"Leave them alone they are just lovin' each other"A 5/12 TR *Updated 12/30*

[BMC423]

Welcome to my May 2012 trip report here are the basics for those of who missed the PTR.

Who: DH - John, DS3 - Michael, and Me- Bicki

2011 Castle Picture

When: May 6th - May 12th

Where: WDW - Caribbean Beach Resort

Table of Contents

The Day Before Disney
A Wake Up Surprise & A Almost Perfect Departure
A speedy flight, and a even speedier check-in
More On Caribbean Beach and A Very Pirate Room!
To Assemble or Not?
A DTD Tour, New Shoes and Raglan Road
A Few Forgotten Things
A Disney Jr. Morning
Toy Story Mania, Finally & A Very Long Lunch
A quick splash, followed by a thorough soaking!
Epcot Challenge Part I
The Epcot Challenge Part II

 

[BMC423]

As I upload all my pictures and videos I'll type up a intro to the trip. The week before we left was crazy for me as I was wrapping up the semester. Note to self: Do not make any travel plans for the last week of the semester! More on that later. I even abandoned my PTR and my trip planning was not what I would have liked it to be.

So it was the Saturday before the trip and while I had wanted it to be a easy day spent cleaning, relaxing with family, and going to church in the evening for Sunday mass it was anything but. John had decided to wait to get his haircut that Saturday. He also had failed to mention he needed new sneakers for the trip until the night before, so he was also out shopping for those. I spent most of the morning cleaning and organizing. My parents were planning to visit later in the day, and we were going to stop in at my in-laws (who live downstairs) as well to say good bye to them and my BIL who would also be visiting.

Michael had no idea this trip was even happening, we didn't plan on making it a surprise but it turned out that way because we wanted to make sure he slept that night. So the plan was to put him to bed at 8:30, which is pretty much his bedtime on a school night. I had planned to go to be at 10:30 which is my normal "bedtime" since we planned on being up at 4:45.

My parents did come to visit and in fact they went to church with us. When we got back home we stopped at my in laws, and learned my BIL was on his way, we went upstairs and ordered take out and ate while we waited for my BIL to arrive. He didn't arrive until 9:00 and just like that my plans were derailed. We didn't put Michael down for bed until 10:00 and we were off to sleep ourselves.

If you read my TR last year you know about my pre-Disney insomnia. This year was no different the hours just ticked by as I tried unsuccessfully to go to sleep. My excitement with our trip, mixed with the fear of missing our flight because we overslept, along with John's snoring were all keeping me wide awake until 3:00am when I finally managed to sleep. For a whole hour and a half because yes I was up before the alarm.

Up Next: A Wake-Up Surprise & A Almost Perfect Departure

 

[jerzyzkat119]

welcome back! i'm in - can't ait to read about your trip

 

[Echo queen]

Pre trip excitement, yeah

 

[BMC423]

After waking up from a great hour and a half of sleep I dressed quickly and started packing Michael's bag with snacks and plane activities. By the time I was done John had woken up and was getting dressed. Soon it was time to go wake up and surprise Michael. He is constantly saying that he's going to Disney World, and would pick up his bag and say bye to me. So when we woke him up saying it was time to go to Disney World he didn't seem too sure and really wanted to stay in bed. It wasn't until he saw John in his Mickey shirt that he started to get excited, and was very eager to get dressed and go. I will try to upload the video later.

We had made arrangements with our local car service to pick us up at 5:30, and thankfully they were right on time. Unfortunately, the rest of the service was pretty disappointing, the second I stepped into the car I smelled cigarette smoke and started making me queasy . I rolled down the window a bit and that helped. As we approached LGA I told our driver twice that we were flying Jet Blue, and since I was preoccupied with Michael I didn't noticed he missed the Jet Blue terminal until he was out of the car and unloading our luggage. He dropped us off at the American Airlines terminal, which would have been ok if it was not at the other end of the airport. I am one of those people who tries to not sweat the small stuff, I try to not worry about things I can't change or control but this for some reason really annoyed me. Looking back I realize that it was probably because of my lack of sleep and the fact that I had not had any coffee yet.

Thankfully check in was a breeze and we were seated at our gate by 6:30. John went in search of breakfast and I was double checking my bad to make sure I had not forgotten anything, (I always do this for any trip we make, and I know it's quite silly because it's not like I'm going to go back home but old habits and all that) so yes I'm going down my mental checklist, wipes- check, wallet - check, cameras - check, diapers - ???, that's right I forgot to pack diapers on my carry-ons. Michael is at this weird potty training stage where he does go to the potty but sometimes gets lazy especially when he's in a new place. I immediately start explaining the situation to him and stress how he needs to tell us if he has to go the bathroom. At this point and John had returned with breakfast and coffee. Not long after that we boarded.

Up Next: A speedy flight, and a even speedier check-in
(and Pictures... I promise!)

