ChloesDaddy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2013
- Messages
- 1,086
We returned home on Monday after a 10-night stay at Yacht Club, and a leisurely drive home with stops at the beach and to visit family. I don't have the drive to author a full trip report but wanted to share my thoughts on our experience.
Resort
We really enjoyed staying at YC and were pleasantly surprised by how much our kids enjoyed it too. Staying within walking distance of Epcot, DHS, and the Boardwalk really made us feel like we had left the real world behind. The day before we checked in, my son had gotten ill (we suspect he ate something with milk in it, and he is allergic). We arrived at YC around 11:00 a.m. knowing that check in wasn't until 3:00. My wife asked if our room could be ready early but there weren't any available yet. She waited in the YC lobby with my son to take it easy while I took the girls to DHS. A manager approached her, and upon learning about our situation got things moving to get them into a room. The CMs were genuinely friendly and very helpful, so it was a nice way to begin our stay.
The room was on the first floor and not at all what we thought we wanted, but I think it turned out better than what we requested, which was a higher floor and closer to the lobby and bus stop. We were in room 1071 (the imagined significance of which was kind of fun to think about). It's along the section of the building on the west side of the gazebo area and faces east toward Epcot, with a patio and easy access to the lawn where the kids spent a little time playing and watching the wildlife. We were also just a few doors and a corner away from the outside door nearest the boat dock, which was very convenient for access to Epcot, DHS and the Boardwalk when we didn't feel like walking. A park bench sits just 10-12 yards outside that door, and we watched what we could see of Illuminations from there on several nights.
Stormalong Bay was a huge hit with the kids, and we spent several hours there on a few occasions. We also hit the quiet pool on one day, and the door to that pool was practically straight out of our room. The kids also enjoyed a family of rabbits nesting in the hedge and our friendly neighborhood ducks, which came right up to the patio and even poked at the patio doors when we were inside. We all found the YC to be a great place to relax in between park excursions. It felt like a nice retreat even while being close to so many things.
Parks
We did three days at MK, two at Epcot, two at DHS and one at AK for all of us. That seemed to be a pretty good mix, although I and my two older kids found ourselves wanting a little more time at AK. I also did DHS with the girls for a few hours on arrival day, and my wife and I hit Epcot on a Saturday evening without the kids, who had a great time at the Sandcastle Club (even had a visit from Chip and Dale, which I had no idea was part of the fun). The crowds were not light by any means, but they were not nearly as heavy as they were on our previous trips during June. We did rope drop most days and had the FPs we wanted, so we didn't wait for more than 25 minutes for anything.
The parks seemed more beautiful than the last time we visited in 2013, and a few reasons for this come to mind. First, the new hub in MK was very nicely done (I know many miss the rose gardens), and there was still construction going on in Fantasyland on our last trip (the big brown wall around 7DMT). Second, we were at Epcot during F&G -- I wish it looked like that all the time. Third -- I never liked the hat, so the Chinese Theater at the end of the street when we came in was a very welcome sight. Fourth, it was easier to appreciate the theming at AK without having a toddler in tow and pushing a double stroller along the narrow walkways. Finally, the weather was much more pleasant during this trip so we weren't constantly trying to get indoors and were able to take in more of the outdoor atmosphere. We had temperatures in the mid to upper 80's every day, and it only rained once while we were in a park (AK).
