Cast DH This is our last trip 42
ME Disney fanatic 41
DS 13 new teenager
DS 10
DD 9
My Mom 68
My Dad 70
Beach Club 8/21-8/29
Thursday 8/21
Very nervous about our first August trip, usually go off season times. Last trip was 2 weeks after 9/11, so that is what kids remember, walking on deserted attractions. Fly Southeast out of Allentown to Sanford. Planes are old (ashtrays on seat handles) but very efficient and low cost. Rent National outside of airport and return to Dolphin. DH wasnt thrilled with hour drive and tolls. Saves $80 over limo ride, he says in future not worth the savings. Arrive at BC, stow luggage, say Hi to Art the Greeter and hit the pool. It is incredible! Eat lunch at Hurricane Hannahs, get refillable mugs, hot dogs and chicken fingers. Bill $77; time spent with family -- priceless! Have fun all week with the ducks (they remind us of our lab at home begging for food). We name one favorite duck (Black Beak) and one bird without a foot (Stumpy). Room ready at 4, request full balcony. It overlooks roof in back and can see Spaceship Earth off in the distance. Walk to MGM. Trade in the kids Fun in the Sun vouchers, the CM mentions 3 times that she didnt think you could purchase them in the States. These passes are great for our 9 day stay. We have no problem getting vouchers converted, DH and I get APs. Get in line for RNR all of us. The kids are all daredevils this trip which is fun. DD does not like RNR. Waited 45 min. for our first ride, longest wait all week. Get FP for TOT, just DH, I and middle DS go. It is hysterical watching his face. He likes, but wont do again. Only 10 min. wait for TOT. Eat at Pizza Planet, last to get served apparently all the food places close earlier than the park. All agree they dont know how to make pizza in Florida. Sit by ourselves outside and people watch, talk about who we will run into from our hometown (we always see someone we know). Do Muppet 3D and Star Tours with no wait. Kids shop in Tatooine Traders, they love this store. Get our first Mickey Bar of the week and walk back home (gotta love that walkway). Call housekeeping for extra pillows and blankets, it takes 2 ½ hours to show up after we are asleep. Kept up all night by the freight elevator. I have some gripes with BC being a deluxe. The bathroom is miniscule, our beds are doubles not queens, and the walk from the elevator is ridiculous. Bus service from the parks stinks. Glad we got a super rate of $179 from Cathy Miller at Dreams Unlimited.
Friday 8/22
Head to Epcot in 5 minutes, we love that. Not many people waiting at International Gateway to get in. Head to the Land for breakfast, not many choices in the food court. Do the Land boat ride no wait. Come out of The Land and run into a family from our hometown (told ya so). Head over to Test Track, nobody wants to try Mission Space except me so I wait. Do a few more rides in Future World, looks like a long line for Spaceship Earth but it keeps moving quickly. Stroll to World Showcase catch Off-Kilter for first time. Get our traditional fish and chips, settle in to watch British Invasion. Im walking around shops and stumble across Pooh and Tigger with nobody around. The weather is glorious today, overcast not hot at all. Afternoon storm rolls in and we head to PS at Tonys Town Square before e-night. It is pouring. Ask to change our table twice at Tonys, they never roll eyes but do it happily. Order hot chocolate, we have no sweatshirts and we are cold!! Decide to go through with e-night. Waits are 20 min. doesnt seem worthwhile to me, but we have fun. Glad it was raining, otherwise it would have been much more crowded. We hit all the e-ride attractions including Alien Encounter for the first time. What a waste of space, I kept thinking Walt would be spinning in his grave if he saw this! Rode BTMRR in the pouring rain and Splash. A night the kids will never forget. Stay till bitter end.
