A perspective: disappointed in stay at BWV

[zurgswife]

Obviously I'm not very traveled ....(though I thought I was) but the 1 bdrms. seemed very spacious to me...but then the first floor of my house (635sq. ft) is smaller then the 1 bdrm (712 sq ft)...So, that's way it seems soo spacious...but we get a 2bdrm and feel like kings and queens....It's all in the perspective I think...

 

[TheWho]

That's a new one. Only a million times, I have read about the "tiny rooms" and long walk from the elevator. NOW the complaint is the BW closes to early. At least it's open at all and there's action to begin with.

You're right, I would rather stay at a resort with a "big room" and watch people putt.

 

[Laurabearz]

First, I want to say I own at OKW, BWV, and BCV.

I too was a bit taken aback by the size of our 1 bedroom at BWV last year, after only staying in 2 bedrooms at OKW, but it doesnt bother me in the least.

It is the defined space that counts for us.

There is a seperate bedroom for the kids, us, and living space in the middle. People can be awake and doing things while others are sleeping. Period.

Actual square footage is less important, than the allocation of space.

Oh and the jacuzzi tub!

ACK wrong .gif! let me try that again.........

Darn! That's not right either..... hold on a sec.....

I got it somewhere.......

Ahhhhhhhhh yes........ the jacuzzi tub!

 

[Lisa F]

Originally posted by Laurabearz
Oh and the jacuzzi tub!

ACK wrong .gif! let me try that again.........

Darn! That's not right either..... hold on a sec.....

I got it somewhere.......

Ahhhhhhhhh yes........ the jacuzzi tub!

Hey, are you saying that the jacuzzis at the newer DVC's are the size of toilets? RESORT BASHER, RESORT BASHER!

Sorry, I just figured that along with the tiny units and the marathon (26 mile) hallways that the next thing might be jacuzzis the size of toilet bowls (though I have to admit, if anyone needs a toilet the size of the tub at BWV, maybe they DO need a 3000 sq ft house all to themselves!)

Lisa

 

[Disney Doll]

Wow Lyndarella!!! You're much nicer to your teenagers than my parents ever would have been to me! I'd go on vacation with them, stay in the accomodations they were paying for and like it, or the next vacation I'd be going on I'd be paying for myself! They wouldn't have purchased a 2nd place so we could be separated. Not a prayer.

I think the BWV room sizes are ample for a vaction condo, but I don't spend a lot of time in my room, I don't spend a lot of time lookign at the view etc, so those sort of externals aren't that important to me. Any of the DVC properties are far nicer han most hotels I usually stay in, not being a Four Seasons/Park Plaza kind of girl, so I'm happy.

 

[nisiemouse]

Thanks for taking the time to post your experience Doctor P.

 

[Doctor P]

I made this post as a means of information, and not to bash anyone or anything. Tastes vary, but I was frankly surprised by being disappointed on the two counts I mentioned. I stay in hotels an average of 30-35 nights a year, typically in mid-tier hotels. The WDW hotels are very nice in my opinion, and the villas certainly are nicer than the typical hotel room (even in many top tier hotels). The fact that the villas are at WDW is magical for me, regardless of size or location at WDW.

As for the size of the units, I lived in a 545 sq. ft. apartment for nearly 9 years. It was much more spacious than the 1BR we were in. As another poster said, it's how you use the space and not necessarily the square footage itself.

 

[MiaSRN62]

You're right, I would rather stay at a resort with a "big room" and watch people putt.

Again. I've taken a little break from these boards because I've grown weary of the comparisons. I think the OP was only making a comment that the Boardwalk wasn't it's usual bustling self ? Not a put-down, but rather an objective observation. I didn't see it as a OKW vs BWV comparison. I, also, had the opportunity to stay at the BWV this month for the first time. I stayed out of this topic because it was centered around 1 bedrooms. I stayed in a studio. We had a preferred view (though I don't think it was as preferred as some other views were but that's another topic) and we had a very long walk to the elevator (yet another topic). We found the unit to be in great shape and loved the atmosphere of the resort. We would stay here again, despite some of the shortcomings.
I will say, that I agree with the OP in that the Boardwalk itself at night did not seem to be "that happening". I'm not flaming BWV at all, but rather just sharing my experience July 31-Aug 3. No "streetmosphere" that I saw. It was pretty all lit up and we did enjoy strolling around looking at the shops, in addition to watching the Illuminations fireworks from the bride between the Beach Club and BWV though. That was cool.
But to get back to why I replied here, is because I feel that the poster, TheWho took what the OP stated totally wrong. As a result, some posters chose to take a shot at OKW by making that "putt-putt" comment. I think the original poster was just stating his personal experiences and observations. I just didn't see the relevance in making the putt-putt comment because it's always going to be different strokes for different folks. Some people really enjoy OKW's atmosphere, while others prefer BWV. Some people REALLY need bigger rooms for legitimate reasons. Why debate it or question people on it ?
I enjoy being able to get different experiences from stays at various DVC resorts. If everyone were the same it would be a boring world. But I think this topic was addressing the size of the 1 bedrooms at BWV and the lack of entertainment on the boardwalk. While I did not stay in a 1 bedroom and can't say whether I feel it's smaller or larger than other resorts, I can concur with the OP on the "quietness" of the Boardwalk earlier this month---do u think this is cutbacks on Disney's part ? I'm asking here because I'm not sure what is the norm for BWV as this was my first stay here. I expect OKW to be quiet and serene when stay there, but I think some may expect a little more "something" from the Boardwalk resort ? I don't think this is an unreasonable expectation. I think people should be able to state their opinions here and not have comments being made that are unfounded. As I stated, despite some of the shortcomings of BWV (and all DVC resorts have some of these), we really had fun during our stay there.