Dining
Dining was kind of a mixed bag, from atrocious to fantastic. We didn't do much TS at the resort since we weren't interested in taking the kids to a place like the Yachtsman and DW is allergic to seafood and therefore doesn't particularly care for the smell of it in places like Cape May. We did hit Beaches and Cream, Hurricane Hannah's (during pool time), and the Beach Club Market -- nothing impressive, but we liked the food. We also hit the ESPN club for dinner one evening and made a couple trips to the Boardwalk Bakery to get breakfast. Here's a quick rundown of our dining experiences using my own scoring system:
1. Would build plans around eating there again -- 'Ohana, Tusker House, BOG (dinner)
2. Would happily eat there again -- 50's Prime Time, Beaches and Cream, Via Napoli
3. Would eat there again -- Sunshine Seasons, Pecos Bill's, The Plaza, Boathouse
4. Would only eat there again as part of a touring strategy (i.e., PPO access or characters) -- Akershus (breakfast), BOG (breakfast)
5. Would rather lick the doorknob at a truck stop restroom -- ABC Commissary
F&G Kiosk Favorites -- Burnt Ends Hash, Jerk Spice Chicken, Field Greens Salad, Onion Tart
Transportation
We walked to and from Epcot every time since it's so close. We also walked to DHS both days we did rope drop since the boats didn't seem to be running early enough for our plans (didn't get passed by a boat either time). We used the boat back from DHS, although we did get stuck on it once as a storm passed through. When there was a break in the rain we headed over to catch a bus back to YC. We used the bus for MK and AK and only once found we had waited more than 20 minutes, but it didn't affect our ability to keep our plans. We also used the bus to get to and from Disney Springs and used the water taxi while there to get from one end to the other. The bus stop at YC was never very crowded, and there were always seats available on the bus.
People
We met a lot of friendly people, both CMs and guests. I met a couple on the boat to Boardwalk that had lived in Miami for years and had survived hurricane Andrew. We met a family from Austin on our last night, and my kids gave their kids, who were younger, glowsticks to play with. Another family kept an eye on the two older kids while they waited in line for Astro Orbiter at midnight on our last night, apparently in exchange for the kids' budding comedy routine. We made some new friends in line for both our trips on EE, including a Florida couple taking a quick trip before their kids finished school. While waiting for rope drop at MK I saw a worried mother with a daughter wearing an Elsa shirt. I asked if they were there to meet E&A, she said yes, and I encouraged them to move closer to the tunnel where there was some more open space.
I talked to a wonderful retired educator from Montauk NY who was working at the Adventurers Outpost at AK. The CM running Jedi Training was happy and enthusiastic -- when she yelled for others to "make way for the Jedi," she did it with gusto. We chatted with our server at the Plaza, who we learned had run a travel service in China for adopting families (we adopted our oldest daughter from China in 2006). Cousin Chris at 50's PT really gave the kids a "hard time" (he nicknamed my son "Mr. Difficult"). The overwhelming majority of CMs were terrific, and the only "rude guest" encounters I remember were a few scattered individuals and a group of 20-somethings at Epcot who had "had a bit too much to drink." That was more entertaining than problematic though, and the kids weren't with us that evening. Speaking of which, the CMs at the Sandcastle Club deserve a special mention. We didn't catch everyone's name, but Heather and Lauren were at the front when we checked in and when we picked up the kids. The kids had a great time there thanks to all the friendly and enthusiastic CMs.
Other Thoughts
This was our first trip with FP+ and Magic Bands, and it worked pretty well for us. It does kind of tie you to a certain park on a given day, but it was nice not having to run for FPs (I, of course, am the former FP runner). I didn't get to charge on the MB very long because I got locked out at an ice cream cart at DHS when they had me try the PIN three times unsuccesfully (it had just worked at a pretzel stand less than 30 minutes before that), and I didn't feel like going to Guest Services to reactivate it. I just used my credit card or cash after that. The new security measures were less than magical but didn't really cause us problems. The experience that stands out is the extremely thorough bag check I went through at the IG one morning.
Highlights and Memories
Resort
We really enjoyed staying at YC and were pleasantly surprised by how much our kids enjoyed it too. Staying within walking distance of Epcot, DHS, and the Boardwalk really made us feel like we had left the real world behind. The day before we checked in, my son had gotten ill (we suspect he ate something with milk in it, and he is allergic). We arrived at YC around 11:00 a.m. knowing that check in wasn't until 3:00. My wife asked if our room could be ready early but there weren't any available yet. She waited in the YC lobby with my son to take it easy while I took the girls to DHS. A manager approached her, and upon learning about our situation got things moving to get them into a room. The CMs were genuinely friendly and very helpful, so it was a nice way to begin our stay.
