The Twelve Days of Swinter: From Castaway 'Key' to a Partridge in a Palm Tree!

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

We loved having a fridge!

And now let’s take a look at that water view…

Can’t see? Let’s raise the blinds…

Considering that I was expecting to be overlooking the parking lot, I was VERY happy with this view!

And just outside our door was this beautiful flowerbed bursting with fall colors.

The bridge is right behind the flowers. Awesome location!

Aruba to the left…

And Trinidad South to the right…

The room was clean and more spacious than the value resorts that we are used to. I loved the ceiling fan and fridge in the room. The décor was cute and the view/location was PERFECT! I was a very happy camper!

Have I mentioned that we LOVED CBR?

The plan was to head straight to the Magic Kingdom once we were settled in at CBR, but by the time we got all our bags unloaded from the car, we were D-O-N-E! Exhausted really does not come close to describing how we felt. We had gone full blast for three days and then ended with a sleepless night. As much as I wanted to keep going, my body just wasn’t having it, so we succumbed to our fatigue and did the unthinkable… we took a nap during a Disney vacation! I can hardly believe I am saying that! Sleep has never been a priority for us while at Disney! We can sleep when we get home, ya know? But circumstances being what they were…

We slept for 3 hours!

I'm still mourning the loss of that precious Disney vacation time.

The last thing I remember when I laid my head on the pillow was that I could still feel myself rocking on that ship! And that feeling would last for two days! Those were some rough seas I tell ya!

Up next… We wake from hibernation and head for the magical Magic Kingdom all decked out for fall!

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi Rinky,

Wow so many lovely photos! I've never visited Caribbean Beach Resort but it looks beautiful - we stayed at a hotel in St Lucia a few years ago which looked very similar, lots of pastel colours & tropical flowers everywhere

How great that you got a room upgrade too, lovely view out to the lake and not surprised you needed a nap after the bad night and early morning start... we had an afternoon nap on our first day WDW after the cruise!



Emma x

 

[mickeystoontown]

Okay, if I am calculating it right, the drive from the Port to the CBR was less than 2 hours? That's not bad at all....especially considering all the panic attacks that were going on with no toll booth change.

Oh how you are making me wish I were at the CBR right now! Like you, I immediately fell in love with the resort. Your view was beautiful and your location was perfecto!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

YAY!! I just thought I'd pop on here and check & see if you made it to CBR before I get started on dinner.

That is too funny about the tolls. That is kind of crazy that they have those toll booths down there that need exact change and no people working at them. My DH ran into that once when he was down there on a business trip.

So glad you made it to CBR and didn't have to go to prison!!

And WOW what an awesome room location you got!! Lucky! We have been in Jamaica 4545 and 4547, but they are not waterview. Still great locations though!

I can just picture the Mtn Dew going everywhere!! Actually that would have made me cry I think, because you know you can't get any on WDW property. Not even at Hess.

I don't know how you lasted as long as you did without crashing after the night you had. I'm sure that was a well needed rest and it made for a much better MK evening than if you hadn't of taken the time to rest.


Can't wait for more!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

So loved your cruise adventure and can't wait to hear about the land fun!!!
So much magic....I'll try and be patient!!

No patience needed... the first episode is up!

That's a hefty parking fee for 3 nights, but what are you going to do unless you have your own driver. I guess those park and ride hotels for the night before the cruise make sense once you factor in the cost to park. Good to know!

Well, again, I am sorry your last night was so awful, but I'm so glad your cruise experience was great. I will have to come back later to see your pictures (photobucket is blocked at my current location ). Really looking forward to your week at the world!

Tell me about it. As far as I know the lot is owned by the port, not Disney. I just can't see charging someone for the day when you leave that early. And I agree, the hotels that include a shuttle are a good deal. I found one that was only $90 for the night and that included the park and ride. We would've gone that route if I thought we could make it driving that late into the night. Maybe next time though.

It was a fantastic cruise and even though I got sick I still think of the whole experience in a positive light.

I just found your trip report and itis great! Your DD is so cute too!

Thank you! I'm so glad you are joining in on the fun!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Hi Rinky,

Wow so many lovely photos! I've never visited Caribbean Beach Resort but it looks beautiful - we stayed at a hotel in St Lucia a few years ago which looked very similar, lots of pastel colours & tropical flowers everywhere

How great that you got a room upgrade too, lovely view out to the lake and not surprised you needed a nap after the bad night and early morning start... we had an afternoon nap on our first day WDW after the cruise!



