June 6-18, 2010 - BLT, BWV - Well Planned, Perfectly Executed!!

[ehagerty]

Another day with few pictures and no notes. The schedule must not have been too complicated, as I didn't seem to need a special worksheet tab to keep things straight.

Started the morning with breakfast in room - probably cereal and milk from BW General Store. DU&A picked us up in 2 cars and drove the lot of us to Mass at Corpus Christi in their new church in downtown Celebration.

From there, DB and family went to DS to check out Star Wars weekend, DH went to Walmart for the week's groceries and various sundries. It was complicated list, including alternatives - but still took about 5 phones calls (where do I find basmati rice - what do I get if I don't find it?). Unfortunately, by the time the basket was full, WalMart was in full tourist load a the registers. He didn't get home to nearly 04:00 pm. I visited with DA in room can caught up on laundry.

I know I eventually went to DS, because I have this one, lone picture for the day

Some of us hung out at the magic Hat to watch Mulch, Sweat & Shears, alternating with a DJ who never stopped moving (he must be in great aerobic condition).



On returning "home," DS22 and DS20 headed to a nearby studio for the evening. I don't normally reserve extra studios, but had - for the first time in 18 years as a member - some points in holding that had to be used by Sep 30th. Hmmm - rather than let them go to waste, I used the point to secure studios for Sun, Mon, Tue. My preference was for all 3 nights at BCV, so that we could use SAG, but, even with calling every day, the best I could arrange was Sun=BWV, Mon=BCV, Tue=BWV. Given 9 people in the 2 bedroom (6 adults), this allowed DS20 and DS22 to each have a bed, rather than having to share the pull-out in the 2 bedroom.

 

[ehagerty]

If you are following along, you know we have one studio for tonight at BCV - and that allows us to use SAB Mon and Tue. We secured that last set of lounge chairs in the shade, and dragged over an unused table beside us. This turned out to be a great location (see DH in background, on his cell phone - we had chairs either side of trash can)

DN's first dip into SAB

DS22 underwater (gotta love the Canon D10)

DN7, blowing bubbles

DS20, expressing his enjoyment - we spent a LOT of time with the "sand volcanoes" section of SAB in the 90's

DN7 & DN9 - an underwater "sisters" shot

DN20 demonstrating the "shoot yourself" picture-taking capabilities of the facebook generation.

DS22 checking out the hot tubs - in one of my favorite shots for the day

DN4 expressing his enthusiasm for the shallow section

Another "water level" shot - gives me a "real feel" of being in the water. This remains a well-themed, beautiful pool (excuse me "mini water park"). We enjoyed it as much this day, as our first day, back in 1992.

More pictures to come, but I don't want to overload a post.

Somewhere in this day, I walked back to the BW room, packed a cooler with cold cuts, bread, snacks and brought it back for lunch. Simple, inexpensive.

 

[ehagerty]

DN4's first ride down the shipwreck slide. He was hesitant at first - here is mom giving him instructions - or encouragement - or both (I don't remember!)

Waiting for launch

Later afternoon, my half of the touring group split for showers. This was the last night together, as DS's were leaving Tue before dinner. We had fond recollections of dinner at Yatchman's Steakhouse, back in the DDP glory days (when you still got an appetizer, before you have to pay the tip) and still had a hankering for the ribeye (even though we also had filet and chateaubriand).

We enjoyed our meal (TiW 20% discount), had a nice bottle of wine, and met up with DB's family for a brief stint in the video arcade (I can't stand 'em)

.... and dessert at Beaches & Cream.

.

 

[ehagerty]

There were two main reasons we booked the Princess Breakfast at Norway. In 2006, DB7 was too ill to attend and we promised a reprise at the next opportunity. Secondly, DN9 and I both looked forward to really good cinnamon rolls (seen in vintage picture below)

There was a slight snafu related to reservation date, but they accommodated us at the podium with a slight wait. We didn't get a prime seating location, but I wasn't expecting one under these circumstances. Also, I am not sufficiently well-read about optimizing princess breakfasts to know if optimal seating requests exist (but I can assure you, it would not be so close to the buffet table).

First we started with the formal photo with Belle

Second - no delectable cinnamon rolls - anywhere. I don't know where they went, but I missed them. They were almost enough to close the gap between the rest of the food and the price. In their place, what I call "corporate carbohydrates" - the same ilk of danishes and bagels you get in the company or college cafeteria - but plenty of them. DN9 made do with this collection:

All the princesses stopped by for pictures:

They were very good with the kids, especially younger ones at other tables who were very much into the "reality" of the princesses. DN9 and DN7 were probably just past their fantasy prime for this type of character interaction. DN9 wanted to know why they all talk "like this" (breathy, wispy).

Food was OK. Glad to get a chance to see the main hall of Akershus (first time) on our way out. Glad to see smoked trout on buffet. Glad I was eating lunch in my room, by my own hand.

Spent the day at Epcot, leaving mid afternoon. Saw DS20 and DS22 off at ME stop in front of BWV, then made dinner for the rest of us, while DB and DSiL enjoyed a date night at Bistro de Paris (their first time). We sumo wrestled for awhile

.... then proceeded back to Epcot to watch illuminations, ride rides, and try on hats at Mouse Gears - a fun and silly way to get a lot of cute pictures

.

 

[LWQuestie]

I like the member cruise - it is just that our sons like to cruise to, at the DVC-DCL has always been during the academic year. Like the programming, people and double-dip at Castaway Cay. I checked out the Peguins / Sabres games - unfortunately, one is Thanksgiving Eve (sure to be a big seller on StubHub) and the other not one we'll be able to attend. We'll think of something! Did you ever to get to V&A?

Sorry for the long wait for a response. We were in Europe for two weeks!

We haven't made it to V&A yet. We have a trip scheduled for the first weekend in November. Love me some Food & Wine Festival!