Booked and Checked In - on the same day... Here's how our weekend went., Completed 7/30

[LovesTimone]

So like most of you, I like to check and see what going on and I was looking for a few days in October, when we have our sweet little Grandson while his Mom and Dad are in Jamaica. Then I thought why not see what the rates are today while I'm looking around. As a AP holder and Florida Resident sometimes there are a few really great room rates. Wow was I surprised to find a great rate for a king bed room at Caribbean Beach. So I called DH and he said book it, and by the way I was planning on coming home early today. So I quickly booked it for 2 nights ... and here how things went for our weekend getaway.

Friday 21, 6:30 AM... Everything all booked ....booked room and scored a couple of ADR's, and fastpasses.

So I wanted to be ready to go when DH got home, So I grabbed a couple of bags and started packing for the both of us, shorts, shirts, swimwear, under-clothes, flip flops, pulled down one of the collapsible cooler, pool bag, set out his shave kit, and got my makeup bag together. Went and ran some errands, got home, I re-showered as I got caught in a downpour and was soak, as I was getting dress, DH got home, he hits the shower and we finish up the packing and we are in the car....

30 minutes later we are pulling up to the guard station at Caribbean Beach Resort. WOW so much construction going on..

3:55 - Check in - Was quick and painless, no lines, We got Aruba, corner room, 1st floor, King bed all ready to go, back to the car.

So before you could turn left or right, as of right now your only option is to turn left, you have to drive all the way around the to get to these "island", there was lots of parking...so we did get to park right at our building 53... Grabbed the bags, found the room, took a few minutes to get settled. Then headed for the bus stop. Building 53 and our room was right in between the stops for Aruba and Jamaica... We walked over to Jamaica, and it was maybe a few steps closer.

5:30 We were walking through security at DHS.. We had Dinner ADR's at 7:20, so we thought we would check out all the new stuff, Stop for a couple of photopass shots, then the star wars show was starting up on the main stages, so we watched that. Then we started just kinda walking around, we though we might walk thru Toy Story land... you can't even get close, so we went back around the Chinese theater, and ran into some storm trooper, and after checking our documents, we were cleared to move along... so after that we decided to grab a adult beverage which was needed after a close call, see we are resistances fighters... SHHHHH don't tell anyone... so we continued on walking around... then we found what I guess will be the gateway into Star Wars land, huge mural of the Millennium Falcon, and the signs for when it expect to be open. By this time it was getting close to our ADR time, so we found Mama Melrose's. Checked in and we did wait around 15 minutes past our ADR time.

Review of Mama Melrose's 7:20pm- This was our first time eating here, and I was a little nervous as to alot of unfavorable reviews... But we were pleasantly surprised, the interior decor was fine a bit dated, but reminded me of some of the places we like to eat in little Italy in NYC... so all good. Our server was great from start to finish, no complaint at all. I had the Bellini Cocktail, is was very good, not overly sweet and nice and cold... so good, I did have a second one...DH went with a Moretti beer which he did enjoy a couple of them... there is a bread basket, with olive oil and herbs, the rolls were hot which is a win for us. We did order a mushroom flat bread for a appetizer, and honestly you could have made a meal on just this alone. It was the way we like flatbread...the crust was very thin and crispy, with the edges just a little over done... DH went with the Chicken Parmigiana, there was not enough sauce for the spaghetti, but DH said it was tender and had a good taste. I choose the Saltimbocca, portion was very large, 3 pieces all good size, with mashed potatoes, depending on how hungry you were this might be a option to share, but you would need to get a side of just mashed potatoes, cause I will not share mashed potatoes. I really enjoyed this dish, and would order it again... We were so full that no way could have even thought about having dessert... We would eat here again, overall great experience.

By this time after 9:00 pm, we were both tired and decided to call it a night. We did walk through the stores on the way out, but nothing really spoke to us to buy... Back on the bus...

Lights out at 11:00

Up next Saturday...

 

[missangelalexis]

I would love to be only 30 minutes away from Disney! Your first night sounds like it was great

 

[Eve & Wall-e]

How fun! DH and I would love to be able to do a spontaneous weekend like that, but alas, we live too far away. Looking forward to reading about your next two days.

 

[LovesTimone]

OP here, Good Morning

So we woke up on Saturday at 5:30 am, I was like... nope we are on a mini vacation, back to sleep... and we both did fall back to sleep until 8:00 am. Which for us is really sleeping in late. Yay!!! for us... We checked the weather forecast, and decided on breakfast and pool time. On go the swimsuits, coverup, pool bags... check and double check...

