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

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I just cannot get over how much your DS14 has changed! I know I said it before, but it is just crazy! I mean it really hasn't been that long since I've seen pictures of him, but he looks so grown up now! I know that must make you feel .

The resort really looks nice! I can't get over how wide that beach is and how flat! Our beaches are not like that here. The hotels are RIGHT on the water (some of them will be falling in soon!) and we have really big sand dunes. We have to climb up steps and then down to get to the ocean... not fun, especially when you are hauling a bunch of bags, chairs and umbrellas. I like the looks of that shoreline much better! Btw, that's one of the many wonderful things about Castaway Cay... you don't need anything but your beach bag. They have plenty of chairs, umbrellas, towels and floats for everyone already on the beach! (Yep... 20 years later and I'm still trying to talk you into that cruise. )

I have to say, when I saw your boys in the water at that time of evening, it made me cringe! I don't know if it's true or not, but I've always thought that Jaws comes out at dusk!

I'm glad to hear they enjoyed the ocean though. It was neat thinking about that being the first time they had ever been in the ocean when I was looking at those picture. I really like those 'shadow' pictures on the beach too. Very neat!

 

[MelMel11]

Count me in!

 

[T*Bird]

Great update, Shelly! The beach really is huge! The beaches we go to, in the Panhandle, are more like Rinky described. I mean, the hotels aren't about to fall in the water but you have to walk on a boardwalk over the dunes, and then it's not nearly that far to the water.

As I've said before, the resort looks beautiful. I love the pool area with all the palm trees around - so tropical! Love the pics of all of you near the water, too.

I had forgotten about sharks at dusk, but I think the others are correct!

Did y'all go out on the big pier in the background?

 

[Dancegrl624]

Great update!

I love the pool chairs at the resort with the little overhang things (can't think of a better word). Very clever.

 

[mickeyplanner]

Finally made it over, can't wait to read more....

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

That resort was beautiful!!!! I know the whole gulf front/view thing was a pain, though so it puts a huge damper on the whole thing.

I'm glad the boys were able to go out in the ocean for awhile with it not being so hot. However... thats prime time shark feeding!!! (Don't tell DS14!--) last week on the news in Orlando they said "New at 5, we have pictures of these predators (cue the tape sharks swimming in the shallow water) that have been lurking about all week. Details in a few minutes." And then I left the room. I thought about you guys swimming!!!!!

It looks like so much fun at the beach-- the strip there. And the pic with DS11 in the ice cream store---- what the heck was that lady doing that was behind the glass????

I think I need to go to Clearwater-- it looks amazing!!!!

It was a beautiful resort. I don't think I'd go back though based on the cost and the whole view thing.

Well remember DS14 wasn't even going in the water because of sharks??? Yeah, he forgot all about that once we got there! Good thing they didn't go in too far.

IDK what that ice cream lady was doing!! Itching her ear maybe??

You would probably love it at Clearwater.

I just cannot get over how much your DS14 has changed! I know I said it before, but it is just crazy! I mean it really hasn't been that long since I've seen pictures of him, but he looks so grown up now! I know that must make you feel .

The resort really looks nice! I can't get over how wide that beach is and how flat! Our beaches are not like that here. The hotels are RIGHT on the water (some of them will be falling in soon!) and we have really big sand dunes. We have to climb up steps and then down to get to the ocean... not fun, especially when you are hauling a bunch of bags, chairs and umbrellas. I like the looks of that shoreline much better! Btw, that's one of the many wonderful things about Castaway Cay... you don't need anything but your beach bag. They have plenty of chairs, umbrellas, towels and floats for everyone already on the beach! (Yep... 20 years later and I'm still trying to talk you into that cruise. )

I have to say, when I saw your boys in the water at that time of evening, it made me cringe! I don't know if it's true or not, but I've always thought that Jaws comes out at dusk!

I'm glad to hear they enjoyed the ocean though. It was neat thinking about that being the first time they had ever been in the ocean when I was looking at those picture. I really like those 'shadow' pictures on the beach too. Very neat!

Yeah, it is crazy how fast he is growing up all of the sudden. He's hairy and his voice is deep now, he's becoming a man!!

The beach is very wide and flat. There are some sand dunes but they aren't that big and no steps to get to the beach. You pretty much walk out of the hotel and onto the sand. There were a couple down the street like you are describing, with the hotel right by the water, but most were not like that.

Still trying to talk me into that cruise.... Maybe one of these days...

It was a neat experience for the kids and I'm glad we did it. Just not sure if I would give up my Disney time for it again!

