BWV room request help! please!

[cathicool]

We are staying in a 1br villa at the Boardwalk in the (hot ) end of August. I have a double stroller which will also br a "stroller as wheelchair" for my mildly autistic son who fatigues easily.

I'm looking for room request suggestions. I already requested non smoking and near the elevator for medical reasons. i've also requested top floor-- I'm hoping to get a room that will allow us to see the fireworks from our balcony. my son loves the display of the fireworks but hates the noise.

i've read on the boards that room 3017 is great for fireworks viewing, but is it close-ish to the elevators?

anyone else hav a room or a range of rooms i should try to either request or "choose" when available (we will be arriving early in the morning to check in)?


thanks so much!

cathicool

 

[Granny]

The way you have already listed your requests gives you the best chance of success. Just make sure that MS has them in priority order. The way you've listed them your priorities, in order, are:

1. Non-smoking
2. Near elevators for medical reasons
3. Top floor

Trying to narrow requests down to specific rooms is a formula for disappointment, and you may end up with none of your requests. The best is to do as you've done, which gives the room assigner the most flexibility in meeting your needs.

Assuming you have your requests in priority order, I'd go with what you already have and realize that all of them are requests that Disney will try to meet but may not be able.

We've stayed at BWV in August before, and you are correct with that heat thing. But once you're inside the building, the A/C makes it quite pleasant even if not close to the elevator. Personally, I think your priority ranking makes sense and is how I'd do it.

Have a great trip!

 

[Mickeylover6]

We have been DVC members for 6 years. I book BWV day by day 11 mo. out every year for the first or second week in June. My request... open balcony. I have NEVER gotten it on the first try. Yep, I am offered the option of changing my room for a 50.00 room change fee. I have tried requesting top floor, open balcony, calling the room assigner 7 days out, etc. We do not even specify non smoking because I would rather get an open balcony in a smoking room, than a balcony I can't see over. This is really frustrating to us, we really feel there is no point in having a boardwalk view room with a balcony that is totally walled when you sit down. Before I receive flames, I know there are no guarantees when you make room requests, I would just like to figure out a way to get a decent balcony (even once!) Okay, small vent... sorry, my point is I honestly don't know how closely room requsts are looked at. I was told this trip to start calling the room assigner 6 months in advance every 30 days to request my open balcony. This seems a little obnoxious and I really refuse to do it. I pointed out to that CM that the BWV do not even see the reservations until 5 days before. He confirmed this but said it would be on the record. Just what I was told, not my suggestion. Anyways... good luck with a great view!

 

[cathicool]

what the heck is a $50 room change fee?

don't tellme that if i don't "like" the room assigned, they are going to charge me $50 to change the room. Sounds like a possible scandel to me.....maybe they won't grant your request kinda purposefully and charge the $50 bucks to get your request fulfilled???

 

[Mickeylover6]

Yep! There is a room change fee. I quote from the vacation planner "If you request a room change (for a different view, floor, etc.) after check in, you'll be charged a room change fee based upon Vacation Home size." I know that the two bedroom units fee is $50.00 (from experience). I've also wondered if it is a way to make money too, but I have to believe in the good of people and that Disney would not do this intentionally, right???

 

[Granny]

what the heck is a $50 room change fee?

don't tellme that if i don't "like" the room assigned, they are going to charge me $50 to change the room. Sounds like a possible scandel to me.....maybe they won't grant your request kinda purposefully and charge the $50 bucks to get your request fulfilled???

Actually, it's not a bad policy as long as they are accurate at the check in desk when you ask a question. If you are told that your room is non-smoking, and you walk into a room reeking of smoke then there shouldn't be a change fee.

If it is merely a question of a request going unmet, then I don't have a problem with the fee.

Mickeylover6....It is bad luck that you continue to miss out on your only request. Unbelievable that they told you to keep calling back...that is clearly not reasonable nor should it be necessary. My suggestion would be to ask specifically upon check in if it has a "closed balcony". If they say no, and it actually does, I think you have a case to go back to the front desk and request a new room without paying the fee.

Bottom line though...these really are requests and they tell me every time I make one that it's not guaranteed.

 

[Mickeylover6]

If it is merely a question of a request going unmet, then I don't have a problem with the fee.

Okay, my last post on this honest! I know I have taken this off topic... sorry! But in reference to the above quote... if they have the room available which meets my original request, and this has happened, then why do they put us in a different room, and charge us 50.00 if we want to change rooms to one that meets our original request? This is where I get confused. Either they have the room or they don't. I obviously do not have any faith in the room assigners at BWV, but I do love the atmosphere of the resort and will continue to visit every chance I get. I take the good with the bad, and the BWV definitely has more good than bad.

Granny, thank you for the advice, we were actually told last time that our room was way at the end (over Crest of Wave) with an open balcony and went to the room to find out it wasn't. I gave up!!! (lol) I guess my point on this whole issue is... Don't get your heart set on any request for a room. Of course I encourage you to try, but they are only requests, and in our case at least are never met! Good luck to you!

 

[jekjones1558]

Regarding room numbers: the lower numbers in the thousands (e.g. 30-- or 20-- etc.) are the furthest from the elevator. The carpeting makes it a little tough pushing wheelchairs and strollers. Just something to consider. I have been happy with every BW view room we have had as far as fireworks view. I am like a previous poster and really don't like the rooms with the solid wall balconies, even though those balconies are huge. I much prefer having open rails so that I can sit and watch the BW activity, the Friendship boats coming and going, etc. I think your son might enjoy that also. Mention to the CMs at check-in what your concerns are with your son and tell them you are willing to wait for a good room if necessary. I think the room charge fee is only charged if you actually move in and it is necessary to re-clean the room. Good luck. Have a fab time!

