Hot, August 2012 Trip to Beach Club with 3 Enthused & 1 Not....PTR (LAST UPDATE!!)

[mommytocalliesue]

Hi there! Your BC stay caught my attention - I really like that resort and you will love the pool area for your kiddos!

I chuckled at your DH's response to favorite thing about Disney - "no comment"

Congratulations on your DS being potty trained all the way - what a relief to travel to WDW without all the diaper accoutrements!

As for you Epcot choices - I think you have some great choices already with The Seas with Nemo, Gran Fiesta, Malestrom (it is dark inside the ride if that bothers any of the little ones) and especially Turtle Talk. So cute! Another idea inside Innoventions (West bldg I believe) is the Great Piggy Bank Adventure which is fun and interactive that I think especially your DD will love.

There may be some height restrictions for Soarin' but it is awesome and that is great advice to go during Illuminations.

Happy planning and I hope you convert your DH to be a WDW lover soon!

I really hope we like BC...there are still times I doubt it....but am sticking with it!! DH did start asking questions <gasp> about the hotel...so showing interest is progress!! Thanks for your advice on Epcot...never have heard of the Piggy Bank Adventure so will definitely check that out! That would be something fun that we could do while DH and DS go back to the room!! Callie will be able to do Soarin...but Carson won't. I'm thinking the boys can do The Land ride while we do it! And don't worry...I'm working on DH.....!!!!!

 

[mommytocalliesue]

Hollywood Studios

This is probably my 2nd favorite park! I feel there are so many things here that are at the top of my "favorites" list! And I think we will enjoy being able to take the boat from the hotel to the park. DS will probably think the boat is a ride!!

DHS Must Do's
*Rock N' Roller Coaster
*Tower of Terror
*Beauty and the Beast Show
*Little Mermaid Show
*Playhouse Live Show
*EMH Dance Party at Playhouse (DD LOVED this last trip!!)
*Great Movie Ride
*TSM (DS will LOVE this...just need to make sure to to get FP!)
*Star Tours
*Honey I Strunk the Kids play area

If time....
*Fantasmic (Only if it fits in schedule...saw it last time and not sure if DS will like it!)
*Lights, Motors, Action Show
*American Idol Show
*Muppet Vision
*Backlot Tour

 

[mommytocalliesue]

Animal Kingdom

This park is also at the top....heck...I love them all!! (Ok...going to work on Epcot!!) I know DS will love seeing all the animals...and some of Callie's favorites are here!

Animal Kingdom Must Do's
*Expedition Everest (Another one just for me!)
*Kilimanjaros Safari
*Festival of the Lion King
*Finding Nemo
*The Boneyard
*Tricera Top Spin

If time....
*Kali River Rapids
*It's Tough to be a Bug (WILL NOT TAKE DS ON THIS!! He's deathly AFRAID of bugs!! This will be a DD and DH ride!)
*Dinosaur (Another ride just I'll do)
*Wildlife Express Train (just because DS loves choo choos!)
*Some of the Animal Exhibits

 

[mommytocalliesue]

Since we didn't book as many ADR's this trip....I've picked some of the Quick Service places that I think will interest our family. DS is REALLY picky...so I think for most of the trip he'll just eat off our plate. He's more of a snacker....aka...loves Sweets!! Just like his Dad! DD is ok as long as there is pizza, chicken, etc. there!

Magic Kingdom

•Casey’s Corner - (Hot Dogs, Fries, etc…) – Main St.
•Columbia Harbour House – (Chicken Strips, Fish, etc) Liberty Town Square
•Cosmic Rays Starlight Café – (Burgers, etc) – Tomorrowland
•Friars Nook (Hotdogs, Sandwiches) Fantasyland
•Golden Oakpost (Chicken Nuggets, Sandwiches, Flatbreads) Frontierland
•Pecos Bill Inn (Wraps, Cheeseburgers) Frontierland
•Pinocchio Village Haus (Pizza, Nuggets) Fantasyland

Epcot

•Electric Umbrella (Meatball sub, wraps, chicken) Future World
•Liberty Inn (Burgers, hot dogs)
•The Refreshment Port (shrimp, Chicken) World ShowCase
•Sunshine Season (variety) The Land

Hollywood Studios

•ABC Commissary (Burgers, nuggets) – Backlot
•Backlot Express (Salads, hot dogs, chicken strips) – Backlot
•Studios Catering Co (wraps) – Backlot
•Pizza Planet - Backlot

Animal Kindgom

•Flame Tree BBQ (Discovery Island)
•Pizzafari – (Discovery Island)
•Restaurantosaurus (Burgers) (Dinoland)

 

[cogero]

We are staying at Beach Club for our trip in August. It is our first time staying there in the DVC unites we did stay there in the hotel rooms and loved it.

