2011/2012 Beach & Yacht FAQ, Part IV- DO NOT POST- see new 2012 thread

[Minnie&Nana]

I hope everyone had a wonderful day yesterday!

Marlton Mom- thanks so much for sharing those amazing photos to put us in the Christmas spirit (and to make us jealous about traveling to the world during the holiday season). What year was that trip?

Here's an adorable photo of Teena's grandaughter Lily discovering Christmas:

Awww, Lily is so precious!!!! Thanks so much for posting this adorable photo!!

Merry Christmas to all!!

 

[kelleigh1]

Lily is so adorable!! Thanks for sharing.

 

[pixarmom]

They're both fantastic!! The Poly is our home, but BC is our beach house.

Trying to decide what to book for our late spring/early summer trip. We're doing a split between AKL and BC. Trying to decide whether we'll be in our room enough to enjoy a view or not. Of course, we once had a view of Spaceship Earth from our "parking lot view" that I loved!! Decisions, decisions...

First, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone! And what a fun Lily photo - Teena, you must be so excited to see her soon!

And Jes, if you're undecided on view and want something in between, you might consider a garden view at BC and a pool view at AKL. Both are just a few dollars more per night, but help to avoid those parking lot views.

BC: I know there are different views of the BC garden view rooms, but we book that category. The garden view at BC may not be landscaped (sometimes it's just trees) but we prefer that over standard. And as you mentioned, there can be other benefits - like fireworks views above the treetops!

AKL: I absolutely loved the pool view at AKL - good location, close to the pool, and I'd actually prefer to overlook the pool at AKL than the animals on the savannah. There are so many viewing spots throughout the resort, so a pool view may be a good compromise if you're not sure how much time you would be spending in your room.

 

[Marlton Mom]

Those Disney Christmas pictures were from our December 2008 trip. We stayed at POFQ and it was a 5 day quickie trip, packed with park hopping and don't stop until you drop and then go some more. After about 3 days of rope drop and park closing I got up one morning, went to EPCOT, rode Soaring and told my family I had to go home to POFQ and go back to bed! We passed up our first lunch at LeCellier, which knowing what we know now about how wonderful it is, I might not have done.

I've often thought about those bodies you see laying out on the lawn at Disney... I know you're reading this and saying I don't remember seeing any bodies lying around, but then I'll say "yeah sure ya have, like on the lawn by France!" and you'll go "Oh Yeah, I HAVE seen bodies lying around Disney. I was this close ll to being one of those bodies on that day.

I think most of the France bodies are due to Grey Goose Slushy overload. If you think about it, most people start out at Mexico with one of those frozen Margaritas. Then, just when they finish chugging that Margarita the Aquavit shots from Norway starts calling their name. Now that Aquavit tastes nasty but "Oh look! There's Germany and they have those giant liters of BEER!!!" Chug, chug, chug!!! It takes you until Japan to finish that beer from Germany but you HAVE been wondering what Sake tastes like, so you give it a shot. MEH! It's warm and sort of tasteless and you don't see what the point was but OH LOOK! THERE'S THAT CART WHERE THEY SELL THOSE French SLUSHIES!! They have two flavors so you have to try both... RIGHT???

These are the people who are laying on that lawn by France! Usually they are tucked up under some shade with their arm over their eyes. If you get close enough you can hear them wondering out loud how Disney can make a lawn spin.

~MM

 

[Music City Mama]

I'm officially booked at BC -- garden view. It was only $47 more than standard for the whole stay, so I figured even if I don't get a 'nice' garden view, it should at least prevent me from getting a really bad view. I'm very excited!

 

[pixarmom]

Marlton Mom, I'd love to hear your thoughts on POFQ - that's where I'm staying with our youngest son in April (it's on the bucket list and this is my chance with only two of us traveling instead of five.)

Thinking of trying the orange GM slushie, but it's hard to imagine anything can be as good as the GG . . .

 

[Marlton Mom]

Marlton Mom, I'd love to hear your thoughts on POFQ - that's where I'm staying with our youngest son in April (it's on the bucket list and this is my chance with only two of us traveling instead of five.)

Thinking of trying the orange GM slushie, but it's hard to imagine anything can be as good as the GG . . .

I really love POFQ. It's my (and the family's) top choice for a moderate hotel. I've really spent a lot of time looking at the other moderates and I still can't see any reason to try a different one.

The advantages that POFQ has, in my opinion, are that it is smaller and more intimate than the other moderates. This means that you don't have to catch a bus to get to your resort's food court or pool like at the larger moderates if your room happens to be located in the resort's hinterlands.

The food court is also really great at POFQ with friendly staff and just the right amount of selection to get you fed and out while not sucking up valuable time. The pool is a good moderate resort pool with enough space to prevent that packed herring feel and a neat slide that will be just perfect for your son. The theme is just beautiful with a big time New Orleans feel and beautiful landscaping. The buses were also running great to and from the parks so we were very satisfied with that. When we were staying at the Wilderness Lodge the buses were totally annoying because they were always going to Fort Wilderness which added at least 20 minutes to the trips!

