BWV: Two Views Only - Standard and Boardwalk

[las3888]

Oh yes, I agree....but then you had to be actually standing on the balcony and looking directly down. But from inside the room, all we could see was the parking lot.....that's why I considered that the primary view........if you stood inside the room and looked out the doors the parking lot was all we could see, along with a service vehicle drivway (for PV points).
I doubt I could get SV points because it's not my home resort......but I'll request a pool view if I stay there again. And to repeat.....I've accepted this and I can understand why BWV owners would want to keep it this way. I just wonder how BWV owners feel about the view I got for PV points ? Some may think it's a not-so-bad view I suppose......

Sorry Maria,

I think your room is very very close to a standard view room we once had at BWV some time ago. If you paid preferred points for this, I feel bad for you. Again, I don't want to debate the current point structure, but I feel the preferred view rooms are definitely not worth the value of the boardwalk view. I don't think they are horrible, but not worth the same. The standard views are worth even less. Honestly, there should be a 3-tier system at BWV, but I would have no idea how that would happen.

 

[KarenP99]

Not a BWV owner (but wish I was, anyone wanna trade for some BCV points?)

I would be upset if I were "upgraded" from my SV of the driveway/parking lot to a view of the clown pool. I have had the pool view in the past and it was very loud & distracting!

 

[byoung]

As a BWV owner I am very happy with the way it is set up right now. No changes needed!

I also agree.

 

[spiceycat]

I doubt I could get SV points because it's not my home resort......but I'll request a pool view if I stay there again. And to repeat.....I've accepted this and I can understand why BWV owners would want to keep it this way. I just wonder how BWV owners feel about the view I got for PV points ? Some may think it's a not-so-bad view I suppose......

so sorry - yes I would think this room was standard view not preferred.

but any room,even the room with a tree blocking all the views - there are couple at BWV. would be better than that silly pool clown....

I got almost the same view 5 times before I switched to standard.

Oh I learned to hate that view - and it didn't seem to matter - I always ended up in that area - no matter who I complained to.

 

[thelobstershanty]

As a BWV owner I am very happy with the way it is set up right now. No changes needed!

We totally agree!

 

[thelobstershanty]

I can understand BWV owners wanting it to stay the same, but the problem lies in that there are many slots of "preferred view" rooms that face the parking lot. I had one of those and it wasn't worth the preferred points at all imho. I thought the pool views were much nicer and deserving of preferred points.

Actually there are very FEW villas that fall into this category. The standard view villas or the few pv villas that are on that side of the building are much closer to the waterway, the grass and landscaping then they are to a parking lot. Yes, you can see the parking lot off in the distance, but it is much farther away then the canal, the grass etc is. The views from these villas are primarily of the canal, grass, landscaping etc with the parking lot off in the far background.
I know you were very disappointed with your view at BWV. You have repeatedly told the story over and over again since what was it 2003? It is unfortunate that you did not like your view, but you have stayed at BWV only once. There are many on this board that have stayed at BWV multiple times, us included. We can honestly say BWV has the overall best views of any WDW resort we have stayed at and we have stayed in them all. We have a great deal of experience in staying in villas all over BWV and the vast majority of them have wonderful views.
So sorry you did not enjoy your stay at BWV, but since over 3 years have passed, don't you think it is time to let go of that disappointment? If you don't like the resort--don't stay there. But please do not make it sound so horrible and a terrible waste of points, when it really is not!

 

[crisi]

Oh yes, I agree....but then you had to be actually standing on the balcony and looking directly down. But from inside the room, all we could see was the parking lot.....that's why I considered that the primary view........if you stood inside the room and looked out the doors the parking lot was all we could see, along with a service vehicle drivway (for PV points).
I doubt I could get SV points because it's not my home resort......but I'll request a pool view if I stay there again. And to repeat.....I've accepted this and I can understand why BWV owners would want to keep it this way. I just wonder how BWV owners feel about the view I got for PV points ? Some may think it's a not-so-bad view I suppose......

My take as a BWV owner:

If I book early enough I book a guarenteed view - either SV to save points, or Boardwalk View to know what I am getting.