Out the door and ready to go, when we walked out on to the sidewalk around the lake, We both said WOW... We could not believe all the construction, a huge building is going up at the end of the lake, as well as the support tower for the skylift are in place around most of the resort, the old food court area, shutters, the gift shop, and the pool bar is completely closed off and alot is happening. So once we started over the bridge we could really see what was going on, the pool, hot tub and kids pirate pool are open. Once at the end of the bridge you must turn right and follow the sidewalk around the pool at the end of the fenced area, on the left will be some food trucks, and a giant tent that serve as the restaurant, as well as a makeshift Banana Cabana pool bar, and another food truck, I think that they were braiding hair or something along those lines.

The choice is Food Truck or Buffet, we choose the buffet... It was 31 and some change for the both of up for breakfast buffet so around 14 buck per person. You pay at one food truck, and then move around to get your band... a paper wrist band. Then you find a seat, and hit the buffet. ( I think that lunch is burgers, and sandwiches, and dinner is back to buffet)

Review of the Buffet - For us is was really okay not great but not bad .... its like all the food court choices laid out buffet style like a self serve Bounty platter.... Mickey Waffles, strawberry topping and syrup, a kettle of grits, and oatmeal, yogurt bar, scrambled eggs, and whatever a farmers scramble was meant to be, it looked like they threw a ton of green and red peppers chunks on top of a pan of scrambled eggs, sausage links like the ones they normally serve in the food court, potato casserole which looked kind strange more like something you would make at home not that bright orange cheese look... but did taste really good. Sausage gravy and biscuits, bacon, ham slices, a whole cabinet full of danishes, donuts, bread, muffins, and bagels, self serve drinks- including, juice, soda and coffee, there was a choice of cereal and milk. The tables and chairs are the same ones that they use in the food court. There are some banners hanging up with photos of what everything will look like once done.. Overall for 15 bucks each we were full and happy with the choices. They do cut off your band when you exit the restaurant. If you need the restroom, I think you have to use the ones in the pool area.

After breakfast we headed right to the pool, found some chairs, set up our towels, sunscreen, and let the relaxing begin... it was just before 10:00 am... We did get in the water and it was so nice... The pool area wasn't crazy crowded yet, and you could actually swim around a bit... it did get busy later on, but not like some of the times we have seen it. We stayed until around 12:30ish... I did want to bring up that there were some questionable family friendly swim wear... two women had on a thong bathing suits, yep it was a double full moon... I was surprised when a CM came out and spoke to them, and escorted them back to their chairs, to put on shorts or a cover up. Also a man had on what looked like white see through running short shorts, and that was all, once he got out of the pool.... Yikes... same CM came out with a security guy, and they made him leave the pool. The family that was next to us said he was there the day before in much less... I thought how could it get much less.... After talking to her a while, she did say that she worked for Disney, and that they were taking the clothing and costume policy seriously, due to so many complaints from guest.... not only at the pools, and water parks but in the parks as well..


So we headed back to our room, and decide that since it was starting to rain that a nap was in order.... YAY.... a nap....

That's all for today, I have sewing to do...I will pick up tomorrow...

 

[LovesTimone]

OP here

So we napped for around an hour and a half, I got up and showered and DH slept till I was out of the shower, then we were rested, clean and ready to go... So we headed into Epcot.
We had fast passes for "Spaceship Earth" with is one of my favorites, then "Soaring", and "Living with the land". So once we were all done with the rides, we headed over to the world Showcase.

Well now.... they are already setting up the different kiosk booths for Food and Wine. There were no signs showing which country would be in each booth. Just sign giving the dates of the Food And Wine... DH and I love to attend, normally we go a few times, and try to hit all the countries... we enjoy trying the food, and beverages... for us it's not about drinks around the world all in one day, just getting to old for hangovers....

So we wandered over to Canada, DH wanted a Moosehead beer, and I normally don't get anything here, they did offer something new, some type of blueberry frosty adult beverage... It was really really good and was not overpowered with to much alcohol I don't like drinks were all you can taste it the alcohol... There is also a non alcoholic version. This is definitely a blueberry based drink, with a blueberry puree... really refreshing... and I would order it again.
We strolled around and watch the band in between Canada, and the England, they are really entertaining, and fun to watch... We did stop in and look around in the stores, but again nothing said you must buy me.... We wandered along to France.... which some of you know that France is one of my favorite places in the world here and in the real world... So a Kronenberg Beer for DH and for me a Grand Mariner Orange Slush... this is my favorite adult beverage at WDW.... so good... So more wandering and hand holding... We looked through most of the stores and still nothing spoke to me...

We were both starting to get hungry and thankfully we arrived in Japan, which was were our ADR's for dinner was Teppan Edo... So we did check in about 15 minutes early for our reservation but decided to go ahead and wait up stairs. We only waited about 5 minutes and the buzzer lit up and we were off to our table... and here's the review.

