Completely dissappointed with BWV

[Laurajean1014]

Our first choice DVC resort is OKW. Our favorite themed resort is AKL, however, we like BWV very much. The halls are long, but that is to be expected in this type of resort (BC/YC, AKL are similar).

There are two sets of elevators in the BW resort.

Although, not a perfect place, I think there is much to do for a kid. You have two game rooms, two pools, ESPN and boardwalk vendors/games. You also can rent a boat or a surrey with the family.

When we stay at BW, we use the water transportation or walk as much as possible. We only use the buses for DTD, AK and MK.

We were in other hotels where the "in room" food service trays, tables and food were left out for long periods of time. This for some useless reason, is happening more than it should.

There is a new policy amongst Sheraton and Marriott trying to not change sheets every day and pick up "stuff" from the rooms. They are trying to control costs and escalate revenue. I think its a bad idea.

 

[jarestel]

Well, you've gone and done it now, 3DisneyNuts. Posting a less than positive report about any resort but SSR is guaranteed to send a bunch of "well why didn't yous" and "you should have knowns" your way.

I once posted that I had been stung by bees, and before I knew it, there were a bunch of "I've never been stung by bees" replies insinuating that bees didn't sting people and I was just making it up for dastardly reasons and to insult beedom in general. As well as the "you must have done something to make the bees sting you" replies insinuating that any problems with bees were of my own making because bees are kind and benevolent creatures under normal circumstances and only become nasty when they see me.

Anyway, the great thing about DVC is trying all of the resorts ( which I have done ) and finding out firsthand which ones fit each member's style of vacationing. I have found some resorts I probably wouldn't ever request again, but I'm glad I stayed there to find out firsthand what it was like.

Hope your next trip is everything this one wasn't.

 

[Blue&Gold]

Caveat emptor.

 

[jarestel]

Caveat emptor.

A little OT, but real estate people love to say this. Are you in the real estate business, Blue&Gold?

 

[DeeCee735]

Sorry you had such a bad experience. To each his own, as they say. As far as the long hallways go, I don't get the big issue here. Other DVC resorts are laid out over such huge areas (SSR & OKW) that to walk around the grounds takes forever too, but you are outside (wet in the rain), so whats the big deal about walking down a long hallway? At least it's inside. The walk from the dock to some of the buildings in SSR is what I call a major trek. OKW is so laid out they actually have buses picking up and dropping off from building to building, if one feels like waiting for the bus instead of walking. I don't find a problem with any of that in any of the resorts, it comes with the turf.
In order to have "timeshare" accommodations, land/room is needed for all the buildings. It's not much of an issue to us, and we agree that that's why there's more than one "style" of dvc resorts, to each his own. Hope your next stay is awesome.

 

[littlestar]

We own some points at BWV and I do like BWV. But, our last stay during the last week of September a few weeks ago, I too, was a little disappointed from my previous experiences at BWV. We also noticed the dishes in the hallways and very dirty carpets in the halls. There was a lot of work going on and that probably accounts for some of it. But why they can't pick up the dirty dishes, I don't know why. Gross.

Now every bus we took just picked up BWV and Swan and Dolphin. We didn't have too bad of crowds on the buses. You must have had some bad luck there.

Hope your next trip is better. I took a walk around SSR while I was there and they do keep it very immaculate and it is new. Of course, they are still selling SSR and they can't afford for it to be messy. That wouldn't be good for their sales, I'm sure

The main BWV advantage is the location. We love being able to walk to MGM or Epcot and not have to take a bus. When we book standard view at BWV we just use the stairs instead of the elevators, but we don't have strollers to worry about or mobility issues.

 

[snowbunny]

A little OT, but real estate people love to say this. Are you in the real estate business, Blue&Gold?

If I recall correctly, I think Blue&Gold is active duty military.

 

[gopherit]

Well, as the OP stated, the trip probably wouldn't have left such a bad taste in their mouths if they had just left as planned and not tried to stay a few more days (and hence been put in a less desirable room on such short notice). With that in mind, I'd ask the OP to not abandon ship on BWV - give it a few trips later, maybe, try a few other DVCs, then give it a go again. The result may just surprise you. ALso -- next time you consider moving, before you ask to borrow pts, you may want to first hit the desk and ask what your options are. When I made ressies for a 2br at BWV for our last trip, MS told me that once our extra guests left the studio portion, they could not guarantee that they could keep us in the same 1BR. We would have to check out, then check back in. MS stated there was a GOOD CHANCE we could stay, but it just couldn't be 100% guaranteed. Now THAT was with advance (11 mos) planning! Knowing we would only have to possibly move anyway, I decided what the hey, we'll move to another resort. It almost sounds like the pts were borrowed without knowing whether BWV could accommodate you? Maybe I'm wrong or read something into the post...

