"You want to ride Dinosaur again?" - New 10/21 - The End!

[DisMomAmy]

Welcome Home – Monday, April 27th

After packing up, stopping at the store for groceries & Target for a toaster ($6.33!) we were on our way back to Orlando! We knew we’d be arriving before 3pm so we really didn’t expect our room to be ready. I had tried to pack up our stuff so that we could leave our bags and return the rental car before heading to a park, but it just wasn’t happening – especially since we got all of the groceries. So we decided that we would keep the car until after checking in. With our GPS fully charged up, we made our way to Orlando and finally saw this:

Yay!! We made it!!

Did you notice the construction signs? As we turned onto another road (can’t remember which one…) we saw this work going on:

Arriving at CBR:

We made our way through the security booth without a “Welcome Home”, but it felt like we were home! We parked in a shady spot and all 4 of us headed into Custom House to check-in. Sorry, only one picture of Custom House and it’s actually when we were heading out after checking in:

As you can see from the photo above, there weren’t too many people waiting to check in, but we did find the online check-in line and an open window. To our delight – our room was ready!! #2604 in Martiniqe. We went back out to the van (which the kids weren’t happy about!) and drove over to our room.

It was a first floor room as we had requested:

And it was a corner room as requested, but unfortunately it was a interior corner! No extra window for us…

Here are a few pictures of the room – I tried to get some before we “moved” in but the kids didn’t want to cooperate!

There was a really big drawer in the bottom of this bench:

Sorry I didn’t get any pictures of the fridge- I had planned to take one later after I had put things in it, but I forgot…

I don’t think DH was impressed at this point. We hadn’t walked around the grounds at all, our view was of the parking lot and the room was small compared to what we usually have. I figured we were on the back side of the building because Jeff would be staying in Martinique, but in a non-preferred room. With us on the back we might be closer to their room?? The room was clean and fresh, but yes, smaller than we are used to. We only had one towel animal – a little bunny that was holding a pen on the table between the beds. I’ll have to find a picture…

We took a little time to get unpacked and settled in. I think Tim took a shower. Then we made our way back to the van to head to the Dolphin. I hadn’t thought about this ahead of time, but in order to keep our carseats – we had to leave them in the room and drive to the Dolphin with the kids strapped in to just the seatbelts! I was a little freaked out about it, but it was a short drive and the only other option would be for DH to return the car himself.

Up next: The Dolphin, then our first park!! - part 1

 

[mousescrapper]

love the picture (is that Alex?) w/ his arms stretched high up....like YES!!!!!!

Hope CBR and staying on site warms up to Tim soon.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Great pics Amy! Can't wait to hear more. . .

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Great Update! Finally at Disney...woo-hoo!!

We saw that same construction when we were leaving on the 28th.

I never get a lot of room pics either...my kids are so excited to be there, they just want to "flop" and unpack!

The room looks bright and homey! I hope Tim warms up to it.

Can't wait to hear about your first park day!

 

[cjackearl]

Hi Amy! Score on the toaster! The room looks nice. I can't wait to hear whether the little Disney touches made staying on property worthwhile for you guys. Your weather looks perfect for your first park day.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Ahhhhhhh......the memories! Thanks. When we stayed there in October the greeting/checking for id at the secuirty booth tended to change depending on who was working.....hopefully you got a Welcome Home at some point during your stay.

I have a rule that nothing is brought into a hotel room until I have inspected it. Made that mistake once and had to lug all our luggage back out after I discovered we needed a new room (POP in 2005). So that's when I snap my room picks.

 

[KathyRN137]

Ahhh, those pix bring back happy memories! CBR was our first Disney resort!


I never thought about the possibility of an "interior" corner room!


Hope Tim warmed up to it eventually and, Whoa! Awesome score on the toaster!!!


Kathy

 

[DisMomAmy]

love the picture (is that Alex?) w/ his arms stretched high up....like YES!!!!!!

Hope CBR and staying on site warms up to Tim soon.

Yes - that was Alex... the pictures are small aren't they?? I need to change the setting on photobucket - I was trying to make sure they weren't huge. Alex tried to jump in front of the camera and be the star of every picture I took all week.