My absolute favorite thing at POFQ is that boat ride to DTD. It's a beautiful, relaxing way to get there and I loved it so much that on our BC trip last June I persuaded the other two families that we were down there with to rent a pontoon boat together at DTD and traverse the back waterways to see the Tree houses, Old Key West, POFQ and Riverside.

So to sum it up you've got Intimate, great theme-ing, great food court, great bus service and a really nice pool.

As much as I'd love to stay at the BC I don't think we are going to have that kind of money again any time soon. Knowing that we have a place like POFQ takes the sting out of that reality. I know you're going to just love staying there so relax and start planning!

~Marlton Mom

 

[Laffites Landing]

Hi all. Firstly, I wanted to wish everyone a very merry Christmas as well as a happy new year. Christmas truly is for the children and it was very sweet seeing the pictures of Lilly under the Christmas tree!


Anyway, I have completed my ADR list as my 180 day point came and went on December 21st. We are going to be on the deluxe dining plan. As I pointed out previously, our plan is to enjoy 2 credit experiences every full day we are at the resort (June 18-28). So here is our full list. This going to be quite a trip for us!

Arrival day: Rose and Crown
Day 1: Cinderella's Royal Table/California Grill
Day 2: Via Napoli/Hoop De Do
Day 3: Sci-Fi Dine In/ Brown Derby
Day 4: Donald's Safari Breakfast/Narcoossee's
Day 5: Flying Fish
Day 6: Yachtsman
Day 7: Biergarten/ Le Cellier
Day 8: Citrico's
Day 9: Whispering Canyon/ Spirit of Aloha
Day 10(departure day): Coral Reef

So, it's kind of too late to turn back now on these. Do you think these choices are as good as I think they are? There are some days where we will be playing lunch by ear and we're planning on putting out two kids (7&11 when we go) into Sandcastle Club for a "date night" on the Citrico's evening.

 

[rusty4]

Lily is so adorable!! Thanks for sharing.

Isn't she! Such a sweetie.

Marlton Mom, I'd love to hear your thoughts on POFQ - that's where I'm staying with our youngest son in April (it's on the bucket list and this is my chance with only two of us traveling instead of five.)

Thinking of trying the orange GM slushie, but it's hard to imagine anything can be as good as the GG . . .

Not MM but we have stayed at POR and we love it. It is our favorite resort so far. Staying at the BC for the first time this Feb. I am sure it will become our new favorite if for no other reason than the location. Epcot is our favorite park followed by DHS.

Last year we stayed at the GF and we missed POR. Make sure to try their beignets at the POFQ resort. Also, take advantage of the boat to DTD if you have the time. We love that. There are bike rentals, fishing and so much more just a short stroll away at the POR resort. I would suggest strolling over for a meal too at the foodcourt for a change of pace from the POFQ one.

Have fun!

Those Disney Christmas pictures were from our December 2008 trip. We stayed at POFQ and it was a 5 day quickie trip, packed with park hopping and don't stop until you drop and then go some more. After about 3 days of rope drop and park closing I got up one morning, went to EPCOT, rode Soaring and told my family I had to go home to POFQ and go back to bed! We passed up our first lunch at LeCellier, which knowing what we know now about how wonderful it is, I might not have done.
~MM

MM,


This is how we have always toured. 5 day quickie trips going non-stop. They are rough! I am so glad that this trip we are getting to stay for 8 nights. Hoping to have a much more relaxing time.

 

[rusty4]

Josh over at easywdw put of the tour of the BC today! Enjoy!!

http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorize...tmas-decorations-and-a-walk-around/#more-6489

 

[focusondisney]

Hi all! Hope everyone had a wonderfu holiday. Loved all the Christmas pictures, thanks for posting them.

We're planning Disneyland next year, so I don't think we'll be at YC in 2012 (although I'm trying to conive a few days in May, I don't think it's gonna work). I have been waiting for the YC merchandise to arrive & am happy to see the links to it. Does anyone know if I could order this stuff thru the WDW merchandising? DH's birthday is in a few weeks & I'd love to surprize him with a YC polo shirt.

Hmmm, I guess I should check out Page 1, might be info there! Thanks for any help!

 

[natebenma]

Hi all! Hope everyone had a wonderfu holiday. Loved all the Christmas pictures, thanks for posting them.

We're planning Disneyland next year, so I don't think we'll be at YC in 2012 (although I'm trying to conive a few days in May, I don't think it's gonna work). I have been waiting for the YC merchandise to arrive & am happy to see the links to it. Does anyone know if I could order this stuff thru the WDW merchandising? DH's birthday is in a few weeks & I'd love to surprize him with a YC polo shirt.

Hmmm, I guess I should check out Page 1, might be info there! Thanks for any help!

No, answer to your question is not on page 1- so if you discover you are able to order what you want, could you report back and let us know?

Thanks!

Dee

 

[saintstickets]

I've often thought about those bodies you see laying out on the lawn at Disney... I know you're reading this and saying I don't remember seeing any bodies lying around, but then I'll say "yeah sure ya have, like on the lawn by France!" and you'll go "Oh Yeah, I HAVE seen bodies lying around Disney. I was this close ll to being one of those bodies on that day.

