At BWV now - Richyams is in my head!

[mckryan]

We arrived at BWV yesterday, and as expected, our room was not ready at 2PM. I asked before they sent me on my way if it was a HA room. "Oh, you don't want a HA room?" Nope, in fact that was my one request for my room - non-HA. So, a phone call to someone in the back later, a re-keying of my cards, we were on our way grab a bite to eat before Welcome Home Wednesday. Had a great time at WHW and passed along a special hello from friends to Devee See.

After WHW, we checked in with the front desk about our room because we never got the text message or phone call that it was ready. I had read here that it was an issue with BWV. I always get my text at other resorts.

The room was ready and we were on our way. Oh..my..goodness. As I walked and walked, I could hear Richyams in my head saying "See! I told you they were long hallways!!" We finally arrived at our room, and I decided there was no way my daughter and I could bring all our stuff to our room by ourselves. There is just no direct way to the room, and it was no where near the parking lot, as I would find out later!

We head to SoG to get our tickets - thank you WDW for the military special! We come back, and I drop her off at the front with the luggage for bell services to bring to our room. I park the car at the far side of the valet lot and go in the door that's in the end of the walkway after the bridge. Oh...my...goodness! This walk was even further than the one from the lobby to our room. I basically walked the entire length of the villas because our room is close to Jellyrolls.

I must say that the bonus of our room is that our exit door is near the S/D, so it was just a quick walk over there to get the boat! The room is beautiful, we slept like rocks last night, and I'm just happy to be in WDW! But, all you fans of BWV will be happy to hear there will be one less DVCer that will be trying to book a room at BWV in the future! I'm so happy that BCV is my home!

 

[drusba]

Richyams for those who weren't around before was one the most entertaining and helpfiul members on this board, who to the sorror of all died several years ago. He was an avid OKW lover who always kidded BWV owners about the long walk from the elevator to the rooms. We still miss you, Richyams.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Ah yes...my fellow OKW brother Richyams!!! Mckryan, I'm with you on that one too. BWV is an acquired taste. I'll stick to OKW where (as Richyams used to say) I have to get up and walk to the kitchen if I want something out of the fridge. No "reaching from the sofa" like at BWV! Rich, we miss you!

 

[RumpleMom]

The first time I stayed at BWV I did not make any special room request. We were three doors from the very last room at the end of the long hallway.

I explained to DH about Richyams. We agreed he was right, but we said oh well, someone has to have the long walk. It's our turn this time.

Second visit, I did not make a request. I thought what are the odds that our room would be the same far distance and it couldn't be much worse. This time we were the very last room at the end of the very long hallway! We were on the third floor and steps are hard for me, so it was a very long trek to the elevator. We will not be back to BWV for a very long time.

We are so happy to call OKW our home resort and have SSR easy to get into too.

Remember Richyams being able to clean the BWV with a single paper towel?

 

[laughinplace199]

You must have been exhausted from walking those long hallways. I hope you were able to relax on your balcony after those long walks. Plus, as Richyams always pointed out, at BWV you can reach the fridge while sitting on your balcony, so you can grab a beer from your fridge without ever having to get up. That's relaxation.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Many of Richyams descriptions will live on in many a household, I suspect. DH is always referring to how one reason he loves OKW is that it takes more than one paper towel to clean the villa. He's teasing me because I'm making him spend one night at BWV in October, and how he's going to bring a paper towel just to prove Richyams was right.

 

[UConnJack]

His comment about being able to grab a beer from the fridge while sitting on the balcony is my favorite.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

I am sorry I never got to know Richyams. He sounds like my kind of guy. We are staying at BWV next March. I am looking forward to being able to grab a beer out of the fridge without having to leave my seat on the balcony.

 

[kirstenb1]

Rich was always a character. Wasn't he the one who would talk about bringing pickled pigs' feet, and the like on vacation? He passed away way too young. WE miss your sense of humor Rich!

 

[javamom]

I seriously don't mind a long walk, usually means a better view!! LOL I also always try to remember this when I have to park far from any door, that I am blessed to be able to make the trip!


I barely remember Richyams, I think that he passed shortly after I became a member. But his memory lingers!

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Remember Richyam's "25%" posts when he was comparing OKW vs BWV ? 25% more space at OKW, 25% fewer points to book it, and 25% less cost in buying there.
And BWV made him healthier because of all the long walks to and from his room the first time he stayed there .
And only 7 Grand Villas at BWV. Isn't that almost 25% of the number that OKW has? hmmmm......

 

[bjakmom]

I never walk the halls of BWV without thinking of Richyams - I even think of him if I get a loooong enough walk to my room at AKV.

 

[Mickeygolf]

I always loved Richyams talking about OKW as "The One True DVC Resort".

It may sound crazy, but it was all his posts back then when he'd get into it with all the BWV owners that made us want OKW. I was so happy when we finally bought our OKW points and sent my "We're members" post and his was the second reply of "It's about time".

I've never forgotten that, and for those of you on this board that never had the opportunity to be around when he posted, you really missed a gem!!!

 

[mckryan]

Well, I would enjoy the view if it were not for the tree right outside the balcony. I don't think BW would trim it for me, so I'll just be thankful for the shade it provides. LOL

Rich was definitely a true gem and a man that stayed true to his opinions. I am definitely staying healthy doing all the hallway-walking this weekend. Ha! It's a beautiful resort, but it's just not for me.

 

[BeesKnees]

I always loved Richyams talking about OKW as "The One True DVC Resort".

I didn't know him but I agree 100%. I have stayed everywhere but Saratoga and without a doubt OKW is the best.

We stayed at BWV in January because that is where my family wanted to stay and the walk was so long we considered getting another room at the halfway mark to rest up for the second half of the trek. When we checked in I thought they made a mistake and gave us a room at the swan or dolphin. Nothing like getting back from walking around a park all day to face the epic journey back to the room.

Back to OKW for me.

 

[lisareniff]

I always get a little smile and say a little prayer for Richyams as we go though the HM.

 

[jekjones1558]

I always get a little smile and say a little prayer for Richyams as we go though the HM.

Me too! And I also tell my travel companions about Richyams while we wait.

 

[jade1]

If you bus back from MK-make sure you jump off at S/D and walk over the bridge-love having a room on the end. That gives you direct to MK from BWV, and direct back from MK, and no buses needed for EPCOT or DHS-the best.

 

[Dawn16]

You guys are scaring me with the hallway comments. We've got our first stay coming up in Oct. (2 bedroom). I'd heard they were long but how long of a walk are we talking about here? I've been fairly far down at AKV a few times but I'm guessing this is worse? I don't mind a little walk but we do have our three year old and a friend with a bum hip. I guess I should add a request to be near the elevator. And all of you OKW fans must either have a vehicle with you or stay in the HH area b/c, boy, did we have some long (OUTSIDE) walks to grab a snack. Not to mention lugging a sleeping toddler in his stroller up to the second floor - ouch. Beautiful resort though.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You guys are scaring me with the hallway comments. We've got our first stay coming up in Oct. (2 bedroom). I'd heard they were long but how long of a walk are we talking about here? I've been fairly far down at AKV a few times but I'm guessing this is worse? I don't mind a little walk but we do have our three year old and a friend with a bum hip. I guess I should add a request to be near the elevator. And all of you OKW fans must either have a vehicle with you or stay in the HH area b/c, boy, did we have some long (OUTSIDE) walks to grab a snack. Not to mention lugging a sleeping toddler in his stroller up to the second floor - ouch. Beautiful resort though.

Pack a lunch for the walk down the hallway at BWV. And drop bread crumbs to find your way back later on.