9 Days Poly CL DxDP...Too Much Food???...Too Much Fun!!!...1600 Pictures

[hstrickland]

Actually...it depends on how you calculate our savings. When I said I estimated our savings at $400, that was based on what I estimated we would have spent out of pocket if we had NOT been on the DxDDP.

If I were to calculate what we actually saved by virtue of using up every snack and meal credit, and every appetizer and dessert we were entitled to during the course of the trip, our "savings" will likely be more in line with the $700 figure too.

As I said, I have yet to do the tally, but I have all of our receipts and can't wait to find out the final numbers! Once I start the dining report with our saving calculations, I will let you know!

Looking forward to Part 2 of the Behind the Seeds Tour!

I guess, too, one of the things we really love about the Dxdp is that when you get to Disney, basically all is paid...we don't have to carry around tons of cash. Nice going on vacation when it's already paid for, ya know?! We have been tempted not to do the plan and just see how we fare, but then we start thinking about ALL the places we want to eat....most of which are signatures....so then we decide it's totally worth it.

Thanks so much for this report! I'm the one that's been waiting . I know DS9 will love this tour - I'm going to book it today. We are currently in the process of building a worm compost bin (his summer project) so that he can have rich soil to mix into his garden. He will absolutely LOVE learning how to build a hydroponic tank

Your son will totally eat up this tour! How cool that he is into gardening!!! I really, really wish I could have done it. Next trip!!! I was cracking up last night when I was trying to type....DH and DS9 were killing me...arguing about what each picture was and what they did first and how they did it. The tour was probably one of the hightlights of their trip.

Unfortunately, Part 2 of the Behind The Seeds Tour will not be done until next Monday Still have 17 more pictures to post of the tour. My computer has to be worked on.....issues Would love to hear how y'all liked the tour when you get back!

 

[jdd]

Unfortunately, Part 2 of the Behind The Seeds Tour will not be done until next Monday Still have 17 more pictures to post of the tour. My computer has to be worked on.....issues Would love to hear how y'all liked the tour when you get back!

No worries - I started a TR after our trip last August, but never finished it!! I have two days left, and really need to go back and complete it. I read through it the other day, and it was so great reliving those memories, so I will get it done.

I will definitely do a TR on this trip too - if only for myself

 

[Sweetpeamd]

We LOVE LOVE LOVE the Beach Club!!! We stayed there for several yrs now during our January trip. Last year we stayed at BCV since our youngest had turned 3. We have 4 children so we were no longer allowed to stay in a regular room. We ended up being so thrilled b/c the villa (2 BR) was amazing. I remember, at one point when we had just arrived and DH and I were in our bedroom unpacking, I couldn't hear the children at all!!! The villa is so spacious! LOVE it!!!!
Each year, we debate about whether we should switch to the Poly. We fell in love with it a few yrs ago when we had an ADR at 'Ohana. DH loves the BC so much, he's reluctant to make the leap to the Poly. We eat probably 75% of our dinners at Epcot and the walk home after dinner is fabulous. We watch Illuminations every night during our trip home. With our young children, walking back to the BC seems so much easier than walking to the front of Epcot and then getting on the monorail. Epcot is really our favorite park and we love the convenience of the BC. You should try it.
Oh, yes, SAB is a great pool. My DH and I travel alone with our kids so the pool can be a little intimidating. Our 10 and 8 yr olds love the slide and the 6 and 4 yr olds love the beach area. We usually end up splitting up.
This yr we will be travelling to the world in October since our kids will have a long fall break. We are, once again, staying at BCV!! I hope the crowds will be as light as they are in Jan. You mentioned going to the world in Oct. When did you go? How were the crowds?
Thanks so much for such a wonderful trip report. You have such a beautiful family.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

DH and I are 38, too Getting close to 40! That's a great idea for a 40th bday present....a cruise! We share many of the same opinions. I actually had booked the AKL (love the way it looks) but after much thought about transportation, I quickly switched to the Poly. My ONLY hesitation about BC is that it has no monorail. I know many people believe that the monorail is overrated, but I have now stayed at all 3 monorail resorts and find it super convenient with small children and strollers!!! And quick, especially from the Poly. The TTC is wonderful and only a short walk...no switching lines. We have thought about DVC, too.....but DH wants a boat first We're only 4 1/2 hours from WDW, so DVC could work I'll keep my eye open for your TR in October! Would love to hear a comparison of the BC to Poly.

