Back from the BW

[MikeJ]

We just returned from a 2 week WDW trip, including 5 nights in a standard view 2BR at BWV. Our home resort is OKW (we bought a resale there 2 years ago and added another resale last month) but this was our first stay at the BW. I'm not going to wade in to the which is better debate, but there are certainly differences between the two resorts.

We liked a number of things about the BW, particularly the fact that you can walk to both Epcot and MGM. Sometimes the walk or tram ride from the far reaches of the parking lot at Epcot is longer than the walk from the BW to the International Gateway. We were in rooms 2109/2111 and had a marvelous view of the Illuminations fireworks from our balcony. I don't know why a number of people trash the Standard View views, because ours was just fine.

We did notice the difference in the size of the kitchen area (probably because we had 4 adults in the room at the BW) and the laundry facilities. And given that we tend to use our own vehicle rather than Disney transportation, I noticed that it's a very long way from the parking lot to the room at BW.

All in all, we enjoyed our stay at the BW (and so did my parents, whom we invited down with us and who hadn't been to WDW since before Epcot ). I'm not sure we'd ever stay over Christmas again, but it was something we had to experience at least once. I am, however, looking forward to our next stay at OKW. We prefer the ambience at OKW to that of the BW but, hey, that's our preference and not necessarily yours.

- Mike

 

[friskykitten]

Hey, thanks for the review and opinion. We also own at OKW and are looking to purchase an additional 350 points there. But my goal is to stay at each of the other resorts at least once plus all of the resorts at WDW. I am curious about the GV at BWV. I saw in the Member Guidebook that some GV are all on the one floor and others are two-story. I wonder what differences there are between the two and how many of each there are. Anyone know? Any experiences between GV at each of the resorts???

 

[Eck45]

Since we are both from the Northern reaches of the N. America, how did you like Christmas without the snow and cold?

We were there from Dec. 5 - 12 and found that listening to Christmas music and seeing christmas trees when it was 80 degrees was a little wierd.

Also, how were the crowds? Did you use the bus transportation?

I glad you had a good time. Thanks for the answers in advance

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by MikeJ
We did notice the difference in the size of the kitchen area (probably because we had 4 adults in the room at the BW) and the laundry facilities. And given that we tend to use our own vehicle rather than Disney transportation, I noticed that it's a very long way from the parking lot to the room at BW.

Mike....DVC members staying on points get free valet parking. Sure, there's still tipping for the attendants, but I think it's the only way to go at BWV and VWL.

 

[MikeJ]

Christmas without snow was a little wierd, but we don't have a whole lot of snow on the ground even now. We did do the Candlelight Processional on Christmas Eve to try and keep with some Christmas traditions (we always go to our church's Christmas Eve service) and that helped a lot.

We only used the busses to go to/from MK and walked to Epcot; everywhere else we drove. We like the flexibility having a vehicle provides. We could have used the valet parking while we were at the BW, but many days we were in and out 2-3 times a day. I'd have spent more on tips than park admissions!

And the crowds were very light until Dec 26-27 when everyone seemed to materialize out of nowhere. We left Orlando at noon on Dec 31, and they'd already closed the MK to non-WDW resort guests. I kept a journal during the trip, and hope to post it to the Trip Reports board over the weekend.

- Mike