Happy Birthday From Goofy- My First Dis Trip Report

[wisblue]

I have always enjoyed looking at the trip reports on the board, especially those done by my daughter Sarah (aka wdwgirl03) for the trips that I was part of. I have never done a report of my own but, because we had a trip last month that Sarah wasn’t part of, I thought I would give it a try. So, here goes.

Introduction

The travellers on this trip were:

1. Me, a 59 year old retired corporate attorney. I have loved Disney since watching the TV shows hosted by Walt Disney in the 50’s and 60’s and seeing some of the original classic Disney movies. I made my first visit to Disneyland in 1960 and my first visit to Disney World in 1981. In subsequent years I have made a few more trips to Disneyland and MANY more to WDW. I also saw all of the Disney creations at the New York World’s Fair in 1964-5, so I have a special fondness for those old classic attractions.

2. Sue, my wife. She enjoys Disney World, but is nowhere near the Disney fanatic that my daughters and I are. She also isn’t that fond of air travel in general, especially with the latest airport security measures, so I do a lot of my travelling with one or more of my daughters.

3. Emma, our youngest daughter and a junior at Marquette University who celebrated her 21st birthday on this trip. The timing of this trip was set by her spring break. Emma will be participating in the Disney College Program this fall.

We have been DVC members since 2006 and the Beach Club Villas were our destination for this trip.

Saturday, March 12, 2011- Welcome Home

Our trip began on Saturday, March 12. I felt a little bit bad about leaving on Sarah’s birthday, knowing that she would be more than a little jealous. But, any guilt I may have felt was offset by knowing that Sarah and her sister Claire would be heading out on their own trip in exactly two weeks.

Our flight to Orlando was thankfully uneventful, and we arrived at the Orlando airport slightly ahead of schedule at about 12:15 PM.

The arrival at the Orlando airport, and the things that immediately follow, are some of my favorite parts of any trip. When I get off the plane and enter the familiar and friendly sights of MCO, I REALLY feel like the trip has started. The excitement of having the entire trip stretched out before me is indescribable. I just enjoy soaking in some of the familiar sights and sounds, like the tram ride to the terminal (although I miss the voice of Jack Wagner, the voice of Disney). A more recent custom (and one Emma had to continue) is stopping at the Universal Studio store to see if there is any new and exciting Harry Potter merchandise.

The whole arrival process has been made even more enjoyable for me by the Magical Express. For years the routine on our family trips involved going to the baggage claim area to round up all of the bags and then hauling it over to the rental car garage. Especially when the kids were smaller, this process was a little tiring and stressful.

Before heading to the bus, though, we had to stop and partake in one of the traditions that we have developed the last few years. Because our flights to Florida are usually early in the morning, and we don’t like to eat much before getting on the plane, we are generally ready for something to eat when we arrive at MCO. A few years ago we stopped and got chicken nuggets and sandwiches from the Chick Fil A at the airport food court and, ever since then, we have tried to do that on every trip. (It is always disappointing when we travel on Sundays because Chick Fil A is closed.)

On this trip, we picked up our lunch and headed down to the Magical Express area. In a matter of minutes we were through the line and on the bus to the Beach Club, with brief stops at the Caribbean Beach and Yacht Club. Before long (by about 1:30) we were greeted by the familiar “Welcome Home” as we checked into our vacation home at the beautiful Beach Club Villas. At the desk, Emma and I were presented with “Happy Birthday” buttons, because my birthday would be coming up on the 14th, and Emma’s on the 15th.

Because we arrived before the official 4 PM check in time our room wasn’t ready yet, so we spent a little time sitting in the welcome sunshine by the beach

and then at the small, quiet DVC swimming pool

Before long I got the text message that our room was ready.

Coming Up: Up, Up, and Away

 

[Jazzabelle508]

I'm in I have being reading your daughter's trip report and have been really enjoying it! She mentioned in her report that you guys went a little bit before she did so I'm excited to read about your trip.

 

[Jazzabelle508]

oh and I forgot to say this in my last post but that is really fun that you and your daughters birthdays are so close! My mom and I are also like that except my birthday is first on May 8th and hers is May 9th.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Well now I finally get to post on YOUR thread.