Great pics Amy! Can't wait to hear more. . .

Unfortunately I never took pictures around the resort - I have some pool pictures but not too many others...

Great Update! Finally at Disney...woo-hoo!!

We saw that same construction when we were leaving on the 28th.

I never get a lot of room pics either...my kids are so excited to be there, they just want to "flop" and unpack!

The room looks bright and homey! I hope Tim warms up to it.

Can't wait to hear about your first park day!

I don't know why, but I was surprised to see road construction at Disney... I guess I would have expected them to do it in the middle of the night or something.

Hi Amy! Score on the toaster! The room looks nice. I can't wait to hear whether the little Disney touches made staying on property worthwhile for you guys. Your weather looks perfect for your first park day.

I think we have to weigh all of the pros of staying on property vs. the few cons before making a final decision - I'm not sure where DH stands on the issue right now. We'll have to talk about it soon while it's fresh in his mind. There are definitely some things be enjoyed about being on property.

Ahhhhhhh......the memories! Thanks. When we stayed there in October the greeting/checking for id at the secuirty booth tended to change depending on who was working.....hopefully you got a Welcome Home at some point during your stay.

I have a rule that nothing is brought into a hotel room until I have inspected it. Made that mistake once and had to lug all our luggage back out after I discovered we needed a new room (POP in 2005). So that's when I snap my room picks.

No "Welcome Home" for us since we only drove through the gate once...

I definitely did a big inspection of the room before we unpacked anything - as DH was carrying in the bags I was scurrying around the room checking for bugs, dirt, stains, etc. Everything checked out A-OK!

Ahhh, those pix bring back happy memories! CBR was our first Disney resort!


I never thought about the possibility of an "interior" corner room!


Hope Tim warmed up to it eventually and, Whoa! Awesome score on the toaster!!!


Kathy

Interior corner...
I had a property map, but I can't find it - I think DH took it when he walked to The Custom House to have his key card reissued.

Tim definitely warmed up - I'm just not sure what his choice would be next time around. I know mine... get the best of both worlds and rent DVC points!!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Last night I was asking DH for his feedback on on-property vs. off-property. I think he is definitely in the camp of more space is better... so we'll see...

But he did say that it would be nice to go in the winter instead of the spring... maybe February vacation vs. April vacation. He didn't specifiy which year - so I'm going with 2010!! I don't know if we can actually swing it, but I'm planning our next Disney vacation 9 months from now. We may spend more time with his brother and possibly swing over to visit his grandmother at her assisted living facility, which would mean a little less Disney time, but I'm OK with that.

So let's get through this TR so I can start planning the next one... I'm working on the next update now - hopefully for tonight.

Plus - I still have a fall girls only weekend in the works - maybe?

 

[Charleston Princess]

You made it to Disney! I think CBR is so pretty -- I am interested in hearing the rest of your impressions of the resort!

Hurray for 2010! It eases the pain, doesn't it, to be able to start planning the next trip?

 

[DisMomAmy]

According to my touring plan our plans for Monday, 4/27 were:
Check in/return rental car
Head to Epcot – get Alex’s GAC and go to stroller rental
Ride a couple rides before dinner (SSE, Test Track, Nemo & Soarin?)
Get a Kim Possible FP
Garden Grill @ 4:30pm (TS #1)
Take a walk around WS – maybe do a Kim Possible Adventure
Illuminations?

On our way out of CBR we stopped at the Custom House to ask where the safe was located in the room – for the life of me I couldn’t find it!! Turns out it was behind the curtain that separates the bedroom from the “bathroom” vanity area. Upon returning to the room, we found it easily. We also picked up a map and got directions to the Dolphin & a gas station along the way. Being a little disoriented… I had planned to pick up the kids’ autograph books and a postcard while at the Custom House – oops – back to Old Port Royale we went. We stopped at the room quickly so I could put some of our money in the safe, then I ran into OPR to get the autograph books and postcards. I also used our first two snack credits to buy some apple slices since we hadn’t had lunch & the kids were getting hungry. They at the apples as we made our way to the Dolphin.

