Greetings from Boardwalk Villas!!

[MarkRG]

Been down for a few days now, It's been HOT for this time of year, but otherwise a very fun trip! We're at home in a 2 BR with DW Mary(Wdwlvr) and my parents, already been to Epcot, Don't miss visiting Journey Into Your Imagination, as Figment's back in a big way!

Anyone have some questions? Will be happy to answer them tonight.

 

[zulaya]

Please report back on the amount of characters you see at the opening of MK if you get to that park that early during your stay.

 

[pnelson]

What view do you have for the 2 bedroom? How far did you book this room and did you request this view?

 

[MarkRG]

Zulaya,
There were lots of characters, and it wasn't an early entry day there today. Infront of the train station was Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Chip & Dale, and at least another half dozen in the garden circle on the other side of the train station. And lots more all over the park, including a lot normally not seen around. We got our picture with a Mary Poppins Penguin!

Pnelson,
We booked this back at the 11 month window, a standard view, which is about halfway down the driveway from the entrance up on the 5th floor. Did fax a request to the room controller about a week before asking for an upper floor.

Anyone else? Been to MK, Epcot, MGM, Downtown Disney, and tomorrow is Universal, then AK.

 

[wdwendyd]

MarkRG-
Can you please measure the length of the couch between the arms? I need to know if my son will fit on the flat part without having to open it up.
Thanks!

 

[mouseclick1]

No questions, just glad you're having a good time!!

 

[DeeP]

How is the refurbishment going, which areas are they working on now? I was just there almost 2 long weeks ago and it looked like they were just starting on the standard view rooms.
Thanks for the report, I am already homesick!!!
But we will be back in Dec!!!!

 

[iluvdisney]

Mark - go have fun - good weather and good times and WDW - who could ask for anything more!

 

[MarkRG]

Ok, time for a daily update!

First, the couch in the 1 br I can stretch out on comfortably and I'm 6 foot, so it's at least that long, still closed.

As far as the rehab, it's almost complete. The last time we were home, the entire front of the building around the entrance was covered up. The only sections of the boardwalk still under scaffolding now is a bit over the entry to the family pool area, and the far end of the building facing the Swan & Dolphin.

Oh we're having a great time down here, it's still near 90 with high humidity, so it's a bit uncomfortable. Went to Universal Studios(no, not IOA, no coasters for our group)

Cool rides:

• MIB, very much like Buzz, but only the ride spins the car at certain points. Personal score first time up near 250,000
  
  Terminator 3d, 3d with some actor bits, the 3d projection system is clearer then Tough to be a Bug.

Ok Rides:

• Twister , good effects when you finally get there. Line up, watch a tv movie, move and do the same thing again.
  
  Earthquake, good actual ride, again when you get there, as they crowd you into this room with pics on the wall from the movie and then leave you there for 10 minutes. At least Twister had something to pass the time.

Not so good rides:

• Back to the Future, I would rate this ride for physial ride violence above Body Wars, bring the barf bag if you're in the least suseptible.
  
  Jaws, quaint, but actually funny at points, and I don't think it's supposed to be.

Now, overall, Disney truly beats them out for park ambiance, handling the ride queues, and variety of types of rides. Most of theirs seem to be motion rides. We're happy to have our home over here.

Anyone else? Otherwise I'll drop in later.

 

[MarkRG]

On this our last full day here, we got a 6 am wakeup call, courtesy of the fire alarm! No fire, just someone doing something stupid in a room, hope they got expelled.

Well, to cover what's been going on up to today, Went to AK, saw lots on the Safari, Saw the 2 good shows, Legend of the Lion King still rules! Blew off the parade to get an afternoon break before going over to see Fantasmic! at MGM, then walking to Epcot to see Illuminations in person at least once while here. A way cool day all the way around.

Yesterday, went to MK again, some of the Not-So-Scary decor is up, went on some rides, was actually quite busy by about 11! So, we went over to Downtown Disney, which was pleasantly uncrowded, did some shopping, talked with the DVC castmember there whose only comments on the member cruise was that 'They're putting a lot of energy into it', and when I mentioned the last one was told it'll pale in comparison to this one. Admitted to knowing more than can be said about it, but to me that's cool, I like surprises.

Still hot and muggy down here, Kyle's got some lingering aftereffects, but it looks like cooler, drier weather will prevail before the week's out.

 

[Cap]

Thanks for the updates. Glad the exterior renewal is finally about done.

 

[tripletvan]

Yes once again thanks for the news! We still have to get through the snow & ice before we get to go home again!

 

[MarkRG]

Ok, well we're back home now.

For a final round of updates, spent Friday morning walking onto rides in Epcot Future World, as it was Early Entry at Animal Kingdom. Definitely avoid the early entry park if you want to have an uncrowded time. Met up with dvcreg and her dh, then retired to the resort to prepare for the Not-So Scary.

On to the Not-So-Scary Holloween Party. Well, it was more like the Almost Scary. They don't put any cap on admission any more other than the regular park capacity. It was as crowded as it gets at Easter Week! Just a major mob scene, and it didn't even fall off as it used to after the fireworks. Really getting to be not worth it except to see the parade and fireworks, which they did run a special version again for the nite. Unless we hear of it having some kind of attendance cap, we won't be doing that one again.

The trip back to the real home was uneventful.

 

[KathyR]

Glad your trip went well.

Sorry to hear about the attendance at the party though! I was hoping it wouldn't be that bad on the sunday we are going, but then they put an AP party on that day. I assume it will increase attendance for the night. Although I will say, it is not all bad since we are AP holders and will be attending the AP party I am still hopeful that with it being a sunday most of the locals will turn in early or attend on a weekend night .