Great studios stay!

[bobbiwoz]

Just returned home from an eight night, 3 resort stay with each studio being a dedicated one.

DH and I began at VWL...weekend stay, arriving around 9 PM. We were at the end of the hall, third floor, could see the dumpster if we tried to from the balcony. Our biggest surprise was that when we went to the beach to view the electrical water parade at 9:30, we went to the beach that was closest to the dock and we had an excellent view of the Halloween party fireworks that took place around the same time at the MK. We had always gone to the beach closest to the main pool, and never saw the fireworks before. On Saturday night we joined a fellow Diser/DVC OKW member's family and did the Magical Fireworks GG which was WONDERFUL! It cost about $40 per person, and I had heard bad things because the boat has a roof, but DH and I sat on different sides of the boat and we each were happy with the viewing! The family we joined was welcoming and fun to be with. Parents were celebrating their 10th anniversary, the 4 children were friendly. They ranged in age from 3 (I think) to 7, and in spite of the fact that Wishes was changed from 9 PM to 10 PM, so a much later bedtime, we all held up well! DH had to leave Sunday evening, but we enjoyed a morning at Epcot, lunch at France, and a relaxing afternoon at VWL, really our favorite DVC. I got a 6:15 AM wake up call to do some laundry on Monday. No problem using a washer/drier then, but someone did beat me to it, there was a load drying when I got there! I spent the morning reading a book on the balcony, gave my luggage to bell services and left my room just before 11AM.

All went smoothly! I got to AKV around noon on Monday and my studio was ready. It was on the Arusha savannah, there was a work area enclosed that was visible in front of our room, but it didn't bother the animals which came by very regularly. Biggest disappointment at AKV was that the flamingo area was being worked on, so no flamingo viewing. My DF arrived using ME and we took part in the Jiko tour which takes place at 4PM. The CM/assistant chef explains dishes and we try breads and dips there and then go to Boma where the offerings are explained. I'm so glad we did the tour, because I hadn't ever eaten at Boma, didn't know what to expect. Now, I can make ADR's there knowing that I will like the food! We were offered tastings of the soup, and I tried the Seafood Gumbo which I liked and my friend enjoyed Potato soup.

Another wonderful experience at AKL/V was the Cultural presentation in the evening. I went to 2 of them, and each CM had wonderful observations of their home country, Uganda. I learned so much and was enchanted with the slides of their country.

On Thursday, we moved, again Disney took the bags, to BCV. My friend and I went to Epcot in the morning, and came to BCV around lunchtime and once again our room was ready. It was room 161, also a dedicated studio located at the bend in the building. We were near the elevator and the exit door by the villa pool. I thought it could be a noisy room, but no, very little hall/traffic noise interferred with our pleasure of being at BCV.

At both BCV marketplace and at Roaring Forks at WL I enjoyed one of the fresh salads that are prepared. In each case, the salad was fine for 2 when we shared something else. At BCV, we asked for 2 bowls and were accomodated. This was great since my DF wanted onions, but I didn't!

SAB wasn't crowded, and was opened until 10. There were movies on the beach, but not Yoga in the mornings.

Another DGF joined us, just for Friday night, so 3 adults in the studio and it was fine. Actually it was wonderful!!! Great stay...great resorts, great fun for us. I suppose I'm ready for work this week. School begins for me on Thursday!

Very very few lovebugs! I got to do TSM 4 times, twice with both DH and my DGF.

At AKV I was very very pleased with the bus service. Our only problem was getting to GF from AKV through DTD. It took a bit over an hour. Perhaps we should have taken a bus to a park instead of DTD, but we just took the first bus that came and thought we would be fine where ever it went. Oh well. It turns out that the Garden Tea Room closes now at 5, when I booked it closed at 6. We got there a bit after 5, and they could accomodate us for tea but not for the sandwiches, so we went to the Grand Floridian Grill, our first time eating there, and the meal was wonderful! I had salmon, DF had a pasta/cheese/shrimp/proscuitto/asparagus dish which was enough for dinner and breakfast for her the next day!

DH and I have decided to take a late September trip, even for just a weekend which is all the time we can manage, next year as well.

Bobbi

 

[lauriegs]

sounds awesome! we'll be doing a split stay in studios this Nov. as well - so how did you get to the next resort, just catch a bus from a park?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Sounds like this was a good opportunity to use the studios!

 

[podsnel]

So glad you had such a nice trip! I have a question about moving the luggage- do you go to bell services when you get to your new location, or does the luggage just end up in your room at some point? And do you always bring it to bell services, or do you just leave it in your room for the transfer?
Thanks!
Ellen

 

[El&Asmom]

Sounds like a fun and relaxing trip.
Dh and I had a studio for 3 nights at BWV, and we loved it. We thought it would be plenty of room for us and our two girls for a short trip.
Thanks for the TR.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Especially for my first move, from VWL to AKV, I had some food items, heaviest of which were 6-8 bottles of water and a baby watermelon, I wanted bell services to come to my room. The CM was there within 5 minutes of my call. I had been told that they begin transferring luggage at 1 and are usually finished by 3 PM. That definitely was the case. At AKV I called just at 3 to see if my 2 pieces were there, and they were. Again, delivered to my room within 10 minutes!!!

For the second move, from AKV to BCV, I had less but my DGF had 2 heavy suitcases, plus she wanted to get out as early as she could to get to Epcot. So, it took me longer to get out of the room. I called around 9 and the 4 pieces were picked up very quickly. At BCV, the hardest thing about getting the luggage was getting through to bell services on the phone. This was around 5 PM, perhaps it was a change of shift. However, once I reached them, the 4 pieces came quickly. We had brought our bathing suits to Epcot with us, and spent the afternoon at SAB. We didn't need the bags before 5, so we hadn't been in a rush to get them.

When transferring, I was told to be in the room both to give and to receive the luggage. However, I am sure that I could have brought the pieces down to them. This trip I did want to be waited on somewhat!

Bobbi

 

[moredisneyplease]

sounds like you had a great time! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

Great to hear how much fun you had on your trip. Now, I'm definitely booking the Jiko tour for next trip home. My DW will love it.

 

[Granny]

Bobbi...excellent report. Sounds like a lot of fun and glad all the plans and resort transfers went so smoothly for you! Thanks for sharing your experiences.

 

[jekjones1558]

You did LOTS, Bobbi! I love going with DH but DGF are just as much fun. It's been a long time since I've stayed at VWL and your report makes me want to go back. Welcome Home (your other home, that is!)