ANYHOOO. WIth that said, I should ALSO note that while we are in fact BWV owners, and had a nice 8 day stay last year, it remains our least fave resort! We have now stayed in all the DVC resorts except Vero. Things we have learned by staying in the many DVC resorts: We prefer external hallways. Not only do smells accumulate, so does sound (either real or just perceived). I always feel like I need to tiptoe down the corridors when I'm in BWV, and I'm constantly shushing, LOL! Our family also discovered we like casual over that more formal hotel feel! I think that's why we like BCV over BWV, and OKW over SSR. And while we love theming... the concept of the Boardwalk, I hate to say this, is a carny one, and just doesn't draw up warm images to me (and yes, I'm in the "that Stephen King Clown freaks me out!" group, too!) We are also definitely 2BR people ... and BWV doesn't have a dedicated one. So BWV is probably the lowest resort on our list... but we don't hate it -- we just don't love it as much as the others, I guess! I would still give it another shot, maybe further down the road, when our family dynamics change. Who knows, maybe when our kids are teens, we will WANT them to have an access door of their own (ala lock out, vs dedicated!) And maybe the hub-bub below will be something to get them out of our hair, LOL! But for now, we're going to orbit around to some other resorts....

I really hope the OP gives BWV another shot down the road. I also hope the OP tries OKW and BCV and all the other great places of DVC. I think it will then be easier to make comparisons and weed out single trip events versus exactly what you want out of a resort/vacation. A bad experience could have happened anywhere - especially true when plans are made on short notice. The OP could have just as easily decided to switch her ressie to VWL and gotten the dumpster view, or switched to SSR and been placed in a room on the far end that someone had smoked in, or... also possible - switched to a BWV room that wowed them all. It just happened they got the room at the end. Bad luck happens... and so does good luck. I agree that the resorts should always put their best foot forward (and that we must inform them when it's clearly something they can fix, like plates in the hall). But sometimes you have to give all the choices a few tries and a little time to iron out whether what you didn't like was based on the events of a single trip versus a true personal preference.

Hope future trips are all positive ones!

 

[Beca]

I am sorry you had a bad experience at BWV. But, on the bright side...you now appreciate where you own even more!!! That is a WONDERFUL feeling....knowing you bought in the "right" place.

It truly would've been sad if you had a similar experience at SSR. And, since BWV is SO popular, at least you know you will never be "stuck" there....another really great positive!

It didn't take us too long (okay, ONE trip) to know where we like, and where we don't. We're kind of the opposite...we LOVE the hotel feel over the condo feel, so it is a pretty easy call when talking to MS on the phone (as far as what resorts we want). I think those of you who really like the condo feel are the lucky ones....OKW and SSR seem to be the last resorts to fill. My fav (BCV) always seems to be one of the first

Anyway, what I am trying to say is....learning where you "don't" want to stay just means that you will not waste your points staying there in the future!

I'm so happy for you that you found you love where you own....Congratulations!!!



Beca

 

[JimMIA]

I'll be honest; I didn't even think about reading this whole thread. It reminded me of a trivial thread months ago about "Repeated bus abuse at SSR."

I did read the OP and didn't find anything worthy of more than a 10-second phone call to the front desk to ask them to pick up some trays.

 

[Viki]

No one else picked up on this, but I am completely stumped by the notion that a weakness of BWV might be that is has no dedicated restaurant. While strictly true, the reality couldn't be more different. When staying at the Epcot resort area, right out the front door are multiple wonderful options and right around the corner is the WS.

 

[SoCalKDG]

I probably would have enjoyed it better if we didn't move. The experience would have been different so the things that bothered me wouldn't have so much I guess. It was definitely a culmination of things.

I know what you are saying. We stayed BWV for 5 days, having a great time. My daughter loved the boardwalk, fireworks, play area, pool, etc. Then we moved to VWL and while we enjoyed it during the day, the nights just seemed a bit boring. The Villas also seemed remote at VWL. So we came away with a bit of a negative view on them. Still had fun and would stay again if we had to, but realized BWV was more fun for us.

It seems that SSR and OKW are for people that have or rent cars while BCV, VWL and BWV might be more geared for those without cars.

One thing I don't understand is how you think SSR has more things to do for kids than BWV(it looks like you have stayed at SSR, yes?). BWV has multiple pools, a great slide, kids pool, kids play area, community hall, arcades, boat rentals, boardwalk games, boardwalk entertainment, ESPN, ice cream and candy shop, etc. all with less than a 5 minute walk.

 

[jbthi]

I have stayed at all DVC resorts except HHI. I liked all of them, some more than others.

My order of preference would be BWV, BCV, VWL, OKW, VB and SSR.

My favorite layout of units in everything but the studios is OKW, but I don't like the location as well. My original resort is BWV and then did an add-on at BCV so my grandchildren would have SAB. Turned out BWV is their favorite, they like all the activity on the Boardwalk.

I have never had the problems the OP had. Other than the long hallway which doesn't bother me.

I felt too isolated at SSR. You can walk to Downtown Disney but that's not something I enjoy doing very often.

