I Can See Epcot From Here! ~ A November Trip and Dining Report ~

[Pluto_fan]

How does everybody but me know who Leif Garrett is???

Um...I think you are a little bit younger than some of us...
And I have an older sister, so that's probably how I knew about him.

We went to the F&WF back in 2002. We enjoyed it and I always thought I'd like to go back for it...but after seeing that picture I'm not so sure! I don't remember it being that crowded. Must've been before it became so popular.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Yes, we do have Game Stops here to...I will have to check 'em out! Thanks!!

You're welcome!

Ugh that's so annoying that you got a room with no balcony! When I stayed in BC, that was one of my must haves, a balcony, and unfortunately, there's no guarantee that you get one, you just have to request it and hope you get lucky!

I wish we got some snow today...it rained all day, but no snow, it's almost 60 degrees here in CT, on the first day of December! Ugh!

Yeah, the balcony thing at the deluxes is so annoying. All rooms should have them for what they are charging.

Hope you get some snow soon! (If that's what you want! ) I'd be glad to give you ours!!

Don't laugh but your crowd pic got me just a lil bit paranoid so I seeked out a couple of TR of people who were there late Oct of this year and the scenes of Epcot do not look bad as far as crowds at all ..............whewwwww I was starting to second guess our choice of dates, but I think it should be ok

Well that's good news!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I never knew that there were rooms at BWI with no balconies. Why would the CM say they all had them? We are staying a few days in BCV and I heard that all the studios have balconies, but I'm wondering if that is actually true

The pictures from the wedding are beautiful. I can't imagine how awesome it must be to have a wedding there. I should start saving now so I can convince my DD6 to have her wedding there.

I ordered Epic Mickey from Amazon and it shipped Tues. I was hoping it would be waiting for me last night when I got home but it didn't come yet. Hopefully it will come today. I can't wait to play it and will let you know how we like it when we get it.

I never knew it either.

From what I can remember, looking at the BWV I think all the rooms might have a balcony. But I can't say for sure.

We saw about 3-4 weddings in the BW/BC/YC area while we were there. Must be a pretty popular spot! I said to DH I wonder how all these people can afford to get married here. He said they must all be locals!

Oh yes, please let me know what you think about Epic Mickey!

Um...I think you are a little bit younger than some of us...
And I have an older sister, so that's probably how I knew about him.

We went to the F&WF back in 2002. We enjoyed it and I always thought I'd like to go back for it...but after seeing that picture I'm not so sure! I don't remember it being that crowded. Must've been before it became so popular.

Yeah, maybe the F&WF wasn't as popular back then. It sure is now. The lines at those food booths were so long. I couldn't imagine waiting in them if you wanted to try stuff at several of them. It would take forever!

 

[JoBird]

The whole no balcony thing just amazes me still. I think they should close those *few* rooms b/c you know that if people are paying for a deluxe then they want a balcony. The view from there would have been so perfect too with the water......

Your pictures are really great - the wedding is so sweet. I still wonder if the Bride is on here somewhere.

Looking forward to more!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

The whole no balcony thing just amazes me still. I think they should close those *few* rooms b/c you know that if people are paying for a deluxe then they want a balcony. The view from there would have been so perfect too with the water......

Your pictures are really great - the wedding is so sweet. I still wonder if the Bride is on here somewhere.

Looking forward to more!

It amazes me too. And they put someone in our old room right after we moved out, because we saw them getting room service the next day.

All the wedding parties and decor we saw were so beautiful. On our last night there was a reception set up on the beach at the BC, it was so pretty and elegant.


BTW -- I just noticed your ticker is at 9 months!!! Congrats! It will be here before you know it.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

After a little rest DH said he was feeling a bit better and we pulled ourselves together and decided to go downstairs and get some dinner at Big River Grille. We had been there 2 times before and it was great both times, so we knew it wouldn't disappoint. It felt comforting at that point to go somewhere familiar after the day we had been having!

Thankfully, BRG was great as always. BRG is a TS restaurant, but it does not take ADR's. We have always gone around 5:00 or so and have never had to wait to be seated. The same was true for this night.

We were waited on right away and the service was pretty good throughout the whole meal. I had signed up for emails through the BRG website and we had a coupon sent to us for a free meal for DH's birthday. Both times we have gone there before I have gotten the “Beef Nachos – tortilla chips, creamy pepper jack cheese, sliced jalapenos, topped with pico de gallo & sour cream” minus the jalapenos! It is actually an appetizer, but it is huge and I get it for my meal. I wanted it again and asked the waitress if we could get it as our 'free meal' even though it was just an appetizer, and she said we could. DH ordered the “Chicken Alfredo – penne pasta blended with grilled chicken in creamy parmesan cheese sauce with fresh vegetables”. I thought he'd go for the Shrimp & Scallop Penne Pasta like he did last time since he enjoyed it so much, but I guess he was looking for something different. DS11 ordered the PB&J uncrustable. It comes with 3 sandwich halves, rather than 2 like most other places. Plus chips! DS9 didn't like anything on the menu but knew he could get pasta even though it isn't on the menu, so that's what he went with.

