Back to Where It Began - 10th Anniversary Trip Report-Dec 2007 - Pics Added 4/7

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Hi there! I followed you over from Buzz's TR. I love the whole lego thing, very unique and makes reading this TR extra fun.

 

[ncsjodi]

Hi there! I followed you over from Buzz's TR. I love the whole lego thing, very unique and makes reading this TR extra fun.

Thanks for reading! We're trying to make it fun! I believe I'll have the next update ready tomorrow.

 

[camelotcats]

Thanks for reading! We're trying to make it fun! I believe I'll have the next update ready tomorrow.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

Mmmm... Chinese fud is gud.

 

[ncsjodi]

Mmmm... Chinese fud is gud.

Huh??? Whatchoo talking about Hollis?

We just had orange chicken for dinner, but how could you have known that?

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

Huh??? Whatchoo talking about Hollis?

We just had orange chicken for dinner, but how could you have known that?

Buzz knows all.

 

[Sooze]

OH my gosh.. the LEGOs are AWESOME! SO glad you finally started... hooray!!

We had to wait forever for our luggage, too... wish I could understand why it takes so darned long!

 

[ncsjodi]

OH my gosh.. the LEGOs are AWESOME! SO glad you finally started... hooray!!

We had to wait forever for our luggage, too... wish I could understand why it takes so darned long!

I think it takes so long because of ME. They have to separate all the ME luggage out before they put it on the carousel. That and the sheer distance between the gates and the main terminal where the baggage claim is probably contributes to the time. I mean, if people have to ride what my DH terms the "non-o-rail" to a separate building to pick up luggage, the luggage itself has to travel as well.

 

[beckanoah]

 

[blue_river]

What a neat TR idea - the whole Lego thing!!!

I'm really enjoying it, a nice change of pace

You guys are a hoot

 

[ncsjodi]

Check-in at the Beach Club Villas was very easy and quick, once I found it. I assumed (wrongly) that check-in for the villas would be in the main lobby since that’s how it was for the Villas at Wilderness Lodge last year. But, there was a sign stating that check-in for the DVC villas was in the lobby of the Villa building. After making a wrong turn, I finally realized that I actually had to go outside to get to that building.

Anyway, the CM at check-in was awesome. I don’t remember her name, but she was from the Philippines. After looking at our reservation, she immediately handed us our Happy Anniversary buttons and printed out our ADRs. Then she asked us where we wanted our room to be. We asked for an Epcot view, thinking we might be able to see Illuminations from the balcony. We ended up with Villa 331, a dedicated studio. Our Epcot view wasn’t to be though, since we weren’t high enough to see over the trees. We could barely make out the top of the American Adventure building. Oh well, it didn’t matter because I don’t think we were back early enough to see Illuminations anyway.


The room itself was very nice. Last year, with the kids, we stayed in a one bedroom unit at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge, so this was our first time staying in a studio. When we walked in the door, we were greeted with this:

Of course, Plankton had to claim the towel Mickey Head for himself!

The rest of the room was very nice as well. No noticeable stains or broken fixtures, so we were happy. We decided to unpack (as much as one can for a two-day stay) and make ourselves at home.

This is the point at which Plankton found our stash of snacks and made himself at home as well!

After changing into shorts (since it was in the low 80s), we went downstairs to buy our annual passes, since the plan was to head to MGM for the evening. Unfortunately, we couldn’t buy those at the concierge desk, only at the parks. So, we went to the dock to grab the first boat to MGM. (Yes, we know that it’s now Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but at this point in time, it was still MGM.)

Before heading out of the lobby, however, we were stricken by this awesome beauty!

It even had the ingredients listed on a plaque of gingerbread:

Wow! Way too many carbs for me!

We walked out the back door of the Beach Club main lobby and walked toward the boat dock. On our way, we took some beautiful pics of the hotel.

While waiting for the boat to MGM, we took a few pics of the sights across the lake:

Where I would have liked to be on Sunday night to watch the Colts game!

Somewhere we'll have to stay in the near future!


On the boat from BCV to MGM, we ran into one of ZZUB’s famous non-union ducks, hitching a ride on the boat. As slow as those boats go, you’d think the ducks could make better time by swimming! When I asked a driver later on about this phenomenon, he said that a few of the drivers feed the ducks, so they tend to catch a ride quite frequently, hoping for a snack.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

at the duck hitching a ride.

 

[Disneyolic]

Check-in at the Beach Club Villas was very easy and quick, once I found it. I assumed (wrongly) that check-in for the villas would be in the main lobby since that’s how it was for the Villas at Wilderness Lodge last year. But, there was a sign stating that check-in for the DVC villas was in the lobby of the Villa building. After making a wrong turn, I finally realized that I actually had to go outside to get to that building.

Even I, the nonDVC person, knew there was a separate checkin ...

The rest of the room was very nice as well. No noticeable stains or broken fixtures, so we were happy.

Were there unnoticeable ones?

Again, our family thanks you for your continued support in Pepsico stock.

I like the cookies and cream ones.

Before heading out of the lobby, however, we were stricken by this awesome beauty!

Stricken?

Where I would have liked to be on Sunday night to watch the Colts game!

Geaux Saints!

When I asked a driver later on about this phenomenon, he said that a few of the drivers feed the ducks, so they tend to catch a ride quite frequently, hoping for a snack.

 

[ncsjodi]

Even I, the nonDVC person, knew there was a separate checkin ...

As I said, the check-in at Wilderness Lodge was all together, so that's what I was basing my assumptions on. Give me a break!

Were there unnoticeable ones?

Not that we noticed!!

Again, our family thanks you for your continued support in Pepsico stock.

No problem, although we only drink diet Coke!

Geaux Saints!

Who? I thought you were a Giants fan!

 

[Disneyolic]

No problem, although we only drink diet Coke!

Shhh ... me too!

Who? I thought you were a Giants fan!

Nope. A Saints fan. For the Superbowl only I always pick a team. Of course I had to go with the Giants because I live in NY. But only for the SB.

 

[jcc0621]

BCV looks awesome......

The ducks hitching a ride cracked me up Better watch out though, Buzz may try to catch them and put themin the fry daddy

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

the resort is gorgeous.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

Beach Club Villas ROCK!

You guys are off carbs also?? Or was that just too many??


Mmmmm.... Corn chips n Salsa. It's been soo long...

LOL on the non-union duck reference.

From BC it's probably quicker to take the boat, but from BWV, it's definitely quicker to just walk to MGM.

 

[ncsjodi]

We passed some ducks taking a dip in the pool as well. I thought of Linnie and her fear of ducks!

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

We passed some ducks taking a dip in the pool as well. I thought of Linnie and her fear of ducks!

Actually, it's a fear of all birds. She thought ducks were cute until the Rabid Duck attacked her in the Vistana Pool last March.