My wife and I returned Saturday from a wonderful stay at BCV. We arrived by car on Xmas day at 10:00 AM, and our room (studio) was ready! I guess it must have been unoccupied Xmas Eve. Everything was "neat and pretty" in the room, except for a drip on the front of the fridge, and some "Pledge" that wasn't wiped in thoroughly. I called housekeeping for an "eggshell" foam mattress to make the sofabed more comfortable for my sister who arrived by air later in the day, and the "mattress" was delivered within 10 minutes. What really floored us was our full housekeeping day on Monday. We had left coffee cups and juice glasses in the sink to be washed up later, and housekeeping did them as part of their cleaning! I made sure to leave a nice tip the day we left, but realized that those responsible for that particular cleaning probably didn't get the tip. Next time I receive such exceptional service, I'm going to make an effort to see that the tip is given to the appropriate staff member. When we asked a housekeeper in the hall for an additional coffee cup (there were only two in the cupboard), she brought two immediately and politely refused a tip. All of the cast members were exceptionally pleasant at a time of year that I'm sure can be quite demanding and hectic.
The parks were very crowded, so we went early (in the dark for extra magic hour), and left when it became unpleasantly crowded. We also had to dress warmly in the morning, and shed fleece, etc. as it became warmer. My sister, who had never been to WDW, was wowed by everything. We took her on several resort tours (weren't allowed through the gate at WL on Xmas day, but went back on Monday), and she was just amazed at the architecture and theming. She claims that the Grand Floridian exceeds The Plaza in NYC (where she lives - NYC, not the Plaza) in grandeur. She loved the parks as well, especially World Showcase and Animal Kingdom. Didn't have time in three days to do it all, but we did Fantasmic at 10:30 one evening (not quite full), and the Candlelight Processional in Epcot which she said was the best show of its type she had ever seen. It was the first time attending the Processional for my wife and I as well, and we too were "blown away."
Weather reached 80 degrees by New Year's Day, and no rain at all!!! (We usually go in June, as we will again in 22 weeks - not that I'm counting) It couldn't have been a greater vacation, although we have decided that in '05 when we take our son, DIL and grandchildren it will be the week before Xmas, not Xmas to New Year's. We felt sorry for families with children - many lines were at least an hour long. People were in line for 3 hours for Mission Space! Any questions?
The parks were very crowded, so we went early (in the dark for extra magic hour), and left when it became unpleasantly crowded. We also had to dress warmly in the morning, and shed fleece, etc. as it became warmer. My sister, who had never been to WDW, was wowed by everything. We took her on several resort tours (weren't allowed through the gate at WL on Xmas day, but went back on Monday), and she was just amazed at the architecture and theming. She claims that the Grand Floridian exceeds The Plaza in NYC (where she lives - NYC, not the Plaza) in grandeur. She loved the parks as well, especially World Showcase and Animal Kingdom. Didn't have time in three days to do it all, but we did Fantasmic at 10:30 one evening (not quite full), and the Candlelight Processional in Epcot which she said was the best show of its type she had ever seen. It was the first time attending the Processional for my wife and I as well, and we too were "blown away."
Weather reached 80 degrees by New Year's Day, and no rain at all!!! (We usually go in June, as we will again in 22 weeks - not that I'm counting) It couldn't have been a greater vacation, although we have decided that in '05 when we take our son, DIL and grandchildren it will be the week before Xmas, not Xmas to New Year's. We felt sorry for families with children - many lines were at least an hour long. People were in line for 3 hours for Mission Space! Any questions?