Our food came pretty quick and everything was very good as always. DS9 said he wasn't feeling so well and hardly ate anything. DS11 ate his food and most of DS9's too! Their meals both came with a piece of chocolate cake. Since DS9 wasn't feeling so well DH ate most of his cake!

I was completely full after my meal and I was loving the freedom of not having to order a dessert just because it was 'included'. Would this mean good things for us the rest of the week without the DDP???

Our Total Bill (with my meal for free): $33.20
Rating: 5 out of 5



After dinner we stopped in the Screen Door gift shop on the BW, right next to BRG. For some reason I didn't take any pics in there. Very unlike me.

We then stopped and figured out which window was ours from outside. It is the one on the top floor with the curtains fully open. As you can see there aren't too many rooms without a balcony. I only counted 3.

Then we stopped on the big balcony off the BWI lobby.

Went in the lobby and took a few pics of things I had missed earlier.

DS11 thought this weird looking chair was so cool! He had to stop and sit in it each time we passed through the lobby.

Then we stopped in Dundy's Sundries, which is a tiny gift shop inside the BWI right off the lobby. We just wanted to see what they had in-case we found ourselves in need of anything throughout the week!

After that we just called it a night. We had been up since 4:00am and were cold and tired. We went back to the room and watched TV and relaxed. I was worried about DS9 being sick. I thought he might be getting a stomach bug since he didn't really eat dinner. But thankfully his stomach never bothered him! There was a message on our phone not to turn the room clock back, that it would be done automatically through the night. We were happy for the extra hour of sleep we would be getting! Or so we thought. We went to bed around 10:00 or so. A few hours later DS9 started to cough. It wasn't going away. I got up and went into the bathroom to get him some cough medicine. Well what do you know, I hadn't unpacked it. I only unpacked what I thought we were going to need for the night, since we were changing rooms in the morning. So here it was sometime around midnight and I was searching the luggage for cough medicine. I finally found it and it helped him right away and he was back to sleep in no time. DH and I hadn't gone to sleep yet because we could hear elevator noise and it was very annoying!! Our room was right across from the back of the elevators and they banged and clanged all night. I am so glad we didn't keep that room all week!! So if you ever stay at the BWI and are assigned to room #5283 – run away as fast as you can!!! No balcony and elevator noise! We could also hear the horn from the boat about every 15-20 minutes, but it wasn't too loud and it really didn't bother us.

DH and I laid there most of the night awake. I think I did eventually get some sleep in the early hours of the morning. And I think he dozed in and out of sleep eventually as well. It definitely wasn't a good nights sleep for either of us.


Up Next: Day 2 - A morning at AK

 

[sjs314]

Good Update, Big River Grille looks interesting and the fact they do not take ADR's is a plus, that is why we have gone to ESPN twice plus we like the food there, I agreee as long as you eat early before the Boardwalk gets busy for the evening you are good to go.

They need to make those rooms a separate catagory, In doing my research for CR there are only 3 same as those 3 rooms at BW in the Garden Wings, deluxe rooms , ground floor has 2 patios and 2nd and 3rd no balcony. They are like a suite but cheaper so hard to get. I bet if they made those 2 rooms at BW a booking catagory maybe pushing the top floor aspect and view, they would be snached up instead of people ending up disappointed when they are assigned to them.

I love the BW Lobby and that chair , glad to hear your DS was better after the cough medicine, you are so smart to pack that stuff, I remember one year I had to go pick up some at the store in WL for my DS and I think it was twice as much as at home.

 

[JoBird]

No balcony, elevator noise and a big honking horn keeping you awake. That definitely puts that room in the awful department!
How miserable for you guys.

I hate the "get-up-and-search-thru-luggage-at-midnight" scene. We're very familiar with it.
Glad he was able to get back to sleep but how awful you guys couldn't sleep, especially with as tired as I know you were.

Your BRG meal looked very good-- I think I may put it on our list for September again.

Oooh- thanks for pointing out my ticker! I didn't even notice I was at 9 months.

Thanks for the great update!!!

 

[danceintherain]

I was disappointed with Epcot that week as well. I had thought we would return there, but we didn't after our first day, because it was a pain. We ended up spending our evenings at CBR instead, which was really nice.

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

Great TR so far! You are such a great storyteller!!


And for you Leif Garrett fans, I just saw that he's going to be on the next season's Celebrity Rehab!

 

[seacrestpromo]

Those nachos look really yummy. Now I want some Mexican food badly - fortunately we are having it for dinner! LOL! Gotta try that place next time. Good report today!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Good Update, Big River Grille looks interesting and the fact they do not take ADR's is a plus, that is why we have gone to ESPN twice plus we like the food there, I agreee as long as you eat early before the Boardwalk gets busy for the evening you are good to go.

They need to make those rooms a separate catagory, In doing my research for CR there are only 3 same as those 3 rooms at BW in the Garden Wings, deluxe rooms , ground floor has 2 patios and 2nd and 3rd no balcony. They are like a suite but cheaper so hard to get. I bet if they made those 2 rooms at BW a booking catagory maybe pushing the top floor aspect and view, they would be snached up instead of people ending up disappointed when they are assigned to them.

