-09-2009, 05:16 PM	#11
florida sun Mrs Christopher Eccleston wannabe Don't you know who I am ??? I was on Dr Who I'm dizzy just reading Join Date: May 2004 Location: wales uk Posts: 14,857	Great start, Brilliant pictures __________________ Sue

08-10-2009, 11:36 AM	#12
Cyrano Disney VIP Anyone for haggis Aren't we all a cagey lot Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: 1,300Km from our happy place Posts: 26,617	Interesting to read your comments about DME. Love the photos __________________ Reid My DLRP Photos My DVD Profiler Collection DLP board 24 June 2010 3 weeks LBV Twelve highlanders and a bagpipe make a rebellion.

08-14-2009, 09:49 AM	#13
tennisfan Was told off for sliding down the banister at the SL South Africa or California for me Popped to the Boots Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 16,205	Love the photos __________________ Nikki Trips: DLRP - Hotel Cheyenne, October, 1994, DLRP - Hotel New York, October, 1998, DLRP - Hotel New York, June, 1999, DLRP - Sequoia Lodge, October, 1999, DLRP - Hotel New York, October, 2000, DLRP - Sequoia Lodge, October, 2001, Walt Disney Studios preview, February, 2002, DLRP - Hotel Cheyenne, August, 2002, New York City, Easter 2004, DLRP - Hotel New York, August, 2004, DLRP - Day trip, November, 2004, DLRP - Day trip, September, 2005, DLRP - Sequoia Lodge, Easter 2007, DLRP - Kyriad, June 2007 DLRP - Sequoia Lodge, June 2009 DLRP - Day trip, November 2009

08-14-2009, 04:46 PM	#14
arieljasmine Who says these things pass you by..... Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: England Posts: 6,051	Pleased the travelling day went well and the CBR looks really nice. Glad Claire pointed out the Nemo bedding as I hadn't noticed it and it looks really neat! Laur's xx __________________ May 2001 DLRP Santa Fe/September 2002 WDW All Star Music/December 2003 DLRP Sequoia Lodge/September 2004 WDW Wyndham Orlando/Pop Century/May 2005 WDW Hard Rock Hotel/Coronado Springs/Disney Wonder/April 2006 WDW Pop Century/ September 2006 WDW Hard Rock Hotel/Animal Kingdom Lodge/September 2007 WDW Wyndham Orlando/Hard Rock Hotel/Polynesian/Pop Century

08-19-2009, 08:05 AM	#15
cap'njack. is part of the DLRP Clique and Brainwashing team...apparently Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Gillingham, Kent Posts: 5,933	A great start to your trip...off to find the other installments __________________ No trips currently planned

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
9/24/09 3 Day Wonder - Cruise Meets, and FEs, and Goombays oh my!	jenny105	Disney Cruise Meets	3553	Yesterday 04:19 PM
9/12 great article ! Who am I to say no to going to WDW?	IluvXU	Completed Trip Reports	2174	09-13-2009 09:47 PM
How many more days until your trip to WDW? (Part 2)	ransom	Doing the Happy Dance!	3854	08-23-2009 10:03 PM
Windy City, Smoky Mountains ~ Day 3 - John Hancock Observatory & Navy Pier	wickesy	UK Trip Reports Board	22	08-23-2009 08:11 AM
The 4F Trip Report - Index	alan	UK Trip Reports Board	0	08-07-2009 08:19 AM