Fall-ing for Stormalong Bay - A BC PTR for Fall 2012

[ZehnJahren]

Hello, and welcome.



I hope that you're having a great day.



Things are going pretty well here, too.

 

[MrsDrewsky]

I'll join you so I can live vicariously. I have been itching to stay at BC after seeing pictures of stormalong bay.

 

[IheartDDuck]

I'm here! I just noticed in your sig that you had started a new PTR. I'm so happy that you were able to get the dates figured out. The AP is horrible, isn't it? It just completely burns a hole in your pocket, wanting you to use it. I can't resist the pull of mine either.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I'll join you so I can live vicariously. I have been itching to stay at BC after seeing pictures of stormalong bay.

Aw thanks for joining! I have no idea what I'm going to do with a PTR - ramble a lot, probably. I have been dying to stay here, too; DBF and I were mesmerized by SAB a few years ago, and then when I was taking the boat to HS from Epcot back in January I thought "I HAVE to stay here next."

I'm here! I just noticed in your sig that you had started a new PTR. I'm so happy that you were able to get the dates figured out. The AP is horrible, isn't it? It just completely burns a hole in your pocket, wanting you to use it. I can't resist the pull of mine either.

Hi! Nice of you to join. I'm glad to be going back but it seems so very far away. I'm hoping I get someone to possibly go with me - but if not, I'm going anyway. Maybe I can talk my ma into coming and we can have a repeat! I think that she can't really handle the heat, though, and that's part of the reason I'm going in September - want a nice, hot, hot Disney trip.

Yes, that AP is killing me! DBF says to just renew in October and go back whenever I want. I haven't decided yet, though.

 

[ZehnJahren]

So, I've thought that I should maybe do a character meal. I was thinking I'd love to do the one where the stepsisters are - what's that called? Wonder what it would be like to do alone... If I didn't do that, it might be fun to do a lunch in Cindy's castle. I just want to be goofy this trip and have fun. Or, be Goofy. Either way.

Plus, I really REALLY want to do the Epcot segway tour. I've read a ton of good things about it, and staying at BC it would be super easy to jump over there. I would also get a discount. I know I need to book a later one if I want to get through the IG for the tour and not have to take a cab or bus to the front of Epcot. I'd love to have any reviews of this, if anybody is willing.

If I don't do a character meal, then I'd like some sort of sit-down meal. But I was thinking maybe it should be at a resort. Maybe at CR or GF.

Anyway, I'm open to suggestions.

 

[DVCWDWMEMBER]

I'm joining in too. We stayed at the BC in 2003 and loved the location. close to Epcot and Hollywood studios. Can't wait to read about your plans.

 

[natebenma]

I'm in! Dee

 

[ZehnJahren]

I'm joining in too. We stayed at the BC in 2003 and loved the location. close to Epcot and Hollywood studios. Can't wait to read about your plans.

The location is what sells me on it for sure; I thought about how I would feel if it was bad weather and I couldn't go to the pool - would it be worth the money? And then I realized that it would ABSOLUTELY be worth it to be so close to HS and Epcot, and also be in close proximity with BWI and YC... it is definitely worth the money regardless, to me.

But hopefully, I get to use that pool.

I'm in! Dee

Thank you for joining, Dee - I've read all your TRs so it's awesome you're coming to join me here. Any suggestions for a solo traveler that wants to pretend like they're five again and maybe do a character meal...?




I am considering doing my first night at AoA, just to get a look at the place. Haven't decided anything for sure yet; not too keen on spending only one night and then moving to BC. I'll have groceries, and I don't necessarily want to pack those up and move them across town; but I do really want to stay here! It would be one night at AoA and then four at BC, but when Ma and I did the (surprise) split stay at POP/CR, I wish I could have gotten all the nights at CR since it made the trip feel so short to be switching resorts.

But then, the first night (Sunday) will really be just sleeping (eventually) - I get in at four in the afternoon, and MK has EMH until midnight so I am DEFINITELY doing that. Then I figured I'd do a late start at Epcot the next day (on Monday) and finish that day with EMH at HS - they're open until 11.

Then I could do the Segway tour the next morning and see where the day takes me. Wednesday would be a sleep-in day, Thursday would be a rope drop at MK (ahhh). I really wanted to get in an AK EMH since you get SO MUCH DONE then, but it doesn't look like it will work out.

Ugh, can't wait.

 

[Disneychix]

I"m glad you decided to go back! We will miss you by just a few days-otherwise I'd eat with you!

Dh and i have done 2 segway tours. The EPCOT one was really cool but that one we did a lot of indoor 'learning' how to drive/ride. It was fun to go through the WS pretty much alone.
We also did the FW segway tour. This one was very fun and we got to see the stables and 'drive' the path to/from FW and WL. They give you a bit more freedom while driving since there aren't people/theme parks around.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I"m glad you decided to go back! We will miss you by just a few days-otherwise I'd eat with you!

