Mom, Me and a Mouse-a WDW Story

[Princess Mindy]

Well I just got back yesterday from what has to be the most amazing birthday vacation I have ever had. It was simply wonderful. We stayed from 9/3 to 9/7 at Carribean Beach Resort and I can't wait to go back!

Cast:
Me: COmplete Disney freak but hasn't been to WDW in almost 10 years
Mom: Complete Disney Freak who hasn't been to WDW in almost 20 years
The Mouse: well you know who he is

DAY 1
We arrive at the airport about 9pm. Magical express was waiting for us right where they said they'd be and we hopped right onto a bus with no waiting whatsoever. The bus at night didn't play any movies but they kept this weird green light on the entire time. It was kinda eerie
Well we are the first stop inside the park and we arrive. Friendly CMs everywhere opening doors and saying hello. We go to check in and there is a slight glitch with the room. I had requested not to be in Trinidad South as I don't want to be separated from everything. It seems that when I get there my room assignment is no other than the very one I requested not to be in. Without me even having to say anything, the CM sees my request and right away makes arrangements for another room. It was very full that night so I am thrilled to say that she was able to swing us to Aruba instead, building 55 right next to the quiet pool and beach. Fabulous! My first pixie dust experience.
So we get to the room and it is amazing. The really nice gentleman from bell services walks us all the way to the room to make sure we don't get lost (its far in the back) and checks the keys to make sure they work. He then points out how to get to the important things of the resort, explains how the buses run and points out the hidden mickeys in our room. He was great.
We begin unpacking. I packed rather light as I knew I would only be buying more stuff, but it seems that mom hasn't caught on to my method and has packed every piece of Disney memorabilia she owns to "decorate the room". Well we now have 4 stuffies (mickey, minnie, pooh (her favorite)and eeyore (my favorite)) on the windowsill, a large bag with pooh's face on it, a totally Minnie bag (remember her? So very 80's!) and a plethora of other knicknacks she managed to stuff into her bags along with her entire wardrobe.
She was ready for anything thats for sure!
So after a little unpacking we head over to Old Port Royale to check it out. I wish that the food was open past 11 because we got there at almost that time and were only able to get a small salad from grab and go before they shut down.
So instead, we headed over to Banana Cabana for a drink!
The drink with the same name is very yummy. I highly recommend it.
We are able to walk around the resort with the drink so we explore the pool (unfortunately this is about as close as we get to swimming in this pool-we just ran out of time! )
We then went over to our private beach and sat on the hammock for a bit. It is really nice having your very own white sandy beach. Such luxury!
We have a very important day ahead of us tomorrow, so we turn in and dream sweet dreams of extra magic hours at MGM studios. We can't wait!

More to come as we head into Day 2 (full day 1) when we take on MGM studios!

 

[MamaLema]

great beginning, can't wait to read more

 

[ChrisAlli]

Can't wait for more, we are staying at CBR in October, glad to hear you liked it!

 

[dazzled]

Sounds like such great fun! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[Princess Mindy]

For my Dining reviews, please visit this link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=906688

Day 2-the MGM Experience
The day begins bright and early (which is something that could only happen at Disney- I am NOT a morning person by any means, but who can stay in bed when there is so much out there waiting for them?) with a nice wakeup call from my buddy Stitch! After he tells me to "get moving" I am out of bed and ready to begin the day. We watch a little top 7 list on the TV while drinking our caffinated breakfast *hooray for coffee!*. The time is now 9am and there is no time for breakfast, so off we go!
We wait about 10 minutes of so for the bus, there are 3 Epcot buses that pass during that time. I don't understand it, but the same thing happened the next day too. I mean I know its nearby, but people want to go other places too ya know!

We arrive by 9:30 and the place is practically empty! Off Season rules! So where do we go first but the number one busiest ride at MGM: Tower of Terror. There is no wait at all! What luck! We rush on and experience the sinking sensation Mom loved it and I was surprised because I didn't know how she could take it. But we had a blast! Next we grab a fastpass for Rockin Roller Coaster and do some light shopping

**Shopping Tip: Do not wait to buy things your last day if you see something you really like at a park. I missed out on a couple things because I did this and now I'm sad! I really wanted that Stitch figurine, stitch t-shirt (they only had extra large at World of Disney) and a couple other things I couldn't find at Downtown Dosney. So word to the wise, just get it and have it shipped to your hotel
*steps off soapbox

We then proceed to Rockin roller coaster and it is AWESOME! I had no idea it went upside down (or at least it felt that way) and it is such a rush! I want to go again and again, but time caught up with me.

