How Beachy! How Nautical! How Grand!-An August 2014 Pre-Trip Report

[UncleOrville]

Ahem... Funny you should ask.
BC-Blue
YC-Red
GF-Pink
AP-Green

Love it! I got pink and red last year; debating what to get for this year. My pink is a bit dirty, so I may have to go with another pink. Interested in yellow and green though too!

 

[Scott MC]

So...
Where are we staying on this trip. Well, you can probably figure that out easily by the title. But how we came to make those choices might be interesting, eh?

We haven't traveled to WDW with my sister since 2009, so we know we wanted to do it in style. Since then, Tom and I have become addicted to the Epcot resort area. By that, I mean, we'll try other places, but we like to spend the majority of our trip on the Epcot loop, and we told Erin (the sister) this. We were met with silence. As I believe I mentioned before, Erin and Seth are big MK resort fans. They are in an exclusive, monogamous relationship with those resorts, but after some gentle pushing, and the promise of lavish Club Level amenities, we convinced them. We have not done a long stay at BC yet, so we pushed that we should stay there, and went ahead and booked a 6 night stay at BC, CL with a garden view. I think it's a great deal at BC, because many of their garden views sneak a nice peek at Crescent Lake. That's a nice bonus.
So, with that plan in motion, Erin and Seth went to WDW last July and stayed for 4 nights at WL. They were upgraded to a Honeymoon Suite on CL, and fell in love...with the resort...they'd already fallen in love with each other. They did realize though that the rooms at WL were a bit small for 4 adults for a week, so though they were tempted to sway our plans to WL, they reluctantly took a stroll over to the Epcot Resort area and peeked at the merchandise. By "the merchandise," I mean the BC, YC and BWI. When they came back, they were still MK resort fans, and reluctant Epcot Resort visitors, but one thing was clear.

Brace yourselves.

They had no interest in BC at all.



They had no interest in BWI at all.



They "liked" the YC. They weren't blown away by it, but it was the most agreeable of the 3 resorts.

Ok then.

So, Tom and I talked it over, and made a call and moved us to YC for the 6 nights. We're still CL, and because I like the water views more at YC, we splurged for a water view (I always say "water view," because I think "lagoon view" sounds pretentious.). We got a nice AP offer for that stay and managed to get 35% off, so August 17-23, YC--here we come! The switch really wasn't a huge deal for us, since we really like YC, but we hadn't done a long stay at BC, and that's why we originally booked it.

The bulk of our trip will be at YC, but next time I get to this, I'll share how our other two resorts came to be!

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I'll read along we're cheating on our beloved Poly with BWV next January. I hope we love it as much as you do! I have a 14 year old ragdoll kitty so I'm another crazy pet person

 

[mamabear927]

following along...so sorry about Henry...love the flat stanley idea lol...we are from South of Boston and will be there the 17-27

 

[HBGdancermom]

Scott, I loved your GF love story... When I was researching room choices for my upcoming Feb visit I saw the video of your upgrade!!! So cool! I was saying to my husband..."I know him, I know him..." He was so confused but then said " I am so glad you have your disney peeps..."

Can't wait to follow along on this trip with you guys!

 

[archdandy]

It can be hard going on a trip with multiple people to appease everyone. Hopefully you will enjoy YC just as much!

 

[Scott MC]

I'll read along we're cheating on our beloved Poly with BWV next January. I hope we love it as much as you do! I have a 14 year old ragdoll kitty so I'm another crazy pet person

You will love BWI. We truly love anything going on in the Epcot resort area. It just spells "v-a-c-a-t-i-o-n" for us.

following along...so sorry about Henry...love the flat stanley idea lol...we are from South of Boston and will be there the 17-27

Hello fellow New Englander! Thanks for your kind words about Henry. On that note, stay tuned for an exciting life-update coming very soon!

Scott, I loved your GF love story... When I was researching room choices for my upcoming Feb visit I saw the video of your upgrade!!! So cool! I was saying to my husband..."I know him, I know him..." He was so confused but then said " I am so glad you have your disney peeps..."

