We just returned from our Thanksgiving trip at BWV. Here's a quick run-down:
My dh checked in early Sunday morning while I stayed in the car with the kiddos. As expected we had to wait for our room (fine with me, we were headed off to see friends that day). When I asked if they said anything about our room he said he was told we had a pool view room. Hmmm, I had booked a 1 br standard view room at the 11 month window. He didn't even realize that meant we had been upgraded! We actually ended up on the 3rd floor, and at the end of a hall with a view of the the canal, bridge and the Swan/Dolphin from our large balcony, as well as the TOT framed in the add'l window we had to the left. Gorgeous!
The uh-on moment came the next morning when mousekeeping had us down for a full cleaning, as they did every single day we were there. I declined, knowing it was a mistake. Was very nervous that on the last day we would be charged as cash customers! As others had reported, when I checked our points on-line the BWV stay was no where to be seen, and we had mysterious points in holding instead. Happily, we checked out with no extra cc charges and our points seem to be in order (at least the holding is gone, I still need to audit the remaining points).
DDP:
We did it, knowing it would probably be this one time. The food was wonderful and way too plentiful. The last day commando mom was saying: we cannot leave Epcot today until you've each used up your snack credits! This was on top of using 4 cs lunch credits at the WS plus taking in the car with us an add'l 3 cs sandwiches from BC marketplace. Note: BIGGEST BANG for your DDP snack credit: an entire box of Entenmann's donuts from BC Marketplace. My dh used one of his credits for this and it became our breakfast the day after we left.
Thanksgiving Day:
We had 2 ressies at MK: an early lunch at CP and a late dinner at LTT. CP was the best---not only did they have real carved turkey but the prime rib was to die for. LTT may the the "traditional" Thanksgiving dinner, but the turkey was pressed, plus no cranberry sauce. However, the stuffing was the best I've ever tasted. Glad we did it once but we won't do it again.
Illuminations Pixie Dust:
Wed. night we went to see the Osborne lights, then headed to Epcot for dinner (cs at Morroco) and Illuminations. We were a bit on the tired side so instead of walking we took the boat and it ended up being an express boat from MGM to Epcot. This was great!!! As we strolled around the WS a bit before Illuminations we noticed that the water area in front of Italy was not roped off. When we finished eating we headed back that way and it still was not roped off, so 5 mins. before Illuminations began we were standing at the rail with the best view ever! I'm not sure I want to see Illuminations again, that view was so good I'll forever be disappointed not to have it. The park was practically empty that night but some woman was going on and on to her kids about how they had stood there for an hour and they better not move their position at all or some rude person would stand in front of them. Not sure what her problem was (we were to the side of her, hope her tirade wasn't for my benefit) but my dd and I laughed later...why stand there for an hour when you can see just as well 5 mins. before it starts? We were back at Epcot on Friday and it was packed everywhere, so glad we did everything we wanted on Wed. instead. Honestly, Friday after Thanksgiving reminded me of NYE 2006 at Epcot.
As usual, we are enjoying memories of a great trip and sorry to be home again. We picked up dinner at Panera Bread last night and I was wondering which dessert choice came with that entree, lol.
My dh checked in early Sunday morning while I stayed in the car with the kiddos. As expected we had to wait for our room (fine with me, we were headed off to see friends that day). When I asked if they said anything about our room he said he was told we had a pool view room. Hmmm, I had booked a 1 br standard view room at the 11 month window. He didn't even realize that meant we had been upgraded! We actually ended up on the 3rd floor, and at the end of a hall with a view of the the canal, bridge and the Swan/Dolphin from our large balcony, as well as the TOT framed in the add'l window we had to the left. Gorgeous!
The uh-on moment came the next morning when mousekeeping had us down for a full cleaning, as they did every single day we were there. I declined, knowing it was a mistake. Was very nervous that on the last day we would be charged as cash customers! As others had reported, when I checked our points on-line the BWV stay was no where to be seen, and we had mysterious points in holding instead. Happily, we checked out with no extra cc charges and our points seem to be in order (at least the holding is gone, I still need to audit the remaining points).
DDP:
We did it, knowing it would probably be this one time. The food was wonderful and way too plentiful. The last day commando mom was saying: we cannot leave Epcot today until you've each used up your snack credits! This was on top of using 4 cs lunch credits at the WS plus taking in the car with us an add'l 3 cs sandwiches from BC marketplace. Note: BIGGEST BANG for your DDP snack credit: an entire box of Entenmann's donuts from BC Marketplace. My dh used one of his credits for this and it became our breakfast the day after we left.
Thanksgiving Day:
We had 2 ressies at MK: an early lunch at CP and a late dinner at LTT. CP was the best---not only did they have real carved turkey but the prime rib was to die for. LTT may the the "traditional" Thanksgiving dinner, but the turkey was pressed, plus no cranberry sauce. However, the stuffing was the best I've ever tasted. Glad we did it once but we won't do it again.
Illuminations Pixie Dust:
Wed. night we went to see the Osborne lights, then headed to Epcot for dinner (cs at Morroco) and Illuminations. We were a bit on the tired side so instead of walking we took the boat and it ended up being an express boat from MGM to Epcot. This was great!!! As we strolled around the WS a bit before Illuminations we noticed that the water area in front of Italy was not roped off. When we finished eating we headed back that way and it still was not roped off, so 5 mins. before Illuminations began we were standing at the rail with the best view ever! I'm not sure I want to see Illuminations again, that view was so good I'll forever be disappointed not to have it. The park was practically empty that night but some woman was going on and on to her kids about how they had stood there for an hour and they better not move their position at all or some rude person would stand in front of them. Not sure what her problem was (we were to the side of her, hope her tirade wasn't for my benefit) but my dd and I laughed later...why stand there for an hour when you can see just as well 5 mins. before it starts? We were back at Epcot on Friday and it was packed everywhere, so glad we did everything we wanted on Wed. instead. Honestly, Friday after Thanksgiving reminded me of NYE 2006 at Epcot.
As usual, we are enjoying memories of a great trip and sorry to be home again. We picked up dinner at Panera Bread last night and I was wondering which dessert choice came with that entree, lol.
I leave in 13 days 
