runnergrl
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- May 10, 2010
- Messages
- 53
Just got back from a weeklong trip, September 18th-25th for my parents 25th anniversary
it was 99% GREAT!
Warnings I dont have any pictures to share at the moment (maybe they will be edited in later?) and Im not a foodie I do not go into detail about the food, nor do I have any pictures.
Cast and characters:
Me 23 but looks about 16, still in between dont embarrass me and what do I care what people think? phases, the camera-girl
Mom would kill me if I said her age, likes Disney, more of a thrill-seeker than Dad
Dad in his 60s but going on 6 when it comes to Disney, rather nostalgic, loves people watching
After arriving we got almost immediately onto DME and after a rather lengthy ride (there were several stops before ours, but we were on vacation, and had no where we had to be immediately) arrived at the Beach Club! Upon checking in we were informed that we got upgraded! A cast member took us to the elevator and showed us to our room on the 5th floor
It was as pretty as all the pictures, and had a full balcony. The view wasnt great as it was primary a rooftop view and to the left was some sort of loading/unloading, but to the right was the villas, beach club main entrance way, and a view of the EPCOT ball if you just looked through that tree. The first day afternoon was spent off of Disney property visiting with some relatives.
Sunday morning we woke early and had 7:30am breakfast downstairs at Cape May. The food was good, and it was great to see the characters (Minnie, Donald, and Goofy), as my family isnt generally the type to wait in line for characters. After that we spent the day in Epcot (Strollers! UGH. Thats all Ill say before an argument breaks out) and had dinner at Teppen Edo. We went to MK after dinner for EMH walked in only minutes before Wishes started, watched the fireworks, and then went on the mountains. Every single one was walk-on. Had a small problem when Dad, a T1 diabetic, went low, and we couldnt find a store open. We found a CM told them our problem, and they really didnt get it
(Im sorry all of our stores are closed right now, but we have water fountains available if you need something to drink), they however did get another person when we asked and they immediately gave us a soda and refused to accept money.
Monday we went to Animal Kingdom, early for their EMH. We had the best safari experience I can recall. Saw many many animals, and our guide was very knowledgeable about the various animals. Everyone got soaked on Kali, and Im pretty sure my father wanted to kill me after going on Everest. Again, even though being the worst park to go to that day, the longest wait we encountered was about 5 minutes. Went for a run (in the middle of the day, ugh) but met Teena afterwards! Pretty sure she thought I was a wee-bit crazy for running in the heat, but who could blame her? That night was dinner at Wolfgang pucks and a night spent at Downtown Disney.
Tuesday was my parents Anniversary (25th) and so they wore their buttons. We went to MGM and my parents rode the Great Movie Ride while I went to get fast passes for TSM. This was about 10:30, and they were out already. We went on Rockin Rollercoaster, TOT (one of my favorites), and then stood in line for TSM. The line was about 50 minutes long and easily the longest wait we encountered the whole trip. To be perfectly honest, after all the hype on here about how great it is, I was seriously underwhelmed. Maybe its just because my family just isnt video-game people? I mean it was fun, but I had no desire to do it again. Another thing we wondered about after this ride, was why Disney doesnt have any sort of antibacterial gel anywhere? I understand that it is also your own responsibility to carry some, but how many people probably touched those pie-cannons?
Tuesday night however was AWESOME! For their anniversary we all went to Narcoosees. The food was good, but the view was GREAT! After dinner we were standing on the restaurants deck and the electric water parade started right in front of us! Then about 15 minutes later the MK fireworks started, it was a MNSSHP night, and we had a front row view. I will always remember that night
Wednesday was a MK day. We did all of the mountains again, and many of the classic rides: jungle cruise (cute for little kids I suppose), haunted mansion, pirates, mom and dad rode Dumbo (again pretty short wait, about 20 min), and dads requirement of Country Bears (which I never really listened to and got until this trip! Its actually quite funny) That night we had dinner at Tonys: The location is great, and the food wasnt bad, but it was probably our least-enjoyed reservation. We were kind of seated in the middle of the restaurant so there was no great view, it was very noisy (MK = a lot of kids), and the food was definitely good, but nothing to rave about. A funny part of the evening however was my dad: they didnt even offer us wine! I mean whats an Italian restaurant without wine? me: uh dad, its Magic Kingdom, theres no alcohol allowed dad: oh. Oh yeah After dinner we saw chip and dale, and pluto standing outside, and I convinced dad to wait with me to meet chip and dale (his favorites). Throughout the trip we were surprised by the number of older school-aged children who were in Disney (and not in school
), but being MK, it was the most noticeable on this day.
