Sue's Hot Hot Boulder Ridge Trip (June/July 2023)

Enjoy your trip! BRV is our home resort and the last time we stayed there (2021) I was disappointed in the room quality. Can’t wait to hear how it all looks now.

Safe travels, looking forward to your report.

DAY 1 – Thursday 6/29/23
Who: Sue (64), DVC Member
SB (65), my husband
Holli (58), friend
Plan: Drive to WDW, Boathouse lunch, Electrical Water Pageant

Actual: Today I started out at Chris & Amanda’s house in Bonita Springs. I’d come in yesterday and spent the night with them. This morning I had a 9am dental appointment in Ft Myers, and after that was on the road to WDW by 9:30. There were 3 options according to Maps – I-75 to I-4 (shortest, most miles, with a stretch of red indicating a delay) and 2 other routes going through small town Florida with traffic lights but fewer miles. I decided I wasn’t in the mood for the red stretch or I-4 so I went with the route with the fewest miles.

First, I get off in redneckville and get stopped by a drawbridge going up for a dinky fishing boat to pass. Then I’m stuck behind dump trucks that move along but every red light means after they come to a stop they have to creep along for a while before they get up to a reasonable speed. I did hit some stretches that were good – no traffic, 2 lanes in each direction. Towards the end it was constant traffic lights, more trucks, and road construction. Once on I-4 for a short trip it was stop and go. When I was 4.9 miles from my exit the sign said traffic stopped 5 miles ahead. I decided to just get off at the first exit and drive the last 5 miles through Disney property! I arrived at the Orange Garage right at 1pm. Three and a half hours to get here is ridiculous!

Holli and SB were about 8 minutes behind me, so I told them where I parked and headed to Gideon’s. The line there was very short, and I was at the entrance before they arrived. The cast members had me stand in the shade while waiting for them. Eventually I saw them turn the corner by Morimoto Asia and join me. Holli’s app took her via a different way than we normally go, but at least it didn’t cost a bunch of time. We went into Gideon’s and Holli & I each got the June limited edition cookie (turtle) and SB got the coffee cake cookie.

Coming back outside we walked across the street to Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar and had drinks during happy hour. Holli had the merlot, I had the chardonnay and SB got a margarita. We were there about 40 minutes before settling the check and walking next door to the Boathouse for lunch.

They asked if we wanted to be seated inside or outside. Yeah, right – it feels like freakin’ 110 outside – I think not. We ordered drinks – merlot for Holli, Sauvignon Blanc for me and Michelob ultra for SB. He was hungry, and pretty much ate like a pig <g>. He started with 6 of the shrimp – at $4.50 EACH I thought he was insane. However, they were bigger than any shrimp I’ve ever seen! Holli ate a couple of them and they both agreed they were fabulous. He also had a Caesar salad, which was also very good. For lunch SB went with the cheeseburger and Holli & I each had the filet mignon sliders. Everything was excellent, and our server was a great guy. Holli & I were stuffed, but SB wanted dessert. He got the key lime pie, which was also great. Hopefully he’s not regretting this later, but he’s a grown man – he can deal with any consequences!

Just as SB was settling the check, I got the notification the villa was ready (finally). It was 3:30 at this point. Since they’d come from a different direction thanks to Holli’s app they were down on level 1 and I was up on level 3 where we always park. Not trusting them to find their way, we all walked to their cars and drove up to where I was parked. They then followed me out of the garage and over to Boulder Ridge. With three of us we were able to move everything in in one trip. We’re on the 3rd floor, bus stop side, and I like the refurbished décor. Holli & I unpacked, while SB got online and went to lay down in the bedroom.

I mentioned to Holli that the resort might do a walking architectural tour and 9am each day, so at 5 we walked over to the main lobby to see what we could find out in terms of resort activities. The activities are as expected, but they do have some additional patriotic activities for the holiday long weekend.

We were given a scavenger hunt paper with 13 clues. We had to find the spot the clue referred to, then find a sign with an outline of a character and the shape of one of the original 13 colonies. It was very difficult! With some back-tracking and crossing character/colony out to move them to a different clue a couple times we managed to finish. It was pretty hot & miserable out there, even in the shade. We turned the paper in at the front desk and were awarded a button for each of us.

We went back to the villa briefly before heading back out to the boat dock. SB decided to stay in vs go with us, which wasn’t surprising. When the boat came, I confirmed it only goes between this resort and the Magic Kingdom – it doesn’t go to the campground. While we were out earlier the front desk cast said the way to get to Hoop Dee Doo Revue was by bus.

We had a nice boat ride to the Magic Kingdom on one of the smaller boats. It seems they alternate the big and small ones from what I observed tonight. At Magic Kingdom we transferred to one of the bigger boats for the trip to Grand Floridian, and after it dropped us off it was continuing on to Polynesian. One of the benches on the dock was empty so we grabbed it to wait for the Electrical Water Pageant. The floats are stored just across from here and when they created the walkway from GF to Magic Kingdom, they added a bridge over that waterway (canal). When it’s time, the bridge swings to one side so the Electrical Water Pageant can float out.