Dh and i have done 2 segway tours. The EPCOT one was really cool but that one we did a lot of indoor 'learning' how to drive/ride. It was fun to go through the WS pretty much alone.
We also did the FW segway tour. This one was very fun and we got to see the stables and 'drive' the path to/from FW and WL. They give you a bit more freedom while driving since there aren't people/theme parks around.

Aw, too bad we'll miss each other - I'm all for meeting other DISers.

Did you have a favorite for the Segway tour? I think the major draw for me with the Epcot one is that I really love empty theme parks. I worked for a park for quite awhile, and my favorite times of days were before opening and after closing (and yes, often, I had been there for both in one day). I think it would be very cool to travel all of WS too, without having to walk that far. Where exactly do you go? Do you go all the way around the lagoon?

It's my understanding that the FW tour is more "fun" and you get to do a lot more on the Segway; but that the Epcot one is more "interesting." What is your opinion?

 

[natebenma]

The location is what sells me on it for sure; I thought about how I would feel if it was bad weather and I couldn't go to the pool - would it be worth the money? And then I realized that it would ABSOLUTELY be worth it to be so close to HS and Epcot, and also be in close proximity with BWI and YC... it is definitely worth the money regardless, to me.

But hopefully, I get to use that pool.


Thank you for joining, Dee - I've read all your TRs so it's awesome you're coming to join me here. Any suggestions for a solo traveler that wants to pretend like they're five again and maybe do a character meal...?

Thanks for the kind words.

Let's see- character meals...

As a solo traveler, a preopening at the MK would be cool- CRT at the Castle or Crystal Palace, to get into the empty park. Although those may be out if you haven't made the reservations yet.

I like the character interaction at the Cape May, and sooooo convenient to the Beach Club.

I haven't been to the Stepsisters breakfast (1900 Park Faire at the GF), but I hear that the gals are HYSTERICAL!!! That could be fun solo.

I would pass on Chef Mickeys, Tusker House and 'Ohanas. They seem more geared towards children.

Back to your comment about the BC without the pool- I didn't even know about Stormalong Bay the first time we booked there! It was all about the location, which is AMAZING!!! So close to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

I hope you figure out photobucket and can post a picture of your cat! I have been having trouble, too. I can't figure out how to resize now that they have made changes to the site. They have cute Disney borders/add-ons now but I haven't had time to play around with them.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Thanks for the kind words.

Let's see- character meals...

As a solo traveler, a preopening at the MK would be cool- CRT at the Castle or Crystal Palace, to get into the empty park. Although those may be out if you haven't made the reservations yet.

I like the character interaction at the Cape May, and sooooo convenient to the Beach Club.

I haven't been to the Stepsisters breakfast (1900 Park Faire at the GF), but I hear that the gals are HYSTERICAL!!! That could be fun solo.

I would pass on Chef Mickeys, Tusker House and 'Ohanas. They seem more geared towards children.

Back to your comment about the BC without the pool- I didn't even know about Stormalong Bay the first time we booked there! It was all about the location, which is AMAZING!!! So close to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

I hope you figure out photobucket and can post a picture of your cat! I have been having trouble, too. I can't figure out how to resize now that they have made changes to the site. They have cute Disney borders/add-ons now but I haven't had time to play around with them.

Thanks for your ideas on the character dinner - I'm looking into the possibilities now. It looks like there are still some openings - especially for a single diner. That's me! I do need to decide on days before I go much further, especially if I'm going to do the Segway tour.

I can't wait to be so close to so many parks. I did do a debate over whether or not I should go back to CR; the draw is so great to be so close to MK, but I know I'll spend more time at HS and Epcot, and I really wanted to stay at either BC or YC once I saw them in person, so I figured I can always go back to CR later if I want.

I saw those Disney flourishes on the photobucket site; I DID manage to get a pic or two of the cat up there though.

 

[natebenma]

Thanks for your ideas on the character dinner - I'm looking into the possibilities now. It looks like there are still some openings - especially for a single diner. That's me! I do need to decide on days before I go much further, especially if I'm going to do the Segway tour.

I can't wait to be so close to so many parks. I did do a debate over whether or not I should go back to CR; the draw is so great to be so close to MK, but I know I'll spend more time at HS and Epcot, and I really wanted to stay at either BC or YC once I saw them in person, so I figured I can always go back to CR later if I want.

I saw those Disney flourishes on the photobucket site; I DID manage to get a pic or two of the cat up there though.

I forgot to mention that I really love that picture of the monorail ramp in your first post.

Thanks for posting the photos of your cat. Beautiful! What is his or her name?