Yes, it was a bit depressing when you left on my bday, especially since I've always thought it would be cool to be there for it.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I'm here from Sarah's TRs too!!!!

Great start!!!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

I'm in! (Directed here from your daughter's report!)

I've always wanted to read reports from the perspective of someone who has been a really long time Disney fan and was even there for the World's Fair! I also like hearing more about the Beach Cub since that was one resort that I've almost gone to, but just turned it down for something else. Can't wait to hear more about your trip! Update ASAP!

 

[PirateKate]

I came over from Sarah's TR, too. I love the feeling of starting a brand new trip. I've heard the Beach Club Villa's are great.

 

[wisblue]

Saturday, March 12 (Cont)

Because of our afternoon arrival we did not plan to go to any parks the first day. So, after getting our things settled into our Deluxe Studio Villa, we went out to catch the bus to Downtown Disney. Our visit there included stops at several of the usual stores like The World of Disney, The Art of Disney, Team Mickey, the pin trading store, etc.

We also stopped for delicious sandwiches at the Earl of Sandwich, one of my favorite quick service dining locations. I started this trip with over $200 in rewards from my Disney VISA card, and this was my first opportunity to redeem some of those rewards for a "free" dinner.

We also walked over to the West Side, something Sue had never done. We stopped in several of the stores there, including D Street, where Emma checked out several of the Vinylmations that she might be interested in. Before the end of the trip she would have a few more Vinylmations and pins to add to her collections.

We then took our first ever voyage on the Characters in Flight hot air balloon.

The clear sky made viewing from the balloon magnificent

although the position of the setting sun did make it difficult to get decent pictures of Epcot and the Studio (if you look carefully you can see Spaceship Earth and the Tower of Terror on the horizon).

Emma was able to get a bird’s eye view of the apartment complex she will be living in this fall when she joins the Disney College Program; it is very close to Downtown Disney.

She also got some pictures of our home resort, Saratoga Springs.

After completing our tour of the West Side we headed to the bus stop for the return to the Beach Club. By the time we returned it was getting dark (this was the last day before Daylight Savings Time started). Before settling in for the night we took care of a few housekeeping details. First we went over to the Epcot ticket window to pick up our park tickets. In anticipation of escorting Emma when she starts the college program, and visiting a couple of times while she’s there, I was getting myself an annual pass. Emma needed a new hopper pass, but Sue had enough days left over from a previous trip so she wouldn’t be needing a new ticket this time.

(As an aside, for the last several years, our approach to buying Disney park tickets has been to get 10 day hopper tickets with the no expiration option. Because we make regular visits, we know we will be using all the days eventually, and this cuts down on the cost per day. It does require some recordkeeping on my part, though, to keep track of how many days are left on everyone’s tickets, because we don’t all go on the same trips. When we are sure that we will be making more than one trip in less than 12 months I will get an annual pass. With the DVC discount that ends up costing less on a per day basis as long as we use it for at least 8 days. With my previous annual pass I took 3 different trips and used the ticket on 18 different days, so that ended up being a great deal. Sarah did the same thing with the ticket she bought on a trip with me last April, used again on a trip with her sisters in August, and then again on her latest trip in March).

Our last task was picking up some groceries for the room. For that, we walked over to the general store on the Boardwalk, where we were also able to enjoy a few sidewalk shows. One thing you’ll see in this report is that we don’t spend a lot of time or money on meals. We may do one or two sit down dinners on a trip, but the rest of the time we just pick up things here and there, mainly at quick service locations. The starting point for our meal plans is to get cereal, milk, OJ, muffins and things that that we can eat for breakfast in the room before we leave for the parks. Even with the inflated grocery prices at the resorts, we only spent about $20 on what I like to call “Breakfast for a Week”.

Because we had had a long and busy day, and we would be getting up early for an 8 AM opening at the MK (which would seem even earlier to us because of the time zone change AND moving the clocks ahead for DST) we wanted to get to bed early. We were back in the room when we heard the fireworks from Illuminations; we could even see some of the fireworks from our balcony on the third floor.

