"It's better when it's just the two of us" - aka - Our first family trip! HI!!! 1/4!

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Great updates! I really like that you're doing one whole day in different posts, I wish I did that with my December trip! It's not very much fun writing a TR about a trip that didn't go the way you hoped, is it? I keep wishing I never bothered doing a December TR, but since I did, I just want to finish it and be done!

Your room at BC is SO beautiful! I know I've stayed there, but I love seeing pictures of the rooms, they are amazing! I feel the same way, WL is our favorite resort, but the BC rooms are the best! I can't believe your grandmother was complaining so much, that's too bad! We didn't have a couch in our room when we were there, and we were Club Level! It's not like we would have used it!

I'm glad everyone's moods improved for Epcot! I love your first PP picture, that border is new this year, I love it! That just means I have to pre order the CD for May, I guess!

Teppan Edo looks great! We've only done it once and we liked it, but haven't been back yet, but I'd definitely like to give it another try!

Glad everyone enjoyed Illuminations! I love that music, I listen to it all the time too!

Thank you! It is definitely difficult to write such a negative update, especially when my TRs are normally so happy!

I loved that Epcot border - it was probably my favorite of all the PP options.

Coutney,

I LOVE your TR so far! I do know what you mean when you say, "It is better with just the two of us." I had a Disney Wedding in 2008 and 18 of our family and friends joined us. DH and I are very protective of our favorite vacation spot and any little negative comment really hurt our feelings. We love that place so much, that we wanted our family to fall in love with it too! It was very stressful. We haven't been back to Disney since our first anniversary trip in 2009. We had our first child and have been so busy. We are having withdrawals! We did officially book our next WDW vaca for June 16-23 and it will be the first time our son (18 months) gets to go. We are also taking my mother-in-law with us. So it looks like the days of "just the two of us" are over. I am so excited for our trip though! I am super jealous that you got to stay ot the BC! It is so beautiful. We actually got married on the Boardwalk and had our recepetion at the BC. I have always wanted to stay at one of the Epcot resorts. I can't wait to read more and find out what happened during DAY 2!

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you're joining in and enjoying it! You really summed up how I feel - very protective over my favorite place! It really is difficult to hear other people make negative comments about something that you love so much.

Your newsletter was totally awesome! That's such a great idea, especially when traveling with larger groups that include inexperienced WDW travelers. So cool.

I like hearing about the real things that happen on trips, so don't worry about thinking you sound like a Debbie Downer. Your day still ended up turning out wonderfully I think. And I think telling your grandmother the way you felt was the right way to go.

I love Teppan Edo! Great choice for the first night dinner. And then dessert from the patisserie in France and Illuminations? Perfection.

Oh good! I'm glad my realistic update wasn't too depressing! It did end up ok in the end. I agree that our arrival day plans were pretty great!

Oh, Courtney, I'm so sorry that there were so many complaints on your arrival day. I can completely relate to how you took the comments so personally I do have to say though, I'm glad to see that your Grandmother took your concerns to heart and really made the effort to apologize for it.

Backing up to the beginning - yum! to Chick-fil-a, one of my favorite stops for a quick bite to eat

We love Teppan Edo, but agree that it isn't a "must-do" every trip. Since it is easily accessible to get hibachi here (and quite good, actually) we save it for every other trip. There's just so many other options at Epcot that must be tried

I'm so glad to see that the night wrapped up with great attitudes and fun

I'm really glad I said something, because it definitely helped. I tend to be a bit of a grudge holder, so I knew that if I didn't say something I would have likely had a very different time at Epcot.

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Hi, Courtney! You have no idea how excited I was to see a new TR from you! I thought I remembered you having a trip coming up, and I’d had my eye open on the forum. So yay!

I’m excited to read more about the Beach Club! That’s where we are staying with our families in the days leading up to the wedding.

Wow! Your dad did have a wonderful view! I can see why your grandmother was slightly jealous

Sorry you had a rough arrival day! But it sounds like things turn around for you. Can't wait to read more!