I'm glad we don't all want the same resort, that's what is nice. We can all get what we want.

I will have spent 45 days at WDW by the middle of Nov, most of which have been at BWV. I can't imagine why I haven't seen all of these problems.

 

[ZachnElli]

Sorry you had a bad trip. But I still don't get the long walk complaints. We stayed at the end of the hall, with a 5 year old also, and no stroller, she hoofed it herself with no complaints. To each his/her own. We love BWV.

 

[3DisneyKids]

As others have said, different strokes for different folks...also time of year can be a factor as well. For us, we'd rather have that long hallway walk in BWV than the 1/2 mile (seemingly) walk from the back of OKW to Olivia's...LOL

BUT during F&W, we might prefer OKW or SSR because it will be more peaceful...

 

[goofy4tink]

No one else picked up on this, but I am completely stumped by the notion that a weakness of BWV might be that is has no dedicated restaurant. While strictly true, the reality couldn't be more different. When staying at the Epcot resort area, right out the front door are multiple wonderful options and right around the corner is the WS.

I would tend to agree. But, if you want to eat out at BWV, and it's raining, it's an issue. And we all know that it rains quite frequently in central FL . It is my only complaint with BW. I wish they would put in a BW Marketplace like the one over at BC. You can grab something quickly and not get soaked. Yes, I love those WS restaurants and the choices for restaurants right at BW are terrific. But sometimes you just don't want to get wet. We own at BWV and that is the ONLY thing we don't love about it. But, not enough to stay someplace else. Tried BCV and I really missed my BWV!!

 

[Viki]

I really don't mean to drag this out, but I lived in Fla for nearly five years and there is a rainy season, but it's fairly predictable, falls between lunch and dinner, and you can set your watch by it. Other than that usually when it rains in Fla, it stops. Here in the NE, on the other hand, where it is now raining outside my window, when it starts, it staaaayyyyssssss.

So, what I mean to say, is no, although we usually stay at either BCV or BWV, I have never even thought about that fact that BW doesn't have a restaurant (because in my mind it has oogles) and I have never eaten at Cape May Cafe instead of somewhere else because it was raining.

And to be really honest - rain is rain. Last night I watched my son's team play soccer until 10:15 PM in the pouring down rain; we put on our Mickey ponchos, just like we do when most of the guests huddle back in their rooms, but we go out and ride ROR coaster 10 times in a row when it does rain at the World.

 

[Dean]

No one else picked up on this, but I am completely stumped by the notion that a weakness of BWV might be that is has no dedicated restaurant. While strictly true, the reality couldn't be more different. When staying at the Epcot resort area, right out the front door are multiple wonderful options and right around the corner is the WS.

This has been a topic of discussion at times on DIS. The issue of who owns the restaurants and the fact you have to go outside is important to some and not to others. And at times it's been used by VWL and BCV owners to try to say their resort is better. The bottom line is that if that is an issue for one, they should avoid BWV. To me, the additional choices and atmosphere of the BW area are a plus.

 

[Nanajo1]

I think the beauty of DVC is there are many different resorts. Your choice should be based on your needs. You determine your needs with experience. OP now knows that BWV does not meet her needs. So future trips will not include BWVs. My needs being that the resort be EVC friendly are met just about everywhere but (this may seem silly) the long hallways are a drag for me. (Richyams is loving this ) If I'm in the distant end of the third hallway it is a pain to go "all the way " down three hallways if I just want to "run" to the lobby for something. If I could use the stairs as DH does then it would not matter to me. Things just seem so close yet so far. On the other hand when at OKW I know I'll need to take a bus or roll to the HH and things don't seem so close. Perceptions are in the mind of the beholder.
As far as the room service trays being left in the hallways all day I find this unacceptable.
I think we should do a better job as owners to alert the staff when there are trays in the hallway and we don't like it. I don't know if Mousekeeping alerts the roomservice staff about these trays but I have seen Mousekeepers cleaning a room with trays outside and hours later on my return the trays are still there. I pledge to do my part in notifying the front desk about trays in the hallway.
The number of resorts on the bus route depends on the time of year. We have been there when they stopped at BW, Swan, Dolphin, YC AND BC.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

I'll be honest; I didn't even think about reading this whole thread. It reminded me of a trivial thread months ago about "Repeated bus abuse at SSR."

I did read the OP and didn't find anything worthy of more than a 10-second phone call to the front desk to ask them to pick up some trays.

You know honestly that is not my problem or job while I am on vacation. There is a manager of the resort who gets big bucks to make sure the hallways are clean.

Dh did go to ask why the bus sharing was still happening when it was standing room alot and he got blank stares from the manager like they have never heard ANYONE mention this issue. SO when I am on vacation I am not going to waste time (which is far more than 10 seconds) to call management. I will make a mental note of it for next time. This is the 3rd DVC resort I have stayed in. I love HHI and SSR so it might be I don't like interior hallways and the "hotel" setup. DH really wants to stay at BCV so we will see what next time brings.