OUR BEST DISNEY VACATION YET(8/22-9/1) At the BEACH CLUB w/ MORE pics-NOW COMPLETE

[mom2aandj]

I have loved reading your report--we are going to BC this spring and your report is making me look forward to it even more!!!!

 

[mommykds]

I have loved reading your report--we are going to BC this spring and your report is making me look forward to it even more!!!!

Thank you! I am working on day 6 now & will hopefully have it up today.

 

[rentingspace]

I love the BCV, but what is a concierge room?

 

[mommykds]

DAY 6 - AUGUST 27
Today we were off to MGM. We all love this park for different reasons.
Katie loves it for the Muppets, Daniel loves it for Indiana Jones, Sophie loves it because the little Einsteins are there, DH loves it for the Great Movie Ride (he is a huge old movie buff), & I love it because I get to ride my all time favorite ride in Disney World, no on the planet…Tower of Terror!

Staying at the Beach Club not only offered us the convenience of walking to EPCOT but also taking the boat to MGM. Anyone with strollers & little kids would appreciate this. Stroll right onto the boat, no folding them up like when taking the bus...awesome! So after a tasty breakfast of bagels, banana bread,(the kiddies loved serving themselves cereal & milk) fruit, & the best decaf cappuccino I ever tasted at the lounge we hopped on the Friendship boat from the Yacht Club dock.

The boat ride is pleasant...takes you from the BC, past the YC, and by the Swan & Dolphin. The ride only takes about 10 minutes or so & we were at MGM by 9:10am. The place was not terribly crowded so I ran to ToT while DH took the kids into the shops. No one in my family will ride ToTso I have to go alone. There were just a few people on line & I was in the “T.V.” room in less than 5 minutes. Being a single rider has its advantages since they called me out of the line looking for one more. The ride is the best! Gives me that funny feeling in my tummy when the elevator drops. I love it!!! Sorry EE, but I like ToT better, but EE is my 2nd favorite!
Look Mom, no crowds!

So after my fun, I rejoin my family who are all reading books in the villains shop. Reading???? On vacation???? O.K. now stop that & let’s see some shows! I had learned about Mickey’s Magic show from the DIS so I knew the kids would want to catch that. We had to walk up to the Lights, Camera, Action stunt show area where there were CM’s at a table handing out the tickets for the show. We got tickets for 10am (it was now 9:50am) so we dashed down to Mickey avenue to the Soundstage theater. (Anyone remember when the Soundstage used to be a character breakfast with Aladdin & friends?) Anyway, the show was excellent. No photos were allowed so I’ll give a brief description. There is a magician host (forgot his name) who introduces & does a few tricks. Mickey & Minnie are dressed like they are in a Las Vegas show (very cool!). There are some great illusions & slight of hand with a pizza. The host is squished flat & shot through a cannon, but the best illusion is when they levitate Jasmine! The show was fun & something different.

Sophie watches The Little Einsteins everyday so she just had to see them today. She even asked me to make her a Little Einsteins shirt for her day at MGM (thank you Kate for your design!)
Quincy was out first. He made a big deal when he saw himself on Sophie's shirt!

The Einsteins rotated about every 20 minutes or so , but every time we came back to Mickey avenue Quincy was still there. Finally we got to see June! Sophie was thrilled.

We didn’t get to see Annie or Leo.

Now it was noon & time for our adr at Sci Fi Diner. This was the first time we had dined here & it was better than we expected. Sitting in the convertable 50's car watching old movie clips was something that the kids just loved (& so did DH & I), My kids had never been to a real drive in movie so this was something totally new for them.

That’s another great thing about Disney…there is so much to do, so many places to eat, so many diiferent resort choices that no matter how many times we go we have a different experience each time. Folks, I feel I have to justify this as our family & friends think something is wrong with us because we like to go to Disney every year. "Isn't there any place else you want to go? Are you going to Disney World again? Why? You've already done everything at Disney World" Are the questions we are constantly asked. Enough! It's our $, DH & I love Disney & the kids love Disney! When we get bored with Disney World (which will never happen ) we'll let you know! O.K. sorry about the dream sequence..back to the story...(They just don't get Disney. I feel bad for them.)

We had a very nice server who even drew Mickey heads on the kids napkins with ketchup & mustard. She spent a lot of time talking to the kids & made our lunch very pleasant. DH had the turkey sandwich & I had the cheeseburger which I have to say was one of the tastiest cheeseburgers I have ever eaten. I think all the food I ate was "the best" because I was on such a Disney high! The onion rings were great but I was so stuffed I only ate one. Poor DH had to eat them all. We bought glow in the dark ice cubes for the kids without them knowing & boy did they smile when their drinks came with the light up surprise inside their glasses!!! “Thanks Mom & Dad!!” they all yelled & kept poking the cubes & staring at them to see how they could “magically” glow in their drinks.

After a dessert of ice cream sundaes we were ready to go back into the park for some shows & walk off the meal.

