I keep forgeting that it's Christmas time! Dec 2011 TR (*2/20*)

[annmarieda]

thought i would say hello rather than lurk While I felt like the spirit of Christmas was alive (hence my own corny TR title) I do know what you mean about forgetting it was Christmas time. The weather was far to nice and while I loved all the decorations... for us staying inside during December is a normal activity. (not wandering about in the sun) So I forgot on occasion too!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

We decided to stroll to BCV from HS; this truly is a bit quicker (my girls raced the boat). It is sometimes harder when you are tired! However, what's another mile in Disney?

I didn't take pictures along the walk...When we arrived, I did take pictures of the decorations...I am going to insert all pictures of BCV here. I took them at different times, but they will fit best here.

I didn't get a shot of the whole effect--too many people.

Lobby in BC

Windows at Marketplace:

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Entry in Beach Club Villas

The Drawing Room:

Isn't it perfect for a family to spend Christmas morning? I can see the Carousel of Progress family now!

The Breezway: I have to come back and post these (apparently, I more to upload...)


We checked in and headed to our room. I have to share that there is a bit of a "struggle" between DVC Boardwalk lovers and DVC Beach Club Villa lovers. Some complain that Boardwalk's hallways are long. Others say that BCV rooms are just as far.

We've stayed in both. I'd have to say, our room was down a hallway that didn't end. It was .20 mile from the "lobby" of the villas. I jogged it a couple of different times (when no one was in the hall) just to move my running muscles, since all I did was walk the whole trip... (I love both resorts and think both have rooms that are "far" away!)

Our room was 175. We loved the first floor, and the exterior door near our villa (one room down) exited right to the parking lot near the quiet pool. It was convenient for the bus stop.

Not so convenient for the special walkway to Epcot through the villas. I went out, turned right, walked a pathway to a sidewalk near the street and cut through a service entrance drive/ area of Beach Club to get back to the villas walkway. I texted dh and told him not to go that way in the dark! He and the girls went that way and he decided we needed to figure out a different route.

Here is the villa - This was the last day after dh and girls left to take our bags. I was saying a final goodbye.

Turning around at the door

Left

Right

Straight

Patio left

Patio straight

Patio slight right

A solo trip to Epcot next...

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

thought i would say hello rather than lurk While I felt like the spirit of Christmas was alive (hence my own corny TR title) I do know what you mean about forgetting it was Christmas time. The weather was far to nice and while I loved all the decorations... for us staying inside during December is a normal activity. (not wandering about in the sun) So I forgot on occasion too!

Thank you for saying hi! Please continue to join the discussion. It will be neat to read your TR to see how you perceived Disney during the same time!

 

[creativeamanda]

The BCV are so pretty during Christmas! I think I would have been happy with your location--it looks like you were set apart from almost everyone else!

 

[mgsmom]

Hey!!!!! I'm here!!!!!!

Enjoying your TR - your pics are great (as usual!)! I can't believe how grown-up the girls are looking.

Thanks for the shopping trip - I can always count on you for a little shopping! It looks like they had a lot of stuff in the shop at Pop.

And the turkey leg looks delicious!!

So, you were in the 80s building? I think we are going to do Pop this summer for a long weekend trip. I think I will try to get a room in either the building with Moglie and Blue or the one with Lady and the Tramp.

I bet it was really odd for you to have nice weather around the holidays! For us, not so much. I mean, I have pics of DD and DH decorating the tree in flip flops and DD has on capri pants. It's not really cold here yet either. You guys are probably used to snow and coats by now, though, huh?

Can't wait to read more!

Oh, and I'm almost done with my masters. All I have left is a 30-45 minutes power point presentation and oral defense.

 

[onelilspark]

Joining in! I love the parks at Christmas time!

 

[poisonapple_PRINCESS]

love your photo's! I'm wishing I would have bought that Christmas lanyard now that I see it in your photos again. So many things I didnt buy that I now REALLY wish I would have.

I need to get crackin' on updates! You have so many!

soooo far behind....

 

[IluvXU]

Enjoying your report. We love the BC, and are trying out SSR this summer. I am already pretty sure we will miss Stormalong Bay and the Boardwalk area. Which one did you like better BC or BW?

 

[RooRach0906]

We will be going Dec 9-15, we are hoping to stay at BLT but we will see. Your girls are adorable by the way, we are excited for the day DD will ride the coasters but we know it will be a few years.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Happy New Year, Debby!

