BWV Questions

[Tina]

After reading the other thread about boardwalk views, I'm thinking of booking there in November, instead of OKW. I have a few questions:

* I seem to remember some talk awhile back about new sofa beds coming to the BWV. Have these all been changed now? Are they comfortable? We'll be booking a studio, so it will definitely be used.

* One thing we've always noted when riding on the boats in this area is that the BWV resorts seems to be HUGE! I fear getting stuck in a room WAAAYYY down at the end near MGM. Has anyone had a room down there and been happy? I can't imagine walking that far from the main entrance every evening. Should we request something near the lobby?

* How is the bus service at this resort? We stayed at the Yacht Club a few years ago and I seem to remember this resort being in the cluster of resorts that shared busses. Is this still the case?

 

[spiceycat]

can only answer question 2.

there is only one elevator. but there are staircases through out the resort.

It is much faster to walk down the staircases in the back part - go out the back door - than going to the elevators....

you can get to the buses sometimes before they leave.....

questions 3
all the Epcot buses have separate buses in the morning.... but in late morning they start sharing again....sometimes it is all 5 resorts. sometimes BW only shares with BC/yc.

Disney is very strange with this. OKW and SSR don't share. Pop doesn't share. but it makes it deluxe resort share a bus.... Now I can understand if they are leaving empty - but sometimes they are full before they go to the other resort.....

 

[mouseclick1]

Question #1
We were in a 2 BR last February. The living room sofa bed was the new style, but the studio portion had the old style.

 

[CarolMN]

You aren't thinking of this November are you? If so, you might not be able to reserve anything at the BWV - there are already waitlists for many November nights. You could even have trouble getting into OKW at this point depending on which November dates you have in mind.

Best wishes -

 

[byoung]

Had rm 3133 last Oct, no longer walk from elevators. It turned out OK found going down stairs, down hall out dr it was close to bus stop. Could return to rm same way from bus stop. Worked out good.

 

[DebbieB]

My 1 bedroom 2 weeks ago still had the old style (room 2011). I stayed in a 1 bedroom in 12/04 and it had a new one (room 5051). I think they replace them as needed.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

* One thing we've always noted when riding on the boats in this area is that the BWV resorts seems to be HUGE! I fear getting stuck in a room WAAAYYY down at the end near MGM. Has anyone had a room down there and been happy? I can't imagine walking that far from the main entrance every evening. Should we request something near the lobby?

We've been down at that end a couple of times and love it. Remember what's close to one thing is far from something else. Being at that end of the hall makes for a very quick walk to MGM and the quiet pool/Community Hall. As byyoung said, learn where the stairs are and use them if you can.

HBC

 

[Tina]

You aren't thinking of this November are you? If so, you might not be able to reserve anything at the BWV - there are already waitlists for many November nights. You could even have trouble getting into OKW at this point depending on which November dates you have in mind.

Best wishes -

We're planning on 3 nights - Nov 5-8th (Sun-Wed). Since there are no school breaks at that time, we're hoping to get lucky. I will likely call MS tomorrow.

 

[*elaine*]

We're planning on 3 nights - Nov 5-8th (Sun-Wed). Since there are no school breaks at that time, we're hoping to get lucky. I will likely call MS tomorrow.

I called for a studio at BWV for those exact dates on Monday. There was nothing available in ANY DVC resort. It is the last week of Food and Wine. My MS person told me not to be hopeful about waitlisting. I was able to book a studio at OKW the following week (Nov. 12-15th). Nothing was available at BWV or BCV.

 

[Tina]

Thanks for the info. Our AP's expire on 11/13 so we're trying to squeeze in one last trip. Perhaps we'll consider October, too.

 

[Tina]

You were SO right, Elaine. There is nothing available at the Epcot resorts during October or the first 2 weeks of November. There were a few 1 bedrooms here and there, but we want only a studio. I was able to get 3 nights in a studio at OKW for Oct 23, 24, & 25th, so I'm pleased with that. I'm really hoping to fall in love with OKW as so many others have since the point values are so low.

 

[beachblanket]

The undermentioned fact about the "long hallway walk" at BWV is that it actually benefits those with Boardwalk view villas on upper floors. The "farther" down the hall you are from the elevators, the better your view of Epcot and Illuminations (the building curves, and because of this the villas at the far end have a more direct view of the park/show). We were in the villa at the very end of the 4th floor hall last August (# 4001), and the view of the evening fireworks from our balconies absolutely rocked!!!

View of Illuminations from bedroom balcony in BWV villa 4001

 

[Tina]

That sounds like a good trade-off!! Thanks for sharing.

