Here at BCV now

[BCV23]

We checked into BCV yesterday and are having a great time. I checked in shortly after 7 to get our cards so my DH could have Tonga Toast from Captain Cooks using DDP credits. Since I was so early, I checked in at the BC lobby but the BCV lobby looks so convenient. Anyway, Vince was earning his ears and did a fine job. A great lady helped him and asked me about preferences....Marilyn or Michelle. Oh, I wish I could remember. She was great. I also saw Haname who registered us another trip.

Anyway, we were able to move into our villa around 11:30 which was such a treat. The new carpets look great in the halls and our unit was very clean. We had one minor issue with a sink stopper which was attended to while we were in Epcot this am.

We tried Tuuto Italia last night and it was excellent. It is expensive though and I'm glad we're on the DDP. My DH preferred his dinner to our CG dinner on Friday. California Grill is a must do for us every trip so that is saying something for my family. We're going back to Tutto Italia on Thursday as we all enjoyed it so much.

Epcot was quite crowded yesterday afternoon but much quieter this am. We're enjoying a quiet afternoon andevening around the resort today. Off to MGM tomorrow.

 

[DVC Mike]

Glad you're having a great time! I wish I were there.

 

[RLRDA]

We'll be making our first visit to BCV in May....the countdown has begun! Is the restaurant you mentioned the new one in Italy's pavilion? We were already starting to think about where to make ADRs and Italy came up but we weren't sure if anything new had opened there. You also reminded me that we want to try the California Grill. We will be getting the DDP again (even though the tip is not included in '08....for us it's still worth it) and want to make sure we hit some of the restaurants we didn't visit last time.

Can't wait for May....we're almost at the 200 day mark!! Keep the reports coming!!

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

I've got a question for you.

Are the towels and linens upgraded yet? We checked out on the 3rd of Oct. and the was a message saying that was to take place that day. Just wondering what they are like.

 

[erikthewise]

Jealous, jealous, jealous! We have to wait another 45 days.
What view do you have this time?

 

[groverdog]

I wish I was there! We just got back and also tried Tutto Italia and loved it. The service could not have been better and the food was very yummy.
We also tried Artist's Point for the first time and it was fabulous.
While you are there try the cupcakes at BW Bakery, they are quite good with their delightful fluffy frosting.
I must be hungry

 

[Jillpie]

This is a long shot...but if you are going to Prime Time tomorrow, can you ask what days Uncle Mark works so I can make my ADR accordingly? Love him!

 

[DVC Grammy]

Glad to hear you're having a wonderful time. Also glad to hear that Tutto Italia is good............just might have to confirm that in person .
Hope the rest of your trip is just as wonderful.

 

[BCV23]

DVCMike, your trip will be here before you know it! Happy planning.

RLRDA, yes Tutto Italia is the new restaurant in the Italian pavilion. But it is closing sometime in 2008 for a refurbishement of some sort. I haven't seen details but it may not be open for your trip. I hope it is. CG is really a wonderful dining experience. Some of our choices just weren't quite up to par this time. We like to go on the early side and get out before Wishes as it is quieter but that is just us.

MinnieFan, yes the linens are upgraded. The towels are much fluffier although I don't think they're much larger if at all. The sheets are very nice.....that really cold feel when you slide in. I think this is also the first time we've had a pillowtop mattress at BCV. I know we didn't have one in May but we had an accessible villa that trip.

erikthewise, good to see you. You'll be here before you know it! Will you do some of your wonderful dining reviews? Anyway, we look out on the area that has the fairy ring but are located on the Tee.

groverdog, I've never had anything from the BWBakery. I'll have to try those cupcakes one of these days.

Jillpie, sorry but today was the last day we plan to visit MGM this trip. I ended up having a mini spa type day. But my DH and DS2 had lunch at Mama's. If I had seen your post, I would have asked my DH to drop in Prime Time and ask. If we end up going back, I'll ask.

DVC Grammy, thanks. If you try it, let us all know what you think.

Oh, we were leaving yesterday am and the family across the hall had 3 garbage bags in the hall! First time I've actually seen this. It was not the larger type that are put out occasionally by the mousekeepers for a short time as they clean. Anyway, we were almost to the elevator when I realized I left my purse behind( don't usually carry one to the parks). My DH walks faster so he took one for the team and walked back for it. He saw the family and being the retiring shy type that he is, said something about it. He said the DH wasn't happy but this morning there were no garbage outside their door!

 

[erikthewise]

erikthewise, good to see you. You'll be here before you know it! Will you do some of your wonderful dining reviews? Anyway, we look out on the area that has the fairy ring but are located on the Tee.

So you have Epcot View, right? Upper or lower floor? We haven't had that view since Soarin' was built. If you have a good view, a photo would be nice!