If I don't book early enough and get preferred view, its luck of the draw. But there are bad views for the same number of points at BCV and VWL. As a BWV owner with early access to the guarenteed views, I feel lucky. If I don't have the opportunity to book early, I'm no worse off than if I were staying a VWL and risking the infamous dumpster view.

 

[kathleena]

Sorry Kathleena......there are indeed "preferred" parking lot views. When we checked in, we called the front desk thinking there was a mistake. They put me on a 3 way call with MS and both confirmed that there are indeed valet parking lot views in the back. Many people on the DIS have confirmed this as well. I just don't understand this at all, but MS and BWV told me because I had a "view" of water.....being the small canal beneath the balcony.
I followed up my experience with DVC in an email upon my return home, hoping to be refunded the PV points and charged SV points for our room----no way were they budging. There is some imaginary line that DVC/BWV drew when they decided which rooms would be standard vs preferred on that side of the hotel.
Edited to add : our room was #4131 if anyone is interested

My room was #4133, I stayed in there May 2006 and it is a Standard View Room.

 

[tinkfan]

We had a bad experience 2 years ago with PV rooms as well. Our 2bdrm room overlooked the tennis courts and beyond that parking lot. If you went out on the balcony and leaned way over to the right was the canal. I immediately called the front desk to ask if there was some mistake. She assured me it was a preferred view room. What really cracked me up was she said it was a fireworks view. I asked what fireworks as you were not facing Epcot or MK. She said MGM. I said there have not been fireworks at MGM since they started Fantasmic(unless they are counting the few that go off at the end of that ) She insisted thats what it was but offered to move us the next day to a pool view room. We did move and were very happy we did as we could sit out on the balcony and watch our young teens swim.

We are returning to the BWV next March and was able to secure a BW view room! Its nice to know thats a guarantee!!

 

[thelobstershanty]

Tina,
You are going to love the boardwalk view. It is very, very pretty, especially at nighttime when Spaceship Earth, WS, YC/BC, the boardwalk etc are all lit up. We are definite middle of the action people and we love to people watch, so evenings on our balcony is always enjoyable. Nighttime is really the only time you see much action on the boardwalk, btw. Many make it sound like it is a constant throng of people and noise and nothing could be farther from the truth. The mornings on a boardwalk view balcony while enjoying a cup of coffee and watching the Epcot area awaken for the day, is something very magical and very quiet. Afternoons are pretty slow and quiet also, the boardwalk picks up in the evening, but it is a nice type of activity--people walking, laughing, entertainers performing, Illuminations going off etc.
The fact that BWV offers guaranteed standard views for lower pts and boardwalk view villas for fantastic views is one of BWV's biggest pluses, imo.
Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[kimberh]

I am staying for my first Home visit on Tuesday, Aug 22nd pf. I have a BW view in May and I can't wait.

 

[MiaSRN62]

thelobstershanty says : If you don't like the resort--don't stay there. But please do not make it sound so horrible and a terrible waste of points, when it really is not!

I NEVER stated I didn't like the resort...in fact, I stated the exact opposite. Go back and read all my posts. This specific post of mine on this thread was to bring to the attention of some who might not be aware, that there are indeed parking lot views that are charged PV points. Whether they are far off or not, didn't matter to us. We could clearly see the bell hop driving my dh out to our car when we had forgotten a piece of luggage. So it's not so far off ---wish I would have snapped a pic, but I didn't think the view was worth the film It's just nowhere in the DVC Member guidebook does it even hint at a parking lot view for PV points. It states "water" or "garden" which it does also indeed have. But I just had a garden view at the BC 2 weeks ago for standard price and that's what I got. Only trees, flowers and a nice little footpath leading to Epcot. And that was a standard view.
I never made it sound so horrible....if you go back and read over all my posts---yes, dating back to 2003---I repeat often how much of a good time we had and how lovely the resort is. I wasn't aware there was a limit on how far back we can report our experiences ? I've been going to WDW since 1986 and I often chat about my past trips and experiences ?
I don't believe it was "horrible" at all. Maybe to YOU Lobstershanty, it's not a waste of PV points......maybe to ME it is ? I just find it interesting that room 4133 is SV points and I'm the next room over and I'm charged PV points ? These two rooms both have the same view. That's my only issue.
I do like to point out to some who might be a little taken aback (as we were) that BWV does consider room 4131 (and those above and below it on the various floors) on that side of the building to be preferred.....when just, as Kathleena pointed out, room 4133 was a standard room. One room over ? So you can only imagine how close this PV/SV dividing line actually is. I only stated this because a post in this thread stated all "parking lot views" are standard. I was just pointing out that this is not necessarily true and it is my right to do so how ever many times I choose. I am way over the disappointment Lobstershanty (that was gone back in 2003).....I think your post is a little nervy. I am simply pointing out a FACT that some may not be aware of & I'm allowed to do this ya know.
So perhaps my choice of the word "many" is off........but there are at least 5-7 rooms on each floor that have this view and would be considered preferred to DVC/BWV.
So go back and search my posts....I'm fine with this....because nowhere did I ever blast BWV. Actually we had a great stay here and I do REPEATEDLY mention this in posts over the last several years. It's just that this topic comes up and people still question me that the room I had was standard. Believe me....I checked into it thoroughly and have been informed by the powers that are, that it is indeed considered preferred. I have NEVER put down the BWV resort in any post of mine since I registered. In fact, do all the searches you want (if you care), and there are instances where I recommend this resort to people in many situations.

