BWV renovations

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

In your opinion is it easier to pull down the bed for sleeping than it is to pull out the sofa? I am traveling just myself and my 8 year old son. I think he'd get more of a kick out of sleeping in that bed than the pullout sofa. it also seems like it would be easier to open and close that than the sofa on a daily basis (when we stayed at BLT we just left the sofa open).

Yes, the pull down would be easier, but it would prevent you from watching TV even on a low volume with it right above him. That said... the new TVs have an AWESOME picture. We don't typically watch TV when at Disney, but our university's bowl game took place when we were there this time... so we watched in the room. Impressive reception!

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Our BWV 1 bedroom dining area had a new wood-look laminate table and new chairs with vinyl cushions, much more practical than the old set.

This just highlights the inconsistency in the rooms now. Our 1-bedroom dining area had painted white stools (for the dining space on the backside of the kitchen counter), a table, and two side chairs that were from the old decor, as well as a painted white side chair in the living room. Our bellman was surprised that our room did not have a pull-out chair rather than the painted white chair, so that a 5th person could be accommodated. Apparently, the rooms are not uniform in their decor, which can present problems when renting points. Most renters want a reasonable idea of what to expect, and with these inconsistencies, that will be difficult to provide!

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Jean, I also wonder if folks will want to pay luxury rates to rent points for a stay at Boardwalk Villas if they end up with a room that feels "practical" instead of luxurious. At the going rental rates, I think some of the "luxury" needs to be retained if we hope to keep renters happy. Perhaps that was Disney's thought in all of this. When BWV is very popular, we present significant competition to the other Disney properties... but if it feels like a value resort, we cannot compete. Did anyone among the Homeowners leadership get to see plans for the renovation before it occurred. Were owners informed, through the leadership, of plans to make the resort practical rather than luxurious?

 

[jekjones1558]

Our bellman was surprised that our room did not have a pull-out chair rather than the painted white chair, so that a 5th person could be accommodated.

The bellman is misinformed. NONE of the 1 bedrooms at BWV are getting pullout chairs. I wonder if any other 1 bedrooms still have the old painted dining table?

 

[Lisa F]

Yes, the pull down would be easier, but it would prevent you from watching TV even on a low volume with it right above him. That said... the new TVs have an AWESOME picture. We don't typically watch TV when at Disney, but our university's bowl game took place when we were there this time... so we watched in the room. Impressive reception!

That's ok. I am really not much of a TV person to be honest, after he goes to bed at home I rarely turn it back on. It's just the two of us and we stayed in BLT last time, had the couch pulled out the whole time so it was a little bit tight. When he passed out he PASSED out and I caught up with friends and family online for about a half hour to an hour before passing out myself. We did the parks opening to close the whole time. Best trip of my life.

 

[Lisa F]

Jean, I also wonder if folks will want to pay luxury rates to rent points for a stay at Boardwalk Villas if they end up with a room that feels "practical" instead of luxurious. At the going rental rates, I think some of the "luxury" needs to be retained if we hope to keep renters happy. Perhaps that was Disney's thought in all of this. When BWV is very popular, we present significant competition to the other Disney properties... but if it feels like a value resort, we cannot compete. Did anyone among the Homeowners leadership get to see plans for the renovation before it occurred. Were owners informed, through the leadership, of plans to make the resort practical rather than luxurious?

I don't think you can ever compare BWV to a value resort. The location and amenities will always set it apart from values, moderates, OKW, SSR and all less expensive resorts. Even a modestly decorated apartment in the heart of manhattan will cost more money than a luxuriously decorated apartment in upstate New York (assuming both are furnished). I don't think the new rooms feel "value" at all... when I think value resort at disney I think heavily themed but less sophisticated styling. I live in an expensive and exclusive coastal community and the aesthetic of the new rooms is a lot closer to what is happening in real life here and would not be out of place at all... simple, clean lines in muted beachy tones is way more in style than the pastels and the quilted flowers and all that kind of stuff that they pulled out of there. I really don't think that people who are used to staying at luxury hotels are going to feel duped and like they are staying at a value. You can maybe not care for it and it may not be your cup of tea (honestly I always found the OKW decor dreadful and only stayed there once, pickled wood is not my thing... I haven't been back since so no clue what it looks like nowadays) but that doesn't make it inherently bad. I kind of endured the old pastel decor for years for the sake of the location - both proximity to Epcot and Hollywood studios but also the huge attraction of the boardwalk itself. It just feels so good being there, walking there, seeing a show, having an ice cream. As long as that doesn't change I am ok with most interior changes. But I will tell you what I miss the MOST was the old original boardwalk carpet with slatted fence wallpaper wainscoting with the beach and sand grasses beyond in the hallways. I really wish they had replicated that in subsequent renovations and it made me so sad to see it go. But I guess you can't freeze time

 

[jekjones1558]

This is what the new dining table should look like.