Next we go on the great movie ride. This is a good ride if you want to go somewhere for a relaxing sitdown for 20 minutes. No thrills and the acting is kinda cheesy, but cute.
We get off the ride and we have just enough time for Beauty and the Beast show! This was great. I hope my pictures come out because it was really cool. It makes me want to see the Broadway show again! Only downer is that it is outside and, you guessed it, no AC. But the show is a half hour so thats not too bad

We then proceeded to star tours (again no waiting), had a quick lunch at backlot express (see dining review) and went to Muppets 3D. This show is so very cute and it will never get old-just like the muppets themselves. My favorite is Gonzo. Whats yours?

Well we get out of the show and who is standing at Al's Toy BArn but Jessie and Woody! We get to take a picture with Woody and he kissed my mom's hand all gentleman-like! I think she was quite taken with him. The line for Buzz and Jessie was too long by that point so we moved along to the hat where Pluto was hanging out. Of course I have to get a pic with Pluto!

Then next its on to the Voyage of the Little Mermaid-my favorite show there besides Fantasmic. The Under the Sea number is just fabulous. Ariel was ok, but she did a decent job. Of course this show may be my favorite because I'm a big Little Mermaid nut..but hey, everyone has their thing.

Well its dinner time at the 50's Prime Time cafe! Yummy Yummy Yummy! (see dining review)

By this time its about an hour until Fantasmic! I am so excited because I have heard so many wonderful things about this show and I can't wait! But oh no! It has started to sprinkle! It can't rain! It wouldn't! It.....DOESN'T! After a couple drops it ceases and blows over! I breathe a sigh of relief. My Fantaismic experience was everything I ever hoped it could be. This is an amazing show. I won't ruin it by describing it to you, but it is just awesome. The special effects and fireworks coupled with the collection of the Disney movie characters makes this experience nothing short of amazing. I wish I could have gotten it on video, although that would never do it justice.

After we exit the mass exodus leaving Fantasmic it is now time to get into the groove of extra magic hours! After Fantasmic there are so many people around that it seems like every person staying in a resort is there. We get our wristbands and duck into a store. After we finish our purchasing we hear music coming from the stage in front of the hat. It is a very fun DJ playing great songs that I know (other meaning: old) and getting everyone involved in singing and dancing. Since we ate so much at Prime Time we decide to burn off a few and dance around for an hour. It was great and no, we weren't the only adults jumping out there with the kids. But we may have looked the most ridiculous.

After we tire ourselves dancing, it is time to head back. I had arranged for balloons and candy to be sent to our room from Disney Florist, along with 2 beanies: 1 pooh, one Eeyore (granted I didn't know mom was already bringing the entire Disney store with her). It also came with a card wishing us a hunny of a day. This was to celebrate both my birthday and hers which was a couple weeks prior. It was cute, but not worth the 70$ I paid. For one, I asked for original pooh and they gave me baby pooh (my mom is over 50 and has no identification with a baby version of pooh) and half of the balloons lost their lift by the morning. They had told me that it would be coming with some nice chocolates, so I'm thinking, a bag of mickey head solid chocolates or something. They weigh the balloons down with a bag of nonpareliels (sp?) which couldn't have cost more than 5 bucks. Not fancy enough for me to do again.

We then decide to go for a much needed swim. We go to the quiet pool by our hotel room and dip in. The water is warm, but not too warm which is perfect, and it was practically deserted being so late and all.

After our lovely swim we crawl back to our room, set the wake up call, and collapse in our beds, dreaming of the Magic Kingdom enchantment we will embark upon tomorrow.

Hope you've enjoyed part 2!
Next to come: Day 3-the land where dreams come true and my birthday!

 

[dazzled]

Looking forward to reading about day 3

 

[babytrees]

loving your reports!!

You are right about the Muppets never getting old....but it's so hard to pick a favorite....gotta go with the original...Kermit the frog! Nobody sings The Rainbow Connection quite like him!!

 

[Minniespal]

Enjoyed reading your report ~ Thanx for posting.

 

[Credit Man]

Enjoying your report! Thanks for posting.

