The California Grill is one of the premier dining experiences at Walt Disney World. Combined with outstanding cuisine, guests are also treated to one of the most spectacular views on Disney property. This week, Shontell is joined by her West Coast pals for a dinner atop the Contemporary Resort. We invite you to view to enjoy.
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Stay tuned, we will post another video this week with some tips offered by Shontell Crawford.
New to Restaurants, Recess, and Relaxation? We encourage you to check out our previous episodes and older blog posts by clicking the topics on the right.
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On this week’s episode, we venture over to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. This is one of Matt Hochberg’s, this week’s guest, favorite locations because of there is so much to do. If you haven’t been, we encourage you to check it out on one of your next vacations. On this week’s episode, we rent one of the pontoon boats and head out to Bay Lake for some very unique views of the Walt Disney World property.
If you cannot view the video below, please choose another option:
- View on YouTube here.
- View on iTunes here.
New to Restaurants, Recess, and Relaxation? We encourage you to check out our previous episodes and older blog posts by clicking the topics on the right.
If you are unable to view the video, you can download the latest version of flash for free here.
Welcome everyone. After much anticipation, we present to you The Bay Lake Tower. We packed it with so much information, we had to split it into 2 parts. Join Shontell and Lou Mongello of The WDW Radio Show as they discuss Disney’s newest resort we can now call ‘Home’. Enjoy!
If you are having trouble viewing, you can also view this video on YouTube by clicking here.
Part 1
Last Thursday I attended Disney’s Vacation Your Way event for the latest and greatest DVC Resort, Bay Lake Tower, or “BLT” in internet speak. In typical Disney fashion they turned what I expected to be a quick walk through, into a 2 hour educational experience about how to use DVC points outside the home resorts with entertainment provided by the Fun-meister and friends. If you tend to shy away from these events…don’t! They gave away some very nice SWAG, including DVC binoculars, a DVC notepad binder, luggage tags and even a chocolate rice krispie treat ~ well worth attending just for that, don’t you agree?!
They provided lots of fun facts about locations and trips that I’ll cover later…but for now, let’s move on to the property itself. Our guide took us right to the elevator and up to the breezeway connecting the Contemporary to BLT, noting we will need to have a special key to access it once it officially opens. I felt like a VIP – only the “privileged” may pass. I could easily imagine all the Dads here, checking out the view while waiting on Mom and the kids to finish getting ready to go to dinner, the parks, etc. It’s a perfect spot to check out both views of the lake and the Magic Kingdom and get some fresh air at the same time.
Bay Lake Towers Walkway (Click for larger photo)
Once inside we headed to our greeters, conveniently placed at a table right in front of the pool view. We learned about the glass slide and how pretty the whole scene becomes at night with the Mickey ears glowing. While we weren’t given the chance to be up close and personal, you’ll see the pictures and video were able to zoom in for a pretty good look. Next, up to the 16th floor to the Grand Villa…my, was it GRAND. I absolutely love the contemporary style…sleek lines, a somewhat retro look with modern amenities, dark woods, brushed metal finish. Quite sophisticated. The view included Epcot, Mount Everest and Sammy Duvall’s on Bay Lake. I could see for miles. I’ll let the video provide most of the eye candy but my favorite items included the Jacuzzi in the master, the flat screen TV in the bathroom and a neat surprise – plug and play ability for the gamers who bring their X-box, Playstations, etc. Can you say, “Uber cool”?
A shot of the Bay Lake Towers Pool Area (Click for larger photo)
Our guide had to drag me out of there but after I heard, “Top of the World” I became a little less resistant. We learned that only BLT guests will be able to access the TOW lounge which I must admit disappointed me…being a local DVC Member I was hoping to sneak up there all the time. Due to limited capacity, its exclusivity remains. On the walkway to the lounge I could feel the cool breeze and I was grateful for it with the near 99 degree weather we were experiencing. I was tempted to immediately check out the exterior view but the chandelier inside beckoned me. When you enter, it is the first thing you notice…gorgeous contemporary design spiraling down. Obviously, the room is round with views on both sides and the bar on the Bay Lake side. A small nook for privacy is on one side with pictures reminiscent of the old school TOW. The room was busy so I had to use my imagination but I could picture couples relaxing inside at the cozy tables enjoying martinis and reminiscing about the day’s adventures after a long day in the parks.
Outside, the viewing area has plenty of space for everyone to come together and watch the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom. The breeze is enough to cool us off even on the warmest of days and surely all of you professional photographers will be in heaven. If you can’t get a good shot from this perspective, you might want to reconsider your profession. I think the biggest surprise about the whole TOW venue was the outside space. I can’t imagine it being uncomfortably crowded up there given the amount of standing room dedicated to the spectators. The inside, while surprisingly small, provides that cozy adult atmosphere not always prevalent in this world designed for the child in all of us.
I was hoping we might end the tour with a walk through of the lobby, but alas, it wasn’t complete. We heard about how wonderful it would look…another huge chandelier and a solid glass facade to view Bay Lake were mentioned as enticements. (Don’t you love how they always dangle those carrots to get us to come back!)