 

[Lisa F]

Such a CUTE idea.. Assume it is the same as Poly and VGF; Didn't sleep on it, but felt the mattress and it felt plush rather than a "thinner" mattress. Was "picturing" the day when we bring grandchildren one day in the future; perfect!

I showed him the picture and he said "wow that looks like you would not feel the springs" lol. He is super excited now to sleep in his own little bed and leave the couch folded up. Also we are big fans of dumbo (not the movie so much, it is too heartbreaking... but just the sweet little baby elephant!)

 

[Lisa F]

Not a fan of those fakey bamboo chairs however. but different strokes I love the chandelier though!

 

[jekjones1558]

Not a fan of those fakey bamboo chairs however. but different strokes I love the chandelier though!

Those chair backs are very uncomfortable also. I slip pillow with case over the back to make them better.

 

[akl2004]

I showed him the picture and he said "wow that looks like you would not feel the springs" lol. He is super excited now to sleep in his own little bed and leave the couch folded up. Also we are big fans of dumbo (not the movie so much, it is too heartbreaking... but just the sweet little baby elephant!)

We stayed in a renovated studio in early December. We first spent two nights at SSR where our two boys (15 and 8, he will turn 9 next week) had to share the pull out. Neither complained about the SSR bed or sleeping arrangements. When we were shown to our room, they went nuts over how much nicer the room was. It was so new it still had the new smell. The youngest got the pull down bed and said that it was much more comfortable than the SSR pull out. The oldest said that the pull out at BWV was far more comfortable than the SSR one.

By the way, we were concerned that the pull down would be cramped for him, as he is pretty big for his age and is a restless sleeper. However, it fit him well and he slept each night through.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

I don't think you can ever compare BWV to a value resort. The location and amenities will always set it apart from values, moderates, OKW, SSR and all less expensive resorts. Even a modestly decorated apartment in the heart of manhattan will cost more money than a luxuriously decorated apartment in upstate New York (assuming both are furnished). I don't think the new rooms feel "value" at all... when I think value resort at disney I think heavily themed but less sophisticated styling. I live in an expensive and exclusive coastal community and the aesthetic of the new rooms is a lot closer to what is happening in real life here and would not be out of place at all... simple, clean lines in muted beachy tones is way more in style than the pastels and the quilted flowers and all that kind of stuff that they pulled out of there. I really don't think that people who are used to staying at luxury hotels are going to feel duped and like they are staying at a value. You can maybe not care for it and it may not be your cup of tea (honestly I always found the OKW decor dreadful and only stayed there once, pickled wood is not my thing... I haven't been back since so no clue what it looks like nowadays) but that doesn't make it inherently bad. I kind of endured the old pastel decor for years for the sake of the location - both proximity to Epcot and Hollywood studios but also the huge attraction of the boardwalk itself. It just feels so good being there, walking there, seeing a show, having an ice cream. As long as that doesn't change I am ok with most interior changes. But I will tell you what I miss the MOST was the old original boardwalk carpet with slatted fence wallpaper wainscoting with the beach and sand grasses beyond in the hallways. I really wish they had replicated that in subsequent renovations and it made me so sad to see it go. But I guess you can't freeze time

Lisa, it's the mismatched styles that I am referring to with my displeasure. The new contemporary light fixtures that were in our 1-bedroom villa were cheap looking and feeling... like what you'd find in the lighting section of a big box discount store. I agree, the quilted flowers needed to go, but I don't think many designers would choose to combine heavy Asian-style dark wood furniture with vinyl driftwood-style flooring or painted white country-style chairs. This villa was the antithesis of simple and clean, and was more flea market hodge podge. Hopefully the other refurbished rooms have more cohesion in the decor. We prefer BWV over any of the other resorts (even the others where we own points), but that opinion was first reached with an apples to apples comparison at the time we purchased. I can remember vividly as we moved up the price point for Disney accommodations... how the animals folded from towels caused us to permanently abandon the value hotels in our delight, how the hidden Mickeys inspired us to purchase rather than stay with the moderates, etc. Those small details DO make a difference, especially when you have children along who delight in the details even more. Certainly, the villa we just stayed in was "adequate"... but for the contract purchase price and the dues we pay, I believe we should be able to anticipate more than "adequate" with each stay. Your original reply regarding OKW highlights that decor DOES play a big part in where people choose to stay. My concern is less that BWV will compare unfavorably to a value, and more that it will compare unfavorably to Beach Club, BLT, and all the other Disney properties for which points may be rented.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

The bellman is misinformed. NONE of the 1 bedrooms at BWV are getting pullout chairs. I wonder if any other 1 bedrooms still have the old painted dining table?

