View wasn't my favorite, but it was private and I liked that, wouldn't say no to this room if I got it again. It was a preferred pool view. There were trees blocking the view of the pool, and although the balcony was an open one, it was in between the "boxed" off balconies, I didn't mind it at all. However, what I did mind was the view of the Swan directly across from us. I have to say, and this is JMHO, I really don't like the S&D hotels. They're just plain ol ugly. If they were painted white and those huge statues weren't sitting up there, then maybe they'd be appealing to their own surroundings - but they are SO intrusive as they are - again my HO.
Itinerary.....arrived about 1:30 on Thursday. Used Tiffany Town Car service, they were there on time, and stopped at a Publix for us. Our plan was to hang around the BW, have lunch at Big River Grille and relax by the pool. We had 8 pm ADR's for Jiko!!! Yeah, finally I'm getting to Jiko!
This is exactly what we did for our first day and it was wonderful! I had a cheeseburger at Big River and a beer - yums to both, my friend had the turkey sandwich and she was very happy with that. Jiko's was delicious, excellent excellent service
. I ordered the pork tenderloin and it was cooked perfectly, however next time I won't go with such a spicy dish. Waitress did explain that it was spicy, I figured I'd give it a shot, sometimes I go for the hotter dishes, but not next time. My girl friend had the seafood pasta (I think), she thought it was delicious, and liked the spicyness of it. We had a couple of cocktails, the antioxidant cocktail (amazing!), and a mojito (also yummy!)
It was really a great first day.
Day 2....We started with a champagne breakfast in our room! It was wonderful. On the way over from the airport we picked up some beverages, pastries, fruit, cheese, dip, nacho's, coffee, filters and water.
So when we got up Friday morning we put out some fruit and pastries and popped the bottle of bubbly. Sat and relaxed and toasted our friendship and our trip away! It was probably my favorite part of my trip!
Epcot - WAY TO HOT
I won't go to WDW again in October, this is my second trip in Oct and both were unbearable with the heat and humidity. This was Friday, and while I don't have the exact temperature, I heard someone in the park saying it was 95. The humidity had to be 100% and there was not a breeze in the air whatsoever! It was brutal!
We, however, pushed ahead. We did a few of the countries, and shopped alittle bit. Then we went to FW and rode Mission Space, and Test Track, we also saw Universe of Energy. Headed back to the BW for a break from the ridiculous heat. We had reservations for Restaurant Marrakesh at 6pm, and we knew it was an EMH night at Epcot, so after a shower and some rest we headed back to Epcot. Dinner at Marrakesh was really good, I loved it. We had an appetizer sampler with the Beef brewat rolls, chicken bastilla and Jasmina salad, salad was just okay. For dinner we shared the Harira soup appetizer, couscous with beef, chicken and merguez sausage. It was more than enough for the two of us and we couldn't fit dessert! We each had a cocktail as well. I liked this rest. enough to come back for sure. I think the decor is gorgeous, and the belly dancer and musicians a nice change from the norm. Food is very good, I enjoyed it alot.
After dinner we went to FW and did TT twice, and finally Soarin a couple of times too. Another good night - but the daytime was really too hot to fully enjoy.
Day 3 - this was DHS day. We took our time in the a.m., slept late, enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and coffee and then headed over to DHS. Another breezeless day, and very humid, but thankfully cloudy (or it would have been impossible to do a second day in the parks). We had ADR's for Hollywood & Vine at 2pm. We were able to ride TOT first, AWESOME!
Lunch was very good, again good service. However, I've gotta say the prices are getting terribly high. This is a buffet - $25.00 per person for lunch is, to me, getting somewhat out of hand. Yes there are characters, but what used to be $21 is now $25. Food is good, not great, and standard buffet fare. I am wondering where the cap is (or if there will ever be one!) Headed over to Star Tours after lunch, saw the Indiana Jones show, rode Star Tours, did TOT again and then R&RC
Ride lines weren't long at all, which was kind of odd, since the park was so crowded. Again the heat detered us from lingering and we headed home. We had show tickets for Cirque Du Soleil for 9 pm!
This was my friends first time seeing the show and my 4th
What can I say, it's great every time I see it. She thought it was phenomonal and it was! We head home tomorrow so this was a great way to spend the last night
Day 4 - Sunday. Up early, even though I wanted to sleep til noon
, bought a couple of pastries at BW bakery - yum
! After breakfast we just checked our bags with bell services and took a walk to Y&BC to check out their shops. Grabbed a sandwich for just before the ride back to the airport, and headed out. Note....a major lack of
DVC merchandise at both BW and Y&BC. I asked a CM why, she said they are getting all new stuff in so they are just selling whatever is left.
Didn't get to go to see BLT models, although I'd of loved to. The heat really knocked us out. We didn't even stay in the parks long enough to do the "other" things besides the rides. Again, I won't travel here in October anymore. The cost of the tickets (for my friend - I've got the AP) is just too much considering how little time you get out of the parks, between the heat and the crowds.
I have to say that the magic was quite diminished this trip. It was the heat and the prices. Everything has gotten ridiculously expensive. Tee shirts for $28??? When they probably cost $6 to make? Bakery items over $4.00, dinner and drinks mega $$$$. A funnel cake at the BW is $6.00! That's crazy for fried dough! The popcorn in a bucket at Cirque $7.00!!! The cab ride from BW to AKL - $16.00 with a $2 tip!!! EACH WAY. Outrageous. I know there's inflation, but robbery is robbery.
We paid a lot of money to own the DVC, tickets are going up up up, cost of dining there is getting notably overpriced. I don't understand why Disney prices and prices of outside companies in Disney have to get so out of hand. Isn't the price of hotel rooms, maintenance fees and park tickets enough?? While my friends are very appreciative of me asking them to come along on trips, I feel they are getting ripped off just being in the World and I think they do too.
As much as I love DVC, the park magic really seems to be disappearing the more I'm there, because of the constant increase in price. The only thing that didn't seem to go up was the snack mix in the Thimbles & Threads, and that'll probably be $5 by January! I know I'll be there again and again and again, but I'm not going to be dining there as much (more cooking in the room) or spending too much time in the parks any more, it's just getting out of hand.
