BWV Room Report - 5051

[DebbieB]

My Mom and I arrived around 3:00pm on Saturday Dec 4th, our 7th year going in early December and 5th at the Boardwalk. We had a nice front desk cm. She said the good news was we got the non-smoking, 5th floor as requested (boardwalk view, 1 bedroom dedicated) but the bad news was it wasn't ready. So we went to Big River Grill and had lunch. Walked back around 4:00 and used the house phone by the health club to check for our room #. I was surprised when she said 5051, I expected a lower # for boardwalk view (I thought for sure we would get 5001, the one farthest from the elevator). The room was close to the elevator. I was surprised when I opened the curtains that we were actually facing the corner of the village green.

Pictures:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4cc30b3127cce9dcfec6c492000000036108AZOGTFq4ZtJ

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4cc30b3127cce9dcfec51c82d00000026108AZOGTFq4ZtJ

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4cc30b3127cce9dcfec44490800000026108AZOGTFq4ZtJ

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4cc30b3127cce9dcfec33c84f00000026108AZOGTFq4ZtJ

I was a little disappointed that we were not directly above the boardwalk, but I was glad we were not near the construction (which was the reason I added the top floor request a couple of weeks ago) and glad we were close to the elevator. Also not handicapped. I figured we could see as much of the lake as most other boardwalk view rooms. So I decided not to say anything.

Other details:

There was not a balcony off the bedroom, just 2 windows. The living room balcony was open with 2 chairs and small table. We could see the high fireworks from Illuminations and hear the music. It was pretty quiet, except for the occasional running and talking in the hall. There was a stairway next to us on the left. Looked like a grand villa on the corner. The rest of the rooms to the elevator on the village green side looked like studios. Couch was the new kind of sofa bed. Housekeeping was ok, the ledge outside the bedroom windows was filthy. On Tuesday night after MVMCP we came back to find small ants on the kitchen counter. I took the food off and wiped down the counter. The same thing happened last year in 3123, I swear they come out of the sink (some were in the sink). I ran hot water in the sink. Seemed OK after that.

It was fun watching people take pictures in front of the Christmas tree and watching the boats come and go.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4cc30b3127cce9dcff3ca882100000026108AZOGTFq4ZtJ

The weather was fantastic except for the first and last day (yesterday). Low 80's and sunny. It did rain on and off yesterday, we spent part of the day at MGM before going to the airport. Crowds were not bad. Lots of Pop Warner kids. They were ok except for a group of girls sitting behind me on ToT, one girl screamed her lungs out the whole time. Christmas decorations beautiful as always.

I think I was spoiled by the boardwalk view. The first year (2000) we were over the quiet pool and the last 3 standard view. I'll have to go for BW view again next year, have to start making reservations in 2 weeks! Nov 26 to Dec 2, before our AP's expire (Dec 4, 2005).

Back to reality.... :-(

 

[Maria395712]

was this a pool/garden request or guarateed BW view cause I stay in 5055 studio and was told by different people BW view and garden /pool cause it faces the BW greens
maria

 

[DebbieB]

It was guaranteed boardwalk, made at 11 months. If it would not have been 5th floor, I would have complained. But because we were up high, we could see over everything.

 

[Beca]

Thanks for posting!! Your pics are beautiful...it looks like a gorgeous room!!!



Beca

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Great pictures thanks for posting them. I know you were nervous about the construction a couple of weeks back and I'm glad the room situation worked out for you.

I have to admit though that I always thought that village green rooms were not considered Boardwalk View, but I guess maybe some or all are now.

HBC

 

[tinkerbee]

Great pictures.

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks for posting the pictures - looks like you had a great view of the IllumiNations fireworks. Wasn't the "Holiday Finale" just awesome? Sure hope it becomes another Holiday tradition!

We were in a 2 bedroom (4011/4013) that overlooked the blue tents that housed a few of the Boardwalk games. Not sure I would classify our view as better than yours - had to go out on the balcony to see the fireworks (yeah, I know, what an inconvenience, LOL). On most of the early mornings there were runners (with numbers on their chests) on the Boardwalk. Looked like they were going around Crescent Lake several times. Not sure who they were, but they certainly added a little to the people watching. Very quiet, wouldn't have known they were there if I hadn't been enjoying my morning coffee befdore the rest of the group got up.

Had just the opposite reaction to the Boardwalk view - I enjoyed it and it was nice, but not wonderful enough to overcome the incredibnle bargain of the standard views. I'll be calling day by day for our 2005 December trip, too - but for standard view.

Best wishes -

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

Thanks for the trip report and the wonderful pictures! You do good work

Lisa

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Welcome back, Debbie.

 

[kathleena]

I knew that the Village Green rooms are BW view as a room I booked for my dad was on that side once. I definately wouldn't complain about the view you had, I would be very happy with it. BW view is just that - it's not fireworks view, so if the lower deck rooms also have a glimpse of the BW, then that's what they are. It's the chance everyone takes when they book the BW view, just like getting a tree or the slide in front of the porch on a pool view. JMHO.

We stayed at PO once in a "water view" room. ha, ya if you stand in the way corner of the proch and lean out over the railing backwards and look over your left shoulder...........