 

[CapeCodFam]

In regards to the noise, I've been in lots of rooms and you can not get away from the noise of the fireworks. But, that's never been a problem for us.

If you want to view the fireworks, you'll need either Boardwalk view or standard view (I think). The further away from the elevators,the better the view. Both of these categories need to be booked as such. I believe all of the other preferred views are facing away from Epcot. Although, I could be wrong on that.

I think you're requests are about as good as you can get. Best wishes for a great trip.

 

[*elaine*]

Off-topic - Don't forget to ask for a "Guest with Disability" card for your son with autism. I have 2 boys on the spectrum (4 & 6) and the Disability pass helped us manage our trips to the parks so much better last month.

 

[DebbieB]

Just got back - was in 2011. It was above the Big River Grill. I had requested top floor but this was all they had (it was around noon, I said I was willing to wait for something else). Had a great view of the fireworks. It did have a closed balcony, which really wasn't a big deal to me. The only time I went out on it was to watch the fireworks a couple nights, I just stood. During the daytime, it was too hot to sit out. The balcony was huge, it spanned the entire length of both the bedroom & living room. It was noisy, people talking out on the boardwalk late. I fell asleep with the TV on, with the sleep timer set, so they did not keep me awake. One night I did hear someone yell "can you keep it down, it's 12:30!".

The room change fee is the cleaning fee. It's $25 for a studio, $30 1 bedroom, $40 2 bedroom, $60 GV. For example, if after the first night I decided I did not like this room, they would have charged me to move the next day because the room would have to be re-cleaned.

 

[kidsister]

From the outside, the upper floors of Crest of the Wave sure LOOK like open bar balconies....Those over Big River Grill all look closed. If you don't mind a standard view (from way down the long hallway towards the tennis courts)...those rooms mostly have open balconies.

If open balcony is really important...maybe I'd make it my ONLY request and see what they could do with that!

Most Boardwalk View rooms aren't considered all that close to the elevators, but the view is worth it, and the distance doens't HAVE to be wayyyyyy far away (like all the way to the end by the Atlantic Dancehall.)

I haven't yet gotten my requests all met at BWV. They did move us last time after 3 nights....noise....no charge.

 

[crisi]

We've never gotten our "view" requests met either. Its been ok - we asked for top floor last time and got put on the ground floor, but since we were fifty paces from Luna Park with our fish children, it turned out fine.

I think close the the elevators and good fireworks views are usually contradictory requests. Most of the rooms close to the elevators have the building blocking the fireworks. I think some of the preferred view rooms you get the Fantasmic fireworks from....But most Illuminations and Fanstasmic fireworks sit low to the ground (unlike Wishes, which you can see from Epcot its so high) and you don't see much because the buildings are blocking most of it.

 

[cathicool]

well i think i'll take a better view over closer to the elevators if i have to choose. the kids will be in strollers so they won't care about the proximity to the elevator, but they will care abut the view. ESPECIALLY my autistic son who loves the view of the fireworks, but hates the noise of them.

LICAL3

 

[crisi]

well i think i'll take a better view over closer to the elevators if i have to choose. the kids will be in strollers so they won't care about the proximity to the elevator, but they will care abut the view. ESPECIALLY my autistic son who loves the view of the fireworks, but hates the noise of them.

LICAL3

Oh, not good. From ANYWHERE at the Boardwalk you hear fireworks noise. And lots of it. Even with the doors closed. Enough to wake us up from sleep one night when they had a private party over at MGM....In fact, you can hear fireworks better than see them from anywhere - there are a lot of low fireworks you can't see - but you'll hear them.

 

[Mich Mouse]

We have a preferred view for BWV, which means pool or garden view.

Anyone have any suggestions/opinions on this?

What are the different view categories?

Is the pool view very noisy? Is the garden view lush and beautiful?

What about the rooms that overlook the entrance? Are they preferred view?

Thank for any opinions!

 

[Mich Mouse]

Off-topic - Don't forget to ask for a "Guest with Disability" card for your son with autism. I have 2 boys on the spectrum (4 & 6) and the Disability pass helped us manage our trips to the parks so much better last month.

Make sure to bring a Doctors note with you to receive the Guest Assistance card. I went last year with my friend who was undergoinmg chemotherapy treatment, and I called ahead to find out what we needed to do. Bring the note to guest services, and they will give you a pass for the entire party, for the length of the trip. But, remember, you must have the Doctors note.

 

[*elaine*]

Make sure to bring a Doctors note with you to receive the Guest Assistance card. I went last year with my friend who was undergoinmg chemotherapy treatment, and I called ahead to find out what we needed to do. Bring the note to guest services, and they will give you a pass for the entire party, for the length of the trip. But, remember, you must have the Doctors note.

I brought a doctor's note, worded as recommended in The Unofficial Guide, but they wouldn't even look at it. I have since been told by a couple of mother's at my kids' school (they both are in autism classes with other autistic kids) that Disney told its CM's not to ask to see doctors' notes any more - just to issue the pass for the family with as little hassle as possible. I had a note, so it didn't matter to me, but the note may not be a requirement any more. In any event, it would be a good idea to bring one.