We stopped for gas then arrived at the Dolphin – we pulled right up to the front and a valet took the car from us – SUPER EASY – I’d recommend it to anyone. We made our way through the Dolphin and out the back side heading toward Epcot. I didn’t have any idea where I was going but we figured it out and soon arrived at the International Gateway!! Yay!! Our first Disney park of the trip!!

Here are a few pictures from our walk:

Notice Alex is keeping his eyes on those ducks… he has a MAJOR FEAR of animals -

We had some business to take care of before we could explore Epcot. First we had to get through bag check, then we had to make our way through the turnstiles. Then we had to buy our length of stay single stroller ticket and we had to get Alex’s GAC at Guest Relations. Oops – Guest Relations is outside of the turnstiles. Alex & I went out, got the GAC and went back through the turnstiles. There was only one CM at Guest Relations, but we were the only people visiting her so it was perfect! As we passed through security (the first time) Zachary started asking the security guards where he could get a snow cone! Obviously he was hot & hungry – it was funny! They told us at the American Adventure, (I think) but then a couple minutes later one of them ran up to us and told us to go to Japan. That was awfully nice of him! First, Alex had to pick up a map – this would become a trend with him. Every time he saw maps he picked up at least one… he has a bunch as souvenirs!
Finally through the turnstiles with a stroller & a GAC we decided to get us some snowcones! We walked toward Japan:

Zachary needed that snowcone - STAT!

We found the Kaki Gori stand in Japan and got each of the boys a strawberry Kaki Gori using 2 more snack credits. I shared with Alex – it was really good!!

Part 2 continued next post

 

[DisMomAmy]

The Dolphin, then our First Park – Part 2:

Next we made our way to see Nemo & Friends! The kids were asking for this ride all morning. We had a dinner ADR at 4:30 at the Garden Grill so we needed to move in this direction anyways as it was getting to be about 3:00.
A few pictures along the way:

And we saw these guys but didn’t stop since we’d be seeing them at dinner:

We rode Nemo once, looked at a few fish and explored around a little bit.

Next we decided to check out Soarin’. We took a lovely ride over California then it was time to check-in for dinner.

I took Kathy’s advice and asked for a lower level seat when we checked in. The CM was really nice through the whole check in process until I made this request. Her response was, “Uhhh… OK” in a sort of neutral, sort of unpleasant voice. Then she returned to her happy self for the rest of our interaction. We waited about 5 minutes to be seated. We got a lower level seat right near the entrance. My first thought was, yuck, I don’t want to look out into the Land building while I eat, I want to enjoy the restaurant – but then I remembered – of course – the restaurant rotates!! We enjoyed a nice family style meal of yummy bread & honey-orange butter, salad, chicken, beef, fish, veggies & potatoes. The kids had mac & cheese and chicken nuggets – the first of many chicken nuggets!! I probably should have named this report, “Pass the chicken nuggets!” we saw so many chicken nuggets that week! Alex ate more of our food than his food – but we were all satisfied. Our server was awesome! She was from Mass. – not too far from where we live. She was quite playful with the kids – she gave Zach about 50 straws over the course of the meal. She even helped him build them into a house at one point. She was able to go back and forth with Alex’s wise guy comments pretty well too! We had a blueberry dessert of some sort & the kids had worms in the dirt. Yum!! Throughout the meal we had a few visitors too – First Chip, Pluto, Dale & Mickey – we saw them all twice, except for Mickey. We had Mickey sign a postcard for us too – we were sending it back to friends of ours who love Disney too!

Pluto snuck up on Zach and stuck his whiskers in his face:

Obviously Zachary was enjoying the meal… even Mickey couldn’t interrupt him!

Here are a few pictures of the different scenes around the restaurant… the pictures aren’t very good, but we went through jungle, desert and farm scenes – and probably more I’m not remembering…

The kids waiting for us to settle the bill:

We made a full rotation of the restaurant while we ate an after settling our bill (using 4 TS credits and leaving a nice tip for the fun CM) we made our way out of the Land. We decided to leave and hop over to another park…
On the way out we made one more stop to ride SSE, since there was no line.
The kids LOVED SSE! It was closed in 2007 when we were there. They got a real kick out of the computers at the end and seeing their pictures:
Me:

Alex:

Tim & Zach:

But first: I thought I’d post some mystery pictures as clues to something in my next installment. Can you name this photo…

Up next: Did we break the monorail?