Will you have hoppers? Even though you won't be walking distance to MK, one of my favorite things to do is to take the monorail back from the MK to EPCOT and then meander around the park on the way back to the room. We usually take the bus TO MK because it is quicker, though.

 

[Nermel9]

Joining in! I love reading about solo trips, or plans for them anyway, since it's my dream to do one someday! I also love the Beach Club, I just got back from a trip there last week! (If you want to come check out my TR, I just started, the link is in my signature, there should be some nice Beach Club pics in there once I get going! )

 

[DVCWDWMEMBER]

I have thought about doing the Segway myself but my daughter IHeartDDuck says I have no coordination...... Not sure where she gets that idea....... I did break my leg falling down the stairs in January but that could happen to anyone right . I would stick with BC you will love it. You can always plan another WDW trip and stay at CR right? Gives you a reason to go back again. We are already planning a family trip to WDW for July 2013. We are hoping to split it and stay at the treehouse villas and at AKL.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I forgot to mention that I really love that picture of the monorail ramp in your first post.

Thanks for posting the photos of your cat. Beautiful! What is his or her name?

Will you have hoppers? Even though you won't be walking distance to MK, one of my favorite things to do is to take the monorail back from the MK to EPCOT and then meander around the park on the way back to the room. We usually take the bus TO MK because it is quicker, though.

Thank you for the photo compliment; it's been my phone background on and off since I returned home from my January trip. My DBF offered to photoshop the guy out of it, but I think it adds to it. I just love that picture too; can you believe it was taken with a phone? The original is super-sharp!

The cat is Ikarus. He is an absolute riot and a complete nutter. I rescued him from a shelter when he was about 6 months old and he's past 12 now, so he's been my buddy for a LONG time. He's just the best cat, though he thinks he's both a dog and a king - I don't have the heart to tell him any different.

I have an AP, so I can hop to my heart's content. I will have a car, but I also thought that when I go to MK I'll take the bus so I can skip the whole "TTC" portion of the trip. Taking the monorail back to Epcot though is definitely something I'd like to do!

 

[ZehnJahren]

Joining in! I love reading about solo trips, or plans for them anyway, since it's my dream to do one someday! I also love the Beach Club, I just got back from a trip there last week! (If you want to come check out my TR, I just started, the link is in my signature, there should be some nice Beach Club pics in there once I get going! )

That's funny - I've already subscribed to your TR as of late last night, I just didn't "say" anything yet. I'm a major TR lurker, and have read a ton of them (including most of the ones in your signature), but I don't comment a lot. I know, I know, it's so nice to have comments - but a lot of the TRs I read have a TON of readers, so I figure they're commenting a lot for me.

I'm looking forward to a longer solo trip as my January trip seemed short, though I'd really like DBF to come with me. Sadly, he's not a Disney guy - he went with me back in 2010 but felt like he was "being herded like cattle" and he HATES that. Also, I got sick while there and so not only was I complaining a lot and looking all weepy, I also couldn't sleep with a single light on. Well, when you're sick and going to bed at 9 p.m. and you have a night-owl DBF who can't even turn on a light, it probably isn't the best situation.

He agreed to go back every two years with me, but since we're going to DL last summer I let him off the hook for this year since DL is more important (first time, plus it will be a milestone birthday for my mom, who has also never been and loves WDW like I do).

I can't wait to see more about your trip; guess now that you know I'm lurking I can come over and say hi.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I have thought about doing the Segway myself but my daughter IHeartDDuck says I have no coordination...... Not sure where she gets that idea....... I did break my leg falling down the stairs in January but that could happen to anyone right . I would stick with BC you will love it. You can always plan another WDW trip and stay at CR right? Gives you a reason to go back again. We are already planning a family trip to WDW for July 2013. We are hoping to split it and stay at the treehouse villas and at AKL.

I heard about you falling down the stairs; that sounded TERRIBLE! I hope that you're healing up very well; those breaks can take so long to heal. But so great of you to pass on your points for her and her friend to go to WDW, especially over New Year's, what a great mom!

I do hear that you must have at least a little coordination in order to ride the Segways. I wonder if they give you a refund on the tour if you end up unable to ride them if you're clumsy? I can almost imagine myself jumping off the Segway every 5 minutes, thinking I'm going to crash it.

I have a feeling that once you stay at BC it will be hard to move anywhere else. I mean, look at where it is!! Maybe I can plan a split stay in the future and stay at CR again then. If I end up renewing my AP, I could see possibly just running down for a weekend or two in the winter and staying at the values again, but renting points for AKL was so inexpensive and it was such a relaxed, beautiful resort, that I don't know if I'd go back to the values, unless the points weren't available. Have you stayed there before? I'm sure being DVC you have. It had such a great atmosphere, and I definitely thought it would be farther away from everything than it was, but with a car I was everywhere in minutes.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Plans, plans, plans.

Here's what I'd like to do.

