we're at Caribe Cove now!

[Kay1]

I know some of us have been curious about this place. We checked in yesterday and think it's great. We have a 3/2 and it's just lovely. Everything is very nice and clean and very large. If you like huge bathrooms, this is the place for you!

We visited AK today and passed the turnstiles at 4:12. We opened the condo door at 4:30. Btw, it's funny but as we were leaving via the backroads, we drove past a turkey, of all things! Just pecking around on the side of the road the day before Thanksgiving. Some sort of daredevil turkey, I guess.

We're having a great time and will answer any questions when we can. Tomorrow we're visiting my husband's family and but will be enjoy our free internet tonight and the next two nights.

Btw, our only problem so far has been a lack of wash cloths. I called this morning and reported having only two for four of us to share. No action. This afternoon my husband walked to the office and came back with a very nice young man who couldn't believe we had so few cloths. The housekeeper had assured him there were two in the towel peacock alone. He searched the bathrooms and was convinced; shortly after his visit, an apologetic housekeeper rang the bell and gave us four more wash cloths.

I must say, I had high expectations and my expectations have been exeeded.

 

[DaddyDon]

Happy Thanksgiving
It sounds like you are having a wonderfull time!

 

[palpluto]

Thanks!

 

[DisneyDadof3]

Will be at Caribe Cove in 5 weeks - so give us the rundown when you're done.

 

[Kay1]

Will be at Caribe Cove in 5 weeks - so give us the rundown when you're done.

Lucky you! We're home now and already missing the condo. The condo was pretty large and beautifully furnished. We loved the artwork and wicker furniture. Some lamps were shaped like palm trees, another parrots. The master suite had a king and plasma tv. Another room was the same but smaller with a queen. The smallest room had twins and no tv. Both bathrooms were spacious with glassed-in showers and tubs; the master had double sinks, closed-in toilet, and a garden tub.

Granite was everywhere including the spacious kitchen. We had a side-by-side fridge and nice appliances. There were two screened-in porches. The one off the queen room was pretty small, but the one off the master was large with a round table with four chairs. Ours overlooked the woods but be aware that some overlooked the parking lot.

The pool/spa area was pretty with the usual loungers but also a covered porch with rockers. My son tried the sauna and said it was fine as was the fitness room. There's a lake off the pool and I saw "something" in it. At first I thought it was a gator but then it dove and it looked more like the Loch Ness monster! I'm thinking it was a otter, I hope.

The living/dining was large enough. The dining table seated six and we had a large tv. We were supplied with a roll of paper towels, one packet of dishwasher detergent, four boxes of Kleenex, a few small bars of soap, and two extra tp rolls. There was also a basket with enough coffee, tea, and sweeteners for one day. Everything else you need to bring or try to find in their tiny gift shop, though there's a Publix to the west of you and a Publix and a Walgreens to the east of you, so you'll be fine.

IMO, bring: Salt and pepper, dishwasher detergent, dish liquid, laundry detergent and fabric sheets (for the nice washer and dryer), your own shampoo, lotion, etc. (though they did start us out with tiny bottles in each bathroom), and a couple of big bars of bath soap.

Btw, in the closets and laundry room we found: a high chair, a Pack-and Play, iron and ironing board, vaccuum cleaner, broom and lots of plastic hangers.

One more thing. Try to get a map and figure out how to get on Disney property by leaving 192 for Black Lake, then Sherbeth. Also, I wish I could make it easy to find Caribe Cove but there are no businesses to use as landmarks for the turn onto Westside, though it's pretty well marked once you get there. Otherwise it's just cleared land.

If you need more info on exactly what was in the kitchen, let me know.

 

[mjy]

Did you take any pictures? I'd be interested in seeing them . . .

 

[Kay1]

Did you take any pictures? I'd be interested in seeing them . . .

Sorry, not on our digital camera, but if you follow this link: http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p87835i/photos

I swear this is our kitchen and master. I was worried we'd get something less than the "model" pictures Caribe Cove puts out, but, no, not in our case, at least.