One of the Kitchen Areas in the Bay Lake Towers (Click for larger photo)
I stopped by to speak to my guide and was able to check out one of the studios. You’ll see it on the video but it felt just like a smaller version of the Grand Villa. What caught my attention most was the mini-kitchen area. I’ve stayed in most of the studios in all the DVC properties and somehow, this one “felt” better. It reminded me of the Manhattan Club in New York. I admit this jokingly – it’s amazing how black appliances and brushed steel handles can create a sophisticated state of mind.
Overall, I can’t wait to stay here! Because I live here in Orlando and usually drive my car when I’m on WDW property, the monorail appeal is secondary to me. I can’t say enough, however, about the overall feel and views I will get to experience when I come to this home. It is exactly what I look for when I travel to the big cities and I’m grateful to finally have a place on Disney property that fits that state of mind. I tell people every day, “One of the reasons I believe the DVC is so successful is because is appeals to so many different personal preferences and seasons! Each resort has its own feel and Disney keeps finding ways to entice us.” Hopefully you will check back on Friday to experience the feel of this one live…well, almost!
A Bay Lake Tower Guest Bedroom (Click for larger photo)
Some of the items discussed in the preview worth noting:
The California DVC is only going to have 48 units! It’s my opinion that this may be the next Beach Club in terms of demand on the secondary market. With so many West Coasters, so few units and so many adventurous East Coasters…I can’t imagine this resort ever being empty.
RCI a.k.a. the World Passport Collection is now offering single day stays at some of the resorts in this collection
The DVC Hawaii resort is making progress – It will contain 480 DVC Villas and 350 Hotel rooms along with a snorkel lagoon with real fish. Scheduled to open in 2011
The new Disney Cruise ships are coming! Named the Dream and the Fantasy and expected in 2011 and 2012, they will be 48% larger than the Magic and Wonder.
Thanks for reading and all the encouraging comments lately! I appreciate each and every one!
Please pardon the absence of a video this week as we are preparing for a better production next week!
Welcome to the Bay Lake Towers
Howdy folks! We had planned to have a more extensive write-up and video posted today about the brand new Bay Lake Tower. Shontell had the opportunity to take a special preview tour Thursday, and the only word she could muster up to me was ‘Wow!’ Of course, I’m a tad bit jealous since I wasn’t able to be there. But that aside, she was able to get a lot of great material, and we are still sifting through it all. Rather than rush a video post and write-up, we decided to extend our Bay Lake Tower coverage into next week in order to cover it properly. After all, we want to make you say ‘Wow’, too! Not to mention it’s the perfect lead up since it officially opens on August 4.
We apologize for the delay and appreciate your patience on the matter. We will skip a post on Monday, and post Shontell’s write-up on Wednesday (July 29), and upload our video on Friday (July 31). We hope our postponement will be worth your wait and that you’ll come back next Wednesday.
Speculation was going around for YEARS, Members were begging for it, and finally….it is happening. The new DVC resort next to the Contemporary opens in 12 days. You may have already heard all the facts amid the flurry surrounding the opening but I felt it necessary to include them here and let you know that tomorrow, I’ll be getting the sneak peak!
The new DVC Resort, The Bay Lake Towers (click for a larger photo)
A snapshot of the facts:
- First DVC Resort on the Monorail line
- 295 Two Bedroom Equivalent Villas
- Rooms include: Studio, 1-Bedroom, 2-Bedroom, and 2-Story Grand Villas
- All Master Bedrooms (Except Studios) have King-sized Beds
- 1-Bedrooms sleep 5 people (we all know this is good news!)
- Zero-Entry pool with waterslides, separate whirlpool spa, The Cove Bar
- Interactive children’s waterplay area
- Adjacent to the Contemporary, connected by it’s own Sky Way Bridge
- Top of the World Lounge with a spectacular view of the castle and Magic Kingdom Fireworks
- Opening Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2009
If you saw our parasailing experience you surely noticed the aerial shots of the exterior of the resort I took while up there. Tomorrow, I’ll be inside getting a first hand view of what my new home looks like. I’ll post some of my own thoughts and feelings on it Thursday night and have a great video to go with it on Friday! See you then!
Ok, I know we just launched this series a few weeks ago, and haven’t been posting long enough to establish a set rhythm with how our weekly topics are covered. But, for those of you who have been following the blog from the beginning would probably be expecting us to cover a recess segment this week…right? After all, it is next up in the RR&R rotation. Well, in most instances, you’d be absolutely correct. However, this week we throw our first curve-ball (we won’t do this too often, I promise…but this week we just had to).
So, now you ask, ‘Ok, then just what are you covering this week?’ I am glad you asked. With a new DVC Resort getting ready to officially open its doors to the public in just a few weeks, we had to throw another “R” into our series…and that “R” represents “Resorts”.
There are already numerous and wonderful online resources out there covering the newest place DVC Members may now call ‘Home’ and you should definitely do your research. After all, you can’t actually get too much Disney, can you? We recommend checking out Deb Wills’ site at AllEars.net for facts, photos, and room layouts. Also, our buddy Lou Mongello from WDWRadio.com, recently posted a video on the subject that we would also suggest you take a gander at. As a matter of fact, just three weeks ago, we posted a parasailing video that gave you an aerial view from above this exact same place. But this week, we go from up above to down below (not to mention inside and out) as we get our first official look at this architectural wonder.
The Disney Vacation Club's Bay Lake Towers (Click for larger photo)
Join us on Wednesday and Friday this week as we take you to The Disney Vacation Club’s newest resort, The Bay Lake Tower.
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