Just back from BWV...the highlights

[dis-happy]

First time in a standard room....what a deal on points and we loved the room, dd got to sleep in the new sofa bed which was sooo comfy, everything very clean, overlooking the green grass and driveway, pond with fountain off to the right, 4th floor. Neighbors to the right had decorated theri balcony with garland lights---very enjoyable for us. Room highlight: being able to see the high Illuminations fireworks while laying in bed Tues. night. They appear over the roofline from the front of the building plus you could hear all the audio perfectly.

Weird housekeeping issue: called on Sunday because there was no cookie sheet and we wanted to make cookies. They said no problem, one is forthcoming. Went to pool. Two and a half hours later no cookie sheet,so called again, offered to pick it up from them if they would allow it. They didn't but sent one up finally half an hour later. Next day, making lunch, noticed the middle sized pot was missing. Made it clear I was in the middle of trying to cook and it sounded like they would send one right over...nope. Never did get it. Made the soup in the pyrex dish and microwave instead. Then noticed the ladle was also missing. Sorry for whoever next stays in room 4083...I tried! I don't know what black hole those requests go into. Everone I spoke with was very pleasant though!!!

Dreams highlight: coming off Haunted Mansion one afternoon they were handing out YOMD lanyards with 2 pins. Cool!

CP highlight: John O'Hurley narration on Monday night. Fantastic!

Rain, rain, rain Wed. morning. This turned out to our advantage. We headed off to MK just as the rain was stopping and as we entered the hub area the music starts playing and Beyonce walks down the castle steps singing Silent Night. Because of all the rain there were hardly any people! We had a clear unobstructed view and were part of the very small crowd scene being filmed that day.

Technical difficulty highlight: Sat. at AK we stood in line for 30 minutes to see the first Nemo show of the day. Got great seats, show started, and abruptly ended after the Bruce/explosion scene. Not sure why, but they seemed to have a few technical and audio kinks happening that performance. Loved what little we did see and went back on Wed. to much smaller crowds.

Endurance highlight: Still not sure how we did all this on our our last day (Wed. 11/30) but: slept in and got to AK gates at 11, went to see 11:30 Nemo. Then on to lunch at MK and Columbia Harbour House. Rode several Fantasyland rides with no wait. Shopping at DTD for an hour. Got to MGM in time to see the 7 pm Fantasmic then a final farewell to the Osborne Lights. Moved on to Epcot where we ate/shared several yummy desserts from the French pastry shop. Got a front rail spot and watched Illuminations, plus the special Peace On Earth extra (my favorite---even better than Holiday Wishes IMO). Home to pack, bed and leave at 7 am the next morning. Whew!


No new rumors other than CM who mentioned Monsters Inc. going into the old WWTBAM spot (rumor we had heard before). DH was wearing the Millionaire shirt he won last year which started the conversation.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm glad you enjoyed the ammenities of a BWV SV villa! Sorry it didn't have all of the ammenities it should have had. Did you actually call housekeeping? From what I read here, I thought that they would have gotten you what you needed in good time. How nice for your family that you thought of making cookies and such.

We are looking forward to seeing the Nemo show when we go down soon, it's getting good reviews. Did you see the whole show on Wednesday?

Bobbi

 

[mikron]

My wife and I have noticed things missing in the kitchens at BWV, no tea pot or blenders. I stay at BW a lot and they were always there last year. Stayed at OKW thanksgiving and no tea pot or blender. Rooms were spotless and all the furnitunre was in great condition, I guss that is most important. Glad you had a great time.

 

[debbiepump]

Did the 'bell ringing' from the valets bother you? Really enjoy the standard views, but last time we stayed, the ringing of the bell bothered us! Not a biggie by any means.
Sorry what was suppposed to be in your room wasn't. AGAIN I really think they should have a 'comment card' so we DVC members can let the powers to be know what's missing so they can be fixed. Disney is the only place I've stayed that there isn't a comment card. Then again, I can see the complaints of not being able to see the fireworks from the balcony, long walk to room, blah blah blah.

 

[dis-happy]

I'm glad you enjoyed the ammenities of a BWV SV villa! Sorry it didn't have all of the ammenities it should have had. Did you actually call housekeeping? From what I read here, I thought that they would have gotten you what you needed in good time. How nice for your family that you thought of making cookies and such.

