LeafsFanNL
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2010
Introduction
This is a Trip report on a trip that my wife and I took from December 8th-12th from our home in Newfoundland to the Beach Club. I first went to Disney World as a grade seven student in 1979, when we stayed at Holiday Inn in the Downtown Disney area. DW had a similar trip when she was a little older around the same time. After we were married and had twin boys in 2001, we started thinking about returning. We have had four trips over the last four years, each trip a week at Easter. In 2007 we stayed at POFQ. In 2008 we stayed at the Vistana. In 2009 we stayed at POR, and this year we stayed as part of a larger group at WL. We have been tossing around the idea of a adult trip for a while, but I did not think it was forthcoming.
Briefly my wife surprised me with this trip in late September. The two of us headed down to stay for four nights between Dec 8th and 12th at the Beach Club. This trip we would not get the dining plan mainly so that we would not feel obligated to dine at certain times and certain frequencies to get our monies worth.
Our touring strategy was in the main to recognize that we could in no way do everything, but to try to hit our highlights while maintaining a relatively relaxed pace. We wished to spend time in all parks, but I in particular wanted a fair bit of time in World Showcase
One change that happened to our plans since DW returned from NYC in early November was that she indicated that she would like to take a few hours away from touring to do some outlet shopping. Considering that this whole trip was her surprise to me, letting her perform her own Florida economic stimulus plan seemed the least I could do.
On Sunday before the trip DW bought me a new IPhone. I had been going on and on about WDW Lines all fall, and I guess she knew it would be a good early Christmas Present. I was very much looking forward to using Lines a lot.
One factor that was giving us some concern was that I slipped on some ice recently and had a sore hip and tailbone. When I am on my feet for multiple hours, I get some moderate pain.
In writing this TR I looked at the photos I took. They just show I am a lousy photographer, and how grey the World was last week. Ill post a few.
Day 1 Wednesday December 8th
Finally our big day was here!! We both worked a full day, although probably not productively, before we got home, grabbed our bags, briefed grandmother on what the kids had over the next four days, and headed out the door to drive the twenty minutes to the airport. This time of the year weather can be a big concern, but it was fine this evening. At 5:30 pm we were on the way!
Our flight to Toronto was a little shorter than usual due to the absence of the typical headwind. Id guess we were a little less than three hours in the air. DW and I watched The Expendables, which was expendable, and started watching The American, which was interesting at the beginning but became rather slow paced.
The typical Toronto mad dash to retrieve baggage and pre-clear US customs was made much easier by our early arrival, and by how few people were at Pearson Airport. I dont think I have ever seen lighter crowds, it was almost deserted. It was very eerie. Imagine an empty Toy Story at 2:00 pm and youll get the idea. We then boarded our flight to MCO. We finished the movie we started the flight before. The movie turned out to be rather boring, with not much of an ending, (you didnt know you were getting Siskel and Ebert, did you?) We landed on time at about 11:45pm, but that was 1:15 for us and we were getting tired.
The baggage collection process was long, and we waited about 20 minutes for the DME bus to leave. This wait was not unusual I guess, but the process was slower than we had experienced in previous trips, and fatigue probably made us less tolerant than usual. After dropping off a ton of people and baggage at the Caribbean Beach, and one couple at Yacht Club, we showed up at Beach Club. We checked in and headed up to our room. I forget the number but it was overlooking the lobby directly above the entrance on the second floor. It was a room with a King bed. It had no balcony, and from what we could see no way to open any windows and air out the place. This was needed as something must have happened in the room and there was a powerful smell of cleaner, which my wife is sensitive to. She went downstairs and ten minutes later, she came back with keys to another room 3615, which had two queens and a mini balcony. It was a little musty, but we were able to live with it. We went to bed about 2:15 am or so.
Day 2 Thursday December 9th
We woke up at about 7 am, rather bleary eyed and after freshening up, we headed down to get our park hopper tickets, and start hopping. We made it to the concierge desk and found out that the computer system still had us in the old room, and another family was still booked to go into room 3615. A very determined cast member took the time to let some person on the other end of the line know what was what. This fine lady asked us to get some coffee in the Marketplace, and she would take care of the issue while we were in the Marketplace and refund the room the price of the coffee. One of the reasons I love the World is the people who take the time to fix these issues that might otherwise dampen the fun.
This took only 10 minutes or so to sort out, and we then went out to the bus stop to get the MK bus for early EMH. The weather was rather cool probably 5 or 6 degrees, but pants, a light golf jacket, and a ball cap was fine. A young fellow was there reporting when the busses came, he was dressed for New Years Eve in the Yukon. It was funny. Our plan for this day had been to do MK for a couple of hours, hitting attractions we liked. The crowd calendar had MK at a low number due to the fact the there was a party that evening, and many people stay away from the park on a day like that.
