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

[BridgetR3]

Oooh enjoying your TR!! I can't wait to read about Kim Possible. That is the ONE thing my DS8 is looking forward too!! I don't think he realizes exactly what Disney is YET!

 

[mermaid764]

Great update! I love the girls matching shirts!

Can't wait to hear what you guys thought of Le Cellier

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Wow! Sounds almost idyllic! What great pixie dust to have DH's emails not working!

 

[counselormom]

Great Update, I love the Ashton's and Avery's shirts! Very cute.
Can't wait to hear about Le Cellier.

Thank you, I found those at Old Navy.

It sounds like a productive morning at Epcot! I don't blame you for wanting to eat something better than the stuff at the American Pavilion. And I often fantasize about "doing" Epcot alone - no kids, no DH, just me taking in the sights!

Amanda

I hope you get to someday! As my trip report will show I visited France several more times for some treats!

Love your daughter's room! Tres chic!

Thank you!

Wow! Sounds almost idyllic! What great pixie dust to have DH's emails not working!

It was great! Sadly, later in the trip they email came back with a vengeance!

 

[counselormom]

Oooh enjoying your TR!! I can't wait to read about Kim Possible. That is the ONE thing my DS8 is looking forward too!! I don't think he realizes exactly what Disney is YET!

I think 8 is a great age to go to Disney! I'll bet you can't wait to see the look on his face when he realizes what Disney is !!

Great update! I love the girls matching shirts!

Can't wait to hear what you guys thought of Le Cellier

Thank you, we were hoping to meet Santa but the line was way too long!

 

[natebenma]

Great update! You are having a fantastic morning so far! There are some really great pictures of the girls and of the family. Were the ones at the Stave Church in Norway and the fountain in Italy taken by photopass photographers or nice fellow vacationers?

Good choice to forage for some fantastic foreign food. I have that same fantasy about ditching the family and spending some quality solo time in the World Showcase. I did that one time a couple of years ago- while the guys were in Ellen's Universe of Energy, I walked the World Showcase, but I was really getting passport signatures for the boys because they were not all that interested in doing it.

My husband and I also comment frequently "This would be really fun without the kids!" We were fortunate to be able to visit Disney a few times before the kids were born, including our high school graduation trip.

 

[bookgirl]

Hey Traci, I subbed in. I'm live up in Edmond now, but I grew up over in The Village, so I'm so glad to find a fellow Okc'er. And before becoming a librarian I was a special ed teacher for OKCPS so I get the 'got to get away from the maddness that happens every minute'. Sounds like you guys had a blast. I'm heading to BC in September (Feb got scrubbed for weather), so I'll be getting my break this fall.

 

[Jrabbit910]

Hi Traci,
You have me hooked! Great TR... cant wait to keep reading...
Your family is beautiful!

First time Trip Report, your doing wonderful!

 

[MinnieMouse880]

Great trip report so far! The BC looks GREAT!! I like your daughters
bedroom, it's very cute!!!

 

[Queenofallthings]

What a great update! I love how you hubby recreate the moment
Love your daughters room...its so beautiful....I agree with you....I could spend all day in WS by myself just soaking it all up....it's the magic at Disney for me

 

[crazedprincess]

I am loving your review and reports so far!!! We are strongly considering BC for our next trip, so that is what initially caught my eye. Plus I have 2 girls, similar ages, so we probably have very similar experiences. We just returned from WDW last Wed. so I'm going through severe withdrawal. Thanks for helping me along in my pain.

 

[crazedprincess]

Also, we are trying to a feel for how BC compares to AKL. Our first two vacations have been at AKL but we feel like branching out and trying something new. However, because AKL is so grandiose and the lobby itself is breathtaking, we are worried anything else will be a let down. But Stormalong Bay is a big draw for us since our girls are water babies and we like the beach theming. Plus, we LOVE Epcot so to be within walking distance would be AWESOME.