Count me in!

Hope you enjoy!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Great update, Shelly! The beach really is huge! The beaches we go to, in the Panhandle, are more like Rinky described. I mean, the hotels aren't about to fall in the water but you have to walk on a boardwalk over the dunes, and then it's not nearly that far to the water.

As I've said before, the resort looks beautiful. I love the pool area with all the palm trees around - so tropical! Love the pics of all of you near the water, too.

I had forgotten about sharks at dusk, but I think the others are correct!

Did y'all go out on the big pier in the background?

Thanks!

Yep, it's a huge beach! No boardwalk to get to the beach. Just walk outside and it's right there.

The pool area was beautiful.

We did go to the pier the following night, unfortunately it was raining and the usual entertainment wasn't out.

Great update!

I love the pool chairs at the resort with the little overhang things (can't think of a better word). Very clever.

Thanks!

I know, those pool chairs were very nice, I wish Disney had them!

Finally made it over, can't wait to read more....

Welcome!

 

[BlueSkies]

Hi Shelly! I'm a little late but joining in!

What a beautiful resort..and beach too...Only thing nicer than a beach vacation is a Disney vacation!

Looking foward to reading all about your trip!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hi Shelly! I'm a little late but joining in!

What a beautiful resort..and beach too...Only thing nicer than a beach vacation is a Disney vacation!

Looking foward to reading all about your trip!

Hey!! So glad you are here! I see you are heading back to the GF in December again!

Hope you enjoy the TR!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Sunday, August 18:


We were up bright and early so we could get out to the beach before it got blazing hot out. It was hard to get up, I really hadn't gotten too much sleep. DS14 tossed & turned and rolled all night. And the blankets were the crispy kind that made noise with every little move. Plus the refrigerator in the room was loud.

I think it was around 8:30am when we got out to the beach. There were some people there, but not a ton. The kids had a blast again!

We stayed a few hours and by 10:30 it was too hot to sit out in the sun. And I had enough sand!! So, we headed to the pool for a little bit. Once the pool bar/restaurant opened at 11 we were the first ones in! Actually we sat outside. We had some lunch and then headed up to the room to get ready for something fun I had planned for the kids a little later!

Up Next: Indoor Surfing!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

It looks like you had the beach to yourself.... Well at that hour I'm sure you pretty much did. We went to Daytona a couple of times and we were almost the first ones there at 9:15. It was really great.
Sand can be annoying if you're not used to it. My DH hates the beach b/c of the sand lol.
Next time you go take a bottle of baby powder. Sprinkle it on your feet or anywhere you wanna get rid of the sand and rub. Watch the sand just magically fall off.
Ooh indoor surfing sounds cool!!!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[disny_luvr]

I love your pictures of the beach. It looks like your boys were enjoying themselves. I can't wait to hear about indoor surfing. It sounds interesting...

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

The beach looks beautiful! So glad your boys enjoyed it! I have been to the beach a few times when it was too hot though. That is not comfortable at all! You get sweaty and then the sand sticks to you. Yuck! It's a good thing you got up so early and headed out! Can't wait to hear about the surfing!

Guess what I ordered today???? Magic Bands!!! I just checked my account and there they were! I would never have known about it if I hadn't checked though. I went ahead and made my FP+ selections, so we'll see how it goes. If you don't mind telling me ahead of time, did you like the way they worked? I know you were thankful for them because of the crowds, but do you think you will like using them on every trip? Just curious about your opinion.

 

[JoBird]

LOVE THE TICKER!!!!

SO JEL!!!!!


Okay, so now that I have that out of the way--

You got to the beach at one of the best times anyway. Early morning is the prettiest time to go! Before too many people get there, when the sun isn't too hot, when the shells are fresh... just wonderful.


That's too bad the noise was loud all night and you couldn't sleep. I hate nights in hotel rooms like that. You just feel wasted the next day.

I can't wait to see the pics of the Indoor surfing....

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Hey I just saw your ticker after Jodi mentioned it! What the heck!! I was shocked to see WL!! Just didn't expect that from you. I'm really excited for you though. I think if I was going to stay there, I would want to do it at Christmas or in the winter, so that sounds like a good choice. Very excited to hear what you think about it. The rates to stay there with our AEs are very reasonable so it's definitely on my short list for that reason alone... and I think the pool/grounds look really cool too!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Ok I just noticed the ticker too. Do tell us all about it! And WL, how exciting!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

It looks like you had the beach to yourself.... Well at that hour I'm sure you pretty much did. We went to Daytona a couple of times and we were almost the first ones there at 9:15. It was really great.
Sand can be annoying if you're not used to it. My DH hates the beach b/c of the sand lol.
Next time you go take a bottle of baby powder. Sprinkle it on your feet or anywhere you wanna get rid of the sand and rub. Watch the sand just magically fall off.
Ooh indoor surfing sounds cool!!!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

We pretty much did!! I sure don't know how all those people sat out there in the sun on the hottest part of the day in the afternoon. I really expected more people there in the morning, knowing how hot it was going to be that day.