 

[mommytocalliesue]

We are staying at Beach Club for our trip in August. It is our first time staying there in the DVC unites we did stay there in the hotel rooms and loved it.

I've heard nothing *BUT* good about staying here!! I'm excited...especially about the pool! Next time I may look into renting from DVC!

 

[emmysmommy]

Reviewed your touring and dining plans and you have great plans! Most of your favorites are on my to do list as well. I'm just a little bummed that my DD is over seeing Beauty & The Beast stage show at DHS..I may have to resort to bribery!

Glad to know that your DH is starting to ask questions about the hotel - definitely shows some interest.

 

[sk!mom]

Epcot

Epcot has never been one of my favorite parks. I know, I know....I gotten the wrath of many Epcot lovers!! I'm REALLY going to try to like it more this trip. Because we are staying at the BC, I'm planning on spending more time there. I definitely have my "favorites" to do there...and that's pretty much all I do!! This time I'm going to try to venture out of the box and do some new things! We'll see.....

Must Do's at Epcot
*Soarin' (have NEVER done this...but looking forward to it this time. Going to try to go at 9:00 pm while IllumiNations is going on....tip I got from the DisBoards!!)
*The Seas with Nemo
*Spaceship Earth
*Turtle Talk
*Grand Fiesta Tour
*Figment (Have never done this)
*Living with the Land
*Maelstrom (Never done this either!!)

If we have time
*Mission Space (Never done this)


It's been a long time since we really walked around the World...so hoping to do this on this trip.

Anything else you can suggest we do?

If you're trying to convince your DH to love WDW, then drink around the world. We spend as much time at Epcot as we do MK. dH loves to stroll around the world trying a drink and snack in each country.

 

[mommytocalliesue]

Reviewed your touring and dining plans and you have great plans! Most of your favorites are on my to do list as well. I'm just a little bummed that my DD is over seeing Beauty & The Beast stage show at DHS..I may have to resort to bribery!

Glad to know that your DH is starting to ask questions about the hotel - definitely shows some interest.

LOL!! I'm bribing my DD to do somethings that she doesn't want to....I'm going to try ToT again!! I usually try to have more specific plans...but know alot of time (with DH and DS) that we'll have to play it by ear! And yes...I'm hoping DH is getting a bit excited! He's been working 17 hour days (4 days in a row now) so I think he's getting ready for a break!!

If you're trying to convince your DH to love WDW, then drink around the world. We spend as much time at Epcot as we do MK. dH loves to stroll around the world trying a drink and snack in each country.

LOL!! We may just do that! Since we'll be close to Epcot...I may just send him there while I take the kids and do something!!! That will make him happy!!

 

[reyasmommy]

Hello.

Your kids are super adorable! Your son has the cutest, mischievous smile.
When did you go to Disney in those photos on the first page of your PTR? You look like you’re dressed for Colorado in December. LOL.. Holy Moly.
Anyway.. We have a few things is common. My DD is also 6 and starting 1st grade in August., and my son is 2 ½ and ALL boy!! I can’t get him to sit still for 2 minutes, so Disney is going to be interesting without sticking him on a leash and/or attaching a shock collar to his neck. I also wanted to get a trip in before he turns 3. I really wanted to make sure we could take advantage of him getting in and eating for free one last time.
I cannot for the life of me get reservations for TREX.. I’ve looked at every possible time and date for our trip in NOVEMBER and nothing. Did you make yours through Disney or did you call the restaurant directly?
LOVE your countdown calendar. I can’t wait until we make ours.
Congratulations on the potty training. I’m having a heck of a time with Jayden and have given up for a short time. I need to make sure he’s 100% trained before we leave on our trip though. We’re taking a cruise and he won’t be allowed in the pools if he’s in swim diapers. Wish us luck.
Well sorry for all the rambling… lol. I look forward to reading more!

 

[mommytocalliesue]

Hello.

Your kids are super adorable! Your son has the cutest, mischievous smile.
When did you go to Disney in those photos on the first page of your PTR? You look like you’re dressed for Colorado in December. LOL.. Holy Moly.
Anyway.. We have a few things is common. My DD is also 6 and starting 1st grade in August., and my son is 2 ½ and ALL boy!! I can’t get him to sit still for 2 minutes, so Disney is going to be interesting without sticking him on a leash and/or attaching a shock collar to his neck. I also wanted to get a trip in before he turns 3. I really wanted to make sure we could take advantage of him getting in and eating for free one last time.
I cannot for the life of me get reservations for TREX.. I’ve looked at every possible time and date for our trip in NOVEMBER and nothing. Did you make yours through Disney or did you call the restaurant directly?
LOVE your countdown calendar. I can’t wait until we make ours.
Congratulations on the potty training. I’m having a heck of a time with Jayden and have given up for a short time. I need to make sure he’s 100% trained before we leave on our trip though. We’re taking a cruise and he won’t be allowed in the pools if he’s in swim diapers. Wish us luck.
Well sorry for all the rambling… lol. I look forward to reading more!

