Excuse me, you'll need to see security. What has Mickeystoontown done? Update 3/25x2

[PittypatBR]

I'm thinking that the next cruise we take will be a 4 night cruise to the Bahamas or the Alaskan cruise. Mama wants to go to Alaska and said that she'd go on the cruise with us if we were to ever go.

Oh, do Alaska! If you decide to do that one send me a message and I will share all the research that I did for our Alaskan cruise this year. It was very simply the most wonderful and amazing experience I have ever had.

 

[Glittercat]

I be new here Cap'n (though readin' along) but any adherin' to the pirate code is alright by me. I brought the rum. *passes the bottle* don't be mindin' me parrot much he won't bite yer, just likes a nibble now an again.
After them rough waters I hope yer all had smooth sailin'...errr walkin'... *ahem* Fare thee well ye matey's!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Hey Lisa! Once again I had to play catch-up on your TR!

Sorry your cruise wasn't all that you had envisioned it to be. I'm glad that you have a little perspective now and feel a bit better about it. Jeff and I really enjoyed ours and are looking forward to taking the boys. But...so many factors play into whether you enjoy something or not. Just like WDW, I'm sure no 2 cruises are exactly the same. I hope you try it again!

Love the dancing pics...you really look like you are having fun!

Your bike trip looks fantastic! What beautiful scenery!

Kudos to you for holding the family together even when it's tough. Someone has to be the glue! Hang in there!

 

[eandesmom]

Oh, do Alaska! If you decide to do that one send me a message and I will share all the research that I did for our Alaskan cruise this year. It was very simply the most wonderful and amazing experience I have ever had.

Ditto! I'm not sure if you read my TR from ours but the link is in my siggie, it was so wonderful, Jeff wants to do it again and he is NOT into cruising at all. It was amazing.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Good morning! I've almost finished up the next chapter of the trip report but I wanted to ask a favor of you all.

One of our friends' first grandchild has been diagnosed with Autism and the family is going through a pretty rough time right now mentally. They are seeking out help/advice from other parents of autistic children.

Every time I see that sweet little boy's face, I think that this could be my first grandbaby. That his parents could be Lacey and Jesse. I've known this young lady since she was just 6 weeks old, she and Lacey grew up together and have grown into beautiful Godly women.

I would like to ask that those of you who are parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents or friends of an Autistic child, please take a moment and go to the Facebook page that they have created. It's titled "Hayden's Journey" and here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/#!/HaydensJourneyOurAdventure

While there are some local fundraisers listed on the Facebook page, please please know that I am not asking for you to make any donation of any kind as that is against the Disboard rules.

But, I would ask that, for those of you who believe in the power of prayer or even in positive thoughts, please say a prayer for this young couple as they prepare to fight this lifelong battle for their son. If you feel you have any tips or encouraging words that you could pass along to Jordan and Daniel, please do so.

Thank you all so very much!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Oh, do Alaska! If you decide to do that one send me a message and I will share all the research that I did for our Alaskan cruise this year. It was very simply the most wonderful and amazing experience I have ever had.

Ditto! I'm not sure if you read my TR from ours but the link is in my siggie, it was so wonderful, Jeff wants to do it again and he is NOT into cruising at all. It was amazing.

I think you should go do an Alaskan cruise next year, say, August 19, 2013???? I need some DISer friends to join us!

I read Cynthia's report (a couple times!) and it's so awesome - it's probably what convinced my DH to book the cruise!
PittypatBR- I'd love to hear about your research on Alaska and what you did. Did you do a TR?

 

[haleofafamily]

My nephew is 13 (his name is Hayden as well) and has Autism. My encouragement to them would be that they are fortunate to have discovered this so early. My sister-in-law and her husband had a hard time coming to grips with the fact that there son has autism and so missed valuable years where they could have been helping him.

My advice would be to educate those around him about the best ways to communicate with him and show him love. My nephew doesn't like hugs or to be touched. One of my little girls is a hugger so it breaks her heart that Hayden won't ever give her a hug good-bye. On the other hand it drives him nuts that she is always trying to hug him. We have been trying to find other ways for her to express her love and affection for him. It can get frustrating as his aunt to try to get some sort of communication out of him and I think the tendency would be to give up. But I have determined to try to have a relationship with him on his terms. He has finally gotten to the point where he will look me in the eye to answer a question.