 

[DisneyDadof3]

Thanks Kay1 - we are going to be there for about 10 days - we typically stay on the other side of the Disney property at a Celebrity Resorts or another 2-4 bedroom timeshare/townhouse. There are a couple ways to sneak into Disney from the west and south (the one you mentioned) that we are aware of. This is a new place for us and were concerned about what we were getting into. It was new which was a plus - but there weren't many reviews - we're glad you liked it so much. It sounds kind of like what we're used to, but newer. Thanks for the reviews. We typically go to Walmart and stock up on the extras - but glad there is at least a 'starter kit' for the place. If you think of anything else, let us all know.

Glad you had a great time.

 

[Sandy22]

There are a couple ways to sneak into Disney from the west and south (the one you mentioned) that we are aware of.

What's the way to get in from the the West? I've taken the Sherbeth shortcut when renting at Emerald Island but next trip I'm staying off of the 27.

 

[DisneyDadof3]

What's the way to get in from the the West? I've taken the Sherbeth shortcut when renting at Emerald Island but next trip I'm staying off of the 27.

It's off the new Western Way toll - about 1-2 miles if that north of 192 and brings you in by the Animal Kingdom from the west. The 5-6 times we've come in or left from this direction we have rarely even seen another car (4-5 at most). It's a very easy relaxing drive. I don't know where Emerald Island is at, but if you are staying west of Western Way I would highly recommend coming in this way. If you're between Western Way and the Sherbeth shortcut, you'll have to decide for yourself - not sure which is quicker.

To see a map, look with Orange Lake Resort or Windsor Palms and scroll north a bit until you see the back way into WDW.

 

[JANNYANS]

I have a map which shows three different routes to get to the Disney area from West side Blvd .If anyone would like a copy just pm me your e mail and I will send you a copy but not until Tuesday late pm I am afraid as I am off to a health spa for a bit of R&R with some girlfriends.

 

[APB513]

If you need more info on exactly what was in the kitchen, let me know.

Did the kitchen have a crockpot?

Were there any restaurants close by? If so, which ones?

Thanks!

 

[Kay1]

Did the kitchen have a crockpot?

Were there any restaurants close by? If so, which ones?

Thanks!

There were lots of pots and saute pans but no crockpot. Also, there was a blender but no mixer and not a lot in the way of baking pans. There was one glass 13'x9", one covered casserole, and one cookie sheet. There's plenty of counter space if you bring your own crockpot.

There's a lot of restaurant info in the room including menus and delivery info. There's a Pizza Hut nearby, a couple of Chinese restaurants, Beef O'Brady's, Carrabas, Outback Steakhouse, McDonalds, and Burger Kings. There's also a restaurant called JT's that I know nothing about. I'm sure I'm missing a few because there really are a lot.

 

[tinkerbell_girly_96]

Since It is a new resort, was there many people there? how long does it take to drive to Disney? Thanks

 

[Kay1]

Since It is a new resort, was there many people there? how long does it take to drive to Disney? Thanks

At first, two days before Thanksgiving, it seemed like only a few people were there, though it picked up every day until the parking lot was 3/4 full. I think one of the buildings in the back isn't open yet - though I can't say for sure. But it wasn't packed and it wasn't deserted in a spooky way, either.

It took us about 15 minutes or so to get to Disney but it was a nice enough drive.

 

[tinkerbell_girly_96]

What is the spa like? Do they have age restrictions for the sauna and fitness room? (sorry I keep asking questions, Im staying there in april)

 

[Kay1]

What is the spa like? Do they have age restrictions for the sauna and fitness room? (sorry I keep asking questions, Im staying there in april)

My 17-year-old son visited the steam room and said it was new clean and large and he shared it with a family of eight. He said it seems all ages can use the sauna/steam room but it's 18 and older in the fitness room. I peeked in the fitness room and saw a couple of treadmills, I think there were two bikes, and then a weight machine in the middle of the room.

No problem with the questions; it's strange to stay in a place that's so new and unknown.