 

[natebenma]

Also, we are trying to a feel for how BC compares to AKL. Our first two vacations have been at AKL but we feel like branching out and trying something new. However, because AKL is so grandiose and the lobby itself is breathtaking, we are worried anything else will be a let down. But Stormalong Bay is a big draw for us since our girls are water babies and we like the beach theming. Plus, we LOVE Epcot so to be within walking distance would be AWESOME.

OK, I am admittedly biased to the Beach Club, but you absolutely can't beat the location! To be literally steps from EPCOT, and within walking distance (if you choose) to HS, is amazing. And as you pointed out, the pool is a huge draw.

To learn everything you want, and more, click on the link in my signature for the Beach & Yacht Club FAQ.

 

[Dizneydawn]

Love the Paris bedroom! Carsyn plans on doing the same but with all black and white theme/shabby chic!

 

[counselormom]

Great update! You are having a fantastic morning so far! There are some really great pictures of the girls and of the family. Were the ones at the Stave Church in Norway and the fountain in Italy taken by photopass photographers or nice fellow vacationers?

Good choice to forage for some fantastic foreign food. I have that same fantasy about ditching the family and spending some quality solo time in the World Showcase. I did that one time a couple of years ago- while the guys were in Ellen's Universe of Energy, I walked the World Showcase, but I was really getting passport signatures for the boys because they were not all that interested in doing it.

My husband and I also comment frequently "This would be really fun without the kids!" We were fortunate to be able to visit Disney a few times before the kids were born, including our high school graduation trip.

The pictures were taken by some friendly fellow vacationers. So you guys were going to Disney even before kids, I love that, I think it would be a great grown-up trip. I never would have thought that before we went but now I understand why an adults only trip would be fun too.

Hey Traci, I subbed in. I'm live up in Edmond now, but I grew up over in The Village, so I'm so glad to find a fellow Okc'er. And before becoming a librarian I was a special ed teacher for OKCPS so I get the 'got to get away from the maddness that happens every minute'. Sounds like you guys had a blast. I'm heading to BC in September (Feb got scrubbed for weather), so I'll be getting my break this fall.

Hello, fellow Oklahoman! Are you enjoying all of the snow?? We are now into June for the last day of school b/c of all the days missed.
I am so sorry you missed your trip because of the weather, I can imagine how disappointed your family must have been. At least in Septemer you know you'll be able to swim at SAB all you want!

Hi Traci,
You have me hooked! Great TR... cant wait to keep reading...
Your family is beautiful!

First time Trip Report, your doing wonderful!

Thank you so much! It's good to know I'm doing okay on my first report.

Great trip report so far! The BC looks GREAT!! I like your daughters
bedroom, it's very cute!!!

Thank you! It was fun doing her room!

What a great update! I love how you hubby recreate the moment
Love your daughters room...its so beautiful....I agree with you....I could spend all day in WS by myself just soaking it all up....it's the magic at Disney for me

Thanks for the kind words. I knew Robert was chilling out a little when he just minded me and sat back down so I could take the pic again. I agree on WS, I can really see why people go back over and over again.

 

[counselormom]

I am loving your review and reports so far!!! We are strongly considering BC for our next trip, so that is what initially caught my eye. Plus I have 2 girls, similar ages, so we probably have very similar experiences. We just returned from WDW last Wed. so I'm going through severe withdrawal. Thanks for helping me along in my pain.

Thank you so much! I understand the withdrawals! I've already started planning our next trip in my head, if I told my family that I'm sure they would say "we just got back!"

Also, we are trying to a feel for how BC compares to AKL. Our first two vacations have been at AKL but we feel like branching out and trying something new. However, because AKL is so grandiose and the lobby itself is breathtaking, we are worried anything else will be a let down. But Stormalong Bay is a big draw for us since our girls are water babies and we like the beach theming. Plus, we LOVE Epcot so to be within walking distance would be AWESOME.

I looked at AKL before I booked the BC, it looks really beautiful! Natebenma is
right though, the location is just so great. Be able to walk or take a boat to two parks is wonderful. Plus like I said in my TR, Stormalong Bay and the Beach theme really makes you feel like you are on a Beach vacation.

