First the good news:
DH, DD, and I arrived at BCV about 5 p.m. on 7/27 and got studio #231 with a woods/partial Illuminations view. Funny thing is on our first BCV trip we got #131, then #331 & #327 in June and now #231. Makes you wonder if they keep track of what rooms you are assigned and if you don't complain keep giving them to you. The first time I requested pool view but since then I haven't made any requests other than non-smoking and lower floor. We thought the studio smelled a little musty or something when we first came in but we opened up the balcony doors for a little bit and it was fine. We went to Ship Shape Health Club to work out as we were tired of sitting all day in the car and plane and then went to eat at ESPN club and to get groceries at the Winn-Dixie near the crossroads.
Monday we got up early and used our coupon for Pal Mickey. Maybe because we don't have little kids but we thought he was more of a nuisance to carry around than anything. We used a bottle strap holder and that worked well. Only waited a couple of minutes for a bus to MK and got there by 8:30 a.m. We were the first family on BTMRR and got to sit in the back and a Magical moments certificate and then CM Darryl walked us over to Splash were we got right on it. We asked Darryl for his name as he didn't have his name badge on so we could put it down on the DVC member challenge. Later we saw him when getting fastpasses for BTMRR and again as we were getting back on the ride. Each time waving and saying "Hi Darryl!" After we got back from our second ride on BTMRR, Darryl motioned for us to come over to him and said since we like the back of the coaster so much, he was going to let us ride again. It was really a magical beginning!!!! Thanks, Darryl! After finishing up at MK, we rode the monorail to Epcot and my DD and I got to ride Mission Space twice! It was fantastic! My stomach kind of dropped on lift off and a couple of other times during the ride but only for a second or two. Besides that's the thrill of it. It was definitely a super ride. We also got to ride Test Track as it had broken down and we stumbled onto it about 20 minutes before it reopened. We went back to MK to watch the fireworks and parade after the rain shower. Monday morning at the MK was much less crowded than the Thursday we went in June during EMH.
Tuesday started out as another super day! We spent the entire day at SAB and hated to go in to get ready for the BCV member's day activities. I'm glad we did though as it was fun meeting rbuzzoto, dvcreg, and anne marie and their families. Even got a call that we had been upgraded to a Cat. 6 verandah room on our cruise later in the week. Hooray!
Now the sad news:
After the member day's activities, and before leaving to go to Boma's we called home and found out my Dad had been taken to the hospital with pneumonia and congestive heart failure. He was 84 and had been confined to a wheelchair since his stroke 6 years ago. Even though he required 24 hour care, we were able to keep him in his own home with the help of some wonderful caregivers. Anyway, after talking to his doctor, we knew we had to go home and started making the arrangements to do so. The front desk staff at BCV was wonderful, they even notified Member Services so the 14 points for our one remaining night were credited back to our (holding) account before I even had a chance to call this week. SWA were also great. They only charged us $9.50 per person to change our flight home. And I can't say enough good things about DCL and Donna at DU. DCL are allowing us to reschedule our cruise anytime before the end of 2004 for only an $85 per person processing fee and Donna helped tremendously in getting things squared away. The only company that wasn't very helpful was National Car Rental. I had an intermediate car rented for the week for $137 including tax and they charged me $129 for 3 days.
Thankfully, we made it home in time and I was able to be with my dad before he passed away on Saturday, August 2. Although I wanted to share my sorrow with my dis friends, I just couldn't bring myself to check out the dis until today. It was really hard to lose my dad (my mom died 5 years ago) and on top of everything else, to have to cut short our Disney vacation. Don't misunderstand, we're glad we came home to be with my Dad. We can always go back to WDW or take a cruise, but this was the last time we will have with Dad in this lifetime.
Anyway, I think I'm soon going to be ready to start planning our next DVC trip and the first step is getting back to reading the dis! So Here I am! If anyone has any questions about BCV, MK, Mission Space or SAB, ask away!
