First Trip to DL - solo (COMPLETE) new link p.43

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Did they also give you 25% off or just the OBC? I am not familiar with that phrase either.

No they didn't just 10% so you did well! We got 10% plus $200 obc. As we say here better than a poke in the eye lol..

 

[Pinkocto]

No they didn't just 10% so you did well! We got 10% plus $200 obc. As we say here better than a poke in the eye lol..

I'm disappointed in DCL for the first time ever. If they cancel a cruise they should give you the same price you got for the first one, IMHO. AND give you an OBC for the inconvenience.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I'm disappointed in DCL for the first time ever. If they cancel a cruise they should give you the same price you got for the first one, IMHO. AND give you an OBC for the inconvenience.

We felt the same actually Pam. At the time I was really quite upset. We did consider voting with our feet and cancelling completely in a huff. But I love it too much... This was shoreline services and I reminded myself how wonderful the cast members onboard are. The person we spoke to was very nice but there was clearly no deal to be done. There was an entire thread on this at the time. Nobody got more. I guess they move them / cancel them so often it would cost them a fortune. Our argument and the shore member services rep agreed don't sell spaces on cruises then charter them out! Do better organisation. They must have known about the wonder going into to dry dock. Or say to the people privately wanting to charter a cruise that has cabins already booked ...fine but you will have to pick up the tab for those already booked' .

 

[Pinkocto]

I left off having a delightfully delicious sandwich at EoS and my phone died. My mission was to get back to the room to charge it. I probably would have gone exploring if I had either of the other cameras with me but I had left them all in the room. I almost went back to the hotel through the parking lot and across the road but in the back of my mind I thought I remembered that DTD had an entrance to the GC at some point. My memory served correct and I found the resort quickly. I regretted not having the camera because everything was new and gorgeous. Back in the room my first order of business was to take photos before messing anything up.

I loved everything about it, it was absolutely perfect.










Biggest table I’ve seen in a DVC studio so far, very nice to catch up in the journal.



Looking back in



My view



My tree



Bushes down below



Huge verandah that I only sat on once





The comforter was so beautiful but I really couldn’t get a good picture of it.





Nice big armoire



Bathroom area



Huge closet



Loved the robes



These came home with me when I need a touch of vacation




And my purchases at Food4Less



I don’t drink coffee, diet Mountain Dew is my personal addiction, and there was one diet Squirt in there in case I didn’t want caffeine

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Omg GC is to die for! Your room is just picture perfect! Mmmm mountain dew..yummy... The resort itself looks smashing. Love the tree! How pretty. I hope to stay here when we do expo but I understand it's hard to book on dvc points if its not your home resort because of its size. Looks the biz though! I bet you were a right princess on that comfy ole bed. Remote control in hand. That's the life! What you work hard for!

 

[Pinkocto]

We felt the same actually Pam. At the time I was really quite upset. We did consider voting with our feet and cancelling completely in a huff. But I love it too much... This was shoreline services and I reminded myself how wonderful the cast members onboard are. The person we spoke to was very nice but there was clearly no deal to be done. There was an entire thread on this at the time. Nobody got more. I guess they move them / cancel them so often it would cost them a fortune. Our argument and the shore member services rep agreed don't sell spaces on cruises then charter them out! Do better organisation. They must have known about the wonder going into to dry dock. Or say to the people privately wanting to charter a cruise that has cabins already booked ...fine but you will have to pick up the tab for those already booked' .

I had no idea they cancel them often. And terrible about chartering. If you want to charter a cruise you should be on the phone before cruises come out letting DCL know your plans. And DCL should not allow that to happen. One big payout should not mean more than loyal 'small' customers.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I had no idea they cancel them often. And terrible about chartering. If you want to charter a cruise you should be on the phone before cruises come out letting DCL know your plans. And DCL should not allow that to happen. One big payout should not mean more than loyal 'small' customers.

Well that's exactly what I said ...you know I like you! I was horrified to read in your TR they still don't know their hind from their elbow!

 

[Pinkocto]

Well that's exactly what I said ...you know I like you! I was horrified to read in your TR they still don't know their hind from their elbow!

Great minds think alike!

 

[franandaj]

Nice room and view. I say that from my one bedroom villa at the VGC as we are checking out in an hour and a half. I want to hear about your relaxing time. We just had our first ever "only in the room to sleep" trip, but we had a blast with PIO and her family. I miss the relaxing part of staying in the room or relaxing at the pool.

 

[Pinkocto]

Nice room and view. I say that from my one bedroom villa at the VGC as we are checking out in an hour and a half. I want to hear about your relaxing time. We just had our first ever "only in the room to sleep" trip, but we had a blast with PIO and her family. I miss the relaxing part of staying in the room or relaxing at the pool.

Glad you had a great time with PIO! Can't wait to hear all about it.

I was quite pleased with how comfortable the studio was. For 1 it's just perfect but for two I definitely like the space of the 1BR.

 

[Leshaface]

Ahhh the room looks so homey and comfortable! And I absolutely love the robes too. If they weren't so much, I would buy one.

 

[Pinkocto]

Ahhh the room looks so homey and comfortable! And I absolutely love the robes too. If they weren't so much, I would buy one.

I looked in the shop but they weren't in there. Do you just take the ones in the room and they charge you?

 

[dolphingirl47]

Your view is really nice. I know the pools look all magical when lit up at night. We had always a theme park view apart from in May when we looked straight at a wall, but then we were only there for one night.

