Live from BWV 2 weeks 8/20 to 9/4

[ramftbl]

Hello- I see on your post that you used a "Central Fastpass" handed out by a Castmember. I've never heard of these... Could you please give some more info on these ? Are they a new thing this year ? Thanks !!

 

[ParrotBill]

There are several posts on the theme parks board about the centeral fastpass experiment, going on only in AK. Shortly after park opening, it opens, located to the right as you walk into Discovery Island, by the exit from It's Tough to be a Bug. They offer Safari, Dinosaur and Everest Fastpass machines. Also, castmembers hand out fastpasses to shows and will give you any they have. The day we were there they had 2 times for Lion King and one for Nemo.

No word on when they may end the experiment.

 

[ParrotBill]

Today we went to Tepan Edo for lunch and did some touring and two Kim Possible missions.

Tepan Edo looks nice from the refurb but I am still unhappy about the menu changes. I felt it cost too much for what I got.

For dinner we ate at Kouzzina. The food was wonderful. I had flank steak and it was melt-in-your-mouth good. My wife had the lasagna - very different, light and creamy top, definitely a mediteranean style. Only one glitch. We ordered pressed pot coffee and it was flavored water. I talked to the manager on the way out and found out each server prepares it themselves so I asked her to be sure to check on the training for this.

Boat transportation has been very reliable and no issues with air conditioning on boats.

The EPCOT boats were down the first couple of days we were here but running again with a fresh coat of paint throughout.

I think I hear the jacuzzi calling me...

 

[dgaston]

Thanks for the TR. Are you using TiW or DDP? I'm seeing lots of usually great restaurants so far.

 

[Snoopygirl]

Can't wait to hear more!! We're staying at BWV for the first time in Dec. for a total of 4 nts. (1 b4 cruse and 3 after) and I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[BigEeyore]

Thanks for the Kouzzina review and crowd updates!

 

[goofy4tink]

We checked out the day after you arrived! Our crowds were awful...glad to hear the crowds are diminishing a bit.
We were in a standard villa, ground floor. We actually liked our villa location a lot. If we turned left as we walked out the door, we took an immediate left again and were at the door that led to the walkway to the bus stop. I think we actually were the closest villa to the bus stop!! Very cool. We also were extremely close to the quiet pool, via the smoking area. We had villa 1121. Our hallway was the old style though. I thought I was really going to hate the new decor, but I came to like it as I passed your hallway each day. I took a left at that fork, so got to view the new decor daily and found it was really quite nice. Not as light and carefree as the old, but more elegant.
Can't wait to get back in Dec.
Keep those updates coming.

 

[francie57]

We had a two bedroom with a view of the S/D (3008/3010) and it had been renovated. We were there Aug. 13-20 and requested a renovated room on our reservation. The applicances in the kitchen were new. It had the flat top stove and not burners. They were working on rooms in the next wing on the 1st and 2nd floor (you could tell walking in from pool since all curtains were gone). We could see them taking out the old applicances and w/d and the furniture. I think the furniture is being repainted. The sleep sofas were definitely new and all the bedding/curtains are new and really nice. New drapes, rugs. The TVs are still the old type, not sure if they will be replaced in the future or not. We loved the way the new rooms looked and liked that the halls are so fresh and new looking.

 

[ParrotBill]

If the hallway carpeting is a reliable indicator, I can confirm the following renovation status...

Done:
The wing between the quiet and main pools (where I am)
The wing with Boardwalk views one side and S/D/Canal views the other side

under rehab now:
The wing between the main pool and the "garden"- scaffolding up

Not yet done:
Long halls along main pool (both directions from elevators)
Long hall along quiet pool
End wing by tennis courts

 

[ParrotBill]

Went to HS yesterday and had lunch at Mama Melrose's. Food was good, especially appetizers (Tomato/Mozz salad and Bruschetta.)

For whoever asked, we use APs and TiW not DDP. Our daughter does not eat enough for DDP and next year it gets worse when she turns 10. She eats about 1/4 of a typical adult - half a child's meal or else she shares from one of our meals.

HS was quite crowded. Great Movie ride kept up a 30-45 minute wait all day. Could not get our ADR until 2:00pm and when we arrived 1:40 they had plenty of room and were taking walk-ups.... and it was clear it had not been crowded for a while. Go figure!

Sat on a bench, got interviewed, mentioned how much I dislike what DDP and free dining has done to the parks. She said they hear constantly from people who are upset about not being able to get ADRs. I mentioned how I don't always know what I want to do 180 days ahead and she was surprised to hear it was going back to 180 days.

We did American Idol Experience at 11:00 and went back for the finale... and our 11:00 winner was the finale winner... yay! I have to say I think this is one of the best additions to the parks. Fun for the audience, a great chance for some adventurous vacationers. On our day they called it the British Invasion as 3 of the finale contestants were from the UK (can they even enter American Idol with their golden ticket?) Also, most of the contestants were 14 years old. I wonder if this is the norm. One bonus: Several of he "judges" are former streetmosphere or adventurer's club actors. We saw the guy who played Mel Rose on the streets of Hollywood, and also the guy who was the Adventurer from Ohio.... darn it can't remember his name (Emil Bleehall?)

