Oh what a horrible trip!!!! Now for something completely different-Final blast ......

[englishrose47]

I echo Goofy Fan's thoughts Pat , take it easy and give yourself time to heal !!

 

[englishrose47]

Oh Look I did it Again

 

[Poolrat]

Oh Pat - I really hope the worst of the surgery recovery is behind you know. Here's praying for less pain and better pain medicine than won't make you sick.

Did you have rotator cuff surgery?

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

I think it is now. Some pain but really just discomfort and last night I think I slept where it moved into a bad position and woke me up.

Yup rotator cuff - the surgeon gave me pictures and it looks like a big bone spur was fraying everything up. Its a good repair so just letting it heal now.

So glad your surgery went well and it sounds like the recovery is going smoothly! Try to get plenty of rest and give everything time to heal properly.

Been sleeping and trying to take it easy.

Hey I resemble that remark


That should be ye're getting better Typos are sooo funny also Dan's spelling is too !!!

I echo Goofy Fan's thoughts Pat , take it easy and give yourself time to heal !!

Thanks Rosie. I'm trying. I get bursts of cabin fever and do what I can and then get tired and stop.

Oh Look I did it Again

Yes You did

 

[MeMom]

Wish I was closer. I'd bring you the casserole of your choice and a nice dessert. Glad you are getting some rest and some DIS time.

 

[KatMark]

Happy Thanksgiving to you, Pat and to "yours."

​

 

[englishrose47]

Happy Thanksgiving Pat !! Hopefully I don't steal Top of the page again !!

 

[Poolrat]

Wish I was closer. I'd bring you the casserole of your choice and a nice dessert. Glad you are getting some rest and some DIS time.

Awwwww I know you would. I wasn't down too long or all the way. I did have a bit of help and the kids actually pitched in and are taking turns being my chauffer since I am not supposed to drive for a bit yet.

Happy Thanksgiving to you, Pat and to "yours."

​

Thank you Kathy. Hope you had a great time on your trip.

Happy Thanksgiving Pat !! Hopefully I don't steal Top of the page again !!

Nope not this time. You are coming home soon.... Hope your trip was magical.





Sorry guys, even though I am trying to stay caught up on the DIS I have nothing more loaded on PB.

I am basically done with my DL pictures.
My final thoughts are that I need to do it again now that I am familiar with the parks. I loved the GCV and the compactness and the ease of park hopping.
I am hoping to go back again this fall. Once again I have my annual conference late in Oct and a no travel order from Sept. until the middle of Oct due to another national conference ( NRPA Park and Rec) being in Charlotte next year.

I may have to give up a Food and Wine trip to go to DL but I may survive.

I am basically in the teens until my next trip


But I realized I have to share something......








In October I was able to preview the GFV!!!!!!! The actual Villas.. It took some persistence and some crashing.... but I did it.

Hang on, the story and the pictures next!!!!

 

[Poolrat]

OKay the story.....

The day I was checking into the BCV on Oct 16 my room wasn't ready. No biggie - Seemed like a new CM was working on it. I had done online check-in and usually had my room ready but no worries. The CM took my phone number for the texts at least 3 times and probably because I HAD to say I ALWAYS get a room ready text...... I never got one.

So I was in the parks and stopped back and of course my room was ready. No phone on my account for a text.... I even got the verify and replay back to the test text they sent. UGH.

Well while I am schlepping luggage up with a shoulder that doesn't work right, I get an email. From DVC at 6pm at night. For the GFV preview of the villas. Really?!?!?!?! I had even stopped at the DVC kiosk to ask if one was happening and was told NO.

Of course when I click to sign up it is FULL. So what a girl to do?

I go down to the BCV lobby to ask again. The CM at the DVC desk calls for me but nothing... then she whispers, If I were you I would just go down there, but I didn't tell you to do that.


SO I CRASH THE DVC PREVIEW OF GFV.

On the Morning of the 22nd I head over to GF.

I see this on the way.



Almost there.



I just tell the guard I am here for the DVC presentation. I was...


I'm IN!!!!



Not having a clue as to where to go I head towards the villas, park the car and start walk towards the villa entrance.

Can't resist this.




The anticipation is building.




I am in the right place.





Last minute prep.






And ..... I was stopped at the entrance.




And sent to the Main building by Citricos.

Not stopped yet.

By the water feature



into the main building...



I go upstairs to fins Citrico's and see tables and a check in area. I approach with my tale.
I get the " Did you already register?"
I reply: "I tried .... but..."

The CM looks at me and I am ready to the rejection. Sorry you are not special enough, sorry you are not allowed but I get.....

" Well it is full but I can put you on the waiting list."


I was number 3 on the wait list. I was not the only one crashing the party.

So I wait.




Don't worry I won't keep you hanging..... long.

