Leaving the Grump at Home, Beach Club here I Come!, Link to TR 10/1 Post 198

[Wicket's Mom]

Our flight is an early one, also. It leaves at 7:30 am & arrives at 9:30, non stop, which is great!

We will probably hit AK first also. That is our favorite park, didn't like it so much at first, but AK has grown on us.

 

[Poolrat]

I like my hater too much to make him an Ex, I just have to live with this one big flaw

Hey if that is his only flaw then he is a keeper. Sadly for me that was not true.

Just wanted to join your TR. I will be staying at the Beach Club villas for Labor Day weekend. I am excited to read about your plans for your trip. I can't really get my DH to come to Disney with me very often so I am going with my sister. I have stayed at the Dolphin, but never at any other resort in the area, so I am super excited to stay at BCV. I have heard that the parks are not very crowded that weekend, what do you think?

Went Labor Day weekend and it got emptier as the week went on . By Wednesday or Thursday Soarin only had a 10min wait.

 

[MeMom]

I have only tried Yak and Yeti counter service. The real Yak and Yeti is the only restaurant we have not eaten at in Animal Kingdom. I'm not sure how much the girls would like it, so we've had it on hold. I am thinking I might try it in March when I go with my friend. Those wontons are very enticing!

 

[SoonerGirl]

It's about time!

I know, right?! I'll be curious to see how well it works! I know we had free WiFi at the WL last October and it was worthless because we couldn't get a signal in our room....

Great day 1 plans! Yes, DAK definitely seems to clear out later in the afternoon. You should have no problem doing the major attractions.

Thanks for the great tip! I'm looking forward to seeing it for myself

Just wanted to join your TR. I will be staying at the Beach Club villas for Labor Day weekend. I am excited to read about your plans for your trip. I can't really get my DH to come to Disney with me very often so I am going with my sister. I have stayed at the Dolphin, but never at any other resort in the area, so I am super excited to stay at BCV. I have heard that the parks are not very crowded that weekend, what do you think?

Hi! That's pretty cool that we will be there at the same time! If you see me make sure you say hello!

Sounds like there are alot of us with DHs that don't care as much for Disney

The crowd calendar right now shows Saturday as a 4 and Sunday and Monday as 6's. So I think it will be somewhat busy at least through the weekend, after that it should drop off though.

Our flight is an early one, also. It leaves at 7:30 am & arrives at 9:30, non stop, which is great!

We will probably hit AK first also. That is our favorite park, didn't like it so much at first, but AK has grown on us.

Oh, I'd love to be there by 9:30! There have been a couple of times where I have driven down to Dallas the night before and taken the early direct flight, but I really hate that 3 hour drive home after the trip is over.

There is just so much detail in AK, I could walk around there for hours just taking pictures!

Hey if that is his only flaw then he is a keeper. Sadly for me that was not true.

Went Labor Day weekend and it got emptier as the week went on . By Wednesday or Thursday Soarin only had a 10min wait.

Well I'm happy for you that you dumped your hater then!

Wow! Only a 10 minute wait on Soarin? I will be so excited if we get crowds that low! After the weekend the crowd calendar shows mostly 3's, with one 4 and one 1 mixed in, for the rest of the week.

I have only tried Yak and Yeti counter service. The real Yak and Yeti is the only restaurant we have not eaten at in Animal Kingdom. I'm not sure how much the girls would like it, so we've had it on hold. I am thinking I might try it in March when I go with my friend. Those wontons are very enticing!

You should give it a try! The wontons are pretty good, just sayin'.......

 

[SoonerGirl]

Day 2, Sunday, September 2nd

On our first full day at Walt Disney World we will be able to sleep in just a bit, not because we are planning on skipping rope drop, but because rope drop will be right outside our door! Yep we are headed to Epcot

No waiting for a bus, no bus ride, no long line at bag check, just a short stroll over to the International Gateway and poof, we are in the park. I.Can.Not.Wait!!

Like everyone else we will head here first

We will ride standby and then grab a set of FPs for later.

I'd like to do the Character Connection next before it gets busy, but given how reluctant Jared was to have his picture taken with characters on the cruise last summer, I'm not sure he will go for this. Makes me sad

Test Track is normally our next stop, but since it is closed we won't be going there and I do NOT do Mission:Space. So instead we will take a cruise in a clam shell

Then have visit with a very cool turtle

And don't ask me why but Jared really wants to take his MiMi (that's what he calls my mom) on Figment.

I think it has something to do with a certain smell ........boys, gotta love 'em!

