An anti-bash...

[dianeschlicht]

With all the talk of resort bashing etc, how about we all think of some POSITIVE things that have happened on our DVC vacations! I want NO mention of anything negetive, or any shortcomings etc. Just consentrate on some fun times we have all experienced as we use our DVC memberships.


I'll start.
On our second full trip as members, our DS (then20) came with us and we stayed in a 1 bedroom at OKW. Because DH had to do some computing for work, DS and I took the bus to the Swan and walked across to play mini golf. When we were done, we ran to catch the bus DTD bus that was just pulling away from the Swan. The driver stopped and let us on. (special luck #1) The bus became very full very fast as we stopped at the Dolphin and picked up a lot of somewhat inebriated press types who were there covering the auto race. The bus driver announced that he was "Crazy Jim" and he would be taking us all to DTD. He then proceeded to keep up a running dialog and joking with the rather tipsy patrons who were standing in the aisle. As we approached OKW, I said to DS, "Gee, maybe we can Crazy Jim to let us off here and we can walk the rest of the way". Well, "Crazy" heard me and asked where we were walking to. I said OKW, and he said he thought he could give us a Disney Day, so he turned his sign to read "special" and pulled in to OKW and dropped us off at Hospitality House! It probably saved us 45 minutes of waiting for another bus at DTD and taking us back to OKW, or going down to wait for the pontoon boat. It was one of those special things, that made our whole trip!

 

[spiceycat]

Gee there have been so many - from the time I had car trouble - MS recommend me a place that I still go to now if I have problems - to there great maintence - yes in a perfect world nothing would need maintence - well guess what DVC tries their best.

the bell services getting me to the room I really wanted. My second stay in building 18 (first in this building) - getting a 1-bedroom with one of the best water views - I have been spoiled since.

using the almost empty pools - yes I know that depends upon the time of the year - but after staying in a moderate (okay the weather was very, very hot) and having every pool full of people - OKW quiet pool are great!!!

at both VWL and BWV the CM's who do room service - great!!!

the maid's at all the DVC resorts - really good service.

one stay with my friends in building 55 - watching the birds - he is a bird watcher and say that one of them was an eagle (he had binoculars) - I could see the hawk - he came much closer.

Knowing that we did not have to rush off to the parks - there were things at OKW to do or not to do - it was our choice.

I feel that most of the CM's at the DVC resorts are the best - occassionally you will find one that is having a bad day or just doesn't care - but you find much, much more CM's who want to help you!!!

 

[KNWVIKING]

If you let people post at least one little negative, your thread will stay on the front page at least a week. Otherwise, you're page two in about four more hours.

99.9 percent of all my DVC trips have been absolutely great. While no one thing jumps out at this moment to match your Crazy Jim story, I think kicking back in the OKW hot tubs during the Christmas Season and just talking to fellow members is priceless.

 

[perdidobay]

All the great cms I have meet at VWL and BWV . And the happy suprise of getting a preferred view at BWV twice now, because all standard views were gone The bell services guy who went out of the way to make sure we had everything we needed at BWV last February
The valet that cheerfully got our car pulled around at 3:30 am in the (cold) morning last January at VWL, and had the heater going for us
I could go on and on and on................

 

[Disney Doll]

Several years ago we were there and some frineds who lived in Florida were going to come over from the west coast and join us for the day. It just so happened that the day they chose to join us was our second to last day at WDW, and our APs were going to run out the 3rd to last day. We were just planning on doing the pool, DD etc on the 2nd to last and last days. Well, since they were making a special trip over to see us, my husband went to Guest Services at Epcot, explained our situation, and asked the guy what the cost would be to add one more day to our APs so we'd be able to go to a park with our friends.(Duh! At the time neither of us thought of just buying a one day admission!!Don't ask me why, I have no idea??!!) Anyhow, the CM at Guest Services looked us up in their system and slid t free one park/one day passes across the counter for us!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

My second stay in building 18 (first in this building) - getting a 1-bedroom with one of the best water views - I have been spoiled since.

I have to agree about the view from building 18. I think it has the best sun-rise, sun-set views around! I also agree about building 55. That has become our favorite area.

If you let people post at least one little negative, your thread will stay on the front page at least a week. Otherwise, you're page two in about four more hours.

LOL! I thought about that too! I just have been tired of all the negetive talk around here lately!

