SANDISW's Summer Trip to BCV and BLT - Starts Tomorrow!!

[Sandisw]

My First Trip Report!!! And, I will try it live!!!

Well, its almost 10:00 pm est and I am finally getting ready to head to bed. We get up at 3:30 am to head to the airport for our 6:00 am flight for 6 nights--3 to BCV (studio) and 3 to BLT 1 bedroom. Cast of characters will be me, DH, and DD 14 (DD17 and DS 21 are staying home to watch the new puppy).

A bit of a glitch with those today via Jet Blue. I picked our seats a long time ago and for some reason, they gave them to someone else so I ended up having to sit in the back of the plane (which I hate) on the first leg, and my DH doesn't have his window seat (which he needs) for the second leg. Not happy, but what can you do.

Anyway, we arrive at MCO around 11:15 pm and ended up getting a rental car for about $75 more than what we had reserved at the Dolphin for the next day. DH just did not want to use ME (I was hoping we would) so as soon as we land and get the luggage, we will be off to BCV!!!

It is supposed to be HOT (105 with the heat index) so if I don't melt, I will try to post again tomorrow night how everything went with check in and our room!

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

TAKE ME TAKE ME It's been that hot for the past week in KY Heat is ok. HUMIDITY is . Did it take over 15 hours to get down there? Or is pm a typo?

 

[daisyduck123]

We did the same sort of split earlier this month:
1 night OKW
5 nights BCV
3 nights BLT

My only regret is not having more time at BLT. You are going to have such a great time!!

 

[stopher1]

Oh yay! I love LIVE reports. I hope you'll have a bunch of pics! Enjoy your trip Sandi.

 

[rentayenta]

I am so in for this report!! Have a magical trip!!

 

[GoofyGirl68]

Have fun! Hope it's starting to get less crowded. Looking forward to your TR.

 

[Torgue]

Have a great trip Sandi! We arrive at 10:00pm tomorrow night at the AKV(BLT was booked) Thanks again for all the info !

 

[mdsd8700]

Looking foward to reading your TR! It is certainly hot but at least you are in Disney! Enjoy your trip

 

[kristie03]

Can't wait to read along with your vacation!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Can't wait to read your report!

 

[Crystal_27]

Sandi, have a great time! Can't wait to read all about it.

 

[mouseaider]

Have a safe and happy trip. What time does the party start at your house ?

Just kidding..... about the party part.

Take lots of photo's for us.

 

[yekcoh_99]

I'll be here waiting! Can't wait to hear all about it!! Especially anything on BCV and pics you'll have. Have a wonderful vacation!!

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

Boy, I hope they didn't spend all day waiting at airports? It wouldn't be worth the money saved. IMHO

 

[cogero]

have a blast

 

[Sandisw]

Well, we woke up bright and early and headed to the airport at 4:00 am! Our flight from Syracuse to JFK went off without a hitch only to find our flight to Orlando delayed an hour. I knew this trip was cursed!

Anyway, we landed in Orlando about 1 1/2 hours late. We figured it was no big deal as the room would probably not be ready anywa. BCV in the summer--yeah right!

We got the rental car and head out. DH made it to the resort without my having to direct him. I guess all these trips to WDW are finally paying off.

We arrived around 1:45 PM. We did online check in but it didn't really make that much difference as there were no lines. Since we were going to be heading to Epcot to get lunch, I really needed my KTTW cards and things went smoothly. The best part...the room was READY!!! I had requested not to be on the first floor, and we are not--3rd floor facing the trees. Not a great view but as DH says, if he wants a view, he goes to the beach.

We are in a studio and it is perfect for the 3 of us. The resort is beautiful, although DH says it too confusing to find things. We got unpacked and headed out to Epcot in hopes of scoring some FP's to Soarin. We got turned around a bit and DH told me that I should really use the map. OF course, I told him that I like to see him suffer!

We made it to Epcot by way of SAB in just short time. I had downloaded the Iphon app Lines and it said that the FP's for Soarin were gone. So, we headed to get ones for Test Track and then back to the Land for lunch. Well, wouldn't you know. We walk in to the Land and sure enough, the app was WRONG!!! They still had FP's for Soarin! That is DH's favorite ride and I had not just messed it up since I had gotten the TT passes. Oh well, on to eat. I soon forgot all about it as I wolfed down my Key Lime pie!

