I've booked it !!

[torillien]

I jumped to to check prices and they had gone up by almost £200 since I checked last week .. for Feb 2013

so I have bitten the bullet and booked!!

Caribbean Beach - Pirate Room with Dining plan and the $200 gift card

I don't know much about the Caribbean Beach other than it is in the Epcot area which is great as I know that place well as our conferences are always there (I have stayed at the Swan and Dolphin resort twice before) - Emily was just so excited about the thought of a Pirate Room.

Originally I was thinking of the Art of Animation but by the time I had added the dining on it was the same price as the Caribbean beach - so I booked it!!

There is just the two of us as my Other half stuggles to get his time off (being a train driver can be a pain) .. so if anyone has any tips on travelling alone with a 5 year old I would be very grateful.

My biggest worry is the suitcases - as I will have to carry both - luckily I travel a fair bit and have a sturdy one with a wheel at each corner, but I will need a medium size one for Emily's things. We have the Disney Express and will be being dropped off and picked up from Gatwick so I hope there will only be minimal suitcase lugging!!

I would love to hear from anyone that has stayed in the Caribbean Beach before, what is the eating like, pool good etc. and if anyone has stayed in a pirate room .. I am now going to hit the guide book and really start planning propper ..

This will be my first holiday to WDW as the only other times I have stayed there it has been worked realted and I only had minimal play time .. Hopefully I won't spam the board with noobish questions

8 days with the mouse here we come

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Congratulations on booking

I haven't stayed at the CBR so cannot help you there.

At the airport you could get a porter to help as it would make things easier. It's normally $1 tip per bag I think.

Enjoy you planning.

 

[zippy99]

Congratulations on making your first booking!!

We are staying at the CBR in August - looking forward to it so am interested to see what people say too!

I would not worry about suitcases too much - with Magical Express at the Orlando end you will be fine. I think you can buy luggage straps that allow you to connect two cases so you can pull along with one hand. To be honest though the hardest bit is arriving at Gatwick - if you are being dropped off though you can have help all the way to bag drop so no problems (I know from experience - my sister and her hubby went away with 2 yr old twins and a 4 year old - simply not enough hands for bags and babies! so someone else always went to help them at the airport)

Have a wonderful time planning and no question is ever deemed noobish on her - no doubt it has been asked many time before!

 

[ILOVEDLP]

I am of no help whats so ever, I have never been just want to say OMG you booked before pay day. The prices where doing the same for me too so I bit the bullett and booked. My DH doesn't do disney so these trips always on my own. As for suitcases travel light I did DLRP with the twins just before there 3rd birthday traveled from durham on the train then did the travelodge at kings cross then eurostar with a smallish buggy (p +t sport)and a 1 large case for a week so you will be fine see you there

 

[tinks_1989]

Congratulations feels so good to be booked doesnt it!

Cant answer any questions about your hotel but just wanted say happy planning! xxx

 

[torillien]

aww thanks guys ...

Emily has never flown before so the adventure will start at the airport ..

the hardest problem is explaining its 302 sleeps until we go

 

[wayneg]

Enjoy your planning

 

[chocomochamouse]

We stayed at CBR in march 2006 and loved it! It is a huge resort, though, but we didn't mind the 5 or 10 minute walk across to the food court, which is adequate but not brilliant. To be fair, it may have improved in the 6 years since we were there but it wouldn't have put me off going back anyway. It's nice to walk across the bridges with the music playing and the sun shining! Pools were nice, too, my kids had the quiet pool to themselves most of the time. Bus service was pretty good, too. Sure you'll love it!

Only reason we haven't gone back to CBR is because we wanted to try other resorts and are now hooked on OKW, partly because 2 queen beds in 1 room (like we had in CBR, CSR and AKL) between me, DH, DD15 and DS9 is a little more difficult to manage, the separate beds and bedrooms make life much easier all round , wasn't such a problem when the kids were smaller.

Have a great time!

 

[ILOVEDLP]

The boys have flown before but longest was a two and half hour flight but Iam not too worried about that they should be fine.As should your DD.
Our only problem is Nathan, he is particularly excitable and listens to everything you say too, Alex is in his own world tho just happy to be happy. So we are keeping this as a surprise.We all all taking in code about the holiday but We think Nathan may have the code cracked.So no more takling about the holiday till the boys are in bed from now on or the count down will turn into a nightmare.
Like you said too many sleeps.
I Want this trip to be unforgettable.
Also am I sad because I wake up thinking about it every morning I carn't belive we are going to WDW

 

[Vixster]

I have stayed at the CBR and thought it was lovely we are staying a port Orleans riverside only cause it worked out cheaper as we are a family of 5 it's the only moderate that caters for us have a lovely time and enjoy the planning

 

[bee86]

First for all HAPPY PLANNING

And with the free dining the CBR was the best choice!!

I cant comment with very up to date info BUT
I stayed for a week in CBR in June 2008 (sooooo long ago ) It was my first trip to WDW and I didnt know what to expect.......was I in for a treat
CBR lived up to all expectations that I had, the resort is beautiful with full theming, its a big resort though so if you dont mind walking (which I dont) It was perfect. The walk/running track around the resort is beautiful, nice little beaches and hammocks dotted around the resort. I was about a 5-8min walk from the food court old port royale....I heart this food court (counter service meals) hehe also they have a small shop and there is a restaurant called shutters for table service, I didnt try this restaurant but its there if you want to try it
Also, something I loved was, if you walk out the back of the food court there is like a pool bar type area AND.......from here you can see (not fantastically) the epcot fireworks I loved this as we could sit out relax in the relative quietness of the resort and enjoy them.
The rooms are the standard disney layout 2 double beds unless you request otherwise, coffee maker, from what I recall a small fridge etc.....
Buses were very frequent and stopped pretty much right outside the food court (along with other pick up points but I remember this one being the best for me).
Also when I was there they were renovating the main pool area so Im sure its currently looking amazing

Sorry to have rattled on a bit but hearing that you have booked CBR has brought back so many wonderful memories, you are sure to have a fabulous holiday

 

[torillien]

Also am I sad because I wake up thinking about it every morning I carn't belive we are going to WDW

God no .. I am just as bad .. already in full planning mode

 

[torillien]

That is great Bee .. thanks very much

I don't mine walking and nor does my DD which is nice .. I've stayed at the Swan and Dolphin before and loved it - The buses were great when I used them.

I know its going to be fantastic .. I can't believe I've actually booked it still ...

I am in full out planning mode now .. already thinking about my character meal ADRs .. I am hoping to try and get one a day for 5 days .. I am going to get my monies worth out of that dining plan

Thanks for all the info - we are both really excited about the pirate room