Live from BWV: You won't believe where I watched Illuminations tonight...

[jekjones1558]

from my jacuzzi! With apologies to Richyams, but the BW view rooms down the interminably long hallway have a great angle for fireworks. In all my DVC trips (must be at least 30 by now), I have used the jacuzzi maybe twice. This trip I am solo until tomorrow and I have an injured leg, so that is how I made my Illuminations viewing discovery. So I guess there was a silver lining to my banged up leg.
A couple of other notes about this trip since I arrived yesterday:
• I brought one checked bag with clothes in space bags for DSis and 2 kids. We were wondering about how to get them vacuumed for the trip home, and my search on the DIS seemed to say that there would not be a hose on our vacuum, but there is! (I'm at BWV.)
• It has been a few years since I have been at WDW in late April. I had forgotten how absolutely wonderful it is! The weather is perfect, enough people so that there are multiple Spectros, Fantasmics, etc. but no crowds. Of course Flower and Garden is grand, and I didn't remember the playground near the rose gardens (is that a new addition?) The girls arrive tomorrow and will love that. (Pretty crazy to pay for park tickets so they can climb on equipment that is free at neighborhood playgrounds at home.
• Met up with CarolMN for the first time today and had a fun visit. Even found out that she knows my sister (the one who arrives tomorrow) from common employer. "It's a Small World..."
• My solo time has been SO RELAXING. I don't especially like the dining alone part, but small price to pay for the chance to be totally free. I can't see myself doing more than about 3 days solo, but if it works out I will probably try to do more trips that begin or end with a couple of days on my own.
• It is now indisputable: I am too old to deal with noise in enclosed eating places. I ate at Boma tonight because it seemed like it would be more comfortable solo than a regular full service sit-down restaurant. I love the salads and soups there. But not having a companion to distract me, the noise really bugged me. Scratch Boma off the list. Even great salads aren't worth the noise.
• I think my winter WDW trips (other than Dec. Christmas decorations visits) are over. I can't believe how much more I am enjoying myself than I did during my frigid February trip. No comparison.

A couple of photos:
The new baby gorilla:

View from balcony (not taken from jacuzzi):

The playground I didn't know about at Epcot (maybe it is part of Flower and Garden??) Taken with phone, so poor quality:

 

[SassyLassy]

Great shots!! Where is this park that you found!?!

 

[bookwormde]

Yes please where is this playground and how have I missed it before?

bookwormde

 

[jekjones1558]

Yes please where is this playground

I did some checking in the Flower and Garden brochure and found out that the play system is called Evos. Right next to it is another system designed for 2 - 5 year olds (I didn't take a picture of it) called Weevos. They may only be there for Flower and Garden (don't know). It is at the entrance to Future World from World Showcase, on the left side as you leave World Showcase.

 

[islandtimect]

Jacuzzi + Illuminations = Very Cool! Good for you. And thanks for the mini report.

 

[LSchrow]

i have to agree with everything you said......the amazing view from your BW villa, the gorgeous and uncrowded time of year (dd and i leave this saturday for our annual 1st week of may trip - i've been there so many different times of year, and absolutely nothing compares to late april/early may).

glad to hear you're having a great time and love the pix

 

[Goofy442]

Will be at BWV in August and that is a great view. That baby gorilla is so cute, I will be putting that on my list.

 

[burnsoc]

LOL...I loved those threads from Richyams. He probably would have responded that not only could you watch illuminations from the jacuzzi, but you could grab a beer from the fridge without leaving the tub. Enjoy your trip, I always enjoy some alone time just to explore the resorts.

 

[Checkers]

Your trip sounds heavenly. We will be there in 11 days so thanks for sharing your trip and making the wait time easier to bear. Enjoy the rest with your family and keep the reports coming!

 

[SamSam]

Your trip sounds wonderful so far. Dh and I would agree with you on the noise at restaurants being an irritant. We've reached an age where we prefer quieter places, so we can relax and visit.

 

[Caren]

Wow, that baby gorilla has really grown in the six weeks or so since we were down there. And I can't wait to view fireworks from the tub in BLT come August!

 

[granmanh603]

great pictures.... and loved seeing the gorilla baby. we were there in late Feb/ march and never saw the baby the mom had him hidden away. I loved your picture of the fireworks too...how great...thanks

 

[bobbiwoz]

What a surprise to find that view! I'm so glad that you are enjoying the part of your trip that is solo.

Thank you especially for the picture of the baby gorilla. We did see it 5 weeks ago, and you got a much better picture than I did!!!!

Bobbi

 

[itradehilton]

Sounds like a dream come true a tub and fireworks.

 

[dis-happy]

Lovely!!!!


Yes on the play structure, it is brought in for F&G.


When do you go to HH?

 

[javamom]

ooh, must try that jacuzzi fireworks thing if I get the chance.

 

[Disney Princess]

The trip sounds just fabulous. Hope you are enjoying the days now that your group has joined you.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

That is a great view! We're currently in our 2nd floor, close to the elevator room and only get the very high fireworks but still it's a nice view. And on our first day here the housekeeper we had in Nov stopped my husband to say hi and came in to say hi to my mother and I. Very sweet. We have loved the weather too! I've been thinking the same thing as you after some cold winter trips. It's so nice not to be pulling on all the layers. We'll see what I think after tomorrow and Fridays heat that is predicted.

We didn't see the baby Gorilla but did see the baby Rhino - just adorable!

added - we also saw a Carol from MN answer quite a few questions at Welcome Home Wednesday. Hmmmm.........

 

[Tara]

Unfortunately, the play area is only for F&G - I wish they'd keep it around!

As for giving up the winter trips, I am with you! We've had our share of cooler-than-normal or hotter-than-normal spring, fall and winter trips. This year we're going twice during the summer - at least we'll KNOW it will be hot!

 

[katmittens]

We were there in Jan. the first week and we also feel the same way, it was just too cold to enjoy. We stayed at VWL in a 2 bedroom and we finally did get to enjoy the room, we were in almost every nite. Thank goodness we've been there about 30 times so we don't feel too bad. We are going to be there at AKV 2 bedroom Jambo on May 16. We too are looking forward to the warm weather.
I can't wait to see the baby gorilla, and I did not know there is a baby rhino. Great.
We are not going in Jan, first time in about 5 years. DH and I are going by ourselves for F & W at BWV. can't wait.