 

[BMC423]

welcome back! i'm in - can't ait to read about your trip

YAY!!! Welcome!

Pre trip excitement, yeah

Ha ha you are getting so close.. you must be feeling the effects

 

[budafam]

I'm in... maybe we'll see ourselves in the backgrounds of your pics... lol... we were there the 4th-12th.

 

[MHTeacher]

Can't believe your trip has already come and gone. Looking forward to hearing all about it!

 

[BMC423]

I'm in... maybe we'll see ourselves in the backgrounds of your pics... lol... we were there the 4th-12th.

Welcome, and yes we might! Are you planning to write a trip report?

Can't believe your trip has already come and gone. Looking forward to hearing all about it!

Welcome Michelle, I know I can't believe it either! I felt like this trip went by really fast. I'll be over on your PTR in a few, I saw you had an update when I was away.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Welcome Home! I'm going back to read all the details I've missed so far.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Okie dokie, I'm all caught up. I, too, suffer from day before Disney insomnia. You had to be running off of pure adrenaline on your departure day.

 

[mommytominnie]

I'm in!! Can't wait to read about CBR. We almost booked this resort for our August trip but decided to book with POR instead. Looking forward to your next entry.

 

[BMC423]

Okie dokie, I'm all caught up. I, too, suffer from day before Disney insomnia. You had to be running off of pure adrenaline on your departure day.

I really was, which was why I was so cranky in the morning. Not a great way to start a vacation but it got better!

I'm in!! Can't wait to read about CBR. We almost booked this resort for our August trip but decided to book with POR instead. Looking forward to your next entry.

CBR was wonderful! It's funny because we almost booked POR for this trip but decided on CBR because of the pirate rooms.

 

[BMC423]

Our flight was scheduled to leave at 7:30 am and was right on time. After all the safety instructions were reviewed I tried to get Michael set up with an activity, but all he wanted to do was watch the cartoons on Direct TV. That was fine with me I set him up with his headphones, and got comfortable in my seat and slept on and off for most of the flight. I woke up when we were already in Florida, it seemed like we got there very quickly. We took some pictures before our landing.

This was actually before the flight when we were waiting to board.

John & Michael

Michael & Me... Don't I look well rested?

Once we landed the captain got on the PA system and announced that we had arrived at Orlando and it was 9:40 am. 9:40?!?!?! We weren't scheduled to land until 10:20 so we 40 mins early!!! That made me very happy! Once we were off the plane we stopped at Starbucks for some coffee. Michael and I grabbed a seat while John ordered and Michael struck up a conversation with a traveling business man. The man was very nice and was on his way to Chicago. Michael told him we were going to Disney World, and then the man started talking to me about Disney and apparently Michael got bored because he grabbed one of the newspapers on the table and started flipping through it.

Soon John was back with my Venti Iced Non-fat Vanilla Latte, and I was a very happy girl! We got on the fake monorail and on to the Magical Express Line. The line was quite long but since we were a small party we were able to board fairly quickly.

Almost There!

We got an actual Magical Express bus, and sat near a mom with 3 kids who were visiting for the first time, and an elderly couple who were visiting again. Both parties were quite talkative and the bus ride seemed very short because of the conversations we were having. Michael fell asleep almost as soon the bus took off and that was no real surprise to me. I knew he was tired.

Caribbean Beach was the first stop, I didn't check the time when I arrived but I'm sure it was before 11. I had checked in online and only had one family in front of me on the check-in line. I'm sorry I have no pics of the Custom House, where check in is. Michael was very cranky when we got there, mostly because his nap was interrupted and I was just trying to check-in so we could get him settled somewhere.

The Cast Member that helped was very nice, but it took him forever to explain everything at least it seemed that way to me. He explained how our keys to the world worked and showed me the resort map highlighting the pools and bus stops. Once he was done he tells me we have to options to get to our rooms; Option A: Wait for the internal Shuttle to take us to our "Island" and leave our carry-ons with bell services and they would bring it later. Option B: We could ask bell services to take us and our carry-ons to our rooms in a van, we decided on option B. I couldn't believe that our room was ready, so I asked the cast member to make sure. He smiled at me and said " Yes Ma'm your room is ready right now"! I could have kissed him! That has never happened to us before. It was a very happy surprise. There were a few people waiting for the vans when we arrived at bell services but the van for Trinidad South (our Island) arrived first and we were off to our room.

Up Next: More On Caribbean Beach and A Very Pirate Room!

 

[mickeystoontown]

First off, I've got to say that Michael is such a cutie pie. You better watch out Mama 'cause the girls are going to be chasing him before you know it.

Woohoo for the flight arriving early and for your room being ready! Looking forward to seeing how you guys liked the pirate rooms.

 

[MHTeacher]

Michael is a cutie! Love those big brown eyes!

