SSR Lovers who now love BWV 8/27 - 9/1

[kikiq]

We aren't suppose to be here this year at all and this is my second time. That's what happens when your DD decides to apply to WDW College Program and gets in.

I saw these short trips as a chance to experience different resorts. In June, my DD and I were at AKV in a value studio. I was thinking that a BWV add on might be in our future since my DH loves Epcot and DHS. (more on that later)
SO I booked a BWV studio to visit my youngest in August. But when there was a possibility of having 5 people, I had to get a 1 bdrm. FYI, when I called 6 weeks ago, there were NO BWV 1 bdrms. There were also NO 1 bdrm at SSR But MS said that OKW and Kidani had a few. I hung up, talked to the family, decided that since my oldest DD is 7 mos pregnant and wanted to visited her sister, that Kidani would be our choice so she could hang out in the ac room or ac community room. When I called MS to change......a 1 bdrm std view was available for our dates!!!

We arrived late Thursday afternoon from the west coast and by the time we picked up my youngest from her Disney digs, had dinner and shopped for groceries, it was 11pm. I did the online checkin and if not for the newbie attempting to tell me our room was in the Broadwalk view section, it probably would have taken 5 minutes max. We're in room 4115 and anyone out there on the 4th floor, please forgive us for laughing in the hallways. Our family has a standing joke about the long Las Vegas MGM Grand hallways and as we started walking down the first hallway with no end in sight, my youngest started in and we laughed down 2 LONG hallways.

First Hallway

Second Hallway

We arrive at 4115 and figure out that we are not in a renovated room. However, the carpet has been cleaned, the walls looked like new, If I hadn't seen the new furniture I don't know that I would have noticed EXCEPT for the old stove that 2 burners are crooked Leaves me with 2 others.

Oldest sets up her computer to finish her online assignment...no internet!
But hey, no fear, mom's a school techy and Dad's an Electrical Engineer.
Figure out that the drop is not working, so my DH finds the modem and he tries it, still no go. Green lights, no one's home. So I call at 11:30pm, the tech support. Finally get the IT guy, who tells us to do just what we JUST did. But did it anyway, I always do what the IT guys say even though I just did it. Finally he says try another input, there are 3, we tried 2. The last one works and he puts in a work order for the next day. Very impressed with all the CMs so far and the room is great.

 

[kikiq]

First the view from our balcony, love these balconies.

my chair faces this view

and the bus stop

Friday - woke up when we were done sleeping. We originally planned on going to Epcot for an early lunch but my preggy oldest didn't think she could wait to eat (which will be a theme this trip, I think) So had to eat lunch in the villa, good thing I bought extra lunchmeat. Finally rolled out, my DH had been up since 7:30am and walking all over. Since my oldest is not able to ride too many rides, we had decided that this trip would be all the shows and exhibits we skip.

France - Had to buy a Grand marnier orange slushie because my youngest turned 21 in July. Oh, surprise, surprise, someone is hungry for pastry.
So for those who love food porn, this is for you. The slushie, apple tart, raspberry turnover and chocolate croissant and what you don't see there is someone's "backup" chocolate croissant in a bag

Wandered through Morocco, saw some interesting desserts that guess who pondered for a bit, but walked on

Japan - While waiting for the drummers, which we ended up missing, we had to get a pearl for my new granddaughter. Luckily for us, no desserts.

The American Adventure - We love this place and missed it last year. So we were up for EVERYTHING including the funnel cakes BUT what does my oldest say to ME, " MOM, I think we need to pace our pastry consumption". WHAT, who's this WE My DH told her that she had the back up chocolate croissant, the rest of us had nothing.

Not to be missed, not a dry eye after the Battle Hymn of the Republic

Italy- Our girls use to pose all the time like the statues. Someone here couldn't get her body in the right pose.

 

[rutgers1]

When we were at BWV two weeks ago, we were on the first floor. Although I did see the long hallways, they weren't an issue at all since everything we wanted to visit could be accessed by walking out the nearest exterior door. For example, about 20 feet from our room was the door that led to the pool. We could either scoot from the pool to the boardwalk, or we could just walk down the hallway a bit to get to the entrance to the boardwalk. Either way, the journey never involved excessive walking down a hallway.

 

[kikiq]

China
Rubbing the Buddha's lucky tummy

China's wildlife, actually I thought it was a statue until it moved

Dinner at Boma's YUM!

More food porn...lamb potkije/stew...omg, could be my new favorite at Boma's

Last night, we were able to see the shuttle launch from our balcony, did I say I love these balconies

Today DHS and MK tonight. Waiting for my oldest to get ready sitting on the balcony, can life get any better?

 

[kikiq]

When we were at BWV two weeks ago, we were on the first floor. Although I did see the long hallways, they weren't an issue at all since everything we wanted to visit could be accessed by walking out the nearest exterior door. For example, about 20 feet from our room was the door that led to the pool. We could either scoot from the pool to the boardwalk, or we could just walk down the hallway a bit to get to the entrance to the boardwalk. Either way, the journey never involved excessive walking down a hallway.