Sand is annoying and gross!! I'll have to remember the baby powder next time!

I love your pictures of the beach. It looks like your boys were enjoying themselves. I can't wait to hear about indoor surfing. It sounds interesting...

Thanks!

Indoor surfing was very cool!!

The beach looks beautiful! So glad your boys enjoyed it! I have been to the beach a few times when it was too hot though. That is not comfortable at all! You get sweaty and then the sand sticks to you. Yuck! It's a good thing you got up so early and headed out! Can't wait to hear about the surfing!

Guess what I ordered today???? Magic Bands!!! I just checked my account and there they were! I would never have known about it if I hadn't checked though. I went ahead and made my FP+ selections, so we'll see how it goes. If you don't mind telling me ahead of time, did you like the way they worked? I know you were thankful for them because of the crowds, but do you think you will like using them on every trip? Just curious about your opinion.

Yeah, it was just too hot to spend too much time on the beach. Sweat and sand just feels yucky!!

Congrats on the Magicbands!! There is a list of the resorts that are doing the MB & FP+ test this fall on the TA site. There is a training course for it too, I just did mine last weekend.

I loved the FP+!!! I think it is/will be a great thing for people who know the parks and have been there several times and know what they want to do and when. So you will be fine! New people to Disney or people who don't like to plan too much may not care for it though.

I made all my FP+ selections before we left and then on 2 different occasions I decided to change them around a bit for the next morning and it was no problem.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

LOVE THE TICKER!!!!

SO JEL!!!!!


Thanks!!


Okay, so now that I have that out of the way--

You got to the beach at one of the best times anyway. Early morning is the prettiest time to go! Before too many people get there, when the sun isn't too hot, when the shells are fresh... just wonderful.


That's too bad the noise was loud all night and you couldn't sleep. I hate nights in hotel rooms like that. You just feel wasted the next day.

I can't wait to see the pics of the Indoor surfing....

Yes, morning was definitely a good time to go to the beach!

Yeah, I was pretty much going on no sleep that day. Not good and not pretty!!

Hey I just saw your ticker after Jodi mentioned it! What the heck!! I was shocked to see WL!! Just didn't expect that from you. I'm really excited for you though. I think if I was going to stay there, I would want to do it at Christmas or in the winter, so that sounds like a good choice. Very excited to hear what you think about it. The rates to stay there with our AEs are very reasonable so it's definitely on my short list for that reason alone... and I think the pool/grounds look really cool too!

I am shocked to see myself going to the WL too!

So, I received a PIN to get the child's price on park tix and the DDP. Not a super great deal, but it was a deal! How could I pass it up???

I never thought I would want to stay at the WL, but lately it has intrigued me for some reason... And it has always looked like a good place to stay at during the holidays and/or winter, like you said. So, perfect for a quick January trip! Or at least that's the hope!

Quite possibly WDW will offer a better winter discount or our agency will offer an Agency Exclusive that is better. We'll see!

Ok I just noticed the ticker too. Do tell us all about it! And WL, how exciting!!

 

[disny_luvr]

Awe, we love WL and I hope you do, too. It is totally different from the Poly. DH and I stayed there one year in November before kids and once in December with kids. I, too, feel like it is more of a winter resort (if that makes sense). The resort and grounds are beautiful though. We especially liked it in December when everything was decorated for Christmas. The WL is my DH's favorite resort and he is always bugging to go back. I can't wait to hear what you have to say about it.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

congrats on the WL!! We stayed there last November and it was fantastic!! My dd and DH actually wanted to go back for this trip, but the deal I got was for the YC and I missed being over on that side of the action! LOL.. If you ever consider CL, this is a great one to do...that is the only time we have done it and it was worth it...we ate breakfast there, came back some days and did snax there and every night the kids got dessert...it was very relaxing and on a couple of days that dh had to stay back for a while and work, it was great for him too~food access and the couches and computer hookups were great... I think you will enjoy it! Next time, I would like to do the fishing excursion...we watched a family do it and they had a blast!!! And we never waited long for the boat...maybe 10 minutes one time...