2013 Beach and Yacht FAQ, Fun & Friends: Don't Post Here- New Thread Started

[AliceIn]

Here are some random shots from our July 2012 trip

Love the photos! I especially love the smiling in the rain. We had rain at least part of every day our last trip, and we had a wonderful vacation. It's all in how you deal with it. Put on your poncho and put on a smile - you are on vacation!

 

[ocalla]

Dee: Awesome school fundraiser..............Disney Cards!!! I Love that idea

KerryCM: This is just for you

 

[catho72]

On the topic of the dining plan, based on this thread and several others, I am in the minority because I LOVE the dining plan. We've done all three (QSDP, DDP and DxDP) and the only one where I've felt there was too much food and we didn't get our money's worth was on the DxDP. Last summer we used the QSDP. Since the portion sizes are quite large at a lot of CS places, we were able to share many meals. Plus, we saved some of our desserts and ate them for breakfast the following morning. We didn't eat at any TS restaurants and we were OK with that. It was actually refreshing not being held hostage by ADR's. But when we were flying home, I realized we didn't see ANY characters on the trip....no Mickey or Stitch.....and that made me kind of sad.

On trips where we stayed off-site (hence no Dining plan), the sticker shock of our bill for buffets (Chef Mickey's, Tusker House, 'Ohana, Cape May) has made me a true dining plan convert. I also like not having to look at the prices when I order. It's also like staying at an all-inclusive....you don't have to worry about much because it's all included in your trip!

Happy Monday everyone!

We are arriving at the Beach Club in exactly two months from today! Off to do my Happy Dance!!!!

 

[333disneymom]

We are skipping the dining plan for the first time in 4 trips. We have 4 nights and two of the sit down meals we are doing are a late breakfast (Kona, 11) and lunch (Sci Fi). We also have a meal at T-Rex which was not originally on the dining plan, but I believe is part of it now. I did the math and estimated the most expensive drink, entree and dessert we might possibly get. We came out about $100 ahead paying OOP, so if some of us skip or share dessert or share an entree, we will be even better off.

Plus, we can order Disney gift cards through a program that benefits the middle school.

Even so, it was a really tough sell for my DH. He really did not want to leave the security of the dining plan and Ben was afraid he would have to compromise on what he ordered.

I sold my husband on skipping the DDP this trip by telling him he could order appetizers and a drink at every meal, of he wanted. Not that he couldn't before, but we had already spent so much on the DDP, we stuck to what was included. Often, he'd rather have an appetizer than a dessert though.

Tomorrow morning Jim and I will be on our way to our "alone" trip!! We have a standard view at the YC club level. Dee, I will take pictures for the thread. Hopefully I can figure out how to post them. I am computer challenged, but your directions seem very easy to do!

Thank you all for the great information I have gotten here.

Have fun!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[jakeybake]

I know I'm a day late but just wanted to wish all the awesome moms out there a Happy Mother's Day! Thank God for all of you because we men couldn't survive a day without you!

I hope you all had an awesome day yesterday!

Jay

 

[ocalla]

I know I'm a day late but just wanted to wish all the awesome moms out there a Happy Mother's Day! Thank God for all of you because we men couldn't survive a day without you!

I hope you all had an awesome day yesterday!

Jay

Thanks Jay!!!

I'm going to be sure and leave this post UP FRONT and CENTER of my computer at home......JUST in time for DH to get home!! Some times he needs a little reminder of how awesome moms are

 

[KerryCM]

Just got off the phone with Disney to book our December trip. No rooms at the Boardwalk or yacht Club club level with my discount, but we got a lagoon view at the Beach Club!! I got 2 rooms with my cast discount and the dinning plan!!!!! So very excited. We are taking my son and his family and neither of us has stayed at the Beach Club before.

I know the lounge is small, we loved the Boardwalk for the large lounge for the entire family to sit and enjoy their breakfast. Is the lounge really that small that we won't be able to sit to eat?

So excited to have another trip booked.

 

[firsttimemom]

We just booked the BC for Nov. We got a pin code for free dining- we're not big DDP fans but free is free! Of course we overcompensated by booking a deluxe room. We've never stayed at the BC before so we're looking forward to exploring a new resort.

Has anyone done an illuminations cruise? In all of our trips we've ever seen Illuminations and I'm thinking about doing this for our kids who turn 14 and 16 while we're there.

 

[catho72]

We just booked the BC for Nov. We got a pin code for free dining- we're not big DDP fans but free is free! Of course we overcompensated by booking a deluxe room. We've never stayed at the BC before so we're looking forward to exploring a new resort.

Has anyone done an illuminations cruise? In all of our trips we've ever seen Illuminations and I'm thinking about doing this for our kids who turn 14 and 16 while we're there.

We did and IllumiNations cruise several years ago and it was awesome! The kids enjoyed it so much that they keep asking to do it again. The boat launches from the YC marina then travels over to DHS to see Mickey atop of the mountain at the end of Fantasmic. Then it goes over to Epcot for IllumiNations. You sit just on the other side of the bridge in the lagoon so you have a front row seat to the festivities. Light snacks are included on your cruise....pop, water, chips, pretzels, etc.

It's pretty costly but it's a wonderful experience!

