floridadream
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2012
- Messages
- 217
Hi Everyone--
We just returned from a 8 night stay at the Beach Club and we're definitely suffering from post Disney blues! This trip was one for the books and we couldn't have asked for a better time. A little background... it was myself, DH, DS (11), DD (8), FIL & MIL at the Beach Club for 8 nights in a water view room. The room view was amazing and we could see HS fireworks from our balcony. The refurb'd rooms are beautiful- very spacious, bright, clean and more modern than the older rooms. Even though I love my phone, I didn't like not having a clock in the room. So, if that's important to you, I would suggest a travel alarm clock or requesting one from Housekeeping. Also, I felt like there should have been more drawer space, but we made do with what was offered. SAB was amazing and the kids (and adults) took full advantage of it. Bus service was spotty. While waiting at MK, there seemed to be 2 buses for Boardwalk and Swan/Dolphin for one Beach Club. At one point, we just took the Boardwalk bus and walked back. Not horrible, but not the best bus service we've had at BC.
I won't bore you with all the details, but here are some highlights:
Day 1: Arrival. SAB and Raglan Road for dinner. The room was ready upon arrival and our request of a connecting room was granted. Raglan Road was very good-- the pea risotto was a big hit. Our table wasn't in a great spot, but we still enjoyed the music. Would definitely go back.
Day 2: MK-- arrived early and did all the majors. We stopped at Castle Couture and got the free pixie dust for the kids. They really got a kick out of it and the CM that did said a little poem which was cute. Got a lot done and left around 1:30 for the pool. Went to Mexico for dinner and it was good. Watched Illuminations and it was beautiful.
Day 3: Typhoon Lagoon-- it was our first time here and we loved it. We rented a cabana and it was such a special treat. Nicky, our attendant was wonderful. Cabanas are pricey, but we would definitely do it again for a special occasion. It truly felt like a vacation within our vacation. We didn't want to leave! Epcot at night-- we rode Soarin with a miminal wait time, and then did Nemo. Soarin was amazing. I literally had tears in my eyes.
Day 4: Character breakfast at Cape May and then Animal Kingdom at night. Did the night-time safari-- it was definitely has a different vibe to it. We enjoyed it, but I think we're done with the safari for awhile. All of us did EE and it was a blast. Also fast passed CRR and it was fun. We got soaked but it was a great time. The tree awakening is beautiful. Had dinner for the first time at Yak & Yeti and I was pleasantly surprised. My in-laws had the duck (which was one of their favorites the whole trip) and I had the chicken tikka masala. DH enjoyed his chicken teriyaki and the kids was satisfied as well. We'll definitely go back.
Day 5: Hollywood Studios in the morning-- did Toy Story Mania, ToT, Star Wars and a few other shows and rides. At night, we went back to Disney Springs and FIL in treated us to La Nouba. It was another highlight of the trip. Everyone loved it and it was truly special. It's not something I would do all the time, but if you're looking for something different, this is it. The kids were still talking about it at the end of the trip.
Day 6: Back to the MK early in the morning. We really took advantage of the rolling fast passes this day. Once our 3 were up, we kept booking more until it was time to leave. It really helped us avoid the crowds. At night, we did HDDR which was another first for us. I really enjoyed it much more than anticipated. All of us were laughing, singing and dancing. Another must do in the the future. The food was quite good too which had me pleasantly surprised.
Day 7: Epcot in the morning-- rope dropped Test Track, fast passed Soarin, Spaceship Earth and Mission Space. Did the countries in the afternoon. Dinner was at Ohana which was OK. There was a ton of food, and overall it was good, but I'm not sure I would stress about an ADR for it. I would go back but it wouldn't be a priority. After dinner, everyone was tired, but me and my DS went to MK to do Buzz Lightyear a few times. It was really special one on one time with him and we shared a lot of laughs. Great memories made.
Day 8: For Mother's Day, my DH and kids gave me a massage at the Beach Club spa. It was wonderful. One of the best massages I ever received. It was so nice to have an hour at the end of the trip to soothe the sore feet and back. I may have to budget that for future trips
The day was spent at the pool and DD got her hair wrapped. As a side note, we used to do this near Pirates of the Caribbean but that stand is gone. For dinner, we headed over to California Grill and lucked out with a table overlooking the castle. It was magical. The food was good, but I must admit, it was better the last time we were there. But, the view made up for it. Finally, we headed to MK and it was PACKED. This was the only real crowd we encountered during our stay. I knew it would be busy, but it was crazy. The humidity was also starting to rise, so we fast passed a few majors and then headed out. I didn't want to push it to much with my in-laws and wanted to end the trip on a high note.
All in all, it was a magical trip. Was it hot? Yes. Were the buses hit or miss? Yes. But if you keep it in perspective, it's hard not to have a great time. My kids made memories with their grandparents, we didn't have our daily stresses, and all of us had tears in our eyes when we departed. Disney has done it again.
Sorry if this was long winded, but I would be happy to answer any questions. Thank you for all the planning tips over the last few months!
