DVC vacations- Even When it Blows They're Great!!

[Johnnie Fedora]

Just back from 2 weeks at OKW and BCV. We had a great trip altough it was really hot. We checked into an OKW 2BR unit about 3:00 in the afternoon. There were no units in our requested area of Millers road. We got to pick from several units, and selected one close to the South Point pool. It was great being so close to the pool, but I didn't like the 3rd floor lugging of all our stuff.

The OKW units are the best for family get-togethers as there's more seating. With our family and the SIL's family, there were 9, and OKW was the best choice for our group. We got a unit with all new stuff...stove, frigerator, sofa bed. The new sofa beds are great. And are very comfortable. I hope they replace all the sofa beds at all the DVCs with these. There is absolutely no comparision between the OKW kitchens and those in the other on-site DVC resorts. OKW is the best hands-down for cooking comfort and storage space. We realy like the buffet area storage. We cook most of our meals in.

We spent most of our time at OKW relaxing and doing a lot of swimming. We went to the parks a couple of times. This was our first August trip and we were'nt used to the heat; it's been a mild summer in Chicago. We only went out to eat three times this trip. We treated ourselves to a V&A dinner and it was a wonderful experience. It's been a number of years since we've dined there. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a relaxing adult evening. It's worth saving your dining budget for. One another night, we wanted to try a restaurant we've never dined at before and we chose Jinkos. It was nice as well, but I think I still prefer our forever favorite Artist's Point.

After the first week, our party split up and went to diferent DVC resorts. My SIL (also a member) and family went to VWL, and our family went to BCV.

We arrived at BCV check-in around 11:00 and were sent to a 2nd floor "road-view" room that was supposed to be ready. It wasn't, so the bellman scrambled with the front desk to find us another. It was ground floor pool view (which was the polar opposite of our 11 month request). No biggie, as we were just happy to have a 1-BR room ready early.

We spent more time at the parks the second week but also managed to go to SAB several times. This trip the two oldest, 5 and 6, insisted on going on the TOT. I kept telling them it would be to scary for them, but somethings kids need to learn on their own. I'm glad I had my 5yo empty his bladder before riding, as he will not be riding for a while. He braved it, but insited it was "to scary" to ride again. My daughter will ride it again, but "in a little while". We dined out once during our BCV stay at Primetime which is great on atmosphere but marginal on food.

We're not big pool hoppers, but we did go over to the scary clown pool so the kids could have fun on the slide. Our 5yo still swims with a float belt and it's not allowed on the big SAB slide. The lifegaurd suggested we pool hop.

While at BCV we went over to SSR to check it out. I'm not sure what it is, but I don't think it will at the top of my list. For some reason, it reminded me of an empty movie set, more in feel than looks. The pool area is nice, but to small for the resort size. I also didn't like the location of the one spa, and was glad to see there was second one that was more private. Our visit was cut short by rain, so we'll have to check it out again on our next trip.

We spent hurricane night in our room packing as we were leaving the next day. We were able to get a 1/2 day at the parks, so the whole day was not a loss. In the afternoon, there were characters etc. in the resort lobbies to help pass the time. The storm was bad, but it passed much faster than I expected. I'd say there was 1 hour of peak winds. It very much reminded me of a Chicago blizzard with the way the rain was blowing over the top of BCV and almost floating down. We could stand on our porch during, as the winds were hitting the Epcot side of BCV. I'd never want to ride one out in a beach town. I think there were many families from fort wilderness that were moved to BCV for Friday night. I was very glad the power didn't go out. It was hopefully a once in a lifetime experience. All in all one of the most relaxing WDW trips we've had in a while.

On the drive home there were hundreds of power trucks heading south.

 

[manning]

I bet you'll take a bad snow storm any day.

 

[kweaver]

Sounds like a great trip!!!!

My DD rode TOT at 6 as well, and she still won't ride it...she's now 10!

Can't wait to try out OKW and those large units!

Sorry to hear that SSR didn't appeal to you. Maybe as time goes on and it is less empty that will change. FWIW, there are two spas (I assume you mean hot tubs). One is in a cozy corner of the pool area (my favorite) and the other in near a walkway toward the actual Spa/Community Hall/Arcade area. I agree that the latter is not in the best location.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yep, that size, is why we always stay at OKW! We will be trying a SSR studio for two nights in October, so I'll report about that later.

Artist Point is our favorite too!

 

[Dancind]

We were at BCV during the storm too. Our studio was in a corner, facing the pool, and we barely heard a thing. One thing bothers me, though. I thought it a little strange that we had no information on emergency procedures for the hurricane. I've read several posts from people staying at other resorts, and not only were they fully informed, they had CM's stopping by their rooms to make sure they were ready for the storm. Some were even provided with flashlights. All we got were the morning voice messages about park hours. Did you get more than this?

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Originally posted by Dancind
I thought it a little strange that we had no information on emergency procedures for the hurricane. I've read several posts from people staying at other resorts, and not only were they fully informed, they had CM's stopping by their rooms to make sure they were ready for the storm. Some were even provided with flashlights. All we got were the morning voice messages about park hours. Did you get more than this?

I thought that was strange too. I went to the lobby, inquired and was given an information sheet, but there was no sign of anything info distributed in BCV. I think Disney could have made better use of the phone message system to get info out in a more timely manner. This was the first trip where we didn't pack a candle. I was glad we didn't loose power our BCV unit would have been very dark.

 

[Dancind]

Now I'm really curious to know if they were more communicative with the BC resort guests. Earlier in the day, I was looking for stairs (thinking that would be a good place in case of tornado alerts), and started talking to one of the maids. She told me that there would be a CM stationed on every floor, ready to evacuate guests to the conference center if needed. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known that. I didn't go out in the hall to check this out during the storm, the only thing I heard were security returning two teenage boys to their room next door. I didn't realize that we should not have double bolted our door either, until I read it here.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

I was out during the storm and there was a 20mph wind down the hallway. There were many people out and the automatic doors were open a lot, there was a lot of foot traffic between the BC and BCV to get food from Cape May. I guess there was a large carry-out business from the buffet there? I saw no real sign of CM's, but I'm sure they were around. Probably more so in the BC lobby.

 

[KristiKelly]

I have read several different posts on here & one on community board by CharlieNJ (he was @ BW, I believe). I wonder why WDW didn't use the same procedure for all resorts (incl. DVC). BW was giving away boxed meals, BC was selling them. I'm sure that each hotel has their own set of management, but all are within the same company. It seems they should've all done the same thing as far as food, info, etc. This just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by Johnnie Fedora

We only went out to eat three times this trip. We treated ourselves to a V&A dinner and it was a wonderful experience.

I like your style! If you're going out you might as well do it right!!

Thanks for a very interesting and informative trip report. Glad you made it through Charley safely!

 

[CarnotaurDad]

We were down during that time. Unfortunately we had scheduled to leave OKW the day the storm hit. Not enough weekend points. We tried to get back on property the next night when our flight was a no go - found out that WDW was sold out. Everything taken.

Also, on the way home I sat next to an ESPN employee who had received the Disney email on the storm. He said that 15, 000 cast members were there during and after the storm for feeding everyone and getting the parks cleaned up.

Keep in mind all these people actually have homes there that were being hit. They were the ones with no power and whose trees were falling. We were in the park the next night (when they were running Spectro twice to make up for closing) and it looked great. I am sure there were mix ups but all things considering it seemed like things went pretty well.

We are heading to BCV in Dec. can't wait to try it out.
Glad you had a good time.
Karen