We just returned from our five-day trip at the BCV and it was wonderful. I was totally amazed because I am under so much stress at this time (taking 15 graduate credits this semester) that I was starting to regret planning this trip, but as I was packing on Thursday night, a feeling of calmness came over me. I really couldn't believe it or understand it, but I just felt so happy to be going to WDW. Corny, I know, but true.
About the trip...We own at the BWV, but we totally loved the BCV. The only thing I personally didn't like about them was that they were not attached to the lobby like the BWV, but that was just MY opinion. They are gorgeous, and like the BWV, the location is perfect.
We arrived on Friday about 2:30 and our 2BR was ready. We were given room 554, pool view, near elevators. We let our guests (godson and his parents) enter first and they were blown away at how beautiful the villa was. They have a condo at the shore and they were really impressed by the roominess and how it had just about everything one would need while on vacation.
After we unpacked, we shared a light lunch at Beaches & Cream. We didn't read the menu carefully until the second time we went there, so the hamburger was a little too well done for our tastes, but it clearly states they are cooked well done unless otherwise specified. Next time we'll know better.
The godson went swimming for awhile, then we went to Epcot. We ate dinner at Teppanyaki. We had a great chef. His name was Akira and he was very entertaining, to the point that the people at the table behind ours were applauding him. We must have eaten there at least 8 times over the years, and this was the first time we ever had a chef make us a volcane out of the onions and he made two. It was quite a sight. We then saw Illuminations from the balcony and as always it was fabulous.
Saturday morning we got our first sprinkling of pixie dust. We went to Hollywood & Vine and just as we were about to order breakfast, I realized I left the Connections breakfast vouchers back at the villa. I really hated the idea of paying almost $100 for breakfast, but it was ridiculous to waste an hour traveling back and forth to the villa. We told our server Jeff and he said he would see what he could do. Greta, the manager, came over, took our information, and told us we could bring them back on Monday when we were returning for Fantasmic. I asked about who to see to make sure I got credit when I brought them in, and she said she wasn't even charging me till Monday at closing time. Name one other place where that would happen!
The weather was extremely hot, even though it was only in the high 80's. The humidity was awful. We factored in swimming time daily which was so hard for me to do. I am so used to commando style touring that it seemed so strange to me to "waste" time away from the parks. It took some getting used to, but with DVC, it's the way to go since we know we'll be back.
Saturday night we ate at the castle and saw Spectro Magic. It was mobbed.
Sunday we went back to Epcot and had breakfast at the food court in the Land. There was nobody there. We jumped on Living with the Land to beat the crowds, but it really wasn't necessary. We saw Food Rocks with just a handful of people. After breakfast we went to see Honey, ISTA, but it was down . We did a few other things, went back and got in. We then went back to the pool and got ready for Hoop Dee Doo.
We previously decided to take a cab to HDD so I didn't give the buses a thought. The cab driver could only drive us so far, then we had to take a bus in from the outpost. No problem, a bus came soon enough, but it was raining so it wasn't great when they wouldn't let us in for another 20 minutes. Everyone was huddled on the porched. Saw the show, then went to catch the bus to the Beach Club. WHOA! There is no bus to the Beach Club. We had to take a bus back to the outpost, then take a bus to Downtown Disney, then to the Beach Club. Do you know how long that would take? It would be endless. We had no choice but to take a bus to the outpost, then we hopped onto the first bus that came along. It was to Epcot, the only problem was that it was 9:30 and Epcot was closed so they were never going to let us in to walk through. As luck would have it, the first stop was Wilderness Lodge and everyone including us got off the bus. I went to the phone to call a cab while the godson's mother was grilling the bus driver on how were we to get back. Well, the pixie sprinkled again, and the bus driver said he would take us all the way to the Beach Club. We were eternally grateful and the bus driver got a very generous tip which he didn't want to take, but we insisted.
I would think that this will have a terrible impact on Hoop Dee Doo. We already have our reservations for Nov 03, and I am very seriously considering canceling them. You definitely need a car if you're doing this show, and we never get one. With the bus driver's kindness we got in about 10:25, without it, it may have been closer to midnight. Not worth it in my opinion.
I see I've rambled on too long. The rest of the trip was fabulous as well. Had breakfast at Donald's and the Beach Club, did the Fantasmic Dinner at the Brown Derby, saw the show (standing room only), and all too soon it was over. Cannot wait to go back!
