Following Dr. Seuss to BCV- a November 2011 TR Updates 6/11

[MEK]

All I can say is I'm actually glad I can't see your pictures right now because I am so jealous of this fabulously sounding couples trip. I need time before I can look at all the fabulous images! It sounds like the perfect couples get away.

Be back later to see it all!

 

[iluvpluto27]

I loved your IB Grand trip report. We stayed there a few years ago not long after the swine flu outbreak, and the hotel was so empty, the staff were constantly afraid of losing their jobs and yet they were still the most lovely and friendly people I've ever met. We chatted with them every night in the lobby bar and learnt lots about Mexican culture. The Grand is an absolutely beautiful place isn't it?

I also love that you met up with Actran! I adore her trip reports so it was nice to see her pic on the dis!

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

I just found your trip report today. I have lots of reading still to do but I'm loving it so far.

 

[CRdisMom]

That looks a.w.e.s.o.m.e!!! Wisconsinites huh? Did you regal them with any ole and lena jokes? haha.

I'm with Kara...we're in for next year. LOL Imagine all the guys together.

 

[MEK]

Pictures are gorgeous! Your view is fabulous! Now that's what I call a vacation. It looks like paradise (literally). And that bed with the swans and rose pedals- wow!

 

[podsnel]

All I can say is I'm actually glad I can't see your pictures right now because I am so jealous of this fabulously sounding couples trip. I need time before I can look at all the fabulous images! It sounds like the perfect couples get away.

Be back later to see it all!

Pictures are gorgeous! Your view is fabulous! Now that's what I call a vacation. It looks like paradise (literally). And that bed with the swans and rose pedals- wow!

It was a wonderful place....very pampering and romantic, but still fun! Pods was thrilled- and Janie & Kevvie loved it too, when they went. The people working there were truely wonderful- they couldn't do enough for you. Very nice to be treated so well universally throughout the property.

I loved your IB Grand trip report. We stayed there a few years ago not long after the swine flu outbreak, and the hotel was so empty, the staff were constantly afraid of losing their jobs and yet they were still the most lovely and friendly people I've ever met. We chatted with them every night in the lobby bar and learnt lots about Mexican culture. The Grand is an absolutely beautiful place isn't it?

I also love that you met up with Actran! I adore her trip reports so it was nice to see her pic on the dis!

That's so cool that you were there, too! I agree, speaking with the people who worked there was a big highlight for us as well- I really enjoyed getting to know them all, they were the perfect staff.

And I LOVE that you know Actran and her Trips! We spent a good deal of time together, and i really enjoyed getting to know her and her BFF Karen. We had some very intense conversations, and it was so nice- I hope our vacations overlap in the future. I have one other pic to post of her- she wrote about the french fries in her blog recently, and if you read that...well, things had not improved in the FF department when we had lunch, either- take a look-

I just found your trip report today. I have lots of reading still to do but I'm loving it so far.

Welcome new reader! I'm glad you are here!

That looks a.w.e.s.o.m.e!!! Wisconsinites huh? Did you regal them with any ole and lena jokes? haha.

I'm with Kara...we're in for next year. LOL Imagine all the guys together.

That would be VERY funny!

 

[Beth D]

Gorgeous pics of Mexico! DH and i went for a long anniversary weekend 2 years ago (guess it's time to plan another one!). We stayed further south of Playa del Carmen though. Next time will be closer, too long of a bus ride!

One difference between your resort and ours - the chairs! At 6 AM half of the pool chairs would be already "saved" by folks for the day with flip flops, books, etc!

That purple slushy thing looks like heaven! It's my fave color!

And I can't resist pointing out - we're at the single digit countdown to our eastern Dis cruise!

 

[iluvpluto27]

That's so cool that you were there, too! I agree, speaking with the people who worked there was a big highlight for us as well- I really enjoyed getting to know them all, they were the perfect staff.

And I LOVE that you know Actran and her Trips! We spent a good deal of time together, and i really enjoyed getting to know her and her BFF Karen. We had some very intense conversations, and it was so nice- I hope our vacations overlap in the future. I have one other pic to post of her- she wrote about the french fries in her blog recently, and if you read that...well, things had not improved in the FF department when we had lunch, either- take a look-

Those french fries don't look good and Andrea's face says it all really!!

They were pretty good when we were there in 2009, which was good as DH was a vegetarian at the time so he ate a lot of fries at lunch times.

These are my two favourite pics of the Grand (hope you don't mind me posting them) as they show how absolutely empty it was when we were there.