One of the hardest adjustments is that he looks normal (no physical disabilities) and is athletic so teachers (and anyone he comes in contact with) have a hard time accepting that he has a disability when they first meet him.

If you have any more questions please PM me.

Merci

 

[mickeystoontown]

You gave the guy how much? Heading back to our home away from home!

We were all in a better mood the next morning knowing that we were going back to our “happy place”. Happy place being Walt Disney World! While packing up the remaining items in our stateroom, John and I talked about whether or not a $30 iron was even worth spending our time looking for Security. We decided that we’d ask a crewmember or two to show us the way and if it became too difficult, we’d just leave the iron there. I have to admit, too, that I was a little embarrassed to let anyone know that I had brought contraband aboard the ship.

The first crewmember that we met had absolutely no idea where Security was and told us that she was new. She asked if we wanted her to find someone else to help us but we told her that we’d just ask the next crewmember that we saw on our way out. The next crewmember said that Security was actually not on the ship but rather in the terminal. She told us where to go and we followed her directions and were soon in the midst of the other 250,000 guests leaving the ship. Okay, so there really weren’t that many people leaving but it felt like it and I had a flashback to the last time we were at the Haunted Mansion and having that “I feel like I’m a cow being prodded in the backside and I have to keep moving.” feeling.

I spotted a law enforcement looking crewmember up ahead and off to our right so we shuffled our way towards her. I wanted to make sure that we were headed in the right direction. I told her that I was looking for Security and she asked what our need was. Great! Now I had to tell her why we were going there. I wanted to lean over and whisper in her ear but I was afraid that she would feel like I was invading her personal space and she was wearing what looked like a law enforcement uniform so I refrained and said “I need to pick up an iron that was sent to Security.” “What?” Are you kidding me? She didn’t hear me. So, I said, in a louder voice, “I’m embarrassed to say this but I need to pick up an iron that was sent to Security.” She heard me this time and had a little smile on her face. “Honey, no need to be embarrassed. We find and confiscate 30 to 40 irons a day on these cruises.” “Seriously?” I said. Then, because I just couldn’t help myself, I turned to my boys and said “Bam! Did you hear that? I’m not the only one who had their iron confiscated! I’m sooooooo not a criminal! Take that!” The lady laughed and told us to keep following the crowd and then to go left (or was it right?). I’d see the Security desk just to our left.

We walked down the stairs and I saw the desk that the crewmember told me about. And, there on that desk, were several irons lined up in a row. Again, I couldn’t resist the urge to turn around and give a little smirk to the guys. The castmember asked what I was there for and I said “my iron”. He asked for our stateroom number. I told him 8166 and he said that he had just put our iron back in our luggage. I looked at the line of irons and said “Guess I wasn’t the only one who didn’t know you couldn’t bring an iron onboard.” He grinned and said “Oh no m’am. I couldn’t tell you how many have come through here.” I thanked him and we backtracked our steps and a porter asked if we needed help. We certainly did!

The porter asked our color and stateroom and we told him Red Mickey 8166 and he knew exactly where to go in that sea of luggage. It wasn’t until then that I noticed just how many suitcases were surrounding us. Goodness gracious! They were everywhere! Thank goodness the porter was there to help us out. For a price of course, but still there to help us.

John helped him gather up our luggage and he put them all on a dolly and showed us the way through the last security point. As we were waiting in line, he asked where we were from, was this our first cruise, where we were headed, etc. We told him Louisiana, yes, our first cruise and to Walt Disney World. I mentioned how rude the castmember at Guest Services was and he said that she should have been more helpful especially knowing we were headed to Walt Disney World. He gave us the same directions that the kind couple had given us the night before only this time I could pay more attention because I wasn’t upset. It was our turn at the desk/window and we were asked a couple of questions and then sent on our way.

We walked across the street to the parking garage and John and Hunter told the porter where we were parked. I told them that I didn’t think that was correct and that I thought we were one floor down. No, we were on this floor. We walked down one of the rows and I didn’t see the SCAR. Was that because we weren’t on that row? Or was it possibly because we weren’t on that floor of the parking garage? Hum? Let’s see. Why don’t I press the horn button on my car key. Beep! What? Where was that coming from? Let me press it again. Beep! Beep! Yep, we were on the floor below us. John apologized to the porter who said there was no need to apologize since it happens all the time.