 

[Poolrat]

What do I do as I wait? Duh take pictures.



Hmmm Have not been in here yet....







I am on a tile kick.... comes from looking at too many floor and backsplash samples for my kitchen.





Back out by the elevators






Looking down















Clearly I am getting bored and a bit nervous. I do see more people come up and several say their guide put them on the list. Hmmm wish I thought of that one. Never met my guide. Funny when I get home I had a letter that my guide has retired. Yeah that wouldn't have worked.


Towards the check-in area.




Then I see the girl who put me on the wait list. She is looking for numbers 1 and 2. Then she comes to find me.

 

[Poolrat]

She calls me and I get my goodies, A bag, a portfolio pad and pen for "notes". She Leads me in for a breakfast.. Score

I get my Mimosa and wait in line for the buffet.














My plate- I found out later the spoon with the on the bottom of my plate was a Spoonful of sugar... how cute.





Of course with anything DVC there is a presentation. It was fun and in addition I got a lithograph - different from the webcast. So now I have a Grand Flo - with Mickey and Minnie and one with Donald and Daisy,

As they finish up we get put in groups and off we go.


How Grand Flo...



Past the new Splash area.





Back by the water feature this time no workers...







Now I am with a CM so in I go.....

 

[MEK]

Don't even tell me you are going to stop NOW. You're killing ME!!!!!!!

 

[Poolrat]

As you enter the Villa Lobby







Some flavored water. Thsi was cucumber and welll







The Fountain






Looking down



and looking up










Aren't these cute?














The elevators have umbrellas as floor indicators.



But there is still a few things to put up.



or fix.




Don't Think this was in the elevator but maybe at the landing ?




Looking down

 

[Poolrat]

Hallway art.









Have I teased you enough????

I present the grand villa.





The dining area. I think the CM said the GRand Villa is about 2800 sq ft.





The kitchen



The CM said while walking down the hall that there are NO Hidden Mickeys. Really?!?!?! Did you spot the obvious one?


Here it is again.







It's a Bosch in case you are interested.



Living room area next to the Dining room table.



Switches - Why? Because I have the same ones.



This is the media room



The other half...



Looking from the media room to the halway



Built in and flat...



Art







Next - The Master Bedroom

 

[Poolrat]

Master Bedroom







Balcony for MB.



View





The Master BATHROOM- You though the AKL bathroom was huge? Well this is easily the size of the Master Bedroom.

Part of the walk in shower.



Yup so big it didn't fit in one picture.



I wonder if you need a special course to turn it on.



Far Far Away the toilet



AND A FREESTANDING TUB



Artwork on the wall.





Amenities- Includes a minty foot scrub. Nice touch





Washer Dryer



the door of the massive party shower.

 

[Poolrat]

That was one half of the Villa. Now the other side of the kitchen / Dining/Living area.

Bathroom #2





Bathroom #3




Tub/ shower area



Robes in the closet



Bedroom #2







Bedroom #3





Out on balcony



Yet another bathroom, I do believe #2 was just a half bath.









Floor outlets for the lamp







And that was the Grand Villa.

I did then go to the 2 bedroom and 1 bedroom and maybe the studio too, although it was the lock off.

Probably tomorrow now that they are uploaded.

 

[Poolrat]

Don't even tell me you are going to stop NOW. You're killing ME!!!!!!!

Sorry!!!!



I will hold off on the 1 and 2 bedroom.

 

[jedijill]

The GFV looks amazing! So glad you crashed the party!

Jill in CO (Hope your shoulder is feeling better and healing well!)

 

[Poolrat]

The GFV looks amazing! So glad you crashed the party!

Jill in CO (Hope your shoulder is feeling better and healing well!)

It was amazing. I tell I was nervous about crashing at first but a little mad that I was there and still couldn't sign up due to my check in snafu. And knowing it could happen and asking at the DVC kiosk only to be told there is nothing going on. Yeesh.
The marketing folks need to talk to the sales and support folks more.

Yes my shoulder is healing nicely. I think I am approaching the danger stage, where I can move it more and do more but shouldn't so it can finish healing. Sometimes I remind myself and sometimes it reminds me.

 

[MeMom]

Balcony for MB.

Seems kind of skinny. Slackers.

The view is nice, and the rest of the place is awesome. I think I would have taken off a few square feet from inside, though, and added it to make a bigger balcony. Just my personal preference, but since I'm not a DVC member, they didn't bother to consult me.

Glad you got to crash the event!

 

[natebenma]

AWESOME pictures of the GFV- the resort and the master villa suite.

The penguin fountain is absolutely adorable!

So far, the peek at the rooms confirm that everything is gorgeous, luxurious and so tastefully done.

Thanks for sharing.

I am so pitifully behind on EVERYTHING, but when I get a chance I am going to binge-read your DL report because we are going in July.