Can't wait to hear about your room at CBR (never stayed there!)

 

[BMC423]

First off, I've got to say that Michael is such a cutie pie. You better watch out Mama 'cause the girls are going to be chasing him before you know it.

Woohoo for the flight arriving early and for your room being ready! Looking forward to seeing how you guys liked the pirate rooms.

Aww thank you...he's a big flirt too he like giving out kisses

Michael is a cutie! Love those big brown eyes!

Can't wait to hear about your room at CBR (never stayed there!)

Thank you! Trust me he has learned to use those big brown eyes to his benefit

 

[BMC423]

This was our first time staying at CBR and I had done my research, and was going there with a open mind. Many of the reports I have read say that this resort is big and yes it is HUGE! That being said Disney does make it really easy to navigate. If you haven't been and are looking for some info this is what really stood out to me.

*The Custom House is where you check-in, check-out and wait for your magical express bus. Other than that there is really no reason to visit here again during your stay.

* Old Port Royale is where the food court, gift shop, and TS Restaurant is. The main pool is right out side which is pretty cool.

*From the internet

* There is an internal shuttle that runs about every twenty minutes. They stop at the same stops as the park buses.

* We had no issues with the park buses. Granted sometimes you have to wait a bit longer for some buses especially if you just missed one but thats just how it goes. As far as the bus stops go for pick up in the morning and drop off during the day its: Jamaica, Aruba, Barbados, Martinique, Old Port Royale, Trinidad North, and Trinidad South. It was nice to be the last stop on the pick up route because we had the least travel time. We made up for it on the way back though. We did notice that the route changed when the buses were just doing drop offs it would start the loop at Barbados.

* The walk from Trinidad South to Old Port Royale was not horrible it is about a 10 min. walk with a stroller. It's also a very scenic walk and it goes by very fast.

As far as our room and room location. I called Disney about a week before our room to make some requests. I asked for a room in Bldg 34, in the corner if possible. I was very happy that Disney was able to meet my request. I wanted 34 because on the map it looks a bit closer to old Port Royale. The location was really nice because we later discovered we were close to 2 quiet pools, ours in Trinidad South, and the one in Trinidad North(which we never used, but could have ) The bus stop was also fairly close and easy to get to. We were on the second room, and since there are no elevators that meant taking the stroller up and down a flight, which really was no problem. The room was wonderful!

We were really excited to get inside the room as this was the only reason we decided to book CBR. So I popped in our room key and turned the handle, and the handle did not budge. Hmmm, I tried it again and nothing. I spotted a CM walking down the hall so I told him my room door wasn't opening. He points out a phone by the ice machine and tells me to call the front desk. I did and they say they will issue us new cards and send someone up with them. When I get back from making the call John says "let me try it" so I hand over the keys and like magic the door pops open. So I immediately called the front desk but it's too late someone was already on the way. So while we waited for that person we checked out our room and it did not disappoint.

Welcome to room 3456!

Pirate Beds!
You can see the barrel/nightstand on the corner of the picture.
I did a bed bug check when we first got into the room, and was please to see that not only were there no bed bugs, but that the mattresses were wrapped in those plastic covers (you know the ones to prevent bed bugs)

TV Stand and drawers, those drawers are no very wide but they are very deep.

Barrel with fridge inside, and chest. This chest does not open like a regular chest in fact it has drawers in which we found extra pillows. The nice this about this chest was that we had a place to put our shoes so they were all over the room. Also that shelf that you see has some hooks on the bottom, which was a great place to hang jackets and hats.

Shower Curtain, The shower and the toilet are separated from the sinks by a door, and that whole area is separated from the room by a curtain.

Shower Wall, pretty cool!

Other Room Pictures borrowed from the internet, because I forgot to take pictures of these things:

Curtain that separates the bathroom area from the rest of the room. Michael was scared of this, especially at night so we never had it open. The sinks were right behind the curtain. To the left hand side of the sinks was a clothing rod, a shelf and the safe. The coffee makes was on the side of the sink counter.

Table Area

He was so excited to play on the bed!

We were very pleased with CBR and wouldn't hesitate to stay there again, after we have tried out some other resorts. It really is beautiful and very fun for kids. Michael really liked the room, and the pools. The resort itself its very colorful and cheerful.

Up Next: To Assemble or Not?

 

[Victoriasmom98]

I hope you don't mind, but I'm popping in, too!!! Love your report so far! We are going in August and I hope I am as pleased with CBR as you are!!

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

Hey, Bicki!! I'm here and lovin the report so far! We loved CBR when we stayed here in 2009, we had a Nemo room..wished we had a Pirate Room. The pool here is what we loved the most, though, and we made time in our busy schedule to swim almost every day it was so much fun!!

Sorry to hear about your lack of sleep, we always take something to make sure we get sleep the night before or we would be just like you...

Can't wait to read more!!