Thursday was a pretty low-key day. Mom and dad wondered the boardwalk and found something for breakfast, while I went running. We went to Epcot for a bit, rode a few rides, and came back to the beach club. Went to Fantasia Gardens and tried out the fairways course man thats a tough course! Then went back to cool off in the pool.We had a few rain showers, lasting about 3 minutes each, and that was the only rain we saw the whole trip. We had made plans for Coral Reef that day for lunch, but canceled them, to conserve table-credits. That night we all went to Jellyrolls for the evening its as great as everyone says.
Friday morning I had surfing-lessons at typhoon lagoon! While I was not-so-thrilled about the early wake-up (5:30) I had no problem getting a cab there and had a great time. After the class the problem began. Class went from roughly 7am-10am, and the park opened at 10. I went to the beach club bus stop, and waited. Busses would drop people off at other stops or the front entrance, but no one stopped where I was (the bus stop for swan, dolphin, yacht club, beach club, and boardwalk). Im guessing that since the stop is past the main entrance, the bus would stop there, drop people off, and continue. But 1. All busses have to drive past this bus-stop and 2. I wasnt exactly hiding either standing at the stop or sitting on the bench. I debated on leaving the stop and asking the front people at typhoon lagoon if they knew what was going on but was afraid that the bus would finally stop, and I would be no longer be there. I was able to flag-down another bus, and was told they would do their best. After waiting for an hour a taxi driver, told me I looked like I was about to cry, and gave me a ride, even after I told him I only had $4. When I arrived back at the BC I told concierge of the problem, and they did apologize (which made me feel bad for complaining, its not THEIR fault), but nothing else ever came of it.
We spent some more time at the pool, I wasnt feeling well and attempted to take a nap. We went to the Wave for dinner that night and had a great meal again. After dinner we took the monorail to MK for MSEP! We had great seats right on main street and in the front row! We had none of the problems sometimes reported on the boards. Actually throughout the trip, in general, the younger kids were well-behaved, although we did have a few bus-riding I bet someone didnt get a nap today incidents . Ps why do people follow the parade after it goes by? Went back to the hotel and tried to use up some of our CS/snack credits at beaches and cream man those portions are HUGE. Thanks to Disney dining plan, I am so tired of desserts! (and we politely declined desert about 50% of the time)
The next morning (Saturday) we checked out
and wandered around the bay until our DME time. Like I said overall it was a GREAT trip and the Disney magic (great parade and fireworks views, short wait times, free room upgrade) definitely outweighed the negatives (ouch! that's my foot! and where is that bus?)
Warnings I dont have any pictures to share at the moment (maybe they will be edited in later?) and Im not a foodie I do not go into detail about the food, nor do I have any pictures.
Cast and characters:
Me 23 but looks about 16, still in between dont embarrass me and what do I care what people think? phases, the camera-girl
Mom would kill me if I said her age, likes Disney, more of a thrill-seeker than Dad
Dad in his 60s but going on 6 when it comes to Disney, rather nostalgic, loves people watching
After arriving we got almost immediately onto DME and after a rather lengthy ride (there were several stops before ours, but we were on vacation, and had no where we had to be immediately) arrived at the Beach Club! Upon checking in we were informed that we got upgraded! A cast member took us to the elevator and showed us to our room on the 5th floor
It was as pretty as all the pictures, and had a full balcony. The view wasnt great as it was primary a rooftop view and to the left was some sort of loading/unloading, but to the right was the villas, beach club main entrance way, and a view of the EPCOT ball if you just looked through that tree. The first day afternoon was spent off of Disney property visiting with some relatives. Sunday morning we woke early and had 7:30am breakfast downstairs at Cape May. The food was good, and it was great to see the characters (Minnie, Donald, and Goofy), as my family isnt generally the type to wait in line for characters. After that we spent the day in Epcot (Strollers! UGH. Thats all Ill say before an argument breaks out) and had dinner at Teppen Edo. We went to MK after dinner for EMH walked in only minutes before Wishes started, watched the fireworks, and then went on the mountains. Every single one was walk-on. Had a small problem when Dad, a T1 diabetic, went low, and we couldnt find a store open. We found a CM told them our problem, and they really didnt get it
(Im sorry all of our stores are closed right now, but we have water fountains available if you need something to drink), they however did get another person when we asked and they immediately gave us a soda and refused to accept money. Monday we went to Animal Kingdom, early for their EMH. We had the best safari experience I can recall. Saw many many animals, and our guide was very knowledgeable about the various animals. Everyone got soaked on Kali, and Im pretty sure my father wanted to kill me after going on Everest. Again, even though being the worst park to go to that day, the longest wait we encountered was about 5 minutes. Went for a run (in the middle of the day, ugh) but met Teena afterwards! Pretty sure she thought I was a wee-bit crazy for running in the heat, but who could blame her? That night was dinner at Wolfgang pucks and a night spent at Downtown Disney.