The room was on the first floor and not at all what we thought we wanted, but I think it turned out better than what we requested, which was a higher floor and closer to the lobby and bus stop. We were in room 1071 (the imagined significance of which was kind of fun to think about). It's along the section of the building on the west side of the gazebo area and faces east toward Epcot, with a patio and easy access to the lawn where the kids spent a little time playing and watching the wildlife. We were also just a few doors and a corner away from the outside door nearest the boat dock, which was very convenient for access to Epcot, DHS and the Boardwalk when we didn't feel like walking. A park bench sits just 10-12 yards outside that door, and we watched what we could see of Illuminations from there on several nights.
Stormalong Bay was a huge hit with the kids, and we spent several hours there on a few occasions. We also hit the quiet pool on one day, and the door to that pool was practically straight out of our room. The kids also enjoyed a family of rabbits nesting in the hedge and our friendly neighborhood ducks, which came right up to the patio and even poked at the patio doors when we were inside. We all found the YC to be a great place to relax in between park excursions. It felt like a nice retreat even while being close to so many things.
Parks
We did three days at MK, two at Epcot, two at DHS and one at AK for all of us. That seemed to be a pretty good mix, although I and my two older kids found ourselves wanting a little more time at AK. I also did DHS with the girls for a few hours on arrival day, and my wife and I hit Epcot on a Saturday evening without the kids, who had a great time at the Sandcastle Club (even had a visit from Chip and Dale, which I had no idea was part of the fun). The crowds were not light by any means, but they were not nearly as heavy as they were on our previous trips during June. We did rope drop most days and had the FPs we wanted, so we didn't wait for more than 25 minutes for anything.
The parks seemed more beautiful than the last time we visited in 2013, and a few reasons for this come to mind. First, the new hub in MK was very nicely done (I know many miss the rose gardens), and there was still construction going on in Fantasyland on our last trip (the big brown wall around 7DMT). Second, we were at Epcot during F&G -- I wish it looked like that all the time. Third -- I never liked the hat, so the Chinese Theater at the end of the street when we came in was a very welcome sight. Fourth, it was easier to appreciate the theming at AK without having a toddler in tow and pushing a double stroller along the narrow walkways. Finally, the weather was much more pleasant during this trip so we weren't constantly trying to get indoors and were able to take in more of the outdoor atmosphere. We had temperatures in the mid to upper 80's every day, and it only rained once while we were in a park (AK).
Dining
Dining was kind of a mixed bag, from atrocious to fantastic. We didn't do much TS at the resort since we weren't interested in taking the kids to a place like the Yachtsman and DW is allergic to seafood and therefore doesn't particularly care for the smell of it in places like Cape May. We did hit Beaches and Cream, Hurricane Hannah's (during pool time), and the Beach Club Market -- nothing impressive, but we liked the food. We also hit the ESPN club for dinner one evening and made a couple trips to the Boardwalk Bakery to get breakfast. Here's a quick rundown of our dining experiences using my own scoring system:
1. Would build plans around eating there again -- 'Ohana, Tusker House, BOG (dinner)
2. Would happily eat there again -- 50's Prime Time, Beaches and Cream, Via Napoli
3. Would eat there again -- Sunshine Seasons, Pecos Bill's, The Plaza, Boathouse
4. Would only eat there again as part of a touring strategy (i.e., PPO access or characters) -- Akershus (breakfast), BOG (breakfast)
5. Would rather lick the doorknob at a truck stop restroom -- ABC Commissary
F&G Kiosk Favorites -- Burnt Ends Hash, Jerk Spice Chicken, Field Greens Salad, Onion Tart
Transportation
We walked to and from Epcot every time since it's so close. We also walked to DHS both days we did rope drop since the boats didn't seem to be running early enough for our plans (didn't get passed by a boat either time). We used the boat back from DHS, although we did get stuck on it once as a storm passed through. When there was a break in the rain we headed over to catch a bus back to YC. We used the bus for MK and AK and only once found we had waited more than 20 minutes, but it didn't affect our ability to keep our plans. We also used the bus to get to and from Disney Springs and used the water taxi while there to get from one end to the other. The bus stop at YC was never very crowded, and there were always seats available on the bus.
