Well, I started out in November planning a trip to BWV with my niece and her new husband and my two DSs (19 & 15). She's a school teacher and wanted to go in the summer. I scheduled a week with a 2 bedroom and thought it would be nice to go for my son's 16th birthday on 7/5/04; that way we could be in Disney for the 4th of July fireworks. We also invited my husband's cousin and his family (wife and 5 year old son).
All's set, or so I thought; niece and her husband bail in April (medical bills - can't fault them for that). Then husband's cousin bails (new roof - again, I understand).... so I tell the kids they can invite friends. They never bother, I keep thinking somebody is going to want to come at the last minute so I keep the reservation for 2 bedroom - oh yes, we also have to change the dates because 15 year old son wants to go to football camp (he never does go to camp but we've changed the dates to the next week 7/11-7/18 and miss Disney 4the of July fireworks.
I invite a friend to join us (she's a widow - just like me but she's also lost a daughter - she's in a pretty dark place but loves to be with me and my boys, so we're happy to bring her along for some Disney Magic).
We're leaving Sunday, 7/11 - I work until 3:00 on Saturday the 10th, get everything packed and in bed by 11pm - we're leaving for the airport at 4am. I wake at 11:30, with an incredibly upset stomach. I end up sick as a dog and running to the bathroom every 15 minutes until 4:00. My 19 year old son comes in at 3:30 thinking I'm fooling around. I tell him that I'm seriously not going and he and his borther can go ahead and I'll get a flight in a few days. Well, I do end up going but I am in really bad shape.
After what feels like traveling for a month and a half, we get to the Boardwalk with no horrific episodes, thank goodness. I hand the CM my confirmation sheet, DVC Member Card and Discover Card. Lorenzo gave me a very cheery "WELCOME HOME" and he couldn't have been more friendly. He asked me if I've stayed with any other DVC resort and when I said I've never desired to go anywhere but my Boardwalk, he truly seemed grateful and was pleased that I was so happy and loyal to my home resort.
Our rooms weren't ready yet so we walked over to Epcot and toured some of the countries. We had a lovely late morning and then headed back to the Boardwalk around 2:00, had lunch at our favorite (ESPN) and then met my friend at the lobby and our rooms were ready. At this time, I'm running a high fever and just fell into bed. I ended up sleeping for about 5 hours, totally oblivious as to what was going on around me; I don't even remember the bellman bringing the bags to the room (I hope someone tipped him - I still don't know).
This is the first time we don't have a boardwalk view. Our view from room 5044 & 5046 (very close to the elevator) is of the Luna Park Pool but much of the view is blocked by trees. I enjoy spending much of the early morning and late nights on the balcony watching the activities going on around me on the boardwalk but with the pool view, there was not much to see. There was nothing to complain about but it wasn't as enjoyable as watching the boats coming and going or the grounds crew working (and we really missed the rowdy boys and girls coming out of Jellyrolls in the wee hours of the morning). The rooms were very clean and everything was in excellent condition.
I felt much better Monday morning. We had breakfast at Spoodles and then headed to Animal Kingdom. It wasn't very crowded and we got to do Kali River Rapids, the Safari (twice), we saw the parade (twice) and Dinosaur (twice). We also saw some street shows and had a wonderful day. We had dinner at Boma's at the Lodge (highly recommend a visit) and then headed to Epcot to see Illuminations. When we got going on the bus, my 19 year old son started feeling sick. He was able to walk all the way to the International Gateway when he couldn't go on any longer. He ended up in the toilet for about 10 minutes and was able to walk back to the hotel. He ended up running to the toilet through most of the night. Fortunately 16 year old ds and my friend never got sick. It really was a good thing that we had the two bedrooms with my son and I feeling so miserable.
We were all feeling much better by Wednesday when we had tickets for the Keys to the Kingdom Tour. We had such a great time. Our guide, Ann, was terrific and even I learned so much. I would definately take the tour again. I thought I was sharing a special moment with one of my sons when Ann was telling us a story about Mr. Disney and I felt a pat on my shoulder (it turns out a bird pooped all over my shoulder - I'm still waiting for the good luck thing to happen.) The only disappointment in the tour was in the Utilidoors when I saw Dopey without his head, I am 45 years old and I was traumatized; he was just a kid. I do know that there are people inside the costumes but to actually see it was such a shock to me (my son said he felt the same way). Fortunately I missed Pooh and Piglet and it's a sight I hope never to see again. I'll say no more on the subject.