So, the studio villas will accommodate four adults and a child, whereas the 1-bedroom villas will only accommodate four adults? That seems like poor planning...

 

[jekjones1558]

So, the studio villas will accommodate four adults and a child, whereas the 1-bedroom villas will only accommodate four adults? That seems like poor planning...

Correct.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

The oldest said that the pull out at BWV was far more comfortable than the SSR one.

I agree... the new pullout at BWV was VERY comfortable. We slept in the pullout and gave my mom the bedroom. I also spent some time lounging in the bedroom with mom (watching tv with her). The new sleeping options are ridiculously comfortable!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

When I walked thru the model in Dec there were a handleful of CM's there - one that seemed to be more of a "suit" level. I was quizzed on how I liked the renovation. After a hesitation and deciding that the one questioning was perhaps more than a sales guide I truthfully shared my opinion. "Very Nice but lacking in the special Disney touches". I went into the bedroom section to look and when I came out that person asked me for more details on what I did not care for and after I shared that they then asked me to come look at the mirror with hooks in the entry way and asked if I didn't I think that was a nice touch?!

In regards to the dining table I expressed that I was disappointed that they didn't take the opportunity to do something like add a wall bench like they have at a couple other resorts and an oval table so that you could actually seat the full occupancy there if you wished. That would be especialy nice if you have it booked as a 2BR where there isn't enough dining seating between the table and the bar for full occupancy - not even close although you could split up between the 2 rooms and get closer.

 

[Lisa F]

Lisa, it's the mismatched styles that I am referring to with my displeasure. The new contemporary light fixtures that were in our 1-bedroom villa were cheap looking and feeling... like what you'd find in the lighting section of a big box discount store. I agree, the quilted flowers needed to go, but I don't think many designers would choose to combine heavy Asian-style dark wood furniture with vinyl driftwood-style flooring or painted white country-style chairs. This villa was the antithesis of simple and clean, and was more flea market hodge podge. Hopefully the other refurbished rooms have more cohesion in the decor. We prefer BWV over any of the other resorts (even the others where we own points), but that opinion was first reached with an apples to apples comparison at the time we purchased. I can remember vividly as we moved up the price point for Disney accommodations... how the animals folded from towels caused us to permanently abandon the value hotels in our delight, how the hidden Mickeys inspired us to purchase rather than stay with the moderates, etc. Those small details DO make a difference, especially when you have children along who delight in the details even more. Certainly, the villa we just stayed in was "adequate"... but for the contract purchase price and the dues we pay, I believe we should be able to anticipate more than "adequate" with each stay. Your original reply regarding OKW highlights that decor DOES play a big part in where people choose to stay. My concern is less that BWV will compare unfavorably to a value, and more that it will compare unfavorably to Beach Club, BLT, and all the other Disney properties for which points may be rented.

I'm sorry to hear that they are cheap feeling. Hard to tell from a photo. I am a designer and I mix painted and dark stained wood all the time so I don't have a problem with that. And I think that most of the disney resorts are decorated in an eclectic way... sounds like the designers here might have missed the mark. I very much love the new studios although I wish there was a separate table and chairs rather than combined with the bed, but I guess with all of the lock off situations that is impossible. Now I have barely seen any pictures of the BWV 1br but I do not like those bamboo chairs at all, blech. But I love the combo of dark wood and paint and I think the new countertops look pretty good an I love the new tile, new carpet, new more subdued color scheme. There is a whole lot more I like about it than dislike and I can live with ugly bamboo chairs if I need to for a week. I will somehow suffer through it!

