Bcv 6/5-6/9

[MikeSquared]

This is our first trip home, and it's been wonderful so far. We're here through Monday. The cast members have been great, and we had forgotten how lovely the accommodations are. We're in a 1-bedroom villa, and I'm really glad that we added on for the extra space. We're using all of it, and it really makes this feel like home. (I'm just trying to figure out how I can live here for a month or two each year). The room is a hike from the elevator, but we really don't mind that. It's on the fourth floor (Room 473) with two separate balconies, and we have a view of Spaceship Earth with what I think is the Land (I need to get a map) in the forground. To the left, we can see the monorail as it heads off to the Magic Kingdom. To the right, we can see what I think is Canada and the tower of another country. We haven't seen any ants, and the villa is clean. After we arrived Thursday night, we had a wonderful dinner at the Yachtsman Steakhouse (Oscar is an excellent server, and really enhanced the experience). The food is just awesome. Twenty minutes before Illuminations, we went to Epcot to exchange our annual pass renewal vouchers for the real thing and were able to walk into the park and get a prime viewing spot on the bridge going to France. We were standing right above the boats, and it was the best view we've ever had of the show. And yes, there were some tears shed. Yesterday, we did the Backstage Magic tour, and we were both just overwhelmed by all of what we saw. James, our guide, really knows Walt Disney World and his encyclopedic knowledge really was a bonus. Last night, we did the E-ride night at Magic Kingdom. Despite the rain (after all, this is Florida), we had a great time. Waits were minimal or nonexistent and we even got to ride Peter Pan just before Magic Kingdom closed for regular hours. We'll post more later, and do a full trip report when we get back.

 

[Terry S]

Thanks for the report! Sounds like you having a great time. If you end up staying in one night, you should have a decent view of Illuminations from your balcony. I agree with you about the bridge going from UK to France, that is one of our favorite spots to view illuminations. I am actually planning a private function (Mom and Step Dads 25th Anniversary) on that little island that goes off that bridge, the view there should be really good too! Have fun on the rest of your trip.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Glad you are having a good visit; thanks for the report!

 

[MikeSquared]

Terry,

You were right. We stayed in last night and had a great view of the Illuminations fireworks. Once the lights trimming the buildings around World Showcase came on, I was amazed at how much we could see. We could even hear the soundtrack.

It's still been great. We spent most of Saturday in the Magic Kingdom, where the crowds were heavy but not unbearable. Rain threatened to cancel the Share a Dream Come True parade, but it held off, and the show went on. We got rained on walking through Epcot yesterday, a real heavy deluge. But we made the most of it and splashed in puddles, and we were wearing Mickey rain ponchos.

We noticed coming through the emporium that there was DVC merchandise for sale, including polo shorts with the logo, hats, coffee mugs, shot glasses and the like. We stocked up. Coming through the lobby at BCV, we stopped to talk with Bradley at the DVC kiosk about how well the theming is done. It really is fantastic.

We also had Pal Mickey along for the day. What a chatterbox! And he tells such bad jokes. Anyway, he's a lot of fun.

DVC has really changed how we approach our vacations here. We always do an elaborate notebook, with daily schedules and the like, and we've really tossed much of it out the window because there's no rush to get everything done in one trip. It feels much more like a vacation. We leave tomorrow, but we can't wait to come back.