WDWKook we won't hit the parks during the day just because of the heat. The kids are teens - they'll sleep til 1pm if I let them (I will hit parks in the am alone while they sleep if I want)...then we'll hit the pool til dinner, then go to whichever park is open the latest.
We'll go to a waterpark once or twice, at opening, til it gets too hot/too crowded.
That sounds like a good strategy with those sleepy-heads. DD and I like doing the water park during AM EMH - much less crowded, cooler and by lunch, when it's getting hotter and more crowded, we're done and head back to the resort. I know this doesn't maximize our ticket, but it maximizes my enjoyment
Agggh 3 weeks from right now I will be sleeping in the BWV for the first time! SOOO excited
Ok question for you BWI vets!
I booked a standard room but don't want a parking lot view b/c we spend ALOT of time on the balcony, what should I request that isn't too far down from elevators?
Also we are thinking about possibly upgrading to boardwalk view or CL but will not have the money to do so at check in, if its available when we check in will they allow us to upgrade & pay the difference?
I don't plan on doing online check in for that reason alone but if we can't come up with the extra money I want to ask for a good standard area upon check in!
I appreciate your help!
ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & BWI Sept 8-15, 2013
Any request you add to your reservation, whether via OCI or via Disney reservations, will be seen by a room assignor. Even if you have no requests at all, a room assignor will still assign a specific room to you about 3 days prior to arrival. If you want to be close to an elevator and not have a parking lot view, you should put that in as a request so that if you can't upgrade at check-in, your preferred room type will at least possibly already been assigned to you.
With the STD (non-CL) View, your view can be of the Garden/pool area, with even a view of Illuminations from higher floors. It's a great view and if you think you'd like it, you should put a request in your reservation. The 5th floor is the highest floor you could request (4th floor is CL). You can even still do OCI and it won't hurt a thing, but it isn't necessary.
I really think it's important to always book the view you would really want, rather than hope to upgrade at check-in. If you are asked to pay the difference, it's usually computed at rack rate, which if you didn't book at RR, would be higher than upgrading using any applicable discount you may have applied.
We are here now. Enjoying our home away home till June 3. The lounge is busy in the am and right at 5. The weather is great. We have been to Epcot which was busy but managable. DHS was busy but expected. Going off property today to lake minneola tiki bar.
Hope you're still having a great time. I think the crowds will be much better after Monday.
I have booked a standard view room three times in the past year and one of those times was club level. The two non-club level rooms were both garden views which were lovely and both were on ground level with shared patios versus a balcony, near the Inn's quiet pool. Personally, as someone who spends a lot of time on the balcony also, I would request a garden view with a private balcony.
I suggest always asking for an upgrade...you won't get something you don't ask for Also, i suggest being persistent with the front desk staff. I say this because, this is the only area at BWI where I have observed a serious lacking in Disney attitude. However, their back office staff are amazing, especially Judy! So don't hesitate to ask to speak to the front desk manager, they have more of a "can do" spirit. And while I am giving shout outs, as far as bell service is concerned, Pablo is the best!
We will be at BWI in 12 days and will be in a water view room for the first time. I will report back and share any new details I learn.
Happy planning!
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That BoardWalk View is amazing and I know you're going to have a great vacation! Now it's only 11 days
Just so others are aware, you can be upgraded without asking for an upgrade. This actually happens often, but is unpredictable and the CM might not even tell you that you were upgraded. You might not know until you walk into your room and see the view. Generally, the shorter the stay, the more likely the upgrade. But again, as I posted above, it's always best to book the view you'd really like to ensure you get exactly what you were hoping for.
I forgot to share, when we booked the standard club level room, we did online check in and on a lark I selected a boardwalk view as one of my room request, and guess what... I got it! Like I said, you can't get what you don't ask for
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All STD Club Level rooms have two possible views: BoardWalk and Garden (pool/Epcot). While you can't book a CL view, you can note your preference of BoardWalk or Garden in your reservation and/or OCI. The Deluxe CL rooms all have a BoardWalk View on floors 4 and 3.
I have to agree with the others about the clown pool. It has so many haters & when we went I barely even noticed it was there! It was totally a non-issue.
So true and while it might be the focus of your attention when you're researching the resort or looking at photos, after you arrive it's really a non-issue. When you look at it in person, you have so much theming around it that fits and the beautiful grounds, that it doesn't stand out as much as it does in pictures and it blends in with its surroundings.
My DH and I arrived about 10:30 am. Did online Check in and all my requests were met. King size bed, 5th floor with vies of Epcot in the distance. Room was also ready when we checked in
That is great to hear - I thought you might just get what you asked for
. Have a great vacation
