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Post by johnb on Aug 7, 2023 15:04:03 GMT -5
Not a long, detailed report. Just a few observations.
BW Inn--room 3232, near the quiet pool. We like this area. Kind of a hike to get to the lobby, but it's usually pretty quiet. The Inn refurb is really well done, though I think the IP has been overdone. The halls/new carpet look great.
BWV--room 2008, facing the lagoon and Swan/Dolphin. Long walk to the lobby. The room has seen better days. When we have a room far from the lobby, we always determine where the nearby stairs let us out. We used on set of stairs to get to the pool, one to get to DHS and one (where the hall makes a 90 degree turn and has some seating) to get onto the Boardwalk (where the ATM is located). I will miss the existing carpet in the BWV halls, assuming it's going away in the upcoming refurb. Since my kids were little, the various ferris wheels/circles were "safe" and we did "floor is lava" all the way down the hall to our room. You have to step from circle to circle. I'm in my late 50's and still do it out of tradition.
Vero--building 14, 3rd floor. We love the resort, and the CM's are the best. It doesn't matter if it's housekeeping, maintenance, front desk, whatever. They're all so nice and accommodating. It's a great place to do nothing. We won the mini golf tournament on Saturday. First time ever for that. DW and DD took some amazing sunrise and sunset photos.
Parks-more crowded than reports led me to believe. We rode everything we wanted to ride except for Pirates. It was down most of the day on our MK day. F&WF in Epcot seemed like a lot of repeat food items. Or maybe we go to too many of the festivals...
People--witnessed and/or encountered more grumpy people than I can remember on prior trips. And maybe this is a sign of my generation, but when you go to eat somewhere like California Grill or Flying Fish, make a little effort to dress appropriately. Baseball hat, t-shirt and bathing suit? C'mon.
Megan, the bartender at the BelleVue Lounge, makes a good Old Fashioned.
Tower of terror, despite the additions of Tron and Guardians, remains my favorite ride of all time. Guardians is a close second. We still haven't heard Disco Inferno, but have heard the other songs.
Tron is 30 seconds too short. The launch is spectacular.
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Post by Brian5581 on Aug 7, 2023 15:39:33 GMT -5
Nice summary, glad you enjoyed your trip!
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Post by tomandrobin on Aug 7, 2023 16:03:05 GMT -5
Every where.....Disney needs to pull back.
Its why we go.....Memories we make, traditions that are formed.
People are trigger happy these days. Left, right, Men, Women.....I don't get it. I do feel its a spill over from social media and the online persona, spilling over into real life.
This is very important information to share!
I am surprised by this admission. But it is a solid ride. I still remember my first time riding it and my mind was blown at every point along the way.
100% agree with you. We took our Grandsons right before July 4th. They loved, loved the ride when it launched......such a rush.
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Post by brp on Aug 7, 2023 16:15:50 GMT -5
And maybe this is a sign of my generation, but when you go to eat somewhere like California Grill or Flying Fish, make a little effort to dress appropriately. Baseball hat, t-shirt and bathing suit? C'mon. Could not agree more. We always "dress the part." We were recently at a restaurant affiliated with the Culinary Institute of America (affectionately known as the "CIA") in Napa. Like $60 a person. Not outrageous, but pricey. I had slacks and a nice aloha shirt. mrs. brp similar. But a number of folks in shorts and t-shirts. We're going to NoLA in January for a friend's 50th. Maybe 30 people going. They're hosting us all for a dinner at a nice place in the French Quarter. Jackets required for men. will be refreshing. Megan, the bartender at the BelleVue Lounge, makes a good Old Fashioned. I've had one with a smoked turkey bourbon in the pas. Very nice. Cheers. |
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Post by helenabear on Aug 7, 2023 16:49:56 GMT -5
I'm with you on dressing appropriately. If we plan for nicer places we at least do a sun dress, plain or polo shirts in good shape, walking or khaki shorts.
Disco Inferno was one orf the last songs I needed. I had almost 3 full trips in the bag before I finally heard it. September too. Had each other song with most more than once. We finally heard both on our last day at Epcot in June. A good tune for the ride!