Can't wait to follow along on this trip with you guys!

Thanks! Now that school is out, I have a bit more time to add to this PTR!

It can be hard going on a trip with multiple people to appease everyone. Hopefully you will enjoy YC just as much!

Oh, we already know we will love YC. No worries there!

 

[Scott MC]

OK Folks...sorry for my lack of updates!
I've been on summer vacation since 6/26, but I've been moving my classroom to a different room, and just keeping busy in general, so I've had little time completely to myself!

Where was I? Oh right...

LIFE UPDATE!
So, our remaining cat, Grace had been showing signs of anxiety/lonlieness, even though we thought for sure that she was an independent woman, and after checking with our vet, we decided it was time to get her a new companion. Let me introduce our newest baby....Sheldon!

He's a 5yo male and he's 1/2 Siamese. He's a ball of love...and he's fit in perfectly with me and with Tom.
Now Grace on the other hand....
She's not thrilled when he gets too close...though he tries to play with her all the time.

At this point, she seems calmer all-around, and as long as he lets her have her personal space, she is fine with it all.

I still miss my Henry, but I'm falling in love with Sheldon.

Back to our normal WDW planning soon...I promise!

 

[MidnightParade]

Awww! He's so pretty! Yay new kitty! And so nice that you got an olderish cat (Kittens are too much work anyways).

We had our cat for a few years and then last january had a knock on our door asking us to take in a kitten who had been dumped in the garbage across the street. Hard to say no to that! (She's also part siamese!) Took awhile for our older cat to get used to the new addition and while they aren't besties he has warmed up to her since then and they do play and hang out with each other.

Hope it continues to go well with the kitties! And That you have a wonderful summer! (I have already started to hear back to school jingles!! )

 

[natebenma]

Congratulations on the new addition to your family.

Sheldon is adorable! Glad to hear he is a lovebug.

 

[teekathepony]

Welcome, Sheldon! He's absolutely gorgeous! I'm sure Grace will warm up in no time.

 

[Scott MC]

Awww! He's so pretty! Yay new kitty! And so nice that you got an olderish cat (Kittens are too much work anyways).

We had our cat for a few years and then last january had a knock on our door asking us to take in a kitten who had been dumped in the garbage across the street. Hard to say no to that! (She's also part siamese!) Took awhile for our older cat to get used to the new addition and while they aren't besties he has warmed up to her since then and they do play and hang out with each other.

Hope it continues to go well with the kitties! And That you have a wonderful summer! (I have already started to hear back to school jingles!! )

Congratulations on the new addition to your family.

Sheldon is adorable! Glad to hear he is a lovebug.

Welcome, Sheldon! He's absolutely gorgeous! I'm sure Grace will warm up in no time.

Thanks for the compliments! We do love him...and I am sure Grace will come around. They'll have a lot of time to get to know each other while we're away!

 

[Sue M]

All caught up . Sheldon is adorable!! Thanks for the peak into Nantucket Suite! Our balcony was next to it with the GV. But a generous view of the Boardwalk too!! I was curious to see what it looked like. It remained empty for the week we were there, but last couple of days they were prepping it for someone's arrival.
We found out on out last night that we got a great view of Illuminations from that balcony!!
Hope to run into you around GF pool!!

 

[Scott MC]

Ok, I have to admit here. I've not been a good TR writer.
I apologize

We're now 1 and 1/2 weeks away from the trip, and all is planned, and I didn't update y'all.

I sorry.

I can update a bit on our 2nd and 3rd resort choices. How about that?


So, we're booked August 17-23 at YC on the CL floor.

Tom and I always go down a day early or 2 to celebrate our anniversary. Ok, it's our "dateiversary," but whatever. For this trip, we had a truly "Magical" opportunity to add 2 extra nights on at the end of our stay. Our options included the Polynesian, which we've never stayed at and are both dying to try. Unfortunately though, they seem to be repairing a few things over there. Fixing a lightbulb or 2, switching out the throw pillows etc. I admit, I like things to be Practically Perfect in Every Way, so we decided that once the Polynesian is through fixing those lightbulbs and fluffing those pillows, we'll give it a try. Our other option was to return to...

