BWV preferred "view"

[MiaSRN62]

I'm not posting this to get anyone upset with me. I really just want some objective viewpoints. We just recently stayed at BWV using "preferred view" points and I'm questioning just how "preferred" our view was. We had a studio, unit # 4131. This was at the very end of the hallway and about as far from the elevator as you could get, thus a long walk every day. I think there was only 1 or 2 units further. But despite this, we still enjoyed our stay.
My questioning comes in with our view. From our balcony, we had a view of a canal and if I turned completely to the right, we could see TOT. BUT, our main view was the valet parking lot. I mean, when we sat in our room on the bed or wherever, this is all we could see. I suppose I'm just questioning being charged "preferred" points for this view ? It wasn't entirely bad, but just not what I would have expected, being that the valet parking lot was the primary view. Any comments or similar feelings about this ? I'm seriously not trying to start a debate here or anything. Just want some viewpoints.

 

[DebbieB]

I thought across from the tennis courts & valet parking lot was standard view. Your room # sounds like a standard view, we were in 3121 a couple years ago, I thought all the odd number rooms in that hallway were standard. I would call member services or the BWV front desk and ask them to double check. If it is standard, they should refund the difference in points.

 

[spiceycat]

I think you got a standard view,too - Parking lots views are standard view - everything else is preferred views.

 

[boardwalk prof]

During our spring break trip last March, we were in 3131. Called the front desk immediately to inquire whether we were in a preferred view. They checked and said we were. As long as you can see water, it is preferred.

On the other hand, it was ready when we arrived. And I hadn't have any requests for the view because I felt I had reserved late (Nov.) and wouldn't recieve any anyway.

We too enjoyed our trip and didn't let it bother us. We often went to MGM and this room was almost the closest in walking distance.

 

[spiceycat]

sorry there is a water view that is definitely standard view - I got it - the canal - at the bottom near the parking lot - is definitely standard view. So you can get a water view with standard.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think DVC probably made a big mistake when they decided to have two "views" with different point schedules for BWV. It seems to creat a lot of consternation.

 

[Dean]

Don't think of preferred view as being better than everything else at BWV. Just think of Standard view as being less points. The term preferred view has connotations that are just not accurate. Do email MS and ask about your specific room to make sure. Just aks if 4131 room is preferred or standard. They may have to check with the resort.

The problem is that many get a view that doesn't wow them and think "how preferred is this". Only a small percent of the rooms overall are BW views.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I truly appreciate everyone's comments. I wasn't as concerned with being "wowed" as I was with having a view of a parking lot. And it wasn't even a corner of the lot---it was the entire lot.
Had it just been the canal and the TOT to a 90 degree right, I could see it. But we got to look at Valet parking cars the whole time we were in the room. I knew a "boardwalk view" was a long stretch for me. I booked at 60 days out. I'm being totally honest when I say I wasn't expecting the boardwalk view---I would have fallen over had I got that since I booked so late <g>. But, one of the pools would have been nice, or the view we had, sans the valet parking lot for the "preferred" points I paid ? Someone mentioned that if you have any water view then it's "preferred" but others contradict that. I may call/email MS about this. Thanks to everyone for helping out with your opinions and experiences.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We booked a preferred view at the BWV for next year. I requested the BoardWalk view since I've always wanted one. Yeah, I have my heart set on it. But, in reality, I know most likely I'll be looking at Luna Park or the canal. Now, it really will be a disappointment if I'm looking at the valet lot! If I go to the room, see the view of the parking lot, and don't like it, will they still charge me to move? What is the price for a 2BR reassignment? Ahh, I just hope I get "my" view!

 

[MiaSRN62]

But, in reality, I know most likely I'll be looking at Luna Park or the canal. Now, it really will be a disappointment if I'm looking at the valet lot!

Yeah, honestly, the view of the TOT made my view bearable, but this was not immediately visible unless I stood out on the balcony and looked to the right. The valet lot was definitely the primary view but I suppose because I had that small canal view and the TOT that MS considers it preferred ? I dunno..............
I would have been happier with a view of Luna Park or the quiet view over the parking lot for preferred points honestly.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by MiaSRN62
Yeah, honestly, the view of the TOT made my view bearable, but this was not immediately visible unless I stood out on the balcony and looked to the right. The valet lot was definitely the primary view but I suppose because I had that small canal view and the TOT that MS considers it preferred ? I dunno..............
I would have been happier with a view of Luna Park or the quiet view over the parking lot for preferred points honestly.

I'd still double check that you did have a preferred view, you might get some points back.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I'd still double check that you did have a preferred view, you might get some points back.

Thanks Dean. I emailed MS on Thursday, 8/14. Waiting for a reply. I'll let u know what they say.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Maria,

I just got back lastnight and I know exactly where you were and it is a Standard View. I had a room on the 3rd floor last year in that vacinity and it was standard.

Please let us know what MS has to say.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I just got back lastnight and I know exactly where you were and it is a Standard View. I had a room on the 3rd floor last year in that vacinity and it was standard.