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Post by johnb on Aug 7, 2023 18:23:13 GMT -5
I'm with you on dressing appropriately. If we plan for nicer places we at least do a sun dress, plain or polo shirts in good shape, walking or khaki shorts. Disco Inferno was one orf the last songs I needed. I had almost 3 full trips in the bag before I finally heard it. September too. Had each other song with most more than once. We finally heard both on our last day at Epcot in June. A good tune for the ride! They played it at the pool at Vero on Friday. Hadn't heard it in years. But we still need it on Guardians.  Reminds me to add--the recreation staff at Vero are amazing. So into their jobs, great with the kids doing the pool games, super helpful at the window where you get towels, etc. |
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Aug 7, 2023 19:33:13 GMT -5
Tower of terror, despite the additions of Tron and Guardians, remains my favorite ride of all time. High five! There's some magic schizz happening in ToT and I firmly believe that waiting in the queue and going through the Hollywood Tower Hotel is a big part of it. Last time we were there, I forced my wife to spend a good 90+ in line there and the whole time I'm like "Look at that sign!" and "Check out the side of the building!" and "Listen to the way they play that music!" and "Look at the way they let this fountain 'run dry' and made the concrete all cracked!" That was before we got inside. Then I was like "Look behind the check-in counter!" and "How creepy is this lobby!" Then we got in the basement and I was like "Can you believe it down here!" and "Look at these details in the elevator!" Then when we were in the elevator itself, I was "look at this and that" and my famous line, "Look at the view!" but I have a feeling she had her eyes clamped shut. |
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Post by mamab24 on Aug 7, 2023 21:02:25 GMT -5
This is very important information to share! Ditto and thank you. Will be travelling with two Old Fashioned drinkers in December. |
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Post by disney54us on Aug 7, 2023 21:02:51 GMT -5
Disco Inferno, The Trampps. Wow that’s a flash back. Actually saw them in person, late 70’s high school years during all those disco day groups. My gf and I drove out to the Ft Dix Ft McQuire area they were playing in a club. Back then NJ was 18 for being legal for alcohol or entering a club. Which I may or may not have been by a yr shy. It was a very funny experience as I thought we were going somewhere off base. But I guess we were in an area with a club that was a majority of one race. We open ended the door to go in and all eyes were upon us, as in what are these two white girls doing here, lol. I hope that’s okay to post. It was real. But it was all good, we just blended in and enjoyed the show. Having grown up where the Latin casino was. Got to see many performances. The spinners (the real ones while they were alive) actually their management came up to our table and asked if we would go on stage during their Rubber band song to dance with them. Did see Frank Sinatra there too. And my mother had the biggest crush on Trini Lopez. My dad would take her everywhere to see him when he was not at sea. So it was me who got to go when he was away. Evelyn Champagne King (Shame, was her disco song she was known for). Dianna Ross in Philly, Earth Wind &Fire in the old Spectrum in Philly. Lots of goodies. My early childhood years growing up with an older brother and sister, back then living in NY in elementary school. I was pulled all over as my older siblings babysat me. Richie heavens in Forrest Park, Bette Mildler in Central Park. Jefferson Airplane at Fordham U. My 4 th grade bday present Janis Joplin, about a year before she died at Madison Sq Garden. Jr high even though we moved to SJ and my sister moved to VA. The Rolling Stones at the Garden. I’m am team stones vs I think my husband is team Beatles. I was in jr high and if I have the chance as much as I think ticket prices for large groups are outrageous, one more time to see them. Well that was a total thread drift on my part, sorry johnb. I would like more info about VB as we are thinking of going there in the fall. Funny, I had a 70 pt contract bought on a DVC cruise. It was more just to have more points. When I bought Poly I sold it because I wasn’t looking for more. We had never been. A few years back DD and I were going to go and they got hit with red sand, so I received the ph call that I could cancel or rebook at Disney. We went to Disney. Were you in the DVC part or villas? Beachfront view? I love my sea turtles would love to go when they are nesting or finally swimming out. As much as I like fine Dinning it’s not age imho just the proper way to dress when you go to certain Dinning. I’m always thought I know he knows better if my son comes down, but will still ask, do you have proper clothes…. Eye roll, yes mom. We are in a beach area and I see some of the same from tourists. There are casual beach places but when you go to a fine dining, can we please. I’m good with a dive place if they have what I call good bar food. So if you care to elaborate. That would be great. Trying to find places if we decide to go to VB. |
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Post by helenabear on Aug 7, 2023 22:44:11 GMT -5