Anyway the bus came very quickly and we were on our way. We made it with about 10 minutes to spare before rope drop. The ceremony to open the park is very nice and I liked it as much as I had in 2009.
Not many people at rope drop. They look pretty cold as well
I love the opening of the MK
Me in front of toy soldiers in Main Street
When we got in the park I made my mind up that I was going to do Space Mountain. I had hesitated after my experience on Expedition Everest last April. I had done Space Mountain, but it was in 1979!! So we headed over there and while DW waited for me I got in a very short line maybe two or three minutes most. I spent more time walking under the ride to get there. It wasnt bad at all, probably on par with Big Thunder. Ill ride it again when we come back with the kids. EE is still the only ride which is on my, thanks, but no thanks list.
We then went over to Fantasyland. All those walls really change the feel of the place. We decided to ride a couple of attractions, Pooh, and Snow White which was a first for us. Then while waiting for Adventureland to open we went back over to Tomorrowland and rode Buzz, and one of our favourites the Peoplemover.
Fantasyland crowds about 8:45 am. Look at the wall
It was time for the other side of the park to open. We headed over there and rode the Jungle Cruise and Pirates. It was too cool for Splash, and BTMRR was the one ride we had done many, many times. We were getting really hungry. It was now getting close to 10 am, and we considered Pecos Bills or Caseys but both were not going to open for some time.
By now even though we had only been in the MK for two hours, we had done a lot of what we wanted to do, and we were both ready to get the EPCOT portion of our trip going. We decided to head over to the Poly where we had an 11:15 am ADR at Kona, and see if we could get in early. We took the resort monorail, and were seated, probably about 10:30 am. We both had the Tonga Toast, and Kona Blend coffee and I can see what the buzz is about. After eating we grabbed the EPCOT Monorail getting there just after noon.
The crowds here were also much lighter than I have ever experienced, and way lighter than last Easter. I went over to Soarin immediately and got fastpasses for 3:40 pm. I showed up and hour earlier on Holy Thursday this year and all fastpasses for Soarin and Test Track were gone. After getting the fastpasses it was off to World Showcase for the Tour I had so looked forward to. However fatigue was beginning to set in. I was so tired, I was almost sick. So after doing a very brief tour of Canada, which is one pavilion I have done well, and a very thorough tour of the UK, which I have always rushed through, we both decided we desperately needed a break. We walked out the international gateway, and up to the room about 1:15 pm. I set the alarm for 3:00 pm, and we had a good nap.
Canada crowd at about 12:30 pm
The Boardwalk Bridge from the International Gateway
After awakening to the alarm ringtone on my IPhone, we got up feeling a little better. I checked the outside temperature and swimming was not in the cards. We freshened up changing into shorts and t-shirts before heading back to EPCOT. We had a little time before our fastpasses for Soarin were useable, so we decided to get fastpasses for Test Track, and see the Jammitors. They were great as usual. Soarin has always been a favourite, and was fun. There were a few somewhat rowdy teens with Pop Warner attire on. They werent too bad, and were about the only indication we had that the event was occurring.
When we left Soarin we had some time before Test Track so we headed over to the Imagination Pavillion, and rode my guilty pleasure, Journey into Imagination. We then decided to see Captain Eo, which was interesting. I am still not sure what I think of it. We then headed over to Test Track, which my wife liked a lot.
After bypassing the GM commercial at the end of the ride we went outside and it was getting dark and cool. Shorts and tees were not such a good idea after all. We decided to exit and see about dinner.
We had a 7:45 pm ADR at Cape May, but the idea of a buffet didnt really thrill either of us at that moment. We arranged a 7 pm at Captains Grille.
While we were waiting, we decided to get a beverage at Marthas Vineyard. This is a very nice lounge, as nice as any I have seen on property, but it was always empty. Its location hurts it popularity I think. Its closer to the Yacht Club which already has two bars of its own.
A Gingerbread Carousel in the Beach Club Lobby
At Dinner we had clam chowder followed by strip steaks which were quite nice, after hearing about this flight or that flight over the past few years, I decided to try the Sam Adams flight and it was good. We were too full for dessert.
After dinner we dressed for the cool weather and headed over just in time for Holiday Illuminations. We managed to find a spot in France between the crepe stand and the wine stand which worked out well. The show was wonderful as usual, with the holiday tag something very special indeed. We the left the park, were back in our room at 10pm and asleep not long after that.
Considering how tired we were at the start of this day, I think we did fine. We did many of our favourites in two parks, did a little of the World Showcase, and had a couple of nice meals. We never made the pool, but it was too cold for that. DW didnt get her turkey leg, or the funnel cake, or a Dole Whip, but we had two more days.
