Frozen Fun at the Beach Club!Our First Disney Trip Dec. 3- 11*Update 5/1*

[counselormom]

Oops , double post.

 

[counselormom]

Great update! Did you notice if the Marketplace was very crowded when you got your diet coke?

I'll play! Were you in St. Barts???

Thanks, The Marketplace was often pretty crowded but I think it's just because it's not very big, I never had to wait in line to get drinks or to buy something in the gift store. However, there was often a fairly long line for food. We would always take anything we bought to eat to the Solarium or out by the pool. IMO, it was too busy in the Marketplace to enjoy eating. Also, I was really glad I ordered Diet Coke from Gardengrocer, the fountain diet coke in the Marketplace always tasted flat to me.

St. Bart's?? Maybe.. I'll give the answer soon.

I'll take a guess, is it St john's Megan's Bay beach? I'm dying for more of your story...

Hmmmm... Could Be. Answer coming soon.
I am getting faster at the updates, this mornings only took me 3 hours.
I'm going to try and have another up tomorrow or Monday.

Traci

 

[onescgirl]

Hi! I just found your TR & enjoyed reading it.
Congrats on your 1st WDW trip!
I just turned 40 this past year too! It is strange to now say that I'm 40. But 40 is the new 30, right?
Your girls are so adorable. I love the charm bracelet idea!
Your Creative Design outfits look great too. I used several of their designs during our trip this past fall too!

 

[natebenma]

I really loved your post and especially your "Guess the Island" Game. I'm going with one of the USVI, either St. John or St. Thomas. I am putting my money on Cinnamon Bay, St. John for the second picture.

Caneel Bay on St. John is one of the contenders for our 25th anniversary trip next year. First trip without the boys. Sandals Grande St. Lucian is another frontrunner.

That is great about cruising with your family! In 2006, my Aunt Jeanne treated our family of 40 to a reunion cruise on Royal Caribbean. It was a fantastic get together both with family we see every year, and those who live in other parts of the country. One of my uncles has since passed away, so it makes the memories of this trip even more special.

Another thing I noticed we have in common is getting up much earlier than the rest of the family. I have a really annoying internal clock that wakes me between 5 and 5:30, weekdays, weekends, holidays, vacation! So when we are on vacation, I need a balcony to go out with my coffee, a book and my camera before everyone else wakes up.

But enough about me! Great description of your walking tour of the Beach Club. How nice to just sit and chill at the resort for your first day. The picture of girls in Stormalong Bay is awesome.

I hope your husband is able to let his hair down and relax quickly.

 

[2Tiggers]

I'm in!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Love the feet pics...I think that's a great idea! Great pictures....I have to say I think you have the best ideas for a relaxing day....

 

[BridgetR3]

Loving your trip report!!!! Can't wait to read more!

 

[DrMomof3]

Love the feet pics! Brilliant idea!
I think it's a great idea to spend the 1st day relaxing at pool. I've never thought about doing that. We always rush off to the parks...

Amanda

 

[mermaid764]

Relaxing by the pool sounds like the perfect way to start off your vacation, especially when that pool is SAB!

Can't wait to hear more

 

[cinderellabride2011]

I love feet pics! I have one of mine and my daughter's feet when she was 6 months old at Carmel Beach in California. I love it soo much, I keep telling myself I need to print a 11x14 and frame it...my daughter is now about to turn 5 and I still haven't done it! Someday I'll need a rainy day project and get to it! Anyways, lovin the trip report, makes me want to change my resort from POFQ to beach club now when I visit for my disneymoon in May!

 

[counselormom]

I'm in!

Welcome!

Love the feet pics...I think that's a great idea! Great pictures....I have to say I think you have the best ideas for a relaxing day....

Thanks! Glad you liked the feet pics! I am so glad we had Sat. to hang out by the pool because it turned really cold!

Hi! I just found your TR & enjoyed reading it.
Congrats on your 1st WDW trip!
I just turned 40 this past year too! It is strange to now say that I'm 40. But 40 is the new 30, right?
Your girls are so adorable. I love the charm bracelet idea!
Your Creative Design outfits look great too. I used several of their designs during our trip this past fall too!

Thank you! It does sound strange to say 40, it's like you are talking about someone else! Yes 40 is the new 30, does that mean I can go around saying I'm 30??? I found the charm bracelet idea on Etsy but didn't want to spend the $$$ so I found the charms at Hobby Lobby and Michael's for much less.
I thought they turned out pretty cute.

 

[counselormom]

I really loved your post and especially your "Guess the Island" Game. I'm going with one of the USVI, either St. John or St. Thomas. I am putting my money on Cinnamon Bay, St. John for the second picture.