I had to laugh at the 'boat' before the DVC... we live in Michigan on Lake Michigan and have 2 boats ( a speed boat and a cabin boat (camper on the water)), so according to your theory, I should be getting my DVC next! LOVED the Seeds tour pictures, DS11 and I are looking at them together in amazement right now!

 

[DisneyDoc5]

We LOVE LOVE LOVE the Beach Club!!! We stayed there for several yrs now during our January trip. Last year we stayed at BCV since our youngest had turned 3. We have 4 children so we were no longer allowed to stay in a regular room. We ended up being so thrilled b/c the villa (2 BR) was amazing. I remember, at one point when we had just arrived and DH and I were in our bedroom unpacking, I couldn't hear the children at all!!! The villa is so spacious! LOVE it!!!!
Each year, we debate about whether we should switch to the Poly. We fell in love with it a few yrs ago when we had an ADR at 'Ohana. DH loves the BC so much, he's reluctant to make the leap to the Poly. We eat probably 75% of our dinners at Epcot and the walk home after dinner is fabulous. We watch Illuminations every night during our trip home. With our young children, walking back to the BC seems so much easier than walking to the front of Epcot and then getting on the monorail. Epcot is really our favorite park and we love the convenience of the BC. You should try it.
Oh, yes, SAB is a great pool. My DH and I travel alone with our kids so the pool can be a little intimidating. Our 10 and 8 yr olds love the slide and the 6 and 4 yr olds love the beach area. We usually end up splitting up.
This yr we will be travelling to the world in October since our kids will have a long fall break. We are, once again, staying at BCV!! I hope the crowds will be as light as they are in Jan. You mentioned going to the world in Oct. When did you go? How were the crowds?
Thanks so much for such a wonderful trip report. You have such a beautiful family.

We also LOVE the BC, I think all the POLY people should give it a try, and we also love the short walk in and out of EPCOT, so it will be interesting how the Poly-monorail to MK measures up. To answer your questions, we usually go in October and it is a nice time of year, still warm, not to busy (as compared to Spring break, and the other busy times). You should go to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party, we've done it twice and love it! It's getting slightly more busy as more schools are taking a fall break (especially Christian schools like ours because they have a big fall convention for the teachers). Anyway, enjoy the BC, I hope to follow in Heather's awesome trip report footsteps.

To be honest, I've had a hard time getting into other trip reports, I guess it's been hard for me to follow how they work, and I felt like everyone already knew each other or something. I fell onto this one and it was a breeze to read!

Have fun this fall, I can hardly wait, we talk about it everyday!
Erin

 

[2Tiggers]

Enjoying your TR... can't wait to keep reading.

 

[Sweetpeamd]

We also LOVE the BC, I think all the POLY people should give it a try, and we also love the short walk in and out of EPCOT, so it will be interesting how the Poly-monorail to MK measures up. To answer your questions, we usually go in October and it is a nice time of year, still warm, not to busy (as compared to Spring break, and the other busy times). You should go to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party, we've done it twice and love it! It's getting slightly more busy as more schools are taking a fall break (especially Christian schools like ours because they have a big fall convention for the teachers). Anyway, enjoy the BC, I hope to follow in Heather's awesome trip report footsteps.

To be honest, I've had a hard time getting into other trip reports, I guess it's been hard for me to follow how they work, and I felt like everyone already knew each other or something. I fell onto this one and it was a breeze to read!

Have fun this fall, I can hardly wait, we talk about it everyday!
Erin

Our kids go to a Christian school, too. It seems that they have more breaks during unusual times, making for better WDW opportunities!!!

I noticed your sign-in name. Are you a physician?

Thanks for the info. about October. We are considering MNSSHP. Will discuss more later.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Our kids go to a Christian school, too. It seems that they have more breaks during unusual times, making for better WDW opportunities!!!

I noticed your sign-in name. Are you a physician?

Thanks for the info. about October. We are considering MNSSHP. Will discuss more later.

I'm actually a physical therapist, but our last name is Docter! And you add in the Dis and the 5 of us, hence DisneyDoc5. I have to assume you are a physician with the md there! I love my fellow health care, Disney loving professionals!

 

[Sweetpeamd]

I'm actually a physical therapist, but our last name is Docter! And you add in the Dis and the 5 of us, hence DisneyDoc5. I have to assume you are a physician with the md there! I love my fellow health care, Disney loving professionals!

Great!!!

