The past few years we have gone to various DVC resorts in the summer without going into the parks. We just want to take some time to enjoy the resorts (pools mainly) without fighting the crowds and heat in the parks. IT has worked very well for us and we plan to continue this in the future. We have 4 kids (19, 14, 13 and 12).
This summer we picked BCV because it has alot to do outside of the amazing SAB with Boardwalk so close. Everyone talked about SAB and we were not disappointed.
Before I go into detail about our trip, I want to say how friendly the various CM were at the resort and everywhere we visited. I would say that it appeared they were actually trying to be extra nice to customers.
We live in Chicago area, but came down from St. Augustine on Tuesday morning. MIL lives in St.Augustine so we spend a few days there, then to Disney for a few days. We had three nights in BCV.
Day 1 had us checking in about noon, room wasnt ready yet so we did a quick look at SAB and then headed to one of our favorite places for lunch, Earl of Sandwich in downtown Disney. We love that place. Majority of us got the cannonball (meatball sandwich) but we also got the tomato mozzerella sandwich and my youngest got the turkey sandwich. All very good. We headed back to BCV as our room was ready. I was a bit disappointed that our request for as high as possible on the Epcot side was not granted, we got room #224 a two bedroom kind of on the Epcot side. There were no other rooms available and we werent going to spend that much time in the room so i didnt push it. The room was very clean and for the most part everything was in working order. We left a small list of things that we thought needed some attention with the front desk. We had a huge balcony that stretched across all three rooms of the villa. It was a great view and the sun wasnt on that side of the building in the afternoon which made sitting out there quite nice. We headed to SAB for some pool time. I have to admit, SAB was pretty impressive. It was about 3pm and I was really figuring it would be more crowded than it was. No problem finding chairs and the slide only had a few people in front of us each time. We absolutely loved the sand bottom. The pool had so many different spots to go that we could always find a place for the six of us to hang out and goof around without interfering with others. Hurricane Hannah's had a nice list of drinks available and the staff was very polite. After a few hours of swimming we walked over to ESPN club for dinner. Being that we have 4 males in the group, this was a no brainer for us. The four boys could sit there all day long! On top of a great fun atmosphere, the food was very good. Wings, burgers, chicken sandwich and Philly cheese steak were all devoured! We got out of there just in time to view the Illuminations fireworks from the bridge leading from Boardwalk to BCV area. Nice spot to see the higher fireworks.
Day 2 was some of the same. Started out with breakfast in the room with cinnamon rolls, cereal, bacon and eggs. We love having the kitchen area to do breakfast. Easier and helps save a few dollars. We headed straight to SAB and spent the majority of the day there until the rains came in the afternoon and they closed the pool area for a bit. Lightning causes them to close it and this was one of those days. We took this chance to head to the outlet mall area for a quick run through some of the stores, followed by dinner at TGIF. This night was the adult night as the parents headed over to JellyRolls about 9pm as the kids stayed swimming and heading over to Beaches n Cream for a late night snack. I want to thank everyone on the DIS boards for the tips on Jellyrolls. We had a great time. We had Ray/Scotty and Mike/Matt as our dueling pianists for the evening. I would say that we liked Ray/Scotty better. We thought they had better chemistry and worked well with each other. Very solid evening and the Big Red Cup did not disappoint!
Day 3..... more SAB throughout the day. We wanted to get some of the magic even though we werent going into the parks so we made reservations for Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge. We headed to the transportation center and took the monorail over to MK, then the boat to WL. This was a bit of a tease getting this close to MK without being able to go in...... For dinner we all got the canyon skillet which is an all you can eat skillet of ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob.... the meal was average. Dont get me wrong, we ate ourselves to the point where they needed to roll us out of there, but it was just okay. We always did Ohana in the past and wanted something different. Prices are about the same when you get right down to it and we enjoy Ohana better. our server was very .... uh... boring. We have been there before and had servers that really make the night fun and active. Ours wasnt. I know it is for sure that you will get someone that is fun, but it sure helps. On top of that, she really wasnt a good waitress. If we needed something we always had to find her rather than her find us. I did mention something to the manager at the front when we left that she wasnt very good tonight. We got back to the TTC just in time to see Wishes. Headed back to BCV and hit SAB for a quick dip in the pool before it closed.
Day 4 we were getting ready to leave, really hate this day. Packed the car and then headed to SAB for a few hours of swimming. Got lucky and got an inside table at Beaches and Cream for lunch. We had their ice cream on the take out side a few times and loved it, but wanted to try lunch. We were not disappointed. The cheeseburgers are made fresh and were very good. Not to mention you can get a few different things for dessert compared to the take out menu. Two fudge mud slides and a strawberry shortcake were up and quickly taken down. We changed and headed over to downtown Disney for some quick shopping before heading back to St.Augustine for a day before we head back to Chicago later tonight.
Overall we were very pleased wtih BCV. Our home resort is SSR and we have spent trips at AKV also. We like all of them but BCV has alot to do and for the summer, SAB tips the scales as the best pool on Disney property.
I will post some pics once I get home.