I love the BW Lobby and that chair , glad to hear your DS was better after the cough medicine, you are so smart to pack that stuff, I remember one year I had to go pick up some at the store in WL for my DS and I think it was twice as much as at home.

We love BRG and love that you don't have to be tied to an ADR to eat there! You should definitely try it! We almost ate at ESPN, but ended up somewhere else instead one night, more on that later. . .

You are right, they should make those window rooms a seperate category when booking. For the right price, someone just might love them!

I always take cough meds for the kids. You just never know. Especially in cold & flu season!

No balcony, elevator noise and a big honking horn keeping you awake. That definitely puts that room in the awful department!
How miserable for you guys.

I hate the "get-up-and-search-thru-luggage-at-midnight" scene. We're very familiar with it.
Glad he was able to get back to sleep but how awful you guys couldn't sleep, especially with as tired as I know you were.

Your BRG meal looked very good-- I think I may put it on our list for September again.

Oooh- thanks for pointing out my ticker! I didn't even notice I was at 9 months.

Thanks for the great update!!!

Yes, it wasn't a pleasant way to start our trip.

I remember texting you and telling you that we weren't off to a good start. Not what I wanted to tell you in my first update.

We may actually skip BRG next time, since we have been there 3X in a row!

YAY for 9 months!!! I can't believe you didn't even notice!

I was disappointed with Epcot that week as well. I had thought we would return there, but we didn't after our first day, because it was a pain. We ended up spending our evenings at CBR instead, which was really nice.

Sometimes spending the evening at the resort is better than going to the park anyway! Especially when the park is so dang crowded.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Great TR so far! You are such a great storyteller!!


And for you Leif Garrett fans, I just saw that he's going to be on the next season's Celebrity Rehab!

Welcome Jenny! So glad you are here and enjoying the TR!


Yikes about the guy that looks like my kid being on Celebrity Rehab!!

Those nachos look really yummy. Now I want some Mexican food badly - fortunately we are having it for dinner! LOL! Gotta try that place next time. Good report today!

They were really yummy!
Enjoy your dinner!

 

[nessz79]

Just wanted to pop in to say "I'm here!!". I followed you from the CBR FAQ thread. Loved your video! Going back now to get started on your TR.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Just wanted to pop in to say "I'm here!!". I followed you from the CBR FAQ thread. Loved your video! Going back now to get started on your TR.

Welcome! So glad you came over! Looks like you have a trip coming up very soon. Lucky!!

Hope you enjoy the TR!

 

[T*Bird]

I guess the best way to look at how your trip started off is that things could only get better! I'm sure being worried that your DH and DS were about to get sick didn't help matters. I hope that was the extent of their feeling bad! (somehow that doesn't sound like proper English but you know what I mean. )

Your BRG meals look yummy! Especially the nachos, minus the sour cream but with the peppers!

 

[drakes]

All caught up and now my comments...

your DS does remind me of Leif Garrett, he was the heartthrob

The BRG - looks yummy, never eaten there and I know you have been on most (if not all your last 3 trips - that's what you said - right? lol). I think I will always think of you and your review. The nachos look so yummy, I would pick that as a meal as well.

You already know I think the room was a bummer BOO!

The creepy chair - I have a picture of those, what is it about the BWI and creep factor (the clown, the chair, what else is there?)

I like the snowglobe, I will need to keep my eye out, as they make great souvenirs to remember your family vacation.

Captain EO, I wanted to see this just to cross it off my list... it was huge in it's day, I saw it in DLRP this summer, and it was a dated music video, but for it's time it would have been high tech ? I am glad I saw it and it made me feel for Michael Jackson and his children. Such a sad turn of events.

Arriving at WDW mid day is always a let down with crowds, I was thinking of just using this as resort time, but this trip is strictly 7 days, so YES we're heading to the Kingdom on arrival day!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

BRG looks and sounds very good! I think we will try it next time. I am very curious to know what your final opinion was of not being on the dining plan??? So far, it seems like you didn't miss it much at all.

 

[pwdebbie]

BRG looks and sounds very good! I think we will try it next time. I am very curious to know what your final opinion was of not being on the dining plan??? So far, it seems like you didn't miss it much at all.

I'll jump in here with an answer, if you don't mind. This November was our first trip without the DDP. We are two adults in our 50s. I am sure we probably spent more on food than we would have if we were on the DDP but I never felt obligated to eat dessert and I felt free to enjoy appetizers. I didn't feel enslaved to trying to use up snack credits. When you are not using the DDP, you do realize how outrageously priced some of the food at WDW is because you are looking more at the prices. If it weren't for dh, I think I could eat very economically at WDW, but dh tends to like the most expensive things on the menu plus a few beers each day and real coffee whenever he can find it.

Personally, it was freeing to not be on the DDP. And I didn't come home hoping to never see another creme brulee again.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Momof2Disneyboys,
When you were looking in either of the Boardwalk stores did you happen to see if they still had any of their 2010 Holiday Resort logo pins?