Episode 207 Show Notes — The Family Vacationer

Title: Caribe Royale Orlando: Holiday Chocolate, Suites, Slides & Our First “Family Vacationer Approved” Resort

Hosts: Rob & Traci

Location: Caribe Royale Resort, Orlando, FL

Guests: Luciano Sperduto (General Manager) + Chef David Hackett (Executive Chef)

Rob and Traci record on location from Caribe Royale in Orlando for a full family-focused resort report: the suites and villas, pool time, holiday happenings, and the food scene—plus a big milestone for the show. Caribe Royale becomes the first-ever “Family Vacationer Approved” property based on the show’s criteria.

What We Cover

First impressions: A grand lobby, festive décor, and a massive holiday chocolate display that sets the tone right away. Caribe Royale is also a Disney Good Neighbor Hotel, close to the parks without feeling swallowed up by the chaos.

Rooms: Every accommodation is either a suite or a villa—a major win for families. Rob and Traci break down why the layout works (especially with a teenager), and why the two-bedroom villas (full kitchen + separate bedrooms) are great for longer stays and extra space.

Pool + holiday magic: Resort-style pool with a big waterslide, waterfalls, splash area, lounge chairs, and optional cabanas. During the holidays, Caribe Royale turns into a chocolate wonderland, including:

• North Pole Express: 32-ft chocolate train (1,600 lbs of chocolate)
• Santa’s Magical Flight: sleigh + reindeer (2,000 lbs of chocolate)
• Jingle Bell Junction: chocolate village
• Plus letters to Santa with an elf reply, cookie decorating, holiday movies, cocoa at check-in, and Santa/Mrs. Claus visits (Dec 20–Christmas Eve).

Guest Interviews

Luciano Sperduto (GM): How the resort stays ahead of changing family expectations, why culture and staff friendliness matter most, and what’s coming next—including villa remodeling (planned through 2026 into early 2027), restaurant updates, and a Stadium Club expansion with a bigger indoor/outdoor “tailgate” area.

Chef David Hackett: Caribe Royale’s culinary philosophy—starting with great ingredients, balancing upscale dining with family-friendly menus, and why they aim to be trendsetters. Chef also shares the story behind the chocolate displays and how much work goes into building and storing them.

Food Report (What We Ate)

Breakfast at Tropicale:

• Rob: omelet + breakfast potatoes + cheese grits
• Traci: French toast + bacon + strawberries
• Kids: chocolate chip pancakes + eggs + bacon (and hot chocolate)

Calypso’s (poolside): Rob goes deep on the red snapper sandwich (he ordered it twice), shrimp quesadilla, crab tostadas, and loaded tater kegs. Chase loved the smash burger; Nash loved the cheese quesadilla. Traci’s highlights include the tater tots and a huge slice of orange creamsicle cake (plus chocolate dessert). Virgin pina coladas by the pool were a kid favorite.

Stadium Club: More than a “sports bar”—massive LED screens + simulator bays the boys loved. Standouts: candied bacon with orange/rosemary, coconut shrimp with key lime aioli, giant pretzel with beer cheese and mustard, elote chips and dip, and flatbread pizza. Rob admits he now needs a return trip for the chicken and waffles.

The Market: A late-night lifesaver—grab-and-go options plus house-made desserts, confections, truffles, and ice cream. Open until midnight. Starbucks on-site near the entrance with mobile ordering.

Family Vacationer Approved (A Big First)

Rob and Traci explain their scoring checklist—Space, Experience, Location, Dining, and Overall Family-Friendliness—and announce Caribe Royale is the first property to earn the Family Vacationer Approved designation (80+ score).

More on Property

Pickleball + padel courts (with coaching available), basketball, bike rentals, and a catch-and-release fishing lake.

Thanks: Suzanne Stephan (Caribe Royale) + Rebecca Austin (Quinn PR).

Follow: Check Instagram @thefamilyvacationer for photos and food highlights.

Episode 205: The 10-Minute Memory Check-In – A Simple Tool for Meaningful Travel

What if the most important part of your next family trip isn’t where you go, where you stay, or even what you do? In this episode of The Family Vacationer, Rob shares one of the most powerful — and practical — strategies from his new book: the 10-Minute Memory Check-In.

This isn’t just a tip — it’s a mindset shift. A 10-minute conversation before your next trip could be the difference between another blur of busy days and a memory your family talks about for years. Whether you're heading to the beach, the mountains, or the in-laws’ house for the holidays, this mini-episode will help you reset your focus and connect before you pack a single bag.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why memories — not destinations — should shape your travel plans
• 3 powerful prompts to ask before your next trip
• How to align expectations and reduce family travel stress
• Why choosing one intentional moment can shift the tone of the entire trip
• A personal story that proves sometimes the best moments are the ones you didn’t plan for

Rob also shares the story behind this practice — including a moment of perspective on a Disney trip, and how the passing of his father helped him see what really matters in those imperfect, magical snapshots of family travel.

The 10-Minute Memory Check-In Questions:

1. What memory do we want to make on this trip?
2. What pace do we want — rest, adventure, or a mix?
3. What’s one intentional connection moment we can build in?

Simple. Quick. Game-changing.

Mentioned in this episode:

➡️ Rob’s new book, The Family Vacationer: A Parent’s Guide to Meaningful Travel, available now wherever books are sold.

If this episode gave you a new way to think about travel, consider leaving a rating or sharing it with a fellow parent. It helps more families discover the show and travel with purpose.

Thanks for listening — and remember:

Keep your passports and your hearts open.

Safe travels, everyone.