May Fun, Fun, Fun at the Boardwalk - Updated P.5 Going Home - The End

[mickeystoontown]

Your report is a fun read and the pictures are gorgeous. I'm looking forward to more!

 

[SRUAlmn]

Great installment!

I can't believe that towel 'animal' was in your room. I hate clowns, so I hope we don't get that one!

Gotta love the COACH outlet!

 

[shannon47142]

great update!!
the night picture was so pretty!!!

 

[ClareH37]

Great installment!

I can't believe that towel 'animal' was in your room. I hate clowns, so I hope we don't get that one!

Gotta love the COACH outlet!

LOL, so you must love the pool then?

 

[OhMari]

I was trying to figure out what a "Lift" was, then it dawned on me, "elevator".

I didn't realize the Boardwalk got refurbished.
I loved the Boardwalk Gardens.
It is like a little secret area worth finding.

Enjoying your TR.

 

[ClareH37]

I was trying to figure out what a "Lift" was, then it dawned on me, "elevator".

 

[heaven2dc]

Just found your report and am loving it! I have a question regarding your seat in the plane - does it swivel around or do you face the aisle the whole trip? I hope to plan a transatlantic trip in 2011 to visit England & Ireland with my 2 sons and super curious about the plane (of course, we probably can't afford the level you flew at but the seats look so comfy!)

I would love to stay at Boardwalk Inn Consierge level someday - I've stayed 3 times at Boardwalk Villas and finally got the boardwalk view in Dec 2008. I absolutely love that resort - it is so relaxing esp in the early morning hours and evening.

 

[ClareH37]

Just found your report and am loving it! I have a question regarding your seat in the plane - does it swivel around or do you face the aisle the whole trip? I hope to plan a transatlantic trip in 2011 to visit England & Ireland with my 2 sons and super curious about the plane (of course, we probably can't afford the level you flew at but the seats look so comfy!)

I would love to stay at Boardwalk Inn Consierge level someday - I've stayed 3 times at Boardwalk Villas and finally got the boardwalk view in Dec 2008. I absolutely love that resort - it is so relaxing esp in the early morning hours and evening.

Thanks Re. the seat - there's an ottoman that you rest your feet on at the end, and the whole thing is 'fixed', i.e. it doesn't swivel. The seat faces the aisle at an angle, so if you turn your head you can still see out the window, and if you want to sleep the whole thing flips into a bed. On the planes that fly directly from London to MCO there's only 14 seats in the cabin and a bar in the middle, it feels so 'personal', on the planes that fly some of the other routes the cabin is a lot, lot larger. Virgin also have a 'premium economy' cabin too, which have bigger seats than economy and more leg room, which are very comfortable too - look out for Virgin's sales, that's the time to book flights with them.

I loved the early mornings at the Boardwalk, I totally agree about it being relaxing

 

[ClareH37]

Today was a double whammy day for Mum - we'd already had Mothers Day in the UK back in March but of course today was Mothers Day in the US.

I just had to take a photo of one of the pictures in the room, it's the little Disney touches that I love.

We decided on breakfast at Spoodles - we'd never eaten at Spoodles and it would have been a crime not to have eaten there with staying at the BWI again. On entering the restaurant we were both wished 'Happy Mothers Day' and given a carnation each, Mum was thrilled, I not so much - I 'm obviously now starting to show my age! I just had to start off the day with a Bellini

Very full we then caught a bus to DTD for some shopping. I love Basin products and as you can't get them in the UK I was going to stock up, unfortunately the shop at DTD was rather useless and now only really stocks soap and bath bombs, all the nice lotions and potions are only at the Grand Floridian. Next stop was Ghirardelli (another favourite!) where we all had cappuccinos which had virtually no coffee in - it was a mug full of foam/cream and only 1/3rd full with coffee, rather strange, but still delicious. We left Ghiradelli with enough bags of chocolates to last us until my next planned visit in 2010.

After a decent amount of window shopping we caught the bus back to the Boardwalk where we stopped off at the Bakery for a quick lunch of muffin, Mum and Dad then went to chill around the resort whilst I went on to Epcot. I knew the park would be busier today due to Mothers Day but Epcot was no where near as busy as I was expecting, in fact I was rather surprised at how not busy it was.

My favourite park in Disney is Epcot and I particularly enjoy World Showcase, I spent quite a while in the Gherlain shop smelling (and trying on various fragrances), I apologise to anyone who may have been following me aroudn World Showcase that afternoon, there was rather a strong odour, in fact so strong it was giving me a headache lol

One new thing for me this year was taking the time to watch the entertainers in France, very enjoyable.

I was a little disappointed with the Flower Festival this year though, seemed to be very similar to 2007 but the displays were nowhere near as colourful or elaborate and a little 'samey', although it was still beautiful.

By now I was really starting to wilt in the heat (it was in the high 90's), apparently this is the hottest May for 25 years! I decided to call it a day and headed back to the sanctuary of the air conditioned Boardwalk.

Mum and Dad were going to the Captains Grill for dinner and I was meeting some Dis board 'friends' at Cape May. Last time I ate at Cape May I wasn't overly impressed but I'm pleased to say this time it had improved a lot, great choice of food which tasted as good as it looked, the restaurant was nowhere near full and this was at 7.30 pm. It was a great meal and we all got on famously, we then stopped off at Beaches & Cream for desert. A fabulous evening, good food and even better company.

No Way Jose - can you believe the size of it!

A slow walk back around Crescent Lake took me 'home'. I made a quick stop on the 3rd floor - I had seen the most gorgeous flowers looking down from the club level 4th floor so wanted to see them properly.

