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

[Wicket's Mom]

Just happened to notice you had started a new TR! So, I'm joining in. Lovely shots of Clearwater, never been there as we always do the Atlantic Ocean, not the Gulf. This past winter didn't do much at the beach as there were too many closed beach days because of sharks!

I love the decor of YC rooms, but don't know if I can get DH away from AKL. At least he likes coming to WDW if he can stay there.

We had the MBs also & they worked very well. We do half days at the parks also, so FP+ was great for that.

 

[JoBird]

Sup.



I can't believe the problems you ran into just trying to get a dang rollaway. And then rudeness on top of it. I think some CMs need to head back to training and start being happy. They don't have to be all happy 'behind', just happy. Yes you know there is a difference.

At least you saw a mgmt person and hopefully got it resolved.
I have read numerous times that if you call the front desk from your hotel room that you are actually calling a call center, NOT the front desk, so if you have issues you actually do have to traipse your not so happy behind down to the front desk in person to get anywhere at all with them. Not fun.

Anyway---- good thing you had FP+!!! It didn't look all that crowded in the pics, but we encountered the same thing, pockets of people. Soarin was awesome for us this trip but we haven't been on it in forever. And--- we love Living with the Land!! It might be the calmness that I crave, being the reason we love it. Funny. It wouldn't seem like a ride I would love.

Can't wait to read all about Chefs~ I hope you got the soup!!!!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Well it's a good thing that you got a good view! If that hadn't gone well on top of the bed fiasco, you might have had one of those bad starts to your trip like we were talking about. I'm glad it didn't ruin the whole trip for you! And I think starting a trip off with a walk to Epcot and a ride on Soarin' sounds pretty darn awesome! I'm actually starting to see the benefit of the Magic Bands and think I am going to like them.

Speaking of... I am loving my UPS guy today!!! He just brought me a new pair of Crocs Capris for my trip and a box of MAGIC BANDS!! Woot Woot!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Great report so far! You got a lot of Pixie Dust on the room! Now if only you were getting same Pixie Dust from the CM's you are encountering! Boo on them.

p.s.
I hope the meal was yummo!

Welcome! Thanks so much, glad you are enjoying the TR so far.

Yeah, I'm not sure what was up with the CM's on the phone. So rude and no need for it. Oh well, I had nice front desk CM's and got an awesome room, so 2 out of 3 isn't bad I guess!!

Chef's dinner report is coming up soon.

Just happened to notice you had started a new TR! So, I'm joining in. Lovely shots of Clearwater, never been there as we always do the Atlantic Ocean, not the Gulf. This past winter didn't do much at the beach as there were too many closed beach days because of sharks!

I love the decor of YC rooms, but don't know if I can get DH away from AKL. At least he likes coming to WDW if he can stay there.

We had the MBs also & they worked very well. We do half days at the parks also, so FP+ was great for that.

So glad you found me!!

Closed beach days because of sharks!?! Wow. Sorry that happened.

We really liked the YC room. We've never stayed at AKL, but the rooms sure look nice in pictures.

Glad you had a good experience with the MB & FP+ too!

Sup.



I can't believe the problems you ran into just trying to get a dang rollaway. And then rudeness on top of it. I think some CMs need to head back to training and start being happy. They don't have to be all happy 'behind', just happy. Yes you know there is a difference.

At least you saw a mgmt person and hopefully got it resolved.
I have read numerous times that if you call the front desk from your hotel room that you are actually calling a call center, NOT the front desk, so if you have issues you actually do have to traipse your not so happy behind down to the front desk in person to get anywhere at all with them. Not fun.

Anyway---- good thing you had FP+!!! It didn't look all that crowded in the pics, but we encountered the same thing, pockets of people. Soarin was awesome for us this trip but we haven't been on it in forever. And--- we love Living with the Land!! It might be the calmness that I crave, being the reason we love it. Funny. It wouldn't seem like a ride I would love.

Can't wait to read all about Chefs~ I hope you got the soup!!!!

Well hello there stranger!! How are you feeling today?

Yeah, they answered the phone saying YC, but I figured it was a call center. Jerks. They could have at least acted like they cared or called the actual front desk themselves to see what was up.

Epcot wasn't really crowded with throngs of people standing around (like December ), but the wait times were crazy. Weird. So glad we had the FP+, because the kids would have never waited in those lines. Who am I kidding, I wouldn't have either.



