We went April 26-May 4 and split our stay 3 nights VWL and 6 at our home BWV. This was our first stay at VWL and we really loved it. We were in a 1 BR on the third floor, right over the entrance from the main lodge, room 3524. It was ready when we arrived about 2:00. It's the first room when you get off the elevators, very convenient, and no noise from them whatsoever. It was so spotless that I made a point of calling housekeeping to ask who the CM was, Juana R. Brenda the supervisor called back later to ask if everything was okay and then even stopped in the next day. I know housekeeping has sometimes been slipping, but our room was sparkling clean, immaculate even
.
We had the Deluxe DDP for these three days and since we stretch it into four Signature dinners, we paid for a quick lunch at Roaring Fork. What a great counter service place! We ate there three times and it was excellent every time. Later we had dinner at Artist Point and I did see someone get a walk-up ressie for twenty minutes later. Salmon was great but we didn't care for the sides, service was good, then we headed over to MK on the boat to take advantage of the EMH. Arrived there at 8:30, found a seat at Sleepy Hollow and watched Spectro, then moved over by Crystal Palace to wait for 10 p.m. Wishes. They were still calling names at 9:50 for dinner at CP. Wow, that's late with little ones. After Wishes we did rides. I told DH I wanted to ride Peter Pan four times after midnight when the crowds left, but it was never a walk-on. At 1:10 there was still a twenty minute wait, so we only made it on three times before I was totally pooped out. Caught the bus back to the hotel at 2.
Slept in till 8 and just hung out in the resort for awhile. Had an early lunch at RF then headed over by boat to MK again around noon. Did all the things we usually skip like the RR, Tiki Birds, etc. It was not very crowded, but it was very hot. Cut the day short and went back to lounge by the pool. As I said, Brenda stopped in to see how everything was and to say thanks for calling. I asked about the AC being so warm. She said you have to put it at 70-72 to feel cool. At home, 76 is usually quite brisk, whatever. Later we took the boat to MK, then hopped on the boat to GF for our dinner at Narcoossee's for our 5:35 ressie. At about 6 the power went out and they were not seating any new arrivals and were actually turning the people away. Ours was the last dinner out and it was excellent. About this time the servers and Victoria, the manager, went around to the other tables and were offering to try and get them ressies at the Wave or Artist Point. Is it just me, or is the Wave in no way comparable to Narcoossee's? Anyhow I didn't hear them offering anyone a free drink or anything, which I would have thought appropriate in this situation. Most people decided to wait it out and the power did come back on about 6:30. Our server said the power went out last week or so also. That's not good.
Slept in once again, which we never do, and had breakfast at RF. Great again. Due to the proximity, we just had to head back to MK one last time. Finished up everything we missed, show at the Castle, Parade, mini parade "Celebrate It," etc. The ice cream parlour was empty during the parade. The CM said if you can miss 30 seconds of the parade, that is the time to go. It was mobbed on our way out. Later we went to dinner at the California Grill. It was a wonderful experience. We haven't been there since we took the kids about 15 years ago and had a less than stellar evening. We'll definitely be back. We went out on the observation deck about 30 minutes before Wishes and it was freezing! Decided to skip it and walked on over to MK instead. How great will it be to stay at BLT and be able to walk to and fro MK! I can't wait!
Last day here. We had 8:30 ressies at WCC. It was pretty empty, but good food and service. We took our time getting ready to check out, because we really hated to leave VWL. I dropped off a $5 tip for Juana R. at the front desk since she wasn't going to be working that day and told the CM the story and she said, "Juana R., you had the best housekeeper." Anyway, we really enjoyed our stay here and wouldn't hesitate to return. In fact, I think I may try to get 3 nights here again for Feb 2010 when that seven month window opens up in July. It really stood out among our DVC trips. Just outstanding!
.
We had the Deluxe DDP for these three days and since we stretch it into four Signature dinners, we paid for a quick lunch at Roaring Fork. What a great counter service place! We ate there three times and it was excellent every time. Later we had dinner at Artist Point and I did see someone get a walk-up ressie for twenty minutes later. Salmon was great but we didn't care for the sides, service was good, then we headed over to MK on the boat to take advantage of the EMH. Arrived there at 8:30, found a seat at Sleepy Hollow and watched Spectro, then moved over by Crystal Palace to wait for 10 p.m. Wishes. They were still calling names at 9:50 for dinner at CP. Wow, that's late with little ones. After Wishes we did rides. I told DH I wanted to ride Peter Pan four times after midnight when the crowds left, but it was never a walk-on. At 1:10 there was still a twenty minute wait, so we only made it on three times before I was totally pooped out. Caught the bus back to the hotel at 2.
Slept in till 8 and just hung out in the resort for awhile. Had an early lunch at RF then headed over by boat to MK again around noon. Did all the things we usually skip like the RR, Tiki Birds, etc. It was not very crowded, but it was very hot. Cut the day short and went back to lounge by the pool. As I said, Brenda stopped in to see how everything was and to say thanks for calling. I asked about the AC being so warm. She said you have to put it at 70-72 to feel cool. At home, 76 is usually quite brisk, whatever. Later we took the boat to MK, then hopped on the boat to GF for our dinner at Narcoossee's for our 5:35 ressie. At about 6 the power went out and they were not seating any new arrivals and were actually turning the people away. Ours was the last dinner out and it was excellent. About this time the servers and Victoria, the manager, went around to the other tables and were offering to try and get them ressies at the Wave or Artist Point. Is it just me, or is the Wave in no way comparable to Narcoossee's? Anyhow I didn't hear them offering anyone a free drink or anything, which I would have thought appropriate in this situation. Most people decided to wait it out and the power did come back on about 6:30. Our server said the power went out last week or so also. That's not good.
Slept in once again, which we never do, and had breakfast at RF. Great again. Due to the proximity, we just had to head back to MK one last time. Finished up everything we missed, show at the Castle, Parade, mini parade "Celebrate It," etc. The ice cream parlour was empty during the parade. The CM said if you can miss 30 seconds of the parade, that is the time to go. It was mobbed on our way out. Later we went to dinner at the California Grill. It was a wonderful experience. We haven't been there since we took the kids about 15 years ago and had a less than stellar evening. We'll definitely be back. We went out on the observation deck about 30 minutes before Wishes and it was freezing! Decided to skip it and walked on over to MK instead. How great will it be to stay at BLT and be able to walk to and fro MK! I can't wait!
Last day here. We had 8:30 ressies at WCC. It was pretty empty, but good food and service. We took our time getting ready to check out, because we really hated to leave VWL. I dropped off a $5 tip for Juana R. at the front desk since she wasn't going to be working that day and told the CM the story and she said, "Juana R., you had the best housekeeper." Anyway, we really enjoyed our stay here and wouldn't hesitate to return. In fact, I think I may try to get 3 nights here again for Feb 2010 when that seven month window opens up in July. It really stood out among our DVC trips. Just outstanding!
.