If you have any questions, ask away.
P.S. I can't believe my message says Boardwalk. I told you I was stressed. I forgot to change it when we switched over to BCV.
About the trip...We own at the BWV, but we totally loved the BCV. The only thing I personally didn't like about them was that they were not attached to the lobby like the BWV, but that was just MY opinion. They are gorgeous, and like the BWV, the location is perfect.
We arrived on Friday about 2:30 and our 2BR was ready. We were given room 554, pool view, near elevators. We let our guests (godson and his parents) enter first and they were blown away at how beautiful the villa was. They have a condo at the shore and they were really impressed by the roominess and how it had just about everything one would need while on vacation.
After we unpacked, we shared a light lunch at Beaches & Cream. We didn't read the menu carefully until the second time we went there, so the hamburger was a little too well done for our tastes, but it clearly states they are cooked well done unless otherwise specified. Next time we'll know better.
The godson went swimming for awhile, then we went to Epcot. We ate dinner at Teppanyaki. We had a great chef. His name was Akira and he was very entertaining, to the point that the people at the table behind ours were applauding him. We must have eaten there at least 8 times over the years, and this was the first time we ever had a chef make us a volcane out of the onions and he made two. It was quite a sight. We then saw Illuminations from the balcony and as always it was fabulous.
Saturday morning we got our first sprinkling of pixie dust. We went to Hollywood & Vine and just as we were about to order breakfast, I realized I left the Connections breakfast vouchers back at the villa. I really hated the idea of paying almost $100 for breakfast, but it was ridiculous to waste an hour traveling back and forth to the villa. We told our server Jeff and he said he would see what he could do. Greta, the manager, came over, took our information, and told us we could bring them back on Monday when we were returning for Fantasmic. I asked about who to see to make sure I got credit when I brought them in, and she said she wasn't even charging me till Monday at closing time. Name one other place where that would happen!
The weather was extremely hot, even though it was only in the high 80's. The humidity was awful. We factored in swimming time daily which was so hard for me to do. I am so used to commando style touring that it seemed so strange to me to "waste" time away from the parks. It took some getting used to, but with DVC, it's the way to go since we know we'll be back.
Saturday night we ate at the castle and saw Spectro Magic. It was mobbed.
Sunday we went back to Epcot and had breakfast at the food court in the Land. There was nobody there. We jumped on Living with the Land to beat the crowds, but it really wasn't necessary. We saw Food Rocks with just a handful of people. After breakfast we went to see Honey, ISTA, but it was down . We did a few other things, went back and got in. We then went back to the pool and got ready for Hoop Dee Doo.
We previously decided to take a cab to HDD so I didn't give the buses a thought. The cab driver could only drive us so far, then we had to take a bus in from the outpost. No problem, a bus came soon enough, but it was raining so it wasn't great when they wouldn't let us in for another 20 minutes. Everyone was huddled on the porched. Saw the show, then went to catch the bus to the Beach Club. WHOA! There is no bus to the Beach Club. We had to take a bus back to the outpost, then take a bus to Downtown Disney, then to the Beach Club. Do you know how long that would take? It would be endless. We had no choice but to take a bus to the outpost, then we hopped onto the first bus that came along. It was to Epcot, the only problem was that it was 9:30 and Epcot was closed so they were never going to let us in to walk through. As luck would have it, the first stop was Wilderness Lodge and everyone including us got off the bus. I went to the phone to call a cab while the godson's mother was grilling the bus driver on how were we to get back. Well, the pixie sprinkled again, and the bus driver said he would take us all the way to the Beach Club. We were eternally grateful and the bus driver got a very generous tip which he didn't want to take, but we insisted.
I would think that this will have a terrible impact on Hoop Dee Doo. We already have our reservations for Nov 03, and I am very seriously considering canceling them. You definitely need a car if you're doing this show, and we never get one. With the bus driver's kindness we got in about 10:25, without it, it may have been closer to midnight. Not worth it in my opinion.
I see I've rambled on too long. The rest of the trip was fabulous as well. Had breakfast at Donald's and the Beach Club, did the Fantasmic Dinner at the Brown Derby, saw the show (standing room only), and all too soon it was over. Cannot wait to go back!
If you have any questions, ask away.
P.S. I can't believe my message says Boardwalk. I told you I was stressed. I forgot to change it when we switched over to BCV.