We are very excited to go in October and I assumed when we booked our dates that we would do MNSSHP. However, I priced the tickets and learned that it would cost our family of 6 (2 adults, DS10, DD8, DS6 and DD4) $325. I understand why they charge so much and if our kids were a little older, we probably wouldn't be too afraid to pay it. In our case, though, the little ones would not be able to stay out very late. We may be able to stay about 3 hrs max. I don't think we could rearrange our schedule enough to make it work (e.g. napping before and sleeping in the next day) for us. Even my 10 yr old suggested that we may want to wait a few yrs before we try it. Our school has a week long break every Oct. so it's likely that we'll be visiting the parks at the same time of yr for a while. What's your experience with the party and your kids?

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Great!!!

We are very excited to go in October and I assumed when we booked our dates that we would do MNSSHP. However, I priced the tickets and learned that it would cost our family of 6 (2 adults, DS10, DD8, DS6 and DD4) $325. I understand why they charge so much and if our kids were a little older, we probably wouldn't be too afraid to pay it. In our case, though, the little ones would not be able to stay out very late. We may be able to stay about 3 hrs max. I don't think we could rearrange our schedule enough to make it work (e.g. napping before and sleeping in the next day) for us. Even my 10 yr old suggested that we may want to wait a few yrs before we try it. Our school has a week long break every Oct. so it's likely that we'll be visiting the parks at the same time of yr for a while. What's your experience with the party and your kids?

Sorry for the momentary hijacking of your trip report Heather....

The MNSSHP is something I have done with a 4 and 6 year old, then a 4, 6, 9 year olds - both times we stayed later then normal - 11 or midnight (I often stay late with my DS11, he and I are night owls!). First off, you may consider spliting up and doing the older kids with one of you, then the younger ones in a few years (some people don't like the spliting up technique, but at times it has worked very well for us for certain activities). I will say, do it once, it's worth it, totally magical. We are not doing it this fall (I'm a little sad), but we are doing BBB for DD6 and some other special things. I think we may 'linger' on mainstreet late (no going into a store, attraction, food, etc.) and try to stick around for Boo to You parade without being noticed by cast members, then back to the Poly for Hallowishes fireworks (I know, some of you will not approve of this, but we will stay out of your way) Let us know what you decide to do - Boo to you!

 

[hstrickland]

Computer is up and running again! Have got some catching up to do. Will get the second installment of Behind the Seeds Tour done tonight. I have to wait on DH and DS9 to help

I do have a cute story. On July 4th we were at the lake watching fireworks. DD4 and DS3 looked a little disappointed while watching. I asked them what was wrong....their reply...."Why isn't Tinker Bell coming out?!!"...and "Where is the music!!?" Bless their hearts, they thought it was supposed to be like Disney....not even close, right?! WDW has really spoiled them. DH and I thought this was comical....our non Disney friends didn't get it

 

[DisneyDoc5]

l....our non Disney friends didn't get it

they never will get it until they try it, oh well, their loss, we get it!!!

 

[hstrickland]

We LOVE LOVE LOVE the Beach Club!!! We stayed there for several yrs now during our January trip. Last year we stayed at BCV since our youngest had turned 3. We have 4 children so we were no longer allowed to stay in a regular room. We ended up being so thrilled b/c the villa (2 BR) was amazing. I remember, at one point when we had just arrived and DH and I were in our bedroom unpacking, I couldn't hear the children at all!!! The villa is so spacious! LOVE it!!!!
Each year, we debate about whether we should switch to the Poly. We fell in love with it a few yrs ago when we had an ADR at 'Ohana. DH loves the BC so much, he's reluctant to make the leap to the Poly. We eat probably 75% of our dinners at Epcot and the walk home after dinner is fabulous. We watch Illuminations every night during our trip home. With our young children, walking back to the BC seems so much easier than walking to the front of Epcot and then getting on the monorail. Epcot is really our favorite park and we love the convenience of the BC. You should try it.
Oh, yes, SAB is a great pool. My DH and I travel alone with our kids so the pool can be a little intimidating. Our 10 and 8 yr olds love the slide and the 6 and 4 yr olds love the beach area. We usually end up splitting up.
This yr we will be travelling to the world in October since our kids will have a long fall break. We are, once again, staying at BCV!! I hope the crowds will be as light as they are in Jan. You mentioned going to the world in Oct. When did you go? How were the crowds?
Thanks so much for such a wonderful trip report. You have such a beautiful family.