Hi!! We do sound a lot alike!! They you....they are adorable...but keep me busy!! You're kiddos are adorable too!!

Our first trip was in January of 2009. The first couple of days were nice...low 70's....then came the freeze. It was like in the low 40's during the day and SO Windy!! We're lucky we brought DD's winter coat...DH and I didn't pack ours. We assumed we wouldn't need it...we will NEVER assume again!!! We still had fun....but I've decided I'd rather be really hot at Disney where you can swim to cool off...than be really cold!! The nights were miserable!

And yes...my son is ALL BOY too!! You nailed him on the head...very mischievous! I have seriously debated getting some kind of leash for him....but think between DH and I....we can handle him!! DD is good and won't wander. But I do plan on getting them some kind of bracelet or something with our names and number on it for the "just in case"!

TREX ~ Yes...Call directly! I couldn't get it either but once I called them I got the exact time I wanted!

Good luck on the Potty training!! I had never been more frustrated!! He was so off/on with it. And finally....one day...he decided to be on! He's done so well...so I figure in another 3 weeks he'll be a pro and we won't have to bring any pullups or anything!! I didn't know that about a cruise....hopefully he will get there by then! You have time!

Thanks for stopping by....going to look at your PTR!!!

 

[reyasmommy]

Hi!! We do sound a lot alike!! They you....they are adorable...but keep me busy!! You're kiddos are adorable too!!

Our first trip was in January of 2009. The first couple of days were nice...low 70's....then came the freeze. It was like in the low 40's during the day and SO Windy!! We're lucky we brought DD's winter coat...DH and I didn't pack ours. We assumed we wouldn't need it...we will NEVER assume again!!! We still had fun....but I've decided I'd rather be really hot at Disney where you can swim to cool off...than be really cold!! The nights were miserable!

And yes...my son is ALL BOY too!! You nailed him on the head...very mischievous! I have seriously debated getting some kind of leash for him....but think between DH and I....we can handle him!! DD is good and won't wander. But I do plan on getting them some kind of bracelet or something with our names and number on it for the "just in case"!

TREX ~ Yes...Call directly! I couldn't get it either but once I called them I got the exact time I wanted!

Good luck on the Potty training!! I had never been more frustrated!! He was so off/on with it. And finally....one day...he decided to be on! He's done so well...so I figure in another 3 weeks he'll be a pro and we won't have to bring any pullups or anything!! I didn't know that about a cruise....hopefully he will get there by then! You have time!

Thanks for stopping by....going to look at your PTR!!!

We went the end of February a couple years ago and it got pretty cold some nights too. I was really surprised. Not to the point where we needed winter jackets though. ((thank goodness)

We used one of those leashes for my DD when she was 18 months and they it worked wonders, however it's just NOT going to work with my son. I've tried it once and he was like a hyper little dog and just wrapped it around my leg or would take off and we'd close line innocent bystanders.

I just don't know what to do with that little boy sometimes? A few weeks ago we went to the new IKEA in town. I swear I took my eyes off of him for 4 seconds, just long enough to locate where the shopping carts were. Once I turned around he was 40 feet away from me going up the escalator. I screamed and ran as fast I could to him and once I reached bottom of the escalator he started falling backwards and luckily a nice couple right behind him caught him before he could get hurt. i NEVER had the problems with my DD, the two of them couldn't be any more opposite.

You'll have to give me some pointers when you get back from your trip to let me know how you both handled everything.

 

[reyasmommy]

Ohhhhhhhhh speaking of "KID" leashes, how cute is this?

Here's a picture of DD when we needed one for her. She really didn't need one, it was more for my own piece of mind. Reya doesn't know what a stranger is and I was more afraid of someone snatching her. Oh my goodness she was so cute.

 

[mommytocalliesue]

We went the end of February a couple years ago and it got pretty cold some nights too. I was really surprised. Not to the point where we needed winter jackets though. ((thank goodness)

We used one of those leashes for my DD when she was 18 months and they it worked wonders, however it's just NOT going to work with my son. I've tried it once and he was like a hyper little dog and just wrapped it around my leg or would take off and we'd close line innocent bystanders.

I just don't know what to do with that little boy sometimes? A few weeks ago we went to the new IKEA in town. I swear I took my eyes off of him for 4 seconds, just long enough to locate where the shopping carts were. Once I turned around he was 40 feet away from me going up the escalator. I screamed and ran as fast I could to him and once I reached bottom of the escalator he started falling backwards and luckily a nice couple right behind him caught him before he could get hurt. i NEVER had the problems with my DD, the two of them couldn't be any more opposite.

