Paul in CT
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 23, 1999
- Messages
- 1,376
We just returned from 5 nights in a 1BR at BWV (8/6 to 8/11) and 2 nights in a Studio at VB DVC (8/11 to 8/13). They were both great!!!
The BWV was a standard view just in line with the BW entrance and on the 5th floor as requested. I made the ressie at the 7 month window. The unit was in excellent condition and very clean. It was not too far from the elevator. My daughter liked using the fitness center and it was just a short trip down to the first floor on the elevator. The exit stairs took us out to the walkway to MGM.
Being at BWV is really convenient in that EPCOT and MGM are our favorite parks. We walked several times and took the boat when it was there. We had a car, but only used it when we went to Goodings for supplies. I know they are more expensive than Publix, but we like going there and we really did not need much - mostly drinks, friut and snacks.
The bus to MK was quick and better than taking the car to the TTC and catching the monorail.
We did not even turn on the "stove decoration". The only appliances we usually use are the coffee maker, toaster, dishwasher and washer/dryer.
We had a wonderful meal on the day of our arrival with some friends who live in Florida at Celebration at the Market Street Cafe. We also had dinner at Olivia's and took advantage of the DC free glass of wine offer. The wine was OK, but the meal was far better. The service was excellent!
We also had dinner at Spoodles one night. The DC glass of wine offer there was actually a glass of SanGria. We did not particularly enjoy our meal there. We'll skip Spoodles on the next trip.
I had a PS at R&C for 7:40 one evening in hopes of getting a table with an Illuminations view, but when we checked in we were told that we could not wait until one came available. We would have to take whatever came up. I guess that the last time we tried we just got lucky. This time we got a table inside the restaurant. We finished in time to get a spot on the bridge between "France" and the "UK". I liked my prime rib, but I don't think my DW and DD were too pleased with their dinners. I think next time I will just get the Fish and Chips at the take-out window.
Lunch at Le Cellier was excellent. I had the Prime rib sandwich, my DW had the grilled chicken Caesar Salad and my DD had the mixed field greens salad. The breadsticks are a wonderful touch and the service was outstanding. Sara was our server.
On our last day at WDW we had lunch at Wolfgang Puck's Cafe at the Marketplace. The sandwiches and salads are excellent and a very good deal with the 20% DVC discount!!
The weather was very good considering the time of year. I think that several of the days were hotter in CT than it was in FL. The crowds were pretty good, but we avoided any attraction that had more than a 10 minute wait and used Fast Passes for those. Hotel occupancy at WDW may be down, but it is hard to tell from the attendance at the Theme Parks!
Vero Beach was relaxing as usual. Since we were there only two nights, the studio was fine. I requested an "ocean view" room and was able to just see a small piece of the Atlantic from the porch. If you really want to see the ocean, I suggest your chances are better with the Inn rooms. It rained extremely hard, but only at night so it worked out well. On our last night there while we were in the lobby the fire alarma went off likely because of a lighning strike/power surge because there was no fire, but the CM's were scrambling and did not seem to know what to do. They told us to leave the building so we just went back to our room. We were only waiting for the rain to let up anyway. The next day all was fine.
Our best meal was at the Black Pearl Brassierie in downtown VB, but we also really enjoyed Captain Hiram's. Although the latter is not air conditioned, it has tables right on the water and the seafood and service was very good. They also have a "sand bar" for the those so inclined with drinks and entertainment every night. I also recommend having drinks and/or dessert at the VB Green Cabin Room.
All in all it was a great trip "home" and I looking forward to the next one in December with my DW.
The BWV was a standard view just in line with the BW entrance and on the 5th floor as requested. I made the ressie at the 7 month window. The unit was in excellent condition and very clean. It was not too far from the elevator. My daughter liked using the fitness center and it was just a short trip down to the first floor on the elevator. The exit stairs took us out to the walkway to MGM.
Being at BWV is really convenient in that EPCOT and MGM are our favorite parks. We walked several times and took the boat when it was there. We had a car, but only used it when we went to Goodings for supplies. I know they are more expensive than Publix, but we like going there and we really did not need much - mostly drinks, friut and snacks.

We did not even turn on the "stove decoration". The only appliances we usually use are the coffee maker, toaster, dishwasher and washer/dryer.
We had a wonderful meal on the day of our arrival with some friends who live in Florida at Celebration at the Market Street Cafe. We also had dinner at Olivia's and took advantage of the DC free glass of wine offer. The wine was OK, but the meal was far better. The service was excellent!
We also had dinner at Spoodles one night. The DC glass of wine offer there was actually a glass of SanGria. We did not particularly enjoy our meal there. We'll skip Spoodles on the next trip.
I had a PS at R&C for 7:40 one evening in hopes of getting a table with an Illuminations view, but when we checked in we were told that we could not wait until one came available. We would have to take whatever came up. I guess that the last time we tried we just got lucky. This time we got a table inside the restaurant. We finished in time to get a spot on the bridge between "France" and the "UK". I liked my prime rib, but I don't think my DW and DD were too pleased with their dinners. I think next time I will just get the Fish and Chips at the take-out window.

Lunch at Le Cellier was excellent. I had the Prime rib sandwich, my DW had the grilled chicken Caesar Salad and my DD had the mixed field greens salad. The breadsticks are a wonderful touch and the service was outstanding. Sara was our server.
On our last day at WDW we had lunch at Wolfgang Puck's Cafe at the Marketplace. The sandwiches and salads are excellent and a very good deal with the 20% DVC discount!!

The weather was very good considering the time of year. I think that several of the days were hotter in CT than it was in FL. The crowds were pretty good, but we avoided any attraction that had more than a 10 minute wait and used Fast Passes for those. Hotel occupancy at WDW may be down, but it is hard to tell from the attendance at the Theme Parks!
Vero Beach was relaxing as usual. Since we were there only two nights, the studio was fine. I requested an "ocean view" room and was able to just see a small piece of the Atlantic from the porch. If you really want to see the ocean, I suggest your chances are better with the Inn rooms. It rained extremely hard, but only at night so it worked out well. On our last night there while we were in the lobby the fire alarma went off likely because of a lighning strike/power surge because there was no fire, but the CM's were scrambling and did not seem to know what to do. They told us to leave the building so we just went back to our room. We were only waiting for the rain to let up anyway. The next day all was fine.
Our best meal was at the Black Pearl Brassierie in downtown VB, but we also really enjoyed Captain Hiram's. Although the latter is not air conditioned, it has tables right on the water and the seafood and service was very good. They also have a "sand bar" for the those so inclined with drinks and entertainment every night. I also recommend having drinks and/or dessert at the VB Green Cabin Room.
All in all it was a great trip "home" and I looking forward to the next one in December with my DW.