This is a Trip report on a trip that my wife and I took from December 8th-12th from our home in Newfoundland to the Beach Club. I first went to Disney World as a grade seven student in 1979, when we stayed at Holiday Inn in the Downtown Disney area. DW had a similar trip when she was a little older around the same time. After we were married and had twin boys in 2001, we started thinking about returning. We have had four trips over the last four years, each trip a week at Easter. In 2007 we stayed at POFQ. In 2008 we stayed at the Vistana. In 2009 we stayed at POR, and this year we stayed as part of a larger group at WL. We have been tossing around the idea of a adult trip for a while, but I did not think it was forthcoming.
Briefly my wife surprised me with this trip in late September. The two of us headed down to stay for four nights between Dec 8th and 12th at the Beach Club. This trip we would not get the dining plan mainly so that we would not feel obligated to dine at certain times and certain frequencies to get our monies worth.
Our touring strategy was in the main to recognize that we could in no way do everything, but to try to hit our highlights while maintaining a relatively relaxed pace. We wished to spend time in all parks, but I in particular wanted a fair bit of time in World Showcase
One change that happened to our plans since DW returned from NYC in early November was that she indicated that she would like to take a few hours away from touring to do some outlet shopping. Considering that this whole trip was her surprise to me, letting her perform her own Florida economic stimulus plan seemed the least I could do.
On Sunday before the trip DW bought me a new IPhone. I had been going on and on about WDW Lines all fall, and I guess she knew it would be a good early Christmas Present. I was very much looking forward to using Lines a lot.
One factor that was giving us some concern was that I slipped on some ice recently and had a sore hip and tailbone. When I am on my feet for multiple hours, I get some moderate pain.
In writing this TR I looked at the photos I took. They just show I am a lousy photographer, and how grey the World was last week. Ill post a few.
Day 1 Wednesday December 8th
Finally our big day was here!! We both worked a full day, although probably not productively, before we got home, grabbed our bags, briefed grandmother on what the kids had over the next four days, and headed out the door to drive the twenty minutes to the airport. This time of the year weather can be a big concern, but it was fine this evening. At 5:30 pm we were on the way!
Our flight to Toronto was a little shorter than usual due to the absence of the typical headwind. Id guess we were a little less than three hours in the air. DW and I watched The Expendables, which was expendable, and started watching The American, which was interesting at the beginning but became rather slow paced.
The typical Toronto mad dash to retrieve baggage and pre-clear US customs was made much easier by our early arrival, and by how few people were at Pearson Airport. I dont think I have ever seen lighter crowds, it was almost deserted. It was very eerie. Imagine an empty Toy Story at 2:00 pm and youll get the idea. We then boarded our flight to MCO. We finished the movie we started the flight before. The movie turned out to be rather boring, with not much of an ending, (you didnt know you were getting Siskel and Ebert, did you?) We landed on time at about 11:45pm, but that was 1:15 for us and we were getting tired.
The baggage collection process was long, and we waited about 20 minutes for the DME bus to leave. This wait was not unusual I guess, but the process was slower than we had experienced in previous trips, and fatigue probably made us less tolerant than usual. After dropping off a ton of people and baggage at the Caribbean Beach, and one couple at Yacht Club, we showed up at Beach Club. We checked in and headed up to our room. I forget the number but it was overlooking the lobby directly above the entrance on the second floor. It was a room with a King bed. It had no balcony, and from what we could see no way to open any windows and air out the place. This was needed as something must have happened in the room and there was a powerful smell of cleaner, which my wife is sensitive to. She went downstairs and ten minutes later, she came back with keys to another room 3615, which had two queens and a mini balcony. It was a little musty, but we were able to live with it. We went to bed about 2:15 am or so.
Day 2 Thursday December 9th
We woke up at about 7 am, rather bleary eyed and after freshening up, we headed down to get our park hopper tickets, and start hopping. We made it to the concierge desk and found out that the computer system still had us in the old room, and another family was still booked to go into room 3615. A very determined cast member took the time to let some person on the other end of the line know what was what. This fine lady asked us to get some coffee in the Marketplace, and she would take care of the issue while we were in the Marketplace and refund the room the price of the coffee. One of the reasons I love the World is the people who take the time to fix these issues that might otherwise dampen the fun.
This took only 10 minutes or so to sort out, and we then went out to the bus stop to get the MK bus for early EMH. The weather was rather cool probably 5 or 6 degrees, but pants, a light golf jacket, and a ball cap was fine. A young fellow was there reporting when the busses came, he was dressed for New Years Eve in the Yukon. It was funny. Our plan for this day had been to do MK for a couple of hours, hitting attractions we liked. The crowd calendar had MK at a low number due to the fact the there was a party that evening, and many people stay away from the park on a day like that.