Tried to get a FP for TS Mania. Went at 11:00, got 4-5pm. Tried to go at 5 and so as to be out in time to get in line for the AI finale, but entered the FP door and whump! Ran into line for FP right to the door. I estimated this meant about 40 minute wait in fastpass line, so we gave it up.

Rained like crazy from about 7:00 to 9:30. Boats to EPCOT resorts were shut down but a bus arrived right away. First Fantasmic was cancelled. We heard the 10:00pm show running... probably a private show for about 50 soggy people!

 

[BigEeyore]

Who interviewed you? Just curious...
Sorry to hear about HS crowds! It just seems that park doesn't have a "slow" day anymore!
Can't wait to get down there too!

 

[Credit Man]

Enjoying your live report. Thanks for posting.

 

[ParrotBill]

Good morning, it's Friday and we will be off to a late Chef Mickey's breakfast soon.

I was up early yesterday and went walking. Tons of bunnies out all over the boardwalk grounds. They are not afraid of people but can be startled... I startled one (and it me) and it fell into the main pool! It swam across and jumped out on its own.

Yesterday we started at the MK EMH. Crowds were low side of moderate. We had a surprise for our daughter at 9:20am... Pirates League!

Unfortunately we missed seeing Brenna. Fortunately, we got Molly. She was very fun. Pirates League was BUSY. Total time about an hour and a half including two waits that totalled 40 minutes.

We got the upgraded Empress package that includes costume (but we got 3 photos, which confused us. Paid $107 total.)

First was the costume change and pirate name (Constance Squidcheese.) Then we waited 25 minutes for a chair to open up. The Molly gave her the tatoo, nails, and makeup, and administered the oath (which I video'd, way fun). Then a 15 minute wait, and the secret I must not reveal or I will be disemboweled. Then I handed over me wallet, and we did our own pictures outside (which may have helped to draw in more customers! - random people started taking pictures of our daughter, LOL.)

The whole experience was well worth the price.

We went on Pirates (of course), Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, had a snack, Big Thunder, and then back for a break.

Dinner was at Cape May across the lake. Missed a boat by a minute, waited 10 minutes for the next, and.... FULL. I've never been denied boarding other than a park closing on the boats! So we had to walk in the rain instead.

Dinner was great (we love Cape May except during seasonal price increases).

 

[Cee]

"Squidcheese"

 

[mcqueengroupie]

Enjoying your trip report....thanks!

 

[ParrotBill]

Today we went to Chef Mickey's and then the MK... And apparently nonody else did? Crowds went to LIGHT today. 20 minutes only for the most popular. 15 for Astro Orbiter and 5! For speedway!!!

Got a FP for Buzz and on return standby was 5 minutes, haha.

Got FP for splash with only 45 minutes until returen time then got one for BTMRR with only 30 minutes to go.. At 3pm!

No thunder storms today either. Perfect day!

 

[ParrotBill]

Forgot to mention something a little bit scary that happened yesterday.

Was on a bus returning to Boardwalk from MK. BW is the first drop, so we were waiting to turn left from Buena Vista Drive to EPCOT Resort Drive at the corner with the Hess Gas Station. We got a green left arrow, and the oncoming left turn lane also got a green left arrow.

We started our turn. And a truck going the opposite way ran their red light becuase of the bus next to them moving for their left turn arrow.

We had a very short stop with the truck a full 40 feet into the intersection toward us before it stopped also.

Scary.

 

[ParrotBill]

Since this is a summer trip, a few words about how we manage in the heat and weather.

We've successfully evaded Ana, Bill, Claudette, and Danny all happening as we were heading here or while we are here!

Every afternoon and evening except tonight we've had thunderstorms. Pools closed for several hours (if lightning is visible or reported within 8 miles) and we've had varying rain - light showers to heavy.

We carry small umbrellas and a poncho for our daughter. It's been quite managable but it helps that we are here for 2 weeks so we don't feel cheated of time. It's making us disinclined to go out for evening shows, parades and fireworks as everything is soaking wet and at risk of cancelling at the last minute.

It's hot and humid. We wear hats and drink like fish. Our clothes hang damply after an hour out. We take frozen water bottles and washcloths out with us, and we get out early and return to our room after lunch. We may or may not go back out depending on the weather. We brought 5 days clothes and are washing them as needed.

It's the best time of year for us to go without taking our daughter out of school, so we make the most of it.

We also have a room on the first floor facing the quiet pool and can step out into the pool from our patio easily... great for keeping cooled down.

 

[ParrotBill]

Oh - to answer a question a few back about who interviewed us - there is a huge team of survey people at each park. If you sit still for very long, usually near the turnstiles or within sight, there is a good chance a survey person will stop to ask you questions. They usually ask for your email address to send a detailed followup survey after you return home too.

 

[ParrotBill]

48 photos from the Pirates League experience yesterday.