Back from BWV: Final Impressions

[CaliforniaDreaming]

As I just returned from a stay at BWV, I thought I’d write a “final impressions” to sum up the trip. We arrived late (on Southwest), picked up an Avalon at National at the airport, stayed at the Wingate by Wyndham Airport the first night. Place was clean, no issues, free breakfast. Arrived at the BoardWalk around 10am, room wasn’t ready, but called at 1:30 and it was ready.

Room impressions: The villa (2br bw view) was clean, and everything appeared to be in working order. New sofa beds (which are comfortable when pulled out, when folded up as a ‘sofa’ they could be a little softer but that really isn’t an issue to worry about). Room condition was ok, it could use a coat of paint, but has overall held up well over 12 years. The view, of the boardwalk, was excellent and entertaining as usual.

Resort impressions: Since they replaced the roof on the inn (which looks nice), I really do wish they’d replace the roof over the villas. It is looking very discolored and worn. I noticed that they did replace the roof over villa 5002, the same color as on the inn, so I hope the rest of the villa building will be quick to follow. The building could use a coat of paint as well, especially on the red parts. During our stay, they closed the villa quiet pool for refurbishment which was a favorite of mine, so we did spend a day at the inn quiet pool (there was quite a bit of noise from landscaping and painting work going on), and a lot of time at Luna Park (love the waterslide, but the seams do feel a little rough on your back). On day (maybe Wednesday?) they also tore up the BoardWalk Green lawn, and replaced it. I also watched them change bulbs on the BoardWalk sign at the entrance by the Swan/Dolphin, as well as build a couple new benches outside of Big River Grille during the stay. Cast members were friendly at the resort, and we got a ton of “welcome home’s”.

Park impressions: The parks didn’t seem too busy, we didn’t wait in any line longer than a half hour (and most were 10-15 minutes at most). I did notice on Star Tours that the Fastpass line was longer than the standby line, we had Fastpasses and they would wait until the standby line was almost empty and then let the FP people go; one person in line questioned the CM and his response was “that happens sometimes”. Which leads to my main observation, the CM’s at the parks seem either to not care about their jobs at all, seem overstressed, or else seem like they just don’t want to be there. There were very few with even a smile on their faces, and I would frequently hear CM’s complaining about their jobs, guests, etc. I watched a CM on Kali River Rapids yell at guests, which completely blew my mind. Eye rolls seemed to be common as well. There were some friendly CM’s, but they were few and far between. The parks themselves didn’t seem as clean as usual, either, many full garbage cans and spills on sidewalks. Quite a different place than they were a few years ago.

Restaurants: We had many great meals, including: Big River Grille, California Grill, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Flying Fish Café, Coral Reef, Liberty Tree Tavern, Beaches & Cream, Sci-Fi Dine-In, Narcossees, Plaza Restaurant, and Citricos. Also ate at the BoardWalk Bakery (great desserts, and really loved the Mozzarella and Tomato sandwich), Flame Tree BBQ, Pizzafari, Lotus Blossom Café, Liberty Inn, Cantina de San Angel, and Tambu Lounge (sticky wings, backscratchers, and lapu lapu’s!). ESPN Club, one night at the bar for beer and nachos was alright, but we also ate there another night and the service was absolutely horrible, it took 10-15 minutes to get waited on, then drinks came out after the food, it took forever for drink refills and the check. Best service award goes to Citricos and California Grill, absolutely excellent.

Final impressions: While Disney just isn’t what it used to be, I still had a great time. I enjoy the resorts and the restaurants, but the parks are a place that I feel like visiting less and less each time and I don’t plan on renewing my annual pass for that reason (maybe next year…)

Any questions, please feel free to ask!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

What room # BW view did you have? Did you hear much noise from the boardwalk at night?

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We had 3011/3013. You could hear a little noise at night from people leaving Atlantic Dance and Jellyrolls, especially around 2am when they'd close. At 12am, they would close the doors to Atlantic Dance so that's when you'd stop hearing the music. If you had the door closed AND locked, it helped keep most of the noise out. But, when people start yelling below you're balcony, you're bound to hear it.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Thanks for the report. Lately, we go to the parks once every 3 - 4 years. Mostly, not Disney being different... more to do with kids being grown and us enjoying so many other things in life.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

thanks for the report. We are headed to BWV for F&W in the fall. I can't wait. We love staying there...

I agree about the parks. We still love to go, but have also found many things to keep us occupied at the resorts. Our kids are 13 and 16 and don't complain about not hitting the parks. They haven't been in the parks for the last three trips. Next year, when younger relatives are coming along, they will go again.

Now as far as F&W goes....we adults are big fans of the AP for just that reason !!!