Emma x

Thank you for the kind comments!

I think CBR is a real gem. DH loved it too. It seems to get mixed reviews though, but I'm not sure why. My only complaint was that all the bus stops around the resort seemed to take too long. I guess since we have always stayed at the values, we just were not used to multiple bus stops and it was a little annoying. And I am impatient! But other than that, I thought the place was amazing. If you like that tropical themeing, you should give it a try. Just make sure you request a good section b/c some of them have a fairly long walk to the food court/pool area in my opinion.

Okay, if I am calculating it right, the drive from the Port to the CBR was less than 2 hours? That's not bad at all....especially considering all the panic attacks that were going on with no toll booth change.

Oh how you are making me wish I were at the CBR right now! Like you, I immediately fell in love with the resort. Your view was beautiful and your location was perfecto!

Oh no, it's only about an hour from the port to Disney. The drive wasn't bad at all. But there are a ton of toll booths along the route!

I agree. CBR is awesome! In fact, the only things I think that some of the deluxe resorts have over CBR is location (being on the monorail, walking distance to Epcot, etc.) and a great table service restaurant. Other than that, CBR can give them a run for their money. It is so beautiful and peaceful and that pool ROCKS! Man, I want to go back NOW!!!

YAY!! I just thought I'd pop on here and check & see if you made it to CBR before I get started on dinner.

That is too funny about the tolls. That is kind of crazy that they have those toll booths down there that need exact change and no people working at them. My DH ran into that once when he was down there on a business trip.

So glad you made it to CBR and didn't have to go to prison!!

And WOW what an awesome room location you got!! Lucky! We have been in Jamaica 4545 and 4547, but they are not waterview. Still great locations though!

I can just picture the Mtn Dew going everywhere!! Actually that would have made me cry I think, because you know you can't get any on WDW property. Not even at Hess.

I don't know how you lasted as long as you did without crashing after the night you had. I'm sure that was a well needed rest and it made for a much better MK evening than if you hadn't of taken the time to rest.


Can't wait for more!

Those tolls almost made me lose my mind! But that was just another lesson learned I suppose.

I was so excited about that room upgrade! I've never gotten that kind of pixie dust before! I think they do that just so you'll get hooked on that room category and shell out the bucks for it next time!

I knew that Mt. Dew story would break your heart! All that liquid gold just wasted on the asphalt!

I know it was best for us to get that nap, but it sure hurt my feelings to 'waste' precious vacation time like that.

 

[sharonW]

Your on the ball girl and I LOVE your first installment. Wow! What luck to get such an awesome location. I am really excited to hear more Oh how i love WDW and so wish we were planning a trip now...just need a $$$ tree is all!!!

 

[marDgreen88]

Toll booths can be such a pain! I definitely prefer the ones with the actual human beings!

I never realized how beautiful CBR is! Wow, so many pretty sights!

Yall needed to catch up on your sleep so you could enjoy your first Disney day! Totally understandable!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Your on the ball girl and I LOVE your first installment. Wow! What luck to get such an awesome location. I am really excited to hear more Oh how i love WDW and so wish we were planning a trip now...just need a $$$ tree is all!!!

Yeah I think we could all use one of those. I think I have a few of them, they just don't ever bloom.

I was really excited about that room upgrade. I've never gotten one of those before!

Toll booths can be such a pain! I definitely prefer the ones with the actual human beings!

I never realized how beautiful CBR is! Wow, so many pretty sights!

Yall needed to catch up on your sleep so you could enjoy your first Disney day! Totally understandable!

Those toll booths!

Oh CBR is so gorgeous! And I took tons of pictures so you will get to see a lot more of the resort throughout the TR.

 

[sharonW]

one trip many yrs ago when we stayed at the GF, we got an upgrade to a suite, words can't describe it....amazing!! It was cloud nine time the entire week!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Wow! What a pretty view you had out of your window! We have never been anyplace at CBR besides the food court and I thought the themeing to the building was really nice. I loved the colors!

I hope you got some pool pictures!

I don't think we have ever been pixie dusted on a room....

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

one trip many yrs ago when we stayed at the GF, we got an upgrade to a suite, words can't describe it....amazing!! It was cloud nine time the entire week!!

Wow that sounds fantastic! The GF is fabulous on its own, but a suite must have been pretty cool! I think Disney is so smart to give those free upgrades if the rooms are just sitting there empty anyway. It really leaves an impression with their guests and keeps us all hooked and wanting more!