 

[Princess Mindy]

Well here is the day we both have been waiting for since we began planning this trip: my birthday at the Magic Kingdom! My birthday being an official national holiday and all, we needed to celebrate in style!
We rise bright and early (again an amazing feat-take a picture because this doesn't happen at home) and skip breakfast yet again to make our mad dash to the buses, of course bringing along our precious caffiene-hooray for in-room coffee makers!
We get to the Magic Kingdom by 9:30. I am so excited I don't know what to do first. As soon as we enter the gate, who is there to greet us but none other than Mickey and Minnie Mouse themselves! What a fabulous start! We wait in line for Minnie because Mickey is already about a block long , well I should say mom waited in line while I got my "its my birthday" pin from town hall. This is a fabulous little piece of metal, let me tell you. I have never gotten so much attention in my life! It was great! everywhere we went that day CMs and guests alike we calling out to me wishing me a happy birthday. A CM in the gift shop for Stitch's great Escape gave me a Mickey sticker he said you can't find anywhere else, and a CM at Space Mountain gave me a pin off his landyard without needing to trade or anything! It was amazing!
But I'm jumping ahead, so let me back up a little
We walk down mainstreet USA and bask in the glow of the most beautifully decorated Cinderella's castle ever. You have to look closely at it because you can find little gold figures of many favorite Disney characters all over the castle. let me know which ones you found!
We get our photopass pictures and make our way down mainstreet to the castle. Cinderellabration is underway! Wow don't the dresses on all the princesses look amazing? I particularly love how the princesses all come out to a song from each of their movies and do a little dance. Belle's was the best I think. I don't know why they didn't choose A whole new world instead of Prince Ali for Jasmine's entrance. I guess they needed something more upbeat to dance to.
AfterCinderellabration we hit tomorrowland where there is no waiting and we only have to use a fastpass for space mountain (I didn't want to wait 20 minutes) This is great. I love Stitch's great escape. It is MUCH better than the Alien ride before-and Stitch is just so darn cute!
We went on Buzz lightyear and I must admit I got creamed by my mom. I guess I'm just not cut out for saving the galaxy with my trusty lazer gun. C'est la vie!
Its now time for lunch! Yay! Cinderella's Royal Table! I almost didn't get this reservation, but I kept calling and calling and calling and finally I got a cancellation for 12:05 about a week before we went. So lucky! It was fantabulous! It doesn't matter what age you are, you will always be treated like a princess here. And on my way out Fairy Godmother was in th lobby signing autographs and taking pictures, so I got her to sign my birthday certificate along with all the princesses! Truly magical.
Next we explore fantasyland-my favorite! We see Mickey's Philharmagic-and I must tell you that this is a spectacular show. I simply adore the fact that all my favorite characters are there and are connected by a really cute storyline (I won't spoil it for you, I'll only say it involves a duck )this one gets a 10 in my book!
We then do our old standards: Its a small world (longest I had to wait in line the entire trip), the teacups, peter pan, and grabbed a fastpass for Pooh's ride before heading off to find a good seat at the parade, facing the castle. The parade is beautiful! I love how the characters are in big glass globes with people dancing about. One of the pirates dancing saw my pin and said "happy birthday starfish!" i think I blushed about a million shades of red at that point!
After the parade we ride Pooh (my mom loves pooh-she has so much pooh stuff at home. I'm more of an Eeyore fan myself) and head over to Liberty Square for some Haunted Mansion action. A girl in front of me had the biggest Tinkerbell balloon I have ever seen and she had such a problem getting a grip on it during the ride. Must be tough. The Haunted Mansion is a classic ride that should be experienced at every trip. I love the dancing ghosts! I also forgot to check the dictionary in the library (a tip from the tips board) so I will have to try and remember for next time.
Next its on to Frontierland and Big Thunder Mountain railroad! This is an awesome roller coaster and I think its mom's perfect speed, although she did like Rockin Roller Coaster from yesterday which was surprising.
We skip Splash Mountain (mom said she didn't want to be wet for dinner, but I think she was chicken!) and head over to Adventureland. I was really hoping to find Jasmine and Aladdin over by the magic carpet ride, but to no avail, they were nowhere to be found. I really wanted a picture with them, specially since I passed up Ariel's 40 minute wait! (no thanks!)
We went to the Tiki Room next. Has anyone been since they changed the show? I don't know how recently they did this. I am so disappointed in the new show! I didn't even get to hear the whole Tiki Room song before Iago interrupts with his big mouth! I think it was better before. But maybe I'm just being an old fogey.
Its time for dinner! On to the Crystal Palace! See dining review for details. This is an aswesome place to eat!!! oh yeah and the food is great too!
We finish up Frontierland with the jungle cruise and swiss familt robinson treehouse. Low key start and then burn off the calories from dinner by hiking up the treehouse. Not my idea.
At this point it is time to stake out a good spot for Spectromagic and Wishes. I am so excited. I haven't seen Spectromagic since it was still being call the main street electrical parade. it was an amazing show! I loved how the outfits were illuminated and how they had some Fanatasia characters and the Fairies from Sleeiping Beauty were there too! Just magical.
Next its Wishes time!!!!!!! If you haven't seen this fireworks show, you must go! It was long and beautiful and I just loved the music. I tried to take some pictures and I really hope they turn out. We were seated just in front of the castle near Walt's statue. We had an excellent view. The only thing that irked me was that people started to leave before the show was over and were walking in front of me. They did this yesterday at fantasmic too. I know that you are trying to beat the crowd but will it really kill you to wait until the performance is over so that you don't mess it up for those who want to see it? Ok enough of that
It is now 10pm. We cut through the stores to do a little late night shopping (along with thousands of our closest friends) and then call it a night. I wish I could stay here forever. This is truly the land where dreams come true.
No swimming tonight, we collapse and anticipate Epcot wishes and World Showcase dreams.
Tune in next time for Day 4: Its a small world at Epcot!