Teppan Edo - communal dinning, hibachi style food preparing... Our server was very attentive, took everyone's drink order, and did bring water out for everyone, I'm not sure if everyone order water, or if she just brought it for everyone...Which was nice... then reminded everyone again not to touch the flat top. For dinner DH went with the Filet and Shrimp... which now you have to order the filet and a side of shrimp, there is not a combo with the filet and shrimp anymore ( just the steak and shrimp combo is offered)... I went with the scallops... we also ordered a volcano roll.... There was a lady with a shellfish allergy, so our chef explained that she would cook her food first, then the rest of the tables. We have order the volcano roll several times, but OMG the sauce was so hot (spicy) it was blazing hot... I could not eat it... I did get a piece or two at the bottom that the sauce had not really gotten on.... next time we will order the sauce on the side... Normally it has a bit of heat... this was just to hot... so just beware.... The rest of our meal was great, the show the chef put on was really cute... The family next to us was from New Jersey and they were just great table mate... The couple on the other end was honeymooning... and they were in their on world... Oh yes... DH order a Kirin beer and I went with a Mojito classic.... it was very well made, not to much mint or lime juice, and alot of ice which for me is a mojito's must have...
Overall great evening... We love it here, and will be back...

Our timing was perfect, we walked out and found a spot to watch Illuminations, which even with us seeing it so many times. We still enjoy it... Just to two of us, with DH's arm draped over my shoulder, and us leaning into each other... watching the fireworks, and listening to the music... watching the world spin... Great evening...

So with the rest of the crowd we started out... We did stop in at Mouse Gear... to see if anything was going home with us... and still nothing...

So we headed for the bus stop, and we got lucky there was one there, and we walked right on... Quick trip to Caribbean Beach, but with all the construction I think that there was more traffic and it seemed like it took forever to get to our " Island"

Finally back in the room, ready for bed, lights out 11:30...

I will finish with up with Sunday...

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

How lucky are you living so close!!!

 

[cinderaimee]

What a wonderful evening at Epcot!

 

[missangelalexis]

What a great day between spending time at the pool and going to Epcot! Your meal sounds like it was nice, capped off with a viewing of Illuminations!

Crazy about the outfits you saw at the pool that day!

 

[Monykalyn]

Sounds like a really terrific quick weekend getaway! Can I say I’m a wee bit jealous you live so close ? Although just DH and I are going next week, we are picking up kid from her second DCP. And I’m gonna have to look for that blueberry drink, and the orange slushie in France is my favorite too!

 

[LovesTimone]

OP here, and ready to finish my trip report..

On... Sunday morning, we woke up about 7:00, and I thought it would be nice to get a late check out. I have tried a couple of times but we were not lucky to get a late check out... but I thought .. what can it hurt to try again, so I called, and made the request... I was told someone will call you back if you are approved, if no call back 11:00 is check out time... So about 20 minutes later, the phone rang, and we were granted some pixie dust... Yay... 1:00 late check out... So we decided to hit the pool for a while... so we did go the breakfast buffet route, it was busier than the day before, but we did find a seat, and as far as the buffet it was basically the same, but the farmers scramble did looked a lot better, and there we boiled eggs, shredded cheese, and a few other items on the buffet not sure if I just missed them the first morning, or they were an addition. After breakfast, we found some chairs and hit the water.... it was already starting to get humid and the sky had that tell tale sign we were going to get some serious rain later on... But for now the water was great, and it there was a nice breeze which really helped. We were going get a frozen drink but the Banana Cabana bar wasn't opened yet, so we just got a coke at the food truck... As a matter of fact when we left the banana cabana was opened yet... We hung out till, around 12:00.

We walked back to the room, there were a lot of ducks in the water, turtles sunning themselves, even could see quite a few fish in the water, and a couple of large herons looking for some lunch along the banks... Once back in the room, we were going to go to MK and I did have some FP's, but with the weather starting to show signs of rain, we were up in the air about what to do...
So we took a quick shower, and got dressed, and went through the room, making sure not to miss anything.. Once in the car, we decided to just head home, I did cancel our FP's so some else would have a shot at them.... so a quick stop at Publix and we were home... We had just made it into the house when the first clap of thunder started, and the rain... So once we got everything out of the car, and changed into comfy clothes, DH was like you know this is rain is perfect for napping... So that's what we did took a nap for about 2 hours or so...

Oh the life of a empty nester....

We had a wonderful weekend.... Looking forward to food and wine... or if we get a wild hair to just go on the spur of the moment...

 

[missangelalexis]

Nice perk getting late checkout! Sounds like a nice end to your quick getaway weekend