Yes I am planning to do dining reviews if time permits.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hi, BCV23. I'll bet you can predict my first question-what kind of gelato do they have in the BC Marketplace these days? Also, are they still doing the nightly movies on the beach? If so, what (if any) have you seen? Have a great time!

 

[newholidayx2]

Thanks for your report

I'll be at the BCV 11/11-16 (Pop 11/3-7, Coronado 11/7-11) celebrating my 50th!

How's Art? Tell him Barbara from MA says hello and will see him in a few weeks - Thanks

Hows the Off Kilter Boys? Looking forward to spending most afternoons/nights listening/dancing to them!
Cant think of a better way to celebrate my birthday

 

[BCV23]

Erik, we have a lower floor but have a good sideways view of the higher Illiminations effects. From this wing there is no view of Soarin or SSE. But we've been in villas that do face Soarin and I don't think it blocks either Illuminations nor SSE. Soarin is directly in front, SSE to the left a bit and Illuminations to the right.

Simba's Mom, I'll have to checkout the gelato flavors. I did notice mango down there this am as well as a sign for a sugar free choice. I don't remember that in the past, do you? We haven't made it to a movie yet but will probably try to do so tonight or tomorrow depending how long dinner lasts. The October schedule from Sun-Sat lists Lilo and Stitch, Parent Trap (1998 version), The Incredibles (changes to Meet the Robinsons on 10/23), The Pacifier, Toy Story, Cars and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. On 10/31, The Haunted Mansion will be shown.

Barbara, Art is his delightful self. I gave him your greeting and he asked me to return it. We haven't seen Off Kilter this trip. You're getting close. Happy planning and Happy 50th a bit early!

We're having another relaxing day. No park at all today so far unless we decide to hit Fantasmic tonight. We had lunch at Raglan Road and dinner is planned for Spoodles. THe weather continues to be warm for this time of year with no rain although we may have had a shower overnight Monday as there was a little standing water on our balcony in a couple spots.

 

[tomandrobin]

We checked into BCV yesterday and are having a great time. I checked in shortly after 7 to get our cards so my DH could have Tonga Toast from Captain Cooks .

Yum, I like the way you start a trip!

We tried Tuuto Italia last night and it was excellent. It is expensive though and I'm glad we're on the DDP. My DH preferred his dinner to our CG dinner on Friday. California Grill is a must do for us every trip so that is saying something for my family. We're going back to Tutto Italia on Thursday as we all enjoyed it so much.

This is great to hear. We added that to our ADRs for December. We love Itailian Food and the menu really looked good.

Epcot was quite crowded yesterday afternoon but much quieter this am. We're enjoying a quiet afternoon and evening around the resort today. Off to MGM tomorrow.

Hopefully the crowds stay managable for the remainder of your trip.

 

[BCV23]

tomandrobin, I hope you enjoy Tutto as much as we did. We're eager to go back tomorrow and now I'm very glad that I booked it for a Candlelight Processional package. Let us know what you think.

Simab's Mom, here's your gelato report : roasted almond, straciatella (chocolate chip), mango, lemon and no sugar added chocolate. The flavor of the day was strawberry/guava. A wonderful young CM worked very hard to get a carb count for the sugar free. I have to go back and get her name. It started with Hee I think. In the end the answer was just "low carb." She went above and beyond to help.

 

[inky dinky doo]

I always love reading your reports, BCV23 . . . especially times like today, when I'm 9 sleeps away from going home, myself.

I am really happy to hear they're still doing the movies on the beach. That sounds like fun! And, yum! on the sugar free chocolate gelato.

Pat

 

[byoung]

Thanks for reporting.

 

[eliza61]

20 more days to go!!

 

[DISNEYFOS]

Thanks so much for the report. We are 10 days away!!

 

[BCV23]

Thanks, Inky Dinky Doo. So many of you have upcoming trips to BCV. Have fun and report back.

We arrived home last night after delayed flights into ORD (DH was on a different airline). Good to be back home as always.

The BC Marketplace no longer makes sandwiches to order. The only choices were the three standards. We picked up some for the plane.

There is Yoga on the beach at 7 am every morning. Mats are provided and it is free for Y&BC/BCV guests. BCV is not listed on the little flyer but I asked in the Health Club and we're included. We didn't go to this activity however.

Lots of different menus at the restaurants. We had new menus at Spoodles, Kona (breakfast and dinner although breakfast didn't seem much different), Le Cellier lunch, GF Cafe. California Grill of course always has a new menu. We finally tried 'Ohana for dinner and can now check it off our list. We went back to Tutto and enjoyed it again but really should have waited for the next trip.

We really noticed so many CMs in the parks and resorts going out of their way to be friendly and helpful. It reminded us of the WDW of years past and was delightful!

Most guests seemed on their best behavior too. I think the spirit rubs off.