BWV
We hated to leave BLT, but three days in the MK area is more than enough for us, so we transferred our luggage over to BWV, walked to our car in front of our room and made our way over. We immediately parked in the self-park lot with no problem (about 11:00), little did we know that would be the last time with no problem. We walked up to the hotel in the rain and checked in. The room was not ready, so we went over to the Fountain and had lunch, getting 20% off with our DVC card. About 1:30 they called to say our room was ready. Even though we went on the waitlist on day 1 of 11 months out, we did not score the Boardwalk view (I hate the new booking system). I always request top floor, near elevator. We rarely get either. This time we did get the fifth floor but the room was at the end of the third hallway, a trek if you forget something. Room 5027: 1 BR, Preferred view. It had a double balcony and looked out at the waterway going to DHS and the bridge going to the Dolphin and the Swan. DH loved the view, and while it was very nice, since it wasnt the BW view, Id have rather saved the 32 extra points. By now it was pouring, so we stayed in, and I was really happy that our last dinner from the deluxe plan was right here at Flying Fish. Again, the food and service were outstanding. The orange swordfish was the best Ive ever had, $143 without tip.
Day 5 was Saturday so we knew we had to be out early. We walked to DHS EMH and arrived at 8:15. They checked room keys. FastPass for TSM was 10:10. At 10:10 it was 12:05, not terrible. About 2:00 we walked back so we could get ready for our 3:30 CP dinner at Chefs de France. We werent crazy about paying $60 pp for the package and I would hate to be wasting 2 credits if we were on the DDP, but the food/service were very good. We stopped to see the Impressions de France and thought wed have time to kill, but there was already a line for the CP, so we joined it. They let us in about 6:10 and we sat in the first row. As always, tears welled up. I thought SCC was great and the show is always so beautiful and moving. Afterwards it was pretty cold, low 50s. Viewing from the Showcase Plaza was excellent. We often rented the boat when it was $150 or so, and I thought this was superior.
Day 6 AK. We drove to AK, arrived at 9:00, hit the Safari and saw numerous animals. Lines were minimal, with the first showing of Nemo not even full. We left at 2:00 and drove to the Publix by SeaWorld to get some wine. Of course I got lost, but made our way back only to drive up and down the aisles looking for a parking place. Kind of a drag! If I was paying $350 a night on the Inn side, I wouldnt be too happy. What a difference from BLT, which was half-empty the three days we were there. Each time we used the car, we had to drive round and round when we came back.
Day 7 Epcot. Today we got a late start and didnt arrive at Soarin until 10:30, where we picked up a FP for 1:05. The weather warmed up and it was gorgeous out, no need for a jacket. Again, crowds were not bad at all. 5 minutes for green MS, walk-on to SE and U of E. We got a lot done in a short time. Lunch at LeCellier was at 2:10, not busy, as we were the only ones in the center strip of tables the entire time. The steaks were very nice, and the waitress was great. As we walked by the 5:00 CP, people were standing outside. It looked like all seats were taken.
Day 8 DHS. Considering the parks were not that busy, the crush of people at rope drop heading to TSM was amazing but everyone was courteous and I didnt see any running. We did standby three times in a row and with our 10:10 FP, we rode it four times by 11:00. Its our favorite attraction, so now I am going to have to read the cheat-sheets to see how we can get over 125,000. In the 10-12 times we rode we never beat that score. We walked back here this evening to catch the 8:00 Fantasmic show, and were lucky enough to get into the 6:30 show at 6:00. That was a surprise. We were in the second row in the second section all the way over. The seats were great and we are used to sitting in that exact section on the other side when we get the Fantasmic dining package anyhow. After the show we walked the streets of America and the lights were as spectacular as we remembered. A great evening!
Day 9 We split the day between EPCOT & DHS and finally took the boat for the first time, going from DHS to EP. This evening, for the first time ever, we decided to venture off-site to Carrabbas for dinner. Yes, I got lost one more time, BUT, it really was very easy to find, and along the way we saw lots of other off-site options that will work quite well for us. For our style of touring (early up, back to the hotel between 3 and 5), going off-site will not take away from our park-time. For us, the meal plan has gotten less and less valuable as they have taken more and more away. I fought going off-site tooth and nail, and now I have discovered its not really all that bad.
We love going at this time of the year. The crowds are low, the weather is usually not terrible and the Christmas decorations look great. We met one nice cast member after another, saw lots of couteous behavior and found most of the guests to be very friendly. Between BLT and BWV, we walked to and from every park except AK. We only used Disney transportation once, the boat from DHS to Epcot. The self-parking lot at BLT is wonderful, the one at BWV leaves a lot to be desired. We are really very happy with our two homes. Owning DVC, we don't feel like we have to spend every minute in the parks, so two non-park days this trip were just fine. I only saw two people with lime green Mickey heads in nine days, and only got to speak to one. Hi Nomy! No one came up to us and we had ours hanging from our backpacks in plain sight, so as much as we think everyone knows and loves the DIS, I guess in reality we are a small number in the grand scheme of all things Disney, so our secrets are safe.
Any questions?