Now, about the heat. Holy, moly, was it HOT today! We always come in the summer and it just seemed so much worse. I think the heat index was well over 100. I felt like I was in Hansel and Gretal and the witch just put me in the oven to bake! It was so hot that we decided to just do a few things--Spaceship EArth, Nemo, Figment, and Mexico. We were so drained that we didn't even us the FP's for Test track as we still had a full hour before the window opened. I figured we could always go back and DH and I are heading back to World Showcase in a little bit. Isn't that the great thing about being a DVC member? We no longer feel as though it matters what we do or do not get done!!! I love not feeling pressured to tour "commando" and my family loves me SO much better

All and all, a great first day. I really love this resort. As you all know, I am a HUGE BLT fan but think I have found my 2nd love. I have been bugging DH to let me add on more points, which we really don't need, but maybe after our stay here, I will be able to convince him.

Tomorrow, we are heading to HS in the AM and then back to Epcot for dinner at Le Cellier!

 

[5forDiz]

Sounds like a great trip & look forward to reading more on your TR. Will you be going to TOWL? (hope more guests are going to TOWL during these summer months) Enjoy

 

[Sandisw]

Sounds like a great trip & look forward to reading more on your TR. Will you be going to TOWL? (hope more guests are going to TOWL during these summer months) Enjoy

Yes, we will definitely be visiting the lounge and partaking in a few night caps while we are there. I can't wait!!

 

[Sandisw]

Have a safe and happy trip. What time does the party start at your house ?

Just kidding..... about the party part.

Take lots of photo's for us.

LOL!! I am sure you can imagine how many times I have contacted them today...its a good thing I have unlimited text and calling!!! This last time, they BOTH picked up the phone and "Yes, mom, we are fine!".

 

[Sandisw]

Got up nice and early and decided that we would try to walk to HS from BCV. It was not an EMH day (we avoid those) so left our room at 8:10 am as I was not sure how long it took.

In 30 minutes, we were waiting in line to enter. Not a bad way to start the day. By 8:50 am, they let us in to the center. I think that the heat kept people away as it just did not seem that crowded.

We headed right for TSM and got on the ride in 11 minutes. When we exited, we got FP's for later. AT 9:20 am, the return time was around 11:30 am.

We then headed to GMR and then Star Tours. I hate this ride but my DD 14 loves it. It makes me sick. Now, I can do Everest, Space Mountain, and RNR, but this one--no way. Everything was walk on at this point.

We then decided to do the Backlot Tour, which we have not done in years. By the time we were done, it was around 11:00 am. We ate lunch at the ABC Commissary which was okay, but had time to kill before we could ride TSM.

It is amazing how different HS is without the two older ones. We always had to go to TOT and RNR first. Since my DH and DD don't ride those and I don't do TOT, we would sit outside and wait for them. They would ride twice and then head to RNR (which we would FP). This allowed them two rides there as well. We typically spent the first hour to hour and a half just sitting and waiting.

Today, without them, we saw everything we wanted to see and were out of there by 11:45 am. We decided to walk back. While we were on our way, we got the bright idea to have us all enter Epcot and then I would go and get FP's for Soarin to use later tonight. Well, it sounded like a great idea until I was walking through 100 degree heat! But, I got them and headed back to BCV.

We swam in the quiet pool and got snacks from the market place. I really love this resort. We have not visited SAB and may not (I know, I know). My DH is not a ppol person and can't sit in the sun, my DD prefers things low key, and I just want to be wet so the quiet pool was wonderful.

And, since I love to use my refillable mug, it is a quick walk to the marketplace. I timed it this morning and from my room to the drink refill station it literally took 2 minutes and 5 seconds. Pefect for my morning coffee run (yes, I know it is NOT good coffee but it works when I am here!!!)

We headed back to Epcot tonight and ate at Le Cellier. We rode Soarin using our FP's and when we got there at 4:30 pm, there were still some left so we got more and rode a 2nd time after dinner. The meal was good and we had a nice walk around the world. Other than the heat, it was a great day.

DH has fallen in love with this location as well. We have decided that when we add on more points it will be here. He told me to keep my eyes out for a nice resale contract!!! YEAH!!

We realized that we have to do 1 bedrooms from now on, unless it is just him and I. He kept my DD up half the night with his snoring--didn't bother me because I am used to it, but she said she needs her own space. It is a good thing we head off to BLT for 3nights in a 1 bedroom. A 14 year old with no sleep, who is hot and tired is not fun to be around!!

Tomorrow, we are hitting Epcot one more time in the AM to finish up the few things we have not done yet and then it is off to AK for a few hours and lunch at Tusker House. I hear it might be a bit cooler tomorrow so looking forward to that!