Ready, Set, Go-DC/BG/HHN-RIP in 7 Nights

[keishashadow]

Forget Dumbo or die, I was determined to clear the Orlando bucket list this trip for youngest son's probable last trip before college. Where did the time go?

Self, the mr & jr spent 8 days & 7 nights ripping thru some of the best stuff that Central FLA has to offer. This will be a mostly pictoral account of our trip that began on Sunday, October 3rd.

1st up, check into Bay Lake Towers, Lake View studio. We weren't able to book the 'true' Magic Kingdom View, but managed to request and receive a great room.

We enjoyed it all, the room, the pool/hot tub, lounge & parking was a breeze! If i could divest myself easily of existing DVC properties, I'd buy here in a heartbeat.

tv console had a ton of storage! the 3 of us were very cozy & the bathroom layout grew on us, reminded me of split baths on cruise ships.

these are specifically for tricia

 

[keishashadow]

all taken from balcony

good view of backstage area

splash mt

we didn't get to MK until almost 3 pm & it was closing @ 7 pm for MNSSHP. We grabbed quick bite @ Columbia Harbor & got a few rides in before I finally got to meet macraven for quickie hi after so many years! Trip was off to a great start. We wound up so tired we skipped dinner @ Ohana & tried the food court area @ CR. Very good, limited though. DH and I had a sandwich & freshly made chips (yum!), should've shared it - sooo big. Jr had chicken nuggets from kids meal, proclaimed them ok. After the party FW we crashed as we had Discovery Cove on the schedule for tomorrow.

 

[keishashadow]

see the rainbow?

few other birds about they need a controlled hunt imo, i don't buy the story they escaped from animal kingdom park.

 

[keishashadow]

You can easily walk to Magic Kingdom

and watch the fireworks in your jammies, listening to audio on tv, then hop under the covers!

 

[macraven]

i'm reading.
deal me in.......


i love pictures.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Great start, Keisha!!! Love the "Orlando bucket list" reference....cant wait to see it!!

 

[bubba's mom]

okay.....no time to read just yet...but, sign me up!

I'm IN

 

[circelli]

I am here....
Keep it coming

 

[RVGal]

these are specifically for tricia

I feel so honored to have bathroom pics with my name attached.

Waiting for more. Great pictures btw. What a fan-freaking-tastic view you had!

 

[tlinus]

WOW!!!! What a great view, Janet!!!

I am in....

waiting

patiently

because you know how patient I am

right here

 

[bubba's mom]

BEST.
VIEW.
EVER!!!!!

Omg...I haveta go...now on my bucket list

Sounds like a great start to your trip...with THE perfect room!!

I must say...JR has changed a LOT since last year...the MR not so much He's looking so 'manly'.

I love reports...especially 'pictorial' ones

and I would have to agree....the sound of watching Wishes from your balcony, in jammies, listening to it on tv and then instead of fighting the masses, hopping into your bed? aaaahhhhhhh

Lemme know when there's more!

 

[tink1957]

All I can say is Wow Janet....that view is a dream come true.

 

[keishashadow]

Let me start out by saying many times over the years i've priced out Discovery Cove, wound up on the floor in shock @ the sticker price and moved on to other options. Apparently, the economy is sticking it to DC as they had several promos during our dates drastically slashing the price.

Several dates during our stay were $50 less pp than the $149 we paid, although we settled on Monday figuring if the weather was 'bad' we could reschedule. Note that we found out that they rarely ever cancel the day even if lightening-they just wait out the strikes and squeeze in the dolphin swims. Wouldn't make for the best experience imo, as the park has alot to offer beside the swim.

We booked an American Express promo (no CC required, you could use AMEX gift cards) included:

* admission to Discovery Cove
* choice of admission to Atlantis, Sea World or Busch Gardens (which we settled upon) for 1 week, option to include 2nd park for another $75
* free food (breakfast & lunch) that was a notch above standard fare & soda/water/beer (mostly beer).
*1 picture of group
*all amenties of discovery cove as well as dolphin-safe sunscreen

My only complaint is what i consider to be excessive gouging on the Photos/CD/DVD. Granted i've only sprung for photopass once (shared with a family member) but DC's least expensive option to obtain the photo CD is close to the price of admission! They did throw in bunch of 8 X 10s, key chains, photo frames, etc. (more than stated in the package).

dolphins like to have their bellies scratched, who knew?

i was worried they'd feel slimey ala a fish, but their skin had more of a rubber-like feel.

caught the old man cheating on me

 

[keishashadow]

The key to an enjoyable day is to arrive early as dolphin swim times are assigned on first-come basis. We wound up with noon which worked well, allowing us to explore the lay of the land, stake out a spot to call home for the day (not necessary as there were ample chairs/umbrellas), grab breakfast and get some snorkel time in pre-swim.