 

[itsreally4mommy]

I agree about CMs in the parks. They aren't all bad, and overall still better than Six Flags, but it wasn't like it was a couple of years ago @ Thanksgiving. This time there were several rude ones @ Mt Everest that were condescending/rude/eyerolling about sorting people to cars. Apparantly they failed to catch on that perhaps the problem was w/their lack of communication since it was happening to several groups of people. I also noticed some of the more themed rides like Haunted Mansion and Tower of Terror had 50/50 CMs in character. Several were more interested in fixing their hair and chatting w/each other. It did make me appreciate the ones that did stay in character this time and the ones I had before. But all it takes are a couple to break the mood, kwim?

 

[AKV707]

Thanks for the report. Glad to hear that your BWV experience was positive. Sorry to hear about the unpleasant CMS.

How was Narcoossee's? DW and I are going there for the first time in July.

 

[Checkers]

Thanks for sharing. We have stayed at BWVs with our family and with just DH & I and loved it each time. Sounds like you did some good eatin'!

As far as rude CMs go, when we were there a few weeks ago, a CM at the HM actually yelled at a group of students who did not move into the center of the room. She said, "and for those who didn't understand it the first time, please move into the center of the room". My DH I & were shocked at her tone. Yes, the students were a little rowdy, but nothing that we hadn't seen many times before. For all of those CMs who do try and spread the magic -- a big thank you!

We are going back in Oct. and although not staying at BWVs we will be ending our vacation with a 2-night stay at the YC. Hoping to get ADRs for the Yachtsman Steakhouse.

 

[aesalsa]

As far as rude CMs go, when we were there a few weeks ago, a CM at the HM actually yelled at a group of students who did not move into the center of the room. She said, "and for those who didn't understand it the first time, please move into the center of the room". My DH I & were shocked at her tone. Yes, the students were a little rowdy, but nothing that we hadn't seen many times before. For all of those CMs who do try and spread the magic -- a big thank you!

I think the CMs at HM are trying to be in character (gloomy, unpleasant) . I purposely cheerfully say "Hi, how are you today?" to HM cast members every time I ride to see what weird thing they say/do next. And every time I get something like an obviously strange/scary stare or "dreadful". Maybe the CMs that you encountered were just staying in character.

To the OP:

I'm sorry that your visits to the parks weren't as magical as one past.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

How was Narcoossee's? DW and I are going there for the first time in July.

Food was delicious!! I started with the cheese plate, had the lamb loin, and the creme burlee for dessert. The almond crusted cheesecake, though, was the real winner! If you love almonds (and almond extract) you will love this!!! Best dessert at Disney! The service was friendly and fine, but we were never offered drink refills. Not a big deal, but just one of those small touches that make it better.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

But all it takes are a couple to break the mood, kwim?

Exactly. I'm sure it's all about hiring issues, and paying minimum wage.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Thanks for sharing. We have stayed at BWVs with our family and with just DH & I and loved it each time. Sounds like you did some good eatin'!

As far as rude CMs go, when we were there a few weeks ago, a CM at the HM actually yelled at a group of students who did not move into the center of the room. She said, "and for those who didn't understand it the first time, please move into the center of the room". My DH I & were shocked at her tone. Yes, the students were a little rowdy, but nothing that we hadn't seen many times before. For all of those CMs who do try and spread the magic -- a big thank you!

We are going back in Oct. and although not staying at BWVs we will be ending our vacation with a 2-night stay at the YC. Hoping to get ADRs for the Yachtsman Steakhouse.

Yes, we did some great eating!! Don't eat like that at home, that's for sure.

The Yachtsman was great. If you like Creamed Spinach (or Spinach dip), be sure to get a side of it!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Your post reminded me of why my son and I love to play Zoo Tycoon and Theme Park Tycoon. We get to a point where we are bored and fire all the groundskeepers to see all the guests start to complain about the trash building up. Then, with the zoo, we start to tear down some of the fences of the animal pens to see what happens then. Your comments are so much like the comments that those guests give as well.

 

[disney junky]

Just a comment about the cm's. So many of them are now part of the college program (over 5000 a year) and they now have another one for high school students, don't know the name. The new batch comes in at the start of each semester, three times a year, January, May, September, give or take a couple weeks. I have been told by a former college program participant that at times you'll hit them at the end of their term, and they get really apathetic, rude, and if they get sent home, they don't really care because they're leaving anyway. Many of then see it as a paid vacation from school, housing is deducted from their minimal wage, but they get free access to the parks for the time they're there. A few are looking at WDW as a career. So if you get there at just the right time, you can see 18, 19, 20 and 21 year olds in their final days of work. And, I think some times, they have a lot of pent up animosity towards some less than friendly guests with whom they've had to deal for the past five months. I'm not making excuses for them, just sharing a bit of the process which might explain some of the treatment of guests around those times of year.