Pooh's-Honey-Pot
DVC owner since 2020 - VGF, BLT and SSR
- Joined
- May 31, 2007
- Messages
- 3,668
Morning all!
I spent a eight days staying at the Beach Club with my American friends from 19 September, I was going to do a proper food review but I don’t have the time at the minute so here are some quick highs and lows.
Lows –
Mickeys Not so Scary Halloween Party – we went on a Tuesday night in September and the crowd levels were ludicrous. I can only compare them to the week I spent in Disney over Christmas in 2010. Last time I did the Halloween party all the rides were a walk on – this time the shortest line until after 11pm was about 45 minutes long, the trick or treat lines were going back about 100 metres, and the parade was 6 people deep. It was a nightmare. Never again! Completely ruined the memories of the last one for me.
Getting the boat from the Beach Club to DHS one evening, we were front of the line and had a (folded up) stroller with us. The boat was almost full from picking up somewhere else and they would not let us on board with the stroller (they said they only had room for ten people) – there were no rules anywhere about not boarding with strollers. We said fair enough and started walking away. Then I saw him let someone else on, with a stroller, who had been BEHIND us in the line! Well I’m afraid I walked back and gave him a bit of a telling off! I’ll accept anything that I’m told if its fair, but that was not! He apologised and said he shouldn’t have turned us away but it was a little late by then, they had already let ten other people – plus the stroller – on! So we walked!
Really missed the opening shows at the parks – when did Disney stop doing those?!
Tokyo Dining - We had a meal in Japan. Now there is no world in which I could be called a fussy eater; in fact the only thing on earth that I don’t like is salmon . . . unfortunately for me 90% of the sushi meals here included salmon. I asked if I could exchange anything for tuna but they wanted to charge me extra which just seemed a little petty to me. In the end I ended up ordering the steak dish which wasn’t that nice and didn’t exactly say “Japan” to me! The staff were lovely and the rest of the party really enjoyed it here, so this is just my personal opinion.
Highs –
Beach Club – amazing resort – I only hope I can stay here again one day. The location was brilliant, just being able to walk to Epcot and DHS was fab for me as I love being under my own steam, and the pool area was every bit as good as I’d dreamed. Not at all crowded, loads of different areas to explore, and a perfect temperature. And having Beaches n Cream on site is a total bonus and led to much late night icecream!! The food court was a bit small but who cares! Longest I waited for a bus to get back / to a park was 15 minutes (this was my first time in Orlando without a car and I was really concerned but barely missed having one at all! As long as you don’t want to go off-site I’d say there is no need).
Food – apart from Japan had some really good meals. The pizza at Via Napoli was so good that I don’t think I can ever eat a Dominos again! Crystal Palace the food and character interaction were good (thank goodness they still do my coconut flan, I managed thee slices!), Cape May was a good breakfast though the character interaction a little lacking. Beaches n Cream as good as ever. My first dinner at Kona was very nice. Breakfast at Ohanas I loved (though think I prefer the dinner there just because I’m not really a fan of large breakfasts). We also did afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian – when the food came out I didn’t think it looked much but I virtually rolled onto the monorail after! And then a load of counter service places, none of which disappointed, especially BOG. One of our party had a table in wonderland card which saved us 20% off all meals – this was well worth the cost, we more than made it back.
Weather – I’ve been in September twice before and had a fair amount of rain so was a little bit worried. No need to be, apart from a heavy but short downpour on the very last evening in Epcot (and a mammoth storm the next day which delayed my flight home by 90 minutes) we saw nothing but sunshine.
Travelling alone – highly recommended if you’ve never done it! Being able to please yourself and do what you want when you want in the airports and parks was brilliant. I probably only spent about three day-times alone in total (and we always met for dinner) but it was so nice just to ride the same thing twice if I wanted to, or to just sit down and people watch (and facetime the UK whilst doing it to show them my excellent weather!!).
Having American friends to meet – they’re just the best people on earth! We met thanks to the Dis boards in 2009 on a Disney cruise and this was out third trip together – we already have another one booked to DL in June next year!
Fantasy Land – Love loved LOVED the new Fantasy Land!!! I got very lost there in the dark at the Halloween party but apart from that it was all good! BOG is an amazing restaurant. Definitely trying it for dinner next time, though lunch was really good!
Virgin – I don’t generally have many good words to say about Virgin, I just use them because I’m a bit of a “better the devil you know” kinda girl. However I got upgraded to extra leg rooms seats on both flights (the perk of travelling alone I suppose!) and the service seemed better than usual. We were delayed on the way home but someone came onto the tannoy every ten minutes with an update so can’t really complain about that.
So there you go! I’m booked to go back next October with my boyfriend and hopefully I’ll have time to actually do a proper report then!