Donna
DH, DD, and I arrived at BCV about 5 p.m. on 7/27 and got studio #231 with a woods/partial Illuminations view. Funny thing is on our first BCV trip we got #131, then #331 & #327 in June and now #231. Makes you wonder if they keep track of what rooms you are assigned and if you don't complain keep giving them to you. The first time I requested pool view but since then I haven't made any requests other than non-smoking and lower floor. We thought the studio smelled a little musty or something when we first came in but we opened up the balcony doors for a little bit and it was fine. We went to Ship Shape Health Club to work out as we were tired of sitting all day in the car and plane and then went to eat at ESPN club and to get groceries at the Winn-Dixie near the crossroads.
Monday we got up early and used our coupon for Pal Mickey. Maybe because we don't have little kids but we thought he was more of a nuisance to carry around than anything. We used a bottle strap holder and that worked well. Only waited a couple of minutes for a bus to MK and got there by 8:30 a.m. We were the first family on BTMRR and got to sit in the back and a Magical moments certificate and then CM Darryl walked us over to Splash were we got right on it. We asked Darryl for his name as he didn't have his name badge on so we could put it down on the DVC member challenge. Later we saw him when getting fastpasses for BTMRR and again as we were getting back on the ride. Each time waving and saying "Hi Darryl!" After we got back from our second ride on BTMRR, Darryl motioned for us to come over to him and said since we like the back of the coaster so much, he was going to let us ride again. It was really a magical beginning!!!! Thanks, Darryl! After finishing up at MK, we rode the monorail to Epcot and my DD and I got to ride Mission Space twice! It was fantastic! My stomach kind of dropped on lift off and a couple of other times during the ride but only for a second or two. Besides that's the thrill of it. It was definitely a super ride. We also got to ride Test Track as it had broken down and we stumbled onto it about 20 minutes before it reopened. We went back to MK to watch the fireworks and parade after the rain shower. Monday morning at the MK was much less crowded than the Thursday we went in June during EMH.
Tuesday started out as another super day! We spent the entire day at SAB and hated to go in to get ready for the BCV member's day activities. I'm glad we did though as it was fun meeting rbuzzoto, dvcreg, and anne marie and their families. Even got a call that we had been upgraded to a Cat. 6 verandah room on our cruise later in the week. Hooray!
Now the sad news:
After the member day's activities, and before leaving to go to Boma's we called home and found out my Dad had been taken to the hospital with pneumonia and congestive heart failure. He was 84 and had been confined to a wheelchair since his stroke 6 years ago. Even though he required 24 hour care, we were able to keep him in his own home with the help of some wonderful caregivers. Anyway, after talking to his doctor, we knew we had to go home and started making the arrangements to do so. The front desk staff at BCV was wonderful, they even notified Member Services so the 14 points for our one remaining night were credited back to our (holding) account before I even had a chance to call this week. SWA were also great. They only charged us $9.50 per person to change our flight home. And I can't say enough good things about DCL and Donna at DU. DCL are allowing us to reschedule our cruise anytime before the end of 2004 for only an $85 per person processing fee and Donna helped tremendously in getting things squared away. The only company that wasn't very helpful was National Car Rental. I had an intermediate car rented for the week for $137 including tax and they charged me $129 for 3 days.
Thankfully, we made it home in time and I was able to be with my dad before he passed away on Saturday, August 2. Although I wanted to share my sorrow with my dis friends, I just couldn't bring myself to check out the dis until today. It was really hard to lose my dad (my mom died 5 years ago) and on top of everything else, to have to cut short our Disney vacation. Don't misunderstand, we're glad we came home to be with my Dad. We can always go back to WDW or take a cruise, but this was the last time we will have with Dad in this lifetime.
Anyway, I think I'm soon going to be ready to start planning our next DVC trip and the first step is getting back to reading the dis! So Here I am! If anyone has any questions about BCV, MK, Mission Space or SAB, ask away!
Donna
