The Brits at the Beach Club RE-VISITED! THREAD 2 COMPLETE! About This Page:

[chezp]

This is thread two of this trip report – to read thread one click here

Just to explain – this is a re-run of the Brits at the Beach Club trip report about our 19 night stay at Disney over Christmas 2002 and appears pretty much as it originally did in early 2003, so it’s written in the present (and sometimes future) tense and was pretty much written as we went along, although I have re-read it recently and made some changes and additions along the way. Where I’ve added something in recently, I’ve tried to put it in brackets and in italics.

There are some new details in the text and I have added in a lot of new photos, as previously I only had about 50 photos scanned in and have taken the opportunity while re-posting this report of scanning in a lot more, so you be able to enjoy lots of new photos!

[chezp]

Saturday 21 December – part three: please don’t let anyone else come with us – and seeing Disney from the air!

When we got there, it was the same story as the last time we flew with them – they were reluctant to put the helicopter in the air for just the two of us and insisted that we wait for a few minutes to see if anyone else was coming, as they could fit in four passengers. And, just like last time, I spent the next few minutes hoping that no-one would come along, so that we could have the helicopter to ourselves – after all, this was my birthday treat and selfish as it might sound, I didn’t want to share it with anyone, apart from my husband!

We were in luck – no-one showed up during the next few minutes and in the end, the pilot gave in and told us he’d take just the two of us! Don’t get me wrong – I can understand him wanting to fill the helicopter, I just wasn’t in a mood to share with anyone! And then we were off:


Our helicopter

The view to Downtown Disney – the Cirque tent is in the top left hand corner

Downtown Disney closer up

The Beach Club Villas in the foreground, with the Beach Club behind and the Boardwalk at the back of the shot

How is this? A monorail on its way around the World

The Richard Petty Driving Experience

The Wilderness Lodge (right) and the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge (left)

The Contemporary


The Magic Kingdom

The Polynesian

The Yacht Club – note the convention centre in front of the main building

And a closer view of that…

Epcot


MGM

And emerging after our trip!

The flight was wonderful, but a bit more bumpy than our last trip. It was definitely more windy than in 1999 and that wasn’t exactly what my breakfast needed! Although we enjoyed it, we both came off feeling decidedly queasy, but that soon eased when we were back on the ground.

You get an amazing view of the world from a helicopter ride – as hopefully you’ve seen from the photos I took - and I’d recommend it to anyone. You also get a perspective of how much of Disney is still undeveloped and how much the parks and the resorts sprawl outwards. You’re low enough to see just about everything, as you can tell with the shot of the monorail and Mark even spotted the bands for the Magic Kingdom parade waiting to go out, although unfortunately we didn’t get a photo of that. Seeing how much is behind the scenes at each park is also an eye opener – and makes you realise how much is off stage.

Some of the things I saw on the ride, which I didn’t take photos of, were the Pop Century resorts, which did seem to be pretty much built, although the entrances don’t look complete yet. There also seems to be another building site pretty much next door. I wonder if that’s phase two of Pop Century? There’s nothing at all on it yet, so it’s probably a year away yet, whatever it is. (At this time, Disney had yet to give any opening date for any of the Pop Century resort, following a fall in visitor numbers, so seeing it from the air and seeing it so far along in development was a big deal!)

Another building site showed us the site of the next Disney Vacation Club resort near to Downtown Disney. Again, there’s not much to see there yet, apart from groundworks. (Of course, that went on to become Saratoga Springs)

Next: Paradise and relaxation and a surprise from England waiting in our room!

[TroianRae]

your photos!!! I'm totally enjoying this trip report!!! Thanks for posting it again!!

[lauren-roxy]

Great update Cheryl and I love your pictures, very cool!! I was wondering about how much it cost, if it's ok to ask, and also are they still allowed to do these since 9/11? Thanks!

[Jillybean]

Those photos from the helicopter are spectacular! I can see why you wanted to do it again!

Jill

[DawnDenise]

Wow Cheryl!!! What fantastic photos from the helicopter!!! Thank you so much for re-posting this trip report as I hadn't found Passporter yet. More please!!!

