2013/2014 Beach and Yacht FAQ, Fun & Friends ~ Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec & Jan ~

[JanetMom]

Yes, there is a 4th of July in Europe. There is also a 3rd and a 5th and all the rest of the days of the month, too.

The perfect answer!

 

[JanetMom]

Does anyone want to see some photos?

The answer to that question is always - YES!!

Thanks for your review. It is always great to hear about others' trips.

 

[Ninja Mom]

Wow new tours ... Both intriguing ... Which to book???

Keys to the Washroom or goldfish in the shallows?

Remember... with the Goldfish in the shallows tour you get the free snacks, meaning what ever is left in that bag of Goldfish crackers!

~NM

 

[wifey]

Ok here goes some of the scenes at US and IOA oh and I must say we loved Transformers and Minion Mayhem

We had never done "The Simpsons Ride" or WWOHP before and despite long queues of 50 mins and 90 mins respectively we thoroughly enjoyed them both!! We all chose new T-shirts in these parks too DH and myself picked out Minion ones and DS picked a Marvel Comics Super Heroes one that's more his style.

 

[francileb]

Francileb, just curious...which rental company is giving you that rate? Our dates are just a few days ahead of you and I can't get anything near what you are paying.

We are not Disney transportation fans. We like the freedom of a car.

I booked through Thrifty, about 2 days ago. They were showing $89 a week for an economy and $95 a week and extra days at $12.99 for a compact (pretax) picking up at the airport (MCO) for our dates (10/25-11/4). I also hunted up a 15% off code good for compact rentals picked up before 10/31 (5C11E). With taxes and everything it ended up being $196.58

I've used Thrifty in the past--their prices can vary a lot depending on when you pick up--they also vary a lot from day to day.

Good luck

 

[nannette]

So sorry to hear this!!!
Nannette, please tell me either you or Buzzy are the ones planning all of your excursions for the December trip!!!

I'm a little afraid you would end up with the KTTW (Keys to the Washrooms) or something similar otherwise!

I second that recommendation!

Lol!! I'm scared of this December trip too... I'm hopeful that Buzzy has added me to the reservation for the last 2 nights, otherwise I could be sleeping on a bench with a bag of goldfish

~N

Nannette, after you go on the Sunrise Safari, can report back on the food?
I'm doing the Sunrise Safari in March and I'd like to know what they serve.

I've taken this tour before! I am retaking it to make up for the lost dolphins tour The breakfast happens at the end and it's held in Pizzafari in a private section and there is anything you want for breakfast there. They set it up in the middle of the room buffet style. It's really very nice. I'll post more once I've done it again incase anything has changed.

Are you booked AKL CL?

~N

 

[Linda67]

What an awesome thread
It's a very long time away but we will be staying at BC in October 2014 and this thread has been hugely helpful

 

[Deb123]

Hope someone can help me out! I have read through pretty much all of this thread and several have posted about views/room types.There are tons of pics from balcony rooms. However, I haven't been able to find much information about ground floor views!! We are coming in at the end of the month for a 14 night split stay at BC and YC. We are booked standard view at BC, and my request for this was ground floor next to the Marketplace. And then at YC, we have a lagoon/water view room booked. My request for this was ground floor as well near the BC side. Are these available and what do you think the likelihood of getting this request is?
Thanks!!

 

[Pinkgirl]

Wifey, your photos really POP. They feel 3D. Amazing. Many more please.

 

[Pinkgirl]

We are back from a relaxing break in Portugal (and the toe is well on the mend).

Can't believe how far along this thread is! Been scanning through and seen some amazing piccies.

Our countdown is now on the fridge door and is showing 336 days - hopefully this is correct as DD has taken charge of changing the numbers lol.

Roll on park opening times for August so the plan can start to take shape.

 

[jenjersnap]

I booked through Thrifty, about 2 days ago. They were showing $89 a week for an economy and $95 a week and extra days at $12.99 for a compact (pretax) picking up at the airport (MCO) for our dates (10/25-11/4). I also hunted up a 15% off code good for compact rentals picked up before 10/31 (5C11E). With taxes and everything it ended up being $196.58

I've used Thrifty in the past--their prices can vary a lot depending on when you pick up--they also vary a lot from day to day.

Good luck

Thanks so much for the info! Good luck making your rental vs. transportation decision.

 

[Couchy]

Remember... with the Goldfish in the shallows tour you get the free snacks, meaning what ever is left in that bag of Goldfish crackers!

~NM

That settles it then. Goldfish on the Shallows it is

 

[wlake]

AliceIn, Dorothy was our server for breakfast at Cape May this summer too! She was lovely despite having a TERRIBLE time because the Magicbands and the KTTW weren't working but kept laughing though the whole thing with us. (Turns out the entire system was down, but since we were some of the first people to try to pay that morning, no one knew it yet!). It was my birthday and she made breakfast the best part of it. (Especially because DH then ignored it for the next 10 days!)

 

[Best Aunt]

I've taken this tour before! I am retaking it to make up for the lost dolphins tour The breakfast happens at the end and it's held in Pizzafari in a private section and there is anything you want for breakfast there. They set it up in the middle of the room buffet style. It's really very nice. I'll post more once I've done it again incase anything has changed.

Are you booked AKL CL?

~N

I'm booked at Animal Kingdom Villas (AKV) Club Level. I own at BCV, so it's a miracle that I was able to book AKV Club Level at 7 months. There are only 10 rooms, and the people who own at AKV can book them at 11 months if they want.

