We drove over to BWV, having our big bags checked in by the bellhop. We left the little bags, including non-perishable groceries, in the car and had the valet park it. We would not drive in the Behemoth again until the end of our trip.
The lobby of The Boardwalk is really cool - whimsical yet elegant. It is dominated with a huge chandelier adorned with gold leaf figures that are a cross between sea horses and carousel horses. On one side of the lobby is the entrance to "The Boardwalk Inn" and on the other side is the entrance to "The Boardwalk Villas". The "Villas" are the DVC side and contain 1 and 2 and 3 bedroom "villas", while the "Inn" side is a regular hotel. They both share the lobby and pool areas. A terminology note here - if I write "BW" I'm referring to "The Boardwalk" as a whole. "BWV" refers to the Villas only. The hotel gets it's name from an old fashioned restaurant, shop and nightclub lined Boardwalk on Crescent Lake, which adjoins the hotel. This I will refer to simply as the "boardwalk".
While my parents relaxed and Andie watched the kids as they explored the lobby, I did a pre-check in and reiterated our request for a Boardwalk view. The CM said they would do their best, gave me a package with info and maps and other stuff, and said our room would be available at 4:00. They were able to get us 2 wheelchairs right away, however. One had an "Epcot" logo and the other had a "Magic Kingdom" logo. The CM at the hotel told us that if anyone at either of those parks questioned why we were leaving with the wheelchairs, we should just explain that they didn't have any "Boardwalk" wheelchairs left at the hotel.
I realized that I had left my camera in the car, so I asked the valet if I could get something from my car. A nice CM gave me a ride in what she called "pargo" (for carrying people & cargo), all the time warning me of what a lousy "pargo" driver she is. Well, she wasn't that bad and I was able to retrieve my camera relatively unscathed.
I returned, camera in hand, and we headed off to catch the boat to "Disney MGM Studios" (MGM.) A word here about boat transportation. If the weather is nice, as it was our whole trip, you simply can't beat the boat transportation as the most pleasant way to get around at WDW. I'd even give it higher marks than the monorail. I really hope Disney comes up with a good alternative to the buses - and I think they'll have to eventually - but I really doubt anything they do will provide as pleasurable an experience as the boats. They're just a terrific way to get around.
While on the subject of the boats, I'll mention something one of the boat skippers told me. It seems they were trying out a new route for the Boardwalk/Yacht Club/Beach Club/Dolphin/Swan boats. I assume there used to be 2 routes, one that went to Epcot and the hotels and a second that went to MGM and the hotels. Now there is only one route, which goes MGM-Dolphin/Swan-YC/BC-BW-Epcot. The interesting thing is that the return is the opposite - it doesn't go in a circle, so on the return it's Epcot-BW-YC/BC-Dolphin/Swan-MGM. This means that, on the one hand, the trip from BW to MGM is long both ways, but then the trip from Epcot to BW is short both ways. It also means you could ride the boat directly from Epcot to MGM and vice verse. It's an interesting way to do it, and we had no complaints (except for the longer trip to-and-from MGM.)
We had 11:45 PS reservations at the "50's Prime Time Cafe" (50sPT). We didn't have a lot of time to kill so as soon as we got inside the park I picked up a map to see where it is. I find MGM to have the most confusing layout of the WDW parks, and I also think we've spent less time there than any other park. Anyway, I carefully studied the map, got my bearings, and very efficiently lead the group directly to - "The Sci-Fi Dine-In". I don't know why, but I always get those two places mixed up. OK, I carefully studied the map again and determined that 50sPT was very close to where we started. Oh well.
We still got there a little ahead of schedule, and we checked in. The CM at the podium told us that it would be a few minutes wait. Nat and I really wanted to ride "Twilight Zone Tower of Terror" (TZToT), so I took the opportunity to get Fastpass (FP) tickets. I dashed over to TZToT and got FPs for all of us, even though Nat and I were the only ones sure to ride. I figured, if nothing else, Nat and I might be able to ride again. Our FP time was 2:15 - 3:15.