This summer we picked BCV because it has alot to do outside of the amazing SAB with Boardwalk so close. Everyone talked about SAB and we were not disappointed.
Before I go into detail about our trip, I want to say how friendly the various CM were at the resort and everywhere we visited. I would say that it appeared they were actually trying to be extra nice to customers.
We live in Chicago area, but came down from St. Augustine on Tuesday morning. MIL lives in St.Augustine so we spend a few days there, then to Disney for a few days. We had three nights in BCV.
Day 1 had us checking in about noon, room wasnt ready yet so we did a quick look at SAB and then headed to one of our favorite places for lunch, Earl of Sandwich in downtown Disney. We love that place. Majority of us got the cannonball (meatball sandwich) but we also got the tomato mozzerella sandwich and my youngest got the turkey sandwich. All very good. We headed back to BCV as our room was ready. I was a bit disappointed that our request for as high as possible on the Epcot side was not granted, we got room #224 a two bedroom kind of on the Epcot side. There were no other rooms available and we werent going to spend that much time in the room so i didnt push it. The room was very clean and for the most part everything was in working order. We left a small list of things that we thought needed some attention with the front desk. We had a huge balcony that stretched across all three rooms of the villa. It was a great view and the sun wasnt on that side of the building in the afternoon which made sitting out there quite nice. We headed to SAB for some pool time. I have to admit, SAB was pretty impressive. It was about 3pm and I was really figuring it would be more crowded than it was. No problem finding chairs and the slide only had a few people in front of us each time. We absolutely loved the sand bottom. The pool had so many different spots to go that we could always find a place for the six of us to hang out and goof around without interfering with others. Hurricane Hannah's had a nice list of drinks available and the staff was very polite. After a few hours of swimming we walked over to ESPN club for dinner. Being that we have 4 males in the group, this was a no brainer for us. The four boys could sit there all day long! On top of a great fun atmosphere, the food was very good. Wings, burgers, chicken sandwich and Philly cheese steak were all devoured! We got out of there just in time to view the Illuminations fireworks from the bridge leading from Boardwalk to BCV area. Nice spot to see the higher fireworks.
Day 2 was some of the same. Started out with breakfast in the room with cinnamon rolls, cereal, bacon and eggs. We love having the kitchen area to do breakfast. Easier and helps save a few dollars. We headed straight to SAB and spent the majority of the day there until the rains came in the afternoon and they closed the pool area for a bit. Lightning causes them to close it and this was one of those days. We took this chance to head to the outlet mall area for a quick run through some of the stores, followed by dinner at TGIF. This night was the adult night as the parents headed over to JellyRolls about 9pm as the kids stayed swimming and heading over to Beaches n Cream for a late night snack. I want to thank everyone on the DIS boards for the tips on Jellyrolls. We had a great time. We had Ray/Scotty and Mike/Matt as our dueling pianists for the evening. I would say that we liked Ray/Scotty better. We thought they had better chemistry and worked well with each other. Very solid evening and the Big Red Cup did not disappoint!
Day 3..... more SAB throughout the day. We wanted to get some of the magic even though we werent going into the parks so we made reservations for Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge. We headed to the transportation center and took the monorail over to MK, then the boat to WL. This was a bit of a tease getting this close to MK without being able to go in...... For dinner we all got the canyon skillet which is an all you can eat skillet of ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob.... the meal was average. Dont get me wrong, we ate ourselves to the point where they needed to roll us out of there, but it was just okay. We always did Ohana in the past and wanted something different. Prices are about the same when you get right down to it and we enjoy Ohana better. our server was very .... uh... boring. We have been there before and had servers that really make the night fun and active. Ours wasnt. I know it is for sure that you will get someone that is fun, but it sure helps. On top of that, she really wasnt a good waitress. If we needed something we always had to find her rather than her find us. I did mention something to the manager at the front when we left that she wasnt very good tonight. We got back to the TTC just in time to see Wishes. Headed back to BCV and hit SAB for a quick dip in the pool before it closed.
Day 4 we were getting ready to leave, really hate this day. Packed the car and then headed to SAB for a few hours of swimming. Got lucky and got an inside table at Beaches and Cream for lunch. We had their ice cream on the take out side a few times and loved it, but wanted to try lunch. We were not disappointed. The cheeseburgers are made fresh and were very good. Not to mention you can get a few different things for dessert compared to the take out menu. Two fudge mud slides and a strawberry shortcake were up and quickly taken down. We changed and headed over to downtown Disney for some quick shopping before heading back to St.Augustine for a day before we head back to Chicago later tonight.
Overall we were very pleased wtih BCV. Our home resort is SSR and we have spent trips at AKV also. We like all of them but BCV has alot to do and for the summer, SAB tips the scales as the best pool on Disney property.
I will post some pics once I get home.
Sounds like a wonderful family time. We stayed at BCVs last year for my granddaughter's birthday and had a 2br on the 2nd fl. as well, however, it overlooked the quiet pool and we loved it! Thanks for sharing and looking forward to your photos.
Our kids are 3 and 5 so we HAVE to hit the parks, see the parades and atleast meet some characters or they will be crushed. Great pics!
