Bay Lake Tower Trip Report 8/4-8/5/09

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Your pictures are awesome and I love the t-shirts! I'm even more excited now to be staying there in a few months.

 

[monkeyknuckler]

Amazing to be the first to check in. I had no idea that anyone would have gone so early. 12:01 am for Kidani? Isn't that a little much? Am I the only one who thinks this is going overboard?

 

[5forDiz]

How special bringing grandmother Glad you had the honor of being very first BLT guests to check-in

 

[Miketara98]

All this time I have been meaning to put a thread up to ask WHO had reservations for the opening day! So happy to know it was you and you looked like you enjoyed the experience!

Thanks for sharing!!!!

 

[puntagordabob]

the View: Nah, I didnt get upset about it....its kind of funny actually! My Grandma actually enjoyed sitting out on the patio and watching everyone walking around the courtyard and we could hear the resort music very well... Hopefully we will get a very very high up room for our Nov 22 MK view BLT room...we have a Grand Gathering of 28 or so people...they are all staying at OKW, but for that one evening's fireworks we are going to "cram" them into our room...of course WE (those assigned to our room) will be on the observation deck if all goes as plan because I would feel very "closed in" with 28 or so people trying to watch from a studio..(kinda like a VW BUG: How many people CAN you squeeze into a BLT Studio! lol

BLT studio size: Nah, wasnt a problem... and lets be honest normally (not a grand opening event like this which is the exception I suppose when you do stay in a lot more) how much time do we all spend in our rooms?!?!?!

the Mystery gift: Have not taken a picture of it yet... it is a glossy wooden box (maybe walnut?) that has the Contemporary Resort on the top (very nicely done!)... you can open it with a push button that unlocks it and inside it has a photo of Mickey mouse etc on the inside of the cover. Disney placed 6 Disney Pins on a sheet (the sheet was wrapped with wrapping paper, however the pins were not) on the bottom. I guess they didnt want to leave it completely empty. VERY NICE...and since I love the CR to begin with it is something I will cherish. On a side note, I have NEVER seen this for sale anywhere....do not recall seeing it in any of the CR gift shops.... has anyone seen anything similar to what I am describing?

 

[cpdwiz]

the View: Nah, I didnt get upset about it....its kind of funny actually! My Grandma actually enjoyed sitting out on the patio and watching everyone walking around the courtyard and we could hear the resort music very well... Hopefully we will get a very very high up room for our Nov 22 MK view BLT room...we have a Grand Gathering of 28 or so people...they are all staying at OKW, but for that one evening's fireworks we are going to "cram" them into our room...of course WE (those assigned to our room) will be on the observation deck if all goes as plan because I would feel very "closed in" with 28 or so people trying to watch from a studio..(kinda like a VW BUG: How many people CAN you squeeze into a BLT Studio! lol

BLT studio size: Nah, wasnt a problem... and lets be honest normally (not a grand opening event like this which is the exception I suppose when you do stay in a lot more) how much time do we all spend in our rooms?!?!?!

the Mystery gift: Have not taken a picture of it yet... it is a glossy wooden box (maybe walnut?) that has the Contemporary Resort on the top (very nicely done!)... you can open it with a push button that unlocks it and inside it has a photo of Mickey mouse etc on the inside of the cover. Disney placed 6 Disney Pins on a sheet (the sheet was wrapped with wrapping paper, however the pins were not) on the bottom. I guess they didnt want to leave it completely empty. VERY NICE...and since I love the CR to begin with it is something I will cherish. On a side note, I have NEVER seen this for sale anywhere....do not recall seeing it in any of the CR gift shops.... has anyone seen anything similar to what I am describing?

Can you take pics and post it here?

 

[itsreally4mommy]

How special/amazing that you have 28 people in you family that not only get along, but you can also get to cooperate enough for a grand gathering! You are truly blessed!

 

[~Mufasa~]

Probably a really dumb question here, but what is DVC? My wife says it's something to do with Disney Vera Cruz, but she might be pulling my leg. I've never heard of anything "Disney" in Vera Cruz.

I've seen that listed several times, but don't really understand what it is.

Is it a timeshare program where you get a certain week every year?

Also, is it very expensive?