Wow! What a pretty view you had out of your window! We have never been anyplace at CBR besides the food court and I thought the themeing to the building was really nice. I loved the colors!

I hope you got some pool pictures!

I don't think we have ever been pixie dusted on a room....

I know! We had never been pixie dusted on a room either. We did get a free ticket upgrade on our last trip and we got YOMD Mickey ears on our first trip, but this was my favorite unexpected surprise! It's one of the reasons I love Disney so much! They always go the extra mile to make everything so magical!

And don't worry, I took TONS of pictures at CBR of everything including that awesome pool!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Yay, you're on land! Loved your CBR photos. We stayed there in 1996. First time on property. I never looked back. Looking at your photos made me feel the need to look up those old photos. We were in the Barbados section. Funny, looking on the map now, seems it was a bit of a walk to the pool/food. Didn't seem so bad back then, but knowing all I do now . Thank you DIS boards. Can't wait to see/read more.

 

[MeMom]

Your view was beautiful! Of course you were happy!
You know I think that is a beautiful resort.

Disney exhaustion naps are much needed for survival. That is some good, deep sleeping there.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

We never leave home without a bucket of change in the car! Tolls are such a pain! I wish they had a pass that worked in all states. We don't really have toll roads here, so we don't have the pass, but so many states we go through do.

LOVE your CBR pics and the upgrade story!! I would have said I told you so to my DH too! It is such a beautiful resort - I like POR too, but CBR has that wonderful, colorful tropical feel! You HAD to crash! You totally needed the rest. But I totally get what you mean about wasting precious time! I'm slowly learning to take it slow and relax on a Disney vacation.

POR has a more lush sophisticated feel in my mind. But we did love staying there too!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Yay, you're on land! Loved your CBR photos. We stayed there in 1996. First time on property. I never looked back. Looking at your photos made me feel the need to look up those old photos. We were in the Barbados section. Funny, looking on the map now, seems it was a bit of a walk to the pool/food. Didn't seem so bad back then, but knowing all I do now . Thank you DIS boards. Can't wait to see/read more.

I agree, the DIS is a lifesaver! I talk to people all the time who go to Disney and are dissapointed or frustrated about things that they just didn't know about going in, and I always think to myself... you need the DIS!

I wouldn't want to stay in Barbados for that reason. It's not that I am lazy, but after three or four days at Disney, my feet and legs are killing me and I just don't want to walk a half mile to get to the food court. IMO, Jamaica and Aruba are the only reasonable standard room choices. The others are too far for me. If I was there for just a few days, it wouldn't matter, but we always go for 10 days or more and that's just too much walking in addition to all the miles we trek in the parks.

Your view was beautiful! Of course you were happy!
You know I think that is a beautiful resort.

Disney exhaustion naps are much needed for survival. That is some good, deep sleeping there.

It is so much prettier in person than it is in the pictures I've seen too. A real gem IMO.

That is some hard, deep sleep at Disney. I wish I could sleep like that at home.

We never leave home without a bucket of change in the car! Tolls are such a pain! I wish they had a pass that worked in all states. We don't really have toll roads here, so we don't have the pass, but so many states we go through do.

LOVE your CBR pics and the upgrade story!! I would have said I told you so to my DH too! It is such a beautiful resort - I like POR too, but CBR has that wonderful, colorful tropical feel! You HAD to crash! You totally needed the rest. But I totally get what you mean about wasting precious time! I'm slowly learning to take it slow and relax on a Disney vacation.

POR has a more lush sophisticated feel in my mind. But we did love staying there too!

We never go through tolls so I guess that's why I forgot about it. Thank goodness for that lady in the booth or I don't know what we would've done.

I need to slow down at Disney too. I have actually been thinking about how we didn't spend enough time at CBR. What's the point in paying the money for the nicer hotels if you don't spend some time there, ya know? I think we hung around CBR for two half days. I never did walk the whole trail around the resort. I've got to do better about that. If we are going to spend every waking minute in the parks, then I should just stay at a value and save the money.

I think we have decided we are definitely going to try out POR in October. I've been watching videos and it is really growing on me. I'm pretty excited about it! And I am determined to spend more time there than we did at CBR too. I think I am going to request Magnolia Terrace b/c it is right by the bridge and has a bus stop. All the rooms in Oak Manor and PP are now Royal Rooms (or will be by next month I think). The rooms look great, but come at a price. And the refurbed rooms in MT look awesome, so I am sure I will be just as happy with one of those! I should post a picture. They are really nice! Now I just have to decide about the split stay part and how we are getting there.