This was taken at 9:30 and aside from the gardener there was absolutely no one at the main pool

And this was taken at 10:30 and I'm the only person sitting on this section of the beach!

I loved it but it's also one of the reasons we haven't returned yet. We were there for 2 weeks and we loved the peace and quiet, having pools all to ourselves and being able to get into any of the restaurants for dinner without needing reservations. I expect occupancy levels are back to normal now, and it would be a different experience, I'm sure it would still be fantastic but not quite the same as our first trip. Although your photos have reminded me how beautiful it is, you never know may be a return visit is in order for 2013!!

 

[podsnel]

Gorgeous pics of Mexico! DH and i went for a long anniversary weekend 2 years ago (guess it's time to plan another one!). We stayed further south of Playa del Carmen though. Next time will be closer, too long of a bus ride!

One difference between your resort and ours - the chairs! At 6 AM half of the pool chairs would be already "saved" by folks for the day with flip flops, books, etc!

That purple slushy thing looks like heaven! It's my fave color!

And I can't resist pointing out - we're at the single digit countdown to our eastern Dis cruise!

Woohoo on the cruise countdown!!!

This was a good area to go to- only 25 minutes from the airport was very nice! And we never ran into a chair problem- but I think that can happen anywhere. There were more than enough chairs here, though. Have fun in the Caribbean!!

Those french fries don't look good and Andrea's face says it all really!!

They were pretty good when we were there in 2009, which was good as DH was a vegetarian at the time so he ate a lot of fries at lunch times.

These are my two favourite pics of the Grand (hope you don't mind me posting them) as they show how absolutely empty it was when we were there.

This was taken at 9:30 and aside from the gardener there was absolutely no one at the main pool

And this was taken at 10:30 and I'm the only person sitting on this section of the beach!

I loved it but it's also one of the reasons we haven't returned yet. We were there for 2 weeks and we loved the peace and quiet, having pools all to ourselves and being able to get into any of the restaurants for dinner without needing reservations. I expect occupancy levels are back to normal now, and it would be a different experience, I'm sure it would still be fantastic but not quite the same as our first trip. Although your photos have reminded me how beautiful it is, you never know may be a return visit is in order for 2013!!

LOVE the pics! I have to say, we were there with large groups for some of the days, and it was still idyllic. I really enjoyed meeting people from all over the world- that was a big part of why I enjoyed it so much. Hope you do go back, it is so gorgeous....

 

[Must C Mickey]

Wow Ellen can you please be my Vacation Planner as you always take the most amazing trips!

The resort and beach are beautiful and the food looks scrumptious...

We are just back from the mouse on Sunday, been doing laundry for 3 days now... whoa is me.

 

[podsnel]

We were finally back to BCV, per Sean's adament request-

Where all he wanted to do was go up to the room. I drew a bubble bath for him, hoping it would comfort and relax him. Which it did, somewhat (who doesn't love a jacuzzi?), but he still was not ready to leave the room. So I popped some popcorn for him, and he read his book-

And then I, once again, shamelessy dangled the carrot.

We were on our way to a french fry lunch at the restaurant I was DYING to try, Captain's Grille!

No...I don't think we'll be swimming here today- it's a pretty chilly Novmber day...

Why was I looking forward to Captain's Grille? The great mystery of it, I suppose. I mean, think about it- EVERYONE knows B&C, EVERYONE knows Cape May Cafe, EVERYONE knows the Yachtsman Steakhouse....but what the heck is that other space for??? Time to find out!

As you can see, it's VERY empty here at lunchtime- no ADR was neccessary. Of course it was empty. Other than people who frequent BC/YC, who knows it's here??? I was still full from the pizza, but I wanted to try some clam chowder. And, of course, order some carrots- aka, fries- for Sean.

Cont'd next post-

 

[podsnel]

My New England Clam Chowder, which cost a whopping $6.99, less my TIW, was...SPECTACULAR!

Sorry I couldn't get my big head shadow out of the pic, but in the bowl are actual whole clams in the shell- I've NEVER seen that before! There were also 3 of these hard "biscuits" which I think were supposed to be like oyster crackers- but I don't like any crackers in my soup, so after one bite, I took them out. This chowder was as good, if not better than, any NE Clam Chowder I have ever had- and I have had plenty! Sean got a BIG bowl of "carrots"-

Ahhh...so happy! Pretty good for a mystery restaurant that most people walk by thinking what's in that room with all the empty chairs???? Can't wait to try it again when I'm much hungrier!

