Live Trip Report Here We Go!

[njtinkmom]

I will be arriving at Saratoga in 2 days!! When will you be there? What is the weather like - other than hot?? I see lots of forecasts for rain - but is it the typical afternoon showers or monsoons? Either way I will be in Disney !

I also love your reference to Nuclear Fission! Working in a nuke plant for 25 years I can certainly appreciate the heat and the reference! Have a great trip and keep up the great updates!!

 

[BeesKnees]

Enjoying the TR, can't wait for more.

Like others have said watch the heat, it can sneak up on you before you know it. Biggest mistake people make is rationing their water. Drink as much as you can as often as you can. If it means buying from Disney that is better than spending time in the ER.

 

[BLTWildcat]

Day 4's trip report is appearing here delayed due to Bay Lake WiFi issues! Let's try this again.

I am currently back on that lovely BLT balcony, enjoying what has got to be cooler air up here on the 16th floor this beautiful evening. It's 11:30 and the pool is still hopping. The family all got out on the TOWL deck tonight for the second night in a row of Summer Nightastic. It was amusing when all the concussive booms set off the alarms in the BLT parking lot! Having access to this awesome amenity has us feeling very glad we bought at BLT. Toured the pool area for the first time tonight, and it is magical all lit up.

We have had no problem with the 2 br villa at all. One annoyance though was that the room was not ready yesterday until after 4:00 and our luggage did not arrive until 5:30. The bellhops admitted they were overwhelmed. Room has all needed supplies we expected and we used the Fantasia Market to buy just a few very basic breakfast items. Only here 4 nights, so we just didn't want to drag ourselves to a grocery store. Too much fun here today to leave!!

My DS and her 3 boys went off to MK today and DW and I took her parents on a monorail trip to GF to eat lunch at the GF Cafe, an underrated place. I had never been to GF and was charmed by the theming and elegance. We were able to then nap (needed after 2 am the night before), and then we met DS and the kids at MK. The walkway from BLT was a cinch! So close. Dinner was at Crystal Palace, and the 7 year old LOVED it. I was glad he was happy, but the food was average, IMHO. We were well taken care of though. Nana was in MK for the first time, so we started slow, knowing we'll be back multiple days. She loved the Tiki room and Country Bears. Pirates was closed though, sadly. We're saving Fantasyland for Wed rope drop, as well as some FP'd headliners.

We weaved her scooter through thick crowds waiting for a delayed Electrical Parade and walked back to BLT. That was when I had my Disney Moment. Watching the monorail glide overhead as I passed Space Mountain heading toward gorgeously lit BLT, I knew our many years to come at this DVC home are going to produce many magical moments to come. Something about the air tonight, the sights, the family all around, made the magic flow through me.

Tomorrow is EPCOT day. Avoiding MK due to their early EMH. Hope everyone is there and EPCOT is less crowded! Until then...

 

[WDWCrazyfromGA]

We weaved her scooter through thick crowds waiting for a delayed Electrical Parade and walked back to BLT. That was when I had my Disney Moment. Watching the monorail glide overhead as I passed Space Mountain heading toward gorgeously lit BLT, I knew our many years to come at this DVC home are going to produce many magical moments to come. Something about the air tonight, the sights, the family all around, made the magic flow through me.

Wow - thanks for your report!! After having a totally crummy day at work - this is just what I needed to sink my imagination into so I could relax and think about our November stay! Thank you for taking me on your vacation

Best wishes for you all to enjoy the rest of your vacation and hopefully some cooler temps

 

[BLTWildcat]

Hello everyone. You're getting 2 days in a row here, but WiFi seems OK tonight, so I hope this goes through.

Today (Tuesday) was a bit rainy but cooler. After those first 2 debilitating days, this was a relief! Tomorrow is a high under 90. Yipee!