 

[carrie6466]

But first: I thought I’d post some mystery pictures as clues to something in my next installment. Can you name this photo…

Up next: Hopping over to…

Is that the pilot's seat on the monorail?

 

[cjackearl]

Great update, Amy! I can't wait to cross over the International Gateway!

Beautiful Epcot pictures. That kaki gori looks very refreshing.

The pictures of the boys with Pluto and the Chipmunk (Chip? Dale?) are my favorites. They look so happy to be in Disney.

I have no idea re:the picture. Can't wait to find out.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Awesome Update Amy!

I just have to say your boys are adorable! Those facial expressions Alex makes are priceless!!

I keep scanning your Epcot pictures to see if I see my family!! LOL! I think that we were doing the opposite of you...we started in FW then headed to WS around 2:30. I wish we had managed to find each other, that would have been fun!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Morocco pictures...my favorite!!

The computers at the end of SSE were so fun! A nice addition. Did you spend any time in the interactive place after you exited the ride? I couldn't drag my boys out of there!

I remember how beautiful it was that day! Very nice pictures..they take me back.

 

[KathyRN137]

Is that the pilot's seat on the monorail?

Darn! That's what I was gonna say, but Carrie beat me to it!!

Didn't you think the lower tier was better at Garden Grill? I'm so glad you had such a good time there!

And I can hear it now...

Doctor: "Nurse, this child needs one snow cone, STAT!!"

Your WS pix are so pretty! I'm looking forward to more...


Kathy

 

[mousescrapper]

But he did say that it would be nice to go in the winter instead of the spring... maybe February vacation vs. April vacation. He didn't specifiy which year - so I'm going with 2010!!
So let's get through this TR so I can start planning the next one... I'm working on the next update now - hopefully for tonight.

what about the "other" winter and go in late November of 010?

Is that the pilot's seat on the monorail?

That is a great guess!

Nice first day into the parks...glad the car rental drop off thing worked like breeze!

Your pictures are nice, the boys faces and the weather looks wonderful!

On your way to MK

J-

 

[MRYPPNS]

Beautiful pictures of WS!

 

[Charleston Princess]

What a great first night at Epcot! Love all the WS pictures and the Garden Grill looks really neat -- I love the idea that it rotates while you eat!

Looks like someone got to ride in the front of the monorail!

 

[DisMomAmy]

You made it to Disney! I think CBR is so pretty -- I am interested in hearing the rest of your impressions of the resort!

Hurray for 2010! It eases the pain, doesn't it, to be able to start planning the next trip?

Even if it isn't a definite trip - it's still fun to start dreaming about it!

Is that the pilot's seat on the monorail?

And Yes!! You win!!

Great update, Amy! I can't wait to cross over the International Gateway!

Beautiful Epcot pictures. That kaki gori looks very refreshing.

The pictures of the boys with Pluto and the Chipmunk (Chip? Dale?) are my favorites. They look so happy to be in Disney.

I have no idea re:the picture. Can't wait to find out.

The kaki gori was the best snowcone I've ever eaten!! Chip has the brown chocolate chip nose.

Awesome Update Amy!

I just have to say your boys are adorable! Those facial expressions Alex makes are priceless!!

I keep scanning your Epcot pictures to see if I see my family!! LOL! I think that we were doing the opposite of you...we started in FW then headed to WS around 2:30. I wish we had managed to find each other, that would have been fun!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Morocco pictures...my favorite!!

The computers at the end of SSE were so fun! A nice addition. Did you spend any time in the interactive place after you exited the ride? I couldn't drag my boys out of there!

I remember how beautiful it was that day! Very nice pictures..they take me back.

That's funny - I do that too - when I read TRs from the same time as me - I look for myself. We didn't stick around the interactive place after SSE - we were on a mission... more to come!

Alex was really funny all week - making funny faces and getting in every picture.