Coming Up: It's All Pure Magic Wrapped Up In Pixie Dust

 

[wisblue]

I'm in! (Directed here from your daughter's report!)

I've always wanted to read reports from the perspective of someone who has been a really long time Disney fan and was even there for the World's Fair! I also like hearing more about the Beach Cub since that was one resort that I've almost gone to, but just turned it down for something else. Can't wait to hear more about your trip! Update ASAP!

Welcome and thanks for following along.

We love the Beach Club/Yacht Club/Boardwalk area. The Beach Club resort itself is wonderful, and the location makes it extra special. If you are willing and able to walk (which we enjoy) you can walk from the Beach Club to Epcot, the Studios, the Boardwalk, and Fantasia Gardens. When you do that you don't have to worry about the timing of buses or the crush to get a bus after Illuminations or Fantasmic. When you don't feel like walking, the boats offer a very relaxing ride. (On our trip the Yacht/Beach Club boat dock was closed for some work, so they offered buses to DHS. We also had the option of walking over to the Swan/Dolphin dock to get the boat to DHS there).

Although we didn't use it much on this trip (more on that in the report) the Stormalong Bay swimming area is almost like a small water park. For a quieter atmosphere DVC guests can also use the small pool.

There are also a lot of dining options within easy walking distance both at the resort and at the Boardwalk.

I would definitely recommend giving the Beach Club a try.

 

[Cat0727]

I came over from Sarah's TR as well!

Oh my gosh, those photos from the balloon are breathtaking! I especially love the shot of DTD.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Awesome update! Downtown Disney sounded like fun. I think that will be my first place to go, now that I've been there at least once. Your pictures from the balloon ride look great. I especially like the one you took of the apartment complexes for DCP. Hopefully I'll be staying there someday The Boardwalk is really intriguing me with how you can see IllumiNations from your room, I love that show and that would be nice to see before hitting the sack. Update as soon as you can!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Characters in Flight looks so much fun!! I've always wanted to do it but never did it! Where's Emma wanting to live when she does her CP?? I lived in Chatham and loved it! It's not wild but not dead to the world either which I loved!

$20 bucks for groceries isn't too bad for the week! I think we usually spend that much when we get breakfast items too!

 

[wisblue]

Where's Emma wanting to live when she does her CP?? I lived in Chatham and loved it! It's not wild but not dead to the world either which I loved!

I'm not sure if she has a preference. I know she didn't opt for one of the "Wellness" buildings.

 

[Jazzabelle508]

I am very jealous that you guys were able to stay at the beach club! My family was seriously considering joining the DVC but we didn't because they figured we wouldn't go often enough to make it worthwhile Now my mom and I wish we had gone through with it. Oh well. We probably wouldn't stay at the beach club anyways because my mom's favorite resort is the wilderness lodge. I love wilderness lodge 2 but I really want to stay at the beach club someday. We took a walk along there one day our last trip and now I am hooked on wanting to stay there. I liked seeing all the balloon ride pictures I think that looks like so much fun but I'm a little freaked out by how high it goes and how open it is around you, I can ride tower of terror with no problem though. That glass observation deck in the sears (sorry willis) tower freaks me out 2! your pictures are great though and I love that you guys rode it in the sunset! I heard from your daughters trip report about how your youngest is doing the Disney College Program next year. That is really cool! I want to do it so badly but i'm not sure how to fit it into my schedule. 2 of my friends applied for it but I never heard whether or not they got in.

 

[wisblue]

I should have said this at the beginning of the report, but Emma took all of the pictures that I will be posting here, except for the ones she is in.

 

[katoot]

I'm in. Being that I, too, am writing my first trip report, I felt I need to support a fellow Wisconsinite's TR. Looks like a great start so far!

I always find it fascinating when birthdays in families are so close together. In my family, my brother's (TurkeyLurkey on the boards) is Jan 3rd, my mom's was Jan 13th, mine (and a cousin of mine) is Aug 9th, my dad's was Aug 10th, and my uncle (his brother) was Aug 11th.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Why is it that whenever I go the balloon is closed? I don't think it was up at all the whole time we were there. The views are really cool though.

