Get comfy, this is gonna be a long trip report!
Our vacation started back on July 24 with a flight (SWA) down to Nashville and a drive over to Murfreesboro, TN. for a 4 day weekend visit for a Drum Corp show. We came home long enough to throw in loads of laundry and repack for 11 days in Florida.
We left for FL on July 31 on NWA out of DTW. It was a non-stop and uneventful. We arrived a National to pick up our car and it was a quick in and out. We got our car from the EI and we booked it over to WDW. In order to conserve points, we opted for 3 days at All Star Movies since it was just myself and the DH. We arrived at ASMo and check in took over 50 minutes. The line was huge and there were only 3 people working the check in desk and about 5 working Guest Services and check out. We saw that line when we came in and decided to eat first and check in afterwards. We are glad we at least ate first! Room was adequate for our short 3 day stay for just the 2 of us and we knew we were in for better rooms coming later in the week!
On Friday night a couple more members of our group arrived and they were staying at the Boardwalk Villas in a Studio room, preferred view. We visited the MK and EPCOT and did some shopping at DD. Crowds were managable and the rain came and went all weekend.
On Sunday, we checked out of ASMo and BWV and part of the group headed to the airport to pick up the last person of our party and headed over to Vero Beach. The drive took about 2 hours, but that included a lunch stop on the way. There was NO line at checkin when we arrived at about 2:00 p.m. but we were told the room was NOT going to be ready. The pool was closed due to storms in the area. We walked around the resort a bit and ended up watching Toy Story in the lobby until our room was ready a bit after 4:00 p.m. We had a dedicated 2 bedroom in building 12 (1223). It was almost the same set up as OKW. We headed to Sebastian to hit the grocery store and shop for "provisions" for the next couple of days. We made spaghetti the first night and chicken caesar salad the second night. We craved Subway sandwiches one afternoon and it was a LONG ride to grab one in town. I did like Vero, but I did find it a tad isolated. There were all adults in our group and decided that it was a nice place to visit, but we wouldn't want to own there. It's just not our style. We did enjoy the porch and thought that they could use a few more rocking chairs there! We only had one pouch of dishwashing detergent in the unit and thought that wasn't enough for 6 people for 3 days. (OKW gave us 2 small boxes of Cascade) So it was handwashing dishes for those on "cleanup" detail.
Since this was a chance for friends to "catch up" and visit, Vero provided a good opportunity to visit without distractions. Soon it was time to check out and head over to OKW for the rest of our trip.
We made the trip back in 90 minutes and check in at OKW was fast and easy. Since I treated our friends to Vero on MY points, our friend treated us to OKW on HIS points. The room (2 bedroom dedicated) was not ready until about 4:30. In the meantime we went out to eat at Crossroads, visited the outlets and did some more grocery shopping. We were in building 64 (room 6413) with a view of what I think was the 7th hole. It was a beautiful unit and well maintained. (Is this building one of the newer ones?). The quiet pool was closed the day we got there and we never checked to see if it reopened. We visited EPCOT and MGM.
On Wed. I went over to the BCVs to Checkin for a studio for my DSs and a friend of theirs. They were coming in for Drum Corp finals later that night. They had a studio (room 312) that overlooked the quiet pool. They loved the room and didn't complain about the a/c or bugs.
During the day on Wednesday, my girlfriend and I had reservations at The GF Spa for a "spa sampler" package. Our first choice was SSR, but since it closed, we decided to try the GF. We had facials, manicures and pedicures and found the staff "nice". I have been to a couple of spas in the past and I didn't really like the "open" chaging area that the GF had and they definately needed more space in the waiting area. All in all it was a nice experience but I am looking forward to the Spa at SSR to reopen.
Later on Wed., we were at EPCOT to watch the top Drum Corps march. What a great time that was! The park was PACKED!
Wed night had us back at MCO to pick up DSs and friends and take them to the BCVs. We walked them to their room after midnight and were shocked at the amount of trash and dirty linens that were left all over the halls in that resort! I know it was NOT housekeeping that left all that stuff there! Something needs to be done about that issue, either a note in the unit or something at checkin. After a stern warning to the DSs about taking the trash to the proper room, we said good night and headed back to OKW.
