A whirlwind visit to BWV, VB and BLT with photos

[DisneyJen]

First a little background ... We have owned DVC more than 10 years and haven't stayed anywhere but at our home resort, BWV which we

When we returned from our second annual Christmas stay at BWV I started to make some noise about using our $99 companion airline tickets before the March 30 deadline. Since we already had annual passes (part of our family Christmas present) and some points left over I suggested an adults only visit to WDW for a long weekend. DH agreed with the caveat that we had to stay at some new places. This from the man who insists that we stay at the BWV EVERY trip

March 17:

We had a 2:30 flight out of our hometown airport that took us to Charlotte (CLT) and then on to Orlando (MCO). Even though our flight out of CLT was a little delayed we still arrived on time a little after 6 p.m.

Since it was just the two of us and we have most of our liquids in our Owner's Locker we were able to make do with carry ons.

After deplaning we headed to National to pick up our rental car. Since DH travels a great deal for business we were able to get a sweet deal on a Mustang Convertible. So with the bags stored in the trunk and the top down we headed out 417 to WDW.

DH dropped me off to check in while he parked the car. There was no line for checking in since it was so late in the day. As the cast member was handing me the Keys to the Kingdom DH strolled in. He said parking wasn't too bad but he could see how it could become problematic.

When I had made our reservation there were no BW views available so I booked the garden/pool/preferred or whatever we are calling it this week view. Up the elevators we headed to our studio ... 5053.

And this is what we saw out our balcony ...

There is no place like home!

Zoomed in view:

After quickly freshening up, we walked over to the Yacht Club for our 8:30 p.m. dinner reservation at Yachtsman's Steakhouse. This is one of our favorite restaurants on property and is usually our last night's dinner. Our meal was wonderful as usual!

We strolled after dinner to Jelly Rolls which was packed ... something we had never seen before during our visit. I don't know if it was because it was St. Patrick's Day or because there is no real evening entertainment at DTD anymore. We listened to a set and then headed back to the room.

 

[DisneyJen]

The day dawned but we took our time packing up and getting ready for our ride to Vero Beach.

While I was showering DH headed to the Boardwalk Bakery and picked up a croissant for me and a egg cheese ham croissant for him.

DH retrieved the car while I waited for a bellman since we were taking our OL with us. The bellman and I arrived just as DH was pulling up to the covered parking area.

Since it was very windy and somewhat overcast we decided to keep the top up and headed to Vero with our OL strapped in the back seat

About two hours later we arrived in Vero. I hadn't been to Vero for at least eight years and DH had never been. So many changes!!

We checked in a little after 1:30 and our Ocean View Inn Room was ready.

We parked the car, loaded up the luggage cart and headed to 2415 ... one of two king bed rooms with a direct ocean view according to the cast member who checked us in.

Here is the view:

The only thing we did not like about this fourth floor room was that it was an enclosed balcony which meant we had to stand up to see the ocean.

Going to have to stop here since the dogs are barking which means ... DAD'S HOME Time for me to start dinner!

 

[DisneyJen]

After quickly storing our bags and OL, we headed back to the lobby to start a quick tour since DH had never been to VB.

Here are some more photos from our room:

I can't say enough about how wonderful the cast members were at VB. One woman, who turned out to be the manager for the restaurants, gave us a tour of Shutters and Sonya's as well as providing menus for all seatings.

Since we had a 7:20 p.m. reservation for Sonya's we decided on a late lunch at the Green Cabin. What a wonderful spot!!

We ordered a beer and the appetizer sampler to enjoy on the outside porch/deck.

DH at the Green Cabin:

Zoomed in view from the Green Cabin

More to come ...

 

[El&Asmom]

How fun. Thanks for the beautiful pictures. Dh and I had that view at BWV in a studio one year. I love that they consider those preferred views.
We'll be at BWV in 3.5 weeks with a BW view. Can't wait, and am looking forward to the rest of the TR.

 

[DisneyJen]

After making our reservations at Vero I learned that the beach reclamation project would be under way. DH is not a beach person ... which means he like looking at the ocean and the sand but he doesn't like sitting on the sand or swimming in the ocean

DH works for a major multinational company that manufactures, among other things, construction equipment. So when I suggested we cancel Vero because of the project his response way "No way! I want to see those puppies at work!"

