Managing the Herd: A 4 generation trip with 10 people at Caribbean Beach Resort

[Tammy O.]

So I'm pretty new to the DIS boards. We just got back from a 11 night/13 day trip to the World and I thought I would share our experience. I have really enjoyed reading lots of trip reports while waiting for our vacation to start so I thought it only appropriate to share mine as well.

Introduction

We have been planning this trip for about 10 months. We went to Disney in 2015 and had a great time. There was definitely a learning curve on planning things like fastness+ (FP+) and making advanced dining reservations (ADR). We didn’t want all of that knowledge to go to waste so we began planning the 2016 trip. It started as a 7 night trip that just kept growing to a whopping 11 nights/13 days!! We booked at Caribbean Beach Resort for the 11 nights with 9 day park hopper tickets and was able to score the free dining promotion. Our total for 3 adults (me-Tammy, Dave my husband and Stephen our 22 year old son) and a 5 year old (our grand daughter Amirah) was $5606.32. We flew from Indianapolis and our plane tickets were approximately $240 each. My parents, James and Linda, also are going with us in their own room. My sister Sherri, her husband Matt and their 2 kids Emily and Josh are driving in the following day.

Let me start by introducing all of the players and then I will get into the trip report:


Me-Tammy (AKA MiMi)


My Husband Dave (AKA my Lobster--it's a Friends reference or Paw paw)



My Son Stephen (AKA best uncle ever)




Our adorable granddaughter Amirah (She is our daughter's child, but she couldn't come this trip because she had a baby Jan.1st.)



My Mom (AKA GiGi)



My Dad (AKA Great Grandpa)



My Sister Sherri



My Brother-in-law Matt




My Niece Emily (9yo)




My Nephew Joshua (11yo)



Day 1
http://www.disboards.com/threads/ma...caribbean-beach-resort.3558440/#post-56704290

Day 2 part 1
http://www.disboards.com/threads/ma...caribbean-beach-resort.3558440/#post-56704414

Day 2 part 2
http://www.disboards.com/threads/ma...caribbean-beach-resort.3558440/#post-56704488

Day 3 part 1
http://www.disboards.com/threads/ma...caribbean-beach-resort.3558440/#post-56704654

Day 3 part 2
http://www.disboards.com/threads/ma...caribbean-beach-resort.3558440/#post-56704749

 

[Tammy O.]

Day 1-Thursday Sept.22, 2016

Our flight was very early that Thursday morning—5:50 am so that meant a wake up time of about 3-ish. We drove my parent’s truck to the airport and parked it there. Security was pretty easy and quick. Amirah was super excited for her very first airplane ride. We had a direct flight and arrived in Orlando at about 8 am. Magical Express was really easy. Just a quick check in and a 15 minute wait and we were on the road. The only thing I regret is that we didn't get any pictures at the airport with the fun Disney photo ops. Oh well. There's always next time.

At the resort we left our luggage with bell services and did a quick check in with the front desk. Our rooms weren’t ready, but they said they would text us. We took the internal bus around to Old Port Royale to get something to eat. It was about 10:45 so my parent’s grabbed breakfast while the rest of us decided to wait until 11 for the lunch offerings. Everything was good except the pasta with marinara sauce—very bland. We then headed to the pool for a couple of hours. I was the only one who would get in with Amirah, but we had fun. The pool is really amazing. It is themed really well. There was a cast member leading games with a beach ball and then trivia. We had fun participating in that. Amirah had fun at the splash pad too. I don't have the pics from that on my computer yet because I took them with my parent's waterproof camera. I will post some later


.

Our room was ready at about 2 pm and we went to freshen up for dinner at Disney Springs. We had one of the pirate rooms and they did a great job with the decor. There was plenty of storage space which really helped with 4 of us in the room. Plus, I always over pack no matter how hard I try not to.

We took the bus over to Disney Springs for our reservation at Raglan Road Irish Pub. We arrived 30 minutes early, but we were all exhausted so we checked in and luckily they were able to seat us early. The band and the Irish dancers were great! They had all of the kids come up on stage to learn a few dance moves. Amirah loved that! She is always happy to be in the spotlight. The food was really good too. I would highly recommend this place. It was really fun. Apparently I was so tired that I forgot to take any pics of the food.