The SCAR was on the level below us and was quickly found. We still had some luggage in there for the next portion of the trip so we asked the porter to unload what we took aboard and that we’d take care of loading it all into the SCAR. I told John that I was going to the bathroom and would be back. I thanked the porter and told him to have a great day. Little did I know what a great day my husband was going to make it for him.

As I was walking to the bathroom, I heard the porter behind me and he said something to himself “Man, that guy’s a great tipper!” and started whistling. When I got back to the SCAR, I asked John how much he gave the guy as a tip and he said $50. What? Are you flipping kidding me? We had two bags and a garment bag. Three measly bags and John tipped the guy $50. Holy cow! No wonder the guy was whistling. Heck, I’d schlep around three bags on a dolly for $50. John looked at me and said “What? I couldn’t remember what I tipped the guy who took care of our bags when we came and I felt bad for not knowing where the car was.”

We finished up the puzzle of putting the bags into the SCAR and, soon, we were making our way out of the parking garage. I know that some people wouldn’t want to pay the $60 it takes to park in the parking garage but I’m glad that we did. First, our SCAR was protected from the weather and, second, our SCAR wasn’t sweltering hot from the Florida sunshine.

Using our memory from when we drove to the Port and the directions given to us by the couple and the porter, we were able to make it onto the toll road easily. From there, we just followed the signs. Of course, we had to make several stops along the way to pay the tolls from my handy dandy bag of coins. Hunter called Mama to tell her about the cruise. We could tell, from the way he was describing it to his Mamaw, that he really enjoyed himself which made me smile. We also talked to Lacey who said that they were at the Knoxville airport about to pick up their rental car. They would call us when they were on their way to Walt Disney World! Soon, our little family would be all together again! And, soon, I’d be encouraging Jesse to drink the Disney Kool-Aid. It’s really good, I promise! You’ll love it!

It seemed like the drive back to Walt Disney World was shorter than the drive to the Port but it probably was just my mind playing tricks on me. It’s been known to do that a time or two. We were all super excited to see the Walt Disney World archway up ahead in the distance!

We were back on Disney property and we were happy as could be! So happy that I must have forgotten to take any pictures when we pulled into Caribbean Beach Resort or the inside of the Custom’s House. John said that he’d just stay outside while Hunter and I did the checking in. The online check in line was empty so we were able to walk right up and get our packet. We were assigned to Aruba Bldg. 51. Yay! We’ve never stayed in Aruba before. That meant that this trip, we had stayed in two new Caribbean Beach Resort villages. Our room wasn’t ready yet and they said that they would text us when it was.

I, again, asked if the castmember could make sure that Lacey and Jesse’s reservation had a notation that it was “continuing” as they had a one night stay and then a package for the remainder of their trip. The castmember clicked around on the computer a bit and said that the notation was there and that they were linked to our package. She was also able to confirm that they would not have to change rooms after that first night. I thanked her for her help and she said to have a great stay.

John was waiting near the SCAR for us and said that Lacey had called and they were on the road to Walt Disney World in the rental car and would check in with us later. John asked which village we were in. When I told him Aruba, he said “We’ve never stayed there have we?” I told him that we hadn’t and we all hopped in to drive over and see where our building was. It looked like a great location so we were pleased. John found a spot waaaaaay out at the end of the parking lot for the SCAR. Gotta protect the new vehicle.

When we drove to our building, we could see that the Aruba bus stop was pretty far from our room but the Jamaica stop wasn’t that far. So, we decided that we’d use the Jamaica bus stop instead of the Aruba bus stop. We cut across the parking lot and, no sooner had we sat down, an EPCOT bus pulled up. We hopped on and about 10 minutes later, we were at our first theme park of the trip!

Our first stop was to get something to eat. We were starving as we hadn’t had anything to eat since we ordered room service the night before. Since the Electric Umbrella was nearby, we popped in and ordered lunch. It looks like we had burgers and chicken nuggets along with strawberry cheesecake and a brownie:

Hunter enjoying being at EPCOT:

Several years back, I had an “incident” occur at The Electric Umbrella which inspired the title of that year’s trip report: You're the best parents in the world! I gotta pee! Where's My Tooth? Trip report!