We saw Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Back lot tour, One Man’s Dream (love this!), Great Movie Ride, & Playhouse Disney. The weather was quite overcast & there was a huge storm cloud over us. We decided to wait for the Stars & Cars parade anyway. Got a spot by the old radio station & the parade came through 30 minutes late. (due to weather concerns)

By the time the parade was over it was time to head on over to Mamma Melrose for our FDP. We had dined at MM's in October & liked it. We were seated right away. Service was O.K. & the food was yummy but since we had such a huge lunch we could barely eat any of it. The salad of mixed greens with balsamic vinaigrette and gorgonzola cheese served family style is so good it's a meal in itself! DH got the chicken parmesan & I got the penne ala vodka….I should have gotten the chicken parm...it was sooooo good. The kids all ate pizzas. Dessert were ice cream for the kids, tiramisu for DH, & the warm chocolate truffle cake filled with chocolate ganache over raspberry sauce, and a pistachio florentine for me. All very good. After checking out the shops we went over to the theater to get our seats for Fantasmic. The weather was cooperating. We had not needed to use our ponchos a lot this trip which was great! So here comes Mickey & we all cheer!!! He slays the evil snake & the dastardly dragon & we cheer some more! Then the steamboat comes by with Steamboat Willie at the command, Ariel, Prince Eric, Jasmine, Aladdin, Genie, Pooh, Tigger, Aurora, Pocahontas, John Smith, Meeko, Pluto, Minnie, Donald, Captain Hook, Goofy, Belle & the Beast (& more!) What a sight to see that steamboat come round the lake with all the characters on board! What a finale! Then, Mickey lets us know it was all in his imagination & we cheer again for our hero! My family & I LOVE Fantasmic!!!!

Instead of trying to leave immediately with the mass of people trying to do so we stayed back. We leisurely walked through MGM & checked out the stores. We were in no rush to get on a crowded boat. At around 9:50pm we got on the Friendship launch with 2 other families…nice & empty & a relaxing boat ride back to the BC. We come back to our lovely room which had been “turned down” for us, lights on, chocolates on the pillows, T.V. on, & our first towel animal… a swan. We all passed out by 11:30pm.

There was talk of a hurricane at the resort & on the weather channel for Wednesday or Thursday. Oh no, not a hurricane! I knew this trip was too good!

 

[Sooze]

Your reports are amazing! Love the pictures and your wonderful "pixie dust" attitude!

Thanks so much

 

[mommykds]

I love the BCV, but what is a concierge room?

Well I think the room layout is the same (I have only stayed this once so I am not sure about the size of the rooms). We had 2 queen beds & a daybed. The rooms at the BC are on the 5th floor. There is a lounge that serves light fare & snacks through out the day. There was continental breakfast from 7am-10am. During the day we stopped in & there were prezels, a nut mix, goldfish, sodas, coffees, water, & tea. Later in the day they had mussels, sandwiches & in the evening there were little pastries/desserts & cordials. I was so spoiled!

 

[tink2020]

Anne Marie -- thanks for writing this! I, too LOVE the Okapi's at our zoo.... I haven't seen them at AK, but I'm looking forward to it!

What a fantastic upgrade, too! How exciting, both for the room aspect and the fact you could get breakfast and save those credits!

Can't wait for the rest!

 

[kathymc]

enjoying your report - you have a beautiful family

 

[princesspiglet]

subscribing. really enjoying your report!

 

[rentingspace]

Thanks for your responce. Your trip report is the best I have ever read, very entertaining and full of great bits of information. looking forward to the next day.

 

[briar*rose]

I'm really loving your report!!!

Looking forward to more

 

[6IrishDisneyKids]

You're a Disney Mom after my own heart! Thanks for writing such a great TR! Can't wait to hear the rest!

 

[ilovejack02]

I want to hear more!!!!

 

[rosiejo]

Nope, just a Disney resort guest.

Well if they happen to run it same time next year I guess we'll have to stay on property

 

[6IrishDisneyKids]

Oh I just can't wait for more! Please?!

 

[mommykds]

DAY 7 - AUGUST 28
Now this was our 7th day at Disney & we had not seen Spectro or Wishes yet, so the plan was for a whole Magic Kingdom day. Since we had a very late night the night before I did not request a wake up call. We woke up at 8am, had a leisurely breakfast in the concierge lounge & got an almost empty bus to the MK around 9:50am. By 10am we were at the Magic Kingdom. The main gate was empty! We boarded the train from Main Street right over to Toontown. First stop was Mickey’s house. My kids still can’t figure out why he is taking years to finish his kitchen! After finding some hidden Mickey’s in Mickey’s garage & admiring his garden we went into the Judges Tent to see the Mouse himself. There was no one on line! I remember a few years ago my kids wanted to see Mickey there so badly that we waited 45 minutes to see him & now there was no one there…I love Disney in August.

