The Murphy's are LIVE from BWI and BLT!! - January 6-13!!!

[TigrLvsPooh]

I'm LOL'ing right now because I have been tip toeing around here in the dark trying to be so quiet not to wake DH and the dang EWP just came by on full blast and woke him up! OOPS!!!!!!!

We have the perfect view of it from our room!

[jackglick]

thanks for your reply. Enjoy the rest of your vacation. Good luck to your DH with the marathon.

[pixarmom]

Thanks for the report and sorry to hear of the issues at BLT. That's especially tough after you've just spent a few days with the amazing BWI CL CMs! Wow - that's one tiny room. It looks much smaller than our staterooms on the Wonder and Dream. Thank goodness it's a patio room and the sliding glass door is large - can't imagine how a studio on a higher floor must feel.

Hope your runner had a good run this morning!

[Jasperann]

That is a really tiny room!! Especially for what the room cost per night to rent with money. Guess I will not be staying in one of them rooms. Although that resort really isn't on my list of places I want to stay.

[TigrLvsPooh]

Good morning

I said I wouldn't fly on marathon day again but guess what? I did. Lol

We have been on our ME bus for almost an hour and we are just passing the MK parking lot. People are pretty close to rioting and taking over this bus. Ha ha!!!!

We had a fantastic trip Other than those minor issues at BLT we really have had a wonderful time. I would definitely stay there again but just not in a studio.

I have over 600 pics and videos on my photobucket site now if anyone wants to see. The rest will be up tonight.

The weather this week was amazing!!! Highs in the 80's with no rain at all. Absolutely gorgeous. Never even wore our long pants or jackets. A huge difference from last years marathon trip with freezing temps.

There was a sign at the Main St bakery last night saying they would have temporary service at the Tomorrowland Terrace. Just thought I'd pass that tip along.

Any questions about BWI CL or BLT?

MK was awesome last night. Everything was a walk on. Even space and BTMRR. Really the crowds were minimal all week. The only long lines I saw were Test Track, Soarin, Toy Story, and Enchanted Tales with Belle. I would say those 4 are the ones to get your fast passes for early.

Gf villas are really coming along. And the Snow White coaster has made a lot of progress even just since we saw it in November.



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[ddluvsdisney]

I just found your live report. I read one of your others and really felt like I was there with you.
I just need to ask this question..... How are you able to get your kids out of school so many times???? Our school system can be strict about it. No matter how well you do in school.
You are so LUCKY to be able to go so often. I am jealous! I hope your boys appreciate it as well.
I feel like my boys don't as much anymore (well the 15 yr. old). They just expect to go. KWIM????

[ddluvsdisney]

I forgot to say: Have a great rest of your trip. Is today your last day?

My DH is landing at MCO in about 1/2 hour on a business trip. I am so jealous!!! He is eating at Fulton's tomorrow night. He'll be home Tuesday nite.

[TigrLvsPooh]

Originally Posted by ddluvsdisney

I just found your live report. I read one of your others and really felt like I was there with you.
I just need to ask this question..... How are you able to get your kids out of school so many times???? Our school system can be strict about it. No matter how well you do in school.
You are so LUCKY to be able to go so often. I am jealous! I hope your boys appreciate it as well.
I feel like my boys don't as much anymore (well the 15 yr. old). They just expect to go. KWIM????

Actually they've only missed four school days this year so far. And they probably won't miss anymore. Typically our school system allows five excused family vacation days a year. So they have one day left if we need it to add on to spring break.
I don't think my kids have any idea how lucky they are. LOL They've been coming down here at least 2 times a year since they were newborns. It's just part of their regular lives.

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[TigrLvsPooh]

Originally Posted by ddluvsdisney

I forgot to say: Have a great rest of your trip. Is today your last day?

My DH is landing at MCO in about 1/2 hour on a business trip. I am so jealous!!! He is eating at Fulton's tomorrow night. He'll be home Tuesday nite.

At the airport now about to board our plane. Was a great week!!!!!

