Won't be catching up anytime soon...wanted to review our stay over Marathon Weekend (before I forget!)
We were at BC the 3rd through the 10th celebrating our 20th anniversary, DH's first marathon and our last big family trip before DD1 graduates from HS in June. I had booked a deluxe room with CL access soon after we registered for our races. (DD3 and I ran the 10K) We got a great rate but it was still an expensive undertaking. I was hesitant about this stay because in 2011 we stayed at YCCL a couple nights and it wasn't magical at all, so much so that we were offered a comp room because of it. As the holidays (and all our birthdays) neared I had considered downgrading to POR and getting 2 rooms because of the price instead but I am SO GLAD I didn't do that! We had the absolute *best* stay we've had I think-ever. This was DH & I's 20th trip together as a couple.
Rooms-earlier in the thread I posted about our SVCL room and it's # it was fabulous although a bit small for our crew of two teens, DH & I and my 11 yo. This was our comp room. I got the room ready text before we even got to the airport to leave! When we arrived at around midnight, we went straight to our room and drifted off to Neverland. The next day we checked out and had our bags stored, the CL staff was awesome at helping with that move. We went off on our adventures of going to MK and the Expo during the day. I got the room ready text as we were leaving the Expo that afternoon, the room was 4557 and I had not memorized which deluxe rooms had the large balconies I was looking for so I was a little worried about getting our room requests. (Our specific language in requesting rooms through DSS was the following: Large Balcony, facing quiet pool giving examples of room numbers in the request) The room size was perfect for our family and our large balcony request was granted! The room gave plenty of space for all of us to not be on top of each other, it was absolutely perfect! (I DO have pictures which I will upload to the room pics thread later)
BCCL- staff was friendly and wonderful. Very helpful with issues (DD1's MB fell off and got lost during Everest) and explained that we can get a "welcome drink" (which had a specific name that I don't remember) for all of us because it can be made "virgin" for the kids and we can get one whenever we want (as long as the lounge was open). This was a huge contrast to our YCCL stay 6.5 years ago where we found the CMs rude. The food was great and everyone of my picky eating crowd found something they liked at all serving times. I won't go into what food is there because the CL was reviewed by Josh at EasyWDW (I think it was him) over the summer.
Security at the parks-I encountered a VERY rude security CM who was rather fresh to me when I was not realizing that I was walking through a metal detector at the IG with mine and DD's medals in my pockets(Although we'd been to AK and MK prior, I had been waved through screening.) I actually confronted him as to why he was giving me a hard time and of course he denied it. He was so rude that I could hear other guests commenting about the interaction. I get that people have bad days but not everyone knows the security protocol at IG. I am considering letting guest communications know about this interaction, but it would have to be a separate email because I am going to email them anyway because our stay was just so awesome (I don't think they hear good things enough! LOL)
Meals-OMG so much food!!! We won't ever get a dining plan because of the amount of food and serving sizes at the WDW restaurants (yes, even the QS) we had more than enough with the CL offerings. We ate at WCC, Tusker House (one of last breakfast reservations-post 10K), Via Napoli, Ohana dinner post Marathon, Satu'li Canteen, The Plaza Restaurant and Restaruantosauras. Favorite meal hands down: Satu'li Canteen, service sucked at Via Napoli (and was reflected in our tip), did not like Ohana dinner at all-far far far too excessive amount of food. We had a vegetarian and a pescatarian with us and both of us found meals that we could eat at all restaurants. I also enjoyed the Tusker House breakfast very much.
Transportation-yup it's a problem at BC. We waited over 35 minutes for a MK bus on several occasions at BC (on non-race times/days). Waited for 30+ returning home from MK one night (this was before park close and HEA). Monorail was not great, I kind of am comparing it to a very old car. Disney really needs to do something about the Monorail. Overall we enjoyed the ability to walk to Epcot and HS. Loved our location. We used Minnie Vans once to see DH at AK during the marathon, very convenient way to get around.
runDisney and the races-SO MUCH FUN! Well organized (we didn't encounter the problems of huge lines at the Expo on Thursday that they had on Wednesday) and are looking forward to next year's Marathon Weekend-probably staying at BCCL (just DH and I)
DME-we didn't use luggage transfer in as we arrived after 10pm, got right on a bus. Shared stops with YC, Boardwalk and Caribbean Beach. The 4hr return (which they are no longer doing btw) was not ideal and a waste of our time.
Stormalong Bay-was closed due to cold temps the first 3 days of our vacation and when we could use it on Monday/Tuesday it was great! Not crowded at all (it was a little cold on Monday but DD3 wanted to swim anyway)
January Weather-Super cold spell (very very cold waiting for 10K to start) but we're used to cold being from MA and went with it, I think it made the park crowds lighter in the mornings because it was so cold. We loved the temps (as cold as they were in the beginning) compared to our August vacations (our last 3 trips have been in August) and are looking forward to returning in January again when it's not hotter than the surface of the sun
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PS...I want to find that BC Lobby scent somewhere...I was surprised that even DH liked it!