DisneyDoc5 is right!!! October is a great time to go...we were there right in the middle! In fact, I have a picture of one of the rides with a 5 minute wait time. The only park that was really crowded was EP on Saturday, but that was because of the Food & Wine Festival. It was still warm enough for us to lay by the pool, but not so hot that you are sweating. Our school, too, has a fall break. It works great for me.... since I'm a teacher I get the same holidays as my children.

Thanks, too, for all the great info on the BC. As much as I love the Poly, the BC sounds perfect for my family. DH and DS9 love EP and DHS, and DS is super excited about the pool. Of course he thought the Poly pool, rocked, too. I will certainly miss the easy access to MK, though I can't wait to read some TRs of people who have been to both.

 

[hstrickland]

Now for Part 2 of the tour.......and remember...this is from DH's point of view. I was back at the Poly with DS3 resting.

We ventured on to look at another type of fruit. No one can remember the name of this fruit. We know it's not a grapefruit or orange....anyone wanna take a guess??? When the tour guide asked for guesses, no one was able to answer correctly.

Now...on to the giant pumkins! These things were amzaing!!! You really have to see them up close to realize how big the pumkins really are. When they get this big (below in the picture) they can grow up to 50 lbs a day!!! And that's no lie!!!!!!!!!

The CMs that work in the Land periodically put plastic forms over various fruits and vegetables when they are small. Eventually....the fruit will grow into a "Mickey".

The picture below is a shrimp tank. These shrimp will grow up to 12 inches longs. Do you notice the Hidden Mickey??? DS9 thought these were the coolest. You can actually see these Hidden Mickeys on the boat ride.

On to the alligator tank!!!! They do actually harvest these animals. I believe the guide said they allow them to grow up to 5 feet then sell them. They also grow sturgeon. It takes 18 years before these sturgeon can be harvested for their caviar. (sorry, no picture...blame it on my MIL) The Land also raise striped bass which they do use in the restaurants on property...again, no picture.

And guess what??? Another Hidden Mickey right by the alligator tank. Again, you can see this from the boat ride.

Okay...if you believe that 9 pound lemons don't exist....think again! Interestingly enough, a couple of days before our tour, we were doing the boat ride through The Land and this lemon was attached, still on the tree. When we arrived for the tour....it was on the ground.

At the very beginning of the tour, our kids were given small vials of ladybugs. DD4 & DD9 thought this was awesome. Later in the tour, they were allowed to release the ladybugs on various plants.

Our guide told us that these ladybugs were very important because they eat the bad bugs.

This is a picture of a fluted pumkin.

We don't remember the name of this fruit. Any guesses????

The 5 of us had a GREAT tour!!!! Sorry we are missing 2 of our group, but 3 year olds require naps

When DW made the reservation and included our DD4, I was a bit apprehensive. I wasn't sure that she would enjoy walking through an exibit with tons of fruits and vegetables. I was wrong! She loved it. I will have to say that I'm glad the 3 year old wasn't along. That could have possibly been a disaster for all. I would love for DW to do this tour the next time we are at Disney. It's certainly something that I would pay for again. If you find The Land boat ride interesting, then this tour is for you...no doubt in my mind, you will enjoy it.

Stay tuned.....The Luau and California Grill coming up!

 

[jmtmat]

Very cool! Was the first fruit a Pommelo? (sp)

 

[Sweetpeamd]

Great job with the Behind the Seeds report! Our family would really enjoy it, I think. The boat ride is one of our very favorites. Our youngest is 4 so it was great to hear that your DD4 did well and was interested. The ladybugs are such a wonderful idea! My kids would love that part.

I can't wait to read the rest of your TR. We're going on vacation (no internet) for a while. I'll be looking forward to reading when I return!

 

[hstrickland]

Very cool! Was the first fruit a Pommelo? (sp)

DH says he thinks you are right! Thanks!

 

[jmtmat]

DH says he thinks you are right! Thanks!

No problem. I would have driven me crazy too!

 

[bsredfish]

I really like the pictures. The tour looks great.
Thanks!

 

[janloz]

Just found your TR and loving it. We are staying at BC (surprise for DS12 and DD9) in Sept and are also doing the Dxl dining for the 2nd time. We are eating at many of the same place that you did, so thanks for the reviews. We plan mostly 2TS/day (breakfast and dinner) with a few lunches. Works great for us.

We also did the Behind the Seeds tour in Dec 08 and Loved it. I would recommend it to all.