DVC Firsts - BCV, MNSSHP, '09 Members Cruise, Kidani

[BigDogHU75]

DVC Firsts​

Welcome! Thank you for joining me.
Why did I choose the title DVC firsts? Well, there were many first on this trip. This was a whole new experience for us. To start off this was our first trip to Disney without our extended family. It was just the three of us. Who are we? The three of us are

DH - He comes along for the ride.

DS (2) - Slowly becoming a Disney enthusiast. Just the other day he told me he wants to visit Mickey again. Well, you know what that means ...

Me - I enjoy planning our Disney vacations. I am always thinking about and planning our next trip.

Us three

All three of us were very excited about the trip. We were definitely looking forward to this vacation because our lives have been very hectic. DH is in a Master’s program. He finished his 5th class right before we left. He received an “A”. That was his fifth “A” so we had something to celebrate.

The Details
Where: Beach Club Villas, MNSSHP, DVC Members Cruise, Kidani Village

When: September 11, 2009 – September 19, 2009

The Preliminaries: We became DVC Members in Feb. 2008 so, of course, we were mailed information about the 2009 Members cruise. Since we hadn’t been on a Disney cruise, let alone any cruise, since 2002, we decided this would be the perfect opportunity. I immediately jumped on the DIS in search of information and found a wonderful thread dedicated to the 2009 Members Cruise. On call-in day I was up bright and early. Phone lines opened at 9 a.m. I was anxious to get going because I read that the members cruise sells oout quickly. I used my cell phone and house phone to call in. I got through on my house phone after about an hour. I was so relieved when everything was confirmed. We were confirmed for an ocean view room (stateroom 7014).


We knew we were going to drive from MD to FL since the drive back in Feb. when we went to Disney was not bad. We decided that we would spend two days before the cruise at BCV since there would be a DIS meet prior to the cruise at BCV in the Solarium. We would then drive to Port Canaveral, board the ship, have fun, disembark, and then drive to AKV - Kidani Village. I also decided that we would attend the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) on September 11 when I discovered that DVC members get a discount on tickets. The rest we would play by ear.

 

[kikiq]

Welcome Home!

Can't wait to hear more. A lot of first plus the member cruise.

 

[Tinks "SS"]

Oh can't wait to hear more and See your pics! I just got home today from our first trips so i think your title is fabulous!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

It's a great intro to your family. I'm looking forward to reading more.

Bobbi

 

[nu2dvc]

Hi! It sure sounds like a fun trip! I bet you had a blast on the cruise, and am looking forward to hearing about it!

 

[BigDogHU75]

Welcome Home

Can't wait to hear more. A lot of first plus the member cruise.

Thank you for joining me. This trip was filled with a lot of firsts! Stay tuned. And, thanks for the Welcome Home.

Oh can't wait to hear more and See your pics! I just got home today from our first trips so i think your title is fabulous!!

There is more to come and I have a lot more pictures. Between me, DH, and DS (he learned how to take pictures with the digital camera)) we took over 1,000 pictures. I am still uploading them.

It's a great intro to your family. I'm looking forward to reading more.

Bobbi

Thank you. I am gald you will be following long.

Hi! It sure sounds like a fun trip! I bet you had a blast on the cruise, and am looking forward to hearing about it!

This trip was so much fun. The cruise was fantastic. It was great! Thank you for joining me.

 

[Crystal_27]

Oooooo, sounds like the makings of a great trip. Can't wait to read more.

 

[BigDogHU75]

We left MD on September 10, 2009. We packed the car the night before and boy was it stuffed. DH did not know where to put it all and here I thought that I packed light. The trunk and on both sides of the DS’s car seat were filled to the brim. I am sure glad we did not fly!

We had planned on leaving at 6:00 a.m. but left at 6:30 a.m. instead which was not too bad. We decided that we would drive four hour shifts. I started the driving off and drove to NC while DH slept most of the way and DS kept me entertained for awhile but then took a nap. DH took over the driving in NC and drove to southern GA. Then I took over and drove to Orange Park, FL where we had made plans to visit our friends and spend the night. We made it to their home a little after 6:00 p.m. We had a great time with our friends.

When we woke up the next morning we were ready to head to Disney. We plugged the BCV address into our GPS, stopped for breakfast at McDs, and were on the road by 9:30 a.m. We arrived at the happiest place on earth before noon.

We made our way to BCV.

We went through security and by the time we reached the front of the resort, CMs were standing there to greet us. They knew our name! This vacation was off to a great start.

We were escorted to the front desk to the CCM who was doing online check-in. There was no wait. The CM welcomed us home and told us that are room was ready. We were in villa 276 – a studio. This would be our first stay in a studio and our first stay at BCV. We caught the elevator to the second floor and walked down the long hallway. It was a long trek. We finally made it to our room.

The room was very nice. It was a good size for the short stay. However, we realized that we preferred a one bedroom if we were going to stay longer. Here are some pictures of the room.

To the right as soon as we walked into the room.

As we walked a little further into the room, the vanity to the right.

