Land and Sea - Yippee! September 2013 -TR updated 02/11/2014 - Page 7 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Sorry it's taking so long to get started. Everyone but me got hit with the flu or something when we got back I only had a scratchy sore throat - I was determined NOT to get sick because I had too much to do! Titus is feeling the vacation blues - sad and kind of moping around. I finally finished all the vacation laundry (now I just have regular laundry ) But I think I've recovered enough to finally get started writing. Thanks for sticking around - it won't be long!
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Originally Posted by num1DVCfan
Welcome home & happy birthday! The teaser pics sure look like a great time.
Thanks! It was the time of our lives
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Originally Posted by chezp
Welcome back! So glad you had such an awesome time - I love all your teaser photos.
I know your last cruise was the Fantasy, but I thought of you guys when I went to places like Palo for some reason
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Originally Posted by KMB733
Home and Love the teaser pictures, can't wait to hear all about your trip!!
Thanks! Trying to get all the photos uploaded to Photobucket at one time so it goes a little smoother when I write posts
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Originally Posted by JKnott17
Welcome home and happy birthday! From the looks of those pictures I'd say you had a fabulous trip! We felt the motion of the boat for days after we got home, isn't that so strange??
Right! It finally went away after about 3 or 4 days. It was really weird at work
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Originally Posted by lauriep
!!! The photos are amazing. What a shame you have to work and can't focus on the important things, like starting the report.
so true!
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Originally Posted by ctsmom116
Welcome Back... Glad you had a good time = )
Thanks!
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Originally Posted by disneydreamer33
Welcome home and Happy Belated Birthday!
Love your teaser pics!
Can't wait for the details!
Coming soon...
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Originally Posted by mommapants
happy to hear you are all home safe and sound and had a great trip. Looking forward to reading all about it
thank you!
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Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
Welcome back, Angela! And a belated Can't wait to read all about it!
I can't wait to tell you all about it!
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Originally Posted by MayraLR
Welcome home! Happy belated birthday!
thanks!
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Originally Posted by OhToodles!
Welcome Back! So happy to hear you had a great time and you have some really great pictures too!
And a belated !
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Originally Posted by mcc0313
Welcome home. Loved all the photos - looking so foward to the trip report
More photos soon!
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Originally Posted by kdkdmac
I can't wait to read your trip report! I enjoyed your PTR!
Like I said in my first post back, this was turned out to be our best vacation ever. We've traveled to different places before visiting Disney World, and we've now visited the Mouse House several times. This trip was different. It's funny thinking back on it now - I was stressed out at times, the kids whined sometimes, the weather was either rainy and humid or hot and humid. I was tired, I didn't get to do everything I wanted to and the Beach Club was at the same time amazing and disappointing. Despite this, all of us agreed that we had the time of our lives.
I know this is a "DCL" trip report, so I'll keep the pre-cruise portion of the trip short. I did pretty good taking notes while on land, but once we got to sea, my note taking took a dive. Everything's a blur now! (I took over 1000 photos, I'll have to use those to help me.)
Wednesday, Sept 4
After not getting to bed until about 1am, we got up on time at 5:00am, got ready, packed the car and soon we were on our way to the airport. We left BWI on time at 8:15am on Southwest. The weather was cool and partly cloudy. I was a little worried about the new long-term parking lot that we were using because we'd used the same lot all the time and I didn't want any hiccups. (We had a Groupon that would save us $35.) I did it to myself by reading reviews that said Park 'n Fly had sporadic or unreliable shuttles to the airport. The shuttle showed up quickly just like at our old place and off we went. Everything went smoothly and the SWA flight attendants were funny as usual -" luv" them
We arrived at MCO without any trouble and found our way to Magical Express. We used our vouchers, but I wondered if next time we would need to be wearing our Magic Bands. As with most other times, we were quickly ushered through the queue and onto a waiting bus. I know it's not true, but it seemed like they were waiting for us! I didn't even have time to snap the traditional photo of the resort sign with the boys standing next to it, maybe next time. After about at 40 minute ride, we finally arrive at The Beach Club after dropping off other guests at the Caribbean Beach Resort, The Swan and Dolphin Resorts and The Yacht Club. Wow! It was totally different from our Animal Kingdom home. Bright and cheerful, versus soothing and calm. Into the lobby we went, finding the check-in desk. We'd done online check-in and the super friendly cast member who approached us had everything we needed. Since we were at the Villas, she walked us over to that side, then introduced us to the concierge (Shaun) over there. He gave us a rundown of the BCV. At some point we had donned our Magic Bands on the bus ride, noticing that another family already had theirs on. Shaun also walked us through using the bands. We had assumed that our room wouldn't be ready so we packed our swim gear in our carry-ons, but our room was ready (yippee!) so we went to check it out.