Thursday had us at MGM during the rain (it was a rainy week all around). We got soaked a couple of times but endured. Thankfully we had that clothes dryer at OKW that was kept busy! Thursday night was at EPCOT until it rained again and we decided to forego Illuminations.
Friday had us at the MK. We bought our E-ticket night tickets at OKW and enjoyed a long morning at OKW before heading to the MK. We met up with our DSs and friends (What did we do before Cell phones?) and closed the park at 1:00 a.m.
Saturday was the day we had been all waiting for and it RAINED all day. Saturday night was Drum Corp finals at the Citrus Bowl. We packed our ponchos and headed to DD and then to finals. As the first corp stepped off, the rain blessedly stopped and it was an incredible night. The moon even made an appearance through the clouds. We bought our tickets for next year's finals in Denver, Colorado that night, too! We ended the night (morning) at Denny's in the Crossroads area at about 2:30 a.m.
Sunday, Aug 10...the day we all had been dreading for almost 2 weeks....the end of DCI season and the end of an incredible summer vacation. I started my summer vacation (I am a teacher) back in June with a long weekend with the same group of friends at OKW and ended it the same way. DH went to pick up the boys at the BCVs and check out and fill up the car with gas. He brought them back to OKW for a few last group pictures. We said our goodbyes and headed back to MCO, turned in the car and grabbed a quick bite before flying home on NWA.
I was back in my classroom today, starting to get it set up for the first day of school and finding a very special spot for my new "Teacher Mickey" beanie baby. A dear friend bought me the new Disney Bear for my classroom, too!!!
Looking back, we are thrilled with our DVC purchase and are excited about our NEXT visit in December for another 4 day weekend at the BCVs and MVMCP with the same group of friends!
For those of you still reading this, I admire your patience.
Blessings!!!
pin
Our vacation started back on July 24 with a flight (SWA) down to Nashville and a drive over to Murfreesboro, TN. for a 4 day weekend visit for a Drum Corp show. We came home long enough to throw in loads of laundry and repack for 11 days in Florida.
We left for FL on July 31 on NWA out of DTW. It was a non-stop and uneventful. We arrived a National to pick up our car and it was a quick in and out. We got our car from the EI and we booked it over to WDW. In order to conserve points, we opted for 3 days at All Star Movies since it was just myself and the DH. We arrived at ASMo and check in took over 50 minutes. The line was huge and there were only 3 people working the check in desk and about 5 working Guest Services and check out. We saw that line when we came in and decided to eat first and check in afterwards. We are glad we at least ate first! Room was adequate for our short 3 day stay for just the 2 of us and we knew we were in for better rooms coming later in the week!
On Friday night a couple more members of our group arrived and they were staying at the Boardwalk Villas in a Studio room, preferred view. We visited the MK and EPCOT and did some shopping at DD. Crowds were managable and the rain came and went all weekend.
On Sunday, we checked out of ASMo and BWV and part of the group headed to the airport to pick up the last person of our party and headed over to Vero Beach. The drive took about 2 hours, but that included a lunch stop on the way. There was NO line at checkin when we arrived at about 2:00 p.m. but we were told the room was NOT going to be ready. The pool was closed due to storms in the area. We walked around the resort a bit and ended up watching Toy Story in the lobby until our room was ready a bit after 4:00 p.m. We had a dedicated 2 bedroom in building 12 (1223). It was almost the same set up as OKW. We headed to Sebastian to hit the grocery store and shop for "provisions" for the next couple of days. We made spaghetti the first night and chicken caesar salad the second night. We craved Subway sandwiches one afternoon and it was a LONG ride to grab one in town. I did like Vero, but I did find it a tad isolated. There were all adults in our group and decided that it was a nice place to visit, but we wouldn't want to own there. It's just not our style. We did enjoy the porch and thought that they could use a few more rocking chairs there! We only had one pouch of dishwashing detergent in the unit and thought that wasn't enough for 6 people for 3 days. (OKW gave us 2 small boxes of Cascade) So it was handwashing dishes for those on "cleanup" detail.