Yay! I'm so glad you made it over! Thank you for joining in again!

I think you and your families will love the BC. It is such a beautiful hotel and getting to Epcot couldn't be any easier. We really did love staying there.

I was jealous of my dad's view, too.

 

[ronnmel]

I'm sorry your trip started off a bit on the wrong foot, but glad it turned around for the better quickly enough. Looking forward to reading the rest, and to see how different it will be from your usual trips.

 

[monica23535]

Great start Courtney!

I'm sorry you were disappointed on the first day with all the moaning going on, but good on you for clearing the air before heading out to Epcot for the night.

We fell in love with BC in 2010 and we cannot wait to be there again in October

 

[7165red]

I'm joining in.

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi Courtney - great update I stayed at the Beach Club with my family in 1998 (first ever time we stayed onsite.. soon after that, my parents bought DVC! )and the decor has changed a lot since then, it's much more calming

Uh that's a shame about the complaints already when we stayed at the YC in 2009, after checking in .. (we had amazing water view rooms) I asked DFiL 'How's your room?' and he just said 'oh.. it's fine' ... but looked like it ended up a lovely evening in Epcot at Teppan Edo & those wonderful Illuminations fireworks I listen to the music to those sooo much at home too! I can picture what happens at each moment now, like when the countries start to light up during the second half.


Hope you're having a great weekend & look forward to reading more


Emma x

 

[TinkerbellinNY6]

Great updates! Sorry your arrival day wasn't everything you hoped for. I had the same issue when my brother and his family arrived during my May trip! And Teppan Edo looks really good! Also wanted to say thanks for all of the pictures of the BC room! My Mom, Cousin and myself are considering staying there in August!

 

[sjs314]

Great start to your trip. Glad it only had a few rocky moments the first day and ended up ending perfectly watching Illuminations.

Love your daily newsletter idea , outlining the plans , fantastic idea

 

[klacey1]

Hey Courtney!! I didn't realize you had started! Just wanted to subscribe now-- I have to go back and read the updates! Can't wait to hear all about your trip!!

 

[belle aube]

It's so fun to see how your plans turned into the actual trip! Thanks for sharing your family's trip!

 

[danimaroo]

Wow, that was not the beginning I was expecting... and I'm sure you weren't either! I think sometimes it's hard for people who have grown up in a certain manner to recognize like, how amazing it is to be able to stay at BC, nevermind have a really nice room... I think sometimes people just take things a little for granted.

I know I've been guilty of it at times myself with where my DH and I are now compared to where we were when we first met as poor college students!

It's good that you and Miguel were so happy with your room though. And it is BEAUTIFUL! It's funny though how different the decor is from the Beach Club Villas. Definitely a lot more updated, that's for sure. But even then, during our stay in January, I was just so thrilled to be staying at Beach Club and so close to everything that I didn't care.

I will say though that it seemed like a good call to get things off your chest instead of just letting it bottle up inside. It probably would've led to a meltdown later on for you, which is never a fun thing.

Also, I'm definitely glad it ended up being the worst of the problems during your trip... definitely a relief!

Glad everyone also appreciated the quick walk to Epcot; it was SO nice to be so close so you could stroll over whenever you wanted to. I also think it's a great location for an older crowd who isn't as into attractions..

Can't wait to see what your next day in the parks holds!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I don't think you were being negative-you're just telling it how it is! I tend to take things very personally as well so I definitely know where you were coming from. I'm so happy that you said something to your grandmother. It sounds like it cleared the air for your fun and enjoyable evening in Epcot!

 

[JessicaKnits]

Loved your update! You weren't Debbie Downer at all! I was waiting until after your trip to mention, but last year I went on an all girls trip to visit my Grandma in Asheville, NC. It was originally just going to be my mom and me and we had planned to fly. But then my sister decided that she wanted to go, and she couldn't afford to fly. So we agreed to drive. Its about 14 hours from my home to Asheville. I don't wan't to be cooped up in a car any longer than absolutely necessary, so wanted to hit the road at about 2 AM, thus missing all of the Chicago area traffic. But, no one else wanted to leave until seven. Then, my sister insisted on having a sit-down breakfast, and refused to go through a drive through somewhere. It was awful! I think I made it to Indiana before I was calling Adam saying it was horrible idea and I wanted to come home.