So while I lounged by the pool, DH spent the afternoon watching "his" project I am only posting a few of the MANY photos he took ...

DH in our room taking stock at the end of the day.

 

[DisneyJen]

With the work day done we headed to Sonya's for a wonderful dinner! It really is a gem!

Since there isn't a whole written about Sonya's I will share our dining selections ...

We started with the Wood Oven Baked Shrimp and Crab Dip with House Baked Bagel Chips for $12. This appetizer was large enough for two and out of this world. I asked for the recipe and hope that the chef will email it to me!

DH had the Oak Grilled Char Crusted Rib Eye Steak with Herb Roasted Potatoes, Ragout of Forest Mushrooms, Cipollini Onions, Applewood Smoked Cacon and Sauce Bearnaise for $34. It was outstanding!!

I can't tolerate any meat that is smoked so I asked if the Oak Grilled Tenderloin Filet could be pan seared and then roasted. The reply was "But of course!" Accompanying my perfect filet was Truffle Infused Macaroni and Cheese, Red Wine Sauce and Petit Herb Salad for $36. I must say that the mac and cheese was better than what I have had at Jiko!

We passed on dessert, received our Tables in Wonderland and then headed for a stroll on the beach.

Upon returning to our room we decided to turn off the air conditioning/heater and sleep with the balcony door open so we could be lulled to sleep by the gentle roar of the ocean.

 

[lisaviolet]

And this is what we saw out our balcony ...

Lucky you DisneyJen.

Beautiful picture.

 

[DisneyJen]

Lucky you DisneyJen.

Beautiful picture.

Gotta love that dust

When the front desk cast member gave us our room number I didn't think about it ending in an odd number since I figured we would have the view of the driveway. As we walked down the hallway I could barely contain my excitement DH thought it was from the excitement of being alone with him

 

[RSHEALAND]

great pics

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Love the Vero pics!!!! We are planning on Thanksgiving there so I am digging any VB TR's right now. Gorgeous!! And thanks for the menu tips. Mmmmm!

 

[momoflizandains]

We're heading to Vero in early May. I am enjoying your comments on the resort as we have never been there.

 

[DisneyJen]

We set the alarm for 7:15 so we could watch the sunrise over the Atlantic from the the comfort of our room. Mother Nature did not disappoint!

We ordered room service for breakfast and enjoyed it and the view.

We both had the Three Egg Ham and Cheese Omelet (DH had American cheese and I had Provolone cheese) with home fried potatoes and toast (Whole Wheat for DH and Rye for me). The omelets were $12.49 and then tax as well as a service charge. DH signed the bill so I don't know what the total was in the end.

After a leisurely breakfast we decided to pack up and head out.

The security cast member saw us taking this above photo. He then insisted on taking the next one for us!

We really were impressed with the cast members at VB.

 

[DisneyJen]

great pics

Thank you!

Love the Vero pics!!!! We are planning on Thanksgiving there so I am digging any VB TR's right now. Gorgeous!! And thanks for the menu tips. Mmmmm!

You are welcome The food was very good at VB and we were able to use our TIW as well!

We're heading to Vero in early May. I am enjoying your comments on the resort as we have never been there.

It is a lovely resort. The beach will be done by then so you will get to enjoy it and the pool!

 

[DisneyJen]

It was a perfect day to cruise on back to WDW with the car top down.

We had a nice leisurely drive until we were on 417 and saw a pick up truck come to rest on its roof at the entrance ramp at Orange Blossom Trail We pulled over, called 911 and helped the man who was miraculously uninjured except for a few scrapes on his hand.

We were amazed at how quickly the sheriff, highway patrol and EMTs arrived on the scene. We were also amazed, not in a good way, how many people didn't stop to lend assistance

After talking to the police we were told we could leave ... and before we knew it this is what we saw...

We somehow missed the turn for Magic Kingdom resorts and ended up at AKL. A quick turn around and we were back on track.

We checked in at the security post and were directed to follow the blue line to the valet/check in area for the Contemporary.

