Bus service was not bad IMO, but inconsistent. I think during the slow parts of the day they attempt now to transport as many folks as possible to make the gas worth the use. This is just MO, nothing more than that.
I will not do the large family thing again for more than 3 nights, that’s my limit. On day 4 don’t ask where I’m going…I’m not going to tell.
DVC is over the top as far as being pushed in the parks, on the back of buses, in the buses, etc. The DVC kiosks are even on the guide maps, I know it’s a marketing thing, but it’s really hard to escape the “best kept Disney secret.”
The DVC tour is very low-pressure. Although we had already bought, we went with BIL and his fiancée. Our guide, Ayanna, was very pleasant to talk to and did not try to push a purchase at them. Good experience, the ice cream was great and the fast passes came in handy.
On BLT…that building is impressive, until you see it up close on the monorail or at CR you can’t really appreciate the enormity of it. It looks (IMO) like the top floor will have grand villas built like those planned for KV and the ones found at SSR (two floors). We spoke to a few cast members regarding the building. Here’s some feedback regarding BLT:
DVC kiosk guy Vance at CBR: “I had lunch with DVC president Jim Lewis just last week, and he told us that the DVC at the Contemporary will be unlike any DVC we’ve built so far.”—that’s a direct quote from this guy.
DVC guide Ayanna during our tour: “It’s a good thing you guys are adding on now because you never know, points could jump up in price soon.”—she said this with raised eyebrows and a wink. My wife then said, “You wouldn’t be referring to the Contemporary, would you?” Ayanna replied, “You never know.”—again with eyebrows raised.
Monorail attendant at MK. I asked him, “What are they building next to that hotel over there?” He replied, “I think that’s the Contemporary Hotel, I think they’re adding onto it.”—lights on, nobody’s home!
Cast Member working at CR sundries shop: “Oh, that’s DVC. We’ve been told that’s the DVC building over there, we’re 99% sure that’s what it is.”
Lastly…cast members are different there. Many of the folks working there view working there as a job, and just that. A lot of cast members still strive to make the magic, but a lot is lacking. My DM says too many cast members see us as customers now, not guests. To some degree (sadly) I think she’s right. But honestly, I did not have a single bad cast member experience. I think some of it has to do with a different generation working the entry level jobs, but who knows. I’m not discouraged enough to stop going!!!
We did do Typhoon Lagoon one morning, was okay, want the kids to be older before going back.
I liked
DDP, but not the auto 18% gratuity for have a party over 6, I thought for us, the plan was worth the expense.
Overall, my children had a blast, we can’t wait to stay at our DVC’s in the future, and I still love WDW—period!!!
I know these posts have been exhaustive, but I didn't want anyone to miss one second of the agony I've been thru these 10 days!!!!
Doing WDW is hard enough when you are feeling great ( at least for those of us who don't have the endurance to run marathons).
