Dr.Mickey
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 19, 1999
- Messages
- 1,234
I’ve finally found the time to write a review of an early May Beach Club trip: Four nights of bliss and happiness without the kids. In no way, should this review be construed as a statement about our love for our kids (boys 6 and 3 and 3 – doh!). We love them dearly, but we did not feel guilty about leaving them for a somewhat short get-a-way. And besides, we are calling it a “scouting trip” as we will return in October with everyone. Now, on to the review…
Our direct flight from SC to MCO on Allegiant Air was delayed almost 6 hours, negating the advantage of a one hour long flight versus the nine hour car drive. But I must say, we were thrilled with Disney’s Magical Express. After a long flight, it was wonderful to be met by a smiling cast member. We highly recommend the ME service. The luggage pick up/drop off was perfect. And it was nice to have a seat on the coach and let the vacation begin. We didn’t miss the rental car at all (though we will probably want our own wheels when we have the three rug-rats with us).
We have been fortunate enough to stay at many of the Disney Resorts – most before our kids were born – and at all levels of Deluxe, Moderate and Value. Our favorite resorts are the Beach Club and the Poly. Wife probably likes the Poly a little better – I probably like the Beach Club a little better. We feel perfectly spoiled at both.
We paid for a parking lot view with an AP discount, and we were upgraded to a garden view (don’t know the room number) on the third floor overlooking the sand volleyball court. I like the recent update of the linens (I don’t miss the foamy sea-horse bedspreads). The color palate is a nice white duvet with a grey houndstooth love-seat and blue and brown curtains. Very modern, in a Pottery Barn sort of way. The room was large, clean and quiet. And just a short walk from Epcot, of course.
At the resort, we split a filet from the Yachtsman Steakhouse – twice – though we ate in the neighboring Crews Cup Lounge. Much more casual and comfortable. The steak is amazing – love the red wine sauce. We also had a character breakfast at Cape May on our last morning as a nice send-off. We liked the new counter-service and drink refill station in the gift shop, and I thought that was a major item missing from our last trip years ago. And of course, no trip to the BC is complete without a treat from Beaches and Cream.
The parks were a little crowded and very hot for us (I miss Disney in February). But we were not in any hurry. At Epcot, we loved Soarin, and we loved the quick service restaurant in The Land. The Flower and Garden Festival is one of our favorites – loved the dolphin topiary (which we joked had been reported missing from Sea World). Our favorite moment at Epcot was a beautiful performance by Voices of Liberty. Illuminations was great as always. Just remember to stand up-wind so you don’t go home covered in soot.
Our biggest disappointment was the Animal Kingdom, which is usually one of our favorite parks. It was just too hot, and there aren’t many places to cool down. It was crowded enough that we missed the Nemo show by about thirty people, and that was our undoing. We were ready for the air-conditioning, so we had to bolt back to the bus. A night of swimming at Storm Along Bay fixed that pretty good, though.
The Magic Kingdom was fantastic. I understand that the rehab of Space Mountain has made the ride darker. And I will agree that it is either darker, or I am older. It is probably a combination of both. After a good day of fun, we left early for dinner at the Kona Café at the Poly and Wishes fireworks on the beach. Wow.
On the way back from the MK, we decided to go to the evening extra magic hours at Epcot. Maybe I was disappointed because I remember the old version of this at the MK when we had to buy a wrist band for $10, and every ride was literally a walk-on wait. At Epcot, the wait was an hour for Test Track, even at 10:00 at night. And then I was really surprised (in a bad way) that Fast Passes were still available for Mission Space. I guess I expected the lines to be first come first serve, which would still be shorter than usual if the number of guests were limited and the line didn’t hold up for all the fast pass people. But I digress…Foiled again in our quest to ride Test Track, we walked back to our room for yet another great night at the hotel.
As always, the little details mean so much at Disney. I loved the beautiful garden below our balcony. I loved the sounds of Storm Along Bay at night, and the toots of the Friendship Boats on the lagoon. And I loved the reflection of the Boardwalk while enjoying a beach chair in the evening.
