Amy's Fabulous Split StayTrip Report!!!! (Finally)... - Page 5 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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I can't tell you enough how much I loved it there! To me, it was such a huge step up from a Value resort where you feel so closed in, and there's noise, and crowds, at CBR you just don't feel any of that.
I just have to say, the $300-400 more for an upgrade for 7-9 days to go from a Value to a Mod is totally worth every penny!!!! We are now permanently converted, and I think that CBR will probably become our "regular" resort.
I am so glad to hear this and thank you for your review of CBR!! We were originally booked into ASMov, got a little bigger tax return and decided to upgrade to CBR as a "little" splurge...we have questioned that decision because I have heard iffy reviews but after reading your TR I'm convinced this will be the place for us! Especially where you said it's so laid back! That's one thing DH and I appreciate in avacation locale! You have made me want the next month to fly by even more now so we can get there and check this out for ourselves!!
I'm enjoying your TR! We loved CBR when we stayed back in 2002. We were in Martinique. I loved that resort. Your descriptions are great. You make me want to book 'Ohana's for breakfast! Maybe next trip! More please...
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Great pics. I am debating CP or 1900 Park Fare. Thanks for the review of CP.
Well, since you mentioned 1900PF, I am going to go "off schedule" and talk about that next! (then I will get back to day#3) On Saturday morning we got up at 6:15, showered and got the boys together, got to the bus stop at Trinidad South by 7:20, the MK bus was there in 5 minutes. We were the last pickup and there were only about 12 people on the bus. I swear the driver knew a back route, he got us to MK in 11 minutes! Then we hopped the monorail to Grand Floridian. That is the perfect time of day to ask to ride in the front of the monorail - it's pretty quiet then! And we were lucky enough to get picked! It was our first time! Here are the picks of our ride in the front with the monorail conductor, Ron - he has been driving the monorail for 12 years....
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~Amy~
Last edited by Buffalogirl18; 05-11-2009 at 08:41 AM..
1900PF Breakfast......this was our first visit....first they take a family picture, which is much like any other they take at CRT, O'haha, Chef Mickey's, they will come to the table and offer it to you for $30. We passed, I just don't see it being worth the $ when we already have a million pics on our camera, as well as on the Photopass too! The buffet was excellent, tons of choices, nothing that really stuck out - it was comparable to the food at Crystal Palace if you've ever been there for breakfast. They had Omelets made to order, Mickey Waffles, pancakes, the usual meats, muffins & pastries - including those incredible chocolate croissants that my family loves so much, bagels and toast, smoked salmon, fruit and such - and the ice cream sundae station was even running - as if we'd allow the kids to eat that at 8 in the morning!
The characters were terrific, especially Mary Poppins who just fawned over the boys, telling DS15 how handsome he was, and treating DS7 like a young gentleman, calling him "sir" and putting her arm under his for the picture. I love how the never "break character". The Mad Hatter was the best, he spent a lot of time at each table, and would mess around with the kids food, asking why they did or didn't finish certain things, and in that terrifically goofy voice of his he just messed around with DS7 - told him that when we rode the Teacups that day we should try spinning them the opposite way - he was so excited to try that later on! (It was hilarious when it didn't really work )....Alice was flirting with DS15 and made him blush, Tigger came over and stole my cinammon bun - it was just a ton of fun, and the whole room was hopping with joy and craziness! DH and the kids have decided that 1900PF goes on our "must do" list for next year ...
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Ok, so where was I? After all the hooplah on Day #2 at Magic Kingdom, we had a late dinner ressie at 9pm at Chef Mickey's, we love having a later dinner there, because it's always less crowded, and you seem to get more face time with the characters, they have less rounds to make, so they spend more time at your table, and have more time to goof around with the kids too! The food never disappoints us here, and the service is always consistently great, we've never gone for breakfast, but we go for dinner every year. Here are some pics...
I just love how Pluto has to put the autograph book on his nose to sign it, it's so cute!
DAY #3 - EPCOT!!!
We did not do a character breakfast this morning, I know! Big surprise! It is one of only two days this trip that we won't be doing one! So, before I move on - let me give you our dining itinerary for the whole trip - and don't worry, I will give reviews of all the meals as we progress, but sorry, don't really have any pics of food, I didn't think to do that - I promise I will next trip though!