The bathroom to the right of the vanity

To the left of the vanity was the closet

Across from the vanity was the kitchenette which was on the left as you walked into the room.

Views of the room

 

[BigDogHU75]

The balcony and our view

Front

To the left

To the right

Overall, we liked the room. It was comfortable and well suited for a short stay.

 

[BigDogHU75]

Oooooo, sounds like the makings of a great trip. Can't wait to read more.

Thank you for joining me. We had so much fun on this trip and DS made this trip extra special. He brought so much joy and fun. We had a blast.

 

[BigEeyore]

Looking forward to hearing more!

 

[nu2dvc]

nice update. Seems like your drive went smooth. You are brave. I don't think I could be in a car for that long with my little guys. I'd surely go nuts!

 

[Donald is #1]

I'm here! I can't wait to read about your impressions of the trip.

 

[podsnel]

This sounds like it's going to be FUN! Really liked your studio pics!

 

[dvc4life]

Marsha. How wonderful. Glad to see you doing a trip report. It is great so far. Hope you can make next year's cruise with us!

 

[BigDogHU75]

Looking forward to hearing more!

There is definitely more to come. Stay tuned ...

nice update. Seems like your drive went smooth. You are brave. I don't think I could be in a car for that long with my little guys. I'd surely go nuts!

The drive went very well. DS soon is used to riding in the car, thank God. We have family in NJ, PA, here in MD, NC, and FL so we do a lot of traveling in the car on the weekends and holidays.

I'm here! I can't wait to read about your impressions of the trip.

Thanks for joining me Robbie. I can't wait to read abour your impressions of the cruise.

This sounds like it's going to be FUN! Really liked your studio pics!

We certainly had fun. I hope it comes across in my trip report. I'm glad you like the pics.

Marsha. How wonderful. Glad to see you doing a trip report. It is great so far. Hope you can make next year's cruise with us!

Thank you, Chris. I am glad you like it thus far. Believe me, I hope to be on next year's cruise too. I am waiting for the information to come in the mail.

 

[BigDogHU75]

Once bell services brought up our bags, DH took a nap and DS & I went exploring.

During our exploration, I stopped by the concierge desk to see if I could pick up our tickets for MNSSHP since the CM at check=in told us we could. We were able to get our tickets since I had the will call number. I am glad that I did. After that, we continued our exploration.

After our little exploration, we stopped by the Beach Club Marketplace looked around the store, and grabbed some lunch. I ordered a PB&J kid’s meal for DS, a ham sandwich for me, and, I believe, a turkey sandwich for DH. For desert, I picked up a Mickey shaped rice krispies treat. I also purchased a shirt for MNSSHP and for Halloween in general. Then, we headed back to the room where DH was still sleeping. DS & I ate our lunch. My sandwich was very good. DS did not eat his. It was an uncrustable. He did drink his chocolate milk and grapes. By that time, DH was awake. He ate his sandwich and said he liked it. We then put DS down for a nap around 1:30 p.m. since we knew it was going to be a late night and wanted him well rested for the party. Of course, DS did not want to go to sleep and being that we were in a studio we could not go to another room. So, DH & I just lay in the bed pretending we were taking a nap too. Eventually, DS went to sleep since he was not getting a response from us. While DS napped, DH holed up the lap top and I too tried to take a nap but couldn’t. So, I watched a little television and looked through the folder of information they gave us at check-in. Some of the activities the resort offered looked like fun. If we had a little more time, we might have participated in some.

I hope you can see this

I planned to leave the resort by 4:00 p.m. to get to the park early for MNSSHP. However, by the time 4 p.m. rolled around DS was still sleeping and I did not want to wake him. I decided that we would leave close to 5. I eventually had to wake DS. He was not a happy camper. It was a struggle putting on his costume. He did not like it at all. He was supposed to be Captain Jack Sparrow but DS is not into hats so we just said he was a pirate. Hopefully, he looked a little like a pirate.

Once I got DS dressed and packed a little bag for him, we headed to the bus stop. The bus to the Magic Kingdom took a little while to come. While we were waiting it started drizzling behind the bus stop but not in front of it. The rain eventually moved to the front of us but by the time the bus came it had stopped. That was one thing I was worried about. Since I had purchased discounted tickets through DVC for the party well in advance, I prayed that it would not rain that night.

Here are a few pictures from when we were waiting at the bus stop.

The bus was not crowded when we got on. Next stop, the Magic Kingdom and MNSSHP.

 

[kikiq]

Can't wait to hear about your MNSSHP. I'll be going with my DD on Sunday.

 

[eporter66]

Sounds like a great trip. We are leaving in 3 days for our first stay at AKV - Kidani Village. Can't wait to stay at the resort and take it all in!

 

[BigDogHU75]

Can't wait to hear about your MNSSHP. I'll be going with my DD on Sunday.

I am sure you will have fun. I hope the weather is nice.

Sounds like a great trip. We are leaving in 3 days for our first stay at AKV - Kidani Village. Can't wait to stay at the resort and take it all in!

Definitely take the time to enjoy the resort. It is lovely and there is so much to see.