The boy's "apartment". Titus was so excited about sleeping in his own queen sized bed
The door to their room
One of two closets in their room - we never used it.
The view below our room.
The road behind the trees - pretty loud at times.
Plenty of room, that's a fold out couch
That door leads to the toilet room.
The door leads to a closet. To the right outside the bathroom is the full sized, stacked washer and dryer.
I don't know why it's blue, maybe it clouded up for a second.
We never used this!
We were impressed by how BIG the villa was! It became a running joke during the week about getting lost through the all the doors between the split bathrooms and the master bedroom, and closet. It was lunchtime and I had already chosen Hurricane Hanna's. We made it around to the pool area and finally found Hanna's. I got the lobster roll and slaw (surprisingly light - tasty!) Dh got the usual - bacon cheeseburger and fries, Max - cheeseburger, Titus - chicken nugget/fries with bucket and pail (never used.) We all shared 2 sodas. Total - $45.31 We found a table with an umbrella and enjoyed our meal. We figured out how to use the disposable cups with the RFID chip - you have to set it down under the spout on the black ring or it doesn't work. You have 2 refills for a specific time (an hour or two I think?) Lots of people were stymied by the system, there are no signs, at least at the drink station there. It seems like you have to rely on another guest to tell you what to do or go back to the counter to ask. The kids just picked at their food because they were at once tired and excited about the pool. I demanded that they put something in their stomachs before going swimming. Back in the room we unpacked and chilled out a little until the poor fellas couldn't stand it anymore We spent the afternoon in Stormalong Bay and everything was irie, mon.
We eventually got out of the pool, just in time for the afternoon storm and had hot dogs and chips in the room. I love the full sized kitchens in the villas! (Sometime during the day, the luggage came up and we also had the groceries brought up. Garden Grocer - love them!) The rain stopped so we went to Downtown Disney to look for a swim shirt for Max at Curl. We window shopped for a while, then made it back home stopping for ice cream at Beaches and Cream. We got a root beer float, vanilla malt shake, ice cream sandwich, and a sundae - total, $23.92. It all was good, but we got it to go, which was not as fun as sitting inside. Treats in hand, we went back to the room to relax.
Weather: warm, humid, partly cloudy, afternoon rain
The best thing today: Stormalong Bay, 2 bedroom villa
The worst thing today: my sandals were uncomfortable! and I broke 2 nails, lack of sleep.
The funniest thing today: Hilarious flight attendant, Titus dead sleep on the bus
Today we tried: Hurricane Hanna's - expensive, but decent food
Our room was: VERY BIG. The theming was a little underwhelming, and definitely worn in places. Needs a new coat of paint and a real refurbishment. Very clean and bright, lots of lighting. Kitchen cabinet over the counter was odd - hard to reach things up top. Beds, super comfy. Small balcony.
The view was: In the direction of Spaceship Earth through the trees. You can see and hear the road outside, the trash pickup truck comes at 2 or 3 am. It woke us up every night, but tolerable. We were the last room at the end of the hallway.
Magical moments: using the Magic bands, seeing Spaceship Earth outside our window.
Sorry your room location was so loud. We typically stay in a boardwalk view over at BWV and the horn from the Friendship boats usually wake us up in the morning, luckily not at 2 or 3 am though.
Your villa looks wonderful! Sounds like a perfect day to me. A little pool time, ice cream, a little shopping. I like this use of the DVC properties. When you don't go to the parks it's more like a "regular" vacation home. Your new sig pic is glorious. The best thing about cruising is these views of sea and sky.
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What a great first day, love the room - sorry for the location, and the garbage pick-up at 3 AM but I am glad the boys liked having their own "apartment". Sounds like a fun day at the pool and DTD, glad you were able to miss the rain.
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I only had a scratchy sore throat - I was determined NOT to get sick because I had too much to do! 
Titus is feeling the vacation blues - sad and kind of moping around. I finally finished all the vacation laundry (now I just have regular laundry 
) But I think I've recovered enough to finally get started writing. Thanks for sticking around - it won't be long!
So glad you had such an awesome time - I love all your teaser photos. 
Home and 
Love the teaser pictures, can't wait to hear all about your trip!!
so true!
PassPorter Guide Author
I guess better than while on the cruise though!
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
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