Anyway the bus came very quickly and we were on our way. We made it with about 10 minutes to spare before rope drop. The ceremony to open the park is very nice and I liked it as much as I had in 2009.
Not many people at rope drop. They look pretty cold as well
I love the opening of the MK
Me in front of toy soldiers in Main Street
When we got in the park I made my mind up that I was going to do Space Mountain. I had hesitated after my experience on Expedition Everest last April. I had done Space Mountain, but it was in 1979!! So we headed over there and while DW waited for me I got in a very short line maybe two or three minutes most. I spent more time walking under the ride to get there. It wasnt bad at all, probably on par with Big Thunder. Ill ride it again when we come back with the kids. EE is still the only ride which is on my, thanks, but no thanks list.
We then went over to Fantasyland. All those walls really change the feel of the place. We decided to ride a couple of attractions, Pooh, and Snow White which was a first for us. Then while waiting for Adventureland to open we went back over to Tomorrowland and rode Buzz, and one of our favourites the Peoplemover.
Fantasyland crowds about 8:45 am. Look at the wall
It was time for the other side of the park to open. We headed over there and rode the Jungle Cruise and Pirates. It was too cool for Splash, and BTMRR was the one ride we had done many, many times. We were getting really hungry. It was now getting close to 10 am, and we considered Pecos Bills or Caseys but both were not going to open for some time.
By now even though we had only been in the MK for two hours, we had done a lot of what we wanted to do, and we were both ready to get the EPCOT portion of our trip going. We decided to head over to the Poly where we had an 11:15 am ADR at Kona, and see if we could get in early. We took the resort monorail, and were seated, probably about 10:30 am. We both had the Tonga Toast, and Kona Blend coffee and I can see what the buzz is about. After eating we grabbed the EPCOT Monorail getting there just after noon.
The crowds here were also much lighter than I have ever experienced, and way lighter than last Easter. I went over to Soarin immediately and got fastpasses for 3:40 pm. I showed up and hour earlier on Holy Thursday this year and all fastpasses for Soarin and Test Track were gone. After getting the fastpasses it was off to World Showcase for the Tour I had so looked forward to. However fatigue was beginning to set in. I was so tired, I was almost sick. So after doing a very brief tour of Canada, which is one pavilion I have done well, and a very thorough tour of the UK, which I have always rushed through, we both decided we desperately needed a break. We walked out the international gateway, and up to the room about 1:15 pm. I set the alarm for 3:00 pm, and we had a good nap.
Canada crowd at about 12:30 pm
The Boardwalk Bridge from the International Gateway
After awakening to the alarm ringtone on my IPhone, we got up feeling a little better. I checked the outside temperature and swimming was not in the cards. We freshened up changing into shorts and t-shirts before heading back to EPCOT. We had a little time before our fastpasses for Soarin were useable, so we decided to get fastpasses for Test Track, and see the Jammitors. They were great as usual. Soarin has always been a favourite, and was fun. There were a few somewhat rowdy teens with Pop Warner attire on. They werent too bad, and were about the only indication we had that the event was occurring.
When we left Soarin we had some time before Test Track so we headed over to the Imagination Pavillion, and rode my guilty pleasure, Journey into Imagination. We then decided to see Captain Eo, which was interesting. I am still not sure what I think of it. We then headed over to Test Track, which my wife liked a lot.
After bypassing the GM commercial at the end of the ride we went outside and it was getting dark and cool. Shorts and tees were not such a good idea after all. We decided to exit and see about dinner.
We had a 7:45 pm ADR at Cape May, but the idea of a buffet didnt really thrill either of us at that moment. We arranged a 7 pm at Captains Grille.
While we were waiting, we decided to get a beverage at Marthas Vineyard. This is a very nice lounge, as nice as any I have seen on property, but it was always empty. Its location hurts it popularity I think. Its closer to the Yacht Club which already has two bars of its own.
A Gingerbread Carousel in the Beach Club Lobby
At Dinner we had clam chowder followed by strip steaks which were quite nice, after hearing about this flight or that flight over the past few years, I decided to try the Sam Adams flight and it was good. We were too full for dessert.
After dinner we dressed for the cool weather and headed over just in time for Holiday Illuminations. We managed to find a spot in France between the crepe stand and the wine stand which worked out well. The show was wonderful as usual, with the holiday tag something very special indeed. We the left the park, were back in our room at 10pm and asleep not long after that.
Considering how tired we were at the start of this day, I think we did fine. We did many of our favourites in two parks, did a little of the World Showcase, and had a couple of nice meals. We never made the pool, but it was too cold for that. DW didnt get her turkey leg, or the funnel cake, or a Dole Whip, but we had two more days.
But my love for it comes from a very nostalgic place - when I hear that music, I'm immediately 8 years old again (and it's Disney in the 1980's, haha!) - such a wonderful feeling. 