People
We met a lot of friendly people, both CMs and guests. I met a couple on the boat to Boardwalk that had lived in Miami for years and had survived hurricane Andrew. We met a family from Austin on our last night, and my kids gave their kids, who were younger, glowsticks to play with. Another family kept an eye on the two older kids while they waited in line for Astro Orbiter at midnight on our last night, apparently in exchange for the kids' budding comedy routine. We made some new friends in line for both our trips on EE, including a Florida couple taking a quick trip before their kids finished school. While waiting for rope drop at MK I saw a worried mother with a daughter wearing an Elsa shirt. I asked if they were there to meet E&A, she said yes, and I encouraged them to move closer to the tunnel where there was some more open space.
I talked to a wonderful retired educator from Montauk NY who was working at the Adventurers Outpost at AK. The CM running Jedi Training was happy and enthusiastic -- when she yelled for others to "make way for the Jedi," she did it with gusto. We chatted with our server at the Plaza, who we learned had run a travel service in China for adopting families (we adopted our oldest daughter from China in 2006). Cousin Chris at 50's PT really gave the kids a "hard time" (he nicknamed my son "Mr. Difficult"). The overwhelming majority of CMs were terrific, and the only "rude guest" encounters I remember were a few scattered individuals and a group of 20-somethings at Epcot who had "had a bit too much to drink." That was more entertaining than problematic though, and the kids weren't with us that evening. Speaking of which, the CMs at the Sandcastle Club deserve a special mention. We didn't catch everyone's name, but Heather and Lauren were at the front when we checked in and when we picked up the kids. The kids had a great time there thanks to all the friendly and enthusiastic CMs.
Other Thoughts
This was our first trip with FP+ and Magic Bands, and it worked pretty well for us. It does kind of tie you to a certain park on a given day, but it was nice not having to run for FPs (I, of course, am the former FP runner). I didn't get to charge on the MB very long because I got locked out at an ice cream cart at DHS when they had me try the PIN three times unsuccesfully (it had just worked at a pretzel stand less than 30 minutes before that), and I didn't feel like going to Guest Services to reactivate it. I just used my credit card or cash after that. The new security measures were less than magical but didn't really cause us problems. The experience that stands out is the extremely thorough bag check I went through at the IG one morning.
Highlights and Memories
- First time on 7DMT
- First time on RnR and EE with DD10 and DS8
- Riding Dumbo and the Carousel with DD5 ("I want to ride the ponies!" Sheesh!)
- All three kids participating in Jedi Training
- DD5 almost ripping my arm from the socket on ToT (she only rode the one time)
- Riding with DS8 on the Speedway
- Watching my son design a monster truck at TT
- Getting ice cream at B&C with DD10
- Sandcastle Club for the kids
- Epcot evening with DW (caught a little bit of Night Ranger and had a few adult beverages)
- Characterpalooza (Gepetto, Dopey, Tiana, Aladdin, and the Queen)
- Trading with the Jawas (he didn't want DS's paper clip, and traded DD10 one glowstick for another)
- Watching Illuminations from the bench in front of YC (after chasing off a tree frog who was enjoying the post-rain sogginess)
- Watching FoF from Frontierland while enjoying Dole Whips
- Watching Wishes from Frontierland (nice to be away from the Hub chaos)
- Sat in a wet spot on the curb in UK at Epcot while eating my pear-brined corned beef (fortunately our next destination was the resort room for a rest then swimming) -- as we were heading to the IG a cast member asked if we were leaving; I said "temporarily" and showed her why, which drew a sympathetic laugh
- Smoke alarm in the room went off and had to be replaced (we watched Illuminations on the bench outside while that was taken care of)
- DS8 ruptured his Spiderman squeeze toy and released blue liquid all over the bed (a very nice CM came and changed the bedding and left a little bag full of chocolate mints) -- at first I thought, "what did he eat/drink that was bright blue?"
- DW had some foot problems that hampered her a bit late in the trip, but she gutted it out -- if asked if she wanted to get and ECV and she burned a hole in my forehead with her eyes
- DD5 screamed and cried on BTMR in the dark on our last night, after having loved it during the daytime (it really is a different experience)
And 10 nights is a perfect amount of time to be able to get done everything you want without rushing. Of course, I'm not adverse to trying a few more nights than 10 if given the chance, that's just been our longest trip 
