Cinderelli
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 22, 2000
- Messages
- 533
We returned home Friday from our 7 nite stay. Our first two nights were at the Swan (3/12 & 3/13). What a lovely hotel. We truly enjoyed the heavenly beds. The beach/pool area was fabulous. We found ourselves wishing we had access to the beach later in the week and thinking of how nice the Beach Club Villas will be on a future trip. The Swan was wonderful. Wed like to try the Dolphin next time. We kept walking over there for ice cream & sundries.
On Sunday (3/14), my DH walked over to the BWVs at 8:45 to check us in and our rooms were ready! Yippee! Now, this was a first. Me letting him check us in. I started to give him all of the tips I had read on the boards make sure its not a handicapped accessible room, make sure its close to the elevators, yadda yadda yadaa. As he was looking at me wondering how on earth he was supposed to remember all this, I just started laughing and said nix all that, hon!. We were on vacation. Any room would be great! It appeared our room had been pre-assigned, as that is the impression DH got.
We got all of our stuff over around 9:15 and I got to see the rooms - 5073 and 5075 (2 bedroom standard view). The rooms were in really nice shape. The only thing unusual I found was one of those huge lollipops (the long, skinny kind) which had rolled up under the bed and was hidden by the bed skirt. I didnt find it until I did my final sweep on check-out day. It looked like it had been there quite awhile. We were the 3rd and 4th doors from the elevator. Our view was of the valet/drop-off area. It was fine. We could watch the comings/goings which was fun. We also got to watch the roofers put a new roof on over the valet area. They were almost finished the day we left (Friday). We could see the high Illuminations fireworks over the Boardwalk Inn. The only negative with this room was the noise (I suppose each room has some type of noise). It seemed like there was ALWAYS some type of bus parked and running outside the valet area. I am guessing these were for the Conventioneers at the Boardwalk Inn. We never heard the Disney busses (as they are further away). And, every nite between 1-2 AM (when ESPN and JellyRolls close), we could hear revelers returning to their parked cars in the lots. The sidewalk isnt far from the balconies here and I woke up almost nightly to the sounds of people laughing and talking. Not a big deal, as I fell immediately back to sleep, but wanted to post if this would be bothersome to someone else. We, however, did not have the AC going (the weather was just too nice). I think with the AC running, the white noise may have kept the noise level down - our doors were shut at nite). Next time Id like to try something way further down from the elevators. I think it would be less noisy. Our children are bigger now and the walk wont bother us.
Check-out Day we got a knock on the door at 8:50 checking to see if we were there. Not a big deal as we were packing up already. We went down to get the kids from Community Hall around 9:45. When we got back at 10:00 they had already entered the studio side and had begun cleaning. We didnt mind a bit as we knew that meant someone else might get their room early and we were ready to go anyway. Valets were wonderful (thanks, Carlos).
We got our first Griswald Celebrity Spotting! We got on the elevator and guess who got on with us? Zach Thomas (Linebacker with the Miam Dolphins). At first, we didnt notice who he was, but when our elevator got to the lobby my husband was just staring at him. I was rather embarrassed because I didnt realize who he was but it was so obvious that my DH was staring. Finally, as we were getting off, my DH smiles and says Hi, Zach!. He smiled back and said hello. Then my DH told me who it was. We all turned around and said hello and he smiled back and looked and waved at each of the kids. He seemed like a really nice guy. Now, of course, we ALWAYS have our autograph books/pens with us, but do you think we did this time? Of course, not. We saw him later sitting in the lobby and he gave my DH the smile/nod recognition look thing. We wanted to run up the the room and get something for him to sign, but wanted to respect his privacy/family time, too, so we didnt. But that was fun.
Being from Florida, the water in the pool was a little chilly for us. The kids loved the Clown Slide but didnt spend a lot of time in the water. Just too cool. It has to be 80 degree water and 85 or higher air temp before we lounge in the pool. The toddler pool and the hot tub at the Luna Pool were both down while were were there. Not sure if it was just for the day or for a longer period. Looked like refurbishment on the hot tub and not sure what was going on with the toddler pool. I heard some parents remark that it had been closed the day before, too. The weather was awesome, tho. Upper 70's/low 80's. Nice nites. Only one rainy day (not too bad).
This was a different trip for us. We usually try to go when its not so busy, and the crowds were large last week. If we didnt have a fast pass, we just didnt do the attractions. The kids didnt mind a bit that our park time was very limited. On Sunday we didnt get to MK until 11 (after our Kona Breakfast new favorite of ours). We spent 45 minutes walking around and left. The kids favorite attraction seemed to the Community Hall at the villas. They would have spent their entire vacation in there playing air hockey and ping pong. Coloring (which seems to be taboo in my house these days) took on a whole other aspect at BWVs. They must have colored 20 pages each of Disney characters (which are all vying for space on our picture door here at home). They were having fun and we discovered the joy of walkie talkies. Kids could be in Community Hall while Mom & Dad lounged by the pool.
The Boardwalk was very active at night. What a happenin place. We spent one entire evening there enjoying all the games and entertainers. The kids loved it. My oldest DD(10) got selected to be the helper for a couple of the entertainers and she just thought that was fab. This same nite there was some type of private party going on at the Beach Club Beach. The music was carrying over to the Boardwalk and sounded like a really fun time. It added to the air of fun all over the Boardwalk. The girls also got hairwraps our first nite there.
We tried new and also tried & true restaurants this time: Tonys, Fountain Ice Cream Shop, Flame Tree, ESPN, Kona (twice for breakfast just loved trying the Tonga Toast), Boardwalk Bakery, RFC, 50s Prime Time.