A new cast member was earning her ears and I definitely felt like Sally from "When Harry Met Sally" with all my questions about the room's location Luckily the trainer was nearby and changed our room so we had an even numbered room

We asked for a Bellman as we did not want to have to lug our OL and all our other luggage. No problem ... luggage arrived in our room soon after we did.

We self parked the car in the BLT lot where there were a ton of spaces (unlike BWV).

Even our car had a nice view of MK.

We were both amazed at how big BLT felt when standing in the parking lot and looking up at it.

We used our Key to the Kingdom to open the lobby door to BLT.

This is the first thing we saw...

We found the elevator and headed to the seventh floor and to our room ... 7706.

I quickly darted to the balcony door to check out our view ...

If we looked to the right this is what we saw ...

And to the left ...

I did a little happy dance on the balcony. Then I heard the train whistle and did a big old happy dance!

 

[DisneyJen]

Here is a quick tour of the studio:

Part of my plan to stay at BLT included talking DH into adding a small contract to our two BWV contracts. I will tell you that the dreaded bathroom sink/kitchenette killed that idea.

How small the room was and felt also didn't help matters ... but it's all good!

 

[PapasDen]

Thanks for all the great photos!

 

[Crystal_27]

Sounds like such an amazing trip. I'm lovin' the beach pictures and those of BLT and I will say that your picture of the sink/kitchenette is something that the Mods should add as a sticky for those interested in BLT - - your picture is the best I've seen that demonstrates its bizarre configuration.

 

[jakenjess]

Great report! Your pictures of Vero are beautiful. I'd love to get back there sometime soon. Hope you enjoyed BLT. We sure did!

 

[DisneyJen]

Since I have been married to DH for 25 years I can read him like a book. It became apparent that this stay at BLT could possible be our only stay for quite some time. The man just his BWV.

So we decided to take a tour of the BLT facilities.

The grill area for BLTers.

Looking up from the pool area.

The view from the sky bridge between BLT and the Contemporary.

DH really hated the pool area at BLT since it was loud!! We spend most of our pool time at the quiet pool at BWV and this was a polar opposite. It is great for people who want to feel like they are on a cruise ship

Surprisingly we ended up at the monorail station. Now DH knew that the only action item on my agenda for this whirlwind visit was a Grand Marnier slushie from France.

So we hopped on the monorail to the TTC and switched to an EC monorail.

I kept checking the time as we had made plans to have drinks and dinner with friends at the GF that evening. Our window was small but we figured we could fit in this excursion

 

[DisneyJen]

Before we knew it we were making our way through the gates and into our favorite park.

We were on a mission ... not to Mars but to France ... so we strolled through Future World where I snapped a few photos.

We then picked up the pace and made our way through the crowds to the slushie stand in France, where the line was about 10 people deep. We finally got to the register to order our drinks and we were told that both slushies would not be available for 45 minutesWHAT!!! This was around 4 p.m. on a hot and sunny Friday afternoon

Defeated in our quest we headed to Norway for a beer.

We did make a stop in front of the American Adventure to take this photo of some of my favorite characters!

Our window to return to BLT was closing so we headed out of the park and to the monorail station. We zoomed back to TTC and then to BLT with time to spare.

We showered and changed and headed over to the GF to meet our friends for drinks at Mizner's and dinner at Citrico's.

After a wonderful meal we invited our friends, who live in Orlando, back to BLT to see our room and to see the fireworks from the TOWL.

Earlier in the day, when we had checked in, I asked about taking our friends with us to TOWL. We were told that we could not take guests but we could take those who were on our reservation. So we quickly added our two friends to our reservation, had room keys cut for them (with no charging privileges).

Keys to the Kingdom in hand we presented them to the security guard who pressed the magic buttons to whisk us to TOWL which had about 50 people in it

Wishes had just started so we quickly found a viewing location while DH went inside to order a nightcap for the four of us.

The piped in sound and view were great!

As a matter of fact I took just one photo ... not sure if it was the lighting or the champagne that made it so fuzzy

After Wishes we headed to our room to show our friends the studio and view. We then said our good byes and good nights!