Magical Mondays: Disney Resort Review

Magical Mondays

Being an avid Disney vacationer, a former Disney College Program Cast Member and graduate, and daughter to vacation club members.... We travel to Disney World.... A LOT!

I've been blessed to have experienced such amazing resorts in our travels to the vacation spot that is practically a city in itself.

For countdown to our next Disney Vacation this September 2014, I thought I start my very first series to celebrate one of my favorite places in the world.

Resorts that I have experienced in the Walt Disney World Resort

• Coronado Springs
• Old Key West
• Saratoga Springs
• Port Orleans
• All Stars Resorts
• The Beach Club
• Board Walk
• Animal Kingdom

I feel like I'm missing some, seeing as how the number of Resorts Disney offers seems endless! Keep in mind, the Villas at each resort is only available to DVC (Disney Vacation Club) Members.

My

favorite

stays would have to be..

..

• Saratoga Springs Tree House Villas
• Animal Kingdom Kadani Villas
• The Beach Club Villas.

Today I would like share the experience of the...

Disney's Beach Club Resort

Location

Epcot's backyard!

The Beach Club Resort is located in a prime area around the Crescent Lake. Within this resort area there is a short walk around the lake to the Board Walk Resort, The Yacht Club, and The Swan and Dolphin. It's also a short walk to the back entrance to Epcot where you will enter right in the heart of the World Showcase. This would be ideal if you just wanted to bop on by one of the amazing restaurants for an evening meal. There is also a short boat trip that will take you to Hollywood Studios! This location is my absolute favorite and offers many entertaining options outside of the Resort.

• Walk to Boardwalk & Jellyrolls
• Walk to Epcot's backdoor
• Boat ride to Hollywood Studios
• Crescent Lake-water activities

The Pools

Sandy Beach Pool!

One of the best things about this resort is the pool!! Stormalong Bay is a playground of water activities for both child and adult. It is the only pool that offers a sandy beach where young children can hang out and build sandcastles. My girls enjoyed this pool so much and still talk about it to this day.

Picture found here

• Sandy Beach
• Life-size ship wreck water slide
• Lazy River
• 3 hot tub spas

Sandy beach @ Stormalong Bay pool

The Digs

Character Breakfast Buffet to die for!

Character breakfast anyone? Instead of having to travel to find one of these Disney vacation musts, you can have the option of walking to one in your own Resort!! Cape May Cafe is a fantastic restaurant that offers the Famous Character Breakfast buffet with options for any picky eater, including the Mickey Waffles! You will want to make advanced reservations for this one.

• Cape May Cafe
• Hurricane Hanna's Bar and Grill
• Beaches and Cream Soda Shop
• Martha's Vineyard
• Endless supply of dining options through Epcot and the other resorts and restaurants located on Crescent Lake.

Cape May Character Breakfast Buffet!

The Room

We had the luxury of experiencing the one bedroom villa suite with a garden view. The Villa's are offered to the Vacation Club members and they are fantastic. The whirlpool tub and bathroom were huge and the villa resembled that of a beach home. The general area included a couch with a sitting area and TV, a dining area with a full kitchen. A full kitchen is great if you are staying a couple days and don't want to spend all of your money vacation money on food. You can have a service deliver groceries and stock up on late night snacks and easy meals.

What to do!

The Beach Club is packed with activities and areas for all ages. It really is a resort for anyone.

• Sandcastle Club (ages 3-12)
• Movies under the stars on the beach ( this was a family favorite!)
• Campfire on the Beach - Sing along and yummy snacks
• Boat and Bike rentals
• Volleyball court
• Spa and Health Club

Highlights...

• Location
• Stormalong Bay Pool
• Cape May Cafe - Character Breakfast
• The Villa's
• The activities 

I hope you enjoyed this weeks Magical Monday's! This review expresses my personal experience at The Disney Beach Club Resort and Villa. I was not compensated for this post, I was just so impressed with the resort that I had to share.

Have a Magical Monday everyone!

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Disney Field Trip: The Seas with Nemo and Friends at Epcot

One of the many things I love about Disney is there ability to incorporate education into their attractions! Disney World has to be one of the greatest field trips ever!

I know Epcot is not on the top of the list of parks to see, but it does offer a great classroom for conservation of the Earth ! On our recent trip we were excited to try the new attraction The Seas with Nemo and Friends!! The ride itself was a cute clam shell adventure through the Finding Nemo story. 

Once you got off the moving walkway, you were led to an amazing exhibit of underwater life. You can walk through this two story pavilion at your own leisure. 

My favorite part was pointing out Nemo and Dore! It really brings the movie alive and into the real world. What kid doesn't like the aquarium?

As I sit her and edit this, Bella informs me that this is NOT Nemo. It's the daddy Marlin because he is bigger and Nemo is smaller!

The Bruce's Sub House is a fun adventure where you can learn about the sharks of the ocean and the dangers they encounter everyday.  A hands on experience for all kids to have a chance to feel what real shark skin feels like and take a photo op inside Bruce's Jaw! Bella was a little frightened by the jaws of life.... so my Dad played along!

I think Bella's favorite part was the friendly dolphins that played back and forth beyond the glass!! They were pretty shy to take a picture though!

We saw real manatee!!!

The aquarium was gorgeous and provided us with just enough cool indoor entertainment! When the kids get older we will spend more time here!

Tips on planning a Disney Vacation

With much excitement about our trip to Walt Disney World in January, I thought I would put together something to help anyone planning a trip to WDW!!! Our family are expert Walt Disney World Resort vacationers (and I a former college program cast member) and over the years I have found some things helpful with my travels.

• It's all about the time of year!!!!!! Planning your trip in a low season is key, especially if this is a once in a life time for your family. I get that summer vacation is when your kids are out of school and you don't want to have to pull them out for a vacation but..... do you really want to spend all that money (because it is expensive) to wait in a hot and muggy line for over an hour, just for a two minute ride? You might get to go on maybe 3 rides before your family has a meltdown... especially with young children!!!! With that said, from my experience as a former cast member and a annual (well almost) guest, September through October is beautiful weather and the lines are minimal. January through the beginning of February is less crowded as well and you are looking at cooler weather.

• Think about investing in the Vacation Club! If you love to travel and want to vacation every year, not necessarily Disney either, this is a great investment. If you don't already know about this research it! Now! What are you waiting for?

• Stay on property! While some off property hotels can offer some amazing deals, you still have to rent a car, which can add up and not save you any money. Plus, if you stay at one of the many Disney fabulous resorts, they offer transportation to all of the parks and other exciting attractions with in the Walt Disney Resort. What is great is they have so many resorts that accommodate all types of budget!

• Skip the meal plans. If you stay in one of the WDW resorts that offers a kitchen (which I would highly recommend upgrading to) you can have a food service delivered right to your hotel!!! Saves on the costly meals in the dinning room and you will have access to your own stash 24/7. Will share more about the food delivery service on tips for your trip!

• Disney's Magical Express!! A wonderful shuttle to and from the airport!! With Baggage delivery... you don't even need to worry about picking up your checked in luggage... it's delivered right to your room!

• Be realistic about your budget. You say to your self  "we are only going to spend this much"... but then you get there and the kids go wild in the Disney stores and your daughter wants to be a princess at the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique. In then end you will always spend more and the last thing you want is to either go home broke or go home feeling like you might have missed out! Research the different attractions with in the parks and downtown Disney. Know your battle grounds before you depart your house.

Oh my gosh... I am too excited just thinking about it!!! Check back on tips for traveling with small children and what not to miss at WDW!

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