[trishb]

cast of characters: me, hubby, son (almost 2), and mom

setting: BoardWalk Inn room 5298

Let me tell you about the room, first of all. I decided to get just a room for our first night, and begin our package on the next full day. It was a standard view, which we were able to get for the reduced rate of $200/ night. The room that we got for the first night was outstanding! It was on the top floor, directly in the center, with a garden view. But, that is not the best part...we had direct views of Epcot. Picture a clock:

11 o'clock The Land
12 o'clock Spaceship Earth
1 o'clock Eiffel Tower
2 o'clock Morocco
3 o'clock American Adventure

I listened to 3 sets of the British Invasion, and was able to watch all of Illuminations from the balcony while Ryan was sleeping. Outstanding! I highly recommend this room!
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Dinner the first night was at Cape May Cafe for the Clam Bake.
Our PS was for the first seating at 5:30, and my little boy was chosen to ring the dinner bell! For his efforts, he received a balloon signed by Goofy, Minnie Mouse, and Chip and Dale.

Bruce, you were right! The clam chowder was terrific, as was the Oreo mousse desert. The service was the best that we had for the whole trip. I believe the waiters name was Durland and we never saw the bottoms of our glasses.
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to be continued..

[ilvminnie]

Originally posted by trishb
Bruce, you were right! The clam chowder was terrific, as was the Oreo mousse desert. The service was the best that we had for the whole trip. I believe the waiters name was Dunhearst and we never saw the bottoms of our glasses.
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to be continued..

STOP! You're making me hungry. I LOVE Cape May & agree that both the chowder & oreo mousse are to die for. Well, ok, don't stop, keep the reports coming.

[trishb]

setting: BoardWalk Inn room 5269

Wednesday morning our Dreammaker Gold package began. When I picked up our tickets, I learned that we had been upgraded to a waterview room... and bell services moved us just down the hall to a room that looked exactly the same from the inside, but had a very different view from the outside.

The atmosphere between these two rooms was so different! The garden side was so peaceful and quiet...and the BoardWalk side was only quiet in the morning Our room overlooked the courtyard at the BoardWalk's main entrance (above Flying Fish). This room had a perfect view of the boardwalk, Yacht Club and Crescent Lake. The drawback was that it was noisy between 6 and 10 at night. During the day, the boats at the launch every 20 minutes blew their horns. And, no view of Illuminations.:(

The great thing about this room is that it had full sun every afternoon. We would open both doors to the balcony and enjoy the warm breezes and the gorgeous Florida sunshine.:D

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[trishb]

After moving into our new room, we headed for the Magic Kingdom for a 9:15 date with Cinderella. The food was good, and there was plenty of it. The service was tolerable because the servers were really busy..and did not pay much attention to my toddler. But, the Princesses did. Ryan received a big kiss from Snow White! He took to them immediately. The face characters were a terrific way to introduce him to the life size character that live in the World.

The Magic Kingdom was not busy while we were there on Wednesday and we were able to ride the attractions with waits of less than 5 minutes. Ryan loved Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin!
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next report: my trip to the spa!

[mattomouseman]

AH the Cape May Clam Bake. My mouth is watering just anticipating it in August! You've really set my Disney yearning into orbit! Can't wait to hear about more of your trip!

[Willbegone]

Welcome back Trish! It is wonderful to read your reports. It seems like everyong had a great time including your DS this gives me great hopes for my DD. Thanks for the report and keep them coming! :D

[trishb]

After a quick lunch (no, I was not hungry) my family and I parted ways...and I headed to the Grand Floridian Spa.
The cast member checked me in, and lead me to a private lounge. I picked a locker and changed into a fluffy robe and slippers. In the lounge area are comfortable chairs and adjoining is a room with a jacuzzi, streamroom, and sauna. I relaxed in the jacuzzi while awaiting my appointment.
The treatment I chose was a warm parafin wax treament for my hands and feet, and a manicure. All in all, the treatments took and hour and a half. Very relaxing. I was seated in a massage chair while the attendant massaged oil into my feet, legs, and hands. Then my hands and feet were dipped in warm parafin wax, and wrapped in warm towels and booties. The perfect treatment for dry winter skin. Finally, I received a manicure with my choice of colors.
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next dinner at the Yachtsman Steakhouse