It rained while we were in the restaurant and the stroller got soaked. Amirah fell asleep in the restaurant so we took turns carrying her to the bus stop. The stroller cover is being delivered tomorrow from Amazon so hopefully that won’t happen again. For a little thing, Amirah is too heavy to carry! We were all exhausted so we didn’t do any shopping. We headed back to the hotel and turned in early to rest up for our big day tomorrow.

 

[Tammy O.]

Day2 Friday Sept. 23, 2016 Part 1

We got up refreshed and ready to see the Kingdom! Our grocery order came last night, so we had continental breakfast items. We headed out about 8:40 and lucked into a bus heading to MK as we arrived at the bus stop. I’m so glad we started off in MK. I just can’t describe the happiness that I feel walking on Main Street. We got our picture in front of the castle and we were lucky enough to run into the Mayor!



Our first attraction was Enchanted Tales with Belle. Amirah loved it. She didn’t get picked for one of the main parts, but was excited to be an enchanted saddle. Mom was hungry and I really wanted to try the cinnamon rolls at Gaston’s Tavern so that’s where we headed next. They were huge. Me, Dave, Stephen and Amirah split one and so did my parents. We brought our Brita filtered water bottle and refilled that as well. Great tip to bring those along. We have already saved over the amount we paid for them.



Next we headed over and rode Dumbo twice and Amirah explored the play area in the line que.



She was too scared to scared to ride Barnstormer. Maybe when Emily is here to ride it with her. We had a FP for meeting Ariel in her Grotto and we also rode the Little Mermaid. Amirah was so cute when she was talking to Ariel. She is her favorite Princess right now.



By this time, the crew was hungry and wanted somewhere they could sit down and eat. We headed over to Tomorrowland and ate at Cosmic Ray’s. This group of 6 works pretty well together. We have basically figured out the dining plan so Dad tells Mom what he wants and he goes to scout us out a table. I help Mom order and then order with the boys. Dad had done his job and found us a table by the time we had our food.

Since we were near Buzz Lightyear, we decided to go and save the planet from aliens. This ride has a special place in my heart. Megan (our daughter--Amirah's mom) and Stephen absolutely loved this ride when we brought them as kids. It’s a lot of fun taking Amirah on it now too.



We then went over to Monster’s Inc. Laugh Factory. We really enjoyed this last year and Stephen and Dave didn’t get to do it. It was ok this time, but not as funny since our group wasn’t singled out. Last year since Amirah was sitting on my lap, they called us the two headed monster, LOL! Then it was time for us to head back to the room to meet up with Sherri and her family. She had been texting all morning and checking out our photopass pics so they were excited to get here! Hugs all around and we helped get them settled in their room. We ordered a cheap toaster and the stroller covers from Amazon and they had arrived. We are literally the farthest rooms away from the food court so the toaster will really come in handy for our bagels and english muffins.

 

[Tammy O.]

• Day2 Friday Sept. 23, 2016 Part 2

The plan for tonight is to go to Hollywood Studios and we left about 6pm. They had EMH until 10:30.



Our main purpose for going is to stop at guest services for disability passes when the lines wouldn’t be so long. My nephew is autistic and just can’t do the lines. My Dad is a disabled vet and had lung cancer in 2014 where they had to remove part of his right lung. He can not wait in the heat. We put Amirah, Mom and Dad on one since they don’t ride roller coasters/thrill rides. Everyone else was on my nephew’s. Sherri, Matt and Emily had a FP for Tower of Terror so after we got the disability passes set up, we headed that way.



While they rode TOT, the rest of us decided to check out a couple of shops. My Mom wanted to buy everyone their ears this trip. Amirah picked out some pink ones--actually they are the ones in my avatar photo. She was so funny. The cartoon on Magical Express was an old Mickey one where he loses his ears and can’t hear anything. As we were waiting for the group to gather she said, “I’m so glad I have my ears so I can hear everything”. She then took them off and said, “Time for some peace and quiet”. She is a funny kid. Dave and my dad were being funny too practicing their grumpy old men faces. Totally should be the Christmas card pic for this year!