I'm with you on dressing appropriately. If we plan for nicer places we at least do a sun dress, plain or polo shirts in good shape, walking or khaki shorts. Disco Inferno was one orf the last songs I needed. I had almost 3 full trips in the bag before I finally heard it. September too. Had each other song with most more than once. We finally heard both on our last day at Epcot in June. A good tune for the ride! They played it at the pool at Vero on Friday. Hadn't heard it in years. But we still need it on Guardians. Reminds me to add--the recreation staff at Vero are amazing. So into their jobs, great with the kids doing the pool games, super helpful at the window where you get towels, etc. It is very good for Guardians! IMO 5 of the 6 songs are really great during the ride. My absolute favorite is one I've had the most. Fortunately the one I dislike I think I've only had once. Funny thing about my last two is that we had 3 rides that day due to an AP snafu. The only two songs I had were September and Disco inferno. Like it was meant to be. The vero talk has me thinking maybe we need to try our spring break there just to be different. No international travel this spring due to passport renewal worries so maybe I'll check there or PR. I've only heard excellent things about Vero's staff! |
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Post by BWV Dreamin on Aug 8, 2023 4:47:38 GMT -5
Disco Inferno, The Trampps. Wow that’s a flash back. Actually saw them in person, late 70’s high school years during all those disco day groups. My gf and I drove out to the Ft Dix Ft McQuire area they were playing in a club. Back then NJ was 18 for being legal for alcohol or entering a club. Which I may or may not have been by a yr shy. It was a very funny experience as I thought we were going somewhere off base. But I guess we were in an area with a club that was a majority of one race. We open ended the door to go in and all eyes were upon us, as in what are these two white girls doing here, lol. I hope that’s okay to post. It was real. But it was all good, we just blended in and enjoyed the show. Having grown up where the Latin casino was. Got to see many performances. The spinners (the real ones while they were alive) actually their management came up to our table and asked if we would go on stage during their Rubber band song to dance with them. Did see Frank Sinatra there too. And my mother had the biggest crush on Trini Lopez. My dad would take her everywhere to see him when he was not at sea. So it was me who got to go when he was away. Evelyn Champagne King (Shame, was her disco song she was known for). Dianna Ross in Philly, Earth Wind &Fire in the old Spectrum in Philly. Lots of goodies. My early childhood years growing up with an older brother and sister, back then living in NY in elementary school. I was pulled all over as my older siblings babysat me. Richie heavens in Forrest Park, Bette Mildler in Central Park. Jefferson Airplane at Fordham U. My 4 th grade bday present Janis Joplin, about a year before she died at Madison Sq Garden. Jr high even though we moved to SJ and my sister moved to VA. The Rolling Stones at the Garden. I’m am team stones vs I think my husband is team Beatles. I was in jr high and if I have the chance as much as I think ticket prices for large groups are outrageous, one more time to see them. Well that was a total thread drift on my part, sorry johnb. I would like more info about VB as we are thinking of going there in the fall. Funny, I had a 70 pt contract bought on a DVC cruise. It was more just to have more points. When I bought Poly I sold it because I wasn’t looking for more. We had never been. A few years back DD and I were going to go and they got hit with red sand, so I received the ph call that I could cancel or rebook at Disney. We went to Disney. Were you in the DVC part or villas? Beachfront view? I love my sea turtles would love to go when they are nesting or finally swimming out. As much as I like fine Dinning it’s not age imho just the proper way to dress when you go to certain Dinning. I’m always thought I know he knows better if my son comes down, but will still ask, do you have proper clothes…. Eye roll, yes mom. We are in a beach area and I see some of the same from tourists. There are casual beach places but when you go to a fine dining, can we please. I’m good with a dive place if they have what I call good bar food. So if you care to elaborate. That would be great. Trying to find places if we decide to go to VB. I love your thread drift!!! Wow, so many performers I would have died to see! Yes team Stones here! You saw the real Jefferson airplane!!!!!!! What a memory! |
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Post by BWV Dreamin on Aug 8, 2023 4:55:09 GMT -5