 

[wisblue]

Why is it that whenever I go the balloon is closed? I don't think it was up at all the whole time we were there. The views are really cool though.

They seem to have a pretty low ceiling for wind and the weather on your trip was pretty active, even when it wasn't raining.

 

[wisblue]

Sunday, March 13, 2011

If you've read any of Sarah's trip reports you know that our family’s traditional touring plan is to visit the Magic Kingdom on the morning of our first full day, and this trip would be no exception. So, we got up bright and early to get to the park in time for the 8 AM opening. (Actually, because it was the first day of Daylight Savings Time it wasn’t all that bright). After our breakfast of cereal, muffins, and juice in the room, we headed over to the Beach Club bus stop at about 7 AM. The sun had not begun to rise yet, and there was a definite chill in the air (about 50 degrees). But, coming from the Wisconsin winter, and knowing that once the sun came up the temperatures would quickly be rising to near 80, the cool air was pretty easy to take.

We arrived at the bus stop early in case we had a long wait to catch a bus but, as luck would have it, the bus was at the stop when we arrived. So, we got to the park and through the security check before 7:30 and were able to stake a spot right at a turnstile. Before long we were let through the gate, and Emma took a number of pictures of the new “Let the Memories Begin” decorations.

Then came one of my favorite moments of every trip.

When they begin the welcome show at MK on our first day I always think about all of the wonderful family moments that we have had at Disney World over the years. I also enjoy watching all of the other guests, and you can often tell who are the first time visitors, and who are the seasoned veterans like us.

When the rope dropped we went through our normal MK park opening routine. Emma and I walked briskly and purposefully up Main Street (making sure to wave to the cast members with the Mickey hands) and into Tomorrowland toward Space Mountain. Because Sue doesn’t like to ride Space Mountain, she casually walked down Main Street to get a cup of tea from the bakery. She usually takes her time while the hordes rush into the park and then meets us after we exit Space Mountain.

This time there was a little crimp thrown into our routine. When we arrived at Space Mountain, the ride was not operating, so we grabbed FP’s and went over to ride Buzz Lightyear.

Usually Sue joins us on Buzz, but because she wasn’t there yet, and would have her morning tea with her anyway, we didn’t wait.

After riding Buzz, we met up with Sue and rode the Speedway (less than 5 minute wait), and the teacups (no wait and a lot of empty cups). We noticed Alice and the White Rabbit standing near the attraction, so Emma stopped to get her picture taken.

Alice noticed Emma’s birthday button on her bag strap and wished her a Happy Birthday. When Emma said that her birthday wasn’t really until Tuesday, Alice quickly wished her a "Happy Unbirthday”.


From there we went past all of the billboards announcing the new Fantasyland

and into the new (and very cute) queue area at Winnie the Pooh (less than 5 minute wait, despite what the sign said).

Then we went over to Snow White's Scary Adventure, which we had to ride at least once more in light of its impending closing. I am always sad to see the end of the traditional attractions that I remember from my first trip to Disneyland in 1960 (Like the Skyway, Mr. Toad, etc.) Hopefully we will get to say goodbye to Dopey at least once more before the attraction closes.

Before heading to Frontierland and Adventureland for more of our favorite attractions, Emma wanted to see how long the line was to see Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. We took advantage of the opportunity to walk through the castle and look at the mosaics

We then headed over to the Fantasyland Garden. When we got there, the line was not long, but there was no sign of Rapunzel.

The cast member told us that Rapunzel was running late and that there would not be any visits until at least 10:15 (which was almost an hour away). So, Emma decided to skip that and try again later in the trip. We wondered if Rapunzel was running late because she forgot to set her clock ahead for Daylight Savings Time.

Speaking of my favorite traditional attractions, our next stop was at Peter Pan's Flight and, because the line was not long (less than 10 minutes) we rode that because we know that the line there builds quickly. That ride as much as any other takes me back to my first visit to Disneyland in 1960 because I always remember how thrilled I was as an 8 year old about the sensation of flying over London.

Coming Up: Hold On To Those Personal Belongings

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Nice update!!!! Too bad Space Mountain was closed but at least you got fast passes!!!