I also wouldn't blame a dirty porch on housekeeping. I just don't think powerwashing the porch is on their list - I would say it's resort maintenance. Ours was dirty too, but it didn't bother us.

Thanks for the photos. Glad your trip was great!

 

[DebbieB]

I was just surprised at first about the Village Green because many people on this board have posted that they got Village Green as a preferred pool/garden. Perhaps they were on the lower floors. After my initial surprise, I was happy with it.

I didn't mean to infer that the ledge was housekeeping's fault, I guess I should have put that into a different sentence. It was just kind of gross when we looked out of the window in the bedroom (no balcony off the bedroom) and the ledge was full of bird crap and dirt. Housekeeping in the room was just OK, I did wipe some things off that she missed.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I, too, always thought all of the rooms over the Village Green were considered Garden/Water view, because at the time that they changed it, I thought someone said that DVC said that only the villas directly facing the BW would be considered BW view. And, really, I especially can't see those villas over the Wyland Gallery being BW view, as the roofline really blocks a lot of their view.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Debbie ~
Thanks for the report. I miss visiting WDW during this time period. I'm not sure exactly what constitutes a BW view but I thought your view was terrific. We had "preferred view" 4131 (garden/water) last year and had a view of the valet parking lot primarily----so I know how sometimes it can be mind-boggling the way the resorts assign the room categories. I just chalked up my experience as "live and learn" and will know what more specifically to request next time.
I'm glad you made the best of it. We like being on the higher up floors too. Thanks for the pics too---they were great. I love the Christmas tree pic. Is that tree there year round and they decorate it for the holidays or do they bring the tree in specifically this time of the year ? Sorry if that is a dumb question.

 

[DebbieB]

I think the tree is only there for the holidays. I don't remember seeing it on our May trips.

 

[goofy4tink]

In August we were in room 5063. A dedicated studio, on top of Muscles and Bustles. It was a preferred view, about 3 doors from the elevator. It had a terrific view. We could see the boardwalk and IllumiNations and Wishes off to the right in the distance!! It sure did spoil us for future visits!! When we went a couple of weeks ago, we were given 4128, a one-bdrm overlooking the quiet pool, towards the Swan/Dolphin. A nice view but not as nice as our room in August.

 

[wilderness01]

I always thought it was a housekeeping job to make sure the balcony is clean. I don't mean they should powerwash, but why not wipe off some of the ledges, especially is they are filthy and have bird crap on them? We have checked into a villa that obviously housekeeping never once looked outside on the balcony as there was garbage left out there, m&m's were all over the floor and an empty can used as an ashtray (nonsmoking unit) was sitting in the corner. I think they should have caught this as this is part of the unit.

 

[korzmom]

great pics....we were in room 3123 , left on dec 4 th . really liked the room,the corners seem bigger but i do agree, the balconys need power washing.. my dh fixed the leak under the kitchen sink and noticed there was no outlet for the lamp in the bedroom (we wondered why it wouldnt turn on)lol... do you think they need to make the rooms a little brighter? the sofa bed was a little worn also...next trip is in june , got a 2 bedroom preferred view for that trip but we are on the list for a standard view...hope this time the room is a little closer to elevator...lol. merry christmas!!!

 

[heaven2dc]

I'm new to all this so please bear with me (wonderful pics!) - did you book your room thru the resort itself or thru the points method? I just posted a thread asking help about knowing which room I'll get. Our only visit to WDW was in 97 and our room overlooked the quiet pool (can't remember the room #'s - we had 2 1bdrm's side-by-side) and loved the view of Tower of Terror but would love to know which rooms overlook the boardwalk for our next trip in March 06.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm new to all this so please bear with me (wonderful pics!) - did you book your room thru the resort itself or thru the points method? I just posted a thread asking help about knowing which room I'll get. Our only visit to WDW was in 97 and our room overlooked the quiet pool (can't remember the room #'s - we had 2 1bdrm's side-by-side) and loved the view of Tower of Terror but would love to know which rooms overlook the boardwalk for our next trip in March 06.

For the most part, we book through Member Services (MS) using our points. You can deal directly with Disney CRO and pay cash for the villas. Or you could try to rent points from a DVC member.

As far as getting the room you want, just be sure to make your requests at the time of booking. I always ask for a non-smoking room. Then I sometimes add..village green view or quiet pool view. You may not get exactly what you want but in all my trips to WDW I have only had one room/villa that I asked to change from. And remember...you can only make 'request'...you are guarenteed nothing!!

 

[DebbieB]

I'm new to all this so please bear with me (wonderful pics!) - did you book your room thru the resort itself or thru the points method? I just posted a thread asking help about knowing which room I'll get. Our only visit to WDW was in 97 and our room overlooked the quiet pool (can't remember the room #'s - we had 2 1bdrm's side-by-side) and loved the view of Tower of Terror but would love to know which rooms overlook the boardwalk for our next trip in March 06.

I am a DVC member and booked it at 11 months. From what I understand, boardwalk view rooms can only be booked with points. CRO does not book views with their reservations, you get whatever members do not book. It would be very rare for a boardwalk view not to be booked with points.