Another nice story. This time about another guest. When we were at OKW for NYE on the Millennium, our second day there, an OKW neighbor came out and asked if we were at the beginning of our trip. When I said yes, she brought out a nearly full package of Eskimo pies and Klondike bars! We thanked her profusely and put them in our feezer. Since then, I always try to do the same with those kind of left overs, when we leave.

 

[WDWLVR]

Our very first trip home as DVC Members was in Dec. of 2000. We had booked a preferred one bedroom and asked for a Boardwalk view. Upon checking in we found out that is exactly what we got . Not only that, but our balcony was decorated with garland and Christmas lights (by the resort - about 1/4 of the rooms had them). It was magical. We looked out to see the beautiful water, Spaceship earth in the distance and of course the wonderful boardwalk.

It was a magical stay and one I'll never forget.


Magical trip #2 - when we took the DVC Member Cruise this past February. I love cruising and this was cruise #4 for us. What made it extra special were all the DVC (and DIS) members we got to meet. We took over that ship and had a Wonderful time.

We've been DVC'ers for 3 years and we're looking forward to many, many more magical vacations.

 

[lsutigger2]

Wanted to keep this thread going, but like Viking no one thing comes to mind. I know we've loved the rooms we had a VWL and BCV and are looking forward to our OKW trip soon. From Mousekeeping up (and down) the CM's are the best.
Many special things happen at WDW simply because we allow them to!!

Thanks for a good thread topic!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have another. One year, the palm tree next to the South Point bus stop wa full of little baby squirels! They were such fun to watch scampering all over the tree! We also like all the bunnies that seem to inhabit that South Point area. Oh, and LOVE the birds over on the Miller's Road side of the resort!

 

[travelbug]

Diane, this thread is a great idea. Thanks for starting it.

One of my favorite memories is from Jan. of this year when I took a friend of mine down who had never been to WDW in her life. Hard to imagine, I know. Even though we were "only" in a studio, I still remember her impressed look as we walked into BCV, checked in, and went to our studio. I was really proud of what she was seeing, especially since it was my first time staying at BCV. We did Epcot for a while, but decided to come back a little early because we were tired out from traveling. Later that evening, we realized that our room gave us a wonderful view of Illuminations from our balcony. So we wrapped up in blankets (it was cold!), sat outside in our PJs, and enjoyed Illuminations. We could hear all the music as clear as could be. She kept saying, "Wow, I can see why you became an owner down here."

The other impressive thing that comes to mind isn't about DVC. But my sister came down with me in late Feb.. We did stay at BCV, and she loved it there too. Anyway, she is on a gluten-free diet as well as other dietary restrictions. She was kind of concerned about how hard it might be to eat well and have her needs met. Well, everyone was absolutely wonderful to her, from the head chef at WDW to several individual chefs at some table service restaurants in the parks. She was so very impressed and relieved, and our whole stay was wonderful. We are going back together again next Feb.

 

[ncligs]

Diane......either you are on a "roll" or you are trying to increase your post count.

 

[dianeschlicht]

LOL, Cindy! Come on, You can think of one too, can't you?

I remember the first time we got a GV and had 11 people in it. DH, DS, and myself were the only ones who were Disney vets. The others were all first timers! It was a great trip from the first WOW when they walked into the GV to the Commando of the parks! They wore us out planning for them, but what a great time! We plan to do it again with the same groupe of people a year from October. This time, the "kids" in the group will mostly be independant older teens, so it will be a totally different experience.

 

[Terry S]

1) The first time we checked into our Villa at the BCV and pulled back to the curtains to see a huge Spaceship Earth all lit up in front us.

2) Also, on my first trip we saw the alligator from our balcony every morning, the kids loved that.

3) Well, that evening after the kids went to bed, I decided to roam the resort. I went down the end of the hallway to the stairs, and went out a door from the stairs, it was a very dark exit and I heard something ruffling in the bushes and I remembered that alligator I had seen earlier, I about jumped out of my pants when a cute baby bunny hoped out at me!

4) The second time at BCV when we checked into our 2 bedroom dedicated with a huge balcony and a spectacular view of illuminations. I sat on the balcony at night with both of my kids on my lap and cried.

5) My first girls only weekend at BCV, my best friend and I went for a ride on the water mice. We took them over to MGM and on the ride back she was in front. We were coming around the bridge to the boardwalk and I asked her if the big boats were coming, she said, no I can see it at the dock at the BC, so we started to proceed forward when she rips the boat into reverse and bangs into me. (There was a 2nd boat that was coming right at us). After we got to saftey, I nearly peed my pants.

