A Giraffe meets the Beach - A Hoilday Lights Extra - Updated 12/23

[irish dancer]

We made it home from yet another trip that went way to quickly. We have lots of pictures and video to share, and even brought a very special guest with us

Quick overview - found a second home, one argument, special win, beautiful weather, done with a couple of restaurants.

I'll try and get pics uploaded so I can start this for real.

Welcome back! Can't wait to hear all about it....

 

[If U Had Wings]

Can't wait to hear all about your trip!

 

[Flossbolna]

I am looking forward to all your tales from the trip!

 

[TyRy]

Welcome back! Can't wait to hear all about it....

Can't wait to hear all about your trip!

I am looking forward to all your tales from the trip!

Thanks all - we will get this party stated momentarily. I thought since we've now been pretty regularly for the past couple years, we would not have many pictures. Somehow we still ended up with about a thousand, so I hope everyone is ready for pictures galore!

So let the games begin....

 

[TyRy]

Our departure morning finally dawned. Not quite as early as last year where we had to be at the airport at 4am…this time we didn’t even have to be up until 4:30. I had told DH the night before to make sure to set the phone alarms in case we lost power or something. He looked at me like I was nuts and predicted I’d be up well before the alarm went off. I informed him that would not be happening, but he was actually right for once and I was up by 3:30!

You would have thought I would have been jumping out of my skin with excitement of getting back to Disney and fear with having to get on the big bad plane. But having been through that week with my dad in the hospital, I was simply exhausted. I did take my happy plane pills, but felt absolutely no different. I think I was just too tired to care about being scared. Although I’ll take being scared about the flight than the scare my dad gave me that week.

I might not have been totally freaked, but I was still a bit anxious. Luggage check in went fairly quickly, but you could tell I was not looking forward to the next couple of hours !

I did agree to eat a bagel, mostly since we wouldn’t be grabbing anything until around two and I didn’t want to be a total crab by then. Yep – picked at this one as well, and DH was enjoying every moment of it.

And here’s the scary thing that I need to get used to if I want more shorter trips.

I had my binder in my lap, something like a security blankie perhaps .

Take-off was uneventful and DH was shocked at how calm I was. Again, I think this had to do more with exhaustion than anything. Just in case I decided to lose it, he thought it would be a good time to bring out someone who decided to take along on this trip…my niece, flat Arg…no that’s not her name, but will fit her…you’ll see why.

DH took a few pictures out the window, while I stayed nice and calm in my seat.

Playing with Arg

And then after a bit of turbulence and a few arm grabs we were on the ground and heading for our first monorail ride.

DH thought he would be cute and jump in a different car to try and get shots of the relief/joy of being on the ground and in Florida.

We made it to luggage and I decided he should go get the car rental counter. Yes we used our Emerald Club through National, but because we used a double upgrade coupon to a Full Size, had had to check in at the counter. Luggage took forever this time and he actually made it back to me just as it started coming out.

I asked him how it went and he said we were to just go out and choose from the Emerald Aisle. Ummm WHAT? That would be mid-size cars guaranteed and we had a full size gurantee. I told him to go back down there and he said no - it was jammed down there…does this look jammed to you?

Continued in next post...

 

[TyRy]

In the interest of getting this day moving, we walked over to the garage and I figured I’d just explain what happened to someone in there. Well guess what…there is no “Full Size” aisle in Orlando. It’s The Emerald Aisle, Executive, SUV’s, Mini-Van’s, but not Full-Size. Now I’m ticked. I could have saved more on the rental if we had to choose from the Emerald Aisle anyway, buy using a discount coupon instead of the upgrade. Yes – I’m arguing with National on that one. So the lesson learned…if you need a mid to full size car, just go with the Emerald Aisle at MCO.

It took DH forever to then choose our car – and there were only about four different kinds out there. But he had to compare every little thing on it. We finally ended up with a Chrysler Sebring that had more than enough room.

We had a bit more fun with Arg on the way in..she met her first ME bus on the road.

And finally we saw the magical gates…she was as excited as I was!

We were now on our way to the BC – I was soooo looking forward to this and so was DH. The excitement was building….

Then the main gate appeared.

After checking in with the guard we went to pull up to the main entrance. We’ve never seen it from this angle.

I jumped out of the car and they had two greeters out front. One of them walked me right in and there was no wait at check-in. Since it was only around one and F&W was happening, I figured we’d be waiting for our room. But I was told a bit of pixie dust had happened and they had our studio ready and it met my requests. SCORE! I ran out to stop DH from parking the car, but I was too late. DH had dropped luggage with Bell Services and was already taking a walking tour on the way back to the entrance.

The CM’s then asked if we wanted a picture…of course we do.

And then we were off to our room.

 

[nebo]

Tracy, Tracy, Tracy, what we won't do to avoid driving through Atlanta, even get on the aluminum cylinder of death!
I want to know how you like BCV but I think I know. What I really want to know is if you went and found the hidden pool over at the Boardwalk?
Glad to hear your dad's ok but sorry about your Gram.
Ok, what room were you in? We were in 370 over the canal. And thanks for the DSA photo, isn't that the best little sanctuary on Disney property?