1st night - arrival on Sunday 9/16 at 4 p.m.
Grab the car at MCO. Hightail it to the hotel. Will it be BC or AoA? No FINAL decision made yet, but really I'd like to go straight to the hotel I'll be at the most (BC). Maybe I'll save AoA for the last night...

Anyway, head to the hotel. Get my room, head up, and then either head out to Target or Publix, or grab a bus to MK. It's hard for me to resist heading straight to MK, but I'm on a special diet (along with my personal trainer) so I need all fresh fruits, veggies, and lean protein. I'll have to "cook" a lot in my room, so I will need groceries. It is probably the best idea to go now, so that I don't have to go later.

MK has EMH, so I'll be heading there until they shut 'er down.

Day 2 - Monday 9/17
Tentatively, this is Epcot during the day, SAB and a nap in the afternoon, and HS in the late afternoon or for EMH. EMH is until 11 p.m.; I would also maybe like to see Fantasmic for the first time. I love HS at night, but I always seem to leave in the mid-afternoon, so I'd love to be here for EMH.

Day 3 - Tuesday 9/18
This might end up being my AK morning. I don't ever spend much time here, so two or three hours should do it if I can arrive early. A nap/SAB in the afternoon, followed by Epcot for Illuminations, I think. Or maybe HS. I am also considering MNSSHP, but last year I couldn't use the GAC card, and if there are long lines I still don't know if I'll be able to make it through them with my stomach the way it is. We'll see. AP holders get discounts on tickets this day.

Day 4 - Wednesday 9/19
I'd like to sleep in today, and then depending on the park I went to last night, go somewhere else. My time is already growing short by this point in my trip, so maybe SAB depending on weather, or Epcot for EMH.

Day 5 - Thursday 9/20
EMH at MK makes me really want to go there - but I want to do the Segway tour around Epcot too. When should I do it?

Day 6 - Friday 9/21, departure day
So far, my plane leaves at 11-ish. I could change this, but the next non-stop doesn't leave until 6.

Now, I don't do stops. I like to get up in the air and move it home. I'm always afraid my stomach will decide to be bad on travel days, so the less time I'm confined to my seat due to takeoff and landing, the better. I could have the whole day to go to a park if i didn't leave until that late flight; that means I really could sleep in this day as well and spend the day out and about, keep the car parked at BC, and then just walk on over, grab my stuff, and head to the airport.

BUT, if I go to AoA for that last night, I won't be parked within walking distance to any park. I'll have to drive back and grab my stuff.

I hate being hotel-less. I'd rather have a place to go if I need to; it makes me a little nervous. I was really hurting at the end of my last trip, but the flight didn't leave until late and I was going nuts waiting for the plane. I was at the airport like 3 hours early, just sitting and waiting. Thank God I have Southwest flights, so I get to make changes any old time I want, but I also want the best prices so I'd like to make changes sooner rather than later.

That's how it's looking now; more tweaks to come, I'm sure.

OH and here's some crazy talk: I've been to Disney three times since November 2010, but I have not been to Epcot's America pavilion, Morocco pavilion, or Japan pavilion since 2000! I literally get too tired to make it all the way over! I watched Illuminations from Italy on my last trip, but I'm telling you I haven't been to these pavilions in WAY too long. DBF and I entered France on our last trip and then walked right back out (F&WF crowds were INSANE and he was not into it); I'm looking forward to actually making it ALL THE WAY around the lake this time.

 

[DVCWDWMEMBER]

I heard about you falling down the stairs; that sounded TERRIBLE! I hope that you're healing up very well; those breaks can take so long to heal. But so great of you to pass on your points for her and her friend to go to WDW, especially over New Year's, what a great mom!

I do hear that you must have at least a little coordination in order to ride the Segways. I wonder if they give you a refund on the tour if you end up unable to ride them if you're clumsy? I can almost imagine myself jumping off the Segway every 5 minutes, thinking I'm going to crash it.

I have a feeling that once you stay at BC it will be hard to move anywhere else. I mean, look at where it is!! Maybe I can plan a split stay in the future and stay at CR again then. If I end up renewing my AP, I could see possibly just running down for a weekend or two in the winter and staying at the values again, but renting points for AKL was so inexpensive and it was such a relaxed, beautiful resort, that I don't know if I'd go back to the values, unless the points weren't available. Have you stayed there before? I'm sure being DVC you have. It had such a great atmosphere, and I definitely thought it would be farther away from everything than it was, but with a car I was everywhere in minutes.

I am doing great. Done with physical therapy and have healed very well. thanks for the concern and compliment. It is easy to be a great mom when you have a great daughter.

We have stayed at the ALK and loved it. Hoping to be able to stay again in July 2013. We had the savanna view. I would get up in the early morning to see the animals coming out being fed. It was fantastic to see.