Concerned about BWV construction

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

We've never stayed at the Boardwalk, and have a 2-bedroom (preferred garden/pool view) reserved for the second week in August. We were absolutely thrilled when that waitlist came through.

I'd heard earlier that they were doing room refurbishments, but just realized today that what's going on is a little more extensive than just replacing bedspreads & furniture and painting some walls. According to another forum, they'll apparently be replacing the roof and doing repairs to the exterior of the building as well. They're also refurbishing the hallways and common areas.

How concerned should we be? I have visions of hammering during all daylight hours, scaffolding covering the outside of the building, construction walls everywhere, and a less than magical experience. Am I over-reacting? Will it be less intrusive than that? (I would hope so, since DVC never gave me any official notice of the construction when we booked. In fact, when I spoke to MS, she couldn't even confirm it.)

I called to see if there are any other 2-bdrms available, hoping for a miracle that something would be available at (ha ha) BCV or (laugh out loud) BLT. As supected, SSR had the only available 2 bedroom for those dates.

We've invited my parents for this trip. We'll be in a THV the first week, then moving to BWV the second week. Changing the second week to SSR wouldn't be horrible (we do love our home resort), but we've been talking up the Boardwalk location with mom and dad for the past 6 1/2 months. We were hoping to let them see multiple aspects of the DVC experience, and wanted to show them something about DVC they can't get from their Marriott weeks -- a villa within walking distance of Epcot and DHS.

I wish I knew what to expect with the construction. Does anyone have pictures or comments on what they’ve been doing so far – exterior shots, common areas?

[BEASLYBOO]

We were there in June. They indeed had scaffolding, redoing the roofs and the siding facing the pool. At the pool you could see them working, but the noise really isn't much of an issue. It's so hot in Florida that the workers quit around 3:30 - 4:00pm, and for the most part they are unobstrusive. This rehab will be completed sometime in 2010 so they still have a lot of work to do but the resort still functions very well and the Boardwalk is still as fabulous as ever! There's nothing like going to the Boardwalk bakery for fresh croissants in the morning!

I wouldn't worry! You'll have a great time. How exciting to be staying at the Treehouses, I can't wait to stay in one myself! Be sure to post a trip report!

[wdwnut]

Hi: We've stayed at BWV when they were doing renovations over the years. It's never been that bad, but you'll have to judge for yourself. Once when they were replacing carpet, it did involve a section of the hall we needed to use to get back and forth to the room, but there was always a CM there with the workers and they were very accommodating and gracious about us walking through.

[DebbieB]

They typically close off the section they are working on, not allowing those rooms to be occupied. You would not have scaffolding outside your room.

[writersstop]

We also were just there in June and stayed in a one bedroom villa, they were doing construction, but it was no problem at all... don't worry, i'm sure you will love the resort!

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Thanks for all your re-assurances. I'm glad I didn't make any hasty changes to our reservations, because we really do want to stay there.

[BristolFitz]

Hi Dave

We are at BCV at the moment, and move to a 2 bedroom at BWV on Sunday. I have just walked around the Boardwalk Villas area, and there is a lot of scaffolding up on one section (Crest of the Wave part of the BW) on both sides. I didn't see any exterior work actually going on, though. Like you , I am quite concerned about where our unit will be, but hey, I'm sure it will work out ok....

We are really pleased with our location at BCV (overlooking Dunes Cove, near elevator and car park) and are loving it here. Hope next week is as good.

Cheers, Angie

[sixcats]

I hope you get that Boardwalk view Angie. We booked a BWV 11 months from the day of check in. They checked us in this past Saturday. Just as we were walking away we were told that by the way, we will have pool view. They offered no compensation, just a sorry. We refused to accept it, and are now in a 2 bedroom suite at BW Inn. No BW view, no kitchen, washer/dryer. We chose this option because at least concierge service makes the trip we booked for our daughter's birthday seem a little more special than the usual BWV pool view suite.

Our biggest disappointment was the cast member two counters over when we were trying to find a resolution. "You aren't even the actual members here are you?" Really nice welcome home-we have 400 points at BWV.

They are replacing more than soft goods. They are replacing stoves, refrigerators, tvs etc. Several floors of boardwalk views are closed to guests right now.

[BristolFitz]

Hi Debbie

Sorry to hear you didn't get your BWV room, and that you were not treated very sympathetically. That must have been so upsetting and disappointing, especially after you'd been looking forward to the BW view for so long. I hope you were still able to have a great vacation.

We just have a pool/garden view booked, but I do hope it's nowhere near the construction, or that we don't get one of those massive trees right outside the balcony!
Angie

[sixcats]

Angie

As of today, the only scafolding is on BW view rooms, and the area around the back from Jellyrolls. Almost all of the pool/preferred view rooms are not affected at all by renovations. Those few that are are probably not being used. Both pool areas have no workers in view at all.

[BristolFitz]

We are at BWV now, and don't have much of a view, as we are on the first floor - no other 2bed was due to become available on our checkin day. However, it's working really well, the location by the quiet pool is fine, and is really convenient for everything, with no wait for the elevators, obviously!

There is a lot of external work now going on on the BW side villas, but it certainly doesn't bother us at all. I imagine it's the same at the main pool. Actually it seems pretty quiet all round, and we are all really enjoying it. Nearly as good as the BCV so far!

[Tiger926]

We just got back - we were in a 1 bedroom, Villa 3121, standard view (faced the front, so we could see a bit of Illuminations as there was a huge tree in our way).

Our section wasn't getting refurbed at all - they were painting the hallways and elevators though. I did see another hallway of newly refurbed rooms - I could tell by the new wallpaper and carpeting. We did see a ton of scaffolding on way to DHS on the ferry boat, as well as scaffolding in front of restaurant and DVC office on Boardwalk.

Hope your trip is as great as our stay was - we can't wait to be back at BWV next year!

Tiger