back from OKW/BWV/WITH PICS

[paults]

Got back Fri 30

First 3 nts at OKW. DW did not like it that much. It was okay for me but to quiet.
Stayed in Studio 2424, pics in link below. Wish we would have known about the concrete slabs used for beds. Very hard and VERY HIGH. We both had aches and pains when we got up every morning. The beds do not fit the frames and IMHO can become a hazzard for little kids ( pics in link below). DW doesn't like the 2 beds deal (me either) She thinks VWL and BWV studios have more room with the 1 bed and couch. IMHO the sofa beds where more comfortable than the OKW beds (hard as a rock) and this is from a person who had 3 major back operations, 2 in the last 2 years. Other than the beds everything else was fine. Checked in at noon but did not get room till 4pm, no big deal. We talked to Eddie at the ferryboat and he said he is done when they start the new boats. The new boats are a smaller version of the POR/FQ ones. They hold 32/34 people. They have 2 now with more coming. They are very uncomfortable if you sit in the back, yes we did ride on one. That relaxing ride with Eddie from OKW to DD on the pontoon boat is a thing of the past. The new ROUTE will now be from OKW to SSR to DD/west side to DD/market and back in reverse. ( sorry no camera at the time we rode the new boat)

BWV : we checked in at about 10 am and did not get room till 4 pm.
NOTE: AFTER YOU CHECK IN ,MAKE SURE YOU CALL IN AFTER 1 HOUR TO SEE IF ROOM IS READY, we did and they said that we never checked in yet. Had to go back to desk and they admitted it was there error and had a room ready now for us (go figure) I asked where it was because we had a BWview. It was right over the entrance to big river 2nd fl (no thanks I said) we waited ,got 4th fl 4029 studio (pics in link) No problems in room at all, great view. This CM also told me all smoking rooms are now at the end of the hall in the yellow section of the map they give you when you check-in.

Went to FW for breakfast by way of MGM. We walked to MGM to get bus to FW. Waited about 10 min and 12 or so diff buses going by when this white DISNEY VAN pulled up. Guy got out and asked where we were going (to FW) I said. He said get in I'll take you. When we got in he asked how long we were waiting for the bus, I said only 10 min. DW asked who he was and low and behold he was a transportation manager. Now us being owners at BWV and on the DISBOARDS a lot I had to ask what's with the MK bus trans at the BW. Well BOB, (his name) said that in the mornings the MK bus will stop at BWV first then S/D and then to the parks but later in the morning and the day it will make all 5 stops BWV,S/D,Y/BC
coming back it depends where from but most likly make all 5 stops, S/D 1st-- BW last. He dropped us off at the FW bus stop and we got some strange looks at the people there waiting.

Next day we went to AK from BWV and took us 1 hour and 5 min to get there and coming home made all 5 stops. We drove right by the BW entrance and went to the S/D 1st and would have had to make the full circle if we didn't get off at the S/D when I asked the driver if he was making all the stops.

Next day went to MK from BWV and only stopped at S/D .
In all the stops at S/D nobody ever got on at either stop.

If I think of anything I forgot I'll post later.

Any questions let me know.


http://www.shutterfly.com/view/pictures.jsp?aid=67b0de21b3e419b2e4cd

If this link doesn't work will somebody refresh my memory how to get this from shutterfly

 

[KayleeUK]

I thought I recognised the view from your room. Thats where we stayed last year

Thanks for sharing your pic's.

 

[tinkerbee]

Did anything good happen on or trip or was it just a negative trip all around?

 

[caskar]

Thanks for sharing. What beautiful views you had from your room at BWV!

 

[paults]

we had a great time .this was not all negitive, it was info of things that happened. Sorry if it sounds negitive to you. We have a great time everytime we go but I do try to inform others of things that can and will happen

? about the new boats, MK buses from BW are things people want to know about. Now if your talking about OKW beds, yea negitive (there lousy)

 

[MJTinNH]

Thanks for the report & pictures!

 

[lenshanem]

It was right over the entrance to big river 2nd fl (no thanks I said) we waited ,got 4th fl 4029 studio

Do you mind me asking why you said no thanks to the first room? we're going to BWV next month and have a BW view. Just curious if there is something I should know. Thanks!

 

[BWVDee]

Thanks for the report Paul. I did not find it negative at all; but instead very honest, unbiased and truthful.
I must say I am also puzzled as why you turned down the boardwalk view over Big River. We have stayed in this same location many times and it is one of our favorite boardwalk views. We especially like the enclosed balconies--much bigger and with more room to spread out. We always call housekeeping and get extra balcony chairs and tables when we have these room. The balconies are very spacious and the view is great.
Glad to hear you had a great trip!

 

[OneMoreTry]

Thanks for sharing the pictures. I enjoyed all 160.

I never noticed the mattress/frame disparity at OKW. I wonder if it's just in certain rooms. Did you stay in a 1BR or a studio?

Also, I've not had problems with the mattresses there. Although, I've not had back surgery I've had chronic/recurrent pain for years and my back has always done well at OKW. I guess it's just a preference thing.

