Met " Al-E-Gator ", on our First Trip Home !!!

[TOMAR@SSR]

Hi Everyone!
Just back from a wonderful first trip home as DVCer`s to the BCV`s!
We had a Studio Villa (4th floor), Epcot view, non smoking # 469.
DH and I had a Beautiful view each day, of the Epcot Sphere, WS, and the fireworks to our right.
We were directly over the canal, and each morning, DH and I would have coffee on our Balcony.
I had told him about reading on the boards about AL, but never dreamed WE would actually see him!
On Tuesday, Aug 10th, the day before we were leaving ,
AL-E-GATOR actually surfaced his head through the grassy water!!
You could see his whole body slopeing down into the canal!
I was making coffee, and DH called me to get the camera quick!
Al-E opened and closed his eyes, stood in the grassy watery spot for a while, and then as the groundskeepers spotted him !, he slid back into the water, out of view!!
We are so hoping the pictures we took come out!
Every day we also saw 2 large turtles, we named them "tweedle dee & " tweedle dum"! They entertained us for breakfast, before we ventured out.
We took this first trip home slow, happily knowing we bought just a little bit of the magic & would be back soon!!
We got a lot of "welcome homes", & had alot of excellent dinners @ AKL, VWL, BCV, YC, GF, & the parks! Loved the walk thru IG, to epcot too! We spent a day @ our home resort ,SSR, (it`s Beautiful), very spacious! took alot of pictures of the GV & other villas. Our next trip will definately be to our home away from home! We had a great time, enjoyed the epcot resort experience & can`t wait til next time! Hope everyone who is at DW today is safe!!

 

[kathleena]

Glad you had a great trip and enjoyed the luxury of being at BCV!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Welcome back! sounds like you had a great time and a great room! I haven't been on the DVC threads very long so I never heard about "Al" before but I would have loved to see him! Thanks for the report!

 

[Patty3]

I am so happy that you were able to enjoy the Magic!

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

hi luckymommyx2
It was a great first experience as DVC members! My DH had mentioned that it was our Anniversary, and when we got up to our Studio, there was a Balloon Bouquet on the table that said "Happy Anniversary", with an autographed picture of Mickey & Minnie attached to a refilable cup for us. thanks for the reply-

Seeing Al, was an added treat, as was the adorable towel Puppy that mousekeeping left on the Bed for us. WE didn`t want to use it, it was soooo cute!!!
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[Luckymommyx2]

Happy Anniversary!!! I guess this was a very memorable trip in so many ways: anniversary, Charley, first time as a DVC member! I guess we're neighbors...SSR, right?! Unfortunately we won't get down until September 2005 but I'm sure it will be worth the wait!

Was this the first time at the BC or BCV? I really want to stay there on of these years but I was a little leary after reading so many negative reports recently. Of course being so new to the DVC I probably wouldn't know the difference anyhow!

I know what you mean about not wanting to use the towel animals. When we stayed at CBR earlier this year we had formed a towel animal zoo on the table by the end of the week! Good thing the kids don't expect them at home!!

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

thank you for the anniversary wishes LMx2, we stood @ the villas with points for our first time as DVC members. we were thinking about the ongoing construction @ SSR, but when we went to visit, it was really sooo Beautiful:, we can`t wait to stay there!, And the time goes by soo fast, you`ll be there before you know it too!! Yes, we bought @ SSR, (happy to say) . HI NEIGHBOR!!
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[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Thanks for the report!! Glad you had a good time!!

Allison

 

[RuthnPaul]

TOMAR@SSR

I noticed that your counter mentions BCV and Sanibel Island. Just wondering if you went to Sanibel prior to Charley hitting? Hope so since it sounds like Sanibel suffered damage from the hurricane.

Sounds like you had a great trip and that the alligator and the turtles provided you with your own version of AK!!

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

Hi RuthnPaul
we were @ sanibel on july 28th to the 31st, @ the very place charley struck, we left on Aug. 1st, and drove up 75 to 4 , and to BCV. WE were there til Aug 11th. I can`t believe we just missed everything (thank God).
Sanibel Island was very Beautiful, we are in awe of the fact that we had stopped @ a store in Punta Gorda also !! Being from New Jersey, we just keep saying to ourselves that if we had planned this trip a week later.........????
thank you for asking!!

And yes i guess we had our own little AK going on too

 

[Sammie]

Actually according to the staff, there 3 Gators that visit the BCV channel and one has become large enough he is on the removal list.

They were trying to trap him during our visit.

 

[MJTinNH]

Sounds like you had a great time! Thank you for posting!

 

[Figment56]

Sammie,

They won't hurt it, will they? What will they do with it if they catch it? Yes, I know it's Disney, but you never know what they might do to large gators! Hope they relocate him!

 

[Figment56]

TOMAR,

We are SSR owners as well! Did you have a difficult time getting BCV at 7 months? We usually go at the end of August (keeping our fingers crossed that Earl goes away) and would like to try other resorts. Happy Anniversary, btw! We just celebrated #20! I was wondering if I should mention this to CMs? DD just turned 15 and DN (niece) just turned 16. We have a few big milestones to celebrate!

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

Hi figment,
Happy anniversary to you also!! It wasn`t difficult to book BCV , although we booked back in Jan. It was harder, honestly, to book BWV!
This was a milestone for us also, our 30th!! DS is 29, and just got married last Oct. when we bought SSR!
I would mention your special Ann. @ check-in, and then see what happens!!
Have a wonderful vacation, and let us know how it was!

Ps- WOW, 3 al-e-gators!!!
we`re from New Jerey, not used to seeing such things!!! lol

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by Figment56
Sammie,

They won't hurt it, will they? What will they do with it if they catch it? Yes, I know it's Disney, but you never know what they might do to large gators! Hope they relocate him!

They will relocate it to an area of the property that is not being used. However if the gator returns again and again to the areas of the property that is near humans, yes it could have to be destroyed.

This is the very reason no one should feed the gators. They become use to being fed by humans and lose their natural fear. Then they become a very serious threat and have to be destroyed.

 

[Figment56]

30 yrs, that's wonderful! I felt lucky to make 20! I believe we bought in October too! We will be staying at AKL for 2 nights-that's my favorite and we couldn't resist the great rates. We then move on to 5 nights at SSR-1br. I will fill everyone in on my report of what I thought when we get back to MA. Sammie, I hope gator is smart and is not caught-LOL or moved and doesn't come back!

 

[manning]

They won't hurt it, will they? What will they do with it if they catch it? Yes, I know it's Disney, but you never know what they might do to large gators! Hope they relocate him!

If they are under 4 feet long they can relocate them.

If they are over over 4 feet they have to be destroyed. Their homing instincts kick in and they come back even if they are relocated hundreds of miles away.

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

figment
you`ll be @ the next level before you can blink ! Enjoy this milestone
AKL is great, we had dinner @ Jiko, and your going to love your new home away from home too!
Next month, our other DS is getting married too, ( alot more family Disney trips ) !

As far as AL- DH said he looked to be about 4 feet. We were on the 4th floor, didn`t see anyone try to FEED it! Honestly, it was enough for me to just LOOK at it !! LOL

Hope the turtles are ok though, they were sooo cute!!

 

[Figment56]

TOMAR,

That is wonderful about your DS getting married and your other one too! Now you might have some DGKs going to WDW in the near future! Hope AL is NOT longer than 4 ft so he can have a longer life! Can't wait to go down. We have ressies at Bomas first night there. It is my favorite restaurant at WDW. Maybe someday I will meet up with you at SSR!