It was cute as always, and Holli enjoyed seeing it for the first time. The downside to watching it from here is it’s not fully dark outside yet. I’ll have to find out what time it’s at our resort so we can see it again.

Once the pageant ended, we hurriedly walked to the main building to catch the monorail. One was in the station but for some reason I set off the alarm and the monorail left while the security cast member was confirming I’m not a terrorist. It was hot up on the platform waiting for the next one, as there was no breeze. Once it came, we rode to the Contemporary, walked across to Bay Lake Tower, and checked in to go up to Top of the World with just a minute to spare before the fireworks started. It was pretty busy, with lots of people at the railing. They also have some outdoor seating up here now, which was also occupied. There was an area at the end with a gate and one guy was standing in there at the railing, so we followed suit – as did others after us.

The fireworks were great, and we didn’t have a speaker in our little section, but we could still hear the music. When the fireworks ended, we led the mob towards the elevators, walked across to the Contemporary and waited for the next monorail. It was nearly full and not many people got off here. We managed to get the last seats in the very front car. Pretty much all the cars were standing room only. We stopped at the Ticket & Transportation Center, where crowds of people were coming up the ramp to get the monorail – I couldn’t figure out why since the park had just closed.

We then stopped at Poly, Grand Floridian and then finally the Magic Kingdom. The mob of people here was huge – unlike anything I’ve seen. This is why I don’t stay until park closing! Thankfully the line for the boat wasn’t bad. The first boat to come was a small one and we didn’t make it on. The next one was a large boat and we got seats up front. As we were leaving the Electrical Water Pageant was playing outside Magic Kingdom.

It was a short ride back to the lodge. The cabins don’t seem to have any drapes or curtains on the walls of windows facing the water. Considering someone may be sleeping in the living room that seemed very odd to us. Sailing by we had a clear view into every one of them.

Back in the villa SB was basically asleep. Holli pulled down her bed and got ready to turn in. Once she finished in the bathroom, I got ready for bed but finished up the report before going to sleep.

Today was a great start to the trip – we really did a lot! Lunch was delicious and the short wait at Gideon’s was very nice. The resort and our villa are great – good location of the room. Tomorrow we plan to relax at our pool in the morning (thankfully it opens at 7am, unlike the other pool that doesn’t open until 10) and then later we have the Hoop Dee Doo Revue!

Sounds like a great start, happy to hear you liked the refurb.

Just fyi, we stayed in one of the cabins for a couple of nights and they do have shades that can be pulled if someone is sleeping on the sofa bed. But I agree, it’s a bit of a fishbowl when they’re up.

Yes we stayed a cabin which was wonderful but yes has those automatic shades...we left them up too since no one was sleeping in the living room loved having the view 

Good to know about the shades in the cabins - thank you! At Top of World we didn't bother trying to go inside. We arrived literally 2 minutes before the fireworks started and that was our only interest. When they started all the extra charging to be inside I lost interest.

DAY 2 – Friday 6/30/23
Who: Sue (64), DVC Member
SB (65), my husband
Holli (58), friend

Plan: Pool, Hoop Dee Doo Revue

Actual: It was 11:30 by the time I turned out the light and tried to sleep. Unfortunately, this was a night SB made some snoring noises, so it was challenging. When I’d ask him to roll over/change position he insisted he wasn’t making any noise, which infuriated me. At one point in the middle of the night I recorded it on my phone and played it for him in the morning <g>. It’s far from a freight train, but I need quiet to get to sleep.

We were both up at 6 – late for us, but no big deal for this trip. I made my cappuccino and we both did our online stuff. Holli was up by 7 so I went out to chat with her in the kitchen. She slept great and heard no noise from the connecting studio next door. She made her coffee and a bagel. I went back to the bedroom to finish my cappuccino and later made my egg and slice of bacon for breakfast.

By just after 8 we went down to the villa’s pool to grab our spot. DVC friends David and Rosie were waiting for us at the pool – they are staying here to celebrate their 40th anniversary and saw in yesterday’s trip report that we’d be coming down. It was a nice surprise – they’re wonderful people. I think they may have met SB once before, the first time I met them (at a dvc function in Epcot). We chatted briefly and they headed out for their plans.

Holli stayed at the pool while SB & I went to Roaring Forks to get his breakfast. We’d mobile ordered it from the room, although there were so few people there we could have just walked up and ordered it. He had the big breakfast – eggs, potato hash, cheddar biscuit, bacon & sausage. Once there he added a bottle of chocolate milk. We took it back to the pool and he ate inside the cabana while Holli & I enjoyed chaise lounges poolside.