Thank you Mrs WDW.....I appreciate you posting this. I didn't want to sound too "whiney", ya know.
Hope you had a nice trip---I did.
I will let u all know what MS has to say....hoping they'll email me back tommorrow.

 

[zurgswife]

I have also had that view twice before for standard points (don't remember the exact room number) but I loved the little pond....

Hopefully your room number jives with what MS has listed as standard rooms...

 

[MiaSRN62]

Please let us know what MS has to say.

Well, Jackie from MS just now called me and insisted that I had a preferred room. I even told her our room had a view of the service driveway and we got to see trash and delivery trucks pull up and down, but she insisted over and over that this was a "preferred" view because I had a view of TOT and the canal. Very disappointing......I attempted debating this with her---even quoting some of the things you all mentioned here---but to no avail. Jackie sounded like an automatic response giver. She tried to come off that since I booked less than 60 days out this is why I got this. Huh...yeah ? So what does that have to do with anything ? I told her had I known that my primary view was going to be a parking lot and service driveway I would have booked "standard". I told her Members are not led to believe that this might be their view.
She coyly mentioned that there were no standard views at 60 days out (which I knew), but HYPOTHETICALLY, even if I had booked 7 or 11 months out, I could have gotten this "supposed" preferred view and she said simply "yes, unfortunately". She did tell me she had called the Boardwalk directly to confirm this. So......just be careful what ya book people. You might pay "preferred" points for a parking lot !
Sorry....but this left a sour taste in my mouth..........

 

[married@wdw]

Maria -- your "parking lot view" message is what has me so concerned about all of these recent changes. I wa really hoping the response would be different.

We booked preferred view under the reasoning that we could check-in early and check back a few times in the hopes of getting a boardwalk view. We wouldn't be devastated if we didn't, but one can hope. Anyway, we borrowed all the points for this trip from next year, then my ILs were kind enough to transfer an extra 17 points so we could upgrade to a 1-bedroom. Now, two months later, I not only know I CANNOT get a boardwalk view (well, VERY unlikely, waitlist), but I also know that I could end up seeing a parking lot! I could've saved the points and stayed at OKW (but since I borrowed the points, I can't bank them).

We could switch resorts but we've never stayed at BWV and we've stayed everywhere else. That said, my guess is we'll never stay at BWV again.

I'm so sorry you didn't get a better response from Jackie. I talked to her this afternoon and, while I do feel like my complaints weren't going to make any difference, at least they took the time to hear them.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Now, two months later, I not only know I CANNOT get a boardwalk view (well, VERY unlikely, waitlist), but I also know that I could end up seeing a parking lot! I could've saved the points and stayed at OKW (but since I borrowed the points, I can't bank them).

Well, married@wdw.....I'm hoping you don't get the view we had. When you made your reservation, I'm assuming you asked for BW view ? I'd make "pool view",specifically, a second choice with MS just in case. I think they consider my view "water view"...not sure ? But water view can mean alot of things, such as a small canal and a parking lot and service vehicle driveway. They seem to conveniently overlook that.
So I think you'll be safe if you request 1) BW view 2) pool view. I would have been tickled pink with a pool view (particularily Luna Park) had I known this was going to be my "water" view.

I'm so sorry you didn't get a better response from Jackie. I talked to her this afternoon and, while I do feel like my complaints weren't going to make any difference, at least they took the time to hear them.

Thanks married@wdw......I do feel she listened, but also that she wasn't gonna budge NO MATTER what I had to say, ya know ? I felt like I was debating my point in vain.

my guess is we'll never stay at BWV again.

I just hope this comment doesn't spark a wave of comments such as "good...less competition for my BW ressies".....or "that's fine---one less person at BWV", as I've seen before whenever some constructive criticism/comments come along. Because this isn't the point at all. Rather, the point is that I feel either MS or Boardwalk is being somewhat deceptive in what they are conveying to Members. The Member guidebook states that preferred views include views of boardwalk, pools, water or garden. BUT, they never even hint that a parking lot could be the primary view. I guess as long as you have some sort of view/glimpse of one of these, then it's ok with them. Not with me though. I just don't like having the wool pulled over my eyes here. It burns me up that I paid the same amount of points during my stay as those that got BW and pool views. MS needs to be a bit more specific in their preferred view description I think. Or maybe Boardwalk does ?

 

[Ms. WDW]

I'm sorry you didn't get the response we all were hoping you would!

So I guess I "should be happy" that I got 3123 with Standard Points. I pulled out the reservation and sure enough it was booked as a Standard View. Now this was in 2000, so maybe with all the changes going on it somehow got upgraded to a preferred??? Still.....if that's what they call perferred then I'm definately not going to waste points on a view like that. It wasn't bad like I said. Fireworks were great! But it wasn't the boardwalk.

Linda

 

[DebbieB]

Questions have also come up about the rooms down by the Swan/Dolphin, above the DVC offices, near the back of Jellyrolls (including their dumpster). Some people have been given these rooms as preferred, some standard.