5/17 to 5/20 BWV Pseudo Trip Report

[dcfromva]

I don't know why. I get a better feel from it than at my home resort BCV.

lenshanem,
That is funny, because that is exactly what DS said.
And, DH said he really, really liked VWL, I asked him if he liked it well enough to purchase more points at VWL! (I was only kidding him because we really have enough points--well, for now, anyway).
I still like my home resort BCV, too.... (it just makes it trickier deciding where to stay )
-DC

 

[lisareniff]

Thanks for your post. I enjoyed reading it. It is really intersting comparing expectations (many times created from reading this board) to your perception of reality. I was so glad my expectations were lower to reality my first trip, since we had bought sight unseen. We hadn't even been to WDW as a family! Right after I bought there were all those posts about unclean rooms at BCV!!

Originally posted by RweTHEREyet
...The only thing I will point out is that BCV also has easy access to the parking lot for self parking or you can valet.

I also have to agree what RweTHEREyet. The self parking at BCV was really convienent. We are not valet types. We like knowing where the car is located, etc. The lot was right outside the door at the end of the hall.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by goofy4tink
Please, can we just agree to disagree without taking someone else's different opinion as a personal affront to our own taste?

Amen!

Originally posted by lenshanem
From the pics I have seen the food court looked too small. Was this your impression or do you think the space will be sufficient for that large of a resort?
Thanks!

If I had to guess, I'd say the size will be fine. There is seating for 125, which means about 35-45 families. Given the kitchens in every guest room and DD nearby, I personally think it will be adequate space. Although that's just a guess at this point.

More than anything, I was a bit surprised at the smallish size of the entire food service area. Information in the Member Clubhouse had stated that there would be four separate food prep areas. Well, there are, but three of them are right next together behind a single counter. It's not like you go to one station for baked goods and another to order a pizza--it's all serviced from one location. Excluding the actual food prep area, the service area is only about 30' x 60' total. When you enter from the pool, the coolers containing milk, soda, frozen goods, etc. are to the far left. Straight ahead, about 30' in, is the counter at which you order the freshly-prepared items. And, scattered throughout the rest of the room are shelves with the dry goods.

Again, I don't mean to imply that this space will be inadequate for the resort's needs. It was just not as grand as I had envisioned after reading the descriptions.

Originally posted by Lexxiefern
Thanks for the report! What size room were you in? What floor were you on? Did you enjoy the quiet pool view?

We had a 1B Preferred (not Boardwalk) View in the quiet pool area. I believe it was room 2116. Didn't give us the MGM view we had hoped for, but otherwise we were very satisfied.

Unfortunately we displayed our newbie status the first time we headed to our room by stepping into the elevator (on the same floor as the registration desk) and asking someone to hit the button for the 2nd floor. D'oh!

 

[Kelly Nelly]

Originally posted by BWVDee
ITA!!!!!!
Come on, if you want to compare DVC resorts, let's at least be honest and realistic!!!!
In all my many years of frequenting this board, I have never seen a single BWV/BCV/VWL/VB/HHI fan, ever dispute the fact that OKW has the largest 1 BR. Nor have I ever seen anyone dispute the fact that OKW has the most quiet/ & laid back/not in the middle of everything/most wildlife around, etc.; DVC resort.
Yet the fact that BWV/BCV/VWL offer a much more superior location with much more convenience to WDW attractions, dining options etc, --- is constantly downplayed and debated about on this board.
To even attempt to say, that walking on an outside & un air conditioned hallway, they going up and down flights of stairs to then get to a hot car, which then requires driving to a park, parking the car and then either getting a tram or walking further to even enter the park-----is in any way easier or more convenient, than the park/dining. etc., access BWV/BCV/VWL provides their guests---is totally laughable/ridiculous/untrue, etc!!!!
Been there, done that-- it just ain't so!!! And we have a lot more trips/experiences at DVC resorts to base our assessment on--- than 1 trip as a DVC member and 2 trips renting pts from a DVC member.

I agree with you this guy who started this thread really does not know what he is talking about. To unexperienced for myself to take him serious.

 

[BWVDee]

Originally posted by tjkraz
Exactly how many trips do I need to make before I am qualified to share my opinions???

SNIP

But you know what? I'll drive it, and I'll LOVE it!!!

SNIP

At heart I guess I'm really just one of those nonsensical OKW owners who HATE the new pool slide, detest BWV for those "long corridors" and can't comprehend how you tolerate those tiny guest rooms.

Guess I'll think twice before sharing my impressions in the future. Sorry that I spoke ill of your precious BWV.

SNIP

Looks like there are some pros and cons for both resorts if you ask me. For those of us who like to spend time shopping at DD or at DisneyQuest, the close proximity to DD is fairly important. Remember, Dee, different strokes...

