Just Back....BLT..Kidani & Swan!

[DisneyBride'03]

Just returned from an awesome visit to the World….aka..my happy place. My annual ladies/moms Food and Wine adventure. I am not quite sure about creating a formal trip report, so I will attempt to condense my comments into categories that seem of interest to Disers like myself……I will post here as I managed to set foot in over 12 resorts this trip….lol



Bay Lake Tower @ Contemporary Resort
I did post last week about our stay at BLT. We loved it..especially the out of nowhere upgrade from LV to MK View The 2 bdr is out of this world, no pun intended….dream come true to go to sleep watching the castle change colors…Folks if you can stay here on a cash discount, grab it!
However, another friend was staying in a studio….tight quarters for more than a couple….the kitchenette was a great size, loved it, but across from the vanity sink area, like a galley as most of you may have already read.

Swan
Yes, the beds are to die for….wow….great location…nice size rooms, nice bathroom set up, liked the starbucks…had a resort view on the 6th floor east wing.

Kidani Village @ AKL

Are we really in WDW?! Had a studio w/std view….I called it the bus stop view, didn’t know of this category! Lol
They are doing construction right now to build a covered walkway, so all buses were caught outside of lobby area.
Loved the rooms and décor….loved the quiet and serene vibe…pool area awesome, would request Pembe to be close to pool area , and have a SV if available next time.
Warning..when staying here, you do not want to leave and visit parks…lol…just so lovely!
Two nights in a row I had the overlook area to myself…..antelopes just hanging out with me…the next night there were 3 of us enjoying wine, listening to the music, sitting by the fire..saying, where are we?!
Good friends, Good wine and wild beasts!!
My last day after lunch at Sanaa, we saw giraffes, zebras, antelopes, ostrich, vultures, (weren’t wearing Mickey ears either…lol)..just amazing, and so close too!
The walk to Jambo House is not that bad, I did it 3 times….

Loved this triple split stay..would I do it with my family….?

I don’t think so! Lol Made this trip so enjoyable and that much more fun..just have to pack right and keep things simple!

Transportation

Was awesome….buses were always there, or just arriving…no issues…same thing with the friendship boats….really felt the pixie dust! The town car at the Swan accommodated us to our ADR at GF and my transfer to Kidani. For a smaller fare than the taxi to get to the Swan from BLT.

We did find ourselves on a jam packed bus at MK after our GF ADR..the night that it rained like cats and dogs..poor folks were soaked….we got off at YC and walked….that was an experience…lol

Also, after I toured POFQ, we waited for a MK bus for our ADR….3 AK buses, 3 Studios, 1 DTD and EPCOT bus before the MK bus arrived! Lol Thankfully we headed straight to MK, no POR stops.

Crowds/Weather

Hot , hot and more hot…and throw in some humidity! Only rained twice in the 6 days I was there….one little shower while at Epcot…ran for cover and met some nice folks while waiting for it to subside, offered the use of their W/D at Kidani
And the night it stormed really bad while we were at Citricos, still saw Wishes in the rain…..
What an improvement from our May trip when everyone needed an Ark……

Restaurants

The Wave

Nice surprise…great meal, would return!

Citricos
Great server…we just did lots of apps as we were still full from the afternoon food/wine pairing event. They did not carry one of my fave wines by the glass here….so a very nice Citricos mgr walked to Mizners to get it for me!

Kouzzina

Great flank steak here….decor is apparently the same as it was when it was Spoodles..nice dinner here. A lot of birthday Opa’s too!

KONA CAFE

We got a table for breakfast during free dining WITHOUT an ADR!
Walked up..asked verry nice…lol..and were sat within 25 minutes..

Diamond Horseshoe***

What and where you ask?! Lol
They opened this up as overflow during free dining, next to LTT, same menu….fun little place, decorated nicely….booked this while there at last minute when we decided we didn’t want to keep our FF ADR.

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Will post F & W feedback on my other thread as this is getting quite lengthy!
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Resort Hopping




Grand Floridian

Some of the tile work is in, looks beautiful, had a nice CS here, love sitting out by the marina…noticed more construction workers than guests while we were there! Lol Lots of improvements going on!
Met Lynne the lobby lady, very sweet.

Poly

Busy ceremonial house as usual with the restaurants..were not handing out lei’s as before…but I asked and they happily obliged

I wanted to visit POFQ & CSR..curious about moderates after always reading about them, and seeing all the lovely photos!!

FQ.lovely, compact resort….so easy to navigate and get around, see why so many adore this place, esp with the boat transportation!
It was such a hot day, it took me a moment to realize why all the folks were not in the pool….*oops…..lol
Ok, those big things in the food court aren’t my cup of tea as I expected…lol

CSR.walked into lobby…and my initial reaction was……wow, this is beautiful, loved the fact that you are taken in by the view of the “lake” through the windows…..it was a beautiful sunny day so that made it spectacular!
I was very impressed and pics don’t do it justice. We walked through Cabanas….loved the pool area…so much so we stopped by the pool bar for a frosty adult beverage!