You'll have to give me some pointers when you get back from your trip to let me know how you both handled everything.

I SO AGREE with kids being exact opposites!!! Callie was so calm....!!! I've seen the Mickey leashes...and they are so cute! But like your DS, I really don't think it would work! He'd be just like your son! Plus...I think he'd scream bloody murder until we took it off of him. He definitely has a mind of his own! But I hear ya on the take your eye off him for a second and he's gone!! They are so quick! I'm sure I will definitely have tips...I mean stories for ya!!

 

[mommytocalliesue]

I've been searching the internet and looking for the best option for an ID bracelet for the kids. I've looked at all kinds....including the tattoos. I finally decided on these bracelets!

http://www.mypreciouskid.com/ICOE-in-case-of-emergency-bracelet.html

The kids were able to pick the color they wanted and the design. DS choose the Train in green....and Callie choose the butterfly in pink. With shipping, they were $14.99.

However...after I ordered...I just read that they could take 3 weeks to come...that's about exactly how much time we have to our trip! I HOPE they're here in time!

Also, I see (after I ordered...I get so excited I don't always read the fine print ) that they're not adjustable. My kids are rather skinny (unlike their mama!) so I think it may be too big on their wrist. I guess they can just wear them on their ankles!

 

[mommytocalliesue]

I'm sitting here with my DS (DD at a friends house ) and thinking how I need to go shopping...ALONE!!! But I know that isn't going to happen for a while....

DH has been working 17-18 hour days....this would be like number 6 in a row He gets up at 5 am...and hasn't been getting home til 10:30 or 11:30 pm. Luckily the kids have been taking later naps...so on some days they are able to stay up til like 11 to see him.

However...the past 2 days they haven't seen him....he hasn't seen them. So, I'm thinking, if I was DH....how could I NOT be excited to have an entire week to spend with my family. A week where we don't HAVE to be anywhere (except our 4 ADR's!! ) A week where I can sit back and watch my children play. A week where I don't have to stress about not getting my work done! I'm hoping after this past week from HELL for him....that he'll appreciate the vacation a little bit more. I plan these vacations for the family....so I hope his attitude starts changing a bit...and I start seeing a little more excitement from him!

Just so you have an idea of what he does...this has been his "home" for the past month!! I would get sick of sitting in this all day!

 

[emmysmommy]

Those are cute ID bracelets. Usually they give you a "worst case scenario" for shipping/delivery so hopefully, they should get to you before your trip!

What the heck is that contraption on wheels? Is it a farming vehicle?

Glad you are looking forward to a very much deserved vacation for your entire family.

 

[mommytocalliesue]

Those are cute ID bracelets. Usually they give you a "worst case scenario" for shipping/delivery so hopefully, they should get to you before your trip!

What the heck is that contraption on wheels? Is it a farming vehicle?

Glad you are looking forward to a very much deserved vacation for your entire family.

LOL!! Yes....it is a farming vehicle. It's a sprayer...sprays fertilizer, chemicals, etc. But they just "transformed" it to pull the tassel on seed corn! It's a HUGE machine!

And he got home around 10:30 tonight...I let the kids stay up because we all took nice naps (2 hours!! )...and he was talking "Disney" <gasp> with Carson!!!

And yes...I'm hoping that's the worst case scenerio! I really need those for the trip...or I'll just bring a sharpie and write our number on their hand!

 

[emmysmommy]

LOL!! Yes....it is a farming vehicle. It's a sprayer...sprays fertilizer, chemicals, etc. But they just "transformed" it to pull the tassel on seed corn! It's a HUGE machine!

And he got home around 10:30 tonight...I let the kids stay up because we all took nice naps (2 hours!! )...and he was talking "Disney" <gasp> with Carson!!!

And yes...I'm hoping that's the worst case scenerio! I really need those for the trip...or I'll just bring a sharpie and write our number on their hand!

Good to know! My daddy was a farm boy from Nebraska until he moved to CA in the late 50's. All these years later he is a collector of John Deere tractors from the 40's through 50's - go figure!

You are are very resourceful mom - sharpie on the hand!

 

[mommytocalliesue]

Good to know! My daddy was a farm boy from Nebraska until he moved to CA in the late 50's. All these years later he is a collector of John Deere tractors from the 40's through 50's - go figure!

You are are very resourceful mom - sharpie on the hand!

I won't tell my son that...he is OBSESSED with John Deere....anything John Deere....tractors, shirts, hats, etc..! His first word was tractor (of course it was a John Deere)....and he says it SO MUCH....all of our friends and their children called him "Tractor!!" He'll definitely be a farm boy like his daddy!! Not sure how I feel about that....