I am REALLY digging the vibe of BLT and the Contemporary. With BLT's lack of a real lobby of any size, I love walking over to the CR to feel that scale and its accompanying magic. I'm not saying BLT is not magical, but it's its link to that Disney icon of the CR that seals the deal for me. I will never tire of seeing those sleek, quiet monorails glide out of the CR heading for the magic of the rest of the World. Needless to say, I have a lot of monorail video footage!

This AM, I strolled solo over to Contempo Grounds for their real coffee and then hopped up to the cafe for a little food. Then the fam and we headed to Epcot. Doing rope drop there on a MK EMH morning was a good decision. It was almost empty! I've been in January when it's been more busy! Went straight to Test Track against the Soarin hoard. DS ran over to Soarin next and scored FPs. We did Nemo, Crush, Circle of Life, Land boats, and then Soarin. DW and I were in tears watching the joy in her parents faces on that ride. It was the ultimate Disney moment and thanks to DVC, possible for us to provide.

We then did green Mission Space side, which her folks LOVED. Then Spaceship Earth then home. I was so tired at this point being tour guide and crashed after a drink at Cove Bar. Cindy took good care of us! Dinner was at Biergarten. So much fun. My in-laws lived in Germany, so the waitress of 27 years at this restaurant and my father in law had a long German conversation! Then Illuminations from Italy, which is now my favorite angle. Oh, then because it was PM EMH, we finally used the 3:15 return FPs for Soarin we had scored! What a great way to end an Epcot day.

Now I relax on this glorious balcony again, sipping my wine from home, hearing the water feature of the BLT "backyard" bubbling, hearing giggles from the pool, breeze on my face. Can it get any better? I'll let you know tomorrow when I take Nana to Fantasyland for the first time in her 70+ years...

 

[BLTWildcat]

Hi there! We arrive at SSR on Sat, 8/14 and stay until Wed.

As for the rain, the storms have been very brief. No real problem yet, knock on wood!

Enjoy your SSR arrival. Post about how it's going if you can!

 

[PKWallaby]

We weaved her scooter through thick crowds waiting for a delayed Electrical Parade and walked back to BLT. That was when I had my Disney Moment. Watching the monorail glide overhead as I passed Space Mountain heading toward gorgeously lit BLT, I knew our many years to come at this DVC home are going to produce many magical moments to come. Something about the air tonight, the sights, the family all around, made the magic flow through me.

Oh my gosh...you completely got me. I have tears remembering that exact moment from our last trip there in March. Looking up at the monorail, that little gust of wind that you feel as it passes. Thanks so much for taking me back.

Enjoy the rest of your stay

 

[dizney4us]

loving your trip report. heading to WDW in October, so this will help pass the time. Enjoy!

 

[buzzboysmom]

subscribing

 

[Disney Princess]

It sounds like you are having a perfectly lovely time. I am happy you have discovered the joy of sharing your DVC with others. Something about having first timers makes it seem like your first trip all over again. Continue to have a great time with your family! And try to stay cool!!

 

[Melnalala]

Have fun

 

[lugnut33]

Thanks for the trip report, it's an enjoyable read. You seem to be able to find a spoonful of sugar in every task.

 

[TyRy]

Really enjoying your trip report!

 

[Cyndibear]

We weaved her scooter through thick crowds waiting for a delayed Electrical Parade and walked back to BLT. That was when I had my Disney Moment. Watching the monorail glide overhead as I passed Space Mountain heading toward gorgeously lit BLT, I knew our many years to come at this DVC home are going to produce many magical moments to come. Something about the air tonight, the sights, the family all around, made the magic flow through me.

Wow! You sure know how to make a girl cry!!! Gave me chills too!! We'll be walking that walk soon too and I can't wait. So nice to hear all of your positive comments about BLT. I can't wait to stay there! Enjoy the rest of your time at the World and have fun! Can't wait to hear more about the trip.

Cyndi

 

[BLTWildcat]

So today was our transition day to AKV Jambo, which was a bit chaotic, so I am combining 2 days to catch up. Here's yesterday:

Day 6 - MK goes like a charm!

