RipperSB
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2013
For those of you who are just joining, my pre-trip report can be found here http://www.disboards.com/threads/our-plan-is-to-not-plan.3349618/. Briefly, our trip was to celebrate our 30th anniversary and so we booked a 5 night stay at the BWV followed by a 7 night eastern Caribbean cruise aboard the Disney Fantasy followed by another 5 night stay at OKW. We departed on 12 Jan 15 for our first resort stay, embarked on the ship on 17 Jan 15 and disembarked and returned to the resort on 24 Jan 15 and returned home on 29 Jan 15.
Our plan for the resort stays was to do nothing in advance – no ADRs, no FPs – just see what is available on the day we arrive at the park. We did plan one event – we reserved a table for the Hoop-De-Doo Musical Review as we had never been before and really wanted to catch that show & dinner. So that was booked for 14 Jan 15. One other thing popped up – just a couple days prior to our departure, we received an email inviting us to the presentations for the new Poly Bungalows & Studios. We decide to attend and book that for 15 Jan. These two items would factor in our decisions on what to do on those days and, ultimately led to us abandoning the idea of playing the bus stop lottery and actually deciding each morning what we were going to do that day.
Departure Day
Following the advice to arrive 2-3 hours prior to departure (apparently they get quite busy with people trying to escape the Canadian winter) found on the airport’s website, we arrive at the airport at 5:AM only to discover a sign at the United check-in counter that says they open 2 hrs prior to departure. Fortunately, a worker sees us standing there and check’s our bags so we can, at least, go for bagels and coffee at Timmies. Boarding and departure go without a hitch and we are on our way to Denver.
Arriving in Denver we clear customs quickly, using the new self-serve kiosks. We recheck our luggage, go through security and make our way to Concourse B. It is now time for some lunch and, in what has become a travel day ritual for us, we head to Woody Creek Bakery and Café. DW orders a BLT Wrap and I get a Clubhouse Crossanwich, both are delicious.
The flight from Denver to Orlando was long and bumpy, especially on arrival as there was inclement weather in and around Orlando. We were very happy when it was over and even happier still to board the DME to BWV. Check in was a breeze (I did the online check in) and, having never stayed here before, we were anxious to check out the room which was on the ground floor with a view of the pool.
In our room, we were delighted to find a Happy Anniversary balloon, Boardwalk chocolates, an autographed photo of Mickey and Minnie (wishing us congrats) and a phone message, also from Mickey and Minnie singing Happy Anniversary. All very nice, magical touches that we appreciated.
Compared to our home resort, BLT, the BWV Studio seemed to have a little more space but less or smaller furniture, especially for storage. BLT has the big bureau with the drawers and shelves and BWV had a single, 4 drawer dresser. There was no coffee table and no end table/shelf on my side of the bed. The safe was a wall safe, rather than the pedestal offered at BLT, so it may be out of the way we found it less roomy and a little more difficult to stack things on the vertical.
It’s time for dinner, so we head to the Boardwalk Bakery. DW gets the anticipated Lobster Roll and I opt for a Roast Beef sandwich, getting it served warm (my choice). Of course, it’s cupcakes for dessert and we get a Strawberry Shortcake and an Oreo. We heartily enjoy our meals as they are, as always, flavourful and filling.
Returning to our room, our order from Garden Grocer is delivered but there is no sign of our luggage. A phone call and some waiting later and 1 suitcase ea arrives (we each had 2) and it is not until 1:00 AM that we get all our luggage and are able to turn in after what has been a long and tiring day.
Our plan for the resort stays was to do nothing in advance – no ADRs, no FPs – just see what is available on the day we arrive at the park. We did plan one event – we reserved a table for the Hoop-De-Doo Musical Review as we had never been before and really wanted to catch that show & dinner. So that was booked for 14 Jan 15. One other thing popped up – just a couple days prior to our departure, we received an email inviting us to the presentations for the new Poly Bungalows & Studios. We decide to attend and book that for 15 Jan. These two items would factor in our decisions on what to do on those days and, ultimately led to us abandoning the idea of playing the bus stop lottery and actually deciding each morning what we were going to do that day.
Departure Day
Following the advice to arrive 2-3 hours prior to departure (apparently they get quite busy with people trying to escape the Canadian winter) found on the airport’s website, we arrive at the airport at 5:AM only to discover a sign at the United check-in counter that says they open 2 hrs prior to departure. Fortunately, a worker sees us standing there and check’s our bags so we can, at least, go for bagels and coffee at Timmies. Boarding and departure go without a hitch and we are on our way to Denver.
Arriving in Denver we clear customs quickly, using the new self-serve kiosks. We recheck our luggage, go through security and make our way to Concourse B. It is now time for some lunch and, in what has become a travel day ritual for us, we head to Woody Creek Bakery and Café. DW orders a BLT Wrap and I get a Clubhouse Crossanwich, both are delicious.
The flight from Denver to Orlando was long and bumpy, especially on arrival as there was inclement weather in and around Orlando. We were very happy when it was over and even happier still to board the DME to BWV. Check in was a breeze (I did the online check in) and, having never stayed here before, we were anxious to check out the room which was on the ground floor with a view of the pool.
In our room, we were delighted to find a Happy Anniversary balloon, Boardwalk chocolates, an autographed photo of Mickey and Minnie (wishing us congrats) and a phone message, also from Mickey and Minnie singing Happy Anniversary. All very nice, magical touches that we appreciated.
Compared to our home resort, BLT, the BWV Studio seemed to have a little more space but less or smaller furniture, especially for storage. BLT has the big bureau with the drawers and shelves and BWV had a single, 4 drawer dresser. There was no coffee table and no end table/shelf on my side of the bed. The safe was a wall safe, rather than the pedestal offered at BLT, so it may be out of the way we found it less roomy and a little more difficult to stack things on the vertical.
It’s time for dinner, so we head to the Boardwalk Bakery. DW gets the anticipated Lobster Roll and I opt for a Roast Beef sandwich, getting it served warm (my choice). Of course, it’s cupcakes for dessert and we get a Strawberry Shortcake and an Oreo. We heartily enjoy our meals as they are, as always, flavourful and filling.
Returning to our room, our order from Garden Grocer is delivered but there is no sign of our luggage. A phone call and some waiting later and 1 suitcase ea arrives (we each had 2) and it is not until 1:00 AM that we get all our luggage and are able to turn in after what has been a long and tiring day.
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