Hey kids, we lied. Not going to DC, we're going to Disney World! April 15-20, 2018

Wherein we lied to the kids about where we were going until the night before departure. A short 3 park day, 5 night stay, April 15-20, 2018.

Howdy all. I've never written one of these up before, so please be patient with me. It was a short trip, and though I can carry on sometimes, I've got at least the first half drafted.

Party of Five

Mr & Mrs Speeb (ages inconsequential)



Ms R - 11yo
Ms M - 6yo
Mr E - 9yo

(L to R)



Background

Our first family trip was a bit of a splurge. I mean, it's DW, they kind of all are. But we brought my mom, dining plan, AoA suite, flights. This time though, the name of the game was quick and cheap(er). We had already booked an apartment in Washington, DC for the week, but then personal circumstances changed some and spring discounts came out that put Disney within reach. I was also nervous about entertaining the younger two in museums for a week.

Spring break for us up here in Maine falls a bit later than most because we also have a week off in February. That works GREAT for a Disney trip.

I booked a preferred room at Caribbean Beach Resort and told my wife it was “just until we decided.” Which really meant until I convinced her it wouldn't make us destitute.

The trip was booked 45 days out, so I started out behind as far as Fastpasses and ADRs went. I only wanted one TS meal (PPO Garden Grill) this time around and was able to get it after a few days of looking. Got most of the fastpasses I wanted, some at less than ideal times, except for Flight of Passage. Took a Na'vi River Journey instead. A few days later - BOOM - FoP for 5 at about 8pm. Eventually was able to move it up to 6pm. Life is good.

We decided to keep up the ruse that we were going to DC. That way they couldn't bug us about it. We ended up telling them the day before we left so that Mr E had time to sort through the plans. He doesn’t always deal well with surprises. Ms R was in tears she was so happy. It was pretty sweet.

Oh, but did I mention that we were driving from Maine to Florida? Yup. 1400 miles each way. So the next day....

Maine to Florida

So Friday night at about 6pm, we all loaded into the van and set out on the Great American Adventure. Everyone had trouble sleeping on the way down, but we intentionally planned a night between departure and arrival so we could be well rested. It’s kind of a weird thing to be talking to your 6yo at 2:45am and pointing out the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial as you pass through DC… We found a NOT sketchy Waffle House at about 5am Saturday morning in Colonial Heights, VA. The last time Mrs Speeb and I went to a Waffle House down in Florida, she was disgusted and vowed to never return. But when you’re driving 24 hours, you don’t fight it. This place was really nice and the food was delicious because waffles.



Later in the day, we found a Cracker Barrel for lunch...somewhere. Don’t all kids love Cracker Barrel?

Eventually, we made it down to Savannah, GA to a Comfort Suites that I had booked. The hotel was fine for a single night, but if it wasn’t just a pass through, I would not have been very happy with it. Lobby and breakfast was fine, but the room and pool area were in definite need of some refurbishment. Grabbed Subway for dinner.

Savannah was a nice stopping place because it left us with only about 4 hours drive time Sunday morning. That’s only slightly more than when we drive to our cabin up north. We arrived at Caribbean Beach Resort right around noon. I had already completed all the online check in, but we were early and I don’t pass up chances to see new parts of WDW, so we headed for the Custom House to let them know we were there and such. Room wasn’t ready, but I wasn’t concerned or even expecting it to be. We were told we were going to be somewhere in the middle of Aruba, so we drove there to park the car.

At this point, the kids had been DYING to get to the pool. Gave them each a protein cookie, then we moseyed on over across Caribbean Cay for a swim. What a great pool. I can only compare it to Art of Animation (where we stayed in 2016), but between the water slides and not having to bring towels with you, we all loved it. Oh! And hot tub! I think the kids would have been happy to just spend the week at the pool. Ms M basically taught herself to swim over the course of 2 days. She’s the most driven person in the family.



Since we were right there, we went over to Centertown for a late lunch/early dinner. I had the Barbeque Pulled Pork Hoagie with warm potato salad as a side. The sandwich was fine, but it was generic pulled pork with sweet BBQ sauce. The sauce soaked through the roll and split it as soon as I picked it up. Probably wouldn’t order it again. That warm potato salad though…. DAAAAANG! More of a hash than a potato salad, all I wanted was a couple of fried eggs on top of it. I was disappointed when we went to the breakfast buffet later and it wasn’t there. Mrs Speeb had the Caribbean Waldorf Salad, kids had a hot dog, mac & cheese (maybe?), and an Uncrustable. Never having seen an Uncrustable before, Mr E fought with Ms M and told her it wasn’t a PB&J. Good times.

By now, it was nearing 2pm and still no test about a room. We decided to drive on over to the Polynesian. We browsed the gift shops a bit, then hopped on the monorail. Kids wanted to skip the Grand Floridian (too fancy looking!), but we got off at the Contemporary for a bit. I wanted to go get cupcakes, but the kids wanted ice cream. BACK to the Poly for Dole Whips then! Swirl, please, no float. I think this was all of our first time with it at Disney World. I’ve had the Dole pineapple soft serve before. There is definitely something about having it at Disney World though...

Finally got our room ready text just before 4pm. Thank god, because these kids were beat and did NOT want to do anything else but get to a room.



We were put in Aruba 5406. I had requested Jamaica 45/46 or Aruba 51. I can’t say I was at all disappointed. Because of the way the buildings are arranged, you are pretty insulated from the construction unless it’s right outside your window. The kids loved being on the ground floor with the door right to the outside. Totally agree. They watched some Timon & Pumba Safety TV for a while, then whatever was on Disney Channel.

Crash.

Monday, we start our short tour of 3/4 of the parks...

Following along! I am planning a trip for next year and would love to stay at the CBR because I think my kids would really love the pool.

I would love to do the "we're not going to school today, we're going to disney world!" surprise one time, but I am terrible at keeping secrets.

Looking forward to reading the rest of your report!

Following along! I love that Ms R was so happy about going to WDW that she cried. That's a great reaction.

speeb said:

Never having seen an Uncrustable before, Mr E fought with Ms M and told her it wasn’t a PB&J. Good times.

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It wouldn't be a family vacation without some kid bickering.

Can't wait to read more about your trip.

Following along!

Great start! Following along!!

Following along . Looking forward to reading more

Following. Great start.

dnllmz said:

Following along! I love that Ms R was so happy about going to WDW that she cried. That's a great reaction.

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To be fair, she was super exhausted from a couple late nights at the time. But she's definitely the kid who bursts into tears.

speeb said:

Oh, but did I mention that we were driving from Maine to Florida? Yup. 1400 miles each way. S

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Done basically that same long drive (well from from NH) to Florida a few times. Lately been taking the more inland route as 95 can be crazy though.