The details DO make a difference but I think that when renting DVC points that people are choosing their resorts for a few reasons, the biggest being size & amenities vs. location. I've been a member since 1999 (first toured BWV in 1998) and we paid $55 a point with magical beginnings, and I remember vividly the knock down drag-em out arguments about BWV vs. OKW. The BWV crowd was all about location location location and the OKW crowd was all about size and how could anyone pay so much for those tiny little rooms! Now there are DVC resorts at nearly every deluxe hotel and I think there is something for everyone. in my experience and in my opinion (which is worth exactly what you have paid for it) location will always be the leading factor. Want to stay on the monorail? there are fans of all 3 very different resorts there, not to mention the diehard VWL vans Want to stay at Epcot? well BCV has always been the tiny brother to BWV and kind of exclusive due to its size and the feature pool... but people who are going for f&w festival are generally just as happy to stay at either. Amenities might figure in as well... like I said above, I just LOVE the boardwalk. I mean the actual boardwalk. It is a total vacation being there and if OKW had been the only option when we bought in we never would have bought in. I think people also love the size and home away from home accommodations that make even a studio much more livable than a regular resort room, especially with kids. I think what the room decor looks like is probably a distant third and honestly if OKW had been on the MK resort monorail, I would have bought into that all those years ago, picked wood and pastels be damned. The other reason people are renting is because it is cheaper than even discounted rates through disney... and I think as long as it is cheaper than disney to rent points, people will continue to rent points at their favorite resort... and being able to stroll home after illuminations, grab an ice cream and watch a show on the boardwalk will way outweigh the ugly bamboo chairs. I don't rent very often because we downsized our 2 contracts from 170 to 130 points but I'm not really concerned going forward and I generally like the changes that were made. But, different strokes for different folks. Many people loved that pickled stuff at OKW to death and I found it revolting. It's great that disney has so many options now and I am so glad we bought in when we did. I took a 5 year break from even thinking about DVC but I'm pleased in general with what I am seeing now that I am paying attention again.

And little man loves that pull down bed, he is so excited he can't contain it. He begged me if he could sleep in it (usually he begs to sleep with me!) win all around!

 

[jekjones1558]

When I walked thru the model in Dec there were a handleful of CM's there - one that seemed to be more of a "suit" level. I was quizzed on how I liked the renovation. After a hesitation and deciding that the one questioning was perhaps more than a sales guide I truthfully shared my opinion. "Very Nice but lacking in the special Disney touches". I went into the bedroom section to look and when I came out that person asked me for more details on what I did not care for and after I shared that they then asked me to come look at the mirror with hooks in the entry way and asked if I didn't I think that was a nice touch?!

In regards to the dining table I expressed that I was disappointed that they didn't take the opportunity to do something like add a wall bench like they have at a couple other resorts and an oval table so that you could actually seat the full occupancy there if you wished. That would be especialy nice if you have it booked as a 2BR where there isn't enough dining seating between the table and the bar for full occupancy - not even close although you could split up between the 2 rooms and get closer.

Excellent comments. I could add a few regarding the HA unit, like the fact there are now ZERO towel racks in the shower/toilet room. Towels have to be hung on grab bars which rather defeats the purpose of the grab bars. And good luck to anyone in a wheel chair trying to use the new wall mounted makeup mirror. It is way up high. The thing I miss most is the teacup lamp. Loved that. I agree with a previous comment that the dining table light looks cheap. It really does.

 

[Lisa F]

I agree... the new pullout at BWV was VERY comfortable. We slept in the pullout and gave my mom the bedroom. I also spent some time lounging in the bedroom with mom (watching tv with her). The new sleeping options are ridiculously comfortable!

so glad to hear that. We both slept like rocks at BLT a bit over a year ago but that could just be disney exhaustion. My little guy sleeps all over the place (we travel a lot) and usually gets the short end of the stick being the youngest in most situations so I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have a sleeping option for him that doesn't take over the entire room and that is comfortable and that he thinks is the coolest thing ever!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Excellent comments. I could add a few regarding the HA unit, like the fact there are now ZERO towel racks in the shower/toilet room. Towels have to be hung on grab bars which rather defeats the purpose of the grab bars. And good luck to anyone in a wheel chair trying to use the new wall mounted makeup mirror. It is way up high. The thing I miss most is the teacup lamp. Loved that. I agree with a previous comment that the dining table light looks cheap. It really does.

They really removed all towel racks? I just cannot understand who does the HA designs - my sister thinks it can't be anyone who really understands. It's been bad enough that there's no shelves in the HA bathrooms there but now no towel bars? My sisters Poly rooms was much better in those 2 areas but then there were other short comings like a microwave that I had difficulty reaching while standing much less her from her wheelchair.

The CM I was talking to actually brought up the teacup lamp before I did when I started talking about details! I think they might be wishing they had kept that.