BCV top floor balconies? Closed in?

[Simba's Mom]

Are the BCV top floor balconies open like on the other floors, or are they solid walls like at VWL, you know-where if you sit down you can't see unless you're tall enough to see over the rail? Also, has anyone ever stayed on the top floor of BCV and can give me any opinions-good or bad? I requested a courtyard view if that matters. It's just that for my next solo trip, I requested not to be on the first floor (as a woman alone, I just don't feel as "safe"). So instead, they put in a request for a top floor. If I might get one of those solid balconies, I'd call and change it. Any info?

 

[Terry S]

A large percentage of the top floor balconies are the solid kind. Not all of them are, but a good percentage is (I would estimate around 75%). This is on the 5th floor and also on the the 4th floor where there is not 5th floor above. They have done this for the outside design of the building. I have stayed in both. The first room was the open kind. When we stayed in the second room, I didn't think I would like it, but I ended up liking the privacy.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

I stayed on the 5th floor last July. My memory is, the balcony was the solid type you described. I think you will feel safe on the 5th floor. Also, one other security feature, at night you must have a room key to get into the building. This should cut down on unwanted traffic. Enjoy your trip!

 

[CaptainMidnight]

My recollection is that the upper level balconies did not have a full wall all the way to the top of the rail, that the top part was a railing you could see through, as this picture may show:
http://wdwig.com/bcv47.jpg

 

[BCV23]

We could sit and see from our 5th floor balcony. I actually liked the enclosed part....made me feel safer! There was the railing above as Captain Midnight described. His picture won't open for me.

 

[Terry S]

You are correct CaptainMidnight, the top part of the railing to the front is NOT solid and I could see when I was sitting (but I am 6 feet tall). The side walls however are solid and the bottom half of the front railing is solid. I had never been to VWL, but by the way the OP had described them, I assumed they were the same.

 

[sparkspeak]

I stayed on the fifth floor in December. Studio #549 looks out on treetops and the back walkway. I liked the private balcony. It had solid side walls and a see-through railing of about 18", above a solid base of about 24". I could see sitting down and I'm short.

 

[PalVal]

Did I make a mistake by requesting a top floor at VWL? We will be there for 10 days and will be spending some time on the balcony. Does anyone know how "closed in" the top floors at VWL are? Thank you.

 

[skorpie]

The first time we stayed at the VWL we had room 5532(I think) and it had an open railing type of balcony. It overlooked a quiet road and I liked it a lot to go sit and read. This December, we again had a 5th floor and I did NOT request the open balcony. I should have. We had room 5524 which had the solid wall. I was conforted by the fact that it was cool in the mornings and I didn't use the balcony much. However, for our trip this July 2003, when I made the ressies, I specifially requested a room with railings. if it's important to you, I'd make sure it was on the original ressie.

We also had stayed at VB. We were in the INN and had an ocean view. Here again I did NOT request a room with the railings. Don't you know, we got a solid wall. I was REALLY disappointed because I had to stand to see the ocean. My advice REQUEST IT!