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Post by sydney on Oct 10, 2020 7:23:45 GMT -5
This trip was originally supposed to take place April 19-26 to celebrate my retirement after 22 years at JCPenney (and the journey from part time sales associate to assistant store manager) on April 20 and DH's birthday on April 25. I had been planning it for a year once I made the decision to officially retire. This would be the second trip for just DH and I as all but one of our many trips have also included our two boys and twice their girlfriends too. Then COVID-19 hit and changed everything. We were originally booked at Yacht Club, then when I had to pick new dates we switched to Coronado Destino Towers (told nothing available at YC), then Beach Club (told nothing available at YC), then back to Yacht Club when those other resorts announced they wouldn't be open. After working the entire time during the pandemic (my current job is office/sales manager at a place that makes cotton candy and candy apples, and our grocery demand skyrocketed during all of this) I was so looking forward to a break, even if it meant limited offerings, things being closed, and having to wear masks I wear them at work anyway and have been since April).
Our new dates were Sept. 13-20. We originally had FP picks for the trip, had to re-make ones for the new dates, then had those cancelled when they stated there would be no FP or park hopping, and had to make park reservations for specific days. I ended up doing dining reservations four different times as well when Disney would cancel them due to changes. The departure day finally came and I was excited, but also a little apprehensive about how everything would work out.
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Post by sydney on Oct 10, 2020 8:44:20 GMT -5
Departure Day (Sunday):
Our day began with our dog waking us up around 4 am to go outside, which is typical because that's about when Ron usually gets up for work. What's NOT typical is her chasing some wildlife (raccoon? possum?) through the backyard and then under the deck and getting completely muddy! Ron got her back in, put her in her kennel, and went back to sleep. But when we got up she definitely needed a bath, so that's what we did before getting ourselves ready. At this point I was thinking "Well, if this is how vacation is going to start, I'm going to have to just relax and learn to roll with the punches..."
We had packed almost everything the night before, so just had to put those last few essentials in the bags and get it all in the vehicle. We've taken both his truck (a Chevy Silverado with a camper top- lots of room for luggage and stuff, comfy, but not a good on gas) and my Toyota Rav-4 (great on gas, not as much room for storage, and noisier on the highway) but opted to take mine this time since it was just us two. I love driving since it means I can have a whole suitcase for clothes and fit more shoes- I literally brought a different pair of shoes for each day just because I could! Then I can pack a separate toiletry bag and bring regular size things and not the little travel sizes. Now when we've been with more people, of course I have to pair this down, but just Ron and I- I'm bringing everything but the kitchen sink!
Jared was going into work at 9, so we said our goodbyes and all left around the same time at 8:30. The drive down- around 6 hours- was marred with on and off rain, from the sprinkling type to the outright downpours where people were pulling off the interstate because they couldn't see to drive. Fortunately DH had put some stuff in my windshield wiper fluid to make the rain bead off so he was still able to see to drive. We stopped in Jacksonville for lunch at Whataburger as is tradition (we miss these from growing up in Texas- there aren't any near our home) and still made good time down to Orlando. Before we got on property I got an alert that our room was ready. I was happy to see it was 3rd floor, as I requested a higher floor. We pulled into the Speedway on property abut 3:30 and as Ron was gassing up (I swear I think he just likes gassing up at Disney, like it's part of the experience!) I took some pictures of the Skyliner, which we'd never seen operational, and the ominous clouds in the background.
We drove around the corner and made it to the Yacht Club Resort just before it started raining again. We decided to just grab all of our stuff in one trip and make it to the lobby, then figure out where our room was. Pulling up I remember thinking, even though we'd stopped in before, how beautiful this resort is! Classic elegance, but still with a warm feeling.
We were greeted with a "Welcome Home" by several CM's in the lobby and asked if we needed assistance. We were directed to the elevators and were on our way to the 3rd floor. It was a bit of a maze once we got there to figure out where our room was, having to go down several hallways since it was close to the end, but we made it and our Magic Bands let us in. Yay- we got a king size bed! I made sure to take pictures before we dumped all of our stuff everywhere. I love the décor, the floors, and it felt upscale but not too stuffy. It still had the Disney charm.
Another feature we loved were the pocket doors in both the bathroom itself and the area leading to the bathroom- it gives so much more privacy and the pocket vs. regular door is much quieter. It didn't matter for us as much, but when traveling with others it would be a plus. We got a shower only room too. That shower was fantastic- so big and dual shower heads were wonderful! The only downfall was that there is only one little ledge to put toiletries on, so if you have a lot some may have to go on the floor of the shower or each person swap theirs out as they use the shower. The sink area had plenty of space and storage room underneath too. The closet area was probably the best I remember having. I love that there is an area for long and short hanging with extra shelves under the short hanging. The full length mirror and light in there is the best! Ron also loved that instead of another bed we got this great chair and ottoman combo!
Before unpacking we had to check out our balcony. I didn't care so much about the view but just wanted a balcony really. Our view was facing the quiet pool with a big tree blocking it, so it was kind of a buffer.
Because our room was a corner one and a king room it seemed to have an extra wide and deep balcony too. We noticed the whole trip that every time we were out, there really wasn't anyone else using theirs.
I will note that they are allowing pet dogs at YC as we noticed several people going out the doors below our room and heading past the quiet pool to the dog area with their pet, not service, dogs. Once during our trip we saw a lady with a small pet dog in A&C Market, but she was holding it, and once we saw a man with a larger dog on leash coming out of an elevator. One night we also heard a dog barking for several minutes in the area past the quiet pool, but it wasn't late where it was interrupting sleep or anything. Other than that, other dogs we saw were all service animals.
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Post by sydney on Oct 10, 2020 8:46:09 GMT -5
I wanted to note that it is not allowing me to post pictures to this site! I wanted to share pictures, but it's not letting me. I am creating a trip report on another site that I can upload pictures to, so if you want me to I can give you a link to that where you can reads along.
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Dave
Cast Member
Happy to be Home again
Posts: 615
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Post by Dave on Oct 10, 2020 9:23:43 GMT -5
Sounds great so far. I don't know why this site won't allow you to share pix, so please give us the link to the other site. Hate to miss out on your wonderful trip reports!
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Post by sydney on Oct 11, 2020 14:21:39 GMT -5
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Post by ilovdisney on Oct 18, 2020 15:17:14 GMT -5
Thanks for the link. I’m known as lucky lady over there.
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