Coming to you LIVE from OKW ...

[Donald is #1]

AND ... go figure ... no one is more surprised than us .... WE ADDED ON!!!
We are both excited and shaking our heads because we had NO intention of adding on! It really is pretty spectacular! AND just for listening to the "pitch" (which was VERY low pressure), we got three fastpasses for the 4 of us to be used anywhere over the next 3 days (only 3 each total. That was the original appeal for us (and our DD and DS, of course! ).
Here's the surprise for us ... when we first heard about BLT I was VERY excited and followed the progress here on the boards beginning with the link to the architectural drawings! But when I saw actual pics regarding the decor (we tend to be more traditional) it seemed really unappealing.
BUT ... in person, it really works ... of course that wasn't the deciding factor ... it just seemed like a good idea for us. BTW ... the "one bedrooms" are a bit roomier than BCV and WLV AND there are now 2 full bathrooms AND a pull out single bed in addition to the pull out sofa bed. And, of course the whole monorail thing and the exclusive
"members only" lounge up top ... spectacular view!

Congratulations!!!!

 

[WEDway2002]

Thanks for telling us about your trip! DH and I enjoy the AoE as audience members, congratuations to your DD for making it to the show.

Sure wish we could be there for the additional BLT discounts. Glad you were able to add on.

Bobbi

Congrats on your add on

and

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

Congratulations!!!!

Hello All ...

Thanks for the "Congrats" on our addition ... we are very excited ... I think ...
My only reservation is the financial stuff ...
It's funny we usually have a countdown to our Disney trips ... yesterday my DD told me that my DS told her we should have another countdown. This would be a 30 day countdown ... the amount of time we have to back out and get a full refund! He figures once that's past, WE'RE IN!

Bobbiwoz ... yes, it was a great experience and she did really well! Although she didn't win, backstage after the show the judges all asked her to please come back. We are very proud!

- We went to AK today for a bit ... my DD was actually able to get together with a friend who was here and they went on EE together. We then had appetizers at Yak and Yeti ... very good! My DD and DS then did KRR twice in a row using the DVC instant fastpasses ... they were SOAKED!!! So we headed back to OKW for a dunk in the Conch Flats pool but the threat of a storm closed the pool. Well ... into the Community center and the kids had a quick game of air-hockey and cast members came around handing out star shaped iced rice krispy treats.

Well ... we are off to Chef Mickey's and then out to watch the fireworks (again)

Maybe then back to OKW for a late night swim in our quiet pool.

Wish you were phere!

I hope to fill you in on some more things a bit later on ...

Dave

 

[5forDiz]

Glad you're having a great trip

OKW is our home too and we it, South Point area too !

Enjoy your evening at Chef Mickey's & the fireworks

Happy July 4th and CONGRATS on your add-on too !!

 

[LizSwann32]

Glad you're having a great trip! What a coincidence I'm at OKW too!...oh...wait...righhhhttt ur my dad love you! and I love ur thread daddy

 

[MamaCrush]

LizSwann-- Congrats on your AI performance!!!! I bet you had a blast!

 

[lazydazy8]

I wish we were there, too!! Because of you, I feel a tiny bit like we are! Thank you SO much for taking the time to post to all of us! And congratulations on your BLT purchase!

 

[BigEeyore]

Have fun! If you are hearing anything about the monorail accident, please give us an update on that...
I would love to go to the Vacation as You Wish presentation, but I am afraid I'll be too tempted to add-on!

 

[WEDway2002]

Glad you're having a great trip

OKW is our home too and we it, South Point area too !

Enjoy your evening at Chef Mickey's & the fireworks

Happy July 4th and CONGRATS on your add-on too !!

I wish we were there, too!! Because of you, I feel a tiny bit like we are! Thank you SO much for taking the time to post to all of us! And congratulations on your BLT purchase!

Have fun! If you are hearing anything about the monorail accident, please give us an update on that...
I would love to go to the Vacation as You Wish presentation, but I am afraid I'll be too tempted to add-on!

Hi all ...

