VWL room and trip report - PART TWO

lenshanem

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Jul 9, 2002
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Link to PART ONE -
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=483128

OK. Part two…
I forgot to mention a couple things in the room report part on my other thread. One morning they had Christmas music playing outside. I sat on the balcony for a little while and it was really nice. The next morning my Dad sat out for awhile, but no music. I thought it was a really nice touch. I wonder why it wasn’t playing the next morning? Is there usually Wilderness Lodge type music playing outside the villas during the rest of the year?
My Dad was blown away by WL. Thought it was beautiful and confirmed by pains that I choose to buy at BCV instead of here. My Mom on the other hand prefers BCV. (I took them by there on our last trip in July to tour the rooms during Member Days while we stayed at AKL.) She likes the lighter atmosphere better at BCV. Says the WL is too dark. But, she thought that about AKL, too. I really think AKL and WL are my favorite on property. Dad tried to cheer me up and mention that BCV has the best pool, but wow WL is so beautiful. I know Christmas will be hard to get here, but I at least hope that we’ll be able to get in at other times of the year once SSR starts really going and more members try for VWL.
On to the trip report part-
I was amazed at how crowded it was. Actually I think it was more crowded than when we went for New Years 1999/2000. We only had two park days so we ended up not seeing many attractions. We did get to see Mickey’s PhilharMagic. It was good, but I was a slight bit disappointed with so many of the rave reviews I’ve read. I think It’s Tough to be a Bug is better. We got to see the Christmas afternoon parade (Walked up and stood next to the bell in Liberty Square last second. Funny, cause it was like the crowds completely missed this spot. I will remember this for future reference!) and then later left MK and headed on to Epcot for our Candlelight Processional Dinner Package which I was able to pick up earlier that morning at guest services at WL. We ate Le Cellier Steakhouse in Canada for the first time. They were really late calling us even with the PS and finally a CM came out and explained a wedding party just wouldn’t leave so they ended up squeezing us into a small booth in the back. It was a little too crowded to fully enjoy, but the food was good. Got to the Processional about thirty minutes early and still we were in the back of the line. Ended up with seats in the back. It was enjoyable, but I’m spoiled by seeing my Mom’s church choir of 200 every year do a huge Christmas production. Sandi Patty did a nice job narrating and my youngest fell hard core asleep and was out for the rest of the evening. Afterwards we found a nice place close by and watched IllumiNations. I absolutely love this show. It was freezing, though!
Second day we headed back to MK to try to get in some of the girls’ favorite rides. It was so crowded! I’ve never seen lines at HM or POTC like this before! Are the movies making the lines for these attractions worse? The line for HM went down by the river and for POTC was out to the parrot! After an enjoyable Dole Whip and Mickey Ears ice cream for the girls we headed off to MGM for Fantasmic. My Mom has yet to see this as last July we got rained out of it three times. She loved it and my youngest had a blast screaming at Mickey to be careful. MGM had a DJ playing music and I had a good time watching everyone dance and have so much fun, I wished I could be so carefree! We were able to squeeze in The Great Movie Ride, too before heading BACK to MK for Wishes and SpectroMagic. (We took the bus to Contemporary and then walked over. Went fast!) Wishes was INCREDIBLE. I really, really loved it. FAB! Afterwards a quick bite at Casey’s and we headed up thru the stores to the fire station and got a curb spot for SpectroMagic. It was incredible as every where else it was mobbed. Where was everyone? We got this same spot last couple trips. Close to bathroom, easy escape out of the park, plus the parade started there each time. (I know it changes.) While we waited snow fell and my oldest was so happy! (We’re from Atlanta and don’t see snow very often.) Just as the parade started my youngest woke up to be greeted by a lighted butterfly in the parade. I love SpectroMagic!
Complaints? Well…I’ll have to think hard about going back this time of year, despite it being good for the school schedule. It was so crowded and few seemed in the Christmas mood. My youngest’s ear tubes need to be replaced (We’re waiting on the date.) and has been very irritable. It wore us all out and then to make matters worse I had a woman YELL at me in Country Bear cause she started crying at the end. I thought she was going to try to beat me up when I snapped back at her. The family beside us got in on it too, they agreed the woman was over the top! I guess her kids have never cried? The woman in the family sitting beside us told me she didn’t even hear my daughter crying. It just really put a damper on things for a few after that. I really thought the lady was going to start a fist fight with me! YIKES!!! Dad complained about the slow transportation and Mom complained of the customer service still going downhill and maintenance of the parks. Kids are jaded and I guess we need a break, but my habit wouldn’t allow it. At least we weren’t sweating, but I kinda think our family prefers warmer months when we can go back to the resort mid day and swim. I think that is more us. I’m still going to plan for next December. I’ve got time to change my mind at this point.
On a side note- We took walkie talkies. It was the best! Why we never took them before I don’t know. My dad got a pair and then for Christmas I gave the girls those Motorola Disney Princess ones. They work with my Dad’s and will be great for our trips! I highly recommend this!
After the LONG ride home with a crying 2 ½ year old and an enjoyable round of how many Michigan license plates we can spot (I have to believe the whole state goes to Florida in the winter?) we were home in time for Christmas Eve with the in-laws, Santa the next morning and my family later that day. My house looks like a tornado has come through it. My husband is now off for a week and a half and I’m trying to just take everything in stride and let them wreck the place. Seems they're having fun doing it? Before I know it the oldest will be back at Kindergarten and hubby at work. Time to clean then?
THE END
 