When we were finished, we walked through Fittings and Fairings, the gift shop, as I needed some sudafed. WOW- that gift shop KICKS BUTT over the little Atlantic gift shop at the BC- the clothing selection ALONE is outstanding- there is a MUCH better variety there.

Soon, we were on our way back to the BC side of things-

But I was NOT about to go back to the villa, lovely as it was. I asked Sean to follow me to the beach.

GREAT choice. He could not have been happier! We spent a good hour and a half out there by the lake, and I think it was the PERFECT way to spend a chilly day at BCV with Sean.

Click to play-


I took many pics of Sean that day- here are my favorites...

Up next- a DISmeet with Cammie and family!!

 

[podsnel]

Wow Ellen can you please be my Vacation Planner as you always take the most amazing trips!

The resort and beach are beautiful and the food looks scrumptious...

We are just back from the mouse on Sunday, been doing laundry for 3 days now... whoa is me.

SURE!!! I do take some nice vacations, I am very lucky I have a hubby who supports that.

How was your trip?

 

[JKSWonder]

Great pic of Sean walking on the beach....he looks really happy!

 

[podsnel]

Great pic of Sean walking on the beach....he looks really happy!

He was happy- it was such a relief. Things are very tense when he is not so happy...... I will always have to remember that taking him to a more quiet and open space can help him cope with everything else!

 

[rndmr2]

Great updates, that resort is really beautiful.

Looks like you had some great one on one time with Sean, I have seen the Captain's Grille on various menu pages but have never been, sounds like it would be a good choice.

 

[ortholablady]

Nice pictures of Sean on the beach! The clam chowder looked delicious and that looked like some big bowl of "carrots"! I've only been to Captain's Grille for breakfast. They have a nice buffet breakfast.
Also I did start a TR. I can't quite figure out how to put in a link to it. It's going a little slowly so it's probably a few pages in at this point.

 

[MEK]

Those pictures of Sean are excellent! He really looks like he is enjoying himself. What a gorgeous day with all that sunshine!

I have to say that the clam chowder looks delish! Wow! I wish I could have some of that right now!

 

[Must C Mickey]

SURE!!! I do take some nice vacations, I am very lucky I have a hubby who supports that.

How was your trip?

It was so wonderful and so hard to come back to the real world, especially since it was 82 degrees the morning we left WDW & had to fly back to it snowing here in NC (our 1st snow of the season). We tried some new restaurants and did the animation academy for the 1st time, how fun is that place! DH was so proud of his Sorcerer Mickey and declared it a "must do" on all future trips hereafter.

We dined at Captain's Grille 2yrs ago. Here's the link to my photo review if you are interested. I am sure the menu has changed some since however...
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36150156&postcount=12

 

[podsnel]

Pods & boys came back from golf, and we all went back to hang in the villa for a bit. I got a text from a good friend of mine, who happened to be on vacation at the same time- and staying just across the lake at BWV. Would I like to meet her for a drink? Of course!! We decided to meet at Crew's Cup because of this-

That yummy delicious Gran Marnier cocktail I had tried last night at YS. I was meeting Cammie, a lately occasional DISer (so occasional, in fact, I can't recall her screen name!) and a current forever original DISmom! Cammie loves her some Gran Marnier, and she and her family were in the area, so- we all met up. It was really nice to meet her sister, and to see her daughter Lauren again. Her sister mentioned she had been having a hard time finding sweatshirts for the cold outside- I mentioned checking out the Yacht Club's gift shop-and I saw them all later in their new stuff! That YC store is IT!! Here's a quick pic we took before we all went our seperate ways-

Back at the villa, everyone was ready to head over to DHS. Of course. we arrived at the dock and the first boat was full, so we had to wait. And wait. And wait.

Wheeeeeeeeeeere's the boat?

Seriously.

The boat pulls up. And allllllllll the people who got to the dock after us get on the boat....and we get shut out AGAIN!

Pods was a little...ummmm...upset.

We really should have just stood right by the boat entrance the whole time, but it was a LONG time between boats, so we had wandered. Not far, just not right on top of the boat ramp.

Really, in all the times I have ever stayed at BC or BW, I have never had this issue before. What the heck?

Clearly, we were not going to wait for another boat. So...we hoofed it.

'Cuz I've done that once or twice before.

Once Tyler got past "All the way to DHS?????????" we were on our way.

Piece of cake. Don't know why we didn't do it sooner.