Every now and then, I like to go back and re-read the post so that I can have a chuckle or two at my own expense. An excerpt from that report:


We're eating our food and talking about heading over to World Showcase when I feel a pop in my mouth and I hear a "ding, ding, ding". Holy Smokes! My temporary crown had fallen out of my mouth and onto the table! I immediately drop my burger and grab for the tooth which is bouncing it's way across the table. What is this? A grasshopper crown?

I had been to the dentist three times already to get a new crown made and the temporary had already fallen out twice. From what the dentist told me, temporaries are always falling out. I asked him what to do if it fell out while at WDW and he laughed and said hopefully it won't but "I hope you pack some super glue." Thank goodness, I really did and it was in the backpack we brought to the park.

John and Hunter are looking at me all crazy like and ask me what I am doing. I hold out my hand and they see a tooth! "Where did that come from?" they asked. "Where the fart do you think it came from?" I shrieked. Then they started giggling and then they started laughing. I mean almost hysterically laughing. Why would my loving family start laughing at me in my time of need? Because the temporary crown was my front tooth! I now had a gapping hole in my smile with just a wire sticking out of my gums. Right now, I am laughing too but I wasn't laughing when I had a tooth in my hand and I'm sitting in the middle of Epcot.

I pick up the backpack and start digging around for my super glue and the trusty ziplock bags I always pack. After putting the tooth in the ziplock bag, I keep digging for the super glue. Don't tell me I didn't put it in the backpack. Just when I was at the point of pouring the entire contents of the backpack on the floor and scrambling around in front of everybody, I found it.

While John and Hunter wiped their eyes, I made my way to the bathroom. Who needs a stinking ole dentist anyway? Who needs my family? I can do this myself. After I get to the bathroom, I realize that I didn't bring in my little mirror and I would have to stand in front of the big bathroom mirror if I didn't go back and get the backpack. I made my way out of the bathroom back to the still laughing fartheads, a/k/a John and Hunter, and went back to the bathroom with my compact. After spending a few minutes sitting on the toilet and balancing the compact on the tissue holder, I got the tooth reattached and it looked quite professional, if I do say so myself.

Head held high, I go back to the table and smile really big! No gapping hole any more. John and Hunter attempt to apologize but they kept stiffling a grin. By this time, too, I was getting a bit giggly too and all was fine and dandy once again.

(For those of you who are concerned about my putting super glue in my mouth, I really did ask the dentist if it would be okay. He said it wouldn't be the best of things to do but I could do it and it'd be okay until I got back home.)

Ahhhh, such wonderful family memories we have at Walt Disney World! We finished up our meal at the Electric Umbrella with all our teeth intact and stepped out into the bright Florida sunshine. We heard a familiar sound and turned to see some of our favorite EPCOT performers. The Jammitors! These guys are simply amazing so if you ever get a chance to stop and watch them, do it. Unfortunately for us, they were near the end of their performance so we only got to see a bit of their set:

Our goal for this morning wasn’t to take in a lot of attractions but rather to simply soak in the feeling of being there, to gaze upon the big ole golfball otherwise known as Spaceship Earth, to feel the spray of the dancing fountain upon our faces and to do a little shopping. We stepped into Mouse Gears to have a look around and see if anything just popped up and said “buy me”. (Which reminds me of the Pier 1 commercial where the frog mug says “I’m a little somethin’.)

As we were walking around, we received a text saying that our room was ready. John was getting a bit wobbly and I realized that we had left his medicine in the SCAR. That wasn’t good and is very usual for us. Most times we have them in our pockets. John put one of his “magic” pills under his tongue because he said that his face was twitching a little.

I felt my phone vibrate and it was a text from Christie from the Disboards! I had almost forgotten that she and her family were going to be in EPCOT that day and we had agreed to meet up. I quickly paid for the “I’m a little somethin’s” and sent a text back to Christie that we were going to walk over but wouldn’t have but just a minute to chat.

As we walked into The Land building, I text Christie and she said that they were waiting near the Soarin’ Fastpass machines. We found Christie and her gang quickly and I immediately gave her a hug. She and I have hung around the same threads on the Disboards and chatted for a long time and I felt as if we were already friends.

We introduced our families (and Christie’s friend) to each other and talked for a little while. Poor John was feeling the effects of not having his meds and I could tell it because he was hanging back a bit and not talking much. Without going into a lot of detail (and possibly making John feel uncomfortable), I told Christie that our last night on the ship wasn’t all that great, that we had left John’s meds at the resort and that I felt we needed to get back to the resort so he could take them. I hated that the Meet was so short but it couldn’t be helped. I gave Christie one final hug and we left them to enjoy the rest of their day at EPCOT.