As a child of the 80's I'm excited about seeing the cheesy Captain EO. I watched this with Jennifer (Happydog) in October and we had so much fun with it! Yes, it was very dated and very cheesy, but the nostalgia in it for me was great. Not sure Mom and Jared are going to feel the same way, but I'm dragging them to watch it anyway

I had originally thought we would eat lunch here

But when discussing plans with Jared he nixed that idea. He wants nachos and churros from La Cantina de San Angel, which I can always eat as well, so that is where we will go!

I have plans to meet up with a lady that I originally met here on the DIS after lunch. She isn't on here much anymore, but we've stayed in touch on another board. After that meet we will probably head back to the BC to enjoy some time at Stormalong Bay.

We have a dinner ADR this night at

Question for those of you who have stayed at the BC. I've heard bus service to the MK can be slow. Would it be better for us to go through Epcot and just monorail over to the Poly, or maybe even walk to DHS and catch the Poly bus? I'm leaning towards walking through Epcot, taking the monorail to the TTC and then walking to the Poly, thoughts??

Currently our ADR time is for 6:55, I've been trying to get something earlier because I want to make it over to the Magic Kingdom for the Main Street Electrical Parade, but so far nothing doing.

I'm nervous about this ADR. I've only eaten at 'Ohana once, years ago, in 2005. We didn't care for it at all. The service was slow, the meat was dry and tough, I swore I'd never go back. But everyone here just raves about it, so I figure I must have caught it on a bad night. I'm giving it another try, hope I don't regret it.....

After our meal we are going to the Magic Kingdom for EMHs. They are open until 1am, we'll see how long we last!

 

[MHTeacher]

Walking out your door and through the IG is one of the best parts of Beach Club! You'll love it!

Kevin and I dragged our bunch in to watch Captain EO during this last trip. They were not impressed! Kids!

I'm with you, although we may be in the minority here on 'Ohana. We ate dinner there back in 2007, and had the same thoughts as you. Dessert was great, but that's not enough, so we haven't tried it since. I'll be curious to hear your thoughts about it after this trip.

When we stayed at BC, or YC for that matter, we didn't find the bus service to be slow. It seemed like a normal amount of time. In reality, we discovered that the transportation from BC/YC really was one of the best of the resorts we've stayed at--that may be because of its central location. All that being said, I think the time you'd spend walking through Epcot and up to the monorail would even out with taking the bus to MK, and catching the monorail there.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Being able to use the International Gateway is a great perk!

Test Track will be closed for us in October as well. I'm bummed!

Don't kill me but I thought Captain EO was horrible. I know, I know...sad! I'm glad you enjoy it though Michelle! We have also seen Honey I Shrunk the Kids there and that wasn't much better. I think that whole theater needs something new!

I like Jared's idea of eating at La Cantina de San Angel. Mexican food....yum! I hope you have a great meal at 'Ohana that evening. I'm desperately trying to get an early dinner ADR there in October and have had no luck either!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

All of our last several trips have been right after Labor Day. The crowds are very low at that time, but the weekends are very busy.

We have an ADR at Ohana, but I'm a little nervous about it as there a lot of bad reviews on the boards.

 

[Native NYer]

Fabulous plans!
The Epcot resorts are so convenient. Love them!
Churros and nachos are fantastic for lunch. I love all of the dining options in Epcot.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

You are going to love, love, love the IG! If you head out by the quiet pool, it will be even closer! We weave around through there on hot days...

Hmmmm, the transportation question.

Marc says walk through and take the monorail, as good as that sounds you might not feel like walking over there after a busy day.

I think I would go for the bus or just get a taxi.

Have you thought about renting a car? We always do that if we don't drive. I just love having a car.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Michelle - I haven't wandered into this section of the boards in close on a year and when I finally do, look what I find!!!

Congratulations on another trip to the World. The Grump won't budge?

Still...it sounds like an AWESOME trip!

Looking forward the rest of the PTR (4 weeks to go!!!) and the new TR.

 

[MEK]

Have you thought about renting a car? We always do that if we don't drive. I just love having a car.

I find this very interesting since she lives with Mr I Wont Rent a Car! But I have to add that we got a killer deal for our June car. $145 for 10 days. So the deals are out there and it really makes things so much more convenient.

Great plans. Awesome pictures.

 

[jenseib]

I finally got to see Captain EO last Aug...and in the 80's when it came out, That was one thing I always wanted to do...get to Disne yand see this, because I loved MJ....I'm sure if I saw it thne, I would've loved it too. Now, it was just awful! It made me motion sick on top of that too.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I have found the bus service to be inconsistent but not terrible (except Dowtown Disney - for some reason that route is awful!!) I tend to lean toward either a taxi or being under my own power and walking thru Epcot and taking the monorail. Have no proof this saves time....but makes me feel better.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Walking out your door and through the IG is one of the best parts of Beach Club! You'll love it!