And so to bed to recharge my batteries for the next day .....

 

[SRUAlmn]

Mmmmm....the No Way Jose' is big, but it is SO good


I find it so annoying that places wish every woman a Happy Mother's Day. I am 31 years old and not a mother (I, in fact, have been having problems conceiving) and it just breaks my heart when someone tells me Happy Mother's Day. You never know someone's personal situation and I know people are trying to be kind and we can't always be overly sensitive about things, but it's a little annoying sometimes. (ok, rant over )

 

[nascargirl]

I am glad you enjoyed the BWI and that you have so many good memories. I look forward to reading your trip report

 

[scottmel]

clare I leave for BWI Club Level in 12 days and can't wait! I just booked the Animal Excursion as well for AK. You didn't comment much on it - did you see a lot of animals? Worth doing? thanks! Can't wait to read more of your report..Melissa

 

[ClareH37]

clare I leave for BWI Club Level in 12 days and can't wait! I just booked the Animal Excursion as well for AK. You didn't comment much on it - did you see a lot of animals? Worth doing? thanks! Can't wait to read more of your report..Melissa

I so wish I was going back too - BWI is wonderful

We did see a lot of animals (no lions unfortunately) but lots of giraffe (my favourite), and really up close too. I've been on the tour before and thoroughly enjoyed it, but this time we were in a full bus (according to our guide this is the first time she's ever been on a 'full' tour (my last tour wasn't full either) and in the mid 90's it was hot, hot, hot on that bus! However, we did all enjoy it, we had a very informative guide and it's great sitting on the bus with lots of photo opportunities, so I feel it's definitely worth it for that alone.

 

[ClareH37]

I am glad you enjoyed the BWI and that you have so many good memories. I look forward to reading your trip report

It was wondeful Jeanette, truly wonderful

 

[scottmel]

But wait, Clare, the ad for the excursion says "Climate controlled vehicle". To me that implies AC - no???

 

[ClareH37]

But wait, Clare, the ad for the excursion says "Climate controlled vehicle". To me that implies AC - no???

Well, if there was AC, it wasn't working the day I took the tour

 

[ClareH37]

On opening the curtains this morning I was greeted with my favourite boat on the lake, the Breathless II - it had broken down! They tried restarting it but after 30 minutes gave up and towed it back to dock.

Yippee, today was Magic Kingdom day and after a quick breakfast in the club lounge we caught the bus to MK. The bus service had really improved since 2007 and we didn't have to wait long at all this time. The only downside is the buses still stop off at the Swan and Dolphin enroute to the parks which adds 5 or so minutes to the ride, but I can live with it

More beautiful flowers, these are outside the club lounge

After my initial fears that Touring Plans crowd calendar was correct, I'm happy to say it wasn't. The crowds at MK were very light, we arrived at MK shortly after 9.30 am and by the time we walked to Jungle Cruise it was nearer 10.00 am, the line was still only 5 minutes! When I'd been early in December, supposedly a quiet time, the same day/time was 40 minutes.

Unfortunately Pirates had 'technical difficulties' and was closed at that time so we gave it a miss, we then went on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (5 minute wait), Haunted Mansion (no wait), Philarmagic (no wait), It's a Small World (no wait) twice in a row (I love it!), then ambled around Main Street - stopping off for lunch at the Main Street Bakery for Mum & Dad, and Caseys for me (they now do gluten free if anyone is interested) - I never eat hot dogs in the UK but it's something I just have to do in the US.

My Dad loves Main Street and he loves to see the dancers, we stood and watched for a while before hopping on the monorail back to Epcot.

Again, very low crowds here too. We went onto Spaceship Earth (no wait), it's another tradition we have to do this each trip. TBH I didn't really see much point in the refurb the other year, it's still a good ride.

We then walked back slowly to the Boardwalk stopping off at Seashore Sweets as Mum and Dad wanted to share a small cup of ice-cream, I also spent some time relaxing in the gardens - I can never get too much of this calm oasis.

Back up to the club lounge to see what tonight's food offerings were - pulled pork and clam chowder from ESPN, I had both!

Mum and Dad were meant to be going to Tutto Italia for dinner but didn't really fancy it so ended up going to the Dolphin Fountain instead, they were very impressed with the food there, nothing elaborate but good salads and burgers. afterwards they went into MK to see Spectro.

I on the other hand was meeting my friends Tony and Lesley (who had been on my flight with me) for dinner - we were going to Tony Romas.

We were all surprised at how quiet Tony Romas was for a Monday, no line at all, we were seated immediately. To start Tony & Lesley had 'kick'in shrimp' and I had potato skins, there were so many we all shared. I cannot get over the size of the potato skins, but OMG, they really were the best! I then 'attempted' to eat BBQ chicken but I was so full, no surprise there really given I'd also eaten in the club lounge, I just couldn't even manage half.

No trip to the US is complete without a trip to Tony Romas, although we have a few restaurants in the UK now there are nowhere near as good as those in the US!

With an extremely full stomach my friends dropped me back at the Boardwalk and I went back upstairs to my room to try and sleep all the food off!

A quick shot of the club floor hallway.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Beautiful pics! I hope you'll be posting the food pictures over on the Disney Food Picture thread. I know that pictures help me decide where and what to eat.

 

[scottmel]

So pretty, Clare! Were you on the same floor as the lounge? There are 2 club level floors right? Do you see any disadvantage to either floor? Is one more desirable than the other?

 

[ClareH37]

Beautiful pics! I hope you'll be posting the food pictures over on the Disney Food Picture thread. I know that pictures help me decide where and what to eat.

Thanks for the reminder, I will get and do that.