We made the walk back to the bus stop and were, again, blessed by the Disney powers-that-be, because a Caribbean Beach Resort bus pulled up within minutes. We got off at the Jamaica bus stop and went to search for our room. First, I had to make a stop at the SCAR to get John’s meds that we had left in the glovebox. Our room was near the end of Building 51 and looked out over the pretty landscaping. Apparently, I was too busy getting John’s meds into him that I forgot to take pictures of the room or our view. Once our things were unloaded, John said that he was going to take a nap and we could go do something. Okay....but what should we do?

**Up next: Soarin’ over California and eatin’ in Italy!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Glad you weren't the only one to have their iron confiscated. I can understand why it's banned, but also why a lot of people don't realize it and bring them. And that porter sounds nice, and was lucky John was feeling generous! And lucky that you didn't lose another tooth at Electric Umbrella this time! Sorry John didn't feel well so you had to leave early, but it sounds like you got him his meds in time. And yay for another new section of CBR!!

Your pictures make me want to go to WDW this December even more! Too bad you didn't get pictures (at least not that you have posted yet!) of CBR, because if we go I have decided we are staying there this time! And, if we do go, it's during free dining, so that saves a good amount of money! He better say yes, because I may just go on another solo trip if he says no!

 

[TinksThree]

How great that you weren't the only criminal on board the ship!! Deliverance!!

John is a super tipper! He made that guy's day! And yay for being back at the World!! How lucky to get those buses so quickly! I'm thinking maybe Jesse really enjoyed the kool-aid? Aren't Dis meets the greatest!?!?!

 

[eandesmom]

I thought that Cabanas was open during lunch and dinner hours but it sure wasn't that evening. We walked in and it was completely empty. Not one person in sight.

Did you check both sides? We had that happen for something...maybe it was our VERY late arrival "lunch". We walked in, thought it was closed and it sure was empty. A CM directed us around to the other side. I'm shocked that it wasn't open, especially given the fact it was during first seating. We eat late and it bites us in the behind at times but at "normal" dinner time that just doesn't make sense.

I have heard that the smell is common. We've been lucky on both cruises. Though we had a verandah both times, I don't think hat helped with smells as we never left the door open. Still, I think I will always pack an air freshener to be safe!

We were both standing there slack jawed when the castmember refused to help us with directions. I thought that was a pretty standard question.

I can't understand why she didn't even ask another CM. That's just unacceptable (as was Disney's response). I do find Disney to be inconsistent in that area. Amazing responses, twice, on merchandise. Horrible response from security at many many levels and a mediocre one from lost and found.

I'm thinking that the next cruise we take will be a 4 night cruise to the Bahamas or the Alaskan cruise. Mama wants to go to Alaska and said that she'd go on the cruise with us if we were to ever go.

I won't get to our cruise portion for a bit still but we did the 4 night so maybe that will help illustrate the differences a little. I am glad it was 4 not 3 but do prefer the 7. We adored the Alaska cruise! Absolutely adored it. Feel free to check out pics, excursions etc in my TR from it. Also if you do end up considering it, and it is out of Seattle...I live here so am a good resource on local things here.

“Honey, no need to be embarrassed. We find and confiscate 30 to 40 irons a day on these cruises.” “Seriously?” I said. Then, because I just couldn’t help myself, I turned to my boys and said “Bam! Did you hear that? I’m not the only one who had their iron confiscated! I’m sooooooo not a criminal! Take that!” The lady laughed and told us to keep following the crowd and then to go left (or was it right?). I’d see the Security desk just to our left.

We walked down the stairs and I saw the desk that the crewmember told me about. And, there on that desk, were several irons lined up in a row. Again, I couldn’t resist the urge to turn around and give a little smirk to the guys. The castmember asked what I was there for and I said “my iron”. He asked for our stateroom number. I told him 8166 and he said that he had just put our iron back in our luggage. I looked at the line of irons and said “Guess I wasn’t the only one who didn’t know you couldn’t bring an iron onboard.” He grinned and said “Oh no m’am. I couldn’t tell you how many have come through here.” I thanked him and we backtracked our steps and a porter asked if we needed help. We certainly did!