Here's Our food Itinerary:
Mon April 27th:
B- airport
L- SciFi Diner
D- Shutters @ CBR
Tue April 28th:
B- O'hana
L- Crystal Palace
D- Chef Mickey's
Wed April 29th:
B- Old Port Royale Food Court at CBR
L- Restaurant Marrakesh in Morroco @ Epcot
D- Chefs de France
Thu April 30th:
B- Hollywood & Vine
L- SciFi Diner
D- Cape May Clam Bake at Beach Club
Fri May 1st
B- OPR Food Court @ CBR
L- Coral Reef @ Epcot
D- Tutto Italia
Sat May 2nd
B- 1900PF @ GF
L- Cosmic Ray's Cafe
D- Whispering Canyon Cafe @ WL
Sun May 3rd
B- Tusker House
L- Pizzafari
D- Boma
Mon May 4th
B- quick stuff from Mara
L- ABC Commissary
D- Mara
Tue May 5th
B- Crystal Palace
L- Cosmic Ray's Cafe
D- airport
We "slept in" today until 7:15 . I know! What were we thinking?! We took the beautiful 5 minute stroll over to Old Port Royale at 8:30 to have breakfast. I really can't say enough about Caribbean Beach Resort....it is so beautiful, expansive, well-groomed, and just peaceful! It didn't matter what time of day we were out walking, there were always CM's out there maintaining the grounds, taking care of things on the property, and everyone we passed by had a smile and a hello for us. Even the CM's passing by in the water on their boats would wave and smile. Again, CBR just has a very laxed, leisurely feel to it. I really loved it there. Now, the food court - it really doesn't feel like a food court at all, but more like a Caribbean marketplace. And, it's really well managed and organized. It was busy, but not hectic, and there were a lot of people there, but it did not feel crowded or overwhelming at all, and it was easy to navigate, and check out was quick and efficient, and there was no trouble with food, the dining plan, or with getting a place to sit! Everything was very clean, and there were several CM's walking around cleaning off tables, emptying trash, and helping people with their trays. A manager even came to our table and asked us how we were doing and asked if we needed anything - that was very refreshing to see! We just had some quick stuff - muffins, bagels, juice, DS7 had the kids Mickey waffles with bacon, which were hot, fresh, and tasty. Everything was very fresh, good portions, and everyone around us seemed happy and pleased with their food as well. The drink/mug refill stations were also surprising clean/not sticky as we've seen at other resorts.
So, about 9:15 we went over to the Old Port Royale Bus stop, there was an Epcot bus pulling up right at that time (yay!). It stopped at Trinidad North & South and then headed off to Epcot. (that only took maybe 3 minutes total to stop at those two before we headed out). We got to Epcot in less than 10 minutes. We did our family pics at the entrance, and let me tell you, the Flower and Garden Festival never disappoints - this is our third time visiting during the F&GF and it was just gorgeous! Here are a few pics...
After our stop for pics - which the kids were not thrilled about - we ran straight for Spaceship Earth. (the kids hate it when we have to pause that long for pictures - they just want to get right in to the fun - but what they don't understand is that it's the pictures that will help them keep that magic going later on ). So, Spaceship Earth - I am really pleased with the upgrades that they've made to this attraction. Sadly, most of my pics of the actual ride did not turn out - it's just too dark in there, and if you use a flash you lose the effect of the scenes - that's true for a lot of the attractions that are dark - POTC, Nemo, etc. Anyway, I did get some really cute shots of our "alter egos" on their Journeys in the Future....
We love CBR. We stayed there our last two trips and it was so quiet and we used the quiet pools in the mornings near our island and were often the only ones in the pools. CBR is so wonderful for relaxation.
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PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
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The Mad Hatter was the best, he spent a lot of time at each table, and would mess around with the kids food, asking why they did or didn't finish certain things, and in that terrifically goofy voice of his he just messed around with DS7 - told him that when we rode the Teacups that day we should try spinning them the opposite way - he was so excited to try that later on! (It was hilarious when it didn't really work 
)....Alice was flirting with DS15 and made him blush, Tigger came over and stole my cinammon bun - it was just a ton of fun, and the whole room was hopping with joy and craziness! DH and the kids have decided that 1900PF goes on our "must do" list for next year 
. I know! What were we thinking?! 
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