I made it back to 50sPT, and within a few minutes we were seated. I don't recall our "sister's" name (I really should get in the habit of writing down names for my reports), so we'll call her "sis". Sis got pretty well into the 50sPT spirit, although I think a lot of it was just allowing herself to be herself (bossy and abrasive). We had a blast.
For an appetizer we had Fried Cheese at Sis's recommendation. It was awesome. Andie & I split an order of fried chicken (an easy thing for us to do since I like white meat and she likes dark meat), my dad had his own order or fried chicken, my mom had chicken & biscuits and the kids shared an order of kid's pasta and chicken strips. Everything was absolutely delicious. I seem to recall that Andie and I liked 50sPT from the one time we'd been there before, but it didn't bowl us over food wise (and it was about 8 years ago.) Well, all I can say is that the fried chicken was absolutely fantastic. I'd recommend it in a second. Everyone else seemed equally happy, except the kids didn't care for the pasta (although they were happy with the chicken strips.) A very pleasant experience overall.
After lunch we had to pick a first attraction for the day, so I suggested "The Great Movie Ride" (GMR) as it is an MGM signature attraction. Since we had wheelchairs we were seated in the last car and, therefore, got the gangster scene. We all enjoyed the ride and, as I suspected, my folks got a big kick out of it.
After GMR we went to "MuppetVision 3D" and walked right in just as the pre-show presentation was starting. We all enjoyed it, even Charlie (although she was hiding her face through a lot of it.) We then went to the next showing of "Hunchback of Notre Dame" (HoND), in my opinion the best live show at WDW.
HoND was longer than I had remembered, so we had to go right to TZToT to make our FP time. We stopped at a covered seating area near TZToT where I attempted to convince someone to ride with me and Nat. Much hemming and hawing ensued, but no one took the bait. While we were discussing it Andie did buy a very cute matching set of Minnie Mouse hats and sunglasses for Nat and Charlie.
When push came to shove it was just me and Nat and that big ol' tower. Nat got a little scared by the pre-show in the library, and the tension grew as we made our way through the boiler room. When we sat in the elevator I noticed that the lap-belt seat was empty so I tried to move to it, but the CM told me I had to sit in a lap-bar seat. Bummer. This was only my second trip through the Twilight Zone, and I have to say it is an amazing ride. The drop sequence aside, I think it has some of the best special effects at WDW.
The new drop sequence is awesome. I love the effect of the lightning just before you drop. After the drops, while we were still in the dark, I could fool Nat real tense next to me. As the lights came up I could see an evil looking grin on her face. "Did you like that?" "hehehehehehe..." "Do you want to ride again?" "heheheheyeahyeahyeahyeah!"
Well, we just made the FP cutoff time for a second ride (actually we were about 2 minutes late, but the CM let us through.) While we were waiting in the boiler room there was a kid behind us - a boy of about 11 - who was riding for the first time. He was pretty impressed that Nat had already been on and was doing it again.
On the second ride I was actually able to ride in the seatbelt seat. This is really cool and I recommend it if you get a chance. We enjoyed the second ride as much as the first, and I have no doubt that Nat would have been willing to ride again. But the rest of our party was waiting for us, and besides, we only had one FP left (it would have expired anyway.) Nat also wanted to ride "Rock 'N Roller Coaster" (RNRC), so we went to check it out. Unfortunately the FP was sold out for the day - I doubt we would have wanted to stay that late anyway. What's worse, I thought the height limit was 46", but it's 48". Nat is about 46 1/2. She might have been able to squeak by, but I didn't want to chance it. Well, it wasn't to be that day at any rate. We went back to re-join our party who had been relaxing and people watching.
By this time it was about 3:45, which meant we would be able to check in to our room. Everyone was hot and tired, so we decided to leave. It was nice to not have to return the wheelchairs; we just rolled them on to the boat to BW.
