Bitter-mostly-sweet trip *Balloon Ride and AK parade post 36*

[jekjones1558]

DH and I arrived at BWV on Oct. 4. It is our first trip since our Westie died. For the past few years DH and I have only traveled together on rare occasions when my BFF moved into our home to take care of our Duffy, who had multiple health issues. So now DH and I are together and not worrying about our dog but we still miss him terribly.
Now for the sweet: Weather is perfect and predicted to remain so for all 8 days of our trip. Yesterday we took it easy, walked around World Showcase to check out F&W. I think we will go earlier in the day because some of the lines at the kiosks are pretty long as the evening progresses. We are going to take it easy today have late lunch/early supper at House of Blues and see Cirque at 6:00.

I am not a good trip reporter but here are a couple of F&W photos:
Belgian waffle:

Scallop with vegetables:

Krispy treat with chocolate and caramel from new Germany Werther's store:

The end of the day from our balcony:

My morning coffee view:

 

[RobDoc]

Thanks, Jean!

Have a wonderful stay!

 

[PKWallaby]

Thanks for the great shots...hope your trip stays sweet (and thanks for giving me something to look for to feed my "sweet" addiction, the rice crispy bar looks wonderful)

Enjoy your view!

 

[Friendofpluto]

Have a wonderful trip. Sorry about your loss.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You are missing some FANTATIC weather here right now. If I would have had your trip dates, I would have had to cancel, because there is NO WAY I would miss the Twins and Yankees playoff games this week! In fact, I cancelled a Philadelphia dog show trip just to stay home and go to the playoffs! GO TWINS!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Oh, and sorry to hear your little Duffy passed away. I remember last year when he wasn't doing well and I had offered to take him here. :hug

 

[jekjones1558]

You are missing some FANTATIC weather here right now. If I would have had your trip dates, I would have had to cancel, because there is NO WAY I would miss the Twins and Yankees playoff games this week! In fact, I cancelled a Philadelphia dog show trip just to stay home and go to the playoffs! GO TWINS!

I did see the great forecast at home. Enjoy. We brought our Twins shirts so we can cheer from here. Have fun at the games, Diane!

 

[deide71]

I did see the great forecast at home. Enjoy. We brought our Twins shirts so we can cheer from here. Have fun at the games, Diane!

Sorry to hijack the thread but I couldn't resist:

Go TWINS!!!!!



We must defeat the evil empire

 

[dianeschlicht]

Those food pics look fantastic, Jean! That is the one thing I miss when we don't go during F&W!

As for the Twins....I'll be thinking of you as we sit at the game and cheer on our guys. I hope you will be cheering them on in spirit too from there! Hey, if it ends up being Twins and Rays in the ALCS, we are thinking of making the trip down to Tampa for that too!

 

[dgaston]

It was just about a year ago when we had to put down our beloved golden retriever, Leia. I know we still miss her, and due to our current living arrangements must discover a small breed we will love. My thoughts are with you Jean.

Now please Twins fans, send lots of good energy to defeat the evil empire Yankees, as the Sox just didn't have it this year. My son's friend was wearing a tshirt last night that said "Yankees still suck." Hope that's not board inappropriate.

 

[jekjones1558]

Perhaps these have been posted and I missed them:
1) Yes, the new Cirque juggler act is fantastic but there are lots of other changes, too. There is a new jump rope act at the beginning and there are some changes to the little Chinese girls performance AND to the red curtain part AND lots of changes to the tumbling finale. There is currently a $50/ticket deal for DVC, AP holders and for anyone who joins the free Cirque online club. I saw the show Dec. 2009 but I am so happy we went tonight. La Nouba is better than ever!
2) Part of the BWV valet parking has been turned over to self parking. The portion that remains valet still did not look at all full. When I tried to park in the HA parking that is on the left as you face the lobby, it was full. I used to have to make a U-turn and go elsewhere but now there is a place to turn left at the end of the HA parking and there is a lot of self parking. Maybe others have posted this, but I was pleasantly surprised!

Also should add that our early supper at House of Blues was delicious. We haven't eaten there in a long time. Happy hour domestic beer bottles are only $2 and house wine is $3. Half price appetizers! And you can even get a Restaurant.com gift certificate for a couple of bucks. What a bargain!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I left on the day you arrived, and we had perfect weather too! There were some love bugs around, but it wasn't terrible.

The lines at the kiosks were very very long over the weekend. I wish we had more "weekday time" during this festival, but that will have to happen after we retire.

I love the pictures. Have a great time. We certainly did, and I came back feeling better than I have in a long time.

Bobbi

 

[jekjones1558]

I left on the day you arrived, and we had perfect weather too! There were some love bugs around, but it wasn't terrible.

The lines at the kiosks were very very long over the weekend. I wish we had more "weekday time" during this festival, but that will have to happen after we retire.

I love the pictures. Have a great time. We certainly did, and I came back feeling better than I have in a long time.

Bobbi

I am so happy that WDW sunshine helped you to feel better, Bobbi! And we decided to take your advice and go to MNSSHP for the first time on Thursday. Bob even has some solar Halloween lights decorating the basket on his scooter, so he will feel like a real part of the action!

 

[Tinker74]

Sounds like a great time!...LOVE your view!!..Are you in a studio?..Is it a low floor?....Looks like the perfect spot...doesnt look like its too far down the hallway..I can't wait to stay at BWV next July.

 

[jekjones1558]

Sounds like a great time!...LOVE your view!!..Are you in a studio?..Is it a low floor?....Looks like the perfect spot...doesnt look like its too far down the hallway..I can't wait to stay at BWV next July.

We are in the same room we have every time because there is only 1 room that is a HA BW view 1 bedroom. It is on 2nd floor close to the elevator, so not quite as good a view as the rooms farther down the hallways and on the upper floors, but we are not complaining! And we always get our favorite mousekeeper, Nazareen, when we are in this room.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks for the update review on CDS! We haven't been to that for a couple of years, so maybe I need to think about reserving that for our December trip.

 

[Ms. WDW]

First off I'm sorry about your precious Westie. We have a 15 year old Pug who thankfully has no real health problems aside from arthritis, but she can't be left alone or travel. She's lost her sight and hearing as well!! When DH and I travel either DS will keep an eye on her or my MIL. MIL absolutely adores this dog and actually looks forward to our going away!

I Love your pictures! I'll be heading down on Sunday and I'm just dying with anticipation!

Well I hope you enjoy the rest of you trip and that glorious weather. I hope it hangs around for next week also!

Oh...and I won't mention "what team I like in the playoffs".

 

[AnnaS]

Thanks for posting Jean and sharing your wonderful pictures. I am sorry to hear about Duffy.

Enjoy the rest of your trip. Can't wait for ours. First time F & W. Not sure if I have seen it posted anywhere. What time does the F&W start? Early morning, late morning?

 

[Ms. WDW]

Thanks for posting Jean and sharing your wonderful pictures. I am sorry to hear about Duffy.

Enjoy the rest of your trip. Can't wait for ours. First time F & W. Not sure if I have seen it posted anywhere. What time does the F&W start? Early morning, late morning?

I believe the food booths are open when WS opens. Let's see if someone has the actual info.

 

[jekjones1558]

Thanks for posting Jean and sharing your wonderful pictures. I am sorry to hear about Duffy.

Enjoy the rest of your trip. Can't wait for ours. First time F & W. Not sure if I have seen it posted anywhere. What time does the F&W start? Early morning, late morning?

The Festival Welcome Center opens at 9:00 but we were told that the kiosks start serving when World Showcase opens at 11:00. We have not tried it that early, however. Early is definitely less crowded than later.