The Murphy's are LIVE from BWI and BLT!! - January 6-13!!!

ddluvsdisney · Jan 13, 2013

I just found your live report. I read one of your others and really felt like I was there with you.
I just need to ask this question..... How are you able to get your kids out of school so many times???? Our school system can be strict about it. No matter how well you do in school.
You are so LUCKY to be able to go so often. I am jealous!

I hope your boys appreciate it as well.
I feel like my boys don't as much anymore (well the 15 yr. old). They just expect to go. KWIM????

ddluvsdisney · Jan 13, 2013

I forgot to say: Have a great rest of your trip. Is today your last day?

My DH is landing at MCO in about 1/2 hour on a business trip. I am so jealous!!! He is eating at Fulton's tomorrow night. He'll be home Tuesday nite.

TigrLvsPooh · Jan 13, 2013

ddluvsdisney said:
I just found your live report. I read one of your others and really felt like I was there with you.
I just need to ask this question..... How are you able to get your kids out of school so many times???? Our school system can be strict about it. No matter how well you do in school.
You are so LUCKY to be able to go so often. I am jealous! I hope your boys appreciate it as well.
I feel like my boys don't as much anymore (well the 15 yr. old). They just expect to go. KWIM????

Actually they've only missed four school days this year so far. And they probably won't miss anymore. Typically our school system allows five excused family vacation days a year. So they have one day left if we need it to add on to spring break.

I don't think my kids have any idea how lucky they are. LOL

They've been coming down here at least 2 times a year since they were newborns. It's just part of their regular lives.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

TigrLvsPooh · Jan 13, 2013

ddluvsdisney said:
I forgot to say: Have a great rest of your trip. Is today your last day?

My DH is landing at MCO in about 1/2 hour on a business trip. I am so jealous!!! He is eating at Fulton's tomorrow night. He'll be home Tuesday nite.

At the airport now about to board our plane. Was a great week!!!!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

mariamouse · Jan 13, 2013

Glad you had a great trip! I enjoyed reading about your experiences. We arrive at the BCV in 5 days and are so excited!!!!

Dflory424 · Jan 13, 2013

Is the lounge at BWI available to all guests or is it a club level perk?

abk96 · Jan 14, 2013

Glad you had a great trip.

What was your overall impression of the BWI club level compared to BC club level? Would you do it again?

Jasperann · Jan 14, 2013

Dflory424 said:
Is the lounge at BWI available to all guests or is it a club level perk?

The club level lounge is just for club level. There is another lounge in the BWI but it is not free.

TigrLvsPooh · Jan 14, 2013

Dflory424 said:
Is the lounge at BWI available to all guests or is it a club level perk?

There is a lounge for all guests called the Belle Vue lounge. The lounge I was talking about is the club level lounge inside the Innkeeper's Club. It is only for people staying on that level.

TigrLvsPooh · Jan 14, 2013

abk96 said:
Glad you had a great trip.

What was your overall impression of the BWI club level compared to BC club level? Would you do it again?

That's a great question!

I found the Innkeeper's Club to be nice in many ways but lacking in others. The lounge itself is beautiful, more pleasing to look at than the BC lounge, but I'd say seating wise they are about the same. (very limited seating!) There was only one morning we were able to actually sit in the lounge to have our breakfast, the other mornings we had to bring it back to our room or eat it while walking. I find people tend to eat and linger. They probably are in no hurry to get to a park, maybe it is their check-out day, so they eat and then get out their iphones/ipads and just sit. Unfortunately this doesn't allow for others to sit down or use the lounge. Especially the couch areas, those people are firmly planted for long periods of time. :lmao:

This is sort of a pet peeve of mine. When my family is finished eating we get up and allow others to sit. But sadly that doesn't seem to be the norm. As far as the food offerings I'd say they are the same. Two hot appetizers each night, nothing was really very good in my opinion, just the usual little pick-ups, breakfast is the same, snack time is the same, so I'd say that's a wash. The drink situation is a bit different because the BC has a fridge that stays well stocked most of the time. At BWI you have to ask more often because they only have a very few cans out at a time. I'm sure it majorly cuts back on the amount of drinks being used, at BC I always think of their lounge being more of a "grab and go" with paper plates, paper cups, self-serve fridge, etc. I like how at BC we could ask for small plastic bottles of water instead of always the large glass Evian bottles.

When it comes to the staff I definitely prefer the CM's at the BWI. They are very friendly and helpful, really going out of their way to be nice, which I didn't feel as much as the BC. The IPO team is the same for both (LOVE THAT GROUP!!!!!!!!)

Which would I say is better? I'd probably have to give the edge to BC only because the location of the Innkeeper's Club is a pain (long walk down too many hallways) and I prefer being able to walk right off the elevator and be at the desk and/or in the lounge area at the BC for the convenience of it. Also my youngest son loves the peanut butter and jelly cups at YC/BC and did not like the roll-up style at the BWI. (The jelly wasn't grape, which he reminded us of about 10 times a day) :rotfl:

I also prefer SAB, Beaches n Cream, Cape May, and the Captain's Grille, over the BWI pools and restaurants. Though I have a feeling when the new and improved Boardwalk Bakery opens it will be really awesome!

Also wanted to say I like the decor of the rooms at YC/BC better than the BWI. I don't like the color scheme, the marble tabletops, the weird yellow striped bathroom, or the bedding. Too stark and sterile, they need to add some color.

When it all boils down I actually prefer the YC CL over the BC or BWI. They have a much nicer lounge with more seating, and I like the color schemes and style of the rooms better too. Also BC has a lot of those tiny little standing balconies that we don't like. Would I stay at BWI CL again? Probably I would, if not just to see my buddy Pete again

but I'd like to try one of their deluxe club level rooms next time. :thumbsup2

And of course I've got the Steeplechase Suite on my bucket list!!! :worship:

All 3 resorts have their pluses and minuses. ::yes::

They are all amazing and really you just have to try them out and form your own opinions. I'm a huge fan of the GF and Poly as well.

TigrLvsPooh · Jan 14, 2013

Hey gang

Uploading the rest of the trip pictures right now! We had such an amazing week! I'll be back soon with an update..........

abk96 · Jan 15, 2013

Thanks for your reply about the comparison between club levels.

My family's the same way with eating and then getting up.

Never gave much thought to YC and the club level there. That's something to think about for the future.

Thanks again and I can't wait to check out all your pics.

TigrLvsPooh · Jan 15, 2013

Here are a few highlights from the trip:

Main St Electrical Parade going past the castle on our last night:

(VIDEO) EWP from our room at BLT:

My voice sounds insane LOL :lmao:

(VIDEO)

You can tell it was partially obstructed since we were on the curve of the building. But heck for standard view I thought it was pretty awesome. Plus since we had a patio door we could easily walk out and see the whole thing from either the shore line or the dock.

Here we are out in front of BLT around 6:15 AM Saturday morning looking for my husband to run past:
(VIDEO)

Here is one of my favorite pictures... last night in MK, watching the parade in front of the castle and eating ice cream