************************************************** *****************Thanks for reading!

I am very blessed as this was an extraordinary trip…..everything was so wonderful..except for this delay I am experiencing right now at the airport !
LOL
Again, I do want to say how wonderful that MK view really is…..loved beginning this trip at BLT and CR…wonder if they will give CR another bookend?!

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for posting you're review.

[DisneyBride'03]

Originally Posted by CR Resort Fan 4 Life

Thanks for posting you're review.

You're welcome, my pleasure! Love CR's gift shops..could not find a CR, nor BLT magnet to complete my collection. A CM stated they havent had those for quite some time.

Have you seen them in all your travels?
I did notice AKL had a new one, that matches the GF one, as far as design.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Originally Posted by DisneyBride'03

You're welcome, my pleasure! Love CR's gift shops..could not find a CR, nor BLT magnet to complete my collection. A CM stated they havent had those for quite some time.

Have you seen them in all your travels?
I did notice AKL had a new one, that matches the GF one, as far as design.

I have not really looked for Contemporary or Bay Lake Tower magnets, however I thought I saw a Bay Lake Tower one at the Fantasia Market. Although it might have been a DVC logo magnent, so I can not remember what it was.

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Thanks for the wonderful review. We are off to BLT in a week and are very excited now.

[DisneyBride'03]

Originally Posted by CR Resort Fan 4 Life

I have not really looked for Contemporary or Bay Lake Tower magnets, however I thought I saw a Bay Lake Tower one at the Fantasia Market. Although it might have been a DVC logo magnent, so I can not remember what it was.

I think perhaps a DVC one..looked there..only reosrt specific item I did see for BLT were t shirts. I will look in Dec, last Sept there werent any GF ones, then this May they had them! Something abt $6 magnets....lol

[leeann32]

Thanks for posting!
We just switched from Kidani to BLT 1 bd for Aug. 2010. I think my kids might be upset, but I just love the location of BLT, so convenient!
I'm debating whether to switch my standard view to a lake view?

[DisneyBride'03]

Originally Posted by *KeepMovingForward*

Thanks for the wonderful review. We are off to BLT in a week and are very excited now.

Thank you

How exciting for you indeed!
Enjoy F & W..met alot of posters from the thread there! The walkway from CR to BLT is has some neat views, gets windy!

[DisneyBride'03]

Originally Posted by leeann32

Thanks for posting!
We just switched from Kidani to BLT 1 bd for Aug. 2010. I think my kids might be upset, but I just love the location of BLT, so convenient!
I'm debating whether to switch my standard view to a lake view?

Hi leanne...I would be happy there with any view really! The space is awesome....we were on the 12th floor...it is really convenient.

However, I loved Kidani too....but BLT for location!

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Originally Posted by DisneyBride'03

I think perhaps a DVC one..looked there..only reosrt specific item I did see for BLT were t shirts. I will look in Dec, last Sept there werent any GF ones, then this May they had them! Something abt $6 magnets....lol

I also bought that Bay Lake Tower t-shirt when I stayed at the Contemporary last month.

Also I am pretty sure they had a white Contemporary polo shirt with a black logo being sold at the Bay View Gifts store. Unless I am remember seeing that for sale on a previous stay I had there, because I do remember seeing it.

[DisneyBride'03]

Originally Posted by CR Resort Fan 4 Life

I also bought that Bay Lake Tower t-shirt when I stayed at the Contemporary last month.

Also I am pretty sure they had a white Contemporary polo shirt being sold at the Bay View Gifts store. Unless I am remember seeing that for sale on a previous stay I had there, because I do remember seeing it.

Thanks, gives me another reason to just visit the resort in December!

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Originally Posted by DisneyBride'03

Thanks, gives me another reason to just visit the resort in December!

You're welcome.

[DisneyBride'03]

Will post some pics when I get them sorted....just resort pics .....got some great ones at Kidani...on the blackberry...lol

oh speaking of blackberry....the Swan cm's were great, forgot my phone charger in the room, of course didnt realize until at Kidani...housekeeping turned it in....

[minnie56]

Just back last nite from BLT...we had a Studio. It was okay though small. I wouldn't stay at a DVC resort again. The design is nice enough..just prefer the Contemporary over this place.

[Singinglizzie]

Welcome back Disneybride03!!! Loved your compact trip report - although I must be thick since I didn't get why folks weren't in the pool at POFQ, but I'm glad you agree that CSR is lovely. As for BLT, Swan and Kidani - glad you enjoyed them all. Isn't split stay fun, when you are traveling w/o kids . Thanks to you, I really have fallen in love with AKL -I can only imagine how fun it was to sit out, watch the animals and have well deserved drink!!!! Ahh, the magic of Disney - happy for you!