We are looking forward to seeing the Nemo show when we go down soon, it's getting good reviews. Did you see the whole show on Wednesday?

Bobbi

We saw the whole show on Wednesday and it is really terrific. I wonder if they are working on a Broadway version, along the lines of Lion King---anyone know? We rode on the Nemo ride at Epcot and heard a new song....the same song is part of the stage show at AK. I didn't realize that this is still a soft opening (until I read about it on the DIS yesterday) so that explains the technical issues last Saturday. Most people filed quietly out but there was one guy who was really giving the CM at the door a hard time, as if it was all her fault and a big conspiracy that Disney had against him; the word "jerk" came to mind. Anyway, definitely do not miss this show! It will delight and amaze and is pure Disney.


As far as making cookies go, now I am blushing---the cookies were the break and bake cookie dough style, on sale at Publix. No real cooking invloved!

 

[dis-happy]

Did the 'bell ringing' from the valets bother you? Really enjoy the standard views, but last time we stayed, the ringing of the bell bothered us! Not a biggie by any means.
Sorry what was suppposed to be in your room wasn't. AGAIN I really think they should have a 'comment card' so we DVC members can let the powers to be know what's missing so they can be fixed. Disney is the only place I've stayed that there isn't a comment card. Then again, I can see the complaints of not being able to see the fireworks from the balcony, long walk to room, blah blah blah.

We were down a bit from the very front, heard a bus once in a while but overall the room was very quiet when the patio doors were shut. But your bell ringing comment made me laugh. I told DH one morning when we were getting ready that every time I heard the "ding" from bell services/valet I was reminded of the TOT!

 

[bobbiwoz]

...
As far as making cookies go, now I am blushing---the cookies were the break and bake cookie dough style, on sale at Publix. No real cooking invloved!

Really, isn't it true that "Nothin says lovin like something from the oven?" Family is just happy that you cared!

I am very very much looking forward to seeing the Nemo show at AK. As far as people and puppets, are the people more obvious than the people doing puppetry at Little Mermaid?

Bobbi

 

[dis-happy]

The people are an integral part of the puppetry. If you get a chance to go twice, sit one time a little way back (where the runway comes out) so you can see the whole big picture, but the second time try sitting very close to the stage---the puppeteers (whom you see during the performance) are as expressive as their puppets. It's really poetry in motion. Also very unique, and a main part of why I could see them developing this for Broadway.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks for the "going twice and seating" suggestions.

We saw Tarzan Rocks only twice, the first time we hated it, and the second time we both thought it was wonderful. We talked about it, and it was where we sat that made the difference. Sitting in the back let us see the whole picture better, and that's probably where we would chose to see this Nemo show. Now, we'll go for a second time, too! Since we enjoy lunch at Tasker House, going to AK twice is in the plans.

Bobbi

 

[CarolMN]

IMHO, the best place to sit for NEMO is the first row behind the wide aisle in the middle. You can easily see the whole stage (including the faces of the puppeteers) and you don't have to worry about a tall person sitting in front of you and blocking the view.

My understanding is that they sometimes save those seats for "VIPS" of some sorts, so maybe we were lucky the day we saw NEMO. Even my 6 yr old nephew had a perfect view.

FWIW, I liked NEMO, but was a little disappointed. Think my expectations were too high - I was expecting something as wonderful as the Broadway production of Lion King. LK was a magnitude above NEMO. That said, I did enjoy NEMO.

 

[psu4glory]

DW and i saw the first morning showing of NEMO on the monday after thanksgiving. we got in line early, so ended up near the front (maybe 5 or 6 rows back) right next to the runway that comes off of the stage and into the crowd.

we weren't sure what to expect, and when the show started with nothing but a male and female performer holding two fish puppets on a stick, i was a little skeptical. but as the show went on, i was more and more impressed. the performers are exceptionally talented - both singing and performing. and another poster was absolutely correct.....the performer's facial expressions and body language contribute a lot to the overall show. i could definitely see this being expanded into a broadway show in the not so distant future.

and for what it's worth - the girl playing nemo ended up getting the final curtain call at the end...but IMO, dory stole the show!

 

[Chloe'sMom]

Sounds like a wonderful trip!
~Amanda