 

[smidgy]

Hi all,

I've picked up two Danielle Steele (the last two released in paperback since last year) as that is always good and mindless. Also love books by Michael Crichton, and series such as Harry Potter, Twilight, Narnia and even the Left Behind Series. So I'm pretty much all over the place.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

I have read some danielle steele, some Crichton, and ALL of the twilights, Narnias, harry potters and left behind series! geez, I keep finding things we have in common!

now back to work on the rest of your report!

 

[smidgy]

Right around the middle of July, two nice things happened.

The first was the biggest one - my newest niece was born…she and my sister were both great. I can’t wait to take her on her first trip!!

what a darling little girl!
And a week or so later, DFIL pulls me aside and says he thinks he’s going to go to Disney with us. He wasn’t positive, but said it sounded like fun. Here's my DFIL -

If you’ve read my other TR’s you know he and my DMIL used to go to Disney a few times a year even if it was just for a day or two. They had also been on every trip with us, and took me on my first two trips. Then in 2009, we lost DMIL to a very rare heart cancer…from her initial diagnosis to her passing was only about two months. Stunned everyone. So if DFIL does go, it will be a very big step for him.
so sorry about your MIL. so sad. but how great that she got to enjoy many trips!!

I also want to say it was around this time that the Eat to the Beat concerts was announced…and YES - one of my favorite bands will be there when we are. Night Ranger will be there for three nights…I have to be able to see them one of the times. I was/am a huge 80’s “hair metal” fan. This was me in 1989 – I’m in the middle.

Yes - that was a whole lotta Aqua Net!
that 's a heck of a lot of "80's" hair!!!!
!

you know we really loved!!! BCV!!!!

your picture from yachtman's steakhouse.. is that the Porterhouse? I might want to get it, but Nebo says, "it's so big!!" I figure, so what?

 

[smidgy]

your life before the trip sounded like a rollercaoseter! happy about your dad being ok and your good results on the mole. so sorry agbout gram. grandmas are special!

 

[Flossbolna]

That's a very cute picture of the two of you in front of the BC entrance! I somehow never was interested in the BC, but since I might be a DVC owner soon, I got much more interested in it! Still, I think the decore is not so much my taste, so I am really looking forward to your next update to see your room pictures. At least I expect some to come up soon!

Sorry for the car trouble, that would have annoyed me as well if they had downgraded my car class.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I loved all your Flat pictures on Facebook, I'm curious to see how she gained the Flat Arg name.

What a pain with the car rental! That would have made me mad as well - they should have notified you there was no Full-Size when you reserved the rental. I hope you fight it and get some sort of discount or deal out of it!

on the room being ready! That is always some good pixie dust!

 

[If U Had Wings]

So glad to hear that your flight wasn't too bad and that you made it to BC okay. I think my favorite part of the BC was the smell when you walked it. So beachy and lovely!

 

[TyRy]

Tracy, Tracy, Tracy, what we won't do to avoid driving through Atlanta, even get on the aluminum cylinder of death!
I want to know how you like BCV but I think I know. What I really want to know is if you went and found the hidden pool over at the Boardwalk?
Glad to hear your dad's ok but sorry about your Gram.
Ok, what room were you in? We were in 370 over the canal. And thanks for the DSA photo, isn't that the best little sanctuary on Disney property?

We talked about going to find the hidden pool, but never did. Oh, well, gives us something new for next time! I could not belive how nice the DSA area was.

I have read some danielle steele, some Crichton, and ALL of the twilights, Narnias, harry potters and left behind series! geez, I keep finding things we have in common!

now back to work on the rest of your report!

I think we are somehow related, yet we just haven't figured out how yet.

you know we really loved!!! BCV!!!!

your picture from yachtman's steakhouse.. is that the Porterhouse? I might want to get it, but Nebo says, "it's so big!!" I figure, so what?

It was the Porterhouse...I know I'm late with this, but I hope you get it on your next trip.

your life before the trip sounded like a rollercaoseter! happy about your dad being ok and your good results on the mole. so sorry agbout gram. grandmas are special!

Thanks Diane - she lived a full and good life, but will be missed. She was the quintessential Southern lady.

That's a very cute picture of the two of you in front of the BC entrance! I somehow never was interested in the BC, but since I might be a DVC owner soon, I got much more interested in it! Still, I think the decore is not so much my taste, so I am really looking forward to your next update to see your room pictures. At least I expect some to come up soon!

They will be up in just a couple of minutes. I LOVED the outside of the BC, but at least the villa rooms were just kind of eh...pretty standard.

Sorry for the car trouble, that would have annoyed me as well if they had downgraded my car class.

Me too - I won't make the mistake again of using an upgrade coupon at MCO.

I loved all your Flat pictures on Facebook, I'm curious to see how she gained the Flat Arg name.

