Sand and Sun ~ Trip Number Ten Was Lots of Fun! Clearwater Beach & YC, August 2013

[sisaaliyah]

We got home Monday and I returned to work Tuesday...blech. We really liked POR. We were in Building 24 so not a preferred room, but also not the back so I guess kind of in the middle. We love Bob that plays there, and that was one of our deciding factors on staying there. John Lasseter was there Thursday evening. I didn't see him, and I wouldn't have known who he was if I did. We only took the bus to and from MK, and only once on the way home in the evening closer to park close did we have to wait. They had the queue going through 4 and 5 for pick-up at the MK. Yikes really thought about taking the FQ bus instead, but then decided it'd be quite a hike back to our room.

Weather was mostly good...very pleasant temperature, some rain, but didn't put a damper on things only sunny one day, but it was fine kept it from getting hot when it's cloudy and then no need for sun glasses.

On Friday around noon the wait for Speedway said 20 min, and we didn't hardly wait at all then from there went to the Little Mermaid ride and it was posted at 30 min, and there again we just walked straight through with no wait. We loved the magic bands and were ready to go...landed in MCO around 6 p.m., arrived in EPCOT before 8 p.m. with FP+ for Soarin from 7:55 to 8:55 p.m.

It was our shortest trip, but one of the best yet! Now on to planning for our first time to Disneyland in July! I remember seeing you're going to DL too! Do you know when?!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

We got home Monday and I returned to work Tuesday...blech. We really liked POR. We were in Building 24 so not a preferred room, but also not the back so I guess kind of in the middle. We love Bob that plays there, and that was one of our deciding factors on staying there. John Lasseter was there Thursday evening. I didn't see him, and I wouldn't have known who he was if I did. We only took the bus to and from MK, and only once on the way home in the evening closer to park close did we have to wait. They had the queue going through 4 and 5 for pick-up at the MK. Yikes really thought about taking the FQ bus instead, but then decided it'd be quite a hike back to our room.

Weather was mostly good...very pleasant temperature, some rain, but didn't put a damper on things only sunny one day, but it was fine kept it from getting hot when it's cloudy and then no need for sun glasses.

On Friday around noon the wait for Speedway said 20 min, and we didn't hardly wait at all then from there went to the Little Mermaid ride and it was posted at 30 min, and there again we just walked straight through with no wait. We loved the magic bands and were ready to go...landed in MCO around 6 p.m., arrived in EPCOT before 8 p.m. with FP+ for Soarin from 7:55 to 8:55 p.m.

It was our shortest trip, but one of the best yet! Now on to planning for our first time to Disneyland in July! I remember seeing you're going to DL too! Do you know when?!

We really liked POR and Piano Bob when we stayed there!! Glad to hear you had a nice time and decent weather.

That's weird that some of the rides had posted wait times but actually had no wait!

Our January trip is going to be super short compared to what we are used to. I hope we are able to enjoy it and not focus on how short it is going to be!!

Well, once again the DL trip has been put on hold. We had planned to give up WDW for DL next summer, but with the agency I work for offering such a super great special for the end of August travel, plus offering a private dinner in Epcot for the agents and clients, we think it is pretty important for me to be there. So, looks like it's back to WDW!! And I guess DL is put off until 2015.

I look forward to hearing all about your DL trip though!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

What an easy morning at Epcot! I just learned that Soarin is going to be closed for a few months at Disneyland while we're there. A couple other smaller rides that we were looking forward to as well.

The only drawback to using the IG entrance is when you are going at opening and have to make that long walk to Soarin! I love it for WS, which is otherwise my favorite part of Epcot!

You poor thing, you just HAVE to go back to WDW in August! I'd say you should definitely be there for your agency!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Well, once again the DL trip has been put on hold. We had planned to give up WDW for DL next summer, but with the agency I work for offering such a super great special for the end of August travel, plus offering a private dinner in Epcot for the agents and clients, we think it is pretty important for me to be there. So, looks like it's back to WDW!! And I guess DL is put off until 2015.

It is hard to turn down a great bargain like that. Have you decided which resort you are going to stay in this August? Does the deal require a ticket purchase, too?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

What an easy morning at Epcot! I just learned that Soarin is going to be closed for a few months at Disneyland while we're there. A couple other smaller rides that we were looking forward to as well.