THE GRAND FLORIDIAN

Yes please.

I'm still quite certain that my heart lies on the Epcot resort loop, but the monorail loop is rather magical isn't it? It will be fun to go back. All my favorite WDW restaurants are there, and we're eating at every GF restaurant (except V&A's) at some point on this trip! It'll be on the end of our trip, and we're hoping to just relax a lot once we get there. I'm currently thinking of getting a massage at Senses Spa.

Ok...so now you have the "How Nautical.." and the "How Grand..."

So, remember how earlier in the report, I told you about the very sad death of our beloved Henry? Well, the night we lost him, we came home, and understandably, were beside ourselves. I opened my email and noticed my "Magical" opportunity that we seized at the GF, and said...."We deserve 2 more days at Disney!" Tom readily agreed. So, we took the opportunity to begin our trip with 2 days at...

THE BEACH CLUB

It'll be nice to be there, and have 2 bonus days at SAB!

So, our final resort plans are....

August 15-17- The Beach Club
August 17-23- The Yacht Club (Club Level)
August 23-25- The Grand Floridian

Whew!

I'll try to put our dining plans up tomorrow or Wednesday, I promise!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I enjoyed reading your PTR! You are so close, woohoo!! We have been like you for many years, preferring the heat of the summer. There is just something about the parks, an electricity that isn't there in the off seasons. And with the bigger crowds come longer park hours, we loved hopping over to the MK at midnight!

Lately, though, we've grown fond of going when the temps and crowds are lower - warm enough to swim, but not so blazing hot. Here in Missouri, we have a lot of days in the 100+ range, with oppressive humidity, so getting a break on vacation is a nice change. That being said, we are heading back at the end of August, so FL swelter, here we come!

I remember your first visit to the Grand, and the angst everyone felt that summer. We had a trip that summer as well, and though we did have to work around the scaffolds on the back of the Main Bldg., it wasn't too disruptive for us. Glad you are able to add a couple nights on the end of your Epcot-resorts extravaganza!

So sorry to read of the loss of your kitty. Very hard to lose a beloved pet. Henry & Grace are (were, in Henry's case) beautiful.

You are not crazy, btw - we have set up cameras and watched our dogs on Skype while out of town. lol

Love your new baby, so pretty, and I like his name. What, you weren't up for Zazzles?! I grew up with Siamese cats, we even raised them when my kids were little; now we have dogs, except for my son's one lone cat. It's a madhouse here at Christmas, the kids all bring their pets home - we end up with four dogs (all sizes) and one cat in the house, along with 6 people. Good times!

Looking forward to reading more when you get time. It's hard for me to find time to read TRs, I can't imagine coming up with enough to write one!

 

[Scott MC]

All caught up . Sheldon is adorable!! Thanks for the peak into Nantucket Suite! Our balcony was next to it with the GV. But a generous view of the Boardwalk too!! I was curious to see what it looked like. It remained empty for the week we were there, but last couple of days they were prepping it for someone's arrival.
We found out on out last night that we got a great view of Illuminations from that balcony!!
Hope to run into you around GF pool!!

Sheldon thanks you for your compliment. So glad you enjoyed the Suite. We were totally blown away. Truly, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Those 2 days, we had tons of plans. We canceled all of 'em.

Yes, we will look for you at the GF pool!

I enjoyed reading your PTR! You are so close, woohoo!! We have been like you for many years, preferring the heat of the summer. There is just something about the parks, an electricity that isn't there in the off seasons. And with the bigger crowds come longer park hours, we loved hopping over to the MK at midnight!

Lately, though, we've grown fond of going when the temps and crowds are lower - warm enough to swim, but not so blazing hot. Here in Missouri, we have a lot of days in the 100+ range, with oppressive humidity, so getting a break on vacation is a nice change. That being said, we are heading back at the end of August, so FL swelter, here we come!