 

[trvlr4301]

Great reviews....I really have enjoyed reading them. We are leaving the 17th-24th and I can hardly wait. It sounds like my plans are almost identical to what you and your mom did...right down to the same restaurants! I just had a couple of questions. You said something about the coffee makers in your room. Do you have to request that and is it complimentary coffee or do you bring it with you? Also you mentioned that you forgot to look in the dictionary at the Haunted Mansion....what are you suppose to be looking for? Thanks again and can hardly wait to read about the rest of your trip.

 

[Shelby5514]

Nice trip report, thanks for sharing!

 

[Princess Mindy]

Great reviews....I really have enjoyed reading them. We are leaving the 17th-24th and I can hardly wait. It sounds like my plans are almost identical to what you and your mom did...right down to the same restaurants! I just had a couple of questions. You said something about the coffee makers in your room. Do you have to request that and is it complimentary coffee or do you bring it with you? Also you mentioned that you forgot to look in the dictionary at the Haunted Mansion....what are you suppose to be looking for? Thanks again and can hardly wait to read about the rest of your trip.

The coffee maker was in the room automatically and the coffee packets were free. There was also a complimentary refrigerator in my room as well.
As for the dictionary, it is supposed to be open to a spooky surprise! Here is the thread where I found the tip:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=892917

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a fabulous trip!

 

[Princess Mindy]

Sorry about the long delay in finishing my tale. Life sort of crept up on me!
I am going to break up Epcot into 2 parts-Future World (morning) and World Showcase (afternoon). Happy reading!
After the most fabulous birthday in years It is a little harder to get myself going. But we manage anyway. We head over to Old Port Royale to pick up our packages and have breakfast. I get a bagel, egg and bacon sandwich that really hit the spot and mom got this HUGE Mickey waffle. It was about the real size of Mickey's head I kid you not. Both were very good. After eating we drop the stuff back at the room and head to Epcot-yay! No waiting hardly for the bus which was great.
We get there about 10ish and the place is a little busy. No worries though because there is plenty to see and do. We skipped Spaceship Earth because the line was out the door and around the corner. No thanks! Would have liked to do that but that was the only thing we didn't get to. We head first to the Land because I have been dying to try Soarin'. We grab our fastpasses and ride the land boat ride and watch the Circle of Life movie. Both very educational. It is now our time for Soarin!
This is an AWESOME ride! Probably one of my favorites from the trip. If you haven't been on it, this is a must do. It is just incredible. I wanted to ride it again and again, but due to time contraints we pushed ahead.
I then tried my hand at pin trading as I got a free one from my resort (a bus). There was a pro out there telling us to buy him a new pin and he will consider trading that new one for one of his. I guess I'm not gung-ho enough because I didn't see this as a good enough deal. I ended up trading for a really cute one of Tink in a star from a CM. Very happy and it was so easy!
After the pin satisfaction we headed on to Mission Space. We did the singles line because it was 5 minutes long. This ride is ok. Not what the hype beefed it up to be. The g-force is kinda cool, but it still has an its-just-a-simulator feel. Glad I didn't have to wait. Mom handles it fine, of which I am glad, because I was worried from all the horror stories I'd heard on the Dis sites of the aftereffects!
I am so sad that the living seas was closed! I would have loved that. But there was a pretty precocious piece of coral hanging around holding up a sign saying it would reopen in October.
After taking a short trek through Innoventions and playing some cool video games, we decide that its time for lunch. After a few quick pictures of "the big golf ball" (as mom likes to refer to it) we trek over to World Showcase for the rest of our day.
COMING SOON: Day 4 part 2, around the world in one afternoon

 

[kathymc]

enjoying your reports - I spent one birthday at DW and it was the best birthday ever - so many wonderful surprises happened that day it was just amazing. looking forward to more of the story - thanks for posting