momoftwins
<a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/dis-sponsor/" targ
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2001
- Messages
- 2,221
First let me say, awesome trip. We really didn't keep a daily trip report, but let me share some thoughts from newbies. This was our first trip home ever (our home resort is BCV, but BWV had openings). We have mostly stayed at the values - nothing against them - but I think my family has outgrown (space-wise) them.
We used FLTours and had great service from them. We did a grocery stop at Publix. I think I need to get a courtesy card.
Someone on here posted about using points vs. staying at the Pop Century for $49 for the night, I voted to stay at the Pop - but now change my vote - at least for my family, at least for now.
Myself, DH, DS and DD (8 yrs) stayed at the Pop our first night. Nice little resort. Our room was clean and ready when we arrived at about 1:00PM on Friday, 8/27. We used the pool (they really need to have more shaded areas at these pools) and went to DTD. Really a very easy day. We were transfering on 8/28 to the BWV. I tried to pack a bag with just the clothes we needed for our one night stay at the Pop, but it seemed I ended up with so much more to pack and unpack than I expected. We also had all of the groceries to contend with moving around. Hopefully over time, my packing skills will be honed and moving between resorts will be easier for us. Still, luggage transfer the next day was easy and everything made it to the BWV by 3:00.
Arrived on the 28th at BWV. We received many "Welcome Homes". Wow, what a beautiful resort. We spent the morning at MGM and got to the Villas at about 12:00. I had requested a room on the higher floor, but when we checked in we were offered room 2065 and took it.
Room 2065 is a dedicated studio, non-smoking, prefered view. This room is on the same floor as the check-in desk - I guess they call this the second floor. It is right around the corner from the little store - Dundries?? or something like that. It was maybe only 40 feet to the elevators. It had a daybed, couch, and queen bed, a small table with two chairs, and a 19" tv. It had a big closet, and four small drawers in the TV armoire. It had a nice ceiling fan which did sqeak. The AC worked great. The room was what I call - gently worned. The sofa, drapes, and carpet could have used a good cleaning, but we still loved the room. Teeny bathroom (only one small overhead light made for a dim bathroom) with the sink area outside. The room was stocked as is usually posted. The fridge, microwave, and toaster worked fine.
The balcony was perhaps 10 x 10. We did not share the balcony with anyone. Our room was actually right above the health club and overlooked the beautiful porch of the hotel's Boardwalk entrance. Noise from all of the foot traffic both inside and outside the hotel was very minimal. If you sit on the porch in the evening, you can see very nicely the Magic Kingdom fireworks on the horizon.
Someone had asked about changing the trash and towel day. We were due to have it done on Tuesday, 8/31. Since we were leaving on 9/1, we went to the front desk and asked to have it changed to the 30th. They called housekeeping and we were told no problem. When we got back to our room on Monday (around 5:00), it still was not done. So, we called housekeeping and they said no one had called them - uh yes your front desk called. Anyway, they came right away and were very nice.
Can someone tell me what is up with the paper products? At checkin, we got 4 plates and 4 bowls. Are you suppose to wash them or call housekeeping by the day to get more? I did call on Monday (couldn't was them anymore
) and they did bring them.
The weather was hot, hot, hot. We used fastpass when needed. I think the longest wait was Splash Mountain which was 40 min. Most of the other rides were walk-ons to less than 15 min waits. One thing we are learning is that when travelling with kids, they pretty much set the agenda. We tried to do an airconditioned attraction in between the outside rides. When they said they were hungry, thirsty, tired, we obliged. It really does no good to fight them. Oh and all you pros with kids, how do you handle the I wants? Btw - water is back to $2.50 each. I think someone had posted earlier that they were $2.00. One of the washers (out of 3) was broken and two of six dryers were also broken.
The boat transportation was awesome. The bus transportation was horrible. One night we waited 40 min for a bus to take us to DTD. Another night, we wanted to go to Saratoga Springs and we left the bus stop at 5:45. When we got to DTD, the bus driver told us to wait and just take the bus to Saratoga since it was a long walk. Well, silly us finally got to Saratoga Springs at 7:10. We finally found the model room (no signs were up) only to have the sales rep bail on us at about 5 min after we got there. The rooms are beautiful, the resort is very different from the other DVC resorts. We also visited the Beach and Yacht resorts, as well as the Wilderness Lodge. The Wilderness Lodge is gorgeous.
For all you commando types (so were we until we bought DVC), it was absolutely wonderful to go at a reasonable pace. We know we will be going back so there is not this huge pressure to get everything done NOW. I have to say it was a different kind of vacation experience. There is certainly an adjustment to cleaning, meals (we had sticker shock on how expensive the breakfasts at the deluxe restaurants can be), and trip pace.
All in all, we had a great time. It's funny how strong opinions can be on the best resort. I think they all have their own wonderful qualities and it is nice that over the years they can all be experienced - or one can pick their favorite.