Since this was a chance for friends to "catch up" and visit, Vero provided a good opportunity to visit without distractions. Soon it was time to check out and head over to OKW for the rest of our trip.
We made the trip back in 90 minutes and check in at OKW was fast and easy. Since I treated our friends to Vero on MY points, our friend treated us to OKW on HIS points. The room (2 bedroom dedicated) was not ready until about 4:30. In the meantime we went out to eat at Crossroads, visited the outlets and did some more grocery shopping. We were in building 64 (room 6413) with a view of what I think was the 7th hole. It was a beautiful unit and well maintained. (Is this building one of the newer ones?). The quiet pool was closed the day we got there and we never checked to see if it reopened. We visited EPCOT and MGM.
On Wed. I went over to the BCVs to Checkin for a studio for my DSs and a friend of theirs. They were coming in for Drum Corp finals later that night. They had a studio (room 312) that overlooked the quiet pool. They loved the room and didn't complain about the a/c or bugs.
During the day on Wednesday, my girlfriend and I had reservations at The GF Spa for a "spa sampler" package. Our first choice was SSR, but since it closed, we decided to try the GF. We had facials, manicures and pedicures and found the staff "nice". I have been to a couple of spas in the past and I didn't really like the "open" chaging area that the GF had and they definately needed more space in the waiting area. All in all it was a nice experience but I am looking forward to the Spa at SSR to reopen.
Later on Wed., we were at EPCOT to watch the top Drum Corps march. What a great time that was! The park was PACKED!
Wed night had us back at MCO to pick up DSs and friends and take them to the BCVs. We walked them to their room after midnight and were shocked at the amount of trash and dirty linens that were left all over the halls in that resort! I know it was NOT housekeeping that left all that stuff there! Something needs to be done about that issue, either a note in the unit or something at checkin. After a stern warning to the DSs about taking the trash to the proper room, we said good night and headed back to OKW.
Thursday had us at MGM during the rain (it was a rainy week all around). We got soaked a couple of times but endured. Thankfully we had that clothes dryer at OKW that was kept busy! Thursday night was at EPCOT until it rained again and we decided to forego Illuminations.
Friday had us at the MK. We bought our E-ticket night tickets at OKW and enjoyed a long morning at OKW before heading to the MK. We met up with our DSs and friends (What did we do before Cell phones?) and closed the park at 1:00 a.m.
Saturday was the day we had been all waiting for and it RAINED all day. Saturday night was Drum Corp finals at the Citrus Bowl. We packed our ponchos and headed to DD and then to finals. As the first corp stepped off, the rain blessedly stopped and it was an incredible night. The moon even made an appearance through the clouds. We bought our tickets for next year's finals in Denver, Colorado that night, too! We ended the night (morning) at Denny's in the Crossroads area at about 2:30 a.m.
Sunday, Aug 10...the day we all had been dreading for almost 2 weeks....the end of DCI season and the end of an incredible summer vacation. I started my summer vacation (I am a teacher) back in June with a long weekend with the same group of friends at OKW and ended it the same way. DH went to pick up the boys at the BCVs and check out and fill up the car with gas. He brought them back to OKW for a few last group pictures. We said our goodbyes and headed back to MCO, turned in the car and grabbed a quick bite before flying home on NWA.
I was back in my classroom today, starting to get it set up for the first day of school and finding a very special spot for my new "Teacher Mickey" beanie baby. A dear friend bought me the new Disney Bear for my classroom, too!!!
Looking back, we are thrilled with our DVC purchase and are excited about our NEXT visit in December for another 4 day weekend at the BCVs and MVMCP with the same group of friends!
For those of you still reading this, I admire your patience.
Blessings!!!
pin
It's too bad that the 2nd br didn't have 2 queens, it'd be nice if they put them in the dedicateds. I assume it would have had a second sink instead of the kitchenette, though?
