"A free trip to the World? Sweet!" - AUGUST 2013 WDW AEP TR updated 10/19

[klacey1]

I love, love, love POR. Our room in AB was preferred, so we didn't need to deal with aimlessly wandering to find our building. However, we got SUPER lost the first time we tried to find Acadian House. The WL has spoiled me now though-- I like everything being in one building!!
The Royal Rooms are gorgeous though-- I would have LOVED them as a child. (Or now. Ehem.)

 

[jenny105]

I love, love, love POR. Our room in AB was preferred, so we didn't need to deal with aimlessly wandering to find our building. However, we got SUPER lost the first time we tried to find Acadian House. The WL has spoiled me now though-- I like everything being in one building!!
The Royal Rooms are gorgeous though-- I would have LOVED them as a child. (Or now. Ehem.)

I keep suggesting moderates to Kris because I've never stayed at one and he refuses because of that reason - he likes everything in one building. I mentioned BWV or OKW for next year and he already nixed OKW! We're looking to rent points again at BWV, OKW, and AKV all have the same point value. He said he wouldn't mind staying in AKV but OKW is a solid no!

 

[jenny105]

Before we left for Disney World, Disney offered our group free tickets to La Nouba. Lorraine and I both turned it down (we just weren’t interested) but it seemed like everyone else was participating. Kristen, who sat with us at our breakfast table every day, wasn’t going either so we invited her to join us for dinner at Epcot. She agreed and before we went anywhere, a trip to the Grand Floridian pool was in order because it was just so freaking hot!
The pool at GF? BOR-ING! There’s a water slide, which is nice, but there’s no real theme and it’s small in comparison to other deluxe pools I’ve seen. However the kids’ area was adorable. It’s a splash and play zone themed after Alice in Wonderland. Very cute!

GF pool.

Beach area

We paid a visit to the pool bar. The pools have a brand new drink menu and the bartender had just come back to work after vacation so he kept having to look up the recipes. The drinks were delicious though!

We lounged around for about 45 minutes sipping our drinks and talking before heading back to the room to get changed. We met in the mini-lobby of our building and headed toward the monorail. Sigh. The monorail is great for Magic Kingdom but for Epcot…what a pain in the butt. I’m sure it’s easier from the Polynesian because you can walk to the ticket and transportation center so there’s no transfer necessary but I think the other monorail resorts should offer alternate transportation to Epcot. It took at least 30 minutes to get there by monorail.

Of course I had to be a dork and wear my Epcot Anniversary shirt to Epcot.

We had dinner reservations at Garden Grill and since we were early & in the same building, we Soared over California first. It was Lorraine and Kristen’s first flight and I lost count for me. I like this ride, it’s very relaxing, but I don’t think it justifies a 60+ minute wait. If it weren’t for fastpass I’d never go on it!

Time for dinner! I was excited about Garden Grill because this was a first for me and boy am I glad we picked this place. Absolutely delicious! Everything is served family style and it you want extra of anything all you have to do is ask. Our server, who was fantastic by the way, even gave us stuff that wasn’t listed on the menu like macaroni and cheese and sweet potato fries. Everything was so good! The restaurant slowly rotates and you see different scenes through the rotation – a farm house, desert, plains, and a rainforest where you can see the boat ride. Some of the scenes have animatronic animals. The icing on the cake is that this place is also a character meal destination. I highly recommend Garden Grill.

Blurry!

We were lucky enough to get TWO desserts! One is berry cobbler and the other are cone cupcakes with frosting. Both were very yummy!

Before we left our server gave us glow sticks as one more ‘dessert.’ I think we were the last people in the restaurant at this point! Epcot was closed by the time we were finished with dinner so we headed back to the Grand Floridian via the monorail. I wanted to walk through the Poly from the ticket and transportation center back to GF but I was vetoed lol. We arrived back at our room and turned in for the night. Tomorrow was another busy day!

Day 3 Ending – Stay tuned for Cape May Café and a tour of the Disney Dream!​

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

i have been wanting to eat there again and hope to put it on the list for our next trip, i bet the kids would enjoy it and with the characters another bonus.

 

[RGirl]

What did you think of Boardwalk? We toured it but it's not the same as staying there! That is my first choice for next year's trip.

Oh, we absolutely love the BW! We have stayed there twice now - rented points for BWV the first time and at the regular resort this time. Fantastic - love having the view of the boardwalk from the balcony to watch all the goings-on. And the pool is a blast. Highly recommend!