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[mariamouse]

Glad you had a great trip! I enjoyed reading about your experiences. We arrive at the BCV in 5 days and are so excited!!!!

[Dflory424]

Is the lounge at BWI available to all guests or is it a club level perk?

[abk96]

Glad you had a great trip.

What was your overall impression of the BWI club level compared to BC club level? Would you do it again?

[Jasperann]

Originally Posted by Dflory424

Is the lounge at BWI available to all guests or is it a club level perk?

The club level lounge is just for club level. There is another lounge in the BWI but it is not free.

[TigrLvsPooh]

Originally Posted by Dflory424

Is the lounge at BWI available to all guests or is it a club level perk?

There is a lounge for all guests called the Belle Vue lounge. The lounge I was talking about is the club level lounge inside the Innkeeper's Club. It is only for people staying on that level.

[TigrLvsPooh]

Originally Posted by abk96

Glad you had a great trip.

What was your overall impression of the BWI club level compared to BC club level? Would you do it again?

That's a great question! I found the Innkeeper's Club to be nice in many ways but lacking in others. The lounge itself is beautiful, more pleasing to look at than the BC lounge, but I'd say seating wise they are about the same. (very limited seating!) There was only one morning we were able to actually sit in the lounge to have our breakfast, the other mornings we had to bring it back to our room or eat it while walking. I find people tend to eat and linger. They probably are in no hurry to get to a park, maybe it is their check-out day, so they eat and then get out their iphones/ipads and just sit. Unfortunately this doesn't allow for others to sit down or use the lounge. Especially the couch areas, those people are firmly planted for long periods of time. This is sort of a pet peeve of mine. When my family is finished eating we get up and allow others to sit. But sadly that doesn't seem to be the norm. As far as the food offerings I'd say they are the same. Two hot appetizers each night, nothing was really very good in my opinion, just the usual little pick-ups, breakfast is the same, snack time is the same, so I'd say that's a wash. The drink situation is a bit different because the BC has a fridge that stays well stocked most of the time. At BWI you have to ask more often because they only have a very few cans out at a time. I'm sure it majorly cuts back on the amount of drinks being used, at BC I always think of their lounge being more of a "grab and go" with paper plates, paper cups, self-serve fridge, etc. I like how at BC we could ask for small plastic bottles of water instead of always the large glass Evian bottles.

When it comes to the staff I definitely prefer the CM's at the BWI. They are very friendly and helpful, really going out of their way to be nice, which I didn't feel as much as the BC. The IPO team is the same for both (LOVE THAT GROUP!!!!!!!!)

Which would I say is better? I'd probably have to give the edge to BC only because the location of the Innkeeper's Club is a pain (long walk down too many hallways) and I prefer being able to walk right off the elevator and be at the desk and/or in the lounge area at the BC for the convenience of it. Also my youngest son loves the peanut butter and jelly cups at YC/BC and did not like the roll-up style at the BWI. (The jelly wasn't grape, which he reminded us of about 10 times a day) I also prefer SAB, Beaches n Cream, Cape May, and the Captain's Grille, over the BWI pools and restaurants. Though I have a feeling when the new and improved Boardwalk Bakery opens it will be really awesome!

Also wanted to say I like the decor of the rooms at YC/BC better than the BWI. I don't like the color scheme, the marble tabletops, the weird yellow striped bathroom, or the bedding. Too stark and sterile, they need to add some color.

When it all boils down I actually prefer the YC CL over the BC or BWI. They have a much nicer lounge with more seating, and I like the color schemes and style of the rooms better too. Also BC has a lot of those tiny little standing balconies that we don't like. Would I stay at BWI CL again? Probably I would, if not just to see my buddy Pete again but I'd like to try one of their deluxe club level rooms next time. And of course I've got the Steeplechase Suite on my bucket list!!!

All 3 resorts have their pluses and minuses. They are all amazing and really you just have to try them out and form your own opinions. I'm a huge fan of the GF and Poly as well.