thelobstershanty says : don't you think it is time to let go of that disappointment?

No disappointment...just stating a fact re: PV vs SV point dividing line at BWV..........
Oh....btw, you have repeatedly made your feelings about OKW known on these boards. I have never told you to let go of your disappointment with that resort.
In fact, I believe just a week or two ago you got upset with me because I stated another fact....that my kids didn't really prefer the BW restaurants. That was my personal opinion and I stated it as such in a thread and you made a point of bringing that to my attention ? You surely do fiercely defend BWV---which is your perogative---but others will and do have varying opinions about all things disney. Not everyone is going to see eye to eye on everyything.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Crisi states : If I don't book early enough and get preferred view, its luck of the draw. But there are bad views for the same number of points at BCV and VWL. As a BWV owner with early access to the guarenteed views, I feel lucky. If I don't have the opportunity to book early, I'm no worse off than if I were staying a VWL and risking the infamous dumpster view.

I whole heartedly agree. ALL Disney resorts have good and bad views, no debate.
My post was not trying to slant that BWV was the only one that had less than desireable views ? In fact, had my room been a SV it would be a non-issue with me. I was only pointing out, since it's being discussed anyway here in this thread, that some "preferred" views at BW do face the parking lot. That's all. Someone had stated all parking lot views were standard and I was just stating contrary---that there are SV and PV rooms right next to eachother with the exact same view just different point costs. That's all. Not bashing BW at all. I'm sorry if anyone perceived that this was what I was doing as it was furthest from my intent.

 

[thelobstershanty]

I NEVER stated I didn't like the resort...in fact, I stated the exact opposite. Go back and read all my posts. This specific post of mine on this thread was to bring to the attention of some who might not be aware, that there are indeed parking lot views that are charged PV points. Whether they are far off or not, didn't matter to us. We could clearly see the bell hop driving my dh out to our car when we had forgotten a piece of luggage. So it's not so far off ---wish I would have snapped a pic, but I didn't think the view was worth the film It's just nowhere in the DVC Member guidebook does it even hint at a parking lot view for PV points. It states "water" or "garden" which it does also indeed have. But I just had a garden view at the BC 2 weeks ago for standard price and that's what I got. Only trees, flowers and a nice little footpath leading to Epcot. And that was a standard view.
I never made it sound so horrible....if you go back and read over all my posts---yes, dating back to 2003---I repeat often how much of a good time we had and how lovely the resort is. I wasn't aware there was a limit on how far back we can report our experiences ? I've been going to WDW since 1986 and I often chat about my past trips and experiences ?
I don't believe it was "horrible" at all. Maybe to YOU Lobstershanty, it's not a waste of PV points......maybe to ME it is ? I just find it interesting that room 4133 is SV points and I'm the next room over and I'm charged PV points ? These two rooms both have the same view. That's my only issue.
I do like to point out to some who might be a little taken aback (as we were) that BWV does consider room 4131 (and those above and below it on the various floors) on that side of the building to be preferred.....when just, as Kathleena pointed out, room 4133 was a standard room. One room over ? So you can only imagine how close this PV/SV dividing line actually is. I only stated this because a post in this thread stated all "parking lot views" are standard. I was just pointing out that this is not necessarily true and it is my right to do so how ever many times I choose. I am way over the disappointment Lobstershanty (that was gone back in 2003).....I think your post is a little nervy. I am simply pointing out a FACT that some may not be aware of & I'm allowed to do this ya know.
So perhaps my choice of the word "many" is off........but there are at least 5-7 rooms on each floor that have this view and would be considered preferred to DVC/BWV.
So go back and search my posts....I'm fine with this....because nowhere did I ever blast BWV. Actually we had a great stay here and I do REPEATEDLY mention this in posts over the last several years. It's just that this topic comes up and people still question me that the room I had was standard. Believe me....I checked into it thoroughly and have been informed by the powers that are, that it is indeed considered preferred. I have NEVER put down the BWV resort in any post of mine since I registered. In fact, do all the searches you want (if you care), and there are instances where I recommend this resort to people in many situations.


