OKW ... All is well! (including the pool slide)

[RobDoc]

We arrived at OKW last night for a long weekend stay. Unfortunately, we have to leave Sunday morning.

We had a great flight (uneventful) and were greeted by Ricardo from FL Tours at MCO. Stopped at the Publix near Sea World on the way to OKW. We are in building 46, which over looks the canal towards Cirque (we can see it thru the trees from our balcony). The view is great and the building very quiet. We have a 1BR- 2nd floor.

We had time to run over to Epcot after getting settled and caught the last 45 minutes of CP. What a great show. The orchestra and choir were really great and the sign interpreter is also fun to watch. We stayed for Illuminations at 9:30 (due to the CP program end time). If you have the chance, be sure to see the holiday version of Illuminations. The normal program is presented and that is followed by another 10 minutes of great fireworks, while a nice choral presentation of "Let There Be Peace on Earth" is played in the background. There is also a Walter Cronkite voiceover with a moving message during the fireworks (lots of reds and greens and very different from the usual Illuminations fare). A must see if you get the chance before the end of the year.

We went to CP again this evening- new narrator tonight (Kirk Franklin ? I have no idea who he is) did an OK job and was obviously touched with the program as he indicated in his final comments. The director tonight was Derrick Johnson- who also directs and does al lof the arrangements for the Voices of Liberty- the wonderful a capella group at the American Adventure.

We shopped for ornaments at DD on the way back (walked to BC and took the bus to DD) and then rode the boat back to OKW.

The OKW pool slide is making great progress. Most of the sandcastle facade is now in place over the slide itself. I'll try to get a few photos up before we go home on Sunday.

The BWV tent is still in place, but it appears that they are nearing completion of the work beneath the "big top". Hopefully, that eyesore will be removed soon. Work continues on the new BWV rooms under the Crest 'O the Wave area of the resort. I also have a couple of photos of the tent to post when I have time.

The holiday decor is wonderful all around WDW and CM's and guests alike all seem to be in a festive mood. What a great time of the year to be here. Lots of balconies have lights to brighten the view and the DVC resorts (we've visited all but VWL so far- hope to get over there tomorrow) look great.

The parks seem busier than this same time over the last 5 years. It's nice to see the crowds returning (and the lines are still very manageable).

 

[MJTinNH]

Sounds like a wonderful time to visit WDW. Thank you for posting your adventures to this point. I agree that it's sad you have to leave Sunday! More time is always better! Enjoy your trip and I look forward to the pictures.

 

[disgirl]

So glad you are having a nice time Doc. It is nice to hear about the OKW pool progress. Have fun and thanks for posting, can not wait until we see pictures. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thanks for the report Doc. I haven't seen the CP or the holiday version of Illuminations since 12/98. Hearing you talk about it made me wish I was there. Enjoy your couple of days in the World !

 

[DVCconvert]

If you have the chance, be sure to see the holiday version of Illuminations. The normal program is presented and that is followed by another 10 minutes of great fireworks, while a nice choral presentation of "Let There Be Peace on Earth" is played in the background. There is also a Walter Cronkite voiceover with a moving message during the fireworks (lots of reds and greens and very different from the usual Illuminations fare). A must see

Thanks Doc! We'll be there tomorrow night! ....were did you see illuminations from?

 

[smjj]

Doc;

Looks as if bldg. must be for Hoosiers. We were in this same bldg. two weeks
ago in a studio(4616).
I posted our pictures here. They include a couple of the pool slide construction..smjj

http://community.webshots.com/album/219852728XGsxCA

 

[PamOKW]

Thanks for the report, Doc. Have a great trip.

I can't say that I know Kirk Franklin either but a Google search says he's a star of contemporary Gospel. Sounds like a fitting narrator.

 

[bz8bls]

Hey Doc, Frank Kirkland is a gospel singer, well, he really doesn't sing, he speaks more in the recordings while the background chorus really does the singing. His music is popular in the R&B genre. My kids like him when they were teenagers (now they are grown); he's been around for at least 10 years.

 

[AnnaS]

Thanks for taking the time to report Doc. Looking forward to more and the update on the OKW slide too.

Seeing WDW during Christams time is on my top list. Unfortunately due to cheerleading schedule - we are limited to Easter and Summer vacations only. Someday though.

 

[TwirlerGirl]

Thanks again for taking the time to share your trip. I am anxiously awaitung the pictures of the new slide. Have a great relaxing visit.

Sandy

 

[RobDoc]

I posted the OKW slide photos on the DVC forum. The opening date has been delayed another 5 days and is now scheduled to open on December 22.

Saw Diane today at WWTBAMPI and she is looking forward to the DIS/DVC meet at SSR on Monday. Sounds like a great group sorry we'll miss the event. I made my 11th trip to the hot seat, but blew the 32,000 pt question (something about astrolgoical earth signs???) and now have to wait until our next trip to try again. Caskbill made it to the 125,000 pt question last week.

Thanks for the info about Kirk Franklin - he was OK. We saw Heather Heartly (sp?)the previous night and she was much more animated (and I don't know who she is either).

We saw the PI fireworks thru the trees from our balcony in bldg 46 last. Not as nice as from SSR, but it was fun anyway.
Temps were in the upper 60's today and may drop into the 40's overnite. No rain until the middle of next week.

We're off to see the Osborne Lights tonite, will visit the WL and GF lobbies tomorrow to see the decor and catch the Voices of Liberty at Epcot. Crowds are manageable, but I know Sat will be crazy at the MK especially (and it's open til midnight).