 

[Paul in CT]

We just returned from a stay at a 1BR BWV. While I felt that the room was wonderful and spacious enough, I agree with the OP that the BW was disappointingly quiet after 10:00 PM (except for Saturday night). The Sweet Shop and Bakery closed by 10:00 PM and the Screen Door by 11:00 PM and there were no street performers except on Saturday. Few, if any, of the games and food kiosks were open after 10:00PM.

Also, although the Bellevue Room is listeed in the literature as serving a continental breakfast, the sign there indicated that it would open at 5:00 PM each day and breakfast could be found at the BW Bakery.

I am sure that the closing times are based on occupancy and expected crowd size, but I know that last time we were there in late August, most of the shops were open until 11:00 PM or midnight. With EPCOT effectively closing at 9:10 after IllumiNatoions and MGM at 10:30 after Fantasmic, there were a lot of disappointed people looking for food and ice cream well past 10:00 while we were there.

One of the hardest things to do at BW is to get a cup of coffee in the morning. If you are a DVC member, you can make your own, but if you are in one of the Inn rooms, I learned that they do NOT have coffee makers. If you want a cup from the Bakery (or refill your refillable mug in the morning) you will face a fairly daunting line. There is coffee kiosk with some desserts, but most of the time we were there it was closed,

Please don't conclude from this that we were disappointed in our stay at BWV. We were not! IMHO, I just think that Disney could make a bit more money and please a few more guests if tey were to keep the shops open longer, especially the Screen Door and the Sweet Shop!

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by Lisa F
Hey, are you saying that the jacuzzis at the newer DVC's are the size of toilets? RESORT BASHER, RESORT BASHER!

Sorry, I just figured that along with the tiny units and the marathon (26 mile) hallways that the next thing might be jacuzzis the size of toilet bowls (though I have to admit, if anyone needs a toilet the size of the tub at BWV, maybe they DO need a 3000 sq ft house all to themselves!)

Lisa

In case you thought I was attempting to bash....... I did not intend the gif.s to reflect jacuzzi size, mearly using any excuse to use them coz think they are cute and I was in that kinda of mood.. LOL

I love ALL DVC resorts......you will never hear any type of bashing from me.....

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by MiaSRN62
I just didn't see the relevance in making the putt-putt comment because it's always going to be different strokes for different folks.

Maria:

This "debate" is par for the course and it always drives me nuts. One person is teed off at BWV and another slices OKW and soon there is a wedge between DVCers. Why can't we just get a grip and iron things out? C'Mon! Let's take a shot at it straight-away. I'll hazard a guess that we'll all feel better.

 

[kaw1106]

Hey, I thought the size didn't matter, it was how you used it!!!

 

[Lisa F]

Originally posted by robinb
This "debate" is par for the course and it always drives me nuts. One person is teed off at BWV and another slices OKW and soon there is a wedge between DVCers. Why can't we just get a grip and iron things out? C'Mon! Let's take a shot at it straight-away. I'll hazard a guess that we'll all feel better.

GROAN
(that's an appreciative eyeroll though!)

Lisa

 

[Lisa F]

Originally posted by Laurabearz
In case you thought I was attempting to bash....... I did not intend the gif.s to reflect jacuzzi size, mearly using any excuse to use them coz think they are cute and I was in that kinda of mood.. LOL

I love ALL DVC resorts......you will never hear any type of bashing from me.....

No, it was a joke. If I thought you were really bashing I wouldn't call you a resort basher. Doesn't the jester smilie mean "this is a joke"? It just struck me as funny that the first one you used was the little smilie man IN the toilet bowl. The second looked frustrated that his butt was too big to fit into the toilet bowl. Okay, enough potty humor!

