A whirlwind visit to BWV, VB and BLT with photos

[DisneyJen]

Thanks for all the great photos!

You're welcome ... I apologize for the fuzzy Wishes shot.

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.

It was a great trip ... just what DH and I needed

I still am shaking my head over the sink/kitchenette configuration.

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

Thanks!

We loved Vero ... as a matter of fact I may have worn DH down to add a small contract at Vero.

I loved the location of BLT but it reminded me of an apartment complex in a metropolitan city. I think that DH and I are not in the target demographic for BLT as we are closer to 50 than 40 and our DD is 17. We also spent the majority of our lives living outside of Philadelphia so we really don't want that big city feel right now.

Thank goodness DVC offers so many choices There is something for everyone

 

[DisneyJen]

We didn't set an alarm as the two items for the day were visiting EPCOT and catching our 3:30 p.m. flight home.

We ordered breakfast from room service. This is something we NEVER do while at WDW but this was a trip of firsts for these WDW/DVC veterans

DH had the pastries and I had a bagel with cream cheese and lox. It was delivered promptly and was just enough fuel for us to get us to lunch.

All packed up we called Bell Service to pick up our OL. He looked confused when we just had him take the purple locker.

We loaded up the Mustang one more time and headed over to the BW where we planned on having lunch at ESPN before heading to the airport. We were directed to a lot right near the guard shack which was pretty empty.

We strolled through the BW lobby and onto to the Boardwalk. We decided to hit EPCOT first and then have a later lunch at ESPN since we knew that we wouldn't be home until after 8 p.m.

We made our way through the International Gateway and were drawn immediately to France ... where the slushie machine was working Nothing like a Grand Marnier slushie at noon

We then continued our loop through the countries with a stop at MouseGears.

Here are some photos of the Flower and Garden Festival:

We headed out of the park and to ESPN for what is traditionally our first meal when arriving at WDW ... Hot wings for DH and the chicken sandwich for me

Before we knew it we were leaving WDW and heading out 417 one more time to the airport. It was an uneventful ride, with the top down

Our flight was delayed out of MCO so we literally ran through CLT airport to make our connection. Those three miles a day on the treadmill really paid off

We arrived home safe and sound ... without adding on any DVC points

Who knows, my birthday is coming up

Thanks for tagging along on our quick escape to our laughing and happy place!

 

[speakupjc]

Love your photos. It is the next best thing to being on vacation myself. Thanks for sharing. Happy early birthday. May your dreams come true.

 

[js]

Great pictures! Thank you.
Can I please ask you what view you had at BWV.
I have a two bedroom Boardwalk View for August pre cruise and hope I would be directly facing the Boardwalk. Was your view a Boardwalk View or something different.
Thanks.

 

[LSchrow]

great pix and TR!
i think i would be almost in tears if there weren't slushies available, at any time (i grey goose slushies). you exhibited amazing self control just finding an acceptable alternate, and going back later

we can understand where your dh is coming from about the BWVs - although we own at 3 resorts (BWV, BCV, SSR), we found our hearts ached everytime we stayed anywhere other than the BWVs ("just visiting" the BW while saying elsewhere just made it worse). love the pix of VB also; we've never been, but those pix really show such beauty and serenity i would love to visit there.

wdw really outdid them selves with the f&gf this year - the colors are stunning! can't wait to see them in, ohhhhh, just 38 days

excllent report

 

[Thumper4me]

Thanks for the trip report and the great pictures!!

We also own at BWV and love it there. I took my DH on the tour at BLT. We were seriously wanting to add on 100 points. One look at the studio at BLT and DH said not a chance. With only 100 points, a studio would be about all we could get and he wasn't staying in "that studio".

We compromised and ended up adding on 100 more points at the BWV.
Good luck with your birthday!

Kelly

 

[DisneyJen]

Love your photos. It is the next best thing to being on vacation myself. Thanks for sharing. Happy early birthday. May your dreams come true.

Glad to share. I know I always enjoying seeing photos of our happy place! Thanks for the birthday wishes

Great pictures! Thank you.
Can I please ask you what view you had at BWV.
I have a two bedroom Boardwalk View for August pre cruise and hope I would be directly facing the Boardwalk. Was your view a Boardwalk View or something different.
Thanks.

If you have a BW view on your ressie then you should have a direct BW view.

We had a preferred garden/pool view which is the same point wise as the BW view.

great pix and TR!
i think i would be almost in tears if there weren't slushies available, at any time (i grey goose slushies). you exhibited amazing self control just finding an acceptable alternate, and going back later

we can understand where your dh is coming from about the BWVs - although we own at 3 resorts (BWV, BCV, SSR), we found our hearts ached everytime we stayed anywhere other than the BWVs ("just visiting" the BW while saying elsewhere just made it worse). love the pix of VB also; we've never been, but those pix really show such beauty and serenity i would love to visit there.

wdw really outdid them selves with the f&gf this year - the colors are stunning! can't wait to see them in, ohhhhh, just 38 days

excllent report

I think DH thought I might cry when there were no slushie. I just remembered he did buy me a glass of champagne then to ease the pain

BWV is home, no question. I think DH was using reserve psychology on me this trip.