6) That same trip with my best friend, her and I sat on the bench swing on the beach in the evening and drank a baileys and coffee!

Well, I can think of many more, but thats enough for now!

 

[kathleena]

Thanks for doing something positive!!!

This is small, but our last trip was May and I am so into going to October that I feel like it was ages ago.

It was the birthday week for both my DH and my friends' DH (we stay in a 2br together) and the OKW staff left them balloons and plastic Mickey balloon weights.

It's all the little things that make the trip so nice.......

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
Come on, You can think of one too, can't you?

................

 

[llp479]

WOW - where do I start? The one thing that clearly sticks out in my mind, was when the bellhop at BWV followed my dd into the resort because he was afraid she was getting separated from me and DH. He didn't know our au pair was inside with our other dds. He just knew he didn't want her getting lost!

Leave tomorrow AM for OKW. Taking my mom with us. She was with us in March at BWV. Looking forward to seeing how much she enjoys OKW as well. My parents own 3 Marriott Vacation Club properties, so I enjoy hearing her "take" on the DVC.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
With all the talk of resort bashing etc, how about we all think of some POSITIVE things that have happened on our DVC vacations! I want NO mention of anything negetive, or any shortcomings etc. Just consentrate on some fun times we have all experienced as we use our DVC memberships.

Well, we had much better time during our stay at BCV than we would have had at one of the other DVC resorts, especially at .... Just kidding, I applaud your thread, great idea.

We actually really enjoy combining our stays with off site Vero time and onsite BCV time. The combination of running around WDW and relaxing at the beach really works out well for us. Somehow with all the WDW activities that are available, I find myself having trouble slowing down like I can at Vero. We've tried it in both orders, not sure which I like best. I look forward to trying out HH sometime.

 

[CK1]

Special moments at the DVC resorts -- maybe it's easier to list the faults because they are far far fewer than the plusses!!

We have enjoyed some wonderful moments unique to the places we've stayed... In no specific order:

(1) Enjoying family members together in OKW for Christmas

(2) Dining at Olivia's one morning for a Pooh B'fast -- had a late seating and the place was empty, save for this one elderly gentleman. He chatted with us and our kids, admired our 8 month old dd, and then left as we got our seats. The hostess then came over and gave us all these pretty gold Disney pins, gifts from the elderly gentleman who was "quite taken" with our young family and wanted us to have them! That, in addition to having Pooh bear and friends all to ourselves, was quite memorable!

(3) Leaving MK with my 2 yr old dd and my 7 yr old son to catch a quick afternoon "rest" at our VWL villa while the rest of our gang did the MK thrill rides. We rode the boat, got into the villa, and the skies darkened and the storm hit. Sitting in that villa munching popcorn with my 7 yr old while the rain cooled and cleansed the outside world of its heat as dd slept peacefully... a very cozy, blissful feeling, looking out at the bay and quiet pool. (And smug, too, knowing dh had insisted it wouldn't rain, and now he was stuck in it, haha!)

(4) I always get a special thrill on my first night in the villa. Something about being in WDW, in that DVC villa, with your whole vacation before you, just makes a glass of wine and the smell of garlic bread soooooo much better!

I have tons more I could share, but I promised myself I wouldn't hog the board, so I'll stop at 4!

 

[cgcw]

Last month at Hilton Head, we got an 11:30 check-in......way earlier than we ever thought we would. By 1 p.m. we were all settled in, grocery shopping and all, which left us with an almost entire day to enjoy.

By the way, I'd love to read more positive threads. Nice idea, Diane.

 

[schucrew]

All our trips have been great, but one of the most magical was when we took my sister and her family in October 2000. They had never been to WDW before, and our trip started out great when we got a Boardwalk view room! The kids enjoyed being on the balcony and people watching.
Then, their family wanted to attend the National Car Rental Golf Tournament as spectators one day, but they weren't sure how to get there from BWV. I suggested they ask Guest Services, and the CM arranged special transportation for them, (in one of the cars that are exclusively for the Tournament!), and it took them directly to the course! And they weren't charged a fee either! And when Tiger Woods walked by just a few yards from where they were watching, well, that really made their day!
They still talk about that trip, and how "magical" it was! It is so great when you can share DVC with family, and the magic really happens!