Great First trip to BCV/DCL/HGVC Seaworld

[jmatias]

We spent a wonderfully hot and dry 2 1/2 weeks doing Disney.

July 24-29 were at BCV and this was our first stay there as owners. I'll quickly list a couple of notes:

- first DVC resort where we did not get 1 "Welcome Home"
- room wasn't ready until 4:30
- asked for dedicated 2 bedroom non-smoking and got it
- room in great shape
- no problems with our A.C.
- pool area is great...we had kids 10, 8, & 2 and they all loved it but thought that water temperature was too warm
- found the marketplace very convenient and always busy
- Cape May Cafe had the friendliest CMs
- walk to Epcot was a great way to spend a casual evening

We totally enjoyed our BCV stay. Kids said they liked BCV the best ( stayed at BWV, OKW and VWL before) mainly b/c of Stormalong Bay.

We were on the DDP and loved it! First trip that we didn't cook at all....and it was sooooo nice Only used the coffee pot! Next trip is in Dec. and we are planning to do DDP again.

This was our first trip with AP. We were never park hoppers before but now we are converts Especially loved going to Epcot at night for dinner and Illuminations.

July 29 - Aug. 5 was on the Disney Magic and that was a blast. We paid cash and didn't use DVC points.

Last 5 days were spent at HGVC Seaworld and its a great resort. Especially after the cruise the rooms seemed and are very big! We really enjoyed this resort...pool area is nice with shuffle board, ping pong, pool tables, and children's playground all in one area so its easy to watch the kids. The rooms were very big and comfortable. And after 2 weeks of all Disney...the kids were really glad that they could watch some other tv channels like Nick. and cartoon network The drive to WDW was 10 minutes and very easy. This last half of the trip Aug. 5-10, we found the crowd levels at the park to be better than our first days. We were really expecting the crowds to be crazy but it wasn't at all.

I had packed a lot of those disposable ponchos b/c every other trip to WDW we would get those afternoon rains....this is the first trip where we didn't even use 1 poncho....amazing

We returned home on the 10th....the very day that the new travel restrictions went into affect

If anyone has any questions I'd be happy to answer.

Aloha,
Jen

Edited to add dates

 

[LIFERBABE]

Great report! Thanks for posting

 

[bobbiwoz]

What a great vacation you had!! Thanks for telling us about it!

DH and I have stayed at HGVC at Seaworld twice, and we also enjoy it.

Bobbi

PS. I am very sorry that you were caught by the new travel restrictions. We are leaving with 3 small children soon, do you have any observations, of things that could help? Did you learn anything that you would care to share?

 

[utahkennedys]

Thanks for your report. We head to HGVC Sea World in a few weeks and are looking forward to it, although I will miss OKW!

 

[jmatias]

What a great vacation you had!! Thanks for telling us about it!

DH and I have stayed at HGVC at Seaworld twice, and we also enjoy it.

Bobbi

PS. I am very sorry that you were caught by the new travel restrictions. We are leaving with 3 small children soon, do you have any observations, of things that could help? Did you learn anything that you would care to share?

Hi Bobbi,

Probably the only thing I would say is to try and pack as light as possible. I know that is hard with the kids but it saves a lot of time. DH and I only had 2 backpacks for carry ons...we usually have 2 samsonite carry on bags.

But the backpacks were big enough to fit a laptop, dvd player, change of clothes, etc. I had a bottle of Dimetapp that I was worried TSA would take away. When it went through the screening they motioned that they were going to take it but DH talked to them nicely that it was for our 2 year old to help with her ears and they said that it would be okay.

I also stopped by the newstand and bought a lot of snacks....more that I normally would just in case

HTH,
Jen

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thank you Jen! I'm passing the info along to my family.
Bobbi

 

[DisDaydreamer]

What a great vacation you had!! Thanks for telling us about it!

DH and I have stayed at HGVC at Seaworld twice, and we also enjoy it.

Bobbi

PS. I am very sorry that you were caught by the new travel restrictions. We are leaving with 3 small children soon, do you have any observations, of things that could help? Did you learn anything that you would care to share?

Bobbi, I know you have been stressing over the getting to this vacation... By now you know the rules... pack everything that could possibly be questioned in your check-on luggage, and get to the airport AEAP!... (as early as possible). I think you (ALL) will have a wonderful vacation. Just be prepared and be patient. Next thing you know you are home.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Bobbi, I know you have been stressing over the getting to this vacation... By now you know the rules... pack everything that could possibly be questioned in your check-on luggage, and get to the airport AEAP!... (as early as possible). I think you (ALL) will have a wonderful vacation. Just be prepared and be patient. Next thing you know you are home.

So, my stress shows!!! Everyone here has such good ideas. My DMom, who lives in NJ, and really, I haven't talked to her very much about WDW, doesn't want to hear anything else from me until we get there! She's going to chill out at the GF while we all get settled at VWL.

Oh well, DS soon to be 29 called to say that he's just gotten a great job based in Louisiana, he's buying a condo in New Orleans and can't wait to celebrate with us in WDW. Now that's progress, he's the one whom I had to give a deadline to, to let me know if he's coming.

Thank you for listening and helping.

Bobbi

 

[keys2kingdom]

Thanks for the report, sounds like a wonderful trip. What can you tell us about the renovations going on in the Beach Club lobby? I'm dying to get a preview of this. Has the rumored 'giant sandcastle' shown up yet?

 

[jmatias]

I didn't see any renovations taking place and no sandcastle. Maybe after the busy summer season.

Can any other BCV regulars tell me if the pools are always so warm?

Aloha,
Jen