Actually, the hallways are only long if you are 7 months pregnant and have been traveling since 7 am west coast time. We are 2 doors from the stairwell that takes you to the quiet pool and the bus stop walkway. Not really a negative to us most of the time after staying in vegas hotels. My oldest stayed in today, too much walking and pastries yesterday. So we walked to DHS and back, it was a very pleasant stroll, checked out 2 dvds and walked up to our room. Was so simple. I just have to convince my DH that we need a small add on here, the girls agree.

 

[rentayenta]

Love it. Your daughters are beautiful!

 

[kikiq]

Love it. Your daughters are beautiful!

Thank you, my DDs are quite a pair when they're together.

I wish SSR had these big balconies!

 

[kikiq]

My DH and I went to MK to watch Wishes/Specttromagic and that's where all the people are. Boy was it crowded.

The girls stayed in and watched Illuminations from the balcony.

 

[tink too]

I'm enjoying your TR and photos - thanks for sharing them.

BTW - you can never have enough pastries at WDW - they are virtually calorie free!!!

 

[cogero]

great report

 

[kikiq]

Just a few thoughts while we're waiting for the girls.

Room - we are not in a refurbished room but really if previous posters had not posted pictures of the decor, I wouldn't have known it until I saw the stove. There are no scruff marks on the floor boards and the carpet looks almost brand new and is definitely clean.

Internet - the drop doesn't work and we are using a "hockey puck" from the modem. The repairman decided that it is the wiring and that is wired UNDER THE CARPET!!!! So he had it logged with the front desk and on the list for this room to be rewired when it goes down for being rehauled.

CMs - EVERY ONE has been more than wonderful. The only one that my girls thought could have had a little more "magic" was the one they took a lost child to on the Broadwalk. Yes, the girls found a lost little girl wandering on the Broadwalk last night. They took her to a kiosk where the CM was on the phone and she gave them the look of "why me?". But the girls stayed until someone from the little girl's family showed up, never found her mom.

Crowds - This is our usual time to visit and really didn't see crowds until last night at MK. OY!!!! I knew there was a reason we liked watching Wishes from the Poly beach.

Bus transportation - Let's just say we haven't had long waits but there are a lot of stops. BWV to MK - we just missed one, waited 15 minutes, then with stops it took almost 25 minutes to get to the MK. On the way back, BWV was the first stop

 

[kikiq]

Sunday we went on the Behind the Seeds tour with our 15% DVC discount!
Always wanted to do this tour and we loved it! Lots of mickey vegetables and hidden mickeys.

Cucumber mickeys

Pumpkin mickey

Shrimp cage - another Mickey

Disney has the Guiness World Record for cherry tomato production from one tree...32,000 cherry tomatoes from a tree similar to this tree.

We make it just in time for Off Kilter.

On our way through the UK gardens, a little boy found Peter Rabbit in the garden. The adults thought it was a statue, the little boy KNEW it was real

 

[kikiq]

Sunday dinner was at Cape May Clambake. We had heard that they MIGHT be still have crab legs, but no crab legs for us. Everything was great although the ribs seemed fattier than usual. And our server Jan was fabulous, not only gave my youngest a special dessert but had the dining room sing a special Happy 21st Birthday.

Ended the day soaking our feet in the tub, it was a good mom/daughter bonding time.

My DH was sitting on the balcony...did we tell you all that we LOVE the balcony. We're done for, we need at least a one bedroom from now on!

 

[Ms. WDW]

What a wonderful report and I love your pictures!!!! You're daughters are beautiful; must look like their "mother".

Thank you so much for sharing with us. I can't remember when I enjoyed reading a trip report as much as I enjoyed yours!!!

 

[kikiq]

What a wonderful report and I love your pictures!!!! You're daughters are beautiful; must look like their "mother".

Thank you so much for sharing with us. I can't remember when I enjoyed reading a trip report as much as I enjoyed yours!!!

Thank you, our DDs love to play around. It was so nice to hear them giggle together again.

I have lots of pictures including ones of the tissue culture area in Behind the Seeds. As a teacher, I could hardly contain myself on how I could change my science unit to include all this info. PLUS, they sell tissue culture plants in nutrient agar from their plants and they give you instructions on how to set up a hydroponic garden in a fish tank. If you look behind the mickey pumpkin, you will see the packages that contain the tissue culture plants. There are three different plants sold at a time. A total of 12 or so varieties that they produce. Great science fair material, folks! Hmm, TMI, well that's for my teacher buddies following my trip report.

Nice signature, maybe someday we can add BWV to ours.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Thank you, our DDs love to play around. It was so nice to hear them giggle together again.

