Sitting on the auto train after checking out of our Grand vacation this morning. Sad to leave, but we couldn't have had a better stay if we tried! We were in Boca Chica, TPV.
At the conclusion of my stay I found the same atmosphere as I did at the start - it was the same old place. Disclaimer: we adore this place, and we're total addicts. We stayed at BLT in October and disliked it very much, so coming back to the GF was like coming home. Even with the construction it would have been hard for us not to have a 'better' stay than we did during our last trip!
A few observations about:
Gasperilla's
-Finally - a new ice cream machine! No more struggles! Ha.
-The smoothie machine had a 'service after 30 days' message flashing, and then said it had been like 193 days since service. Oops
-The expanded drink area was very nice. If you're a tea drinker though like me and get a refillable mug try to go with someone else who has a cup, and have them wait till you get your tea so you can use it too - the hot water spigot is too short for the refillable mugs!
-Maybe it was that some rooms are (rumored to be) taken out of inventory because of the construction, or the time of year but the resort was pleasantly uncrowded, and so was GG. In the past we've had to wait/search/hope for a table, even during the slow times. But with the increased seating we never had an issue. And oooh la la is it beautiful in there!
-The menu has changed, and to us not for the better. While it was still above average when compared to other CS/Resort options and everything we got was good, some of the new items just didn't compare to the old. We miss the lobster mac and cheese especially.
Resort
-We were there 9D/8N and only one day were we like "whoa that was loud". We saw measurable progress on the DVC (pre-fab room shells being loaded/some already in place, most of roof is on and wood starting to line the outside of the building) and saw/heard people working on the pool most days. We even spent a half day at the pool in a Cabana and didn't find ourselves bothered one bit.
-That being said, the blue walls are unavoidable. By the pool, the water feature, walking to every building. Meh.
-The movies at night still go on, and they were as fun as ever. If a little cold until a CM gives you a blanket. The recreational staff there is really top notch.
-Speaking of the staff - again, maybe it was colored by our experiences at BLT, but it was so nice to be around a smiling, genuine (seeming at least) staff that was pleasant and welcoming.
I saw a bounceback offer in the room but I don't recall what it was. We're at the end of our annual passes, so we won't be back for a while. Sad. I'm so, so glad we decided to stay here instead of trying something new. Because while that might have been just as awesome, it wouldn't have felt like home!
Here's the pictures I took of the resort - I meant to take more, but I got distracted by my vacation, ha!
Untitled by
carinkal, on Flickr
Untitled by
carinkal, on Flickr
Untitled by
carinkal, on Flickr
Untitled by
carinkal, on Flickr