No disappointment...just stating a fact re: PV vs SV point dividing line at BWV..........
Oh....btw, you have repeatedly made your feelings about OKW known on these boards. I have never told you to let go of your disappointment with that resort.
In fact, I believe just a week or two ago you got upset with me because I stated another fact....that my kids didn't really prefer the BW restaurants. That was my personal opinion and I stated it as such in a thread and you made a point of bringing that to my attention ? You surely do fiercely defend BWV---which is your perogative---but others will and do have varying opinions about all things disney. Not everyone is going to see eye to eye on everyything.

Wow!!! I did not mean for you to get offended or defensive. You have stated quite a few times "if we were ever to stay there again", which I took it as this is not a resort that you are anxious to stay at again. I think it is a shame that based on one visit where you had the bad luck to get one of the FEW villas at BWV that are pv, that have a parking lot off in the distance, that you mention it over and over again. It is not really an accurate description of the pv villas at BWV. I doubt there are even 5-7 of these villas per floor, more like 1-3 would be more accurate. Yes, there is a cut off point of where sv ends and pv picks up and unfortunatly you got it. Yes, it is your right to voice this over and over as often as you wish and it is also my right to point out that there are very few, not many villas that fall into this category. And that the few that do have a parking lot in their view, that the parking lot is indeed far off in the distance. To say it is not listed in the DVC guide that there are pv villas with parking lot views , is a little over stepping it. It also does not say in the DVC guide that there are BCV & OKW villas that have a view of a very close road, nor does it mention the dumpster view at VWL Jeez!
Don't quite know what you are talking about regarding OKW. I have recommended this resort to others quite a few times. We have also stayed there quite a few times, many more times than once. Matter of fact we were just there in June to spend the day with friends that were staying there. We were staying at SSR. We had a lovely day at OKW and I do believe I posted this when someone was asking about the main pool.
I have said many times that we like ALL WDW resorts and stay in ALL of them on a regular basis. Of course we have our favorites, but who doesn't ?
We do not bash WDW resorts, because we like them all and we stay in them all. In the last year alone, we have stayed at BCV, BWV, SSR, VWL, YC, CBR, and All Star Music. We have also spent day visits with friends staying at OKW and AKL.
Yes, I did respond to your post regarding the many choices of restaurants at the Epcot resorts. Because again I did not think you were giving an accurate view of the restaurants available in this area. There are tons of restaurants available in this area. To imply it is not so, is not correct. Maybe your kids can not find what they like in the many, many restaurants in this area, but that certainly does not mean the choices are not there.
I do not make comments or "defend", to use your term, only BWV. I do this about any resort that I feel I have a valid opinion of. Since we stay in all the WDW resorts, we have experiences with all of them. There for a while when SSR was being put down something terrible, I very often spoke up in SSR defense because we had just had a lovely trip to that resort, and I felt it was being protrayed inaccurately when described as a substandard housing project, etc.
I am sorry if I got you upset and if you think my post was nervvy. I did not intend to do this. I will admit that it is tiring to read the same post over and over again for years, and I just came out and said it. Maybe I should have kept my opinion to myself. Again sorry if you were offended.
Truce???
On a happier note....have you posted the pictures from your lastest trip? We love looking at WDW vacation photos.

