From Newsgroup: rec.arts.disney.parks

DAY 1 rCo Thursday 11/10/22
Who: Sue (64), DVC Member
SB (65), my husband
Chris (36), my son
Amanda (34), my daughter-in-law
Ari (6), my grandson

Plan: Drive to BCV, Food & Wine
Actual: As planned I kept an eye on the weather and determined the optimum time to leave would be 1pm. I worked until 12:30 and we ended up getting on the road at 12:45, taking both cars since SB would be returning home Friday night. The first half of the drive was rainy and windy rCo at one point SB called in a panic saying the car is going to blow over. It was windy on that stretch but not enough to topple his car, and it got better from there. We ran into 1 accident (big truck had jack knifed) which blocked 2 of the 3 lanes on I-75 but thankful we only lost about 15 minutes.
Once on the turnpike it was almost rain-free and the wind wasnrCOt noticeable. By 2:30 an email told me our room was not quite ready. We arrived just after 3 and after depositing SB & our stuff in the room with the pool table I went over to Beach Club lobby since they didnrCOt have anyone working at the Villas today. The cast member confirmed my room wasnrCOt ready yet and said sherCOd call housekeeping to let them know werCOre here. Where have we heard that one before?? It seems to be the standard response yet never yields any results. I did learn that werCOre on the 4th floor, in the middle of the resort, and ChrisrCO family would be in the same general area.
I went back to join SB in pool table room. I noticed more people than usual hanging around in the various sitting rooms, so itrCOs possible housekeeping staff didnrCOt all get to work on time this morning because of the storm. Disney had brought out games and toys to each room, so the kids were happy. Happy kids generally mean noisy kids, and that was true today. Add 2 dads playing pool while trying to shoo away whining kids who wanted their attention and it became a bit much at times. By 4 we were still waiting for the room to be ready. At 4:15 Amanda texted to say their room is ready rCo and theyrCOre not even on the road yet.
At 4:30 I walked back over to Beach Club but before I left the Villas building I got the text that our room is ready! We moved in and got settled. ItrCOs a nice room, convenient to the parking lot and the quiet pool. ItrCOs also got an extended balcony that wraps around rCo I think I had this room when Ari was little and he & Amanda stayed with me. I sent a photo to Amanda and she confirmed it, and said Ari loved crawling around out there.
After unpacking I checked the weather, since it didnrCOt start raining at 4:30 like forecast earlier. Now it was saying rain at 6 but short-lived and only 36% chance. We figured that was safe to get a loop of Food & Wine in, so I grabbed an umbrella and we headed out. Entering Epcot was very quick rCo no lines of people or delays at all. Walking up the hill and then turning right towards France I noticed how much less crowded the walkway was compared to our late October trip. However, once we got to the Food & Wine booths many of the lines were much longer than werCOd seen last trip.
France was too long to bother with, so we continued without stopping until we came to America. SB got the hot beef sandwich there. We no sooner got that and it started sprinkling. I was glad to have the umbrella! He ate while we were walking. A number of the stands were not open at all rCo perhaps not enough cast members could get to work today. In Germany I joined the line and got the bratwurst in pretzel roll, requesting one without mustard. SB had found a mostly dry bench so I joined him there. The bratwurst was good, but once is enough. I ate most of it and asked him to finish it. Of course mere seconds after sitting on the bench to eat the bratwurst it started raining again.
I opened the umbrella and said I could eat while we continued walking. In Mexico I was shocked to see hardly any line at the margarita stand so SB got a strawberry margarita. It was very good, and he commented it had quite a bit of alcohol in it. As we approached Canada we stopped at the Refreshment=something stand and I got the maple cheesecake to bring back to the room.
Before going to the room we stopped at Beach Club Marketplace to get SB some dinner. A single Food & Wine item does not satisfy him! He got the half chicken dinner (comes with mashed potatoes, gravy, corn on the cob & cornbread) and New England clam chowder. We didnrCOt mobile order, but were able to order & pay at the cash registers and then pick the food up when it was ready in a few minutes.
We took his dinner to the room and he loved it rCo this is a really good meal and he loves the clam chowder here. ChrisrCO family were about an hour away by the time SB finished eating so we hung out watching tv and doing online stuff while waiting. I poured myself a glass of wine. SB started nodding off, which is fully expected after a margarita and big dinner <g>.
Amanda texted just before 7:30 saying they were on property, so they must have had a smooth trip without the usual traffic delays! Her birthday was November 1st and since her birthday gift is always Disney gift cards IrCOve got it here in our room rCo along with a bag of gummy candies shaped like black spiders for Ari (Halloween stuff).
They dropped their stuff off then came over to our room rCo it was great seeing everyone! We exchanged birthday gifts rCo I ended up with several Bath & Body items that all smell great. We hung out for a while and Chris & Amanda shared some of what theyrCOd seen back home after the hurricane, around the area where I live. People further inland were walking in water up to their chests (flooding), yet my street didnrCOt flood rCo itrCOs so bizarre. ThererCOs trash piled along roads rCo no place to put it I guess. Chris delivered some medications to a patient who lives a good 15 minutes inland from where my place is, and the water line (where the flood water stopped) was maybe a foot below the ceiling. Everything in that home need to be torn down and replaced. ItrCOs so sad.
After visiting for a while they left to go walk around Crescent Lake before turning in. SB was rCLwatching the football gamerCY but with his eyes closed and not even facing the screen. I finished up the report and did a few things online before turning in.
Today ended up being a better day than expected. The drive down wasnrCOt bad at all, and conditions here are fine. I didnrCOt like waiting until 4:30 to get the room rCo especially since when I did online check-in I expected to be arriving earlier and listed 12:30. Epcot was nice despite the off and on rain, and SB really enjoyed his Beach Club Marketplace dinner!
Tomorrow werCOre heading into Epcot for early entry. Chris is going to try for a Guardians of the Galaxy slot for all of us. WerCOll do some Epcot attractions and then enjoy a Food & Wine lunch rCo not sure exactly what after that.
Sue/WDW1972
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