They played it at the pool at Vero on Friday. Hadn't heard it in years. But we still need it on Guardians. Reminds me to add--the recreation staff at Vero are amazing. So into their jobs, great with the kids doing the pool games, super helpful at the window where you get towels, etc. It is very good for Guardians! IMO 5 of the 6 songs are really great during the ride. My absolute favorite is one I've had the most. Fortunately the one I dislike I think I've only had once. Funny thing about my last two is that we had 3 rides that day due to an AP snafu. The only two songs I had were September and Disco inferno. Like it was meant to be. The vero talk has me thinking maybe we need to try our spring break there just to be different. No international travel this spring due to passport renewal worries so maybe I'll check there or PR. I've only heard excellent things about Vero's staff! We’ve been to Vero three times. We always stayed in the Oceanfront studio in the main building. I would like to stay in a one bedroom next trip but the hubby doesn’t want to give up that oceanfront view. The town is a sleepy beach town of Sebastian. It really isn’t in Vero Beach ( I don’t know why Disney uses that town name). You can drive to Port Canaveral for the day. You can go into the town of Vero Beach, where there is some upscale “ boutique” kind of shopping. Best places are the bars and restaurants right on the beach. We just go to relax and chill by the ocean. A few local bars and restaurants right near the resort. A week might be too long there. But it would be a great split stay with a WDW resort. Very easy drive from Orlando if you wanted to rent a car from MCO. |
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Post by helenabear on Aug 8, 2023 6:25:54 GMT -5
It is very good for Guardians! IMO 5 of the 6 songs are really great during the ride. My absolute favorite is one I've had the most. Fortunately the one I dislike I think I've only had once. Funny thing about my last two is that we had 3 rides that day due to an AP snafu. The only two songs I had were September and Disco inferno. Like it was meant to be. The vero talk has me thinking maybe we need to try our spring break there just to be different. No international travel this spring due to passport renewal worries so maybe I'll check there or PR. I've only heard excellent things about Vero's staff! We’ve been to Vero three times. We always stayed in the Oceanfront studio in the main building. I would like to stay in a one bedroom next trip but the hubby doesn’t want to give up that oceanfront view. The town is a sleepy beach town of Sebastian. It really isn’t in Vero Beach ( I don’t know why Disney uses that town name). You can drive to Port Canaveral for the day. You can go into the town of Vero Beach, where there is some upscale “ boutique” kind of shopping. Best places are the bars and restaurants right on the beach. We just go to relax and chill by the ocean. A few local bars and restaurants right near the resort. A week might be too long there. But it would be a great split stay with a WDW resort. Very easy drive from Orlando if you wanted to rent a car from MCO. My guys are not long term beach stay people so was thinking a split stay. We almost always rent cars now. We used to split stays with Orlando and Tampa but no more since the inlaws moved. |
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Post by johnb on Aug 8, 2023 7:51:06 GMT -5
Disco Inferno, The Trampps. Wow that’s a flash back. Actually saw them in person, late 70’s high school years during all those disco day groups. My gf and I drove out to the Ft Dix Ft McQuire area they were playing in a club. Back then NJ was 18 for being legal for alcohol or entering a club. Which I may or may not have been by a yr shy. It was a very funny experience as I thought we were going somewhere off base. But I guess we were in an area with a club that was a majority of one race. We open ended the door to go in and all eyes were upon us, as in what are these two white girls doing here, lol. I hope that’s okay to post. It was real. But it was all good, we just blended in and enjoyed the show. Having grown up where the Latin casino was. Got to see many performances. The spinners (the real ones while they were alive) actually their management came up to our table and asked if we would go on stage during their Rubber band song to dance with them. Did see Frank Sinatra there too. And my mother had the biggest crush on Trini Lopez. My dad would take her everywhere to see him when he was not at sea. So it was me who got to go when he was away. Evelyn Champagne King (Shame, was her disco song she was known for). Dianna Ross in Philly, Earth Wind &Fire in the old Spectrum in Philly. Lots of goodies. My early childhood years growing up with an older brother and sister, back then living in NY in elementary school. I was pulled all over as my older siblings babysat me. Richie heavens in Forrest Park, Bette Mildler in Central Park. Jefferson Airplane at Fordham U. My 4 th grade bday present Janis Joplin, about a year before she died at Madison Sq Garden. Jr high even though we moved to SJ and my sister moved to VA. The Rolling Stones at the Garden. I’m am team stones vs I think my husband is team Beatles. I was in jr high and if I have the chance as much as I think ticket prices for large groups are outrageous, one more time to see them. Well that was a total thread drift on my part, sorry johnb . I would like more info about VB as we are thinking of going there in the fall. Funny, I had a 70 pt contract bought on a DVC cruise. It was more just to have more points. When I bought Poly I sold it because I wasn’t looking for more. We had never been. A few years back DD and I were going to go and they got hit with red sand, so I received the ph call that I could cancel or rebook at Disney. We went to Disney. Were you in the DVC part or villas? Beachfront view? I love my