How long did VWL renovations take? Should we swap out of BCV ressie?

[DVCinderella]

We just received a letter yesterday from Y&BC management that renovations will be on-going during our trip in late July. We are staying at BCV. The letter was vague and didn't specify what the renovations entailed, but thank God for the Dis, because I found what I was looking for here -- they are room renovations.

As I understand it, the main building is undergoing them now, and the Villas will begin in late May through December.

We are tempted to switch over to VWL...there is availability for our dates, and we have not stayed there since the Villas and main pool were renovated. That is a huge draw from rolling the dice at BCV.

However, the main reason we booked BCV was for SAB (which we haven't experienced in years). We also like the ability to have more dining options within walking distance (around the lake and in Epcot).

I assume the BCV renovations will be similar to the VWL (hard & soft goods). Does anyone know how long the VWL renovations took? When did they start putting people in the new rooms? Can you request a renovated room when they are midway through (as they will be in July)? A renovated room might outweigh any downsides to hearing the construction noise.

 

[erionm]

DVCNews.com is reporting that the room renovations should be complete by late June.

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resort...1844/2883-beach-club-refurb-begins-this-month

 

[nalajms]

Our letter said construction noise between 9am to 4pm. It was reasonable enough for us to keep our July reservation. Like you, our main reason for BCV is SAB. Even with the renovated pool at VWL, it just wouldn't cut it for us.

 

[Anal Annie]

Hummm. We are checking in at BCV on 7/25 but have not received any letters at all about the renovations. I only know about it bcuz of the DIS.

 

[CarolMN]

Since the noise is confined between 9a & 4p, and the location & pool are big draws, why do the renovations matter? Won't the room be mostly for sleeping? I'd keep BCV and enjoy the pool. Have fun!

P.S. I see that the renos are supposed to be done by late June, so maybe that eliminates your problem.

 

[nalajms]

Hummm. We are checking in at BCV on 7/25 but have not received any letters at all about the renovations. I only know about it bcuz of the DIS.

we have July 4 and early October booked. Got two different letters for them yesterday.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I assume the BCV renovations will be similar to the VWL (hard & soft goods). Does anyone know how long the VWL renovations took? When did they start putting people in the new rooms? Can you request a renovated room when they are midway through (as they will be in July)? A renovated room might outweigh any downsides to hearing the construction noise.

Sadly VWL only took approx 1 month and it shows in the quality of workmanship. Reports seem to say that BCV will take longer than that so fingers are crossed that it is done better.

 

[DVCinderella]

Sadly VWL only took approx 1 month and it shows in the quality of workmanship. Reports seem to say that BCV will take longer than that so fingers are crossed that it is done better.

I haven't stayed in a rehabbed VWL villa yet, but based on the pictures I've seen online, I agree with your assessment that it was a rush-job. Apparently they only painted the outside of the kitchen cabinets, and didn't paint the inside? So the inside is still the ol' dark green. I do like the look of the wood floors...I think it's more sanitary than wall-to-wall. But I haven't seen the craftsmanship first hand.

I think the fact remains that DVC rooms will never get the rehabs that the main hotel rooms get. I have been a member for 14 years, and we've had many great vacations. But it's sad to see some of the older DVC accommodations get a rush-rehab. We are paying less for our accommodations than cash guests in the main buildings, and that is reflected in the rehabs. It's what we signed up for, I guess. We can't expect the same rehab when DVC rooms are not generating as much revenue as cash rooms.

Last year, we stayed in a VGF 1-bedroom. It was beautiful! However, as I lay on the bed and looked up at the recessed ceiling and beautiful moulding, I couldn't help but think, "What will this room look like in 10-15yrs?" If it's not cost-effective to properly paint a cabinet door at VWL, who's going to take the time to intricately paint around all that moulding? Painting a ceiling in a VGF room is not like painting a ceiling in a BWV room (where there ceiling is flat and can be gone over with a roller in one coat). So when VGF is scheduled for it's first rehab, I cringe to think of what a rush-job will look like there.

 

[DVCinderella]

DVCNews.com is reporting that the room renovations should be complete by late June.

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resort...1844/2883-beach-club-refurb-begins-this-month

Thank you for sharing that link to the pictures. First time I've seen what the renovated BCV rooms will look like. Of course they look nice in the picture. Only time will tell if the workmanship will be better than that of the VWL rehab. Here's hoping!

 

[DVCinderella]

Hummm. We are checking in at BCV on 7/25 but have not received any letters at all about the renovations. I only know about it bcuz of the DIS.