Sounds pretty cool that you were the first person to check into the hotel.

 

[flip.daddy]

Thanks Punta!!

I wish we had been the first folks to check in. We started to go over at midnight, but chose sleep instead

Maybe next time?

 

[jblrn2b]

I loved the pictures with your Grandmother - thanks for the trip report.

 

[Disney Princess]

Thanks for sharing about the gift. Sounds beautiful!

 

[TLPL]

the Mystery gift: Have not taken a picture of it yet... it is a glossy wooden box (maybe walnut?) that has the Contemporary Resort on the top (very nicely done!)... you can open it with a push button that unlocks it and inside it has a photo of Mickey mouse etc on the inside of the cover. Disney placed 6 Disney Pins on a sheet (the sheet was wrapped with wrapping paper, however the pins were not) on the bottom. I guess they didnt want to leave it completely empty. VERY NICE...and since I love the CR to begin with it is something I will cherish. On a side note, I have NEVER seen this for sale anywhere....do not recall seeing it in any of the CR gift shops.... has anyone seen anything similar to what I am describing?

Wow more pins?? are they the BLT opening pins?? Man I would love to get one of them. They are all sold out at the resort, and only place you can get it now is... yeap you got it... ebay. Would you like to trade pin with me?

 

[DVCGeek]

Probably a really dumb question here, but what is DVC?

DVC = Disney Vacation Club. It basically is a timeshare. BLT (Bay lake Tower) is one of the properties in the program. The "Club" is point based, not week based. You may want to check out their official website:

http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/index

And there are LOTS of forums here on the DIS and other places on the internet about it. For costs, you might want to check out here:

http://dvcnews.com/content/view/227/173/

Hope that helps!!!

 

[puntagordabob]

Ill try to get some pics taken soon

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Hi, Congrats on being first! What an incredible memory! Thank you for posting all the pics and for the trip report.

I have to ask... were you on a ground floor without a balcony? I was really hoping that all their rooms had balconies. Could have sworn I read that somewhere.

Thanks a bunch! tink

 

[puntagordabob]

Hi, Congrats on being first! What an incredible memory! Thank you for posting all the pics and for the trip report.

I have to ask... were you on a ground floor without a balcony? I was really hoping that all their rooms had balconies. Could have sworn I read that somewhere.

Thanks a bunch! tink

Yep..No balcony.... but they have landscaping seperating your patio from the common courtyard area.

 

[DoOverDreams]

Hey, we met you there last week. Congrats again! I loved hearing about the nice gifts you received being the first person checking in. Of course, I'm also jealous...

I will be looking for your picture in an upcoming DVC publication!

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Yep..No balcony.... but they have landscaping seperating your patio from the common courtyard area.

Thanks for the reply.

I know you are very happy about everything, but like the other poster, I can't help but feel disappointed in Disney on this one. Come on, Disney, Bay Lake Tower's very FIRST customer checks into your brand spankin' new resort and for this special family, the best they can give you is a ground floor view of shuffleboard? I know you were a real trooper about it all and you said it didn't bother you a bit, and I don't want to rain on your parade, but I still can't help but feel Disney was really extremely chintzy about this.

I'm glad your nice little family had an awesome time. Your photos were wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

 

[puntagordabob]

Hey, we met you there last week. Congrats again! I loved hearing about the nice gifts you received being the first person checking in. Of course, I'm also jealous...

I will be looking for your picture in an upcoming DVC publication!

Do you think they will really do that with our picture? That would be pretty neat.

We met so many nice people staying at the resort...and that makes it special too... any hints as to "when" your family and our family met to joggle my old memory here?

 

[DoOverDreams]

Do you think they will really do that with our picture? That would be pretty neat.

We met so many nice people staying at the resort...and that makes it special too... any hints as to "when" your family and our family met to joggle my old memory here?

I think they should have your picture there! Of course, as slow as DVC/Disney are in they way they do things, it might not be till the Summer issue next year....lol

We ran into you a few times, and I have to say what a pleasure it was to meet you. I'm sorry we didn't meet your GM and DW too. And I am still so envious of that tshirt. You're cousin Tom is one talented guy.

Here's DH and myself from last week.

Once again, congratulations!