I could not agree more that it is different strokes for different folks. And I certainly did not mean to imply your likes and dislikes are not valid and are not the way you should enjoy your DVC membership. But your likes and opinions are just that, your likes. What myself and some others are saying is to imply that having a car at OKW or SSR etc is more convenient for ease of access to a very large number of frequented WDW destinations then it is from a Epcot or MK resort, just is not so. As another poster stated in this thread, to read your post, it could be very misleading to someone that is not familiar with the lay of the land at WDW.
As far as my "precious BWV", yes I do love BWV dearly but I am also realistic about BWV and readily admit it's shortcomings. But superior location and ease of access to parks, dining options, entertainment, etc., is not one of BWV's shortcomings, by any stretch of the imagination. To give the impression that it is, is misleading. That is what I was agreeing with another poster about and what I was trying to convey in my post.
If I came off abruptly or harshly I am sorry. This was not my intention. In regards to the number of DVC trips you have taken, I did not mean to imply your experiences were invalid. What I meant was we have been to WDW during all seasons, times of the year, holidays, etc and have a lot more experiences to guage WDW transportation and park access on. Again, if I offended you this was not my intention and I am sorry.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by BWVDee
Again, if I offended you this was not my intention and I am sorry.

No prob. It took a lot to say that, and I appreciate it.

And, if I came off as abrupt or defensive, then I apologize.



I guess, in the end, I'm starting to realize that we value close access to Downtown Disney more than we value close access to one or two of the theme parks. Last time we stayed at OKW, we were back in our room around 1 - 4pm every day so that our son could take a nap. Some of us would take turns staying behind in the room while others headed over to DD to enjoy DisneyQuest or do a little shopping. Having that paricular trip be 5 minutes each way instead of 20+ was a real bonus.

Is DD as entertaining as Epcot or MGM? Of course not. But it's a pleasant enough diversion in the middle of the day or the evening.

So many people on this board say "buy where you want to say." The problem for many, ourselves included, is that we only stayed at one DVC property prior to buying. How do you REALLY know which is right for you? Most of my instincts were pointing us toward SSR, but there was still this little voice in the back of my head wondering if we were making the right decision.

It's not that we disliked the Epcot resort area, rather that we solidified our preference for the DD resorts. And to all of those who said "great, there's more room for us in BWV / BCV", you are absolutely right. We know that we love the DD resorts and are more then happy to leave a BWV / BCV room to a family that will appreciate it more than we will.

 

[FLYNZ4]

tjkraz,

I've obviously thought about this a lot over the past few days since buying at SSR.

If we had to choose any single location... and if location was the only decision criteria... I think we would choose BWV/BCV. We have spent several months cummulatively in the Y&BC resorts since 1991, and we really love it there. I think that DD location has been growing on us... and the close proximity to DD will be a real plus too.

What really made us decide on SSR over BWV/BCV is the 50 year contract more than anything. If BWV/BCV were available with a 50 year contract now... I think we would have purchased there instead of SSR.

From my reasoning above... you could count us in the "BWV/BCV camp" as far as "best location". For us, the Epcot resorts and SSR were a coin toss from a "total package" standpoint (location, cost, contract term, etc). For us, the teetering coin landed with the SSR side up... but I honestly think that we would be happy with either choice.

/Jim

 

[goofy4dvc]

For those who want to offer differing opinions, Tagrel's post was a model. He shared differing views with tkjraz in a manner that was non-combative and very polite. We should try to remember that written words sound more harsh than spoken ones.

The postings should be viewed as one person's view based on their own personal situation and should not be construed as what is right for everyone else.

Thankfully, the different resorts appeal to different people. Personally, I like all the resorts and plan to try them all, depending on whether it's a "park" trip or not, the time of year, whether we're taking grandkids, etc. We will take advantage of the resort that fits our needs for that particular trip.

I love this board because, no matter which resort or park we like best, the bottom line is that we all have one basic thing in common -- we love WDW!!

 

[BWVDee]

Originally posted by goofy4dvc
I love this board because, no matter which resort or park we like best, the bottom line is that we all have one basic thing in common -- we love WDW!!

Isn't that the truth, LOL!
Your post is very true, and something that many forget when writing posts vs talking face to face, myself included--most definitely, LOL! Thanks for the reminder!

 

[goofy4tink]

Isn't it funny how our tastes and requirements differ so. The one thing my dh said when we were deciding whether or not to buy and then where to buy was that he had absolutely no interest in buying at SSR! He has no interest what-so-ever in DD. (I know, can you imagine!!). Didn't care about the 50 yrs. I would have been happy there. Just goes to show you..something for everyone. Now, I'm just hoping that I don't fall in love with the VWL this Thanksgiving. That would present a problem for me. So, keep those reports coming...I love hearing about everyone's trips and the various resorts and the different takes on them.

 

[disneycrazed139]

Thanks for your report and details on your impressions of SSR. We, too, prefer the DTD area, but will take BWV anyday too!
Splitting our upcoming stay at both...can't wait.