To continue with my report....Day 1 and a little about our trip down to WDW from NJ!!
We were thrilled to finally make it to WDW. If anyone else travel down I95 South on Saturday 4/16, did you also encounter the horrific traffic due to first volume and weather and then the tornadoes in NC!! We lost almost 4 hours with traffic, really bad. At the the sign for 31 miles to South of the Border we came to a complete stop, 2 hours later we came upon the sign that said 26 miles to South of the Border. Yes, that is correct 2 hours to go 5 miles and that was after stop and go traffic all day. We finally came upon the problem, debris all over the road and trees down eveywhere in Lumberton, NC. You could tell they had crews there cutting down the fallen trees and clearing I 95. After that they traffic cleared and smooth sailing from there. But instead of arriving at our hotel in Brunswick GA about 7:30pm we got there at 11:35pm. The next morning I was talking to a family who encounter the tornado activity driving through hail and having trees falling down around them as they drove down I 95 South through the Rocky Mount, NC area.
So, on Sunday 4/17 we headed out of Brunswick GA and it was smooth sailing to WDW. We arrived just about 12 noon. We stop at the security gate at CR and the guard ask for our name and gave us a parking pass with my name on it for the car. We pulled up to the front of the CR, we were so excited. My boys and me went in to check, while DH stayed with the car. We got our KTWC and then proceed to the Conceirge Desk to added on our park tickets. The CM told us the room was not ready and was not guaranteed till 4pm.
We were hoping it would be ready sooner then 4pm. So, what to do next, we figured we better have lunch. DH parked the car and I checked out the WAVE menu. It looked quiet and after DH also check the menu, we decided to give it a try. We really like the food, server Jorge was so cordial. My sons had Vanilla Gelato Sundae for dessert and loved them. The food was very good. We got 10% off the bill with
DVC. My DH liked that he was immediately getting perks.
We then went up stair to the CR 5th floor to check out the stores. We saw the bridge to BLT and decided to go over. The doors open automatically during the day, so anyone could go over into the building from the bridge. We check out the lobby, pool area (very crowded) and the Communtiy Hall. We could not wait to get our room
We decided that the DH and sons would rent the mouse boats, while I waited by the CR pool. They rented to boats for 45 minutes. While they were doing the paperwork, I noticed I had a text from the Garden Grocer that my grocery had been delivered and were with the bell hop service.
I found myself a spot by the pool, it was about 3pm and there were still plenty of empty chairs by the CR pool. About 15 minutes later I got a text that our room was ready, #7902. I was so excited. I had no idea where the room was, but could not wait to see it. The boys had just gone out on the lake, so I decided to go check out the room first. I first went to the bell service and inquired about the grocery. They ask if I had my room yet and when would I like them delivered. I told them I was going right up and they said my grocery would be there in 10 minutes. I stop by the front desk to ask where the room was and when they told me 9th floor, I was happy with that. The CM showed me the room location and I noted that it was far away from the bridge.
I took the bridge across and took the elevator right there up to the 9th floor and began my walk to the other side of building. Our room was the last one on the left. We had only a window across the hall from our door which had a beautiful view of the pool and lake. I took out my key and open the door to my new home! I had looked at so many videos and photos of the rooms, so I kind of new what to expect. It was fantastic. The view of the lake from the door was stunning. From the 9th floor you see nothing but water. I could not wait for my famiy to see our villa. I immediateley took photos. I have never posted photos, so I will try to learn how and share them with everyone soon. From my master bedroom the view was of course the lake and to my suprise Space Mountain. If I went all the way to rail turned left there was Cinderella's Castle. I was thrilled!!! As promise, 10 minutes later my grocery were delivered. I put everything away and checked the time, the boys would be back in 15 minutes. I had back to the marina with the good news that we had our villa. As I was crossing the bridge, they were just coming into dock.
From the bridge you have a great view of the lake. It is also the perfect spot if you are not on the back of the building to see the Electrical Water Parade.
Everyone was thrilled with our accomodations. My DH was very impressed. He was the one that sought out DVC on our cruise last summer. We joined and he had not looked at another thing regarding DVC till we got to BLT. I am the one on these boards 10 times a day. He was very happy with the privacy of the location. He also like the fact that we did not have to pay $10 a day for wifi, that it was free for DVC. Again, another DVC perk!!
While we were getting ourselves ready my two younger sons (11 and 13) headed out to check out the pool. They decided to go over to CR pool, since BLT pool was still very crowded. The BLT pool area is very nice. The morning and evening not a soul, but from about 2p-5p very crowded, with a lot of towels holding chairs it seemed. My sons loved CR pool. They really like that they had 2 pool areas to go to.
We had 6:15pm ADR at Ohana's, my DH favorite restaurant at WDW. We had last been there in 2003 and 2006. My sons barely remember it. We had a great dinner, food very good. I actually like the appetizers the most. We had decided to go over to the MK for the evening. The park was open till 3A, unbelievable. My oldest son best friend was vacationing with his family the same week. They had decided to meet up at MK at about 10pm. My youngest son unforuntately ate to much at Ohana and was not feeling well, so I went back to the villas with him and DH took the other two sons to MK.
I felt bad for my son, he really was under the weather. Once, back in the room we realized he need some Pepto, so off to the store at CR I went while he rested in my bed. The walk is long but when you get to the elevator bank closet to our room, the view of MK is so beautiful. I was feeling a little down, all my planning and here I sat in my room with a sick son, while the rest of my family was at the park. But then, I steped out on my balcony and saw the view and realize I was going to be able to watch Wishes form my own balcony. My son was fast a sleep by 9pm, so I open the sofa bed for him and put him to bed. My older sons were sharing the 2nd bedroom, so all of them had the own big beds. After watching Wishes, I could see the barges for EWP were moving into postion. I realized I could not see it from our balconies, so I decided to walk over to the bridge. It was just starting when I got there. It was very breezy from the bridge, but what a view of the parade. When I got back to the room my DH and middle son were back. Older son had meet up with his best friend. My older son stayed at the park till about 2am with his friend. One stop on the monorail back, very easy and safe late at night. He said the park was still crowded when they left. Well, that was our first day!!!......I could not wait till Monday morning and my chance to go to MK.
My sister and brother-in-law were across the hall in #7709 and I really preferred our view to theirs.