Thanks for all your help and advice about all of this. It really helped me decide on POR and I think we are going to enjoy that resort a lot!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

We finally awoke from our slumber after three long hours! I was still groggy, but ready to get going. The thought of ‘wasting’ all that precious vacation time was killing me, so we got freshened up and headed out to the bus stop.

Another nice perk of the moderates are the covered bus stops with fans. We had wonderful weather during our trip, but these would definitely be appreciated in the heat of summer and during those frequent Florida rainstorms.

And at 2:30 our chariot arrived…

To whisk us off to…

Look at the excitement on that baby’s face!

I was really looking forward to seeing Magic Kingdom all decked out for fall. Both our previous trips were during the Christmas season, so this was something new for us. I decided to make MK our first stop as soon as we arrived at WDW to ensure that we could see the fall decorations before they came down.

So let’s see what fall beauty MK has in store for us…

We stopped for our first Photopass picture.

I loved these lampposts! So cute!

Believe it or not, in all our trips to MK, this was the first time we found this bench! I think they must move it when they decorate for Christmas because we had never seen it before.

Continued in next post

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

We made it as far as the Fire Station and then we heard music, parade music! This is my favorite Disney parade and somehow we had timed it perfectly! I love this parade because it is full of all the classic Disney characters, and call me a dork if you want, but there is nothing like having Cinderella wave directly at you when she comes strolling by in her pumpkin carriage.

We walked right up and got a front spot on the curb. Can’t beat that!

Now, I thought since I love this parade so much that I would write a little poem to go along with the pictures. So here’s my ode to the…

Where else in the world can anyone see,
Such amazing and magical sights as these?

A tall, goofy dog and toys that can talk,
A wise old cricket and a wooden puppet that walks!

The most amazing mouse ever, who started it all,
And his girlfriend Minnie, who is bolted to the wall!

A beautiful princess as white as the snow,
With 7 dwarf friends singing Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho!

An Arabian Prince who mysteriously flies,
On a magical carpet with a genie by his side!

A boy in green tights who’ll never grow up,
And a wonderland of characters sipping tea from their cups.

A practically perfect lady with umbrella transportation,
And mice who stitched up an amazing dress transformation!

Two ugly stepsisters who rarely do what’s right,
And a stepmother with a hairdo that is out of sight!

Here she comes now, the most beautiful princess of all,
And that Fairy Godmother who hooked her up for the ball!

Now we’ve come to the end, and last but not least,
Is a very sleepy girl and a big, hairy beast!

Continued in next post

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Now, can’t you see why I love that parade?

What’s that old saying… “Better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt?” I think I just removed all doubt!

Ok, moving on…

We crossed the street as the parade passed by and got a few shots with the scarecrows.

I saw a Photopass guy standing near the big flag so we went over to get a few shots. Right off the bat, I noticed that he was a little, um… kookie, maybe is the right word? I didn’t think much of it at the time. It takes all kinds to make the world go ‘round ya know. But when I got home and saw my photopass pictures online, I could not believe my eyes.

At first I wanted to strangle him for ruining my pictures, but the more I looked at them, I just totally cracked up! Imagine my surprise when I saw this….

And this…

And let’s not forget about this…

What can I say? We are magnets for the strange and unusual!

He was showing us how he had 'learned' to use his remote shutter release, but apparently he didn't understand that doesn't mean you can stand IN FRONT of the camera to take the pictures!

But thank goodness for cropping and borders because I was able to somewhat salvage them! Here was my attempt to ‘reclaim’ my photos to just a family of 3!

Alright, let’s get this train moving! Heading down Main Street to see more of the fall decorations…

It really wasn’t crowded at all that day, but it looks like it in that picture because of all the parade watchers leaving at once.

Beautiful Crystal Palace…

Ok, we made it to the hub, now where do we want to go first?

Up next: Lots of MK fun squeezed into a short day.

 

[kittylady1972]

I LOVE the parks decorated for Halloween/Fall. I so missed going there last year and now I will have to make it a point to go back there soon to see it. Loved your DDs outfit too...very cute!

CRACKED up at those photos...that is SOO funny! I'll have to keep my eyes open for that photographer next month!