Wednesday evening we had tickets for Cirque du Soleil, it was fabulous. Tickets were expensive but it was such a great show, I couldn't tell you what my favorite parts were, I could never choose. We all loved it.
Thursday we did the pool (there was a sign posted that Luna Park was for the exclusive use of Boardwalk guests; so maybe pool hopping is going to soon be done away with.) And that evening we did the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at the Polynesian. Again we were not disappointed.
It was so hot and with my son and I still not feeling 100%, we really didn't get much done in the parks. But that's the best part of being in the vacation club. We'll be back (preferably not in the summer) and we'll hit everything again, and again, and again.
My friend ended up accidently taking the safe key home with her (she left Friday night). I thought we had nothing in the safe so it was no big deal (other than being charged $35 - hopefully we'll get credit when the key is returned). Saturday morning, after we checked out and were standing in line to Tower of Terror my son asked me if I packed his wallet. It was in the safe (he couldn't tell me this when I told him my friend took the key - and we were still in the room).
I went back to the hotel and called Houekeeping. After quickly speaking to three people (who couldn't speak Engligh too well), they transferred me to a manager who told me someone would meet me outside the room. Within 10 minutes a manager met me with my son's wallet (they had already found it in the safe and had it ready to mail home to us on Monday).
Unfortunately Small World was closed while we were there but we did have a Small World moment. My sons met some girls in the pool, they asked where the girls were from.... Howell and Jackson, New Jersey. We're from the same town. It sure is a small world...
It wasn't the best trip we ever had but it didn't discourage us enough to never want to go back; I have nothing planned but, like most of you, I'm there every day in my heart. I bought the CD to Wishes and I play it every morning on the way to work.
Sorry, my post is so long but it was a heck of a week.
Susan
1974 - Fort Wilderness Campgrounds
1978 - Contemporary Tower
1986 - Contemporary Garden Wing
1989 - Grand Floridian
1993 - Beach Club Resort
2000 - Old Key West & first visit to my Boardwalk Villas Studeo
2000 - November - Boardwalk Inn - Bought my DVC Membership
2001 - Boardwalk (2 bedroom)
2002 - Boardwalk (2 bedroom)
2003 - Boardwalk (studeo)
2004 - Boardwalk (2 bedroom)
All's set, or so I thought; niece and her husband bail in April (medical bills - can't fault them for that). Then husband's cousin bails (new roof - again, I understand).... so I tell the kids they can invite friends. They never bother, I keep thinking somebody is going to want to come at the last minute so I keep the reservation for 2 bedroom - oh yes, we also have to change the dates because 15 year old son wants to go to football camp (he never does go to camp but we've changed the dates to the next week 7/11-7/18 and miss Disney 4the of July fireworks.
I invite a friend to join us (she's a widow - just like me but she's also lost a daughter - she's in a pretty dark place but loves to be with me and my boys, so we're happy to bring her along for some Disney Magic).
We're leaving Sunday, 7/11 - I work until 3:00 on Saturday the 10th, get everything packed and in bed by 11pm - we're leaving for the airport at 4am. I wake at 11:30, with an incredibly upset stomach. I end up sick as a dog and running to the bathroom every 15 minutes until 4:00. My 19 year old son comes in at 3:30 thinking I'm fooling around. I tell him that I'm seriously not going and he and his borther can go ahead and I'll get a flight in a few days. Well, I do end up going but I am in really bad shape.
After what feels like traveling for a month and a half, we get to the Boardwalk with no horrific episodes, thank goodness. I hand the CM my confirmation sheet, DVC Member Card and Discover Card. Lorenzo gave me a very cheery "WELCOME HOME" and he couldn't have been more friendly. He asked me if I've stayed with any other DVC resort and when I said I've never desired to go anywhere but my Boardwalk, he truly seemed grateful and was pleased that I was so happy and loyal to my home resort.
Our rooms weren't ready yet so we walked over to Epcot and toured some of the countries. We had a lovely late morning and then headed back to the Boardwalk around 2:00, had lunch at our favorite (ESPN) and then met my friend at the lobby and our rooms were ready. At this time, I'm running a high fever and just fell into bed. I ended up sleeping for about 5 hours, totally oblivious as to what was going on around me; I don't even remember the bellman bringing the bags to the room (I hope someone tipped him - I still don't know).