Lisa

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by Lisa F
The second looked frustrated that his butt was too big to fit into the toilet bowl. Okay, enough potty humor!Lisa

I agree............

 

[spiceycat]

don't get upset - my family when I was growing up quit going on vacations when I was 9 - and before then we all stayed in a very little hotel room - my mother and me in 1-bed - my father and my elder brother in the other - it was not alot of fun. - my grandmother started taking us to WDW when I was in my 20's - she went first class - we stayed at the Polyn in separate rooms - it was wonderful....

I brought in 93 - one of the reason was I knew Grandmother would love OKW - she would have loved all the DVC resorts.

each DVC resorts has something that the others don't - that makes each special - OKW has larger rooms - I am not bashing BWV (which I also own a very little part of) when I say that - it is a fact. BWV has great room service -you can walk/boat to the Epcot and Studios. BCV has the SALB and it is the best location for Epcot. VWL is the only MK DVC resorts and it looks it will the only one - you can see EWP from the beaches at night. I also love the room service at VWL.

the new SSR will be next door to DD - so if you want to party at PI this would be the place to stay.

Everyone is different - DVC was designed to appeal to everyone at different times.

If someone finds the rooms to small at BWV (and the poster did) then he should try OKW.

I have brothers - they both want their own way - I also have a mother that wants her own way - I am paying for the vacation - so you better believe we argue.

If we are in a small place for a long period of time - there will be trouble - when we go visit them (they live in a different state) I can't stay with them - either we go to a hotel or drive home that night - we get along better that way.

Mother is in her 80's - she can't go for long period of time - about an hour in the parks and she is ready to leave - they screamed about that - so I took her back - if I have enough room to get away (mother is the dependent type) then I am fine - if I don't I get mad - I live alone (except for my wonderful cats!!!) - it is hard for me to share with anyone and my relatives are all the take over type - I have to constantly tell mother to quit moving my stuff (in the bathroom) - that she has to learn to share.....

Your family obviously gets along great - mind doesn't - personality is what you are generally born with - sorry.

I happen to love BWV their studios are great for short trips - there 1-bedroom when you compare it to OKW is small - sorry that is a fact - I am not bashing a place I love too.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

I read these posts all the time about how small every DVC resort (besides OKW) is.
If you think those units are small.....
You should see my house!!
I would die for a bedroom and bathroom as large as any of the one bedroom units at any DVC resort!
So please.....enough with the room bashing.
I wish I was in one of those rooms right now!

 

[MiaSRN62]

If you want a cup from the Bakery (or refill your refillable mug in the morning) you will face a fairly daunting line.

Wow...you're not kidding Paul ! I think we logged in 20 min one morning. I'm gonna suggest Fast Pass for the Boardwalk Bakery !

 

[kathleena]

<sigh> I just had to read this because some of it was so humorous. Where does everyone get those really cute gifs? I want some!!!

Anyway, my first house was 730 sq ft.
My second (current) house is 1288 sq ft.
Just me, DH and two cats. It's all we need.

Any footage at Disney to me is heaven. I'll be standing, sitting, walking shoulder to shoulder with strangers all week long, what's a little closeness among family?

Sorry you don't like the size of the rooms at BWV - but whoop-eeee makes it easier for me to get BWV and BCV!!!! All you folks who don't like them, thank you!!!!!! And all you folks who can't stand the bashing - shhhhhhhh - they are doing us a favor!!!!! Let them do it!!!!!

Just comment on the Boardwalk closing so early. I think that just started a few months ago? I remember hearing that the buskers are only there a few nights a week, stores closing earlier etc. So, to the OP - it wasn't always that way.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Just comment on the Boardwalk closing so early. I think that just started a few months ago? I remember hearing that the buskers are only there a few nights a week, stores closing earlier etc. So, to the OP - it wasn't always that way.

Thanks....I'm not the OP, but being this was my first stay there I think I was expecting something else---particularily during a very busy summer month. I suppose it's cutbacks then. Personally, this wouldn't keep me from staying at BWV again though (sorry Kathleena ).

Any footage at Disney to me is heaven. I'll be standing, sitting, walking shoulder to shoulder with strangers all week long, what's a little closeness among family?

If it were just me and dh, I'd agree. But with kids in tow, I'm not certain I'd do as well with less space. Needing more space (for peace of mind and comfort), is one of the main reasons we became Members. I just find it so much less stressful not to have everyone on top of eachother on vacation. "Elbow room" in the parks is entirely different than "elbow room" back in the hotel room. I think after a long day of commanding the parks, lines, heat, crowds, that alot of people look for a little bit of a haven. So I think the whole space issue is a personal preference/necessity. I'm sure when my kids are grown and moved out, I'll feel a BWV 1 bedroom is alot bigger than it may actually be