Kevin and I dragged our bunch in to watch Captain EO during this last trip. They were not impressed! Kids!

I'm with you, although we may be in the minority here on 'Ohana. We ate dinner there back in 2007, and had the same thoughts as you. Dessert was great, but that's not enough, so we haven't tried it since. I'll be curious to hear your thoughts about it after this trip.

When we stayed at BC, or YC for that matter, we didn't find the bus service to be slow. It seemed like a normal amount of time. In reality, we discovered that the transportation from BC/YC really was one of the best of the resorts we've stayed at--that may be because of its central location. All that being said, I think the time you'd spend walking through Epcot and up to the monorail would even out with taking the bus to MK, and catching the monorail there.

I was starting to think I was the only 'Ohana non lover on these boards! I sure hope I don't regret giving up Kona for it....

I guess it's the whole waiting for a bus thing that has me nervous. It's not as big of a deal waiting to go to the parks, but when I'm under a time restraint trying to get to another resort for an ADR it always seems like the bus service doesn't cooperate

Being able to use the International Gateway is a great perk!

Test Track will be closed for us in October as well. I'm bummed!

Don't kill me but I thought Captain EO was horrible. I know, I know...sad! I'm glad you enjoy it though Michelle! We have also seen Honey I Shrunk the Kids there and that wasn't much better. I think that whole theater needs something new!

I like Jared's idea of eating at La Cantina de San Angel. Mexican food....yum! I hope you have a great meal at 'Ohana that evening. I'm desperately trying to get an early dinner ADR there in October and have had no luck either!

I hate that Test Track is closed! I'll be curious to see what it is like after the referb, hope they don't change it too much.

Oh, trust me, I know Captain EO is bad, so bad that I giggled all the way through it and loved it - how twisted is that?

I'm liking Jared's idea better myself. I haven't eaten at the Cantina in forever, last trip was food and wine so I was snacking on that stuff and the trip before that it was closed while they were building La Hacienda, so now I'm looking forward to nachos and a margarita!

All of our last several trips have been right after Labor Day. The crowds are very low at that time, but the weekends are very busy.

We have an ADR at Ohana, but I'm a little nervous about it as there a lot of bad reviews on the boards.

Well most people I know around here love 'Ohana, that is why I decided to give it another try. Hope I don't regret it!

Fabulous plans!
The Epcot resorts are so convenient. Love them!
Churros and nachos are fantastic for lunch. I love all of the dining options in Epcot.

Yep, if someone can't find something they like to eat in Epcot then they are way too picky, lots of great food around WS!

You are going to love, love, love the IG! If you head out by the quiet pool, it will be even closer! We weave around through there on hot days...

Hmmmm, the transportation question.

Marc says walk through and take the monorail, as good as that sounds you might not feel like walking over there after a busy day.

I think I would go for the bus or just get a taxi.

Have you thought about renting a car? We always do that if we don't drive. I just love having a car.

Why don't you come be my guide and show me how to get around the resort? I'm sure your kiddos could live without you for a few days

The taxi is a good idea, I may just wait and see how we feel. It's only the 2nd day so we shouldn't be too beat yet.

I've been watching car rental rates and haven't found one I'm willing to pay yet...

Michelle - I haven't wandered into this section of the boards in close on a year and when I finally do, look what I find!!!

Congratulations on another trip to the World. The Grump won't budge?

Still...it sounds like an AWESOME trip!

Looking forward the rest of the PTR (4 weeks to go!!!) and the new TR.

Hey there Sharon, glad you found me!! I took a pretty long break from the DIS and I'm just getting back into the flow of it, stupid real life was kicking my butt there for awhile!

Nope, Don won't budge. But at least he has gotten to the point that he doesn't give me a hard time for going, that's progress!

I know, 4 weeks from today!!!!

I find this very interesting since she lives with Mr I Wont Rent a Car! But I have to add that we got a killer deal for our June car. $145 for 10 days. So the deals are out there and it really makes things so much more convenient.

Great plans. Awesome pictures.

I know, I guess Mr I Won't Rent A Car doesn't put up a fight anymore

If I could find a rate as good as the one you got then I would jump on it, but so far I haven't seen anything anywhere near that.

I finally got to see Captain EO last Aug...and in the 80's when it came out, That was one thing I always wanted to do...get to Disne yand see this, because I loved MJ....I'm sure if I saw it thne, I would've loved it too. Now, it was just awful! It made me motion sick on top of that too.