Pretty, pretty pictures of the Beach Club -- I love all their decorations and of course, I am a sucker for the gingerbread creations! I don't think I have seen the castle before -- just the carousel.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

The BCV are so pretty during Christmas! I think I would have been happy with your location--it looks like you were set apart from almost everyone else!

I think BCV is a very comfortable resort. I love the beach and the laid back feel of BC feels like the beach. We aren't in our room too often, but I find that no matter where we stay, we don't often see neighbors.

Hey!!!!! I'm here!!!!!!

Enjoying your TR - your pics are great (as usual!)! I can't believe how grown-up the girls are looking.

Thanks for the shopping trip - I can always count on you for a little shopping! It looks like they had a lot of stuff in the shop at Pop.

And the turkey leg looks delicious!!

So, you were in the 80s building? I think we are going to do Pop this summer for a long weekend trip. I think I will try to get a room in either the building with Moglie and Blue or the one with Lady and the Tramp.

I bet it was really odd for you to have nice weather around the holidays! For us, not so much. I mean, I have pics of DD and DH decorating the tree in flip flops and DD has on capri pants. It's not really cold here yet either. You guys are probably used to snow and coats by now, though, huh?

Can't wait to read more!

Oh, and I'm almost done with my masters. All I have left is a 30-45 minutes power point presentation and oral defense.

Yay on seeing an end to the masters!!! Thanks a reason to celebrate this summer!

We really haven't had very cold weather at home either- maybe 40s. (We saw some flurries for an hour on Thursday...) Today is looking like mid 50s, but we have a cold front moving in to make for the 20s next week. It was nice to not have to bundle up in Disney! It is shocking how much older the girls look than they did last year.

2010

2011 (not a good picture- but it has both)

I didn't think our location was bad...but after a long day at the park, it might not be the best. It looks like you are looking at the 50s and 60s. The 50s seem like they would be better if you are going to use your car.

Joining in! I love the parks at Christmas time!

It was cool to be there and see all of the decorations and events!

love your photo's! I'm wishing I would have bought that Christmas lanyard now that I see it in your photos again. So many things I didnt buy that I now REALLY wish I would have.

I need to get crackin' on updates! You have so many!

soooo far behind....

You can call Disney and order the items you really want... I now take pictures of items I want to buy (and then a picture of its tag) so if I want to order it when I get home, I can.

Doing the updates lets me feed the addiction...

Enjoying your report. We love the BC, and are trying out SSR this summer. I am already pretty sure we will miss Stormalong Bay and the Boardwalk area. Which one did you like better BC or BW?

Thank you! We haven't tried SSR. We tried OKW last year, but it feels too remote to us (which we will appreciate some day.) I am nervous that SSR might be the same. One of these days, though, we might not have a waitlist come through (we always book late) and might stay at SSR by default. We might love it though; you never know.

BCV vs BWV - huh...I liked the pool area of BWV better when my girls were a year younger, but now that I can let them out of my sight for more than one second, I don't think it factors in too much.

BWV might have been nice this trip when we walked back from HS, but BCV was awesome for my walks to Epcot...

BWV is less points, so it has that advantage, but I like them both.

We will be going Dec 9-15, we are hoping to stay at BLT but we will see. Your girls are adorable by the way, we are excited for the day DD will ride the coasters but we know it will be a few years.

Thanks!BLT will be nice to walk back and forth to MK! That should be a great week to go with lower crowds! Are you doing MVMCP? (Looking at your smilies, you have just a couple of years for roller coasters... )

Happy New Year, Debby!

Pretty, pretty pictures of the Beach Club -- I love all their decorations and of course, I am a sucker for the gingerbread creations! I don't think I have seen the castle before -- just the carousel.

Thanks Jackie. Happy New Year to you!

Many more pictures of holiday decorations coming your way!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

We checked in, and Bell Services told me that Pop doesn't normally send luggage until after 1. (Which of course was amusing as Pop told me that it would probably be there around noon unless there was traffic...).I left for Epcot and my family headed to the pool. I walked over to Norway to meet my friend and go over her touring plan for the next day, and then went to my lunch reservation.