I can't believe you love LWTL!! DH does too. It's all I can do to sit still through it. Again -->

I remembered we talked about the soup at Chef's, but it was just too dang hot to even think about getting soup. Maybe another time...

Well it's a good thing that you got a good view! If that hadn't gone well on top of the bed fiasco, you might have had one of those bad starts to your trip like we were talking about. I'm glad it didn't ruin the whole trip for you! And I think starting a trip off with a walk to Epcot and a ride on Soarin' sounds pretty darn awesome! I'm actually starting to see the benefit of the Magic Bands and think I am going to like them.

Speaking of... I am loving my UPS guy today!!! He just brought me a new pair of Crocs Capris for my trip and a box of MAGIC BANDS!! Woot Woot!!

You are so right -- if check in/room assignment would have went poorly and then the whole rollaway business, the trip probably would have never recovered!!

Yes, being able to walk to Epcot and right on Soarin with no wait was an awesome way to start the trip.

YAY for the UPS man!!! What color band did you get??

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Add me to the list..I too love Livin with the Land! I don't like the first part too much~and the kids always crack up and talk through that part, but I we do love the garden area...Have any of you ever taken the tour through there?! It's really cool.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I got hot pink and DD got lime green because they look good together... don't ask... we're just weird like that! DH wanted blue because... "If I have to wear a bracelet, it better at least look manly!" He hasn't seen them yet... he's gonna love that it has a Mickey head on it!

And just wanted to chime in and say that all 3 of us like LWTL too! Looks like you are the odd man out on this one Shelly! Hmmm, that reminds me... you were thinking about doing Country Bears on this trip. Now I DO hate Country Bears!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Add me to the list..I too love Livin with the Land! I don't like the first part too much~and the kids always crack up and talk through that part, but I we do love the garden area...Have any of you ever taken the tour through there?! It's really cool.

It is very informative I guess... Maybe just a little too long for me. And boring.

We have seen people taking the tour several times when we have been on the ride, but I don't know anyone who has actually taken it.

I got hot pink and DD got lime green because they look good together... don't ask... we're just weird like that! DH wanted blue because... "If I have to wear a bracelet, it better at least look manly!" He hasn't seen them yet... he's gonna love that it has a Mickey head on it!

And just wanted to chime in and say that all 3 of us like LWTL too! Looks like you are the odd man out on this one Shelly! Hmmm, that reminds me... you were thinking about doing Country Bears on this trip. Now I DO hate Country Bears!

I got the pink too!! My DH didn't even want a color, so he got the plain gray.

Well, maybe all of you ladies should get together and do the Behind the Seeds tour!! And I'll be over riding Soarin and TT while you do that!

Never did make it into the Country Bears!! I wanted to duck in there because it was raining (imagine that ) when we walked by, but no one was interested.

 

[disny_luvr]

Count me in as another one who likes LWTL. We find it a good go-to ride when we are tired and need a break. We can usually get on fairly quickly and take a nice break from the heat and crowds. I'm glad you had the FP+ or Soarin would have been a no-go that day - Darn crowds!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Count me in as another one who likes LWTL. We find it a good go-to ride when we are tired and need a break. We can usually get on fairly quickly and take a nice break from the heat and crowds. I'm glad you had the FP+ or Soarin would have been a no-go that day - Darn crowds!

It is a nice place for a rest and never has a line, I'll give you that!!

Yeah, I'm so glad we had those FP+'s that day!!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

The new FP+ was wonderful for our first day. We arrived late afternoon, it was after three before we could get to a park. Our park for that day was MK, since we had our FPs we did Splash & BTRR. We left after a couple more rides, then since our last FP+ was for Wishes, we returned for an evening in the MK.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

The new FP+ was wonderful for our first day. We arrived late afternoon, it was after three before we could get to a park. Our park for that day was MK, since we had our FPs we did Splash & BTRR. We left after a couple more rides, then since our last FP+ was for Wishes, we returned for an evening in the MK.

It really is perfect for situations like that!! That way you can go into your first day relaxed and not stressed about getting to the parks before all the FP's are gone!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I just noticed -- 4 MONTHS!!!

 

[JoBird]

Yay for FOUR months!!!!!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I just noticed -- 4 MONTHS!!!

YAY!!!! for you Shelly!
I have 16 days! Woohoo I am so excited but just realized the other day that I have to fly down and back w/out my DH.
He will be working down there the week we arrive and staying when we leave. I don't mind the leaving it's the coming home- going through MCO that I'm nervous about. I know I've been through there a lot but I feel like I just follow DH.KWIM??
The only positive is there'll be just 3 of us- for 3 seats. Nobody has to sit w a stranger
Looking forward to your next update.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Joining in on this one!