Caneel Bay on St. John is one of the contenders for our 25th anniversary trip next year. First trip without the boys. Sandals Grande St. Lucian is another frontrunner.

That is great about cruising with your family! In 2006, my Aunt Jeanne treated our family of 40 to a reunion cruise on Royal Caribbean. It was a fantastic get together both with family we see every year, and those who live in other parts of the country. One of my uncles has since passed away, so it makes the memories of this trip even more special.

Another thing I noticed we have in common is getting up much earlier than the rest of the family. I have a really annoying internal clock that wakes me between 5 and 5:30, weekdays, weekends, holidays, vacation! So when we are on vacation, I need a balcony to go out with my coffee, a book and my camera before everyone else wakes up.

But enough about me! Great description of your walking tour of the Beach Club. How nice to just sit and chill at the resort for your first day. The picture of girls in Stormalong Bay is awesome.

I hope your husband is able to let his hair down and relax quickly.

I'll give the answer soon, we'll see!!

Oh man, what a wonderful 25th anniversery trip! I've been to St. John a few times and St. Lucia once and have always admired Caneel Bay when we drive by. St. Lucia was beautiful too, we spent the day laying out on the beach by the Pitons (is that how you spell it? it doesn't look right?) I guess you can't go wrong with either, lucky you!

Sounds like you made wonderful memories on your cruise!

It's hard to describe the Beach Club and do it justice, I just loved being there
and being able to walk to Epcot so much.

 

[counselormom]

Love the feet pics! Brilliant idea!
I think it's a great idea to spend the 1st day relaxing at pool. I've never thought about doing that. We always rush off to the parks...

Amanda

Thanks, you will have to start taking feet pics now! There is no way I was going to go near MK on that Sat. they were taping the parade and I just couldn't wait to get into that pool!

Loving your trip report!!!! Can't wait to read more!

Thank you so much. If it wasn't for that pesky job of mine I could get an update out everyday, but I guess I must bring in some $$$ so we can continue to eat.

 

[counselormom]

Relaxing by the pool sounds like the perfect way to start off your vacation, especially when that pool is SAB!

Can't wait to hear more

It was a great way to start out! Working on another update, hope to have it up soon.

I love feet pics! I have one of mine and my daughter's feet when she was 6 months old at Carmel Beach in California. I love it soo much, I keep telling myself I need to print a 11x14 and frame it...my daughter is now about to turn 5 and I still haven't done it! Someday I'll need a rainy day project and get to it! Anyways, lovin the trip report, makes me want to change my resort from POFQ to beach club now when I visit for my disneymoon in May!

Ohhh! Baby feet, how precious! Yes, you need to frame it , better late than never. Big kid feet aren't nearly as cute as baby ones! I'm glad you're enjoying the TR. I've heard POFQ is beautiful, but what do I know I've only been to Disney once! Congrats on your upcoming disneymoon.

 

[dvc at last !]

I am enjoying your TR. We stayed at BCV last October for the first time
and also loved SAB and the walk to Epcot. Being there is a dream come true.

 

[counselormom]

I am enjoying your TR. We stayed at BCV last October for the first time
and also loved SAB and the walk to Epcot. Being there is a dream come true.

Thank you! How was the weather and crowds in October? If we get to go back I think I would chose Oct. instead of Dec.

 

[TeenaS]

October is my favorite time at WDW because of the Food & Wine Festival!

 

[counselormom]

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!

The answer to the guess the island contest is.....

St. John, USVI

Congratulations to JillPie and Natebenma!!!

Extra Points to Natebenma! The second picture is indeed Cinnamon Bay.

 

[Jillpie]

Yay! I sort of won? Lol. I'd love to see St John someday, all the pictures I've seen are gorgeous of their beaches. Are we getting another update today, oh please? thanks!

 

[counselormom]