What a pain with the car rental! That would have made me mad as well - they should have notified you there was no Full-Size when you reserved the rental. I hope you fight it and get some sort of discount or deal out of it!

on the room being ready! That is always some good pixie dust!

Glad you enjoyed Flat Arg - she was fun to have along. And I'm still arguing with National.

So glad to hear that your flight wasn't too bad and that you made it to BC okay. I think my favorite part of the BC was the smell when you walked it. So beachy and lovely!

Complete emtional exhaustion must work for me...although I think I'd rather be scared when flying! I completely forgot people mentioned the smell and I don't think I ever noticed it. Now I must go back!

You'll all also be happy to know I've written more of the TR, so I'll be able to get posts up more often now. And then I have to catch up on all of yours and the rest of the Dis.

 

[TyRy]

So off we go to find our room. And we had to keep stopping for pictures!

I LOVE the wood doors…they were more medieval to me than beach cluby, but loved them anyway.

After a quick bed bug check, I ran out to the balcony. This was our view…looking down and to the sides below:

And what do my eyes see – why it’s Spaceship Earth saying WELCOME!

And this is how our room looked. I must say I’m glad I looked online first, as they have not been updated (or do not match) what the actual BC hotel rooms look like.

From the balcony…

Room from the entrance –

The little alcove when you walk in…more than enough space for a stroller or scooter.

Vanity

Kitchenette

Entertainment Center – and I’d like you all to pay particular attention to this piece of furniture…it will come into play later.

Sitting area

Arg trying to stand on top of the ball.

Continued in next post....

 

[TyRy]

Now it was time to explore and find something to eat. But exploring took over.

The BCV pool – never did get to spend any time here.

And we wandered towards the BC – I had no idea they were separated until we went and found our room.

I had seen online that Garden Grove at the Swolphin had French Onion Soup, so since it was getting late and I was starving and getting crabby, we headed over there.

Perhaps while I was online, I should have checked out the hours as well. We arrived about 2:15 and they closed for lunch at 2! Great – now what?! After debating a bit, it was decided to head back and go to Epcot. We looked for a launch, but since we just missed one, we walked back to the Int’l Gateway. We had to get our AP’s and TiW card, and didn’t really see any lines as we were walking up.

Looked empty right? Well it was if you already had your pass, but where we had to exchange them, people were having all kinds of problems. Not the CM’s, but people in line. We were only about two people back and waited 30+ minutes. Yes, by now I was really crabby and hungry.

After exchanging our tickets and buying a F&W card for $40, we finally made it in, and the F&W greeted us.

Somehow we bypassed the first few countries and ended up in Germany, where DH got his first beer of the trip.

Very close by was Korea and short ribs. I have a friend who makes these and they are out of this world. Just what I needed!

Well – I wasn’t thrilled. I did not like the sauce they added to the rib. The part without the sauce was FANTASTIC, but DH ate more of it than I did. We needed to move on as I was still hungry. We did stop in Italy as well and I had the pasta dish, but was so hungry, DH did not get a picture of it. Continued in next post....

 

[TyRy]

DH was happy with the beer signs

Arg really liked the banners throughout the fest.

Then we decided to head back to France – Arg liked it.

And so did I. The BEST drink I’ve ever had was found here.

DH had to get one as well.

Somehow it almost made my hunger go away.

It also doubled as a lip gloss

I did actually get some food in France as well, the short ribs and potatoes – another WOW!

OH - and that $40 Epcot F&W card...it had already run out by the time we made it to France. DH had noshed on a couple things and with my Korea and Italy stops..it was gone. Could not believe it went that fast.

Since we’d all had a couple of drinks -

we decided to head back to BCV and just relax a bit. Dinner that night was at Cape May, which should be interesting since I am not a seafood person.

 

[Flossbolna]

I guess we must have similar tastes in room decor!! Which isn't surprising since we both love AKL. I wonder wether they might update the BCV rooms at some point in the near future. BWV just got a refurbishment and I think the rooms there were very much improved in the colour scheme. I just don't get it how Disney used to mix colours and patterns... The hallways on the other hand look lovely. Thanks for all the resort pictures!

Getting through 40 $ worth of food and drink that quickly is scary! I am seriously considering wether getting the deluxe dining plan for part of my trip next year might be a good option to use the snack credits at F&W...

 

[A.Mickey]

I am here! I didn't realize you were there the same time as us! I wish I would have tried more things at F&W. Glad to see you are safe on the ground in Orlando!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I was getting nervous there for a while with you hungry and crabby and you kept hitting roadblocks--but the smile with the slushie drink relieved me! You were in your happy place and finally fed!

The Beach Club rooms look a bit meh to me...I don't mind the colors, but that sitting area looks horribly dated...those chairs are odd. Did it look like that in person, or did it flow better? I wasn't a fan of the BWV pictures online of the Studio, but when we got there I really liked it, it was MUCH better in person and I'm hoping the same for the BCV! Or that they will be refurbed soon.