Isn't Garden Grill fantastic???? We did it for the first time in August (just posted my review of it last night, actually), and we would happily go there every trip

 

[jenny105]

i have been wanting to eat there again and hope to put it on the list for our next trip, i bet the kids would enjoy it and with the characters another bonus.

I loved it there! I definitely wouldn't mind going back.

Oh, we absolutely love the BW! We have stayed there twice now - rented points for BWV the first time and at the regular resort this time. Fantastic - love having the view of the boardwalk from the balcony to watch all the goings-on. And the pool is a blast. Highly recommend!

Isn't Garden Grill fantastic???? We did it for the first time in August (just posted my review of it last night, actually), and we would happily go there every trip

We want to rent points but it's going to be tough finding someone who owns at BWV & especially for the time of year we want to go (during Food & Wine). Hopefully we will luck out!

YES! I loved it there! It was so easy to meet the characters because of the way the place is set up and the food was delicious!

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[klacey1]

I would have been with you on turning down La Nouba tickets. I don't really get the Cirque craze.
And for the flagship resort, GF's pool is really lame.
Garden Grill's menu sounds SO good-- and your server was awesome!!

 

[princess_momma]

I've never stayed at a Mod either. We'll see if that ever happens. The only reason I've stayed deluxe is thanks to DVC points and I think I'd just like to continue doing that when I can. But they look great. And I do love most the pools. Plus royal rooms? Yes please. Okay I would really love to stay at one, but we'll see.

Good to know about the GF pool/EPCOT monorail traveling...I'll have to store that knowledge away for one day when the decision is what I WANT not what I can afford just to get my butt back to Disney.

Garden Grill looks sooo good!

 

[jenny105]

Great update!

Thanks!

I would have been with you on turning down La Nouba tickets. I don't really get the Cirque craze.
And for the flagship resort, GF's pool is really lame.
Garden Grill's menu sounds SO good-- and your server was awesome!!

There are so many cirque shows and you can see them anywhere - I just didn't want to waste park time by seeing the show. We had limited time as it was!

I've never stayed at a Mod either. We'll see if that ever happens. The only reason I've stayed deluxe is thanks to DVC points and I think I'd just like to continue doing that when I can. But they look great. And I do love most the pools. Plus royal rooms? Yes please. Okay I would really love to stay at one, but we'll see.

Good to know about the GF pool/EPCOT monorail traveling...I'll have to store that knowledge away for one day when the decision is what I WANT not what I can afford just to get my butt back to Disney.

Garden Grill looks sooo good!

DVC rentals are awesome aren't they? Who have you rented from? I need to find someone to rent from next year.

 

[jenny105]

So this was the earliest wake-up call of all our days. We met in the convention center at 7:10 and arrived at Cape May Café for breakfast at 7:30. It was our group and a couple other early bird families and that was it. They gave us 45 minutes to go through the buffet line, eat, and take pictures with the characters. For a group of 50+ this was no small feat but we managed it! I really liked Cape May Café. It was my first time there, the food was good, and I loved seeing the characters in their beach gear!

My favorite!

Our breakfast table for that morning. A little different than usual but it was fun getting to know some of the others in the group.

After breakfast we got a very quick tour of the Yacht and Beach Club. We weren’t able to get into any rooms because we were short on time but we saw the lobbies, pool, and big surprise, the convention center. If I never see another convention center in my life it will be too soon.

Lobby of the Beach Club. I need one of those chairs!

The starfish is a cute touch!

Stormalong Bay, the most awesome Disney pool ever!

The Yacht Club lobby. A bit more refined.

Our mini-tour ended and we were on the bus by 8:30. It takes about an hour to get to Port Canaveral and they wanted us to have plenty of time to see the Dream. We were shown a DCL video on the way over to kill some time and I think I may have dozed off a bit as well. I came back to life once we came into view of the ship.

I can see the Aquaduck!

We passed through security just like regular DCL guests would and proceeded to exchange our driver’s license for a pass that we had to give back at the end of the tour.

I love the Port Canaveral terminal. SO much prettier than NYC!

You pass through these ears to board the ship!

As you walk through you’ll see these signs…

Then you’ll get your ‘Welcome Aboard’ picture taken.

Look who we ran into as he made his way to say hello to guests waiting in the terminal.