Before heading to the room to go to Downtown Disney we made a little detour. Ashton and Avery wanted ice cream and I told them that I'd read there was no better place than Beaches and Cream. It was around 2:30 by this time but the place was packed, no table for us, so as we waited in line I tried to talk them into a ordering a "No Way, Jose" for all of us to share. But nope, they wanted one vanilla cone and one chocolate cone. Seriously? All of those yummy desserts and they pick plain vanilla and chocolate cones!!
After showering and changing, I packed a bag with Avery's Cinderella costume and we went down to the bus stop to wait for the DTD bus. Orginally, I had rented a car for the trip after reading reviews on the disboards about the poor bus service. Several friends, who had recently been to Disney, talked me out of it and I canceled. By the end of the evening if I could have gotten ahold of those friends...... Let's just say we spent a good deal of time on busses this evening. The rest of the trip was much better but I woudn't know that until later. We waited around 30 min. for the bus but everyone was in a good mood after the relaxing afternoon and the girls were excited about spending some of their gift cards we had given them. It was Saturday so DTD was packed, we tried to look around as much as we could but it was just wall to wall people so shopping was not pleasant. I looked longingly over at Basin, I had set aside some of my extra money for some bath treats, but I would not be getting over there today. We finally realized that exploring DTD was not going to happen today and picked out the autograph books and pens and went to wait for the bus to the Grand Floridian. By this time it was 5:15, our dinner reservation at 1900 Park Fare was for 7:30, plenty of time wouldn't you think? After watching busses come and go and come and go for 45 minutes I was all ready to take a taxi. But since bus=free and taxi= spending money, guess who won? That's right, not me. Everyone was in a good mood though and seemed very content to wait so I held back my "I know I'm right speech" and waited, and waited. At 6:30 the bus pulls up and I'm ready to storm aboard and say, DRIVE, DISNEY BUS DRIVER, DRIVE, DON'T YOU KNOW WE HAVE DINNER PLANNED WITH CINDERELLA!!! But, I do try my best not to blurt out everything that's in my head and stood patiently while the driver loaded a guest in a scooter. However, luck was not on our side this evening because something was wrong with the scooter and try as they might after loading and unloading him 4 times they couldn't get it adjusted the right way. By this time there was quite a crowd waiting and watching and I felt so sorry for the driver, the man in the scooter and his wife who were doing everything they could to make it work. Robert went over to see if he could help and after adjusting something on the back (who knew he was a scooter mechanic?) he was loaded and we were on our way. Between the Saturday night traffic and the stops we made at 3 other resorts. It was 7:45 when we pulled up to the Grand Floridian. That's right, it took us 2 1/2 hours to make the trip from DTD to the GF! I took Avery and raced ahead to take her to the bathroom to change into her costume and Robert and Ashton went to check us in. After getting Avery all ready for our first character dinner we went and found the rest of the family, Robert had gotten a beeper and we went to look around at the beautiful and elegant Grand Floridian Lobby.

This dinner was the only one Ashton requested, she thought the Stepmother and sisters would be fun, so I was hoping, especially for her, that the dinner would turn out well. I'd made her a shirt to wear since she's 11 and not into princess costumes anymore We were seated in about 20 minutes and I sent the family on to fill their plates. The characters were making their way from table to table in an order that I'm sure made sense to them but I couldn't figure it out. I was hesitant to go get my food thinking I might miss a picture. I quickly grabbed some pasta, olives (yummy) and bread in time to see this...

and then the prince stopped by...

I can tell by Ashton's face she is so embarrased!

Cinderella looks a little "crazed" don't you think?

and the Stepmom..... She did a great job with her character!

We made another quick trip the buffet for desserts, soft Serve Ice Cream with toppings, little key lime pies, brownies and cookies. Ashton was looking forward to seeing the stepsisters reaction to her shirt. I can never remember who's who, Anastasia, Drizzella, Grizella, I don't know, the blue and green one.
Anyway she did not disappoint.... Here she is yelling at her sister that, "this girl had a shirt of me, not you!!!"

Since this was our first trip I'd done alot of reading of reviews before picking our restuarants. The 1900 Park Fare dinners are often not given the best reviews, the food is often given low marks for being bland, not having a good selection as well as the desserts being so-so. I ignored those reviews because this was Ashton's one request. The reviews were right on the money. If this had been our first meal of the trip I would have been worried, but since we had great food at La Hacienda the night before I had hope this would be the exception to an otherwise great week of meals. There was nothing horrible about the food it was just fairly tasteless. I also think the fact that the buffet area is crowded and the dining room not as elegant as I thought it would be added to the disappointment. I thought the characters were great though, funny and boisterous and we enjoyed their antics. Ashton was too sweet to say anything at the time, but when I ask her about it later she told me that she wasn't crazy about the food and thought the dinner would be more "fun".

After dinner we took the monorail to the Magic Kingdom, this was our first monorail ride and we enjoyed a peek of the castle that we would not be seeing close up until Monday. Luckily, we caught a bus fairly quickly and returned to the BC in 20 minutes, much better than the journey before dinner!
Everyone went right to bed because we would need to be up early to make rope drop at Epcot and I wanted another ride on Soarin'!



Loved: Relaxing at Stormalong Bay, Feeling like we were on a Beach Vacation. Being able to keep my mouth shut and not saying, "I told you so", after the bus mess.

Not so Much: Dinner at 1900 Park Fare. Characters were great, but not the food.

If I had a Do-Over: I would have done the Alice and Mad Hatter Breakfast at the Grand Floridian instead.


Up Next: Our Day at Epcot and LeCellier Dinner!!