We did all the fun things that Toontown has to offer. Minnie’s House, Donald’s Boat, & Goofy’s Barnstormer.

Pluto's doghouse in Mickey's yard.

One of the many flowers in Minnie's garden.

After that the kids wanted to see if Daisy Duck was at the character tent. This was one autograph the kids did not have. Fortunately, Daisy was in attendance along with Minnie, Chip, Dale, & Tigger. The line for the princesses was now growing & the kids were satisfied with their new Daisy signature so we left Toontown.

Lunch was at Pinocchio’s. I know a lot of people don’t like this place but we've always had a decent lunch here. The place was fairly empty & we got our favorite spot…right at the window so you can watch the boarding of IASW. So we sat there eating our chicken nuggets, pizza, salad, & of course more chocolate cake (love the DDP!) & waving to all the happy people below about to enter IASW.

Time for Splash Mountain. I think my family & I could ride this ride 50 times & still want to go back on! However Splash was down (it was down most of the day) so we rode BTM which we had never been on before.
Haunted Mansion from Tom Sawyers Island.

Now for the highlight of the day…Captain Jack’s Pirate Tutorial!

Thanks to the DIS, I learned about the pirate tutorial other wise I would have missed it. So we walked up to POC & my family starts to walk towards the ride. I stop them & say “Let’s wait here”. They didn’t know about Captain Jack so I wanted them to be surprised. Now it’s very hot & the sun was strong so Katie wants to know why we are standing in front of the ride rather than riding it in the cool AC. I kept on saying “Let’s just wait a minute.” After seeing all the DIS’ers reports on Captain Jack & being a Johnny Depp fan, I just had to check this guy out in the flesh. Finally, after 10 minutes & thinking my family would melt, Captain Jack’s mate Mac appeared on the scene & then Captain Jack himself…He was worth the wait!!

This guy was so convincing with his voice & mannerisms. Disney should give this man a raise. He was awesome! My kids laughed through the entire show & were pleased that they listened to Mommy & stayed. After another fun ride on POC we did Jungle Cruise, Hall of Presidents, Tom Sawyer Island, & the Swiss Family Tree house which we all thought was super-cool.

Now here is where we were sprinkled with some more pixie dust in our already magical trip. We decided to have dinner at Columbia Harbour House. We were sitting & chatting about what we would do next over our meals when 3 CM’s walk over to us & proclaimed to everyone in the restaurant that we were the Columbia Harbour House family of the hour! We all weren’t really sure what that meant so we just sat there & smiled while the other guests clapped. They asked our kids to ring a huge bell, they took picture of the 5 of us, & gave us a certificate & a FP good for any ride. It was cute!

DH made the mistake of leaving me & the kids to go to the bathroom. Why was it a mistake? Because he left me in a store!!! The Christmas store at Liberty Square to be precise. There was a funny CM in there who kept putting Mickey stickers on Katie’s back. Every time she took one off, he put 2 back on. I found some 2006 ornaments I liked but then I saw a light up castle (like a Dept 56 house). Just then DH comes in & sees me staring at this castle & says “Just get it.” So I did quick before he changed his mind. It is of the castle decked out on Christmas decorations with lights of red & green. I had Disney deliver it to my house...it was too big to take back on the plane.

We stake out our spot for Spectro Magic about 30 minutes prior to the parade at Liberty Square. The crowd was cheering & the weather had been good, sticky but good. Spectro was wonderful as always but Daniel was fading fast. He just couldn’t stay up anymore. He fell asleep right before Wishes. Sophie fell asleep right after Wishes. Waht can I say about Wishes ...The color of the fireworks are so bright, then there are the fireworks that make heart shapes & hidden Mickey’s, & the magic mirror projected on the castle wall, & the sorcerer's hat blue & stars on the castle…Wishes is so huge & so spectacular that anyone who is not amazed should just leave & go to Universal!

We walked leisurely down Main Street & through the shops so as to avoid the mass of people leaving all at once. This worked like a charm & we got on our bus back to the BC around 11pm. Bedtime tonight wasn’t until after midnight but boy it sure was a fun day!

 

[metsfan11]

I have seen that man do his Johnny Depp speil. He is really convincing and even my DS (HUGE JOHNNY DEPP FAN) thought it was him. Great idea by Disney to make Jack Sparrow a face charecter.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Wht a great report! lov the pixs, you have a beutiful family!

we were at the BC concierge till Aug 23, then moved over to the Poly
till the 28th.

I agree Johnny Depp was very good.

 

[mommykds]

Wht a great report! lov the pixs, you have a beutiful family!

we were at the BC concierge till Aug 23, then moved over to the Poly
till the 28th.

I agree Johnny Depp was very good.

Thank you!!

Yea, my kids still think they saw the real Captain Jack!

 

[katiesmomluvsdizne]

GREAT report!! I love all of the pics. Glad to see all of the oixie dust that you had your way. Good for you!
We leave on Friday. I am hoping that crowds are about the same as your trip.