 

[MiaSRN62]

It is not really an accurate description of the pv villas at BWV. I doubt there are even 5-7 of these villas per floor, more like 1-3 would be more accurate.

Well I was 4th to 5th from the end of the hallway, so I'm assuming those are PV as well.
I only mention this because the darn topic of this thread was SV/PV at BWV. I only shared my experience. I only mention my particular experience at BWV when the topic is started. I contribute what I encountered---I'm allowed to do this (as often I like in fact).
Of course I know there are other much better PV rooms at BWV. In fact, I have stated MANY times over the years in my posts that "if I ever stay there again I will request a pool view" and I've added in the past that those views are "quite nice" (many times). I say "if I ever" because it's not my home resort and I may not be able to get in at a certain time. I have never ever stated I would never stay there again or ever put down the resort itself or it's restaurants.

Because again I did not think you were giving an accurate view of the restaurants available in this area. There are tons of restaurants available in this area.

I simply stated the restaurants were not my kids' preference....never said they were bad ? I specifically only mentioned FF and Spoodles that my kids did not like. I added that we loved Cape May and you still felt the need to get argumentative with me in that thread. It was a personal opinion and I had stated it as such.....I was not attempting to be a professional restaurant critic or anything.
Also, I'm sorry if it's tiring to you to hear about how we had a valet parking lot and service area driveway view for PV points at BWV. I only speak of my experience when the topic is initiated here by someone else....or someone states all parking lot views are standard only. This is incorrect info to newbies and those who may not have seen previous posts about it. Maybe you can just put me on your "ignore" list, because you seem to find fault with a few of my posts. I won't mind, believe me
I don't want to argue with you or anyone, but I feel I have the right to speak my mind here on the DIS regardless of whether you're tired of hearing it or not. And I believe I was not deserving of your post #46. A couple others also pointed out they had similar views for PV points and weren't too thrilled. But you zone in on me ?
As for my trip pics.....I'm working this weekend and have not had time to upload them. I hope to be able to sometime next week. Take care.....

 

[thelobstershanty]

Maria,
Just want to make a couple comments and then I am done with this portiion of this thread.
Not that I would want to put you on ignore, because even though we may have our differences in opinions about some things Disney, I do enjoy reading your posts--most of the time. But as far as putting people on ignore, I like to be able to read the whole thread with everyone's comments. I would think if you had certain people on ignore, it would make the thread sort of disjointed. But I do not know, since I have never used this feature. To me that would be like reading every other page in a book.
I do not want to argue with you or anyone else either. I think we just have to agree to disagree about certain topics.
Peace, love and Mickey Mouse!

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

To answer the OP, I think things are fine as they are, as well.

When I saw the point structure for BWV this is how I saw it: There actually ARE only 2 categories, SV and preferred. However, to save sanity, DVC chose to break up the preferred into BW view and not BW view, so they could guarantee the view on a first come first served basis, rather than have a bashfest at the front desk.

Perfectly acceptable to me. I am staying PV in September...I called in July, so I was happy to get ANY studio at BWV. I am not too worried about what I will see from the balcony, if it is a tree....well, its a DISNEY tree, baby!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Peace, love and Mickey Mouse!

I'm all for this lobstershanty....thanks

 

[crisi]

I whole heartedly agree. ALL Disney resorts have good and bad views, no debate.
My post was not trying to slant that BWV was the only one that had less than desireable views ? In fact, had my room been a SV it would be a non-issue with me. I was only pointing out, since it's being discussed anyway here in this thread, that some "preferred" views at BW do face the parking lot. That's all. Someone had stated all parking lot views were standard and I was just stating contrary---that there are SV and PV rooms right next to eachother with the exact same view just different point costs. That's all. Not bashing BW at all. I'm sorry if anyone perceived that this was what I was doing as it was furthest from my intent.

Mia, you asked how a BW owner would feel having gotten that room. I told you how I'd feel. I KNOW there are lousy preferred room views, which is why we try to book early to guarentee a view, and when people ask about views at BW I always try and say "most standard views are this, BW Views are this, preferred views can be better or worse than standard views."