Ist time at BCV (long)

[Sabor]

Greetings,

Just got home from a 8 night trip. We stayed at three resorts but I'll concentrate mostly on the DVC part.
Day 1 - Check in POFQ at 11:00 am Room ready
Swimming all day at FQ and POR then DD at night.
Beignets are awesome. We own at OKW and might be driving over on our next trip for some.
Day 2 - Moved to BCV room ready at 7:00 am.
Room 348 1BR Epcot view. (no requests given)
Overall impressed with the resort we have stayed at YC before and really liked it.
Did not like the 2 balconies (would have liked one big one) and it was hard to sit out . Noise from road was pretty loud. The only time I could enjoy it was for Illuminations. Music form Epcot was pretty loud in the evening before Ill.
I like the modifications they made to the layout as compared with the BWV. (Oval table with bench , Door to studio by front door etc.)
They did a good job integrating it into the existing resort it feels like it is seperate but that it belongs.
5 nights at BCV . Did SAB a couple times but really enjoyed the Dunes Cove (Quiet Pool). It was hard for my DDs to swim at SAB they are two old for the kiddie sand bottom part, but everywhere else there seemed to be a pretty strong current in the pool. Even in the back of the ship part.
Did Sea World - 1st Off site experience in over 12 trips, I do not think i'll ever get to Universal now. (AWWWWFULLL).
Moved to AKL for last 2 nights - Room ready at 8am. Pool View.
Requested Pool view to be closere to lobby , restaurants , pool etc. and was quite happy. Did get to see some Giraffe and Antelope from the balcony, past the pool.
Quite impressed with activities going around at AKL. Stayed primarily at resort eith a couple of jaunts to AK.
Boma one of my favorites was dissapointing for the first time.
Jiko though is one of my new favorites (has great scallops).

ALL in all a GREAT trip.
Will still do OKW most of the time but would definitely do BCV again. Although itr is tough to get used to the smaller rooms.

 

[laceemouse]

Thanks for the report! Why did you not like Seaworld? We love it, but all 4 of my kids say they want to work with animals, either land or sea creatures, when they grow up. We don't go there every trip but plan to do it and Discovery Cove next time. We just got back from BCV also. We are new to DVC so we have not stayed elsewhere but we do own another TS and have stayed in many all over the country. My only complaint space wise was the small table. We actually enjoy eating a few meals in the unit, and there was no place for 6 people to eat together. DD12 says that Disney wants you to spend $$$$ in their restaurants instead LOL!!!!!! Have a great day....Lacee BTW....I don't care for US or IOA at all.....too many thrill rides for me!!!!

 

[Granny]

Sounds like a good trip overall. And I guess there's a trade-off on the EPCOT view with some road noise. Kind of like the trade-off for the Boardwalk View at BWV. For some it's bothersome, for others no big deal.

I am quite surprised that you found Sea World to be awful. We go there (and Busch Gardens) every year and find them to be first class parks.

Laceemouse....you will love Discovery Cove and the dolphin swim. It's the one thing my daughters still talk about a few years after doing it.


Sabor...thanks for taking the time to share your impressions of BCV. Glad you enjoyed the trip.

 

[Sabor]

We go to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg all the time and love it.
We used to live in NY and have been to the CI aquarium have been to Atlantis on Paradise Island and both to me had more to offer as far as viewing goes.
1) I felt it was overpriced - I know they are involved in rescue and other noble efforts and that is where a good portion of the money goes but on a pure cost to entertainment value I thought too much.
2) I did not like having to wait in line (20 min +) for viewing we finally gave up on trying to see the Arctic exhibit. The Shark encounter was stuffy (no air) and they put you on a conveyor so you cannot view at your own pace. (ATLANTIS shark exhibit blew this away).
3) CLyde and Seymour show was funny but as far as the Sea Lion aspect have seen better or more than was invloved here.
4) Shamu show big dissapointement the whales were not responding to a lot of the cues. You could see the frustration with the trainers.
5) Really liked the dolphin show especially the false killer wahles.
6) Did not like the setup for Dolphin?Stingray Feeding very crowded unorganized.
7) Food setup was horrible waited in long line for counter service because only one register open.

Maybe I am being a little harsh but I just didnt feel the staff anywhere near as friendly as Disney.
It was not as clean as other AB Parks I have been in.
I spent almost $350 for a day that neither me or my wife enjoyed very much (My kids highlight was the hour we let them run around the play area).

 

[Disney Doll]

I am not a fan of USF for those same reasons. I don't think thestaff is as friendly, I get more of the reaction from USF staff when I ask a question or need assistance than I do from WDW CMs.

I have always enjoyed SeaWorld. I htink it comes close (although does not equal) WDW in terms of service and cleanliness. At least it has the times I've been there, although I will admit that I haven't been there now in a few visits, so maybe things have changed.

 

[BCV23]

Glad you had a great trip for the most part. We were at BCV from 3/28 to 4/2 so probably the same time frame? We loved it as always.

Dune Coves pool IS very pleasant isn't it?

 

[donmil723]

Sabor-Thanks for the trip report. I'm so glad you really enjoyed BCV. It is our favorite and our home resort.

It was interesting to read about your SeaWorld experience. I've always wanted to go there but my kids or DH were never interested. I always enjoyed the sea lion shows at the St. Louis Zoo and the dolphins at Six Flags many years ago. Never could convince any one else in my family to try Sea World. And after my DD, 19, and my experience at US/IOA in mid-March on her spring break, I doubt if I ever will. We stayed at Universal's Royal Pacific and had front of the line access but we weren't that impressed with their thrill rides or major attractions. The only ride we were really impressed with and that was Spiderman. I guess Disney's theme parks have really spoiled things for us at other theme parks because we feel Disney has set the gold standard and the others just don't measure up for the most part.

Disney Doll--We felt the same way about the CMs at IOA/US. They weren't very helpful even when you got ready to get on or off rides.

Donna

 

[MJTinNH]

Sounds like you had a good time! Thank you for posting!

 

[laceemouse]

Sabor...I am glad to hear you like Busch Gardens Williamsburg, we will be there in June!!!! I have not been there since about 1980 LOL!!!! I also have not been to Busch Gardens in Tampa for many years and would love to try that again sometime. We enjoy most zoos and aquariums, plan to visit the Shed Aquarium here again in a few weeks. Last summer we went to Gatlinburg, Tn. and they have a new Aquarium of the Smokies. I must say it was AWESOME!!!! I recommend it to all of you! Have a great day....Lacee

 

[Cris]

I have never been to the Sea World in Orlando, I still want to go maybe in a slow season. I am also a fan of Busch Garden Williamsburg, it is just a beautiful park to walk around in.