The snorkeling was amazing! I saw more fish in the 1st 5 minutes than I've ever seen on any snorkle trip.There had to be hundreds of rays (sans barbs hooray!). It was a bit disconcerning though when the large ones (as in a good 6 feet in width) would swim right over/under you...something about seeing a group of them heading straight toward you when swimming in 20 feet of water that makes you hesitate even when you know you're safe!

btw, the pictures here were all taken with either a cheapo vivitar with a housing i bought @ walmart few years ago and a fancier Olympus i got early this year. I find it interesting that it's difficult to determine which pictures came from which camera.

 

[keishashadow]

Really nice beach area

DS & I getting ready to enter lazy river area, thru cave behind us

after the cave/grotto area, you had section past the stingrays, then the water got deep near 1st exit to aviary. The 1st pass thru we skipped it and enjoyed the scenery. I would advise anybody not a strong swimmer to grab a float as the water does get deep in several sections and there are some strong currents that can easily tire you.

this is the water curtain that keeps the birds in the aviary

 

[keishashadow]

Words of warning on the aviary

*it's rather extensive and you can get turned around easily if entering from 'land' vs the lazy river.

*they do provid u with cups of yuck (i.e. food, some of it still moving) to feed the birds

*if a bird lands on your head you must stay until it decides to leave. I had to wait 20 minutes before 'mine' left. Don't even think about shaking your head, they dig in for dear life.

not only did the staff photog take my pic above (and not a very professional one either imo) everybody in the avairy made sure to take my pic too.

oh sure, just keep on walking lol

one final DC suggestion is to hit the showers before the end of day rush! The number is rather limited, i waited approximately 20 minutes at 4:00 pm (park closed at 5:30 pm). The line stretched out the door by the time i was done. Problem seemed to be that most guests were using the showers to both wash off & dress, instead of transferring to the dressing rooms across the aisle. The shower room was very clean, plenty of fresh towels, toiletries etc., however; the water pressure was somewhat weak might be another factor in longer shower times.

We all agreed we'd be thrilled to return, but would probably skip the dolphin encounter and concentrate on the snorkling unless another great deal materialized.

 

[Metro West]

Great pics and report Janet...keep it coming!

Sorry I missed you guys this trip but we'll get together next time for sure!

 

[tink too]

Joining in.

We were at DC the day after you guys! We had a fabulous time too, but I have to agree with your comments regarding the photo prices and the lazy river - definately tired me out (I'm the not-so-good swimmer in our family).

 

[RVGal]

You look so thrilled to have a bird on your head!

20 minutes? Seriously? At some point I'd have probably needed to bend down to tie my imaginary shoe or something. Geez.

The snorkeling pics are great and I love the one of you guys giving the dolphin a belly rub. And how dare your hubby kiss another... ummm... mammal...

 

[keishashadow]

Great pics and report Janet...keep it coming!

Sorry I missed you guys this trip but we'll get together next time for sure!

i heard it from the guys the whole trip that i had dropped the ball by not attending HHN on Sunday...i told them we should've stayed another night.Next time for sure

Joining in.

We were at DC the day after you guys! We had a fabulous time too, but I have to agree with your comments regarding the photo prices and the lazy river - definately tired me out (I'm the not-so-good swimmer in our family).

im a strong swimmer, but was happy to have a noodle in the lazy river after the 3rd go-around in the afternoon...i slept like a log that night

You look so thrilled to have a bird on your head!

20 minutes? Seriously? At some point I'd have probably needed to bend down to tie my imaginary shoe or something. Geez.

The snorkeling pics are great and I love the one of you guys giving the dolphin a belly rub. And how dare your hubby kiss another... ummm... mammal...

i was vain enough to know i looked water-logged by the afternoon, certainly didn't want all the strangers taking my picturei have no qualms posting it here though lol. I just kept thinking, don't pooh please.

jury is out as to whether im warm-blooded or not

although i did pass the full body scan flying out of PIT.