The only drawback to using the IG entrance is when you are going at opening and have to make that long walk to Soarin! I love it for WS, which is otherwise my favorite part of Epcot!

You poor thing, you just HAVE to go back to WDW in August! I'd say you should definitely be there for your agency!

That stinks about Soarin in DL!! I'm so jealous you are going there though!! I can't wait to hear all about it!

It is a long walk to Soarin. Especially when it's so hot out! But yes, great access to WS.

Yeah it's rough, but someone has to do it, right?!!

It is hard to turn down a great bargain like that. Have you decided which resort you are going to stay in this August? Does the deal require a ticket purchase, too?

It is way too good to pass up. I booked us at the Poly, it is one of the four resorts we are offering on the deal. But, I am keeping an eye on things there and we may end up switching to another resort if the construction is too bad. I just wanted to get the Poly booked while we still have it. It is selling fast!! I booked 8 trips last week on this deal!

You can get just the room or the room and tickets on the special. And the tix are at a discount too!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Well I was going to ask you if you had made a decision on your trip, but I just read your reply above and I see that you're doing the Labor Day AE. That is a really hard deal to pass up! If it wasn't offered in the summer, I'd be all over it! I wish there was a deal that good for February or October. I'll be curious to see what happens with the Poly too. I think I could deal with the construction, I just hope they don't have the pool closed. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you on that one.

We had pretty much decided not to go back next year since I don't want to take DD out of school anymore but now we are considering taking a very short trip and flying. It will be like your Jan. trip. I too am not sure how I feel about it. I don't want to be thinking about how short the trip is going to be the whole time we are there either. We would have about 4 days there and that just seems sooo short!! Darn schooling! Do kids really need an education that bad... seems a little overrated!!

Btw, congrats on all your bookings! That is WONDERFUL!!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Well I was going to ask you if you had made a decision on your trip, but I just read your reply above and I see that you're doing the Labor Day AE. That is a really hard deal to pass up! If it wasn't offered in the summer, I'd be all over it! I wish there was a deal that good for February or October. I'll be curious to see what happens with the Poly too. I think I could deal with the construction, I just hope they don't have the pool closed. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you on that one.


Yeah, way too good to pass up! Exactly, I can deal with construction. If the pool is closed we will have a decision to make. But, I'm trying to not worry about it at this point.

We had pretty much decided not to go back next year since I don't want to take DD out of school anymore but now we are considering taking a very short trip and flying. It will be like your Jan. trip. I too am not sure how I feel about it. I don't want to be thinking about how short the trip is going to be the whole time we are there either. We would have about 4 days there and that just seems sooo short!! Darn schooling! Do kids really need an education that bad... seems a little overrated!!

Btw, congrats on all your bookings! That is WONDERFUL!!!!

Well, I will be sure to let you know if I think the shorter trip is worth it or not!! Hopefully it will be. I know, dang school getting in the way of our Disney fun!!

Thanks!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

So, I logged into MDE this morning to try to make my FP+ picks for January. I knew it would be available either today or tomorrow. I got am email saying my FP+ day was today, but according to my math tomorrow is 60 days out. IDK if it has to do with the fact that originally I had made the reservation for us to arrive on Jan 24, and then later changed it to the 25th.

Anyway - I started to make them. Did 2 days and it was fine. Slow, but fine. Then tried another day and it won't work. Tried again and again. Still wouldn't work. So I picked another day. Same thing. So, I called the MDE IT line and the CM tried to do them in her system and was having the same problem. Then she checked her emails and said that she had an email from around 11am saying that the FP+ system was working slow and having problems today. She told me to try again later. So, I did. But still the same problem. Guess I'll wait and try again this evening...

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

After our 2 TT rides it was about 10:45 and we moved on towards World Showcase. The plan was to get some lunch at La Cantina de San Angel when it opened. We had ate here once previously and didn't love it, but we thought maybe because it was a day it was raining & yucky out and we just had a bad experience. So we were ready to give it another try.

We were the first customers when they opened at 11:00 and we got a great table by the water.

DH got soft tacos and nachos. I got the beef nachos. DS14 got the cheese empanadas, nachos, and churros. And DS12 got the kids chicken & nachos.