We've never stayed at BW before and we're looking forward to it. I'm sure we'll have a great time although my wife is reluctant to stay anywhere other than OKW. I think she'll love having all the restaurants close by.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thanks for the TR Paul. We honestly always felt the beds at OKW were good and my dh has a bad herniated disc, but maybe that specific studio needs an upgrade ? I also appreciate the update on the new pontoon to DD. Sorry to hear about Eddie---did he say why he was leaving ?
I can't access your pics right now because I'm on a computer at work (on my break), and it won't let me access the page, but glad to hear you had a nice trip

 

[floridafam]

Thanks for the report.

I'm a little surprised about the beds at OKW. That certainly could be bad for a small child. Maybe it was just that particular room.

 

[PamOKW]

Thanks for taking the time to post a report. The bed/sofa combo is nice for a couple. When it's 3-4 getting a real bed has it's upside.

I'm sorry you had a problem with the bed. I, too, wonder if it was that particular unit. I've never had any difficulty. Not sure what you mean about the mattress not fitting the frame.

Here's another shot of the beds in a studio

All Ears Photos

I once had a problem with a sofa bed not being as comfortable as in past trips. Turned out there was a problem with the mattress and a new one was delivered to the second floor by a housekeeper carrying it on her head!!! (She didn't want to wait for help.) Now, that was service.

 

[InstImpres]

Originally posted by PamOKW
I once had a problem with a sofa bed not being as comfortable as in past trips. Turned out there was a problem with the mattress and a new one was delivered to the second floor by a housekeeper carrying it on her head!!!

Pam -

How did you know there was a problem withit? I have spent many nights on the sofabeds without a problem. Last trip, it was so bad, I literally slept on the floor. Didn't occur to me the bed could be bad.

TIA
Sandy

 

[Lexxiefern]

Thanks for the report and the update on the buses. I too am curious why you did not want the second floor room. Did you just want to be up higher? Maybe you didn't want an enclosed balcony?

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by InstImpres
How did you know there was a problem withit?

I had been on a few trips with no problems. This time it was almost unbearable. It felt like bars were jabbing into me. When I picked up the mattress to take a look, I saw that there was a stain on the mattress. It looked like a previous guest had turned it over to hide the stain. I discovered that with the sleeper sofa there is a "right-side" and a "wrong-side" for comfort. After having suffered for a night or two, I mentioned it at the front desk. By the time I got back to my room it was just seconds before this terrific housekeeper was at the door with the mattress on her head. It made all the difference in the world.

These were the Castro Convertible sofas. I understand they are now replacing the sofas with a different type.

 

[lenshanem]

Where are the enclosed balconies on the BW view? Is the entire second floor enclosed? Is this the only level that has this?

So sitting in your room looking out you wouldn't be able to see anything cause of the enclosure?

Is it tall? (I'm pretty short and I'm also envisioning my young girls trying to stand on a chair to look out! )

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by lenshanem
So sitting in your room looking out you wouldn't be able to see anything cause of the enclosure?

Is it tall? (I'm pretty short and I'm also envisioning my young girls trying to stand on a chair to look out! )

I don't know about the BW view but I had a problem balcony with a feature pool view. Just as you mention, a board ran across the field of sight if you were sitting down (or were a child). This was a top floor room. It was a shame that the view was blocked and I could see where kids might be tempted to stand on chairs and look over the edge.

 

[POLLY ANN]

I would have loved to access your pics but for some reason it's asking for an email address and ID?

Did anyone else have this problem?

 

[paults]

{PamOKW}, I have a couple pics in that link of the beds, the bed spread covers the wood frame so you can't is it in your pics. It could be this room needs an update.


{Lexxiefern}
{lenshanem} did not want an enclosed balcony AGAIN, plus we were told at check-in we did get the higher floor. Also from reading others post, the noise level that close to the big river would be higher. As it was I still heard all the drinkers after the bars closed at 2am from the 4 th fl. We always try to get on the higher fls. Not sure if all the 2nd fl is enclosed.


{MiaSRN62} not sure why Eddie is leaving. I hope he changes his mind.

{OneMoreTry} this was a studio, I just don't know why the bed are so hard, maybe this room needs a new set.

{POLLY ANN} I don't why you can't get in, keep trying. If you don't get in PM me and I'll try to send you the link.


hope I answered all the ?

 

[POLLY ANN]

Oh, I figured out why. I had to sign up for shutterfly, so now I'm off to take a look!

Paul, I see you took a pic of the front of the boardwalk where you stayed! If you look at your pic #144, and the pink/red building on the left, on the very top floor and where it has 3 balconies, that is one of the Grand Villas, and where we stayed on our last trip! That BW view is incredible!! And, we only got to stay there because the front desk messed up our reservations for a 2br.

I feel that we were very fortunate, I don't think that we could ever "afford" the DVC points on our own!

Thanks for sharing your pics! It gets me really excited to start planning our next trip!