We just returned from a 8 night stay at the Beach Club and we're definitely suffering from post Disney blues! This trip was one for the books and we couldn't have asked for a better time. A little background... it was myself, DH, DS (11), DD (8), FIL & MIL at the Beach Club for 8 nights in a water view room. The room view was amazing and we could see HS fireworks from our balcony. The refurb'd rooms are beautiful- very spacious, bright, clean and more modern than the older rooms. Even though I love my phone, I didn't like not having a clock in the room. So, if that's important to you, I would suggest a travel alarm clock or requesting one from Housekeeping. Also, I felt like there should have been more drawer space, but we made do with what was offered. SAB was amazing and the kids (and adults) took full advantage of it. Bus service was spotty. While waiting at MK, there seemed to be 2 buses for Boardwalk and Swan/Dolphin for one Beach Club. At one point, we just took the Boardwalk bus and walked back. Not horrible, but not the best bus service we've had at BC.
I won't bore you with all the details, but here are some highlights:
Day 1: Arrival. SAB and Raglan Road for dinner. The room was ready upon arrival and our request of a connecting room was granted. Raglan Road was very good-- the pea risotto was a big hit. Our table wasn't in a great spot, but we still enjoyed the music. Would definitely go back.
Day 2: MK-- arrived early and did all the majors. We stopped at Castle Couture and got the free pixie dust for the kids. They really got a kick out of it and the CM that did said a little poem which was cute. Got a lot done and left around 1:30 for the pool. Went to Mexico for dinner and it was good. Watched Illuminations and it was beautiful.
Day 3: Typhoon Lagoon-- it was our first time here and we loved it. We rented a cabana and it was such a special treat. Nicky, our attendant was wonderful. Cabanas are pricey, but we would definitely do it again for a special occasion. It truly felt like a vacation within our vacation. We didn't want to leave! Epcot at night-- we rode Soarin with a miminal wait time, and then did Nemo. Soarin was amazing. I literally had tears in my eyes.
Day 4: Character breakfast at Cape May and then Animal Kingdom at night. Did the night-time safari-- it was definitely has a different vibe to it. We enjoyed it, but I think we're done with the safari for awhile. All of us did EE and it was a blast. Also fast passed CRR and it was fun. We got soaked but it was a great time. The tree awakening is beautiful. Had dinner for the first time at Yak & Yeti and I was pleasantly surprised. My in-laws had the duck (which was one of their favorites the whole trip) and I had the chicken tikka masala. DH enjoyed his chicken teriyaki and the kids was satisfied as well. We'll definitely go back.
Day 5: Hollywood Studios in the morning-- did Toy Story Mania, ToT, Star Wars and a few other shows and rides. At night, we went back to Disney Springs and FIL in treated us to La Nouba. It was another highlight of the trip. Everyone loved it and it was truly special. It's not something I would do all the time, but if you're looking for something different, this is it. The kids were still talking about it at the end of the trip.
Day 6: Back to the MK early in the morning. We really took advantage of the rolling fast passes this day. Once our 3 were up, we kept booking more until it was time to leave. It really helped us avoid the crowds. At night, we did HDDR which was another first for us. I really enjoyed it much more than anticipated. All of us were laughing, singing and dancing. Another must do in the the future. The food was quite good too which had me pleasantly surprised.
Day 7: Epcot in the morning-- rope dropped Test Track, fast passed Soarin, Spaceship Earth and Mission Space. Did the countries in the afternoon. Dinner was at Ohana which was OK. There was a ton of food, and overall it was good, but I'm not sure I would stress about an ADR for it. I would go back but it wouldn't be a priority. After dinner, everyone was tired, but me and my DS went to MK to do Buzz Lightyear a few times. It was really special one on one time with him and we shared a lot of laughs. Great memories made.
Day 8: For Mother's Day, my DH and kids gave me a massage at the Beach Club spa. It was wonderful. One of the best massages I ever received. It was so nice to have an hour at the end of the trip to soothe the sore feet and back. I may have to budget that for future trips
The day was spent at the pool and DD got her hair wrapped. As a side note, we used to do this near Pirates of the Caribbean but that stand is gone. For dinner, we headed over to California Grill and lucked out with a table overlooking the castle. It was magical. The food was good, but I must admit, it was better the last time we were there. But, the view made up for it. Finally, we headed to MK and it was PACKED. This was the only real crowd we encountered during our stay. I knew it would be busy, but it was crazy. The humidity was also starting to rise, so we fast passed a few majors and then headed out. I didn't want to push it to much with my in-laws and wanted to end the trip on a high note.All in all, it was a magical trip. Was it hot? Yes. Were the buses hit or miss? Yes. But if you keep it in perspective, it's hard not to have a great time. My kids made memories with their grandparents, we didn't have our daily stresses, and all of us had tears in our eyes when we departed. Disney has done it again.
Sorry if this was long winded, but I would be happy to answer any questions. Thank you for all the planning tips over the last few months!