My wishes: more misting/cooling stations in the parks, the resort maps have the exits marked on them - since we did not know our way around I have the feeling we probably walked the long way a few times. and a way to figure out how the bus trans works. I swear they never went the most direct route.
We used FLTours and had great service from them. We did a grocery stop at Publix. I think I need to get a courtesy card.
Someone on here posted about using points vs. staying at the Pop Century for $49 for the night, I voted to stay at the Pop - but now change my vote - at least for my family, at least for now.
Myself, DH, DS and DD (8 yrs) stayed at the Pop our first night. Nice little resort. Our room was clean and ready when we arrived at about 1:00PM on Friday, 8/27. We used the pool (they really need to have more shaded areas at these pools) and went to DTD. Really a very easy day. We were transfering on 8/28 to the BWV. I tried to pack a bag with just the clothes we needed for our one night stay at the Pop, but it seemed I ended up with so much more to pack and unpack than I expected. We also had all of the groceries to contend with moving around. Hopefully over time, my packing skills will be honed and moving between resorts will be easier for us. Still, luggage transfer the next day was easy and everything made it to the BWV by 3:00.
Arrived on the 28th at BWV. We received many "Welcome Homes". Wow, what a beautiful resort. We spent the morning at MGM and got to the Villas at about 12:00. I had requested a room on the higher floor, but when we checked in we were offered room 2065 and took it.
Room 2065 is a dedicated studio, non-smoking, prefered view. This room is on the same floor as the check-in desk - I guess they call this the second floor. It is right around the corner from the little store - Dundries?? or something like that. It was maybe only 40 feet to the elevators. It had a daybed, couch, and queen bed, a small table with two chairs, and a 19" tv. It had a big closet, and four small drawers in the TV armoire. It had a nice ceiling fan which did sqeak. The AC worked great. The room was what I call - gently worned. The sofa, drapes, and carpet could have used a good cleaning, but we still loved the room. Teeny bathroom (only one small overhead light made for a dim bathroom) with the sink area outside. The room was stocked as is usually posted. The fridge, microwave, and toaster worked fine.
The balcony was perhaps 10 x 10. We did not share the balcony with anyone. Our room was actually right above the health club and overlooked the beautiful porch of the hotel's Boardwalk entrance. Noise from all of the foot traffic both inside and outside the hotel was very minimal. If you sit on the porch in the evening, you can see very nicely the Magic Kingdom fireworks on the horizon.
Someone had asked about changing the trash and towel day. We were due to have it done on Tuesday, 8/31. Since we were leaving on 9/1, we went to the front desk and asked to have it changed to the 30th. They called housekeeping and we were told no problem. When we got back to our room on Monday (around 5:00), it still was not done. So, we called housekeeping and they said no one had called them - uh yes your front desk called. Anyway, they came right away and were very nice.
Can someone tell me what is up with the paper products? At checkin, we got 4 plates and 4 bowls. Are you suppose to wash them or call housekeeping by the day to get more? I did call on Monday (couldn't was them anymore
) and they did bring them.The weather was hot, hot, hot. We used fastpass when needed. I think the longest wait was Splash Mountain which was 40 min. Most of the other rides were walk-ons to less than 15 min waits. One thing we are learning is that when travelling with kids, they pretty much set the agenda. We tried to do an airconditioned attraction in between the outside rides. When they said they were hungry, thirsty, tired, we obliged. It really does no good to fight them. Oh and all you pros with kids, how do you handle the I wants? Btw - water is back to $2.50 each. I think someone had posted earlier that they were $2.00. One of the washers (out of 3) was broken and two of six dryers were also broken.
The boat transportation was awesome. The bus transportation was horrible. One night we waited 40 min for a bus to take us to DTD. Another night, we wanted to go to Saratoga Springs and we left the bus stop at 5:45. When we got to DTD, the bus driver told us to wait and just take the bus to Saratoga since it was a long walk. Well, silly us finally got to Saratoga Springs at 7:10. We finally found the model room (no signs were up) only to have the sales rep bail on us at about 5 min after we got there. The rooms are beautiful, the resort is very different from the other DVC resorts. We also visited the Beach and Yacht resorts, as well as the Wilderness Lodge. The Wilderness Lodge is gorgeous.
For all you commando types (so were we until we bought DVC), it was absolutely wonderful to go at a reasonable pace. We know we will be going back so there is not this huge pressure to get everything done NOW. I have to say it was a different kind of vacation experience. There is certainly an adjustment to cleaning, meals (we had sticker shock on how expensive the breakfasts at the deluxe restaurants can be), and trip pace.
All in all, we had a great time. It's funny how strong opinions can be on the best resort. I think they all have their own wonderful qualities and it is nice that over the years they can all be experienced - or one can pick their favorite.
My wishes: more misting/cooling stations in the parks, the resort maps have the exits marked on them - since we did not know our way around I have the feeling we probably walked the long way a few times. and a way to figure out how the bus trans works. I swear they never went the most direct route.