That’s all the time I have for right now. Join me next time when we’ll tour the Disney Dream!​

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[RGirl]

Wow - you really got to see a bit of everything on this trip! Very cool!!

 

[Joyciemc]

Never thought about eating at Garden Grill, but I'll have to give it a try sometime!

Can't wait to see the Dream!

 

[jenny105]

Great update!

Thanks!

Wow - you really got to see a bit of everything on this trip! Very cool!!

When I went on the Disneyland AEP in 2011 they took us to see the Wonder since it was docked in LA. Disney is great about showing you everything they can!

Never thought about eating at Garden Grill, but I'll have to give it a try sometime!

Can't wait to see the Dream!

Definitely try it! It's worth it.

 

[kate_wdw]

Just wanted to say that I'm enjoying your trip report! I can't wait to see the rest of the Dream!

 

[lilbrimomma]

OMGoodness!! Can not wait to see your tour of the cruise ship!!! Something I really wanna do and have to talk husband into it!! He says " I will only go on a cruise if I can see land! "

 

[saintstickets]

Love your TR. I'm looking forward to your Disney Dream review. I think I'll finally break down and go on a cruise this time next year. I've been reluctant to go on one in the past. For some reason DW asks how much my life insurance is every time we talk about a cruise....I wonder why?

 

[jenny105]

Just wanted to say that I'm enjoying your trip report! I can't wait to see the rest of the Dream!

Thank you! Dream post coming soon.

OMGoodness!! Can not wait to see your tour of the cruise ship!!! Something I really wanna do and have to talk husband into it!! He says " I will only go on a cruise if I can see land! "

Cruises are great! Can you talk him into a 3 day? You're not TOO far from land. You may be able to see the coastline at least!

Love your TR. I'm looking forward to your Disney Dream review. I think I'll finally break down and go on a cruise this time next year. I've been reluctant to go on one in the past. For some reason DW asks how much my life insurance is every time we talk about a cruise....I wonder why?

Thank you! I'm taking my 7th cruise on Sunday. Once you take your first cruise you'll become addicted. Just stay away from Carnival!!

 

[jenny105]

We boarded the ship and the first place they took us was the Walt Disney Theatre. Our guide (I forget her name but she worked for DCL) wanted to take us inside but we werent allowed because of rehearsals. We came back again later but we were again denied. Everything was set up for that nights show, The Golden Mickeys. If any of you have ever sailed on a DCL cruise you know that the entertainment is top notch. If youve never sailed with DCL well then what are you waiting for??

We were taken up to the pool deck next and the first thing I spotted was this Carnival ship. How dare you dock next to the Dream?? Seriously I think their ships are really ugly. Sorry to any Carnival fans out there. It didnt look like very many people were onboard that ship. Not surprising given all the problems Carnival has been having this year.

The adult pool. I love that the bar is part of the pool. They really improved upon the Magic & Wonders adult pool IMO.

I was dying to go on the Aquaduck but sadly we had no time.

Kids Nemo themed splash area near the family pool. They turned the water on right as we were walking by.

Next up were tours of Remy and Palo. Both are beautiful. Ive never been to Remy since thats only on the Dream & Fantasy but I have been to Palo on the Magic. Delicious! Well worth the cover charge.

Palo

Remy. Notice in the second picture the carving of the chair. Can you spot our little rodent chef?

So much wine!

Back outside to see the sports deck. Goofy themed mini-golf. The cute thing about this is that the courses are marked with Goofy and Maxs shoe prints. You can stand on them and try to hit the ball down the course just like they did!

We toured the kids areas next. I thought this little hand washing machines were awesome. The kids stick their hands into it, water shoots up, swirls around, and cleans their hands! Best of all their kid height!

This was by far my favorite room in the kids area.

Yes the kids can change the parts on Mr. Potato Head.

The nursery themed after Its a Small World. I asked if they played the song. I was told no they dont. Lucky kids! Sometimes Ill hang up if that is the hold music when I call Disney&

The atrium. This is where youll enter the ship and be announced by DCL cast members. When you walk on the ship theyll ask your name and then say into the microphone Please welcome the X family! Then the CM will tell you what is open for lunch and direct you there. Its a nice touch!

Vibe the teen club. This spot was really cool! They have their own hot tubs, lucky kids! There were a couple of teenage boys in there while we toured, brothers I assume, and I overheard one of them say Wow, this is awesome. We all know how teenagers can be hard to impress. Good on ya Disney!