Sat. 8/23
The kids moan and groan we have 7:40 ps at the Cape May breakfast. Also decide we have to switch rooms to escape the freight elevator. So pack up again (what a pain) and store luggage. Front desk is very accomodating. Tell the kids there are special characters downstairs only today, they must go see. They walk around the corner and see my parents who drove down to meet us, they had no idea. They just stand there with their mouths open! We all head in for breakfast, it is super. Use our character breakfast vouchers from Fun in the Sun passes. The server is nice enough to take off 3 adults meals, since the voucher doesnt specify kids or adults (we had two adult tickets but my middle DS is not considered adult for Disney dining). That was his idea, I thought it was nice of him. My Mom rents a scooter this trip, she is reluctant about using it but really needs it. We get Scooter rental from Randys very nice scooters, the nicest we saw all week of the rentals. Head off to Blizzard Beach, it is fairly crowded but not uncomfortable. I do the slide next to Humunga Cowabunga I think it is the Slush Gusher? Once is enough for me. Do everything at BB, my parents sit and watch. My Mom gave my middle DS a new silver necklace, I make him take it off for the Slush Gusher, stick it in my surf shorts pockets and lose it! We get it back 5 minutes later at front of park. Disney is amazing we lose something every trip and get it back. Head back to resort, get our new rooms. My parents are in a corner room, two standing balconies end of hallway, King bed but no studio couch. So its basically a huge room with nowhere else to sit! But it is nice. We get one door down with full balcony, can no longer see Spaceship Earth, but turns out I dont use it all week anyway. Just hate that long walk to stairs and elevator. Housekeeping is spotty beginning of week, not getting our rooms done till 3 or later, but gets better at end. We have PS at Biergarten. Weather is overcast and a little sunny today. Love the buffet and show. Come out it is pouring down rain. We do all the Germany shops. My parents head back to resort we decide to catch Spectromagic at MK. What a mob scene. If you stood up to stretch someone was sitting in your spot. Parade is nice, almost get crushed leaving, very scary. Lost my DH, DD and oldest DS. A group of strollers was blocking the entry way into Adventureland and the crowd was just surging and pushing with nowhere to go. It seemed like a dangerous situation to me, especially if you had a toddler. Thankfully DS had other two kids and we met up further back in Adventureland. Decide to ride Pirates and Jungle Cruise with no waits. JC in the dark during fireworks was cool. Then head back to Splash and BTMRR, again no waits. Head back to resort, busses to BC stink. The Mods have three or four busses lined up, we always have to wait and share with YC, Swan and Dolphin. Use my parents van for much of the trip because of this.
Sun 8/24
Let the kids sleep in. Decide we need a rest day. Head down to Storm-Along-Bay until 4pm. Another afternoon thunder shower. Head to MGM, drive in parents van. Have ressies at Sci-Fi a must do for the kids. Do a few attractions my parents enjoy, Backlot, Muppets. Everything is no waits. My Mom and I split a meal in Sci-Fi, they bring salad and meal out split on plates. Thought that was very nice, plenty of food for both of us. We enjoy our dinner. Love it when the giant gets stabbed with the giant needle.
Mon 8/25
Sunny today, a little hotter but not unbearable. I have coolmax shirt and shorts, highly recommend. I needed the coolmax undergarments though! We do Epcot World Showcase today, Italy statues, Off-Kilter again, British Invasion again, World Showcase Players, Drums of Japan, Voices of Liberty. Try new snacks, Kaki-Gori (DS loves it), crepes in France, rice cream in Norway. We ask at podium at Rose and Crown if we can get in tonight. Get 7:40 ressies, said they will try hard to get us on patio. Decide to try Mission Space, kids back out after pre-show. DH gets sick (he closes eyes), I dont feel a thing. In fact I was like Is that it?. I believe the secret is to stare straight ahead, do not even look at lights on control panel. Do some more stuff around front of park. My Mom gets back entrance for Spaceship Earth with scooter. She does not like special treatment so we decide to leave scooter at entrance of attractions even if we have to walk around to get it. Kids go on HISTA, they cried when we went on it in 98. Loved it this trip. In Innoventions we make collect calls on the giant phone. Head over to R&C. We get PERFECT patio seats. This is the highlight of my trip. Mom and I split again but they dont plate it for us, which is fine. Another great meal and evening. Crowds always seem nonexistent in Epcot except for the Test Track/Mission Space area.