I think most of the France bodies are due to Grey Goose Slushy overload. If you think about it, most people start out at Mexico with one of those frozen Margaritas. Then, just when they finish chugging that Margarita the Aquavit shots from Norway starts calling their name. Now that Aquavit tastes nasty but "Oh look! There's Germany and they have those giant liters of BEER!!!" Chug, chug, chug!!! It takes you until Japan to finish that beer from Germany but you HAVE been wondering what Sake tastes like, so you give it a shot. MEH! It's warm and sort of tasteless and you don't see what the point was but OH LOOK! THERE'S THAT CART WHERE THEY SELL THOSE French SLUSHIES!! They have two flavors so you have to try both... RIGHT???

These are the people who are laying on that lawn by France! Usually they are tucked up under some shade with their arm over their eyes. If you get close enough you can hear them wondering out loud how Disney can make a lawn spin.

~MM

It's even worse when you try to crawl on your knees out of this "maze"...at least it seems like a maze when partaking in the adult beverage walk you described above.
You didn't take our picture did you?

 

[LuvLDM]

Does anyone know when they start taking down the holiday decorations at the resorts?
We arrive at BC the evening of Jan. 3rd, hoping to see some Christmas decor!

 

[Marlton Mom]

It's even worse when you try to crawl on your knees out of this "maze"...at least it seems like a maze when partaking in the adult beverage walk you described above.
You didn't take our picture did you?

Nope! Marlton Mom has a great sense of decorum and she would never expose surly and besotted behavior for what it really was. Much money can be made taking pictures and offering to delete them if the price is right!

~MM

 

[Sue M]

But of course one must try both flavors in France my fav- Grand marnier! But they stopped putting those cute light swizzle sticks in them at night so you can find your drink The GM ones were in the shape of a GM bottle.

Lily Christmas photos are so cute! So much fun watching her grow! She has quite the fan club!!!

When we stay Mod, we like POR-Riverside. Mansion section. FQ & POR are great resorts, and love the boat to DTD. We prefer POR, because we like the quiet pools, and the food court there, but both are great.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

I think I'm going to start packing for my Jan trip to WL. 22 more days I will have to stop by BC to get my fix. But just not in the budget this time

 

[BCV23]

Hi all! Hope everyone had a wonderfu holiday. Loved all the Christmas pictures, thanks for posting them.

We're planning Disneyland next year, so I don't think we'll be at YC in 2012 (although I'm trying to conive a few days in May, I don't think it's gonna work). I have been waiting for the YC merchandise to arrive & am happy to see the links to it. Does anyone know if I could order this stuff thru the WDW merchandising? DH's birthday is in a few weeks & I'd love to surprize him with a YC polo shirt.

Hmmm, I guess I should check out Page 1, might be info there! Thanks for any help!

It's been a few years but I've ordered GF merchandise from home. I called the WDW merchandise number and was transferred to the appropriate shop at the GF. Good luck.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and happy holidays.

 

[heatherbabydoll1]

i am still alive, I am still on the road now in SC. I hope all my friends are doing great! This vacation has been the best ever. We should be home on the 30th. I will finish up my trip report when I am home and settled!

 

[Marlton Mom]

i am still alive, I am still on the road now in SC. I hope all my friends are doing great! This vacation has been the best ever. We should be home on the 30th. I will finish up my trip report when I am home and settled!

That sounds great Heather. Have a safe and restful trip back home and we'll see you in our funny papers!

~MM

 

[pixarmom]

Marlton Mom, rusty and Sue, thanks so much for the additional POFQ input! I know I asked about this earlier, but I'm in resort-changing mode for that short visit. It's easy to change around because it's just two of us. A couple weeks ago, our youngest was set on POFQ, the pool and the "silly alligators." Yesterday, he said, "let's just stay at the beach club." So then I started checking rates again and thinking about YC, BC or CR. I'd really like to try YC, and it's not on our list for the multi-split stay in 2013, so this would be a good time. But I'm feeling good about POFQ again - thanks! Will keep watching for AP rates and may make a switch.

Heather, have a safe trip!!

Laffites, great ADRs! We don't use the dining plan anymore, given our dining styles and preferences, ages of the kids and the fact that we need flexibility in ordering. But we do make at least two ADRs per day, and we often order appetizers instead of entrees, share, etc. I've been to all of the restaurants on your list except for Citricos and Whispering Canyon (strange, because we've stayed at WL multiple times!) California Grill, Via Napoli, Yachtsman and Le Cellier are some of our very favorites. Everyone enjoys breakfast at Tusker House with Donald (even though we're not all big breakfast fans.) There is literally something for everyone there, and it's so much fun. We've been making lunch ADRs lately, but if we do get CS for lunch, we always try to arrive at our lunch destination around 11:15am, but no later than 11:30am. If that works into your plans, it can help avoid the lunch rush crowds. One of the main differences between WDW and DL is that there seem to be more early birds at WDW - so the lunch rush starts earlier at WDW too!