Travel

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

I can’t even begin to tell you how much time and work went into studying the layout of Disney World. None of it could even come close to preparing us for the absolute enormity of this place! It’s not a theme park, it’s not a few blocks, it’s not a one-stop destination. When they say Disney World is a destination, that’s no exaggeration. As we passed under the welcome to Disney World sign, I was completely overwhelmed by the size of this place! Thank heavens for Google Maps, the My Disney Experience App (a MUST have!) and lots of signs.

We followed the simple and concise directions straight to the building we were staying in at the Caribbean Beach Resort (naturally we’d pick one of the most spread out, massive resorts). One of the absolute coolest things about how Disney makes the magic happen? Between the app and our Magic Bands, we had everything we needed right there. We didn’t have to go to the lobby to check in, we didn’t have to wait for our room, as soon as we parked, I clicked on “check in” and boom! We were able to scan the door lock with our magic bands and we were in. It seemed too good to be true, too easy, but honestly the entire trip was like that. They really do take the worry out of keeping track of things. As long as I could find one of our magic bands or my phone, I had everything I needed.

Our room was so awesome! We stayed in the Trinidad building which was really far away from the lobby and main pool, but it was right next to the Spyglass Grill, the bus stop and the Trinidad Village Pool which we utilized frequently. Why so far away from the center of the action? Duh…Pirate Rooms!

Not just a pirate shower curtain or picture on the wall, but full-blown Disney Style Pirate decorating! The beds were pirate ships, the lights were lanterns,  the carpet was a world map, the curtain separating the bathroom was a skull and crossbones, mini fridge was a whiskey barrel, TV stand was a crate,  the table top was Jack Sparrow’s compass, pirate ships on the shower curtain, pictures…wow! Only Disney could pull something this amazing off. Honestly, the only complaint I can muster is that I wish the beds had been Queen beds instead of Double beds. That is the very reason I only booked 2 nights here. I knew after a couple of days in the park we’d need a little more space.

Long drive, need to stretch and relax…hmmm…let’s go to Old Port Royale (aka the lobby, giant pool and center of the action)!

Again, no one does scene setting and decorating like Disney. No one in the entire world that ever lived can do what they can do and this pool was no exception. Not one, but two water slides (one through a dark tunnel), cannons, forts, hammocks, palm trees, sandy beaches, a light house and a gigantic pirate ship play area. I’m not a kid, but even I got a little giddy at the sight!

The kids hit the pool and Dad & I meandered on over to the oh so conveniently adjacent Banana Cabana. (Thank you Disney for thinking of the parents too!) I don’t remember what my husband had (other than they were out of Kraken Rum so the bartender more than compensated with something else) but I had their signature drink, the Banana Cabana, and it was out of this world good! Kids can have the pool –let me soak in a pool of this stuff and mama will be happy! Ha ha!

Everyone that we talked to was so friendly and nice – it was such a change from other places we’ve traveled. It took literally minutes to realize we were in a totally different world here and it was an amazing world. One of the neatest things happened to us here. We paid for our drinks with a Disney Rewards Redemption Card (Chase gives you a kickback from all of your purchases if you use a Disney Visa and you can roll that onto a rewards card to spend in the park – highly recommend!) and somewhere between the bar and our lounge chairs, we dropped it without realizing it. There was about $300 on it so someone could have really had fun with it. Someone found it, picked it and returned it to the bar. The bartender left her post to come find us and return it to us. Not even kidding – does that kind of honestly really exist still? Apparently here it does.

After swimming, it’s getting late so we head into the lobby to grab something to eat at the Centertown Market. Food was good, not spectacular, but good (burgers, Cuban & turkey sandwiches) but the best thing we purchased was refillable mugs for all of us. I flinched at nearly $20 each, but I guarantee you that they will pay for themselves over and over!

During the remainder of our stay, we utilized the pool right outside our building a couple of times but we made good friends out of the folks working at the Spyglass Grill! It was super convenient, the food was good and fast, plus they had a refill station for our mugs! Oh and those Magic Bands? My oldest son discovered a deep, deep fondness for non-alcoholic Pina Colada’s, the Grill had those and he could just swipe his Magic Band to pay for them. Over and over and over and over….but that’s another story! Ha ha! My food picks for the Grill? The Taco Trio (especially the fish taco!) and the Chorizo Burger with the side of Plantains & Yuca. Different, but really good.

We stayed here two nights and it was such a neat experience. Truly was a good introduction to the Magic that IS Disney World, but I’m glad that we did a split stay. If we could have done it, I’d love to stay 2 or 3 days at every resort. Maybe after I win the lottery!

Psst...While you're still here, check out my take on the infamous Banana Cabana. I'm biased, but I think it's as close to the Disney Magic as you can get outside of Disney.

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