ME Disney fanatic 41
DS 13 new teenager
DS 10
DD 9
My Mom 68
My Dad 70
Beach Club 8/21-8/29
Thursday 8/21
Very nervous about our first August trip, usually go off season times. Last trip was 2 weeks after 9/11, so that is what kids remember, walking on deserted attractions. Fly Southeast out of Allentown to Sanford. Planes are old (ashtrays on seat handles) but very efficient and low cost. Rent National outside of airport and return to Dolphin. DH wasnt thrilled with hour drive and tolls. Saves $80 over limo ride, he says in future not worth the savings. Arrive at BC, stow luggage, say Hi to Art the Greeter and hit the pool. It is incredible! Eat lunch at Hurricane Hannahs, get refillable mugs, hot dogs and chicken fingers. Bill $77; time spent with family -- priceless! Have fun all week with the ducks (they remind us of our lab at home begging for food). We name one favorite duck (Black Beak) and one bird without a foot (Stumpy). Room ready at 4, request full balcony. It overlooks roof in back and can see Spaceship Earth off in the distance. Walk to MGM. Trade in the kids Fun in the Sun vouchers, the CM mentions 3 times that she didnt think you could purchase them in the States. These passes are great for our 9 day stay. We have no problem getting vouchers converted, DH and I get APs. Get in line for RNR all of us. The kids are all daredevils this trip which is fun. DD does not like RNR. Waited 45 min. for our first ride, longest wait all week. Get FP for TOT, just DH, I and middle DS go. It is hysterical watching his face. He likes, but wont do again. Only 10 min. wait for TOT. Eat at Pizza Planet, last to get served apparently all the food places close earlier than the park. All agree they dont know how to make pizza in Florida. Sit by ourselves outside and people watch, talk about who we will run into from our hometown (we always see someone we know). Do Muppet 3D and Star Tours with no wait. Kids shop in Tatooine Traders, they love this store. Get our first Mickey Bar of the week and walk back home (gotta love that walkway). Call housekeeping for extra pillows and blankets, it takes 2 ½ hours to show up after we are asleep. Kept up all night by the freight elevator. I have some gripes with BC being a deluxe. The bathroom is miniscule, our beds are doubles not queens, and the walk from the elevator is ridiculous. Bus service from the parks stinks. Glad we got a super rate of $179 from Cathy Miller at Dreams Unlimited.
Friday 8/22
Head to Epcot in 5 minutes, we love that. Not many people waiting at International Gateway to get in. Head to the Land for breakfast, not many choices in the food court. Do the Land boat ride no wait. Come out of The Land and run into a family from our hometown (told ya so). Head over to Test Track, nobody wants to try Mission Space except me so I wait. Do a few more rides in Future World, looks like a long line for Spaceship Earth but it keeps moving quickly. Stroll to World Showcase catch Off-Kilter for first time. Get our traditional fish and chips, settle in to watch British Invasion. Im walking around shops and stumble across Pooh and Tigger with nobody around. The weather is glorious today, overcast not hot at all. Afternoon storm rolls in and we head to PS at Tonys Town Square before e-night. It is pouring. Ask to change our table twice at Tonys, they never roll eyes but do it happily. Order hot chocolate, we have no sweatshirts and we are cold!! Decide to go through with e-night. Waits are 20 min. doesnt seem worthwhile to me, but we have fun. Glad it was raining, otherwise it would have been much more crowded. We hit all the e-ride attractions including Alien Encounter for the first time. What a waste of space, I kept thinking Walt would be spinning in his grave if he saw this! Rode BTMRR in the pouring rain and Splash. A night the kids will never forget. Stay till bitter end.