OK, I am admittedly biased to the Beach Club, but you absolutely can't beat the location! To be literally steps from EPCOT, and within walking distance (if you choose) to HS, is amazing. And as you pointed out, the pool is a huge draw.

To learn everything you want, and more, click on the link in my signature for the Beach & Yacht Club FAQ.

Ditto!

Love the Paris bedroom! Carsyn plans on doing the same but with all black and white theme/shabby chic!

Thank you, it's just the kind of bedroom I would have loved as kid, but mine had Shaun Cassidy posters and a waterbed instead!! Ooohh! Carsyn's shabby chic theme sounds good. You'll have to post pictures when it's all done

 

[crazedprincess]

OK, I am admittedly biased to the Beach Club, but you absolutely can't beat the location! To be literally steps from EPCOT, and within walking distance (if you choose) to HS, is amazing. And as you pointed out, the pool is a huge draw.

To learn everything you want, and more, click on the link in my signature for the Beach & Yacht Club FAQ.

Thank you so much!!! I have combed through the Beach & Yacht Club thread and I'm quickly falling in love with BC! I'm already dreaming about going there! Hubby likes what he sees too!

 

[crazedprincess]

Thank you so much! I understand the withdrawals! I've already started planning our next trip in my head, if I told my family that I'm sure they would say "we just got back!"



I looked at AKL before I booked the BC, it looks really beautiful! Natebenma is
right though, the location is just so great. Be able to walk or take a boat to two parks is wonderful. Plus like I said in my TR, Stormalong Bay and the Beach theme really makes you feel like you are on a Beach vacation.

Thank you!!! I am already planning our next vacation in my head too! We will probably do next Feb. because we like the winter break and winters are so very long here. AKL is beautiful and since we've been there twice (and only there), we feel that we can safely move on and try something else.

 

[counselormom]

Day 3 Continued- Dinner at Le Cellier and Kim Possible

After an enjoyable morning at Epcot, I was all set to go back to our room, change into our swimsuits and spend the afternoon at the pool. The temps for the rest of the week were all set to take a nose dive and although it was only in the low 60's I thought if we are going to swim we'd better, because it didn't look like it was going to happen again. So, I was really surprised when we got back to the room that no one but me wanted to swim. They just wanted to hang out in the room and watch T.V. until dinner. The planner in me wanted to say, Watch T.V. !! There is an amazing pool out there, get your swimsuits on and get down to that pool! But, before we left I'd had many "counselor" talks with myself about the fact that this was their vacation too, the goal was an enjoyable trip and I could quickly ruin it by insisting they do things my way. I had to have this conversation often during our trip and most to the time I did pretty well. When I did slip up the conseqence was a grouchy, cranky family. So, I grabbed my magazine and book, found a quiet, semi-sunny spot by the pool and spent the afternoon reading and people watching. When it became too chilly to lay out I headed over to the Ship-Shape Club and sat in the steam room and then the jacuzzi, I lucked out and no one else came in the whole time, I had the place to myself! If I'd had more time I would have asked about a massage but by then it was time to go back to the room to get ready for dinner at Le Cellier. After getting ready we left the stroller in the room and made our way to Epcot. We stopped on the way to take a few pictures.

I was so excited to be eating at Le Cellier. This is an ADR that I worked hard to get. I didn't realize it at the time but my Grandmother had scheduled our yearly "girls" cruise for the week the 180 ADR window opened for our vacation days. That didn't cause alarm for anyone but me, but I was fairly freaked out. Now on a regular trip, no big deal you just pick up a phone or find a computer, but when you are on a cruise ship, internet access is .75 cents a minute and very slow and cell phone reception is unreliable and expensive as well. So after calming down I realized that the first day I could make ADR's was the morning we disembarked and although I wouldn't have a computer hopefully I could use my cell phone and make the reservations. Luckily, I got a very patient CM who walked me through everything and I got mostly everything I wanted with the exception of Le Cellier. Since we didn't have park hoppers our days at Epcot were limited and nothing was available.
When I returned home I spent alot of time visiting the December canceled ADR thread on the disboards and in November it paid off, a dinner at 6:15 on our Epcot day opened up and I snagged it, gotta love the disboards! Since we had several "girly" character meals scheduled I really wanted dinner at Le Cellier for Robert. He loves a good steak and I was hoping he would really enjoy his meal. We checked in at the podium, were given a pager and were told not to go over the bridge because the pager wouldn't work over there. This statement, of course, made it impossible for my family to not go over the bridge and I was left to wait while Robert and the kids went to explore.