Corinna

 

[Pinkocto]

Omg GC is to die for! Your room is just picture perfect! Mmmm mountain dew..yummy... The resort itself looks smashing. Love the tree! How pretty. I hope to stay here when we do expo but I understand it's hard to book on dvc points if its not your home resort because of its size. Looks the biz though! I bet you were a right princess on that comfy ole bed. Remote control in hand. That's the life! What you work hard for!

That bed was so comfortable! Yep, I sure did have remote in hand. Ordered Once Upon a Time season 2 for the trip and watched snug on bed. The resort is so gorgeous, hope you can book for the Expo. I booked exactly at 7 months and there was still availability a few weeks after.

I was hoping for a theme park view but this was really nice.

 

[Pinkocto]

Your view is really nice. I know the pools look all magical when lit up at night. We had always a theme park view apart from in May when we looked straight at a wall, but then we were only there for one night.

Corinna

Straight at the wall I wouldn't have been happy with but then again I rarely go out on the balcony except at AKV.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Straight at the wall I wouldn't have been happy with but then again I rarely go out on the balcony except at AKV.

I would not have been happy about this either if we had spent more time there, but we arrived very late in the evening and then as soon as we were up in the morning we headed out so it really did not matter.

Corinna

 

[rentayenta]

Love the GCV! Thanks for the pictures.


You like Mt Dew? Do they have it on the cruise ships?


Mmm.....Salsa verde Doritos, my favorite!

 

[Pinkocto]

After taking room pictures I completely unpacked, it was nice being alone, I could use every single drawer. Not that I had that many clothes but I could separate them into shirts, shorts, ect… At some point I called mom and she wanted some pictures of the room so I took some on the phone to send to her. The phone popped up that I had no more room for pictures. So I deleted Candy Crush. Yes I did. That horrible game was giving me high blood pressure and I wasn’t getting anywhere so it was gone. She took care of my Conner dog for me and he loved it. Finished unpacking around 6:45 and then sat down to catch up in the journal. After catching up I headed out to explore a bit and find some dinner. My original plans were either Napa Rose or Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen for the first night so I needed to make a decision.

Decided to go through the pool area because I wanted to find the DCA entrance.

Hello room









These loungers were heavenly, at least 6 inches thick if not more



You can rent these cabanas, I thought they were so pretty













Loungers were everywhere, you’d think there was plenty. I found out another day there were not enough…



Out of the pool area and I found the spa. I went in and got a price booklet.



This is the QS restaurant



I thought it was closed so didn’t go in, but it shouldn’t have been because it was not even 8:00.



After looking at the spa brochure I went back in and booked a deep tissue massage. I really should have gone in earlier this first day because that would have been a lovely way to start the vacation. I tried for the next day but the latest they could do was 6:00 and I didn’t want to do that just in case things went later than planned with Alison. So I booked for the third day of vacation at 11:30 am.

Massage booked I continued my wanderings. I found Napa Rose and checked out the menu posted outside. Sadly nothing interested me so I headed to DTD. I was planning to go to the EMH at DCA the next morning and realized I should probably get my ticket tonight so I didn’t have to rush in the morning. The delightful Josh helped me again and amazingly remembered it was me he directed to Food4Less earlier and asked if I had trouble finding it. I love being remembered, makes me feel so special. He hands me a paper ticket along with my room card. Huh? My ticket isn’t on my room card I asked? We’re not as fancy as WDW was the reply along with a chuckle. I was quite surprised but no big deal.

Ticket safely tucked away in my wallet I made my way to DTD. I almost went up to the viewing deck to watch WoC but I was hungry so headed to DTD instead. Loved loved loved how close the hotel was to everything. I’m so used to spending tons of time getting everywhere in WDW and it was such a treat to have everything so close.

I checked out Vault 28, I think that was the name, a cute little boutique but nothing really called out to me so I left empty handed. I was looking at the purses and one of the salesgirls came over and chatted with me. She told me about a gorgeous Harvey they only made a few of. It was paired with a Vinylmation and the set was $600. Alison, do you know anything about this? I can’t find any pictures online.

I stopped and listened to this guy for a few minutes. He was great and I would have stayed longer but I was getting tired.



Ralph Brennan’s looked cool and the menu looked delicious but I realized I didn’t have the energy to do a sit down meal. The Taqueria was close by and that was on my list so that’s where I went. I ordered a veggie burrito and took it back to the room where I ate it while watching Once Upon a Time. I realized a few bites in I forgot a photo. I know you all know what a burrito looks like but I was trying to remember my photos.



I got partway into a second episode but called it a night at 10:00. That was 1:00 my time and I was plum tuckered out. I was so excited for the next day, I was meeting up with Alison and going to the parks for the first time.

 

[Pinkocto]

Love the GCV! Thanks for the pictures.


You like Mt Dew? Do they have it on the cruise ships?


Mmm.....Salsa verde Doritos, my favorite!

I love Mt Dew, absolutely love it. No, they only have Coca Cola products on the ships. I can make do with my caffeine addiction with diet coke but it's not the same that's for sure.

Oh my goodness, those salsa verde chips were so spicy I could literally only eat one. We don't have them out here but I love trying all the different doritos so picked them up at Food4Less. Needless to say I brought them home to my DB who loves spicy things.

 

[MEK]

Pam - I think you might enjoy a Mountain Dew from time to time, huh?

The resort is so beautiful. I have an idea. I think they should redo VWL so they look exactly the same. It was be so perfect!

Dinner looks like a great choice.

Lovely first day. It must have been so convenient to have everything so close.