When it was finally time to leave, the Magical Express arrived right on time (within two minutes, actually). We were soon on our way back to the airport and three children who missed their mommy and daddy. All in all, it was another great trip to Disney. ‘Till next time…
Our direct flight from SC to MCO on Allegiant Air was delayed almost 6 hours, negating the advantage of a one hour long flight versus the nine hour car drive. But I must say, we were thrilled with Disney’s Magical Express. After a long flight, it was wonderful to be met by a smiling cast member. We highly recommend the ME service. The luggage pick up/drop off was perfect. And it was nice to have a seat on the coach and let the vacation begin. We didn’t miss the rental car at all (though we will probably want our own wheels when we have the three rug-rats with us).
We have been fortunate enough to stay at many of the Disney Resorts – most before our kids were born – and at all levels of Deluxe, Moderate and Value. Our favorite resorts are the Beach Club and the Poly. Wife probably likes the Poly a little better – I probably like the Beach Club a little better. We feel perfectly spoiled at both.
We paid for a parking lot view with an AP discount, and we were upgraded to a garden view (don’t know the room number) on the third floor overlooking the sand volleyball court. I like the recent update of the linens (I don’t miss the foamy sea-horse bedspreads). The color palate is a nice white duvet with a grey houndstooth love-seat and blue and brown curtains. Very modern, in a Pottery Barn sort of way. The room was large, clean and quiet. And just a short walk from Epcot, of course.
At the resort, we split a filet from the Yachtsman Steakhouse – twice – though we ate in the neighboring Crews Cup Lounge. Much more casual and comfortable. The steak is amazing – love the red wine sauce. We also had a character breakfast at Cape May on our last morning as a nice send-off. We liked the new counter-service and drink refill station in the gift shop, and I thought that was a major item missing from our last trip years ago. And of course, no trip to the BC is complete without a treat from Beaches and Cream.
The parks were a little crowded and very hot for us (I miss Disney in February). But we were not in any hurry. At Epcot, we loved Soarin, and we loved the quick service restaurant in The Land. The Flower and Garden Festival is one of our favorites – loved the dolphin topiary (which we joked had been reported missing from Sea World). Our favorite moment at Epcot was a beautiful performance by Voices of Liberty. Illuminations was great as always. Just remember to stand up-wind so you don’t go home covered in soot.
Our biggest disappointment was the Animal Kingdom, which is usually one of our favorite parks. It was just too hot, and there aren’t many places to cool down. It was crowded enough that we missed the Nemo show by about thirty people, and that was our undoing. We were ready for the air-conditioning, so we had to bolt back to the bus. A night of swimming at Storm Along Bay fixed that pretty good, though.
The Magic Kingdom was fantastic. I understand that the rehab of Space Mountain has made the ride darker. And I will agree that it is either darker, or I am older. It is probably a combination of both. After a good day of fun, we left early for dinner at the Kona Café at the Poly and Wishes fireworks on the beach. Wow.
On the way back from the MK, we decided to go to the evening extra magic hours at Epcot. Maybe I was disappointed because I remember the old version of this at the MK when we had to buy a wrist band for $10, and every ride was literally a walk-on wait. At Epcot, the wait was an hour for Test Track, even at 10:00 at night. And then I was really surprised (in a bad way) that Fast Passes were still available for Mission Space. I guess I expected the lines to be first come first serve, which would still be shorter than usual if the number of guests were limited and the line didn’t hold up for all the fast pass people. But I digress…Foiled again in our quest to ride Test Track, we walked back to our room for yet another great night at the hotel.
As always, the little details mean so much at Disney. I loved the beautiful garden below our balcony. I loved the sounds of Storm Along Bay at night, and the toots of the Friendship Boats on the lagoon. And I loved the reflection of the Boardwalk while enjoying a beach chair in the evening.
When it was finally time to leave, the Magical Express arrived right on time (within two minutes, actually). We were soon on our way back to the airport and three children who missed their mommy and daddy. All in all, it was another great trip to Disney. ‘Till next time…