We spent the morning in and out of the pool – mostly in the pool since it was so hot. SB called it a day around 10:30 and went up to see if Stephen A Smith would be arguing on ESPN (he wasn’t on today). Holli & I stayed for another hour before going upstairs. SB was watching tv in the bedroom. I gave him part of his coffee cake cookie to try, and he said if he’s going to eat cookie, he needs something to wash it down. That something was a beer from the fridge, lol! Holli took some of her turtle cookie out to the balcony with a glass of wine and said it paired together well, lol!

I took my shower while they were munching, and then got dressed and dried my hair. By then SB was asleep, so I left him to his nap and went out to the living room. I poured a glass of wine, Holli took her shower & dressed, then joined me in the living room with a glass of wine. I read yesterday’s General Hospital recap online to get caught up before watching today’s episode on tv at 2pm.

We left just after 3 and walked over to the bus stop. There was a bus there, so I hustled ahead and found it was the bus to Fort Wilderness! The others caught up and we were onboard and on our way to Pioneer Hall in no time! Talk about perfect timing – also known as dumb luck! The bus took the back road right into the stop between the Tri Circle D Ranch and Pioneer Hall.

There’s a lot of construction going on next to Pioneer Hall, at what used to be Trails End and the bar that was there. They had food trucks set up further down the road towards the marina. Some of the golf carts we saw were decorated for the 4th of July and the campground would be having a golf cart parade on the 4th. Holli had never been to Ft Wilderness before (typical growing up in Florida kid – no experience other than day trips to a park) and really didn’t see much today but enjoyed what she did see.

At 3:30 we checked in for Hoop Dee Doo Revue and sat at a picnic table (under an umbrella) for a while. About 3:45 I got up and stood in the queue, and Holli & SB joined me a few minutes before 4pm. The doors opened at 4pm and inside we went upstairs to our table. The chairs swivel, so you can face the table while eating and then swivel to watch the show.

The food was all great – fried chicken, terrific pork ribs, baked beans, delicious mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, salad, cole slaw and corn bread. We were all hungry when we arrived and stuffed by the time we left. The dessert was strawberry shortcake, and included with the meal were certain beverages. Holli and I had wine (included) and SB got sweet tea. Our server did a great job of providing refills without being asked.

The cast was terrific, and the show was just as much fun the umpteenth time as it was my first time! Holli really enjoyed it (her first time), as did SB. Overall it was a wonderful experience and I think in the future we’ll always do the 4pm show and would be fine with the upstairs seats.

When the show ended, we had a short wait at the bus stop for the bus to Wilderness Lodge to arrive. Once back at the villa SB went into the bedroom to watch tv. Holli decided to join me on a trip to buy a loungefly for friend – she figured walking down dinner a bit would be a good thing.

We walked over to the boat dock and had a lovely boat ride to the Magic Kingdom on one of the small boats. Once there the boat to GF & Poly was docked so we hopped on that. This was another small one and we were on the sunny side, so it was pretty hot! We stopped at Grand Floridian first, then continued to Polynesian. As we passed by Trader Sam’s I opened the door and we could have been seated but I told the cast member we were planning to come tomorrow but I just wanted Holli to see it. They were very welcoming. Holli loved the look and feel of the place!

We continued to the lobby and went to the big shop on the first floor, where we found the Polynesian loungefly backpack. I’d forgotten about the extra passholder discount for this month, so saved 30% instead of the usual 20%. I arranged for it to be shipped to my friend’s home in Connecticut, so she should have it in 10 business days. I hoped to find the 2023-24 calendar, but they didn’t have any at this resort. We’d seen it at Ft Wilderness but I didn’t feel like carrying it to dinner. If I don’t find it this trip I’ll look over Labor Day weekend.

With the backpack purchased we headed to the monorail, which arrived just before we did. It was very crowded and the car we ended up entering had a screeching little girl. Her dad tried to shut her up, but she was obnoxious. Thankfully they got off at the next stop! We continued on to Magic Kingdom, where we transferred to the waiting boat back to Wilderness Lodge. Our luck with transportation today was excellent!

We were back by 8, which is what I’d hoped for. Holli changed into her swimsuit, grabbed a paper coffee cup of wine, and went down to the pool. SB had been hoping to watch the Twins and Orioles play in Baltimore but they were in a rain delay. Around 8:15 he put on his swim trunks and went down to the hot tub. I didn’t feel like getting all chlorinated again, so I stayed behind to finish up and post the trip report. Later I’ll go down to join them, but outside of the water. Holli & I plan to watch Electrical Water Pageant from our beach at 9:45, but most likely SB will be watching the game by then.

Today was another fabulous day – very relaxing and fun, and it flew by quickly despite not really doing much. I would definitely consider this resort for a resort trip (no parks), but only in a 1-bedroom. I hate the studios here due to the location of the connecting door.

Tomorrow we’re doing another morning relaxing by the pool. SB will be heading home at some point, and Holli & I hope to visit Trader Sam’s for drinks/food.