5forDiz - yup ... same here! We love the South Point area ... our absolute favorite!
Chef Mickey's was terrific as usual ... we were last here on New Year's and there have been a few changes in the configuration ... a new seating area and new hostess stand. It's all very nice ... all of the basics have remained the same.
A quick touching story ... we were seated next to a family with a boy in a wheelchair who was disabled in some way. It was so heart-warming to see each character really go out of their way to obviously make his day. Of course they are always wonderful with everyone, but they spent some extra time and the sight of him having such a great time truly reaffirmed everything that is wonderful with Disney!

Thanks for the kind words lazydazy8! It is my pleasure! I always feel that way when I'm home reading posts from "the World" ... it's my way of "giving back"! And thanks for the congrats ... it's SO weird! I really had no intention of buying!! AND ... I consider myself a sane, rational, somewhat cynical, distrusting and even judgmental (according to my DD ) New Yorker ... and I got sucked right in!
Soooooo ... BigEeyore ... be afraid ... be VERY afraid!

As far as the terrible tragedy on the monorail ... we didn't even know it happened until my DD's friend texted her to ask if we were ok. We spent the day away from the parks (at Gatorland for my DS) and had no idea. There have been some local news stories. Needless to say, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Well ... we're sort of hanging out in the room ... awaiting maybe a night-time swim ... I'm going to see what random thoughts come to mind ...

Dave

 

[WEDway2002]

Well ...

I'm sorry ... but you cannot beat the size of an OKW one bedroom! This is always our room of choice and it is just so amazingly comfortable! This place has truly spoiled us rotten!

Gee ... let's see ...

- We have encountered some wonderful cast-members and everything both in and around the parks has been wonderful. Maybe we have it down to a science now and have very realistic expectations, but we have at least kept our time with insane crowds to a minimum!

It really doesn't feel all THAT crowded for this time of year. Don't get me wrong ... it certainly is busy ... but tolerable.

- We like to visit the NON EMH parks on the mornings when they have REGULAR openings.
- While here it was my DW's birthday and since we are AP holders we opted for the FP gift. It was very cool and worked very smoothly.
- OH OH OH ... (ya see! I'm actually remembering stuff!!! And I thought my feeble old brain was shot! Whew! I'm back baby!)
The new Hall of Presidents .... IMHO ... nothing short of spectacular!!! AND ... dare I say ... I didn't vote for our current president ... BUT ... no matter ... the entire show has been changed and I think it's just wonderful! It is now narrated by Morgan Freeman (love him) and they give some backround on specific presidents with most of the old "film" gone. When Lincoln speaks it is early on and it is him, alone. Later ... Washington and Obama speak ... I have to say ... very, very well done and inspiring ... it has become a must see for us. It used to be a wonderful chance for a nap ...

- TSM ... still insanely popular! If you haven't yet done it ... it is lots of fun, but everything you've heard about being there at rope-drop and making a bee line is true! It seemed like virtually EVERYONE there at opening was headed straight there!

- Many sections of the MK have been painted and spruced up ... everything looks great! In fact ... and maybe a bit of a shame ... some major sprucing continues in sections of Main St. and Fantasyland with huge canvas facades in place. What's sort of cool is that these are Disney canvas' and are painted to resemble the ride fronts.

- Over at world showcase, the Voices of Liberty are as amazing as ever!!!
They are a "must see" for us and never disappoint! Just breath taking!

To be continued ...

Dave

 

[jpolak]

Hi cbeehler3 ...

Weeeeeelllll not exactly ... they still do the pony races, the ketchup thing and the giant sodas and it still is fun. BUT ... the races were a big disappointment because it is all pre-recorded now ... no hootin' and hollarin', no napkin waving ... no pledge NOT to visit Universal, no certificate. AND ... the servers are no longer allowed to make their tray tables "gallop"! A server told us hotel management thought it made too much noise!
And, honestly, the food just wasn't as good as in the past ...


Dave

Thats very disappointing to hear. The food there isnt exactly five star but the antics usually made up for it.

 

[WEDway2002]

Good morning gang ...

Well ... off to Epcot for rope drop ...
We are hoping to see alot before our Princess breakfast ressies in Norway (never done this).
We hope to do SE, LS,TT and maybe Soarin' again ...
The kids want to do another Kim Possible adventure or two ... it really is a lot of fun.