Next on the agenda, Rock-n-Roller Coaster. My ride pic is hilarious! We were all ready for dinner at this point, but unfortunately, most of the restaurants seemed to be closed. We were tired anyway so we decided to go back to the resort and eat at the food court. HS was packed and felt like a mad house anyway.



Funny story. Matt, Dave, Dad, and Stephen didn’t get off with us at the food court. They rode to our room bus stop and then Matt was suppose to drive them all back to the food court so we could drive back instead of waiting on the bus. He forgot we didn’t have a car and left them in the room and only remembered when we asked where everyone else was. He quickly went back and got them and I’m pretty sure they didn’t even realize they were forgotten LOL!

We were all very tired and ready for bed!

 

[Tammy O.]

Day 3- Saturday Sept. 24, 2016 Part 1

So HS last evening was really tiring. We decided to go in later in the morning and left at about 10. We sat forever waiting on a bus.. Literally over 45 minutes. A cast member who was tracking the bus times happened by and gave us some extra FPs for our inconvenience. That was really nice of her. Part of the frustration was that the tv screen that shows wait times for the busses was broken so we had no idea when the next one was coming.



We finally arrived at HS and headed straight to 50’s Prime Time Dining for our 12:15 reservation. The servers were really funny and we got in trouble for having electronics out and elbows on the table. Don't you love Amirah's pouty face because we won't let her play with the iPad. The food was really good too. Definitely a fun place to eat.

For the most part everyone is still getting along, but with this many it's hard to keep everyone together. Stephen and I decided that 10 may be just a little much to try to stay together. HS is hard too because there isn’t as much to do. Like Josh wanted to look at the Indiana Jones gift shop and we just stood and waited for like a half an hour. I should have looked at my phone to see what was around and the wait times. Lesson learned and we will work on that.

We got several things done though—Star Tours 2, The Muppets, Indiana Jones show, M&G with Olaf, Toy Story Midway Mania, M&G with Buzz and Woody, and Rock-N-Roller Coaster.

 

[Tammy O.]

Day 3- Saturday Sept. 24, 2016 part 2

The M&G with Buzz and Woody was fun. I love that they have stuff to keep you busy in the line. We got some fun photos. I got some pics of Stephen with just Buzz. When he was 6 he loved the Toy Story movie and we took the kids to Disney in 1998 over Christmas. He took the money that Santa had sent him and bought a big Buzz lightyear. I think I may even still have that. This brought back some fond memories and is one of the reasons why I think people keep going back. There is great nostalgia!!



The M&G with Olaf was a lot of fun too. I can confirm that he does love warm hugs!



So when we rode Rock-N-Roller Coaster I told myself that I was going to smile for the ride pic this time. Well that didn't work out lol! I really love it. That must be my happy face.



We then had dinner at Catalina Eddies and Rosie’s All Star Cafe. Mom and Dad left after that and the rest of us headed over to our FP for Fantasmic. The show was really good. The crowd dispersing afterwards was crazy because of the bottle neck at the exit. This is the first day of wearing T-shirts that I made. We got several compliments and several people even asked where they could buy them. Having the same color shirts really helps to keep the herd together! We were all ready to get back to our rooms. Of course, the line for the bus was very long!!

 

[dmea10]

Following along! I love your husbands Hulk shirt! Did you make that or purchase it?
I also noticed the Boston shirt. I was born and raised in Boston. Just relocated to Tennessee last year.

 

[Tammy O.]

Following along! I love your husbands Hulk shirt! Did you make that or purchase it?
I also noticed the Boston shirt. I was born and raised in Boston. Just relocated to Tennessee last year.

Thanks dmea10 for reading. I need to get busy and get some more written! I mainly decided to do it for my granddaughter to put in a memory book with pics from the trip. I thought she might like that when she gets older. The Hulk shirt I think we bought at Target last year. That's my sister's Boston shirt. Her husband has family up there.