[Cinderellafifi]

Welcome back, trishb! Everything sounds so wonderful! I can picture your room above Flying Fish - how perfect! I want to stay right there, with the view from your first room, of course! :D

What did you think of your time at the spa? Worth it? Did they provide you with any refreshments while you were there? I could really use a massage right now...:o

Can't wait to read the rest! :)

[trishb]

Fifi...to answer your question the spa was not worth it. Yes, it was relaxing but overpriced. I paid over $100 for the treatment. Plus, it took over 1 hour to get back to my hotel from the Grand Floridian. I was scheduled to have an aromatherapy massage a few days later, but canceled it because of the inconvenience (and I missed my family). They did offer refreshments, water and coffee or tea in the lounge area.

Both of the rooms were terrific, but very different. I thought that the room above the Flying Fish would be the best, too. What a surprise when I found that I had been upgraded! But, I am the quiet type and like to relax...so the room with a garden view is the room that I would choose again.

[trishb]

After a long afternoon at the spa, it was dinnertime...and was I hungry! The Yachtsman has terrific food. We were promptly seated by a window at 5:30 and met our waiter Chris. Chris was prompt and did only what he needed to do to take care of our table. A very different type of server than Durland (the waiter at the Clam Bake). We all ordered an 8 oz Filet and Lobster tail. The food was terrific and the cheesecake for dessert was outstanding.
After dinner, I parted ways with my family again. Dh and Dm went to Epcot for the evening...and I retired to the room with my son.
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Ryan was such a good boy on the trip. Since he has long been out of a crib, and doesn't like the playpen anymore...we brought a tent for him to sleep in. Let me say that again.
Ryan slept in a tent for the whole trip.
Months ago, I purchased a small 1-2 person tent from the local Walmart. It was perfect! We set it up with his toys and sleeping bag, and in he went. No bedtime fights. I would read him a story, then we would say our prayers. After that I just slipped out, zipped up the door, and next thing I know...he is sleeping. Perfect!
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next Epcot and Hoop de doo

[mattomouseman]

having a server who desn't really get into his/her job can really take away from a good meal. Sounds like you had a ball so far!:)

[Cinderellafifi]

trishb, will you please come back to Florida and train my 3 year old daughter? Your son sounds like the perfect little gentleman!

And now, of course, I am going to have to try the Yachtsman! It won't be my next trip, though.

Thanks for the feedback about the spa. For the money, it sounds like it could be better spent elsewhere in the World! :D :)

[ilvminnie]

I have heard the spa at the Disney Institute are much better. My sister & her husband just went there & loved it. See, the spa at GF is not owned by Disney. Just a note for future reference.

[trishb]

We started our day by enjoying breakfast at Spoodles. I love eating at Spoodles, and was disappointed the breakfast buffet was discontinued. No matter. As soon as we were seated, the server brought my little boy a bowl of fruit loops...which he happily devoured before pouring the bowl on the floor. My mom raved about the french toast covered in bananas. Dh and I chose more traditional breakfast fare. The service was quick and the food was yummy.
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Epcot was not busy at all on this Thursday. We walked through the International Gateway and through a deserted World Showcase to Future World. We walked on Spaceship Earth...and my son loved it! I was so worried because it moves so slow and is dark...but he was fascinated!
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Lunch was at 12:00 at the Coral Reef in the Living Seas pavilion. Wonderful! The best meal we have ever had there. The creamy lobster bisque is the best deal in all of Epcot at $6 a bowl. The best part was my boy yelling "blub, blub" at the fish in the tank. We were seated at a table right next to the glass and the service was outstanding.
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next Hoop de doo

[dab]

Trish it sounds like you really enjoyed and pampered yourselves!! I'm so sorry we didn't get to meet. But, I'm glad you all had so many wonderful experiences. I'd love to try the Boardwalk sometime... same goes for Spoodles! The view from room 5298 sounds perfect. I wrote it down for future reference. So the 2nd room you moved to was the same just a different view? Sounds like the garden view is the better way to go. :hmmm Glad you enjoyed CRT b-fast. It is so lovely!! Great trip reports! :)