Back from BCV and VB - Trip Report for DVC'ers

[Melrosgirl]

Just got back today from VB and BCV.

VB - lovely ! I loved that resort. Spent 2 nights there. I loved the resort, the ocean front inn room (larger than I expected). Great view. My one complaint was that our room (#2220) was 2 doors down from the bar on the second floor and one night the guests were on the bar balcony and were very loud. It sounded like a fraternity party ("woohoo!" for 2 hours). This was around midnight. We did call and complain (it was that bad), and it finally died down when the bar closed down.)

BCV - wonderful ! One bedroom villa - #308. Pool view. I wanted an epcot view, but there was a foul up at check in. CM said we got the epcot view then started asking us questions, etc. and then all of a sudden, he said "oops - someone just took your room." I guess they do NOT pre-assign rooms after all. I was not happy at first. (He shouldn't have told us we had an epcot room if it was not def. ours.) No biggie though - I think I prefer the pool view. More going on. PLUS I got to see my friend Al E. Gator! He was there just waiting for me. I got him on videotape this time AND I got footage of some idiot feeding the gator. He's been caught on tape, lol. (Do people not use their brains?) Anyway...

my one bad part of my trip was my camera was lost/stolen at Epcot. One minute I had it, the next it was gone. It was a Fuji digital camera in case a Dis'er found it, lol. I guess the person who found it (stole it?) thought finders keepers and decided it didn't need to be turned in.

Lost and found at WDW is really a joke. I asked 20 different employees and I got 20 different responses about where it could be. My favorite response: From a lady in China: "I don't know where lost and found is...maybe someone took your camera." (Just what I needed to hear, lol.)

The AC system at BCV. I had no problems with it at all. We could hear the sensor come on and off through our stay (click, click) and we were always comfortable. I made it a point to NOT tell my dh about the complaints from this board (to see his opinion). The second day he said that the room was TOO COLD for him, lol. I think the system is fine, but maybe I just lucked out?

Anyway, any questions? Please ask. I'm sad to be back. We have a call into our guide to do a small add on, lol. !!!

 

[WDWorld2003]

We haven't received our final papers yet to close on Beach Club Villas. I have read some bad posts lately so just wanted to know what your overall view of the resort is....we are buying sight unseen. We're kind of getting cold feet wondering if we should buy resale instead at BWV or OKW so any encouragement would be appreciated. (Sorry about your camera - maybe it will still turn up)

 

[Melrosgirl]

I can honestly say that we thought BCV was great. We also bought sight unseen. (We've stayed at VWL and VB and now BCV.) BCV is our home resort, so we were hoping it would be fine. It was more than fine.

I'm pretty easy going though, so it would take a lot to really upset me. I was very concerned about the air conditioning posts I've read in the past since I do tend to get very warm at night - kicking off the covers, etc., lol, but I was more than comfortable this entire trip (plus it was 95 degrees outside too!).

I don't expect any place to be perfect. We've had a great experience with DVC in our 5 months as members. DH just literally told me about 10 minutes ago that he misses the welcome homes, lol, that we got at BCV and VB .

I should add that my big complaint about BCV is the bus service. For the most part, BCV shares bus stops with 4 other resorts (Boardwalk, Yacht Club, Swan and Dolphin). Sometimes the bus would be practically full by the time it picked us up (stop #4 of 5). I really think that Disney should split up the bus service. 5 big resorts on one bus route is crazy. Of course, the boat and walking transportation to Epcot and MGM is great!

Sign the papers!

 

[DIGGER68]

We own at BCV and have stayed twice. Both times we had no problems and things where great, staff and accomidations.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Thanx for the report, and I'm glad you had a good time!

 

[mittelst]

Don't know about lost-and-found at Epcot, but we lost a walkie-talkie at MK during our last trip. Checked at MK guest relations when we realized it was gone. They don't get all the "founds" in until after park close. They advised us to check with central lost-and-found (located neare the kennels) the next day. Stopped by the central lost-and-found the next day, and it was there!

 

[Cruelladeville]

As for the buses, it's not Disney per se who does anything about poor bus service, it's the individual hotels. the service is charged against their individual profit vs. loss sheet, so you need to complain to the hotel to get something done. Having said that, I never had a problem with BC buses, either at Christmas or in early April when we were there. Of course, I never went anywhere till mid afternoon, and everyone seemed to be returning to the resort then, so we were usually the only ones on the bus! I assumed that was normal--remind me not to vacation in May, though, OK?

 

[Michigan RN]

This is for melrosegirl... or anyone else who reads....

My brother bought into BCV this year and we are using his points for the first time in June 2004. I am bothered to by the "bad reports" its getting. Especially the bugs issue!! Should I have him keep the ressie or make it at another resort. I don't know much about the DVC ones because we have only stayed at Disney Institute and Wilderness cabins. We also thought about BWV. Do you have a preference? Kids are 9-14-16-16. Thanks for the info.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Michigan,

I had no problems at all with bugs. I was on the 3rd floor. I have also never heard of anyone else having a problem until the recent post this week.

Ants would have bothered me, but hey, it's Florida and the #1 reason I won't move to Florida is because of the bugs (inside or outside). I lived there as a child and I can still remember bugs, lol. Plus, my legs are apparently a biting zone for those things. I look like a dart board right now with so many bug bites, lol.

I look at it this way...when I'm at Disney it would take a lot to upset me. I was upset that I lost my camera, but it didn't ruin my vacation. I got over it the next day and still had a great time for the remainder of my trip. If my room had been terrible, I would have dealt with it too.

Keep in mind that hundreds of people stay at BCV each day and only a few complain about problems on this board. The majority of DVCers are not on this board, so we are really just a small group of people.

Keep the reservation. I really had a wonderful time. Yes, the bus service could be better (mornings are worse than afternoons), but it could be worse too, I guess, lol. The resort is lovely and the pool is terrific!