DVC had made WDW a whole New World to us!

[westjones]

We just returned from our first trip 'home' and I must say that this vacation was very different than the ones we have done in the past. We had gone to WDW twice before, and in the past our trips had been centered around being at the parks all day, every day (trying to make sure we visited each park).

This trip, we went to Epcot on our first day, but the next day we decided to not go to the parks. In the past, we would have wondered what to do in our little hotel room (off site). But we had a great day! We were staying at BCV and we 'pool hopped' over to BWV (always wanted to see that roller coaster slide). It wasn't crowded at all (we got there when the pool opened).

Then we returned to BCV and went to Beaches and Cream (loved this place!) and ordered the Kitchen Sink. What Fun!!! The kids are still talking about that.

Then the kids went next door and played at the arcade. It was nice for an arcade. I don't enjoy them, but DH and the kids do, and they liked this one.

After that we drove over the WVL to see that resort. What a lovely lodge! Wished we had more time to spend over there (hope to stay there sometime).

The kids really wanted to go to Storm Along Bay, so we returned to BCVs and the kids (and DH) went swimming.

After cleaning up from their swim we returned to Beaches and Cream for supper (I love these 50's style places).

This was one of our favorite days, and we didn't even visit a park! We did go back to the parks the next day. We went to the early openning for resort guests at Animal Kingdom on Friday and ended the day with the E Ride Night at Magic Kingdom. Both of these are great! We had never tried either one (early openning or E Tickets).

In September, we are staying at OKW prior to going on a 3 day Disney Cruise and we are planning to walk over the DD and go to Disney Quest (a place we have never been to, and would never have gone to if it hadn't been for DVC).

So I must say, DVC has changed the way we 'vacation' at WDW. The only Disney resorts we had stayed at before was the Music All Star and we tented camped at Fort Wilderness. I had NO idea what a wonderful experience it was to stay at the themed resorts at Disney! It is a WHOLE NEW WORLD!


DJ

 

[lodgelady]

I am glad you had such a wonderful vacation.
I know what you mean about it being a different world!
We know we are invested and that we will be back, so we can relax! The pressure of having to run around to get your money's worth out of every minute is gone!

 

[RoutemanDan]

Sounds like a great time

 

[Disney Doll]

You'll find now that you may have the opportunity to visit WDW more often due to the DVC, that you won't do the "commando style" touring anymore.

DH and I vacation there much like you described. We sort of wander around, relaxed, doing what the mood strikes us to do. We have played mini golf, rented boats on both Bay Lake and Crescent Lake...that's a fun thing to do...you get a very different perspective from the water!

 

[Regina]

There's something about knowing that it's yours for 39 more years that takes the tension away. You don't feel as if you have to cram everything into every moment. There's always another trip in the future.

Thanks for sharing your magical day!

 

[lsutigger2]

This is exactly the kind of trip DH and I "planning" in May. We do not have firm plans to do anything. He isn't going to play golf and we don't have reservations for anything else. It will be "what to we want to do (or not do!)" each day. Sounds relaxing, huh?
Can hardly wait!

Geaux Lady Tigers!!

 

[Tink Fans]

Westjones: Isn't it great! Enjoyed reading your post and glad you had such a wonderful time on your vacation. Will definitely have to try the Kitchen Sink next time we're there. Thought it would be a fun thing to get this past Valentine's Day but just never made it over there. How did you like Hilton Head? We're going in two weeks.

Maureen

 

[westjones]

We loved HH, but only got to be there for a very short time (checked in Sunday night at 7:00 and left Tuesday morning at 9:00 am, so really only had one full day there).

We went on a bird watchers hike on Monday morning. It was interesting. The kids didn't get to do any of the activities because we were there for such a short time and wanted to 'see' the place.

The beach house was nice. I hadn't thought through the 'beach scene' before we went. For some reason I thought it would be like Castaway Cay on the cruise and that Disney would have chairs and things set up for us. But it is a public beach, and the Disney beach house provides an access down to it, but nothing else. So we walk down with beach toys in hand and realize we had nothing to sit on! Then I remembered that I had one of those 'Neat Sheets' in the van (those blankets that don't stay wet). So all was saved! DH ran back and got our Neat Sheet and we were able to sit on that while the kids played in the waves.

We had a wonderful view of the Marsh. Very pretty! I looked in at the Community Hall (or whatever it is called) and it seemed nice. They had programs there, but the only program we got to attend was the bird watching hike.

The pool was nice, but the slide closed at 5:00 and that was a big disappointment for my kids (since we didn't arrive until 4:55, they only got to go down a couple of times). Next time I will know to check the time the slide closes.

Next time we will need to plan to be there for a whole week. We are new DVC members (well joined a year ago this month, but this was our first trip), and we wanted to 'see' what it was like at HH. So we broke up our trip with 2 nights there and 3 nights at BCV.

The HH resorts has several activities. Some are free (like the bird hike and a campfire program) and others have a charge (DVC members have a discounted fee).

To give you some idea of what was going on last week, here is some of the Activity Schedule we were given:

Sunday 3/23

Gyotaku
(ages 5 & up) Members $10, Guest $12 (1 hour). This is that program where they use a fish to paint on a T-shirt.

Unbirthday Party
(ages 3-6 and 7-12: They offered this twice, once for each of these age groups).
This one is free

Toddler Tales
(all ages) 1 hour--this one was free

Meet the Naturalist
(adults & families) - this one was free

Music & Lore of the Low Country
(all ages)--this one was free

Sunset Nature Kayaking Trip
(adults and families)--Adults $35 Child $17.50 w/ paid adult

Campfire
(all ages)---this one was free



Monday 3/24

Bird Watcher's Heaven
(all ages) -- this was free

Longview Arts and Crafts ~ Bird Feeders
(ages 5 and up) $10 members, $12 guests

I know Whoooooo You Are (and what you ate last night)!
(adults and families) Join our resort naturalist as he unfolds the mystery of these curious creatures of the night. $5/pellet

Teens Only! ~ Ultimate Frisbee
Ages 13 - 17 (there was a charge, but the sheet doesn't say how much).

Picture the magic
(families) Have your photo taken and decorate your own souvenir frame! $10 members, $12 guests.

Disney's Kids Night Out ~ Disney Detectives
(ages 5 - 12) $20 members, $25 guests


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Most of the above asked for reservations (although we just showed up for the bird hike because we got in so late on Sunday and didn't think we would be up in time to go). This is all of the acitivites listed for just two days. They give you a schedule for the whole week (but my fingers are tired of typing .

Hope this helps! I think you will love HH. My whole family did enjoy it and we hope to go back again sometime for a week!

DJ

 

[DaisyDebbie]

I know exactly what you mean. My dh actually enjoys going to WDW now that we don't go commando. Our first trip, before we were DVC, I tried to squeeze everything in. DH and the kids were very cranky. We went on the DVC tour that trip and bought right on the spot. No more cranky people on vacation now

 

[Tink Fans]

DJ,

Thanks for sharing the info of the activities. When I got home from work today had a letter from Hilton Head with some activities that will be taking place the week before Easter and some for Easter Sunday - looks great!