sea turtles would love to go when they are nesting or finally swimming out.As much as I like fine Dinning it’s not age imho just the proper way to dress when you go to certain Dinning. I’m always thought I know he knows better if my son comes down, but will still ask, do you have proper clothes…. Eye roll, yes mom. We are in a beach area and I see some of the same from tourists. There are casual beach places but when you go to a fine dining, can we please. I’m good with a dive place if they have what I call good bar food. So if you care to elaborate. That would be great.Trying to find places if we decide to go to VB. We stayed in a studio. There are three buildings with studios/1 BR/2BR villas separate from the inn (where the lobby is located). The villas have no guaranteed ocean view, though you might get lucky with a peak at the ocean if you're on a higher floor. Book an ocean view inn room if you definitely want the ocean view. We were there during peak turtle nesting season. DW and DD saw the turtle conservation teams every morning on the beach and got to see a few baby turtles making their way from nest to ocean. The laws are very strict and the turtle conservationists are there to assist the babies out of the nests, and to ensure that nobody gets too close. We were told that this season there has been a lot more nest activity than in prior summers. There are nests marked all over the beaches. Restaurants--DD and DW want seafood and outdoors when we're in Vero. In Sebastian, you'll get that, with a few restaurants located along the Indian River, like the Crab Stop and Capt. Hiram's. Overall, the food is good. Nothing wowed me, but I expected that. In Vero Beach, we've been to the Riverside Café a few times. We like the setting, adjacent to the causeway, dockside if you sit outdoors, live music inside, friendly service and god food. The tuna nachos were the standout. We like the outdoor seating over the inside, because there are a lot of boats passing by, people fishing under the causeway, and you can see planes in the distance as they take off from the VB Airport. The live music inside is a bit loud for a small space; we can hear it fine outside on the deck. |
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M2JRA
One Bedroom
Posts: 231
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Post by M2JRA on Aug 8, 2023 8:19:42 GMT -5
Hi all,
JohnB thank you for your report! We recently stayed at BWV (8 nights) in a 2BR and I thought I'd add on to your report with a little of mine. Our room was in good shape (5th floor overlooking parking circle). Arrival night we could see fireworks from Epcot Forever from the villa and that was a fun surprise. Room was ready around 5 and Bell Services stored a few cooler items we'd picked up on our way in from the AutoTrain, so settling in was seamless. Kitchen faucet had definitely been MacGyvered but worked ok and no complaints about condition of the rooms, generally. We also felt parks were more crowded than reported/expected, but worked around it fine through early mornings and late nights (breaks in the middle but man this is an exhausting way to vacation!). We do not do G+ but did buy ILL twice to ensure a first-time visitor would be able to ride FoP and RotR (he's a huge Avatar and SW fan). We've finally had all six songs on Guardians! We needed September as our last one and it played for us on our last ride, which was also the last ride of our trip - amazing way to end it and we all loved it. We also were 'delayed' at the ride launch and heard the extended dialog (and then about 10 seconds of silence) so that was neat. Agreed that F&W seemed like many repeats and is the Remy scavenger hunt the same every year? That seemed very similar, also. Not that we remembered where he was in each place, but it did seem very familiar. I also LOVE Tower of Terror and that and Guardians are my favorites - they're different enough that I think they can tie for first. RRC was down often which caused extremely long lines when it was operating, so two of our group never got to ride it, but otherwise we accomplished all our goals. Other than not riding Tron at night, which was a minor disappointment - we got a VQ during the extended evening hours but they closed it early and cancelled all the boarding groups. Oh well, we'll do it another time! We observed that CMs were very inconsistent wrt applying discounts. Some would wave me off as I started to pull up my Apple Wallet to show, while one grilled my 18yo DD and wanted to see ID and asked when her AP had been activated, etc. (I wasn't there for that one but she recounted later; maybe she exaggerated? But she was very put off), and various other responses in between. No biggie, but interesting that they still can't seem to get the CMs all on the same page about handling that part of transactions.
Vero Beach - I'm very interested. How difficult is it to book here during the 7-month window? I'm unfamiliar with what the busier times would be here. I thought summer but maybe not as it's so warm, and checking the points chart that isn't the high season. Are spring/fall the more popular periods? Are certain units harder/easier to book? Feedback welcome. I need to research this.
Sorry I got long. I hardly ever post but once I get going apparently I have a lot to say, lol....
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