I'm planning to do the Sunrise Safari, the Sunset (Wanyami) Safari, the Night Vision Goggles Safari, and anything else they have to offer. I assume this will be the one and only time that I stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It looks like the bus rides from there to the parks are pretty long. I get motion sick, so I don't think that hotel will be a good fit for me. That's one of the reasons I love the Beach Club - I can walk to Epcot. No motion sickness involved.

 

[relcx4]

Just back from the Beach Club Lagoon view- trip was amazing. We had wonderful rooms with terrific views. Refrigerators in both rooms. Staff were pretty awesome too. Love it here!

 

[Best Aunt]

Wifey, your photos really POP. They feel 3D. Amazing. Many more please.

I agree, those photos are fantastic. What kind of camera did you use?

 

[wifey]

Hope someone can help me out! I have read through pretty much all of this thread and several have posted about views/room types.There are tons of pics from balcony rooms. However, I haven't been able to find much information about ground floor views!! We are coming in at the end of the month for a 14 night split stay at BC and YC. We are booked standard view at BC, and my request for this was ground floor next to the Marketplace. And then at YC, we have a lagoon/water view room booked. My request for this was ground floor as well near the BC side. Are these available and what do you think the likelihood of getting this request is?
Thanks!!

From our stay at YC there are not going to be many ground floor rooms so close to the pool and Market Place due to the location of the gym and B&C & Cape May Cafe and restrooms and their respective walkways which are under cover right next to the pool area. Other rooms will be further back and the even numbers will be towards the lagoon side/ pool side of the hotel. You may find you can get some rooms located near the quiet pools which are very pleasant but not close to Market Place or SAB. We did find it easier to get our refillable mugs topped up at HH unfortunately it's only opened when the pool was open. These two sister resorts seriously need another quick service location in the YC side or at the very least a set of RFID drinks dispensers somewhere closer to the lobby maybe near Captains Grille/ Cape May Cafe walkway or something. They have plenty of space , doorways and power outlets there. There are plenty of wide corridors they could slip them into inside the resorts too that wouldn't obscure the access of guests that much perhaps the one near the Fittings and Fairings shop would work nicely.

 

[nannette]

I'm booked at Animal Kingdom Villas (AKV) Club Level. I own at BCV, so it's a miracle that I was able to book AKV Club Level at 7 months. There are only 10 rooms, and the people who own at AKV can book them at 11 months if they want.

I'm planning to do the Sunrise Safari, the Sunset (Wanyami) Safari, the Night Vision Goggles Safari, and anything else they have to offer. I assume this will be the one and only time that I stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It looks like the bus rides from there to the parks are pretty long. I get motion sick, so I don't think that hotel will be a good fit for me. That's one of the reasons I love the Beach Club - I can walk to Epcot. No motion sickness involved.

AKL is my home resort... I always book CL at the 11 months and then if I can get into BCV's I move at 7 months. I've done the Sunset Safari as well, very cool! I have photos of the giraffes so close you could touch them! The dinner was amazing the chef would come out answer questions about each course and explain the wine to us. The wine collection at Jiko is amazing the restaurant offers only African wines and is home to the largest collection of South African wines outside of the African continent, and they are amazing!!

I have never taken the Night Vision Tour, but I'm gonna look into it and see if I can fit it in. October/November is a solo trip for F&W so all the tours I'm doing and MNSSHP are bonuses

I don't find the bus ride terrible, but I'm probably the only person who doesn't, and I don't get motion sickness! I actually love AKL probably as much as I love the BCV area. If I can't get into BCV's I don't have a problem staying at AKL! My only complaint is it's a little dark, but I understand why so it's fine.

Good luck planning and I hope you enjoy the safari's and the Night Vision Tour!

~N

ALSO... Just booked the Night Vision Tour!! I'll let you know how that one goes!!

 

[wifey]

Well Day 4 we had scheduled for DHS and boy were we glad that we chose out FP+s before hand! The boat ride was pleasant and the place was buzzing with families but once again we split up our attractions over two or more days so we didn't feel rushed or stressed out like some folks were.

http://i1329.
We all loved the StarTours newer version and rode that puppy twice and headed for lunch at Backlot Express which was chaos we were there by 11am they were no where near ready arguing about staffing and tills etc. before they served anyone then when they did open a huge queue had formed and they seriously thought about making everyone go one desk to order and pay. That wasn't gonna float ... After much disgruntled muttering in the ranks they finally opened up 4 places to order the food and all went well eventually. The staff behind the counters could not have been any better they were brilliant. We did notice on this vacation more hands on experiences with the managerial staff actually getting involved with the running of their establishments and attractions which we have rarely seen before it was a very welcome sight to witness. I guess the big bosses really wanted to make the MB thing a roaring success and keep things running as smoothly as they could. We treated ourselves to these lovely moist and delicious beauties despite the price change from $4.99 to $5.19 in the space of 20 minutes!!
[IMG]http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w545/WIFEY1968/6686AE64-498C-4220-A3FD-2F8E42A8992F-623-000001318FF98973_zpsc11856e6.jpg

These cupcakes were huge and filling with a whole lot of frosting and a whole strawberry on the top ...diabetic coma anyone?!

 

[vettegirl]

2 weeks away until our first BC stay and first time CL, getting ready to pull the suitcase out!!