Originally, I was going to stand in the standby line for the Candlelight Processional. The more I read, the more nervous I grew. I was worried that I would stand there and waste half the day. I decided about a week out that I would book the lunch package. The cheapest was Bier Garten, and it was just me. With tip, I was looking at $40, and I thought it was a steal to guarentee me a seat without wasting hours.

I checked in, and I waited for them to call me. I was dreading the announcement: Party of one...Debby. haha. I wasn't overly bothered about eating by myself, but since I had to sit with 7 others, it did make me nervous about my tablemates.

Forgive blurry pics- the restaurant is dark and I didn't have best lens.

I was seated with a woman and her mother. Her daughter was singing in the CP. They lived in Florida (a couple of hours away) and had no idea that the CP was a big deal. (So big that I was eating alone to see it. ) They were nice enough. The other family was a couple with son (5?) and his sister and her husband. The sister spoke with me first when her family went for food. They visit Disney once a year. (Again, live in Florida.) Her SIL and I also spoke for a bit. I will say that the one woman made this an interesting meal. She was massaging her husband's neck and back (with her elbows). She told me she was a massage therapist, and her husband says he travels with his entourage as she is also a personal trainer. Her family kind of talked about her while she wasn't there; not in a mean way. As I said interesting.

I felt wonderful leaving. The food was delicious. (I didn't take pictures because I was already feeling a little unsure of myself...I didn't really want to explain food porn to the people around me...I think they already thought it strange I was without my family.) As weird as they might have thought I was, they told me that it was generous of me to not make my family go to CP. I thought it was practical. I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much with two bored nine year olds.

 

[Queenofallthings]

I have been away from the Dis for over a month now and I knew I had to find your TR...I've missed you my friend I sent you a PM!

Love it so far, sounds like a great trip! Can't wait for all your adventures!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

After lunch, I thought about just hanging out in Epcot before going to CP. I roamed a little...

I was going to get dh and I a caramel snack...I couldn't figure out what to get him, and I'd have to eat mine later.

Beautiful day!

I decided that I needed to head back to pick up my other lenses. I thought I was okay with time. I am not good with time!

I had to stop and grab this shot!

When I headed to Storm Along Bay, I ran into my little ones going to the slide!

I went to the room and called Bell Services to deliver our luggage. It didn't take them but a minute. Dh and girls came back and I chatted with dh briefly while misplacing my CP reserved seating sticker twice, and packing my lenses!

So, remember how I said I am not good with time...So, I went jogging to Epcot. I perfected my speed walking through France, Japan, and Morocco. I arrived in my seat (a great spot on the end in the front row of the uncovered section.)

I talked with the nice man next to me, but his father next to him was more personable. They attend CP every year (another family from FL).

So, if you want the full effect, you'll have to play music in the background. It was beautiful.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Candlelight Processional 12/17/11 - 5 pm
Chita Rivera - storyteller

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I loved CP! Chita Rivera was wonderful. She was so excited to be narrating and it came across throughout the evening!

After CP, I needed to meet my family.

They were at Electric Umbrella getting dinner. I took the Friendship boat over.

Then, I touched base with my girlfriend, and we decided to meet to ride Spaceship Earth.

Up next, Holiday Illuminations needs to be checked off the check list!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Your BC room walk reminds me of the one we did at AKL (at the same time of course lol) We were down the Zebra trail I think and we were in the very last hallway just like we were 3 years ago! We had views of 2 different savannas and paid for a standard room so the walk didn't bother us one bit. We were glad it was on the same side as the pool because the walk was cut in half when you went down to the pool/food!

I'm glad you liked CLP!! If you would have gone the next day at 6:45, you could have sat with us! My brother has eaten in Germany alone before and I doubt it phased him one bit. He didn't take pics of the food either lol. He was actually going to book it for Christmas Eve since he was off work but decided to stay home and cook for his roommates who had to work!

 

[marDgreen88]

You got some WONDERFUL pictures! Wow, very impressive! I would have felt weird eating alone too, but I guess it wasn't as obvious since you weren't just sitting at a table by yourself. Worth it to get to see the beautiful CP.

 

[RooRach0906]

We are thinking about MVVCP but I have heard mixed reviews so trying to figure out if it will be worth the money? It would definately be better to go this year with DD only be 2 1/2 at the time of the trip.
We have stayed at SSR, we LOVE it there! We also stay at OKW, didnt care for it and it felt further away.
Did you try the Bavarian Dessert at Biergarten??? mmmm so yummy!