Our check-in is 7/20, so you might be receiving your letter in a few days.

 

[DVCinderella]

Since the noise is confined between 9a & 4p, and the location & pool are big draws, why do the renovations matter? Won't the room be mostly for sleeping? I'd keep BCV and enjoy the pool. Have fun!

P.S. I see that the renos are supposed to be done by late June, so maybe that eliminates your problem.

Yes, the location & pool are big draws. And I hope the reports that it will be done in late June are right . But the fact that Disney took the time to send us a letter leads me to believe they are expecting it to go into July.

As DVC has spoiled us in terms of visiting almost every year, we are no longer park-commandos, and some days we like to sleep in on vacation. Also, on longer vacations (like this one) we do spend quite a bit of time in the room. I'm a bit of a control freak, but I try, try, try on vacation to go with the flow...some things are just out of our control. I guess I just worry that if we get there, and there is construction noise near us, I will think, darn, why didn't I swap hotels when I had the chance .

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've heard of people getting letters about the rehab, when their reservations are up through mid-October. It would be great if it's being finished sooner. Lots of people, including us, have reservations during the F&W.

 

[Tinker74]

Iam staying at BCV mid July for 6 nights....I too got an email a couple of weeks ago..but iam not too worried. Although we do LOVE to spend time on the balcony hopfully overlooking the quiet pool...listening to the lovely soft music they play around there..so slightly worried about that. We prefer the quiet pool to SAB but might have to rethink that this year.
That being said..last year we stayed at BWV and had no warning of the noise...Every day at the time we spent around the quiet pool they were blasting the villas with some sort of power washer ..it was LOUD lol And not a very peaceful experience...So were looking forward to the lovely calm BCV quiet pool this year.

 

[CarolMN]

Yes, the location & pool are big draws. And I hope the reports that it will be done in late June are right . But the fact that Disney took the time to send us a letter leads me to believe they are expecting it to go into July.

As DVC has spoiled us in terms of visiting almost every year, we are no longer park-commandos, and some days we like to sleep in on vacation. Also, on longer vacations (like this one) we do spend quite a bit of time in the room. I'm a bit of a control freak, but I try, try, try on vacation to go with the flow...some things are just out of our control. I guess I just worry that if we get there, and there is construction noise near us, I will think, darn, why didn't I swap hotels when I had the chance .

And if you swap and it wasn't necessary, you'll think "darn, why did I swap hotels!" I get it, LOL. In fact, didn't someone named Murphy pass a law about this?

You just have to decide if the pool & location are more important than the peace and serenity of a VWL room. When I can't decide something about a WDW reservation, I usually decide with a coin flip and tell myself that I'm going to leave it up to fate. In your case, if you wait long enough, fate will decide because someone will book your VWL alternative!

Good luck - I'm sure you'll have a good time no matter where you end up.

 

[We3forDisney]

And if you swap and it wasn't necessary, you'll think "darn, why did I swap hotels!" I get it, LOL. In fact, didn't someone named Murphy pass a law about this?

You just have to decide if the pool & location are more important than the peace and serenity of a VWL room. When I can't decide something about a WDW reservation, I usually decide with a coin flip and tell myself that I'm going to leave it up to fate. In your case, if you wait long enough, fate will decide because someone will book your VWL alternative!

Good luck - I'm sure you'll have a good time no matter where you end up.

 

[We3forDisney]

We are staying at BCV Mid August and we received our letter earlier this week regarding resort updates. Our only concern was SAB and we have been told that any updates will be done in phases and should not significantly affect our use of SAB. For us, the Pros of amenities and location out weigh the cons of construction inconvenience.

 

[LJD2143]

We are staying at BCV Mid August and we received our letter earlier this week regarding resort updates. Our only concern was SAB and we have been told that any updates will be done in phases and should not significantly affect our use of SAB. For us, the Pros of amenities and location out weigh the cons of construction inconvenience.

I agree with this!

SAB and proximity to EPCOT cant be beat.

 

[RatherB@Disney]

DVCNews.com is reporting that the room renovations should be complete by late June.

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resort...1844/2883-beach-club-refurb-begins-this-month

The latest Disney Files also states that renovations are scheduled "through late June". Fingers crossed that this will be reality!! Our stay starts 6/20, and we also received a letter regarding the renovations at that time. We have not received a letter regarding our October stay.

 

[AnnaS]

We just received our letter also (as well as my sons) - we are all staying there Mid October. We are staying put though!!

 

[wdwlver]

Strange that it's been said that room refurbs would be completed by early summer, yet people staying in Oct are getting letter.