 

[alliebelle3]

Hi Courtney! I haven't been on the Disboards in so long -- I was so excited to see a new TR from you!

Even though you've just started, let me say, I can totally relate to how you must have felt for most of your trip. I planned a trip for 11 this past Thanksgiving and it was really fun but very stressful -- especially when people didn't like the plans (which I gave them time to review/comment on BEFORE the trip... but anyway..!) By the 3rd night of us all together, I had a little mini-breakdown that involved some tears in the Magic Kingdom, lol.

Glad to hear that things turned around at night, though! Your room looks amazing -- I just love the Beach Club! Can't wait for more updates!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

I'm sorry your trip started off a bit on the wrong foot, but glad it turned around for the better quickly enough. Looking forward to reading the rest, and to see how different it will be from your usual trips.

I was very sad for things to get started off the way they did, but I'm so glad they turned around for a good first night.

Great start Courtney!

I'm sorry you were disappointed on the first day with all the moaning going on, but good on you for clearing the air before heading out to Epcot for the night.

We fell in love with BC in 2010 and we cannot wait to be there again in October

Thank you! I think I made the right decision by having the talk with my grandmother before Epcot. I have a feeling I would have let it ruin my night if I hadn't!

I'm joining in.

Thank you for joining in!

Hi Courtney - great update I stayed at the Beach Club with my family in 1998 (first ever time we stayed onsite.. soon after that, my parents bought DVC! )and the decor has changed a lot since then, it's much more calming

Uh that's a shame about the complaints already when we stayed at the YC in 2009, after checking in .. (we had amazing water view rooms) I asked DFiL 'How's your room?' and he just said 'oh.. it's fine' ... but looked like it ended up a lovely evening in Epcot at Teppan Edo & those wonderful Illuminations fireworks I listen to the music to those sooo much at home too! I can picture what happens at each moment now, like when the countries start to light up during the second half.


Hope you're having a great weekend & look forward to reading more


Emma x

Thank you, Emma!

We loved the decor of the BC - it's just so bright and airy. Very calming! It's very frustrating when others just aren't as impressed with Disney as we are.

Great updates! Sorry your arrival day wasn't everything you hoped for. I had the same issue when my brother and his family arrived during my May trip! And Teppan Edo looks really good! Also wanted to say thanks for all of the pictures of the BC room! My Mom, Cousin and myself are considering staying there in August!

Thank you! It was hard getting off on the wrong foot - it made me worry about what was to come!

Glad you liked the BC pictures! You will love it!

Great start to your trip. Glad it only had a few rocky moments the first day and ended up ending perfectly watching Illuminations.

Love your daily newsletter idea , outlining the plans , fantastic idea

I'm definitely glad the first day was the rockiest. I think it would have been much worse later in the week!

Thank you! Everyone really enjoyed the newsletters.

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Hey Courtney!! I didn't realize you had started! Just wanted to subscribe now-- I have to go back and read the updates! Can't wait to hear all about your trip!!

Yay! So glad you made it over!

It's so fun to see how your plans turned into the actual trip! Thanks for sharing your family's trip!

It is always interesting to compare the plans to the trip!

Wow, that was not the beginning I was expecting... and I'm sure you weren't either! I think sometimes it's hard for people who have grown up in a certain manner to recognize like, how amazing it is to be able to stay at BC, nevermind have a really nice room... I think sometimes people just take things a little for granted.

I know I've been guilty of it at times myself with where my DH and I are now compared to where we were when we first met as poor college students!

It's good that you and Miguel were so happy with your room though. And it is BEAUTIFUL! It's funny though how different the decor is from the Beach Club Villas. Definitely a lot more updated, that's for sure. But even then, during our stay in January, I was just so thrilled to be staying at Beach Club and so close to everything that I didn't care.