Sat. 8/23
The kids moan and groan we have 7:40 ps at the Cape May breakfast. Also decide we have to switch rooms to escape the freight elevator. So pack up again (what a pain) and store luggage. Front desk is very accomodating. Tell the kids there are special characters downstairs only today, they must go see. They walk around the corner and see my parents who drove down to meet us, they had no idea. They just stand there with their mouths open! We all head in for breakfast, it is super. Use our character breakfast vouchers from Fun in the Sun passes. The server is nice enough to take off 3 adults meals, since the voucher doesnt specify kids or adults (we had two adult tickets but my middle DS is not considered adult for Disney dining). That was his idea, I thought it was nice of him. My Mom rents a scooter this trip, she is reluctant about using it but really needs it. We get Scooter rental from Randys very nice scooters, the nicest we saw all week of the rentals. Head off to Blizzard Beach, it is fairly crowded but not uncomfortable. I do the slide next to Humunga Cowabunga I think it is the Slush Gusher? Once is enough for me. Do everything at BB, my parents sit and watch. My Mom gave my middle DS a new silver necklace, I make him take it off for the Slush Gusher, stick it in my surf shorts pockets and lose it! We get it back 5 minutes later at front of park. Disney is amazing we lose something every trip and get it back. Head back to resort, get our new rooms. My parents are in a corner room, two standing balconies end of hallway, King bed but no studio couch. So its basically a huge room with nowhere else to sit! But it is nice. We get one door down with full balcony, can no longer see Spaceship Earth, but turns out I dont use it all week anyway. Just hate that long walk to stairs and elevator. Housekeeping is spotty beginning of week, not getting our rooms done till 3 or later, but gets better at end. We have PS at Biergarten. Weather is overcast and a little sunny today. Love the buffet and show. Come out it is pouring down rain. We do all the Germany shops. My parents head back to resort we decide to catch Spectromagic at MK. What a mob scene. If you stood up to stretch someone was sitting in your spot. Parade is nice, almost get crushed leaving, very scary. Lost my DH, DD and oldest DS. A group of strollers was blocking the entry way into Adventureland and the crowd was just surging and pushing with nowhere to go. It seemed like a dangerous situation to me, especially if you had a toddler. Thankfully DS had other two kids and we met up further back in Adventureland. Decide to ride Pirates and Jungle Cruise with no waits. JC in the dark during fireworks was cool. Then head back to Splash and BTMRR, again no waits. Head back to resort, busses to BC stink. The Mods have three or four busses lined up, we always have to wait and share with YC, Swan and Dolphin. Use my parents van for much of the trip because of this.
Sun 8/24
Let the kids sleep in. Decide we need a rest day. Head down to Storm-Along-Bay until 4pm. Another afternoon thunder shower. Head to MGM, drive in parents van. Have ressies at Sci-Fi a must do for the kids. Do a few attractions my parents enjoy, Backlot, Muppets. Everything is no waits. My Mom and I split a meal in Sci-Fi, they bring salad and meal out split on plates. Thought that was very nice, plenty of food for both of us. We enjoy our dinner. Love it when the giant gets stabbed with the giant needle.
Mon 8/25
Sunny today, a little hotter but not unbearable. I have coolmax shirt and shorts, highly recommend. I needed the coolmax undergarments though! We do Epcot World Showcase today, Italy statues, Off-Kilter again, British Invasion again, World Showcase Players, Drums of Japan, Voices of Liberty. Try new snacks, Kaki-Gori (DS loves it), crepes in France, rice cream in Norway. We ask at podium at Rose and Crown if we can get in tonight. Get 7:40 ressies, said they will try hard to get us on patio. Decide to try Mission Space, kids back out after pre-show. DH gets sick (he closes eyes), I dont feel a thing. In fact I was like Is that it?. I believe the secret is to stare straight ahead, do not even look at lights on control panel. Do some more stuff around front of park. My Mom gets back entrance for Spaceship Earth with scooter. She does not like special treatment so we decide to leave scooter at entrance of attractions even if we have to walk around to get it. Kids go on HISTA, they cried when we went on it in 98. Loved it this trip. In Innoventions we make collect calls on the giant phone. Head over to R&C. We get PERFECT patio seats. This is the highlight of my trip. Mom and I split again but they dont plate it for us, which is fine. Another great meal and evening. Crowds always seem nonexistent in Epcot except for the Test Track/Mission Space area.
Thanks for posting.
