Clown thing in BWV

[Bella2000]

Okay I've wondered this for some time and figured I'd finally ask this really weird question but - one of the reasons I have no desire to stay at BWV is that clown pool and carnival look/theme in that area. Just think of Stephen King's "IT" and you'll know where I'm coming from. I haven't toured the area at all for that reason and I wondered whether other areas in the Villa have this theme. Many of my friends own there but I know they'll rib me if I told them why I can't see staying there. Okay it's out there - honestly I'm really freaked by clowns.

 

[Granny]

This topic comes up from time to time.

Some people are freaked out by the "scary clown".

Others find it an essential part of the Atlantic Boardwalk amusement park theming.


And others don't much care one way or the other.

As for me, it doesn't bother me at all. But DD14 doesn't like the "scary clown" at all. Go figure!

You might want to do a search on Scary Clown....there have been some amusing threads on this.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I too am freaked by clowns. I also am slightly freaked by the tall, gold mirror, and gold horse stuff. Must of been something that happened when I was a kid!

Please, this is in no way a slam on BWV, as I do understand that this a beautiful resort. It just does not fit my personal taste. I just drool over VWL, and I understand there are many who don't share my personal taste on that resort. That is one great thing about DVC...something for everyone's taste!

 

[MdmMim]

I love the theme at the BWV! The carnival-inspired pool area is what convinced me to purchase DVC.

 

[Bella2000]

I love the Boardwalk and took many trips to Atlantic city as a child so that part of the themeing is fine for me - I just never actually went into the hotel, villas or pool area once I saw the picture of the slide and the pool area. Duh, I never thought to do a search on clown as I really honestly was embarrassed and thought I was the only one who had this affliction.

 

[Pa@okw95]

Many amusement parks were built at or near the water and had a boardwalk many years ago. Part of the decor were fun houses which usually had large clowns in front of them or clown faces. Most are gone now. We had one here in Connecticut that I went to as a child in West Haven, it was called Savern Rock. There also was a much smaller one in New London called Ocean Beach. Both are gone now except for the beaches. At Savern Rock the clown face and fun house were right there as fixtures like most amusement park-boardwalk areas.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Funhouses and carnivals have gotten a bad rap. It seems like every other scary movie involves one of them. I think we have been coditioned to think of funhouses and carnivals as scary.

Clowns on the other hand, although they have been portryed in movies as scary, seem inherently scary. I am not sure why. I believe many folks find clowns to be scary.

--Just my opinion

 

[Caskbill]

Originally posted by Bella2000
I haven't toured the area at all for that reason and I wondered whether other areas in the Villa have this theme.

No, the clown feature is only at the pool. The rest of the resort is strictly an oceanside resort theme. No Clowns anywhere.

The lobby does have a couple of very nice models on display, under glass cases. A carrousel and a roller coaster (if I recall correctly). That's the closest you'll find to anything else that is 'old fashioned amusement park' related.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

My daughter is also freaked out by the clown at BVW and she is 21 years old. The 3 times we have stayed there, we have made sure to get a view in which we could not see him. We spend our pool time at the quiet pool.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Personally I think they should turn the clown around so you have to slide INTO its mouth!!!!! Now that would be freaky!

HBC

 

[CaptainMidnight]

I confess I don't care for the clown and carny theme that much. Just me. I don't associate those things with cleanliness and great service, and kindness toward animals, more trying to pull one over on you and then get out of town. Probably all those silly movies....

I wnoder if Stephen King's movie came out before BWV was designed or after....

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by CaptainMidnight
I wnoder if Stephen King's movie came out before BWV was designed or after....

"IT" was book before it was a movie. I don't know the year though.

 

[invalid_char]

BWV clown = SPOOKY

I do love the Boardwalk lobby though. It is festive and elegant.

I don't think I could ever relax by the clown pool though. It is just so unsettling to me This thread reminds me why we waited (and waited) for BCV instead of going with a BWV resale.

40 years of scary clown = no thank you!

 

[PamOKW]

Bella -- The inside of BWV may bring back many memories of AC. There are many things, especially in the lobby, that are true AC artifacts from the 1920-40 era of AC. The rooms are beautifully done with seashore theming....no clowns.

I once looked into where that clown came from. The pool area is called Luna Park and there is/was a boardwalk amusement area with the same name. I think it was located in either California or Australia and the main icon for it......the big clown we see on the slide.

Captain I don't think it was you on the other thread but someone also mentioned being upset about a circus feeling because of cruelty to animals. If that's the case, you may want to pass on the pool bar since that is based on the jumping horses of AC that jumped into big pools of water from high platforms.

I found the link to Luna Park Sydney. There are also other Luna Parks that come up. Now, you'll see where the clown came from.

Luna Park

 

[trishy]

My kids kind of freaked out about the clown (Pennywise), but I simply remind them there are all sorts of clowns out there (including the old balding ones in the tight speedos - YUK)

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

As a kid growing up in the Chicago area, I was creeped out by a local serial killer (JWG) who's picture (dressed as a clown) was all over the news at the time. Clowns have given me the willies ever since. Just one of those things that I can't quite erase from my minds eye. It wouldn't keep me from staying at BWV, but it is last on my list for the WDW DVC resorts.

 

[Bella2000]

Originally posted by Caskbill
No, the clown feature is only at the pool. The rest of the resort is strictly an oceanside resort theme. No Clowns anywhere.The lobby does have a couple of very nice models on display, under glass cases. A carrousel and a roller coaster (if I recall correctly). That's the closest you'll find to anything else that is 'old fashioned amusement park' related.

Thank you that is exactly what I wondered - It would have seriously freaked me out if they had those clown portraits in the rooms and main lobby area. I always feel like the eyes are following me around - (shiver). Thank you everyone for your feedback. I guess I'd just need to pool hop to VWL or hang around the quiet pool. Thanks CoolDisneyCat for the headups on requesting not to see the pool! Imagine staying there and waking up and looking out the window to see the clown - YIKES. Thank you PamOKW for the Luna Park link - talk about a scary face - I couldn't get off the site fast enough LOL!

 

[jaysue]

My DS (3 1/2) did not like the look of the clown either - we were walking from the Boardwalk down to MGM and I showed him Luna Park - he was not impressed one bit!

One of the other posters referred to it as the "demon clown pool"

I like the look of the slide and the clown does not bother me but with DS feeling that way we will probably not stay at BWV for some time to come

Thanks
jaysue

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

PamOKW, thanks for posting the Luna Park Link (sort of )...

Now, THAT'S a scary looking clown. Even the web site itself is creepy, with the clown eyes following your mouse pointer.

 

[cheyita]

I have extended family who have the clown fear too, and I have wondered what causes it. I think there's two aspects to it - (1) we were trained as kids to be leary particularly of strange older men who are especially nice to kids, and (2) their happy face is painted on and triggers the feeling of they are forcing themselves to look cheerful, when really who knows what they're like! Although most people don't fear Disney characters, and they still fit everything I described above!

I'm just grateful that my girls aren't afraid of clowns, although I still prefer the atmosphere of BCV to BWV regardless.