I had envisioned a MK rope drop with pool time in the afternoon and a 5:00 dinner at Ohana, followed by AK PM EMH. Well, the crew didn't want to leave MK! What a day it was! As we love to do, we got right to Fantasyland and knocked most of that out in short order. (Not digging all the construction walls everywhere, but I understand)

Ran to get Space Mt FPs while kids did Dumbo. Tomorrowland was empty! We then worked through Haunted Mansion and then I FPd Splash. Met everyone struggling to order at Pecos Bills (card/kiosk issues), but lunch was a good break.

Then came the day's highlight. All 8 of us, Nana and Pop included, got into one Splash log and had such a hilarious time. I was front right and got DRENCHED!! And note to self -- don't then go right to Pirates!! At this point, everyone decided to keep touring and to go right to the Poly from MK.

We eventually got Nana and Pop some shade for the parade and took the boys to Space. Not a big fan of the queue, if that's supposed to be the refurbishment. It's the same "Spaceport" ad over and over. Boring. But the ride was a blast, despite the kidney damage I received from the side of the car around the turns!

We loved the little boat to the Poly. Once again, I was struck by having the whole monorail route as a playground. I've kind of been obsessed with the Polynesian's theming since I was little, so it was exciting to wander the grounds. Ohana hit the spot, and about 15 of the grilled shrimp hit my stomach! The boys loved the interactive stuff.

On our way back to BLT on monorail, DW and I decided to hop off and stroll right back into MK. How cool that you can easily make these spontaneous decisions when staying at BLT! Philharmagic (her fav) had too long a wait, so we just strolled. Wandered Liberty Square for awhile, something I hadn't done. Found 2 rocking chairs on a porch at Hall of Presidents and just sat and chilled. We then headed out, spotting Princess Tiana's new little nook on the way, and happily walked back to our DVC home. Now that's what I call a post-dinner walk, huh? It was our first time in a park not doing any attractions, but it felt just fine.

This was our last night at BLT, with our move to AKL on Thur. Finally got in the pool. The water slide rocks! Then our third night of fireworks from TOWL deck (unreal). DW and I enjoyed one last drink in the lounge, back in the little cosmic nook set into the wall, my new favorite spot.

Sad to leave BLT, but Jambo awaits!! Until then...

Day 7 - The heat, heat, heat came down, down, down...

I knew it would be a scortcher when I headed over for some coffee before we packed and hit Chef Mickey's for the kids. But the eventual 102 heat index aside, I tried hard this morning to soak in the last moments of our home, BLT. Being on 16th floor allowed me to go out on the deck ALONE! Not a soul around as I drowned myself in the view and the mystique. Can you have an ultimate Disney moment??

Once bell dudes had our things, it was off to breakfast with a mouse. What a blast! We had 3 characters come to us in the first 10 minutes, and had a view of the castle! 7 year old was in heaven. Even 'ol Pop wanted a picture with Minnie and even got a kiss.

Boys and their mom then went to Epcot, I drove off to Jambo to try to early check-in, and DW and I then took parents to HS. The heat was oppressive, so we just did Movie Ride, Mermaid, and Walt Disney One Man deal.

Got caught in bottle neck trying to get Nana out in scooter during Block Party Bash. Ugh. Found shade at least. But we got a bus right away to Jambo!

But then for the second time, our room was not ready by 4:00. Nor 4:30. Nor 5:00. I complained about my healthy DVC investment and not being able to checkin on time twice in a row. Was given a $300 resort credit for my troubles. Got in room at 5:20. What's with getting these rooms ready??

But then all was well with Boma dinner and relaxation time. Poured a glass of wine, walked it down to my favorite lobby, and here I type...

Tomorrow is AK for family's last day, then DW and get our 4.5 days of couple time at SSR! Wish us luck in tomorrow's 105 heat index!!

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

It sounds like you and your family are having a wonderful vacation.

Good luck with the heat