So, all in all, it was a great (albeit different) trip for the Griswalds this time. More eating, less parks, more downtime in general. Somehow we still came home exhausted. And, I think this is the first time weve ever come home and havent had another trip planned already. I think were going to take a few years off (wonder how long that thought will last, huh!).
If you have any questions, Ill be happy to answer.
Have a great day!
Lissa
On Sunday (3/14), my DH walked over to the BWVs at 8:45 to check us in and our rooms were ready! Yippee! Now, this was a first. Me letting him check us in. I started to give him all of the tips I had read on the boards make sure its not a handicapped accessible room, make sure its close to the elevators, yadda yadda yadaa. As he was looking at me wondering how on earth he was supposed to remember all this, I just started laughing and said nix all that, hon!. We were on vacation. Any room would be great! It appeared our room had been pre-assigned, as that is the impression DH got.
We got all of our stuff over around 9:15 and I got to see the rooms - 5073 and 5075 (2 bedroom standard view). The rooms were in really nice shape. The only thing unusual I found was one of those huge lollipops (the long, skinny kind) which had rolled up under the bed and was hidden by the bed skirt. I didnt find it until I did my final sweep on check-out day. It looked like it had been there quite awhile. We were the 3rd and 4th doors from the elevator. Our view was of the valet/drop-off area. It was fine. We could watch the comings/goings which was fun. We also got to watch the roofers put a new roof on over the valet area. They were almost finished the day we left (Friday). We could see the high Illuminations fireworks over the Boardwalk Inn. The only negative with this room was the noise (I suppose each room has some type of noise). It seemed like there was ALWAYS some type of bus parked and running outside the valet area. I am guessing these were for the Conventioneers at the Boardwalk Inn. We never heard the Disney busses (as they are further away). And, every nite between 1-2 AM (when ESPN and JellyRolls close), we could hear revelers returning to their parked cars in the lots. The sidewalk isnt far from the balconies here and I woke up almost nightly to the sounds of people laughing and talking. Not a big deal, as I fell immediately back to sleep, but wanted to post if this would be bothersome to someone else. We, however, did not have the AC going (the weather was just too nice). I think with the AC running, the white noise may have kept the noise level down - our doors were shut at nite). Next time Id like to try something way further down from the elevators. I think it would be less noisy. Our children are bigger now and the walk wont bother us.
Check-out Day we got a knock on the door at 8:50 checking to see if we were there. Not a big deal as we were packing up already. We went down to get the kids from Community Hall around 9:45. When we got back at 10:00 they had already entered the studio side and had begun cleaning. We didnt mind a bit as we knew that meant someone else might get their room early and we were ready to go anyway. Valets were wonderful (thanks, Carlos).
We got our first Griswald Celebrity Spotting! We got on the elevator and guess who got on with us? Zach Thomas (Linebacker with the Miam Dolphins). At first, we didnt notice who he was, but when our elevator got to the lobby my husband was just staring at him. I was rather embarrassed because I didnt realize who he was but it was so obvious that my DH was staring. Finally, as we were getting off, my DH smiles and says Hi, Zach!. He smiled back and said hello. Then my DH told me who it was. We all turned around and said hello and he smiled back and looked and waved at each of the kids. He seemed like a really nice guy. Now, of course, we ALWAYS have our autograph books/pens with us, but do you think we did this time? Of course, not. We saw him later sitting in the lobby and he gave my DH the smile/nod recognition look thing. We wanted to run up the the room and get something for him to sign, but wanted to respect his privacy/family time, too, so we didnt. But that was fun.
Being from Florida, the water in the pool was a little chilly for us. The kids loved the Clown Slide but didnt spend a lot of time in the water. Just too cool. It has to be 80 degree water and 85 or higher air temp before we lounge in the pool. The toddler pool and the hot tub at the Luna Pool were both down while were were there. Not sure if it was just for the day or for a longer period. Looked like refurbishment on the hot tub and not sure what was going on with the toddler pool. I heard some parents remark that it had been closed the day before, too. The weather was awesome, tho. Upper 70's/low 80's. Nice nites. Only one rainy day (not too bad).
This was a different trip for us. We usually try to go when its not so busy, and the crowds were large last week. If we didnt have a fast pass, we just didnt do the attractions. The kids didnt mind a bit that our park time was very limited. On Sunday we didnt get to MK until 11 (after our Kona Breakfast new favorite of ours). We spent 45 minutes walking around and left. The kids favorite attraction seemed to the Community Hall at the villas. They would have spent their entire vacation in there playing air hockey and ping pong. Coloring (which seems to be taboo in my house these days) took on a whole other aspect at BWVs. They must have colored 20 pages each of Disney characters (which are all vying for space on our picture door here at home). They were having fun and we discovered the joy of walkie talkies. Kids could be in Community Hall while Mom & Dad lounged by the pool.
The Boardwalk was very active at night. What a happenin place. We spent one entire evening there enjoying all the games and entertainers. The kids loved it. My oldest DD(10) got selected to be the helper for a couple of the entertainers and she just thought that was fab. This same nite there was some type of private party going on at the Beach Club Beach. The music was carrying over to the Boardwalk and sounded like a really fun time. It added to the air of fun all over the Boardwalk. The girls also got hairwraps our first nite there.
We tried new and also tried & true restaurants this time: Tonys, Fountain Ice Cream Shop, Flame Tree, ESPN, Kona (twice for breakfast just loved trying the Tonga Toast), Boardwalk Bakery, RFC, 50s Prime Time.
So, all in all, it was a great (albeit different) trip for the Griswalds this time. More eating, less parks, more downtime in general. Somehow we still came home exhausted. And, I think this is the first time weve ever come home and havent had another trip planned already. I think were going to take a few years off (wonder how long that thought will last, huh!).
If you have any questions, Ill be happy to answer.
Have a great day!
Lissa