I remember your first visit to the Grand, and the angst everyone felt that summer. We had a trip that summer as well, and though we did have to work around the scaffolds on the back of the Main Bldg., it wasn't too disruptive for us. Glad you are able to add a couple nights on the end of your Epcot-resorts extravaganza!

So sorry to read of the loss of your kitty. Very hard to lose a beloved pet. Henry & Grace are (were, in Henry's case) beautiful.

You are not crazy, btw - we have set up cameras and watched our dogs on Skype while out of town. lol

Love your new baby, so pretty, and I like his name. What, you weren't up for Zazzles?! I grew up with Siamese cats, we even raised them when my kids were little; now we have dogs, except for my son's one lone cat. It's a madhouse here at Christmas, the kids all bring their pets home - we end up with four dogs (all sizes) and one cat in the house, along with 6 people. Good times!

Looking forward to reading more when you get time. It's hard for me to find time to read TRs, I can't imagine coming up with enough to write one!

It is so close, and I fear that this PTR will peter out quickly, as you think you have tons of time (and I'm a teacher, so I'm home for the next 8 days), but you always forget things and end up running around the last 48 hours before your flight, and feel like you just barely make it!

Zazzles....heh. I like it.

So, will our paths cross? What are your dates?

 

[Scott MC]

Time is getting short before this trip...so I'll just lay them out there.

Friday 8/15: Flying Fish Cafe-Anniversary Dinner (Scott and Tom)
We love it here. I can be picky, and once the manager there told me that if there was anything on the Epcot loop I wanted for dinner, he'd personally get it and bring it to FFC for me! That's service! I've gotten over my pickiness since, and I especially like eating at the bar here. There's a delightful bartender there, female, with a delightful Scottish accent. I'd love to see her there on our anniversary night.

Saturday 8/16: Yachtsman Steakhouse-Dinner (Scott and Tom)
We've never been here, but I'm drooling over the Corn Flake Fried Chicken.

Sunday 8/17: Artist Point-Dinner (Scott, Tom, Erin, Seth, Mary)
By then, Erin, Seth and Mary will have joined us and this is our first dinner together. Erin and Seth have been and love it. I went as a very young adult when they used to have a Pocahontas character breakfast.

Monday 8/18: Biergarten-Luncy(Scott, Tom and Mary) Rose & Crown-Dinner (Erin and Seth)
We've never been to Biergarten and are very excited!
Erin and Seth always go to R & C to have dinner and watch Illuminations. It's a must-do for them.

Tuesday 8/19: Coral Reef-Lunch (Tom, Scott, Mary) BOG-Dinner (Erin and Seth)
Me, Tom and Mary will return to one of our favorite places.
Erin and Seth return to one of theirs.

Wednesday 8/20: Cinderella's Royal Table- Breakfast (Scott, Tom, Erin, Seth, Mary)
We're all having breakfast with Cindy! I'm the only one who's been before, but I was 7 and it was about 1985.

Thursday 8/21: Hollywood Brown Derby-Lunch (Scott, Tom, Seth and Erin)
Tom and I love it here! Mary has no interest. Whatever.
Cobb Salads and Dorma Nesmond martinis for everybody!

Friday 8/22: Narcoossee's-Dinner (Scott, Tom, Erin, Seth, Mary)
Final dinner with everybody. Erin and Seth are virgins here. The rest of us love it. Can. Not. Wait.

Saturday 8/23: Grand Floridian Cafe-Dinner (Scott and Tom)
I've been here for breakfast. We're excited to try dinner.

Sunday 8/24: Citrico's-Dinner (Scott and Tom)
We love it here. Nice final dinner.

Monday 8/25: 1900 Park Fare- Breakfast (Scott and Tom)
What a delightful way to end one's trip with Strawberry Soup, Mary Poppins and Alice!
Now, we have a thing for booking character breakfasts on our last day, feeling like we're going to pop...and canceling them at the last minute. We'll see.