Everyone else relaxed in the BW lobby while I checked in. I was soon disappointed to learn that we did not get a Boardwalk view. Our rooms - 5036 and 5038 - had views of "Luna Park", the main pool at BW. The CM explained that no Boardwalk view 2 bedroom villas had opened up at all that day. I asked her if there was anything they could do - we really wanted a Boardwalk view - but the best she could do was suggest that we call the next day as there was a room that may be coming available. I didn't think we'd want to switch rooms, so I passed.
I was also informed that the slide at the pool was undergoing rehab and wouldn't be open during our stay. The CM told me that we could use Stormalong Bay, the mini waterpark of a pool complex at The Yacht Club and Beach Club (YC/BC.) That's all well and good, but as DVC members we can use any WDW pool anyway, so it wasn't a big deal for us. I'm sure that non-DVC members staying at BW appreciated it, however.
I arranged for our bags to be brought to the room and gathered up the rest of my party. The room was one building over from the elevator - not real close but not too bad. We were all thrilled when we saw the room. The 2 bedroom villas at BWV are actually an adjoining 1 bedroom villa and a studio – the same as MGV. This was particularly nice for my parents because they had what was, in essence, their own hotel room. One thing, though, we had the hardest time convincing them that they could use the living room. The layout made it feel like "our space" (the 1 bedroom) and "their space" (the studio). We had the same problem at MGV.
The room was immaculate. Tastefully decorated in pale seafoam green and picket fence white trim, the living area included a kitchen that opened to a living area with a small table, a sofa with end tables, and a TV. The master bedroom had a king size bed and a huge bath that included a Jacuzzi tub that opened to the bedroom as well as a separate shower. I only wish our bath at home was this nice.
Any concerns I had over not getting a boardwalk view were dispelled once we saw the view. Our room was overlooking the"Luna Park"pool, with its roller coaster themed slide ("The Kiester Coaster") and carousel themed poolside bar ("Leaping Horse Libations".) In the distance we could see TZToT looming on the horizon. A boardwalk view would have been nice, but what we had was also quite nice.
Not such a bad view, eh?
Nat and I walked to Epcot. As we approached TT I had the feeling something was wrong. Sure enough, the ride was broken down and the CM at the entrance said they expected it to be back up in about an hour. Oh well. I suggested we try "Journey Into Your Imagination" (JIYI) instead, another attraction that was added since our last visit. I had read negative things about this attraction and was not expecting much. Well, I don't know if it was because my expectations were low, but I quite liked it and Nat really loved it. She adored Figment in the intro spots. As a whole I thought the ride was enjoyable and harkened back to the days when a new attraction didn't need to be a "headliner". I was especially taken by the butterfly that appears out of nowhere.
After JIYI we started making our way back. Again, ToN was making the streets of WS all but impassible. We stopped in MV so I could look at the food offerings, but I soon realized that it would have been a bigger production than I wanted to deal with, so we left.
As we were leaving WS it was clear that Nat was bushed, so we took the boat back. I took her to our room and dropped her off, suggesting to Andie that I pick up a pizza for our supper. She agreed so I went out in search of pizza. I knew that there was a pizza window somewhere on the Boardwalk, but I wasn't sure where. I thought it was at "Spoodles", I asked the guy at "Big River Grill", and he said that they sold pizza from a window at ESPN. I asked the guy at ESPN (All the way on the other end of the boardwalk, BTW), and he said no, it's at Spoodles. I went back to Spoodles and there it was. How I missed it I don't know, but it would not be the last time I got bad directions from employees of Boardwalk establishments.
Well, I got the pizza and took it back to the room. It was OK, though too doughy for my taste. Still, we were real hungry and we enjoyed it. My parents had returned while I was gone, and they told us that they had gone to dinner at "The Flying Fish". They said they liked it, but they weren't real enthusiastic. I was surprised because I'd heard shuch good things about this restaurant. After our pizza, Andie and I continued our tradition for this vacation by sitting out on the patio. The patios were bigger at MGV, but the view at BWV was more interesting. We were in bed by about 11:00.