I didn't take any food pics so the rest are file pics from photobucket.

After Robert got a look at the inside of Le Cellier and the menu I knew he was going to love it. He kept looking at the menu and the prices and asking if he could really have whatever he wanted and it would be covered by the dining plan! Yep, whatever you want, that really made him smile! When the waiter brought out the bread, I made them try the pretzel bread first and then everyone was smiling! Yum!

Robert and Ashton ordered the New York Strip, Avery the pizza (yawn) and I was a vegetarian in a steak place, hmmm... I could have been very happy with the cheese soup and a basket of pretzel bread but the waiter had the chef come out and he came up with a pasta dish that sounded very promising. As we were waiting for our food, I was very pleased to see the kid in Robert start to come back. He was making little comments that would make Ashton and Avery crack up. This would inevitably cause them to look over at me with smiles, waiting for me to give them the "MOM LOOK" along with one of my usual lines like, "please use manners at the table", or "we don't say fart or butt!" But, I told them right then and there that I was going to take a vacation this week from nagging "Mom" duty. As long as they were safe and weren't bothering others or doing or saying anything horrible, I was just going to let it go. When we got back home, I would return to my , "napkins go in your lap, please remember your manners" self, but this week I was going to laugh right along with them. They looked at like I had lost my mind, but for the most part I followed through and you know what it was great!

Ashton's Dessert

I really don't remember what I had for dessert, because I think I ended up with Avery's ice cream since she had the chocolate mousse.
We had a wonderful meal at Le Cellier, Robert and Ashton loved their steaks and my pasta dish with asparagus was delicious. I left with only one regret, that I had not made another ADR for Le Cellier later in the week.We spent some time after dinner looking around Canada and England. Avery wanted a pretzel after not eating much of her pizza.

The kids spotted the Kim Possible booth and after getting them to agree to share a Kimmunicator (sp?) we headed to France to complete our mission. I wish I had pictures to share with you but unfortuntaly I was too busy keeping them from arguing to stop to take one (so much for being "fun" Mom!). Ashton and Avery are five years apart, and as the older sister Ashton is protective of Avery but also tends to think she should control things. As Avery has gotten older she is less willing to let this happen and of course wanted her share of the Kimmunicator. This did not make for a pleasant experience, but overall the technology is really cool and I would do it again but just on two seperate missions far, far away from one another. After our mission everyone was ready to get back to our room and get to bed. Tommorow was our Magic Kingdom day and I had a few surprises up my sleeve

Loved: Robert starting to act like a kid again at our yummy Le Cellier dinner.
Having the whole steam room and jacuzzi to myself!

Not So Much: My children's not so pleasant behavior during the Kim Possible mission.

Do-Over: I would have made a second reservation at Le Cellier. I would have left the pool a little earlier and had that massage.

Up Next: Magic Kingdom, Pirates League and Wishes Pirate Cruise (well half of one anyway).

 

[natebenma]

HOORAY for snagging the dining reservation at Le Cellier! Great time, too! We had meals there our last two trips, and everyone loves it. I made the cheddar cheese soup for supper last Saturday night and I have been snacking on the leftovers all week!

Hey, did you know you can call the phone booths? You can call from your cell phone while you are there, and freak out your family or total strangers, or you can call from home if you need a Disney fix.

Phone numbers for booths in United Kingdom

Right Booth 407-827-9861
Left Booth 407-827-9862
Center Booth 407-827-9863

Canada is reportedly 407-827-9884.


Too bad the KP mission was not more enjoyable. I can totally see that happening.