The food was just okay. Nothing great, that's for sure. I don't think we will eat there again.

Total Bill: $40.43
Rating: 5 out of 10



After lunch we headed inside Mexico and browsed a bit and did the Gran Fiesta Tour.

Up Next: More World Showcase

 

[JoBird]

I'm sitting here with a big ole grin on my face---- I love the Gran Fiesta Tour SO DANG MUCH! It makes me so happy!!! We took my cousin on it for her first trip to Epcot in Sept and she and I were sitting in the front of the ride and she looked at me and said I swear they put something in the air in this park, you just sit around and are so peaceful and happy here. I do agree.

That is too bad your experience at the CS was bad. I haven't eaten there in a very very long time. The pictures looked really good. Sometimes looks can be deceiving!!!

You should have gone to San Angel Inn. It was my favorite meal this last trip. I almost licked my plate! It's a lot better than it used to be.

I love the first and third pictures you posted--- those flowers in the first are so pretty and the sky reflected in the water in the third is gorgeous!!

Thanks for the update. It made my day.

 

[JoBird]

Happy

Two

MONTHS!!

​

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I'm sitting here with a big ole grin on my face---- I love the Gran Fiesta Tour SO DANG MUCH! It makes me so happy!!! We took my cousin on it for her first trip to Epcot in Sept and she and I were sitting in the front of the ride and she looked at me and said I swear they put something in the air in this park, you just sit around and are so peaceful and happy here. I do agree.

That is too bad your experience at the CS was bad. I haven't eaten there in a very very long time. The pictures looked really good. Sometimes looks can be deceiving!!!

You should have gone to San Angel Inn. It was my favorite meal this last trip. I almost licked my plate! It's a lot better than it used to be.

I love the first and third pictures you posted--- those flowers in the first are so pretty and the sky reflected in the water in the third is gorgeous!!

Thanks for the update. It made my day.

I love Gran Fiesta too!! The whole family does!

Yeah, lunch was just - blah. I usually love Mexican food, but it was just not good. I think we are going to do San Angel next summer! Haven't been there in awhile.

Glad you enjoyed the pics. Somehow I knew you would!

Happy

Two

MONTHS!!

​

Thanks!!!

 

[monica23535]

We love the Fiesta Tour, in fact we love the whole of the inside of the Mexico pavilion.

We ate lunch there last year and it was just ok too.

Looking forward to hearing what you did next

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

We've eaten there too and felt like you that it was just ok... at best. I still say though that the worst food we've ever eaten at WDW was at the CS place in Morocco. But that Mexican place is probably second. We love eating at La Hacienda though. It is now on our 'must do every trip' list. We've been there 3 times now and it was great each time. And I always make a ressie for 7:45 so we can see Illuminations through the big windows in there. They pipe in the music and it just puts me in my happy place!

We love the Mexican pavilion too. It is so cool looking in there! That picture that you took of San Angel Inn was really neat. Very artsy looking!

My favorite thing about the Gran Fiesta tour is that there is NEVER a line!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

We love the Fiesta Tour, in fact we love the whole of the inside of the Mexico pavilion.

We ate lunch there last year and it was just ok too.

Looking forward to hearing what you did next

I know, the whole Mexico pavilion is awesome! We usually spend quite a bit of time in there just looking around.

Yeah, I don't know what it is about La Cantina, but it's just not that good. I can get better at Taco Bell!

Lots more to come!

We've eaten there too and felt like you that it was just ok... at best. I still say though that the worst food we've ever eaten at WDW was at the CS place in Morocco. But that Mexican place is probably second. We love eating at La Hacienda though. It is now on our 'must do every trip' list. We've been there 3 times now and it was great each time. And I always make a ressie for 7:45 so we can see Illuminations through the big windows in there. They pipe in the music and it just puts me in my happy place!

We love the Mexican pavilion too. It is so cool looking in there! That picture that you took of San Angel Inn was really neat. Very artsy looking!

My favorite thing about the Gran Fiesta tour is that there is NEVER a line!

We've never had anything to eat in Moroco. Had an ADR there once and chickened out!! I think they are opening a new TS restaurant there soon.

