rocketriter
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2003
- Messages
- 2,316
Spent 7 nights in a 2-bedroom at BCV over the 4th with DW, DS 13 and DD 10. Our rooms were in excellent shape. Even the dining table wasn't dinged up except for the fake antiquing. We did see the dingy spots in the hallway rugs that others have complained about. I don't think they have anything to do with people putting garbage in the halls (which, by the way, we never saw) or naughty renters, since they looked exactly the same in front of doors to the ice machines and to CM-only areas. The rugs are simply wearing down and need to be replaced, which is expensive because of their custom design.
One highlight of the trip was the Living Seas adventure I took with DD. I thought it would involve a nice educational movie followed by a bit of snorkeling over a shallow reef. Instead our excellent CM began with a lecture on how to use scuba breathing equipment, which opened my eyes nice and wide.
Then we were led to locker rooms where each person got a stall, a tiny private shower and a correctly-sized wet-suit. The group leader said, "For the next hour, you're cast members, so smile!" After we squished ourselves into our wet suits, he led us out through the crowded public areas -- lots of tourists taking flash photos! -- and up to a staff entrance to the main tank. Our equipment included floats so we could not dive (which requires scuba certification), but we could flipper around the entire main tank area, breathing through the oxygen apparatus and looking down at the fish and artificial reef. This was spectacular. We were swarmed by schools of fish, nestled by manta rays the way cats do, and I got shoved aside by a sea turtle that weighed more than I do. And yes, our tank had plenty of sharks in it. Yoicks! A small comfort: they were fed right before we went into the water and they stayed about 30 feet below us. The experience was a bit challenging for non-scuba folks but entirely do-able, and it was breathtakingly beautiful.
After we changed and showered, the CM led us outside to a side parking lot, pointed to the eastern sky, and within a few seconds we watched the space shuttle liftoff. From WDW we saw a rising contrail with a pinpoint of orange flame on the tip. DD was beside herself about ending her scuba journey with a real rocket launch.
The tour was a great experience that I heartily recommend, although I'm not sure even Disney can provide a rocket launch for everyone who signs up.
One highlight of the trip was the Living Seas adventure I took with DD. I thought it would involve a nice educational movie followed by a bit of snorkeling over a shallow reef. Instead our excellent CM began with a lecture on how to use scuba breathing equipment, which opened my eyes nice and wide.
Then we were led to locker rooms where each person got a stall, a tiny private shower and a correctly-sized wet-suit. The group leader said, "For the next hour, you're cast members, so smile!" After we squished ourselves into our wet suits, he led us out through the crowded public areas -- lots of tourists taking flash photos! -- and up to a staff entrance to the main tank. Our equipment included floats so we could not dive (which requires scuba certification), but we could flipper around the entire main tank area, breathing through the oxygen apparatus and looking down at the fish and artificial reef. This was spectacular. We were swarmed by schools of fish, nestled by manta rays the way cats do, and I got shoved aside by a sea turtle that weighed more than I do. And yes, our tank had plenty of sharks in it. Yoicks! A small comfort: they were fed right before we went into the water and they stayed about 30 feet below us. The experience was a bit challenging for non-scuba folks but entirely do-able, and it was breathtakingly beautiful.
After we changed and showered, the CM led us outside to a side parking lot, pointed to the eastern sky, and within a few seconds we watched the space shuttle liftoff. From WDW we saw a rising contrail with a pinpoint of orange flame on the tip. DD was beside herself about ending her scuba journey with a real rocket launch.
The tour was a great experience that I heartily recommend, although I'm not sure even Disney can provide a rocket launch for everyone who signs up.