[Cam22]

The aerial shots are incredible! Thanks for sharing your report again!

[DopeyGirl]

Great photos . . .

[chezp]

[ QUOTE ]
Great update Cheryl and I love your pictures, very cool!! I was wondering about how much it cost, if it's ok to ask, and also are they still allowed to do these since 9/11? Thanks!

[/ QUOTE ]

They're still doing them - this trip was on 12/21/02, after 9/11. As to the cost, I think the one we took cost about $50 - $60 each, but I can't remember for certain. Whatever it cost, we thought it was more than worth it.

[Colexis Mom]

Great pictures Cheryl That looked awesome

More please

[lauren-roxy]

That is really a reasonable price Cheryl, thanks!! I know my husband would love to take a ride!!

[chezp]

Saturday 21 December – part four: Paradise and relaxation and a surprise from England waiting in our room!

After the helicopter flight, we dropped yet more films off at Walmart for developing and then went back to the Beach Club. We didn’t even go the room – we wanted to take advantage of the warm weather, before the sun went in, so headed off to sunbathe on the beach overlooking the Boardwalk, just in front of the Beach Club. With a cocktail in one hand from Hurricane Hanna’s Grill and a good book to read, this has to be what paradise is all about. It’s certainly what relaxation is all about. Here, it’s hard to believe you’re at Disney, with no kids and barely anyone else in sight.

I said in a previous part of this trip report that I thought my mum had sounded a bit distracted and a little upset when I spoke to her earlier. I found out why when we eventually got back to our room. It must have been about 4.00 by this point, having left our room at about 9.00.

I walked into the highlight of my vacation so far. Balloons, an Eeyore beanie, chocolates and two birthday cards, one specially signed by Eeyore, wishing me a happy 30th and another signed by a host of characters, was all laid out on our bed. At first I thought it was mousekeeping making a lovely gesture, after seeing all my cards, but no, when I read the cards in detail, I realised that it was a present from my mom and dad.



I immediately rang them to thank them and my dad asked what we were doing later, so I explained that we’d be having dinner with Eeyore at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian. He kept asking me to repeat the name of the restaurant we’d be at and I just assumed that the line was pretty poor and he couldn’t hear me properly. It often happens on international calls and I didn’t think anymore of it.

We freshened up and got ready to go out and then headed over to the Grand Floridian. When we got there, we decided to go for valet parking. It’s not something we usually do, but self parking is just too far away at that resort. It is very convenient, but it is an expensive luxury, especially when you’ve got to tip twice each time you use it as well. We were quite pleased later on in the vacation to find out that valet parking is free for Disney Vacation Club members. Suddenly it became a more affordable treat!

I went to go and snap some photos of the resort, including the Christmas tree and their gingerbread house:



I always feel that everything at the Grand Floridian has to be the best, probably because it’s the most expensive resort and I guess if I was staying there, I’d want the best for what I was paying. However, I do find it over the top and I always feel it’s got a very formal atmosphere. Neither of us have ever had any desire to stay there as a result, but it’s nice to have a look around, knowing we’ve got the more homely Beach Club to return to.

As we were still in plenty of time for our meal, we went outside for a stroll and another photo:



Then it was time for our Priority Seating at 1900 Park Fare. It was our first time here and immediately I loved the theming of this place. It’s very light, airy and colourful and I loved all the little touches, like the organ:




It’s a great setting for a character meal and doesn’t feel nearly as formal as the rest of the Grand Floridian, which is a pleasant change.

Next: the second surprise of the day from my parents!

[Tara O'Hara]

Wow Cheryl! Those aerial shots are amazing!! I also feel that way about 1900 Park Fair!! What a fun place to have a meal!! Great updates!

[Jillybean]

You just described my idea of heaven - - relaxing on a beach with a drink in one hand and a book in another!

What a great birthday surprise from your parents! Can't wait to hear about the one awaiting you at 1900 Park Fare!

Jill

[Joy J]

Cheryl, I'm really enjoying revisiting your birthday adventures. What a wonderful surprise your parents orchestrated!

Joy