BCV, BWV and SAB questions (oh my)

[CK1]

I went to Orlando (regrettably on business, not fun ) last week and stopped off at BWV and BCV. Mainly, I wanted to review the rooms again and determine which one our family of 5 should stay in for our next visit. (We've done VWL -- loved it; done OKW many times -- always great!) We have 3 kids -- (ages 9,8,and 4 at next visit), plus me and dh.

The DVC folks were very helpful. The BWV folks offered me breakfast (it was about 8 am) and the BCV person gave me a pin, even. Some notes I made (which if anyone can clarfiy, go for it!!)

BWV

* Why oh why did BWV have to put all the light switches so low. The DVC person said it was not a handicapped room, that they are all that way in BWV -- is that true? I know they aren't that big/low in VWL -- my daughter would have been flicking the lights like a discoteque all week.

* Sure do wish BWV had a dedicated. Or higher door locks (door knobs/locks equally low). I'm picturing a juvenile "jail break". Scary thought, for us and our neighbors. Has this been a problem for anyone else with small active ones?

* When will renovations be done at BWV? It has been going on now for so long... is it a never-ending battle? DVC host could give me no estimate for completion.

* Is bird doo still a problem vexing the balconies at BWV? Input welcome from those who know.

* Would welcome good room #s from experienced folks -- preferably standard view, 2 br, not ground floor.


BCV


* It's nice, it's new... but what about those thermostats? I clearly saw the "sensor" (DVC person feigned no knowledge of any thermostat issues...) Should I tack on a daily $5 balloon fee in my mind if we book there?

* SAB... it's very impressive, but very sprawling. How hard is it to keep an eye on your kids in there? And is the sand everywhere in it? (Call me a purist, but I go to a pool to get AWAY from the sand in my suit sensations!)

* Again, any room recs for a 2br dedicated, not ground level -- view would be a bonus -- are appreciated.

Thanks, folks! I know I can count on fellow DVCers for their great input!

Cindy

 

[Dean]

A balloon will not work unless it's heated.

 

[erikthewise]

What you want is a bat. Nocturnal, motion, body heat. And eats mosquitos to boot!

 

[JOC]

Are the motion sensors in the BCV really a problem? Our home is BWV but we may want to try BCV someday, but when I mentioned the motion sensors to my husband that immediately turned him off to staying there as he's very warm blooded and has to have air conditioning throughout the night or he gets like this

.

 

[wilderness01]

We did have a problem with the sensor in the studio portion of our 2 bedroom last month. It was freezing in there and we could not get it warmer. Weird

 

[CarolynK]

BCV Sensors: we stayed there last October, and we considered it a problem at night - we'd wake up hot. During the day wasn't a problem because the air kicked in right away, but waking up hot was annoying.

SAB: The little kids will want to stay in the shallow, sandy area, so I would say it's not difficult to keep track of them. The sand is on the bottom of the pool throughout, but it's only in the shallow area close to Yacht Club that the kids can actually play in the sand.

We just returned from a 2 br at BWV, rooms 4125 & 4127. The view from those rooms was of the MGM walkway, tennis courts, and Tower of Terror (saw Fantasmic from balcony). I think this is a preferred view, as that whole section that is being renovated is std view (we were upgraded). Standard view rooms we've had in the past - 2103, 2105, 2117. These all face Epcot, so Illuminations is visible from these rooms. We used to prefer the second floor because it's the lobby floor but higher up is obviously going to give you a better view.

 

[stonewall]

I forget where I read this, but I heard that some folks had taken duct tape on their trip(always travel with it myself!) and actually taped over the sensors! Can they controlled manually?

 

[dvcmommy]

No advice on sensors.

But, as for Stormalong Bay, there is a small area that is separate. It has a small water slide and is part of the pirate ship. We usually take our kids (we have four) to that area as it's easier to watch them. However, DD's (8 and 9) have now been on the swim team for two years and I am sure they will want to swim with the "big boys" this June.

Room recommendations- Can't remember what our 2 bd standard view room number was at BWV, maybe I'll find it today and let you know. I believe it was 4th floor, close enough to elevators, overlooked the entrance (could see some of illuminations).

As for BCV, we have reserved a 2 bd dedicated for June.....

Kim