I will say though that it seemed like a good call to get things off your chest instead of just letting it bottle up inside. It probably would've led to a meltdown later on for you, which is never a fun thing.

Also, I'm definitely glad it ended up being the worst of the problems during your trip... definitely a relief!

Glad everyone also appreciated the quick walk to Epcot; it was SO nice to be so close so you could stroll over whenever you wanted to. I also think it's a great location for an older crowd who isn't as into attractions..

Can't wait to see what your next day in the parks holds!

My thoughts exactly! I think I was more frustrated with the fact that I know there are so many people who would LOVE to stay at the BC and can't, and they were all taking it for granted. This is why I love traveling with Miguel. I honestly think he would be blown away by any hotel.

I don't think you were being negative-you're just telling it how it is! I tend to take things very personally as well so I definitely know where you were coming from. I'm so happy that you said something to your grandmother. It sounds like it cleared the air for your fun and enjoyable evening in Epcot!

I'm glad you don't think I was being to negative! It's difficult to share the not so magical moments, but they were definitely part of the trip so I feel it is my duty to share.

Loved your update! You weren't Debbie Downer at all! I was waiting until after your trip to mention, but last year I went on an all girls trip to visit my Grandma in Asheville, NC. It was originally just going to be my mom and me and we had planned to fly. But then my sister decided that she wanted to go, and she couldn't afford to fly. So we agreed to drive. Its about 14 hours from my home to Asheville. I don't wan't to be cooped up in a car any longer than absolutely necessary, so wanted to hit the road at about 2 AM, thus missing all of the Chicago area traffic. But, no one else wanted to leave until seven. Then, my sister insisted on having a sit-down breakfast, and refused to go through a drive through somewhere. It was awful! I think I made it to Indiana before I was calling Adam saying it was horrible idea and I wanted to come home.

Thank you! Your car ride sounds miserable. At least our drive was easy - probably because I slept most of the way. If I am learning anything, it's that no one does well on group trips!

Hi Courtney! I haven't been on the Disboards in so long -- I was so excited to see a new TR from you!

Even though you've just started, let me say, I can totally relate to how you must have felt for most of your trip. I planned a trip for 11 this past Thanksgiving and it was really fun but very stressful -- especially when people didn't like the plans (which I gave them time to review/comment on BEFORE the trip... but anyway..!) By the 3rd night of us all together, I had a little mini-breakdown that involved some tears in the Magic Kingdom, lol.

Glad to hear that things turned around at night, though! Your room looks amazing -- I just love the Beach Club! Can't wait for more updates!

Hey there! It's good to "see" you again! I'm glad you're joining in!

Ugh, it sounds like the group frustrations are a very common occurance. I wonder if there's anyone out there who actually prefers going with a group?

 

[TheThomsLuvDisney]

I'm so glad the day turned around for you! I know exactly what you were feeling, we always go to WDW with families and friends and I always feel like it is our families job to make sure that everyone is having a great time.

Something else I see that you are experiencing is that it always seems to take longer to get anywhere - you are only as fast, as the slowest member of the group!!!!

 

[merbobear]

I would have been upset with the complaining too...especially since the room pictures you posted were beautiful! What's to complain about? I feel like when you are fortunate enough to be able to afford a really nice vacation in a beautiful resort...what's to complain about? Maybe they were just on edge for some reason and things were coming out the wrong way though. Either way, I am glad that the night improved as you made your way to Epcot and that it ended with a great Illuminations viewing with everyone expressing how impressed they were!

 

[LutheranChick82]

I'm glad that your arrival day got better. I'm sure once everyone is in the Disney parks everyone's moods and attitudes change. I can't wait to read about the rest of your trip.

 

[dreamerchic33]

I am so sorry your arrival day was one with lots of complaints!
We went to Disney one year with our family (for thanksgiving) and it was honestly a really rough trip! So i totally understand where you are coming from!
However, the BC is amazing and your rooms looked beautiful! xxoo