 

[thelobstershanty]

The hallways at BWV are no longer than the hallways at GF, YC, BC, AKL, etc. Nor are they any longer then the length of a walk from OKW, SSR, CSR, etc from the fartherest room to the main hub. The length of the BWV's hallways are grossly inflated on this board.
BWV is a one of WDW's top resorts. It is top notch all the way. Go and experience BWV for yourself, do not put too much stock in what you read here. It is all personal preferences, with very few facts thrown in.
Have a great trip!!

 

[las3888]

That timeframe is considered "Jersey week" and is often very crowded. Jersey schools have election day off as well as that Thursday and Friday off of that same week. Many Jersey folks take advantage of that and either come for the whole week or make long weekends of their stay during that time. We were at BWV last year during that time and found the crowds to be ALOT more heavy than we had hoped for that time of year. We are going the week later this year (nov. 12) and hoping for a much quieter week!

As far as question 2, we have stayed at the way end of the hall towards MGM and the way end of the hall going the other way. Towards MGM was alot more flexible - easy access to busses, parking, pool. The other way easy access to the boardwalk.

We went into it with the expectation that the hallways are really long -- we walked it once just resort hopping. I timed the walk one day and it took 3 minutes. It's not the most convenient thing, but for everything else we love about BWV it was well worth it and no biggie!

 

[MiaSRN62]

The hallways at BWV are no longer than the hallways at GF, YC, BC, AKL, etc. Nor are they any longer then the length of a walk from OKW, SSR, CSR, etc from the fartherest room to the main hub. The length of the BWV's hallways are grossly inflated on this board.

I pretty much agree.....I stayed in one of those rooms at BWV way at the far end of the hallway. Unfortunately, we could not utilize the stairs because of my mil who was with us and just simply wasn't feeling too terrific all that week (she was elderly and undergoing chemo). We had a hike to the main pool, as well as the bus stop. It was taking us a total 20-25 min to walk to Epcot from the moment we left our room (#4131). I'm sure if we could have utilized the stairs it would have been better.....but we were on the 4th floor and that's alot of stairs to climb after a full day of fun at the parks and after a 20-25 min walk home from Epcot. But despite having a parking lot view and being far from the elevators, we liked this resort. I still prefer the coziness of OKW, but we would def stay at this resort again in the future.
I've read many references as to using the stairs and I think it would be faster, yet on the flip side, I always find it funny when people balk about having to climb 1 or 2 flights of stairs at OKW. Or the distance it is to the HH. It's generally all the same when you average in different walk times at most of the resorts. The way I look at it......when you're at WDW, you're most likely going to be doing a fair amount of walking. Have a great stay at OKW ! I was indeed on a waitlist for OKW during your time period----they never came through for me. It's a very busy time for DVC and WDW in general.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Jersey schools have election day off as well as that Thursday and Friday off of that same week. Many Jersey folks take advantage of that and either come for the whole week or make long weekends of their stay during that time. We were at BWV last year during that time and found the crowds to be ALOT more heavy than we had hoped for that time of year. We are going the week later this year (nov. 12) and hoping for a much quieter week!

I can even tell you that some of our schools, here in the 'burbs of Philly, have off anywhere from 2-3 days that week. It's why we tend to like to vacation during this time frame as well. I think Jersey Week is Nov 5-12 this year ?

 

[spiceycat]

You were SO right, Elaine. There is nothing available at the Epcot resorts during October or the first 2 weeks of November. There were a few 1 bedrooms here and there, but we want only a studio. I was able to get 3 nights in a studio at OKW for Oct 23, 24, & 25th, so I'm pleased with that. I'm really hoping to fall in love with OKW as so many others have since the point values are so low.

did you get on the wait list? with auto do it without calling you (Okay I forgot the correct terms). you can get your reservation confirmed without DVC calling you (which means you might lost your BWV reservations if one come thru).

you might have a chance... If not I happen to love OKW.

OKW has 2 queen beds - so no sofa bed.

It is slightly bigger.

Now I love a water view at OKW. problem is the best views are on the 2nd or 3rd floor.... OKW only has elevators in 62,63,64 building. so most don't have an elevator...

bus transportation only.

lots of people like building 23-26 - they have a bus stop that is the first bus stop - but the real advantage to staying here is if you miss the bus - then you can easily walk to HH and still get it....

I like South Pointe - building 55.

 

[Tina]

I didn't bother to wait list. I'd rather just settle on what I have and not worry about it. We've been wanting to try OKW, so this will be a great opportunity. Thanks to everyone for your feedback and advice.