The porter asked our color and stateroom and we told him Red Mickey 8166 and he knew exactly where to go in that sea of luggage. It wasn’t until then that I noticed just how many suitcases were surrounding us. Goodness gracious! They were everywhere! Thank goodness the porter was there to help us out. For a price of course, but still there to help us.

John helped him gather up our luggage and he put them all on a dolly and showed us the way through the last security point. As we were waiting in line, he asked where we were from, was this our first cruise, where we were headed, etc. We told him Louisiana, yes, our first cruise and to Walt Disney World. I mentioned how rude the castmember at Guest Services was and he said that she should have been more helpful especially knowing we were headed to Walt Disney World. He gave us the same directions that the kind couple had given us the night before only this time I could pay more attention because I wasn’t upset. It was our turn at the desk/window and we were asked a couple of questions and then sent on our way.

Between the fabulous (and very well tipped porter) and the lovely CM at Security I'm glad to see the day started off with the "right" kind of Disney Service. For future reference if you do cruise again, do know that Cabanas is open on departure day, and you can carry your own luggage off on the shorter cruises if you want to skip the lost luggage and no eating thing.

As we were walking around, we received a text saying that our room was ready. John was getting a bit wobbly and I realized that we had left his medicine in the SCAR. That wasn’t good and is very usual for us. Most times we have them in our pockets. John put one of his “magic” pills under his tongue because he said that his face was twitching a little.

Poor John, what a rough couple of days. I hope it levels out and the nap was just what he needed. Can't wait to see what you and Hunter did!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Hee-Hee! I can just picture all of those irons lined up on the counter! LOL!

Ahhh.....back to your happy place! There's nothing better!

 

[redheadedmermaid73]

Glad to hear your trip is looking up

 

[reelmom]

Yay! You are back in the World.

Prayers for your friends. I am a preschool teacher at a church preschool. We have had many children with autism come through our doors. Each one of them is a precious child of God. Early Intervention is the key. It is great that they will be getting help for Hayden early on. Just let them know that this diagnosis does not define their child.

 

[MEK]

I know you must be thrilled to be back in the world and I'm so glad you got a great room location.

Ugh to those meds. What a bummer that you left them in the car, but perfect timing.

I remember your tooth story and it is still so funny!

Yeah for a DIS meet - even a short one.

I'm not sure if I commented on the rude CM, but I am just shocked that she responded to you that way. Not cool at all.

Woo Hoo for Soarin!

 

[Bridora]

Glad you are back in your happy place - where you belong! We went to Epcot first that day too - so far I don't see us in your pictures.

How cool that you had time for quick DIS meet!

Glad you didn't have any "incidents" at Electric Umbrella this year! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Hahaha glad to hear you weren't the only wild criminal with an iron on-board!!

I'm interested to hear which CBR building you end up liking the best! After Aruba, have you stayed in all of them now?

LOL at your tooth story!!! Definitely not the ideal place for your tooth to go hopping across the table!!

 

[thornton0511]

Lovin the update Lisa! Ahhhh.....Disney World home sweet home indeed!

 

[Kathy Jetson]

I'm sorry to hear the news about your friends son. I don't have any advice but I wish the family well.

I bet you felt better when you saw all those irons! I know I would have

I guess John did make that porters day with a $50.00. He probably thought everyone else was cheap after that!

I'll always remember your tooth story because I had the same thing going on with my front tooth at the time. It fell out at a couple of very embarrassing times.

I can't wait to hear how the trip went with Lacey and Jesse!

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Quote:
Originally Posted by mickeystoontown
I thought that Cabanas was open during lunch and dinner hours but it sure wasn't that evening. We walked in and it was completely empty. Not one person in sight.

Did you check both sides? We had that happen for something...maybe it was our VERY late arrival "lunch". We walked in, thought it was closed and it sure was empty. A CM directed us around to the other side. I'm shocked that it wasn't open, especially given the fact it was during first seating. We eat late and it bites us in the behind at times but at "normal" dinner time that just doesn't make sense.

Cabans, as well as Topsiders, Beach Blanket Buff are not open for the first nights dinner and the last nights dinner. Probably to encourage people to go to the main Dinning rooms those nights, would be my guess. Also it's not a buffet when it is open for dinner, it is used to train new wait staff so it's actually a table service restaurant and they use a combination of the menus the other restaurants are using that night.