We may also venture around World Showcase again and linger a bit more in the countries. With any luck, we'll catch the Jammitors on the way and another performance of Voices of Liberty.

Anyway ... off and running ... wish you were here!

Dave

 

[MamaCrush]

Good morning gang ...

Well ... off to Epcot for rope drop ...
We are hoping to see alot before our Princess breakfast ressies in Norway (never done this).
We hope to do SE, LS,TT and maybe Soarin' again ...
The kids want to do another Kim Possible adventure or two ... it really is a lot of fun.

We may also venture around World Showcase again and linger a bit more in the countries. With any luck, we'll catch the Jammitors on the way and another performance of Voices of Liberty.

Anyway ... off and running ... wish you were here!

Dave

So do I! But it's only 33 days, 16 hours, 2 minutes, and 4 seconds before we leave-- but who's counting!

So glad you're having a terrific trip. Enjoy the rest!

 

[BigEeyore]

Thanks for the scoop on the Hall of Presidents - I am looking forward to checking it out on our next trip! I have always loved that attraction - but I also love to watch presidential documentaries on the History channel!

 

[manntra]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your vacation with us----while you are on your vacation!!
We are looking forward to Kim Possible also...looks like fun!
Congratulations on your unplanned add-on!
Hope you are enjoying your day at Epcot and your breakfast in Norway!

 

[OKWAnneMarie]

Hi all ...

Here goes ...

- We arrived Sunday (6/28) and had done the online check in thing in advance ... all went pretty smooth ... had a WONDERFUL cast member check us in and we got lucky and got the location we hoped for (we like it way in the back in the 50's).
- Room was terrific ... no problems, no complaints.
-


I didn't realize we could check in online. I've been out of the DVC loop for a little bit, but I'm getting back in since I just booked our 2010 OKW trip.

When you check in online, do they give you a building number or room number? How long in advance can you check in?

Also, have a wonderful and safe trip!!!

 

[OKWAnneMarie]

See you on Sunday! I just called to see what our room assigment is and was told Building 40. Very exciting becuase we love the Turtle Pond area. Where are you at OKW?

I didn't know you could call in advance to find out your room assignment. This sounds great!!! I can't wait for next year. Have FUN!!!

 

[Ms.Mouse]

We had transportation problems on our first (and only) visit to OKW...They said it was due to the new transport system that was just instituted at that time...about 2 ys ago....... Is the transportation still an issue there???

 

[WEDway2002]

So do I! But it's only 33 days, 16 hours, 2 minutes, and 4 seconds before we leave-- but who's counting!

So glad you're having a terrific trip. Enjoy the rest!

Very funny! I can TOTALLY relate!

Dave

 

[WEDway2002]

Hi all ...

Here goes ...

- We arrived Sunday (6/28) and had done the online check in thing in advance ... all went pretty smooth ... had a WONDERFUL cast member check us in and we got lucky and got the location we hoped for (we like it way in the back in the 50's).
- Room was terrific ... no problems, no complaints.
-


I didn't realize we could check in online. I've been out of the DVC loop for a little bit, but I'm getting back in since I just booked our 2010 OKW trip.

When you check in online, do they give you a building number or room number? How long in advance can you check in?

Also, have a wonderful and safe trip!!!

I didn't know you could call in advance to find out your room assignment. This sounds great!!! I can't wait for next year. Have FUN!!!

Hi ...

Well, you can't exactly find out your assignment before you arrive, but it does speed up the check-in process a bit. We had received an e-mail from the DVC site telling us about the on-line check in. You are able to do it through the DVC site 10 days in advance of your arrival. I guess it helps them have things ready (keys, room charging, etc.) for you upon arrival. They have a separate line at the front desk for those who have checked in on line. It did move quickly and smoothly (we even asked for a change of location) and everything worked out.

Hope this clears things up!

I hope to write more about our day at Epcot either a little later or in the morning ... I'm kinda toasty right now!
I will say that the skies have been really overcast but no rain today ... that made the temperature REALLY nice! We made our way through Epcot fairly comfortably complete with another Kim Possible adventure ...

More later ...

Dave

 

[bookwormde]

Another 55 fan here, we did a GV in 25 this year for a GG but 2nd floor in 55 is still my favorite.

bookwormde