I think you have to watch Captain EO with the right frame of mind, I knew it was going to be bad, but wanted to see it because I grew up in the 80s and was a big MJ fan before he lost his mind. It made me think of my teenage years and I cracked up at how cheesy and dated it was. Pretty sure one more go around will probably be enough for me though

I have found the bus service to be inconsistent but not terrible (except Dowtown Disney - for some reason that route is awful!!) I tend to lean toward either a taxi or being under my own power and walking thru Epcot and taking the monorail. Have no proof this saves time....but makes me feel better.

Maybe it's the control freak in us that makes us think the walk through Epcot is the right way to go. I know how fast my feet can carry me, I don't know how long I'll have to sit at the bus stop.....

The taxi is a good idea

 

[Poolrat]

Question for those of you who have stayed at the BC. I've heard bus service to the MK can be slow. Would it be better for us to go through Epcot and just monorail over to the Poly, or maybe even walk to DHS and catch the Poly bus? I'm leaning towards walking through Epcot, taking the monorail to the TTC and then walking to the Poly, thoughts??

Currently our ADR time is for 6:55, I've been trying to get something earlier because I want to make it over to the Magic Kingdom for the Main Street Electrical Parade, but so far nothing doing.

I'm nervous about this ADR. I've only eaten at 'Ohana once, years ago, in 2005. We didn't care for it at all. The service was slow, the meat was dry and tough, I swore I'd never go back. But everyone here just raves about it, so I figure I must have caught it on a bad night. I'm giving it another try, hope I don't regret it.....

You really have 4 options,
1- Bus to MK and then Monorail/boat to poly
2- Walk through EPCOT and then Monorail to TTC and walk/ Ride to Poly
3- Get to DHE - walk /boat and then bus to Poly which can be slow OR bus to TTC and then walk to Poly.
4- Taxi to Poly

The busses all make stops and that time of year may be only BC/YC or all 5 DOl/SW, YC/BC, BW

The Busstop for TTC is pretty far from either the path or the boat dock at TTC but you can stalk the 2 bus stops and take wichever comes first.

I would either monorail or go to DHS - only my opinion but I have not really had good luck with the busses at deluxe resorts.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I find this very interesting since she lives with Mr I Wont Rent a Car! But I have to add that we got a killer deal for our June car. $145 for 10 days. So the deals are out there and it really makes things so much more convenient.

Poor old Mr I Won't Rent a Car and resolved himself to getting the rental with we book flights. He doesn't want to listen to me complain about bus transportation. Plus we like to do our own grocery shopping.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Michelle, while I would be more than happy to come along and show you everything wonderful about Beach Club, my principal would frown on me taking more days for Disney since she knows I'm going in October.....
Just weave through the halls looking for exit signs. You will find your way to the quiet pool and then you are very close to the IG.

 

[SoonerGirl]

You really have 4 options,
1- Bus to MK and then Monorail/boat to poly
2- Walk through EPCOT and then Monorail to TTC and walk/ Ride to Poly
3- Get to DHE - walk /boat and then bus to Poly which can be slow OR bus to TTC and then walk to Poly.
4- Taxi to Poly

The busses all make stops and that time of year may be only BC/YC or all 5 DOl/SW, YC/BC, BW

The Busstop for TTC is pretty far from either the path or the boat dock at TTC but you can stalk the 2 bus stops and take wichever comes first.

I would either monorail or go to DHS - only my opinion but I have not really had good luck with the busses at deluxe resorts.

I think I'm leaning towards the walk through Epcot & the monorail, but I'm also really starting to like the taxi option......

Poor old Mr I Won't Rent a Car and resolved himself to getting the rental with we book flights. He doesn't want to listen to me complain about bus transportation. Plus we like to do our own grocery shopping.

He's a good man

Michelle, while I would be more than happy to come along and show you everything wonderful about Beach Club, my principal would frown on me taking more days for Disney since she knows I'm going in October.....
Just weave through the halls looking for exit signs. You will find your way to the quiet pool and then you are very close to the IG.

Those principals, always so concerned about you actually being at work, what the heck is wrong with them?

I'm sure I'll find my way around, I was just trying to figure out a way to see you again

On another note, when you have time, if you'll let me know how much shipping is going to be on the MP pillow, I'll send you the money for the pillow & the shipping. Thanks so much for picking that up for me, can't wait to see it in person! You're the best!!!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Great plans!!! I love the IG. It is a true gem and so much fun. It makes you feel like you have your own private entrance to the magic.

We have eaten O'hanas twice. One time was phenomenal and the second was just as you described. Hope you have a great time and enjoy it.