Enjoy F&GF! The photos don't do the colors justice! Have a great time ... and a slushie for me

Thanks for the trip report and the great pictures!!

We also own at BWV and love it there. I took my DH on the tour at BLT. We were seriously wanting to add on 100 points. One look at the studio at BLT and DH said not a chance. With only 100 points, a studio would be about all we could get and he wasn't staying in "that studio".

We compromised and ended up adding on 100 more points at the BWV.
Good luck with your birthday!

Kelly

I keep leaving clues around the house in hopes that he will add on to BWV or maybe even VB.

One night in the studio was fine but I can't imagine spending a week in close quarters like the BLT studio. I really missed being able to walk to EPCOT and DHS.

 

[marynvince]

perfect pics too.

 

[DisneyJen]

perfect pics too.

Glad you enjoyed!

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

Thanks for the great pics and TR! A busy, but fun trip!!!

One quick Question... do you happen to have any pictures of the room at VB? We are heading there for the 1st time this summer (combined with shuttle launch) and I hear they have done a soft referb.

Thanks!

 

[Checkers]

Loved your TR! We are BWV owners as well and just love it. Glad you had such great weather and the pictures were just fantastic. Thanks for sharing and my mouth is watering for a grey goose slushy!

 

[DizGirl20]

Thanks for the great report - very easy to read and nice pictures.

I guess I have been living under a rock... I did not know the bathroom sink and the kitchenette were in the same space... is that correct?!?! Is that only for the studio configuration?

 

[JaxDisneyFans]

Great TR - thanks so much for sharing. Beautiful pics!!

 

[DisneyJen]

Thanks for the great pics and TR! A busy, but fun trip!!!

One quick Question... do you happen to have any pictures of the room at VB? We are heading there for the 1st time this summer (combined with shuttle launch) and I hear they have done a soft referb.

Thanks!

It was a quick but fun trip! So much easier to do since it was just DH and me

I didn't take any photos of the room at VB but I can tell you that the rooms at the Inn were definitely refurbed. LG flat screen TVs and incredible bedding

Loved your TR! We are BWV owners as well and just love it. Glad you had such great weather and the pictures were just fantastic. Thanks for sharing and my mouth is watering for a grey goose slushy!

I hear you on the mouth watering Glad you enjoyed the report!

Thanks for the great report - very easy to read and nice pictures.

I guess I have been living under a rock... I did not know the bathroom sink and the kitchenette were in the same space... is that correct?!?! Is that only for the studio configuration?

Glad you have left the rock

The BLT studio is laid out so that the bathroom sink and the kitchenette share the same space. It is for the studio only but it you do a non-dedicated two bedroom you will face the same situation (one bedroom plus a studio). It is the strangest lay out I have EVER seen in all the hotels we have stayed around the world!!

Great TR - thanks so much for sharing. Beautiful pics!!

Glad you enjoyed! I just love a TR with photos.

 

[freya]

After reading your TR I think we made the right choice between BLT and BWV! I can't wait to stay at BWV, it will be our first time. I was really have a hard time deciding, thinking that for nostalgic reasons I wanted to stay at the Contemporary property. it would appear the BW area is a lot more fun! I too will also be making a stp in france for those awesome slushies!

Did you have a room at bwv that has been refurbished yet?

 

[DisneyJen]

After reading your TR I think we made the right choice between BLT and BWV! I can't wait to stay at BWV, it will be our first time. I was really have a hard time deciding, thinking that for nostalgic reasons I wanted to stay at the Contemporary property. it would appear the BW area is a lot more fun! I too will also be making a stp in france for those awesome slushies!

Did you have a room at bwv that has been refurbished yet?

All of the rooms at BWV have been refurbished

Have a wonderful trip

 

[corpcomp]

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.

Yes we got the same Garden view room last year as you did. Amazing what a garden view includes!!!!

JellyRolls + St Paddy's Day + beer = packed.

 

[DisneyJen]

Yes we got the same Garden view room last year as you did. Amazing what a garden view includes!!!!

JellyRolls + St Paddy's Day + beer = packed.

It sure beat a view of the scary Clown pool

Your equation sure does add up in terms of Jelly Rolls. I don't know what the deal was in terms of the sound system as the voices were so garbled. Guess they had to turn up the volume because of the crowd.

 

[avamadison]

Great pics! This made me so very excited for our trip. 16 more days until we leave for BWV and VB.

I love the pics with the trucks and sand. Wow! That was needed!

 

[DisneyJen]

Great pics! This made me so very excited for our trip. 16 more days until we leave for BWV and VB.

I love the pics with the trucks and sand. Wow! That was needed!

I know you will have a wonderful visit to BWV and VB ... we sure did

The beach will be open so you won't have the truck show that we had during our visit

Glad you enjoyed the photos! If you get a chance to eat at Sonya's try the crab and shrimp dip