I have lots of pictures including ones of the tissue culture area in Behind the Seeds. As a teacher, I could hardly contain myself on how I could change my science unit to include all this info. PLUS, they sell tissue culture plants in nutrient agar from their plants and they give you instructions on how to set up a hydroponic garden in a fish tank. If you look behind the mickey pumpkin, you will see the packages that contain the tissue culture plants. There are three different plants sold at a time. A total of 12 or so varieties that they produce. Great science fair material, folks! Hmm, TMI, well that's for my teacher buddies following my trip report.

Nice signature, maybe someday we can add BWV to ours.

Our children grow up so fast so any time spent with them is precious.

We absolutely love the Boardwalk. That was our original purchase back in 1998. We added SSR back in 2007 I believe. We were looking for more points and SSR was having a very good promotion at the time. Having the two resorts as home resorts will definately come in handy when we retire. I've got it all figured out how we can spend a month in WDW!!!

 

[Mickeyfollowers]

Actually, the hallways are only long if you are 7 months pregnant and have been traveling since 7 am west coast time. We are 2 doors from the stairwell that takes you to the quiet pool and the bus stop walkway. Not really a negative to us most of the time after staying in vegas hotels. My oldest stayed in today, too much walking and pastries yesterday. So we walked to DHS and back, it was a very pleasant stroll, checked out 2 dvds and walked up to our room. Was so simple. I just have to convince my DH that we need a small add on here, the girls agree.

I went when I was 7 1/2 months pregnant and with gestational diabetes. I know what your daughter is going through. I waddled so bad thought I might have needed a wheelchair. I couldn't eat all they yummy desserts, I was so bummed and hungry all the time smell the sweet treats. By the end of the day got back to the room my ankles were so swollen. Our home resort is SSR and always end up at BWV. We love BWV because of being able to walk to Epcot and DHS.

 

[kikiq]

I went when I was 7 1/2 months pregnant and with gestational diabetes. I know what your daughter is going through. I waddled so bad thought I might have needed a wheelchair. I couldn't eat all they yummy desserts, I was so bummed and hungry all the time smell the sweet treats. By the end of the day got back to the room my ankles were so swollen. Our home resort is SSR and always end up at BWV. We love BWV because of being able to walk to Epcot and DHS.

She did have a wheelchair when we went to Animal Kingdom. Our first day we took it slow and she thought she was doing fine but boy were her ankles swollen at the end of the day.

The girls and I think we need a small add on at BWV or BCV. My DH says, "It's convenient but it's still a hotel". But that's just him, while he likes EPCOT and DHS, he loves the wide open spaces of SSR, not running into crowds of people. That's just how he likes to vacation. I think we may add on and then do split stays, start at BWV/BCV then end at SSR. Everyone will be happy

 

[kikiq]

Monday we went on the Backstage Safari in the Animal Kingdom and used our DVC discount. This tour was so good. I'm sure part of it was our guide and the animal keepers enthusiasm when they were talking with us. We had to be at the Animal Kingdom by 8:15am. It's a good thing that we had a car. We checked in, got our name tags and wireless receivers/ear pieces. Also rented a wheelchair for my oldest. The tour started on stage and once we moved back stage, no pictures could be taken. We all decided that the best was the rhino and elephant pens. The animal keepers came out and talked to us for quite awhile. We had a break half way, received a special mug and snacks then had our own safari vehicle with our guide showing us the paths, feeders and special facts about the safari. Definitely money well spent.

We decided that my DH cannot ever push anyone's wheelchair. I apologize to anyone he might have run into. My youngest took over early in the tour after he ran into the curb for the 3rd time.

This little elephant was the one we saw in the elephant barn earlier in the morning getting the morning wash down. It was playing in the water.

The animals are trained to cues to have them return to their night pens. The giraffes are "gate huggers", they are creatures of habit and when they think it's time to go into their night pens, they will start up their path and "hug" the fences

Lani and Britt

The tour lasted a little over 3 hours. We had lunch at Flame Tree in the gazebo on the lake. This is the Everest view.

We went to the Nemo show. Finally saw it all the way through, the first time the sound went out. My oldest insisted that we had to go through Dinoland and visit the Dinosaur ride (her favorite). It was SO HOT!!!

Dinner at Steak and Shake. We should have gone to Beaches and Cream, but friends told us to try Steak and Shake. Loved the shakes, we have better burgers in California. While in the restaurant, the skies opened up, there was thunder/lightning. I was not a happy camper. There was no where to hide and not see the lightning. Finally made it back to BWV and watched old Disney cartoons.

 

[kikiq]

Tuesday was checkout day and also the day to make a trip to Walmart and stock my youngest's frig.

But first I said good bye to my beloved balcony,

Good bye to the beautiful flowers.

Then off to Walmart, where did those giant avocados come from.

The best part of this trip was seeing our daughters together again, giggling and loving each other, whispering in each other's ear, sharing stories and having a good time. Sad to leave but happy to have time together.

And now we women plot to save for an BWV or BCV add on. My DH won't know what hit him