Is it really a 'live' Trip Report if you're already home?
Thank you all for the tips and kind words. Tried the shower trick and it worked to a point. The 'needle' effect was considerable lessened, however, the nice hot shower became luke warm.
Mousekeeping actually came on Day 3 of our 4 night trip and replaced some towels, removed trash, and left some more coffee. That was nice and unexpected.
Day 3 was by far our most enjoyable. The weather was low 90's and humidity way down. We (actually DW demanded) decided to slow way down and after a very lazy start in the morning, we made our way to EPCOT (love that monorail). We stayed exclusively in FW and enjoyed many of the things in Innovations most people walk right by. Did the Land boat ride and Captain EO.
Oh how I miss the 80's. DW and I really enjoyed reliving our past experiences watching Captain EO. The show was a lot better than I ever remember. And of course we did Spaceship Earth on the way out. All attractions were walk-on or 5 min or less. The crowds were very low.
Met up with our daughter's HS friend intern CM at MK. Walked back to the CR and had a nice lunch at the Contempo Cafe (20% off with her CM discount)!! Showed her around BLT and then off to the MK for a little fun. Even though she's been a CM for 6 weeks now (internship ends in 01/2011), she really hasn't spent much time enjoying the parks (she is in Food Service at Art of Music). It was such a treat seeing her eyes light up and the excitement she had. She is really home sick and really enjoyed her time with us. Again no waiting for anything, so we got in quite a few attractions before having to part ways.
Back to our BLT room to get all doosied up for our Cali Grill Anniversary meal. We were seated exactly at 7:30 with a wonderful window seat. The place was packed but we (as everyone else) was very well pampered and cared for. Flat bread appetizer to die for, DW had Red Snapper and I the Fillet of Beef. We opted not to have desert as we were stuffed, but they brought out a complimentary huge piece of chocolate moose cake with an edible chocolate anniversary greeting tag. Yea, we ate it all.
Back to our room to get ready for our private in our jammies viewing on the balcony of the Mickey's Halloween Party firework show.
TV Channel 20 has the music and voice track for the show. You can only raise the volume up 1 button press at a time (18 to 95 level), but we got it up and by rotating the TV toward the balcony, we could hear the show very well. And what a show it was. Wear Wishes is an 8 on the wow meter, this was a 20!! The finale totally blew us away - 360 deg of fireworks!! (at least 5 car alarms going off in the parking lot from the sonic wave).
On to our last day (so sad until you remember we'll be back in Dec.) DW had major blisters and really just wanted to veg out at the pool. Check out was so easy. Our boarding passes and luggage tags for AirTran were at the door, all I had to do was pay for the baggage fee. We had a nice breakfast at the Contempo Cafe, and then found the only shady spot at the Cove Pool. I suspect once the vegetation matures, there will be more shade available for the early morning. By mid afternoon the BLT blocks some sun and there is more shading places. The pool was very relaxing and enjoyable.
We participated in the Member's only
DVC presentation at the TOTWL. Great way to get some free food!
The presentation was interesting, with a focus on Aulani. They had some special offers for more points, but we're not there yet and the resale market is were I'll be shopping. Our guide who escorted us for a BLT room view was pretty surly. She did not want to hear any questions about the bathroom sink retro fits or water pressure, etc. Oh well.
Rest of the day spent traveling home. Our puppies were very excited to see us (around midnight), and DD was extremely talkative about college and things. We finally had to cut her off and get some rest.
Overall assessment - it was a very nice first DVC trip. I need to learn to relax more. Whereas we can handle the heat, we will not bring our older family members in Sept. Family GTG now pushed out to Dec 2011. We are spoiled by BLT and the monorail access. We are hoping our next trips to SSR and OKW will provide an equally enjoyable but different experience. We will have a car which should provide for some degree of new found flexibility. We overspent our budget by about $200, mostly on souvenirs, but that is about normal for our vacations.
Thank you all and enjoy your your trips as they come.