 

[imobsessedwithdisney]

So excited we just changed our reservation from YC Standard room to BC GV CL!! Leaving in 2 days. May 15-18. So here's my question. We will probably be gettin to the BC around 10:30 do u think the lounge will still have breakfast out or should we grab breakfast instead at the airport?

 

[1coolnini]

I think I really posted this helpful advice so I can see my TICKER!!!! FOUR MORE DAYS!!!!

See you there! At the moment I have suitcases and clothing everywhere. I need to start throwing things into the suitcases and then clean my house. I don't want any burglars to think I''m a slob!

Jan

 

[mom_of_2]

Hi all! I've been following this thread and getting so much good info for our YC trip in November. Tomorrow is our 180 days -- anyone have thoughts about our current plan? No dining plan here as of yet (we usually do better paying out of pocket, and hope for a resort discount over FD). Do you all mind if I ask for some dining input??

I'm nervous about getting the ressies we want, esp with the new system being so finicky! Any words of advice?

Should I book more ressies - esp for dinners? We will have our 2yo DD in tow, so I was afraid to book too many TS meals.

Here are our tentative plans/ressie wishlist:

Sun, 11/10: Arrive ~12pm, L: B&C (or another resort CS); D: Flying Fish

Mon, 11/11: MK day; B: CP at 8:05; L: Pecos Bills; D: Epcot/resort CS

Tues: 11/12: Epcot day; B/L: CS; D: San Angel Inn

Wed: 11/13: AK day; B: CS; L: Flame Tree BBQ; D: BOG or Cali Grill (before heading to the Electical Parade/Wishes)

Thurs: DHS day; B: CS; L: SciFi; D: BOG or Cali Grill (~5:30pm)

Fri: MK day; B: CS (or CP at 8:05 if we can't get it for Monday); L: MK CS; D: Coral Reef (haven't eaten here before, and know it doesn't seem to get great reviews, but thought our DD would love the aquarium)

We ate at Coral Reef and LOVED it. I thought the food was good...not the best I ever had but definitely good enough that I would go back. My kids (3 and 15months at the time) loved looking at the aquarium during dinner. When we got to the restaurant we asked to be seated next to the aquarium. They said they would do their best and all worked out. I hope you get all the ADRs you want.

 

[Judyfun]

Leaving in 3 weeks and my niece was not going to tell her daugher (I am taking her for her first visit) until we were 1 week out. However she had the Mickey countdown app on the phone and Zoey saw it. That is one bouncing off the wall child!

Almost done with the Safari shirt for her to wear to AK, then all I have left to make if the Snow White dress and the Belle dress.

Judy

June 4 - 9th BC SV CL

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Just got an email from TA. She was able to switch us from YC to BC. Hopefully, that will make the daughter a bit more happy.

 

[imobsessedwithdisney]

Thanks!!! We appreciate the help and input.

I think your post count is fine (10 are needed, I believe) for posting photos. I have some directions about posting pictures on Page 1, Other Useful Info, or I can talk you through it when the time comes.

The main thing you need to do is add your pictures to a photo sharing site- I use Photobucket

By the way- I have just added a few more pictures from my files to the view threads.

We're also staying bc GV CL for 3 nights this weds. I'm happy to share pics of the lounge and the room views if you want

 

[swimfly]

We ate at Coral Reef and LOVED it. I thought the food was good...not the best I ever had but definitely good enough that I would go back. My kids (3 and 15months at the time) loved looking at the aquarium during dinner. When we got to the restaurant we asked to be seated next to the aquarium. They said they would do their best and all worked out. I hope you get all the ADRs you want.

Just added an ADR for Coral Reef for our June trip. Was thinking my daughter (17 mths) was too young for it. Great to hear your kids enjoyed it.

 

[KerriL]

Just added an ADR for Coral Reef for our June trip. Was thinking my daughter (17 mths) was too young for it. Great to hear your kids enjoyed it.

Another vote for Coral Reef with little ones....Took my son last year when he was 2 1/2 and he loved it We requested a table near the tank and got one. We checked in at 11:15am for an 11:30am PS so it worked out well. We are going again this August and having a special Nemo themed cake made to celebrate his adoption. He actually remembered this restaurant and requested it for this trip

 

[mom_of_2]

Just added an ADR for Coral Reef for our June trip. Was thinking my daughter (17 mths) was too young for it. Great to hear your kids enjoyed it.

Oh good! I hope you enjoy it and your daughter enjoys it as much as my kids did!

 

[Dis703]

Ahhhhhhh, 4 more days I can't believe it's almost here!! As the first time we've traveled as a family of five I can't believe all that has gone into planning and prepping for this trip. I really thought I had a major jumpstart but here I am just under 48 hours from when we leave and I still have so much to do! Fingers crossed we manage to get it all done in time. We don't have to catch a plane, but we are already leaving very late in the day so my sister can work. Won't be stopping overnight until somewhere between 1 and 2am. Yuck.

But by Friday we'll be at Mickey Mouse's house!! (that is how we explain to the little ones where we are going-lol)



And looks like we'll have a lot of company at the BC/YC!

 

[disneydee6]

So happy today, not only is it my birthday! but it's also ONE WEEK TIL DISNEY!