Wow, that's an awesome view yall had at the BC! I just love that little gazebo.

I'm glad yall were able to ride Soarin'... yay for FP+ reservations!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Yay for FOUR months!!!!!

Thanks! Doesn't really seem too real yet. I don't know why. I guess because when I booked it I wasn't really sure if we would actually go. And then when I booked the airfare I had it in the back of my mind that if we decided not to go then we could change it to August flights.

YAY!!!! for you Shelly!
I have 16 days! Woohoo I am so excited but just realized the other day that I have to fly down and back w/out my DH.
He will be working down there the week we arrive and staying when we leave. I don't mind the leaving it's the coming home- going through MCO that I'm nervous about. I know I've been through there a lot but I feel like I just follow DH.KWIM??
The only positive is there'll be just 3 of us- for 3 seats. Nobody has to sit w a stranger
Looking forward to your next update.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Thanks!

Wow 16 days already!! I wouldn't worry too much. Orlando airport is very easy to navigate. Of course I am the one in my family that the rest of the family follows, so I know I would be alright on my own!

If you are nervous you could always have your DH come to the airport with you and take you to security.

That is nice that the 3 of you will be able to all sit together and with no strangers!! That's why I have always preferred AT over SW. One side of their planes only has 2 seats, so we could sit 2 and 2 and with no one else!!

Joining in on this one!

Wow, that's an awesome view yall had at the BC! I just love that little gazebo.

I'm glad yall were able to ride Soarin'... yay for FP+ reservations!

Thanks for joining in!

Yes, we really lucked out on that view that's for sure!!

It was so nice to be able to already have FP's for Soarin when we arrived.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

After we were done on Nemo, all of the sudden it hit me and I remember that we had to go ride SSE!!! Right now! It was closing the next day for a refurb and would be down the rest of our trip. So, off we headed hoping to be able to ride it and then get to France for our dinner on time!

No line and a quick ride!

After we were done on SSE we headed for World Showcase. Stopping for a few pics and a quick drink along the way.

Continued in next post....

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Continued...

We headed right when we got to WS, which seemed odd since we always go left and start in Mexico. But our dinner was at Chef's de France so it made much more sense to go the other way.

Our ADR was for 5:30. We got there around 5:05 and were seated in about 5 minutes.

DS14 took a selfie, this seemed to be the thing of the trip every time I handed him the camera.

Very nice place and great service! DH and I both ordered the chicken and potatoes, and the kids both ordered from the kids menu. We asked if it was okay and our waiter was fine with it! They both got the chicken and pasta, without sauce. Actually I think DS14 got his sauce on the side. These were huge kids meals!!

And pretty soon the chef came out to greet us!

Total Bill: $76.65
Rating: 9 out of 10


Up Next: World Showcase

 

[ddluvsdisney]

So glad you got to ride SSE before it closed. That is one ride in all of Disney that my kids would be so upset to miss. I think just one of those rides that you can't miss. ( for my family anyway)
I laughed when you said you always go left towards Mexico, bc we ALWAYS go right. lol I think it's bc whenever we go to WS we are usually going to the bakery in France first or have an ADR at Chefs or R & C. Those are our 2 fave restaurants in WS.
I told you, you would like Chefs. I'm so happy you liked it. Your meal looked delicious! My DS16 got that the last time we were there. The kid LOVES chicken!! LOL And those kids meals are huge!!! I wonder if they gave you a little extra bc they knew they were a little older? Anyway that was great!!! I love the CM that brings Remy around. He is hysterical. Was it Armand??
Loved the update!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Wow! You are up and at it bright and early this morning!

I love SSE! I don't know why, but it's just cool to me! I'm glad you got to ride it before the refurb.

So glad to hear that you liked Chef's! We may have to give it another try. We liked the food, but didn't love it. I think we need to try something different. Your chicken and potatoes looked really good! I think we got pasta??? It was just ok though. I am so glad to see that Remy is still there! That was my favorite part! That is the one and ONLY time that I want to see a rat in a restaurant!

Your DS14... Isn't that such typical teenager behavior! I still can't believe how much he has changed since your last trip! I noticed in your last post that he had a funny look in the picture in front of the Nemo sign. I wondered if that was a 'I'm too cool for Disney now' look??? I sure hope not!