This is the first time we don't have a boardwalk view. Our view from room 5044 & 5046 (very close to the elevator) is of the Luna Park Pool but much of the view is blocked by trees. I enjoy spending much of the early morning and late nights on the balcony watching the activities going on around me on the boardwalk but with the pool view, there was not much to see. There was nothing to complain about but it wasn't as enjoyable as watching the boats coming and going or the grounds crew working (and we really missed the rowdy boys and girls coming out of Jellyrolls in the wee hours of the morning). The rooms were very clean and everything was in excellent condition.
I felt much better Monday morning. We had breakfast at Spoodles and then headed to Animal Kingdom. It wasn't very crowded and we got to do Kali River Rapids, the Safari (twice), we saw the parade (twice) and Dinosaur (twice). We also saw some street shows and had a wonderful day. We had dinner at Boma's at the Lodge (highly recommend a visit) and then headed to Epcot to see Illuminations. When we got going on the bus, my 19 year old son started feeling sick. He was able to walk all the way to the International Gateway when he couldn't go on any longer. He ended up in the toilet for about 10 minutes and was able to walk back to the hotel. He ended up running to the toilet through most of the night. Fortunately 16 year old ds and my friend never got sick. It really was a good thing that we had the two bedrooms with my son and I feeling so miserable.
We were all feeling much better by Wednesday when we had tickets for the Keys to the Kingdom Tour. We had such a great time. Our guide, Ann, was terrific and even I learned so much. I would definately take the tour again. I thought I was sharing a special moment with one of my sons when Ann was telling us a story about Mr. Disney and I felt a pat on my shoulder (it turns out a bird pooped all over my shoulder - I'm still waiting for the good luck thing to happen.) The only disappointment in the tour was in the Utilidoors when I saw Dopey without his head, I am 45 years old and I was traumatized; he was just a kid. I do know that there are people inside the costumes but to actually see it was such a shock to me (my son said he felt the same way). Fortunately I missed Pooh and Piglet and it's a sight I hope never to see again. I'll say no more on the subject.
Wednesday evening we had tickets for Cirque du Soleil, it was fabulous. Tickets were expensive but it was such a great show, I couldn't tell you what my favorite parts were, I could never choose. We all loved it.
Thursday we did the pool (there was a sign posted that Luna Park was for the exclusive use of Boardwalk guests; so maybe pool hopping is going to soon be done away with.) And that evening we did the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at the Polynesian. Again we were not disappointed.
It was so hot and with my son and I still not feeling 100%, we really didn't get much done in the parks. But that's the best part of being in the vacation club. We'll be back (preferably not in the summer) and we'll hit everything again, and again, and again.
My friend ended up accidently taking the safe key home with her (she left Friday night). I thought we had nothing in the safe so it was no big deal (other than being charged $35 - hopefully we'll get credit when the key is returned). Saturday morning, after we checked out and were standing in line to Tower of Terror my son asked me if I packed his wallet. It was in the safe (he couldn't tell me this when I told him my friend took the key - and we were still in the room).
I went back to the hotel and called Houekeeping. After quickly speaking to three people (who couldn't speak Engligh too well), they transferred me to a manager who told me someone would meet me outside the room. Within 10 minutes a manager met me with my son's wallet (they had already found it in the safe and had it ready to mail home to us on Monday).
Unfortunately Small World was closed while we were there but we did have a Small World moment. My sons met some girls in the pool, they asked where the girls were from.... Howell and Jackson, New Jersey. We're from the same town. It sure is a small world...
It wasn't the best trip we ever had but it didn't discourage us enough to never want to go back; I have nothing planned but, like most of you, I'm there every day in my heart. I bought the CD to Wishes and I play it every morning on the way to work.
Sorry, my post is so long but it was a heck of a week.
Susan
1974 - Fort Wilderness Campgrounds
1978 - Contemporary Tower
1986 - Contemporary Garden Wing
1989 - Grand Floridian
1993 - Beach Club Resort
2000 - Old Key West & first visit to my Boardwalk Villas Studeo
2000 - November - Boardwalk Inn - Bought my DVC Membership
2001 - Boardwalk (2 bedroom)
2002 - Boardwalk (2 bedroom)
2003 - Boardwalk (studeo)
2004 - Boardwalk (2 bedroom)
My daughter had the flu on the drive down last year...threw up from Georgia all the way to Orlando...then slept it off in time for SeaWorld the next day. I then got ill but toured Epcot like a trooper 9but definately had to pass up Mission Space) Glad to hear that you rallied back to make the most of your trip!!!