We hated to leave BLT, but three days in the MK area is more than enough for us, so we transferred our luggage over to BWV, walked to our car in front of our room and made our way over. We immediately parked in the self-park lot with no problem (about 11:00), little did we know that would be the last time with no problem. We walked up to the hotel in the rain and checked in. The room was not ready, so we went over to the Fountain and had lunch, getting 20% off with our DVC card. About 1:30 they called to say our room was ready. Even though we went on the waitlist on day 1 of 11 months out, we did not score the Boardwalk view (I hate the new booking system). I always request top floor, near elevator. We rarely get either. This time we did get the fifth floor but the room was at the end of the third hallway, a trek if you forget something. Room 5027: 1 BR, Preferred view. It had a double balcony and looked out at the waterway going to DHS and the bridge going to the Dolphin and the Swan. DH loved the view, and while it was very nice, since it wasnt the BW view, Id have rather saved the 32 extra points. By now it was pouring, so we stayed in, and I was really happy that our last dinner from the deluxe plan was right here at Flying Fish. Again, the food and service were outstanding. The orange swordfish was the best Ive ever had, $143 without tip.
Day 5 was Saturday so we knew we had to be out early. We walked to DHS EMH and arrived at 8:15. They checked room keys. FastPass for TSM was 10:10. At 10:10 it was 12:05, not terrible. About 2:00 we walked back so we could get ready for our 3:30 CP dinner at Chefs de France. We werent crazy about paying $60 pp for the package and I would hate to be wasting 2 credits if we were on the DDP, but the food/service were very good. We stopped to see the Impressions de France and thought wed have time to kill, but there was already a line for the CP, so we joined it. They let us in about 6:10 and we sat in the first row. As always, tears welled up. I thought SCC was great and the show is always so beautiful and moving. Afterwards it was pretty cold, low 50s. Viewing from the Showcase Plaza was excellent. We often rented the boat when it was $150 or so, and I thought this was superior.
Day 6 AK. We drove to AK, arrived at 9:00, hit the Safari and saw numerous animals. Lines were minimal, with the first showing of Nemo not even full. We left at 2:00 and drove to the Publix by SeaWorld to get some wine. Of course I got lost, but made our way back only to drive up and down the aisles looking for a parking place. Kind of a drag! If I was paying $350 a night on the Inn side, I wouldnt be too happy. What a difference from BLT, which was half-empty the three days we were there. Each time we used the car, we had to drive round and round when we came back.
Day 7 Epcot. Today we got a late start and didnt arrive at Soarin until 10:30, where we picked up a FP for 1:05. The weather warmed up and it was gorgeous out, no need for a jacket. Again, crowds were not bad at all. 5 minutes for green MS, walk-on to SE and U of E. We got a lot done in a short time. Lunch at LeCellier was at 2:10, not busy, as we were the only ones in the center strip of tables the entire time. The steaks were very nice, and the waitress was great. As we walked by the 5:00 CP, people were standing outside. It looked like all seats were taken.
Day 8 DHS. Considering the parks were not that busy, the crush of people at rope drop heading to TSM was amazing but everyone was courteous and I didnt see any running. We did standby three times in a row and with our 10:10 FP, we rode it four times by 11:00. Its our favorite attraction, so now I am going to have to read the cheat-sheets to see how we can get over 125,000. In the 10-12 times we rode we never beat that score. We walked back here this evening to catch the 8:00 Fantasmic show, and were lucky enough to get into the 6:30 show at 6:00. That was a surprise. We were in the second row in the second section all the way over. The seats were great and we are used to sitting in that exact section on the other side when we get the Fantasmic dining package anyhow. After the show we walked the streets of America and the lights were as spectacular as we remembered. A great evening!
Day 9 We split the day between EPCOT & DHS and finally took the boat for the first time, going from DHS to EP. This evening, for the first time ever, we decided to venture off-site to Carrabbas for dinner. Yes, I got lost one more time, BUT, it really was very easy to find, and along the way we saw lots of other off-site options that will work quite well for us. For our style of touring (early up, back to the hotel between 3 and 5), going off-site will not take away from our park-time. For us, the meal plan has gotten less and less valuable as they have taken more and more away. I fought going off-site tooth and nail, and now I have discovered its not really all that bad.
We love going at this time of the year. The crowds are low, the weather is usually not terrible and the Christmas decorations look great. We met one nice cast member after another, saw lots of couteous behavior and found most of the guests to be very friendly. Between BLT and BWV, we walked to and from every park except AK. We only used Disney transportation once, the boat from DHS to Epcot. The self-parking lot at BLT is wonderful, the one at BWV leaves a lot to be desired. We are really very happy with our two homes. Owning DVC, we don't feel like we have to spend every minute in the parks, so two non-park days this trip were just fine. I only saw two people with lime green Mickey heads in nine days, and only got to speak to one. Hi Nomy! No one came up to us and we had ours hanging from our backpacks in plain sight, so as much as we think everyone knows and loves the DIS, I guess in reality we are a small number in the grand scheme of all things Disney, so our secrets are safe.
Any questions?
I forgot to ask... did you get a rehabbed room at BWV?