Tuesday was my parents Anniversary (25th) and so they wore their buttons. We went to MGM and my parents rode the Great Movie Ride while I went to get fast passes for TSM. This was about 10:30, and they were out already. We went on Rockin Rollercoaster, TOT (one of my favorites), and then stood in line for TSM. The line was about 50 minutes long and easily the longest wait we encountered the whole trip. To be perfectly honest, after all the hype on here about how great it is, I was seriously underwhelmed. Maybe its just because my family just isnt video-game people? I mean it was fun, but I had no desire to do it again. Another thing we wondered about after this ride, was why Disney doesnt have any sort of antibacterial gel anywhere? I understand that it is also your own responsibility to carry some, but how many people probably touched those pie-cannons?
Tuesday night however was AWESOME! For their anniversary we all went to Narcoosees. The food was good, but the view was GREAT! After dinner we were standing on the restaurants deck and the electric water parade started right in front of us! Then about 15 minutes later the MK fireworks started, it was a MNSSHP night, and we had a front row view. I will always remember that night
Wednesday was a MK day. We did all of the mountains again, and many of the classic rides: jungle cruise (cute for little kids I suppose), haunted mansion, pirates, mom and dad rode Dumbo (again pretty short wait, about 20 min), and dads requirement of Country Bears (which I never really listened to and got until this trip! Its actually quite funny) That night we had dinner at Tonys: The location is great, and the food wasnt bad, but it was probably our least-enjoyed reservation. We were kind of seated in the middle of the restaurant so there was no great view, it was very noisy (MK = a lot of kids), and the food was definitely good, but nothing to rave about. A funny part of the evening however was my dad: they didnt even offer us wine! I mean whats an Italian restaurant without wine? me: uh dad, its Magic Kingdom, theres no alcohol allowed dad: oh. Oh yeah After dinner we saw chip and dale, and pluto standing outside, and I convinced dad to wait with me to meet chip and dale (his favorites). Throughout the trip we were surprised by the number of older school-aged children who were in Disney (and not in school
), but being MK, it was the most noticeable on this day. Thursday was a pretty low-key day. Mom and dad wondered the boardwalk and found something for breakfast, while I went running. We went to Epcot for a bit, rode a few rides, and came back to the beach club. Went to Fantasia Gardens and tried out the fairways course man thats a tough course! Then went back to cool off in the pool.We had a few rain showers, lasting about 3 minutes each, and that was the only rain we saw the whole trip. We had made plans for Coral Reef that day for lunch, but canceled them, to conserve table-credits. That night we all went to Jellyrolls for the evening its as great as everyone says.
Friday morning I had surfing-lessons at typhoon lagoon! While I was not-so-thrilled about the early wake-up (5:30) I had no problem getting a cab there and had a great time. After the class the problem began. Class went from roughly 7am-10am, and the park opened at 10. I went to the beach club bus stop, and waited. Busses would drop people off at other stops or the front entrance, but no one stopped where I was (the bus stop for swan, dolphin, yacht club, beach club, and boardwalk). Im guessing that since the stop is past the main entrance, the bus would stop there, drop people off, and continue. But 1. All busses have to drive past this bus-stop and 2. I wasnt exactly hiding either standing at the stop or sitting on the bench. I debated on leaving the stop and asking the front people at typhoon lagoon if they knew what was going on but was afraid that the bus would finally stop, and I would be no longer be there. I was able to flag-down another bus, and was told they would do their best. After waiting for an hour a taxi driver, told me I looked like I was about to cry, and gave me a ride, even after I told him I only had $4. When I arrived back at the BC I told concierge of the problem, and they did apologize (which made me feel bad for complaining, its not THEIR fault), but nothing else ever came of it.
We spent some more time at the pool, I wasnt feeling well and attempted to take a nap. We went to the Wave for dinner that night and had a great meal again. After dinner we took the monorail to MK for MSEP! We had great seats right on main street and in the front row! We had none of the problems sometimes reported on the boards. Actually throughout the trip, in general, the younger kids were well-behaved, although we did have a few bus-riding I bet someone didnt get a nap today incidents . Ps why do people follow the parade after it goes by? Went back to the hotel and tried to use up some of our CS/snack credits at beaches and cream man those portions are HUGE. Thanks to Disney dining plan, I am so tired of desserts! (and we politely declined desert about 50% of the time)
The next morning (Saturday) we checked out
and wandered around the bay until our DME time. Like I said overall it was a GREAT trip and the Disney magic (great parade and fireworks views, short wait times, free room upgrade) definitely outweighed the negatives (ouch! that's my foot! and where is that bus?)