 

[MidnightParade]

Oooh! Looks like you guys are going to have full bellys and happy smiles on this trip!!

Looking forward to your TR when you get back!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

....

It is so close, and I fear that this PTR will peter out quickly, as you think you have tons of time (and I'm a teacher, so I'm home for the next 8 days), but you always forget things and end up running around the last 48 hours before your flight, and feel like you just barely make it!

Zazzles....heh. I like it.

So, will our paths cross? What are your dates?

We miss each other by that much!! The girls and I arrive on the 28, sad to say. I miss a dear friend by just a couple weeks, which disappoints me greatly, we haven't managed to be in the World together in 2-3 years. Unfortunately, my DD's best friend can't get off work any earlier.~sob~ On the upside, the crowds are supposed to be much lower for our extended weekend.

I hear you on the last days going by in a blur!! I'm a notorious last minute packer, I have nightmares right before the trip - I'm always headed to or at the airport and have forgotten something essential; have to turn back, and spend the rest of the dream fruitlessly searching for said item!

Your dining plans are wonderful, many of our favorites on that list. So many restaurants, so little time.

Enjoy the last few days of anticipation.

 

[Sue M]

Time is getting short before this trip...so I'll just lay them out there.

Friday 8/15: Flying Fish Cafe-Anniversary Dinner (Scott and Tom)
We love it here. I can be picky, and once the manager there told me that if there was anything on the Epcot loop I wanted for dinner, he'd personally get it and bring it to FFC for me! That's service! I've gotten over my pickiness since, and I especially like eating at the bar here. There's a delightful bartender there, female, with a delightful Scottish accent. I'd love to see her there on our anniversary night.

Saturday 8/16: Yachtsman Steakhouse-Dinner (Scott and Tom)
We've never been here, but I'm drooling over the Corn Flake Fried Chicken.

Sunday 8/17: Artist Point-Dinner (Scott, Tom, Erin, Seth, Mary)
By then, Erin, Seth and Mary will have joined us and this is our first dinner together. Erin and Seth have been and love it. I went as a very young adult when they used to have a Pocahontas character breakfast.

Monday 8/18: Biergarten-Luncy(Scott, Tom and Mary) Rose & Crown-Dinner (Erin and Seth)
We've never been to Biergarten and are very excited!
Erin and Seth always go to R & C to have dinner and watch Illuminations. It's a must-do for them.

Tuesday 8/19: Coral Reef-Lunch (Tom, Scott, Mary) BOG-Dinner (Erin and Seth)
Me, Tom and Mary will return to one of our favorite places.
Erin and Seth return to one of theirs.

Wednesday 8/20: Cinderella's Royal Table- Breakfast (Scott, Tom, Erin, Seth, Mary)
We're all having breakfast with Cindy! I'm the only one who's been before, but I was 7 and it was about 1985.

Thursday 8/21: Hollywood Brown Derby-Lunch (Scott, Tom, Seth and Erin)
Tom and I love it here! Mary has no interest. Whatever.
Cobb Salads and Dorma Nesmond martinis for everybody!

Friday 8/22: Narcoossee's-Dinner (Scott, Tom, Erin, Seth, Mary)
Final dinner with everybody. Erin and Seth are virgins here. The rest of us love it. Can. Not. Wait.

Saturday 8/23: Grand Floridian Cafe-Dinner (Scott and Tom)
I've been here for breakfast. We're excited to try dinner.

Sunday 8/24: Citrico's-Dinner (Scott and Tom)
We love it here. Nice final dinner.

Monday 8/25: 1900 Park Fare- Breakfast (Scott and Tom)
What a delightful way to end one's trip with Strawberry Soup, Mary Poppins and Alice!
Now, we have a thing for booking character breakfasts on our last day, feeling like we're going to pop...and canceling them at the last minute. We'll see.

Looks like we have some of the same dining plans, just different days, Brown Derby lunch for Cobb Salad yum, GF Cafe, Citricos, & 1900.