I spent a eight days staying at the Beach Club with my American friends from 19 September, I was going to do a proper food review but I don’t have the time at the minute so here are some quick highs and lows.
Lows –
Mickeys Not so Scary Halloween Party – we went on a Tuesday night in September and the crowd levels were ludicrous. I can only compare them to the week I spent in Disney over Christmas in 2010. Last time I did the Halloween party all the rides were a walk on – this time the shortest line until after 11pm was about 45 minutes long, the trick or treat lines were going back about 100 metres, and the parade was 6 people deep. It was a nightmare. Never again! Completely ruined the memories of the last one for me.
Getting the boat from the Beach Club to DHS one evening, we were front of the line and had a (folded up) stroller with us. The boat was almost full from picking up somewhere else and they would not let us on board with the stroller (they said they only had room for ten people) – there were no rules anywhere about not boarding with strollers. We said fair enough and started walking away. Then I saw him let someone else on, with a stroller, who had been BEHIND us in the line! Well I’m afraid I walked back and gave him a bit of a telling off! I’ll accept anything that I’m told if its fair, but that was not! He apologised and said he shouldn’t have turned us away but it was a little late by then, they had already let ten other people – plus the stroller – on! So we walked!
Really missed the opening shows at the parks – when did Disney stop doing those?!
Tokyo Dining - We had a meal in Japan. Now there is no world in which I could be called a fussy eater; in fact the only thing on earth that I don’t like is salmon . . . unfortunately for me 90% of the sushi meals here included salmon. I asked if I could exchange anything for tuna but they wanted to charge me extra which just seemed a little petty to me. In the end I ended up ordering the steak dish which wasn’t that nice and didn’t exactly say “Japan” to me! The staff were lovely and the rest of the party really enjoyed it here, so this is just my personal opinion.
Highs –
Beach Club – amazing resort – I only hope I can stay here again one day. The location was brilliant, just being able to walk to Epcot and DHS was fab for me as I love being under my own steam, and the pool area was every bit as good as I’d dreamed. Not at all crowded, loads of different areas to explore, and a perfect temperature. And having Beaches n Cream on site is a total bonus and led to much late night icecream!! The food court was a bit small but who cares! Longest I waited for a bus to get back / to a park was 15 minutes (this was my first time in Orlando without a car and I was really concerned but barely missed having one at all! As long as you don’t want to go off-site I’d say there is no need).
Food – apart from Japan had some really good meals. The pizza at Via Napoli was so good that I don’t think I can ever eat a Dominos again! Crystal Palace the food and character interaction were good (thank goodness they still do my coconut flan, I managed thee slices!), Cape May was a good breakfast though the character interaction a little lacking. Beaches n Cream as good as ever. My first dinner at Kona was very nice. Breakfast at Ohanas I loved (though think I prefer the dinner there just because I’m not really a fan of large breakfasts). We also did afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian – when the food came out I didn’t think it looked much but I virtually rolled onto the monorail after! And then a load of counter service places, none of which disappointed, especially BOG. One of our party had a table in wonderland card which saved us 20% off all meals – this was well worth the cost, we more than made it back.
Weather – I’ve been in September twice before and had a fair amount of rain so was a little bit worried. No need to be, apart from a heavy but short downpour on the very last evening in Epcot (and a mammoth storm the next day which delayed my flight home by 90 minutes) we saw nothing but sunshine.
Travelling alone – highly recommended if you’ve never done it! Being able to please yourself and do what you want when you want in the airports and parks was brilliant. I probably only spent about three day-times alone in total (and we always met for dinner) but it was so nice just to ride the same thing twice if I wanted to, or to just sit down and people watch (and facetime the UK whilst doing it to show them my excellent weather!!).
Having American friends to meet – they’re just the best people on earth! We met thanks to the Dis boards in 2009 on a Disney cruise and this was out third trip together – we already have another one booked to DL in June next year!
Fantasy Land – Love loved LOVED the new Fantasy Land!!! I got very lost there in the dark at the Halloween party but apart from that it was all good! BOG is an amazing restaurant. Definitely trying it for dinner next time, though lunch was really good!
Virgin – I don’t generally have many good words to say about Virgin, I just use them because I’m a bit of a “better the devil you know” kinda girl. However I got upgraded to extra leg rooms seats on both flights (the perk of travelling alone I suppose!) and the service seemed better than usual. We were delayed on the way home but someone came onto the tannoy every ten minutes with an update so can’t really complain about that.
So there you go! I’m booked to go back next October with my boyfriend and hopefully I’ll have time to actually do a proper report then!
I now wouldn't buy tickets until the day and if its sold out then its not worth - I rather pay extra for a not sold out party.