I really thought the lady was going to start a fist fight with me! YIKES!!!




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Thanks for sharing Shan!!!
 
Not everyone from Michigan goes to Florida in the winter. We're still here.;)

It sounds like you managed to do a TON of stuff. I really enjoyed reading your report. You made a lot of things sound very magical.

I agree about some of the upkeep of the parks. Sometimes I wish the OLD Disney was back. When I went as a child there wasn't a thing out of place and trash was picked up before it even touched the ground.

I'm glad to hear you liked Wishes. We can't wait to see it in May.
 
Great couple of reports, Shan! I can't believe someone would be so agressive like the lady at Country Bears! Did a CM witness any of it?
 

If I remember correctly, the music started around 8:00 am and stopped around 9:00 pm?

I think you had the same studio we did when we went in May. I thought it was a perfect location!
 
Shan,

Thanks for sharing!!!!

Allison an associate
 
By the way, Shan. Are you running spell check? I hardly knew it was YOU! Just teasing! I always enjoy your typos!:teeth:
 
Yes, I typed my reports on Microsoft Word first then copied and pasted it. LOL

The woman at Country Bears was amazing! She totally freaked out on me. My daughter started crying at the end when all the characters come out for the encore part. I couldn't take her out cause it was a full house and of course we were in the middle of our row near the front. :rolleyes: I don't think many heard her, the woman beside me didn't. The music was loud enough and I knew it was going to be over in a couple minutes. This lady just totally lacked the Christmas spirit for sure! I thought I was gonna get a black eye! As jaysue knows, I'm a short one. EGADS!!! I sometimes think WDW can bring out the best AND worst in people.

Anyway... I forgot to mention we also ate at Chef Mickey's the morning we headed out. It was nice. Checked our luggage into storage, took the boat (We had it to ourselves.) over to the Contemporary from WL and had a massive breakfast. Just a heads up for those who don't already know - They have a Santa Goofy! This was pretty exciting to me! LOL :p I took about ten pictures of him dancing with my girls. Love this place! Chefs are always so good here about my oldest's peanut and tree nut allergies. They even made her a fresh breakfast pizza cause on the buffet it was next to a PB&J pizza. Yep, we did a lot in those couple days!
 
We were at WDW last weekend and I also was surprised how uncheerful people were. Nobody smiled (I smile at everyone who looks my way - really I do!) and alot of people were downright rude!! Thankfully I did not have any interactions like you in the Country Bears though!

I was also shocked how cold it was too! What was the temps when you were there? The highest we got was 64. I really enjoyed going in september this year - low crowds and great weather. But we are also going back next december. Where will you be staying?

Thanks for the great reports!!
 
Lexxiefern, if we go back next December it will be between Christmas and New years for a few nights. This time hubby will come. I'll go ahead and make it at BCV this January, but then try to switch to VWL again at the seven month mark if we decide to go through with it. I heard it is even busier after Christmas leading up to New years. I can't even imagine. What about you?
 
We will be at BWV dec 2-4 and BCV dec 5-10. I have to start calling a week from monday :hyper: I am hoping the weather is warmer next year.

Good luck to you with switching over to VWL!
 
Thanks for posting a great report!! Sorry the lady had to put a damper on the magic for a while. Glad you loved the WLV. We were there beginning of December and it was our first stay. I am hooked. We love love the Boardwalk, but boy, WLV is a close close second LOL. I know it was the Christmas decorations, but still. Everytime I walked through the doors at the villas, I got a lump in my throat looking at that amazing tree. We were in room 2517. It was perfect!!
 



















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