We haven't been to La Hacienda yet. Most reviews I have read haven't been that great. But, that was awhile ago. Glad to hear you like it so much! That's a good idea to have a late dinner there and watch IllumiNations.

Thanks! Yep, that's what I was going for - artsy!! Glad you could see it!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Well, we are supposed to leave for Charlotte in the morning, but now we are supposed to get 6-8 inches of snow here. And they are supposed to get an ice storm down there. Not sure we are going to chance it. We'll see what it's like in the morning I guess...

What is everyone else doing for Thanksgiving??

 

[CleKait]

Those tacos looked tasty! Too bad they were just mediocre.

I've been trying to make fastpass selections but I find it annoying more than anything. It keeps selecting the third ride for me when I only want two! But it is nice to have a fastpass for Soarin already. I do have a complaint though. I'm trying to do fastpasses for DHS and it annoys me that they are tiered because the attractions in the top tier are the only ones I really want to go on. Grr.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Last year we went to Houston to a restaurant that does a Thanksgiving spread you wouldn't believe!! They have a meat carving bar, a fruit bar, a pasta bar, egg/omelet bar, seafood bar, veggie bar, dessert bar, ice cream bar…if you can imagine eating it, they have it! We went with a family that is good friends of ours~her mom was gone for the holiday too, so we had talked about cooking it together~but we decided to do this and not stress over the actual cooking. We will be doing it again this year. We are all so excited!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Those tacos looked tasty! Too bad they were just mediocre.

I've been trying to make fastpass selections but I find it annoying more than anything. It keeps selecting the third ride for me when I only want two! But it is nice to have a fastpass for Soarin already. I do have a complaint though. I'm trying to do fastpasses for DHS and it annoys me that they are tiered because the attractions in the top tier are the only ones I really want to go on. Grr.

It finally started working yesterday afternoon and I was able to get all my FP's picked. But yes, it was super annoying this time. I have really enjoyed it the past 2 times I have been able to do it. I hate how it gives you 4 schedule choices with the 3 attractions you picked. And none of them work. So then you have to go in and change each one of them. And there's like 5 steps to change each one. And a lot of ours are divided - with DS14 & I doing something and DH & DS12 doing something else. So that takes even longer!! And now contending with the tiered choices. You are right about all the good attractions being in one category. Same with Epcot. There's not even really anything worth choosing in the second category when Soarin, TT, Maelsrom, and IllumiNations are all in the first category and you can only choose one of them.

Last year we went to Houston to a restaurant that does a Thanksgiving spread you wouldn't believe!! They have a meat carving bar, a fruit bar, a pasta bar, egg/omelet bar, seafood bar, veggie bar, dessert bar, ice cream bar&if you can imagine eating it, they have it! We went with a family that is good friends of ours~her mom was gone for the holiday too, so we had talked about cooking it together~but we decided to do this and not stress over the actual cooking. We will be doing it again this year. We are all so excited!!
Our weather is pretty yucky again today..rain 80%, high of 40* and dark and windy. So, it's hard to get motivated!! I had bought groceries before I left for Disney~DS17 didn't go with us and my mom came and stayed with him for the week&I have officially went through all the milk, most of the eggs & bread and all the fruit! LOL!! I really needed to go yesterday but didn't make it&so, I will have to brave the crowds today and go&
How is it going for y'all with Christmas shopping? I am usually complete by Oct&I just bought my first LEGOs for DS14 yesterday!! DD keeps changing her list, DS17 will be 18 next Wednesday and he has no clue for his bday or Christmas!!! So, I gotta get cracking!!!

Welcome back Shawna!!

That sounds like a great way to do Thanksgiving dinner. We've been doing something similar for Easter the past few years or so.

I finally started my Christmas shopping last week. Got a lot done in one day!! Just a little more to do. The kids aren't too hard to shop for. Everything they want is so expensive, so they aren't getting a big number of things!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Girl…I am so behind in my shopping!!! I just bought two BIG LEGO sets yesterday for you-know-who! LOL!! and that is it! DD has changed her list again…I told her today is the deadline!
And I did sell that collection of LEGOs he was ready to let go of…. I am gonna have him go through whats left today and tomorrow and get it all organized…He still has quite a few left, but most are out and sitting around…time to move them to a box~