Just back - first trip to BWV! (very long)

WDWorld2003

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Jan 12, 2003
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Just returned last night from our first trip to BWV (bought sight unseen) and had a great time. We spent our first two nights in a studio and the next six in a 2 bedroom. Our room was not ready when we arrived so we went down on the boardwalk and had a Mickey Bar and then to Community Hall which our teenagers loved. We called at 4:00 and our room was ready so we went to the front desk she gave us our room # and told us we would love it. We had booked Boardwalk view, upper level, non smoking.

It must be an initiation thing! We walked and walked and walked to our room :p - #5003, almost the last one in that hall! (I think next time one of our requests will be close to the elevator). The studio room was very nice - larger than we thought it would be and what a view! Since we stayed in hotel rooms many times my DD's had no problem with the pullout couch (that's what they do at their Grandpa's cabin). The little kitchen was great with an adequate refrigerator (much larger than the one we rented at Port Orleans last year).

They were able to link our rooms and on Sunday when we returned we were able to be in the adjoining one bedroom - so nice to spread out! The rooms were both in good condition with just a couple of issues. We did see a Large bug run out from under one of the suit cases. My DD's freaked out and we called the front desk - they sent pest control but said there wasn't much they could do unless they knew what it was. We got the crawlies for awhile but relaxed later and never saw the bug again. We could see why there were bugs - our neighbors slept with their patio doors open all night.

Also, the sheers in the living room had a very large obvious coffee stain which I mentioned when we called about the bug but they were never changed. Overall, the room was very clean, beds comfortable and nice kitchen.

We ate at Cape May and Beaches & Cream - both very good. We never did eat at the Boardwalk other than the Bakery and a couple of corn dogs. My kids really wanted refillable mugs like they had at Port Orleans so we indulged and what a pain! They either need to make a self-serve station or ditch this program. After the hike from our room they had to wait in a long line and then get a separate cup - pour that in your mug and ditch the paper cup :confused: I know we could've just bought our own pop but the kids loved the freedom of going to fill those - oh well.

We also went to Dueling Pianos one night - we felt a little old at first (we're 47) but as the night went on a few people more our age came in. What a riot! We will return!

We did look around the Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge and Old Key West (they even showed us a room at OKW which was very large!). We are very happy with our choice of resorts but would stay at any of these and be happy.

The one thing the Boardwalk has is that view - Wow! I wasn't sure about it at first - concerned about noise and it almost seem surreal but I got used to it fast and fell in love. I couldn't wait to open the drapes every morning. Spent more time than we should have on the balcony instead of the parks! We could see the Epcot and Wishes fireworks at night at the same time!

There was one strange thing we saw when going down the back stairs to Dueling Pianos at about 10:00 p.m. They were cleaning the carpets of a few courtyard main floor rooms. My husband didn't think it was unusual but I sure did - it was after 10:00 and this machine was very loud! There must have been some type of plumbing problem.

Also, we used the hot tub one afternoon and starting talking to a woman from I think New Hampshire. She asked if we had seen that Saratoga Springs was only a 50 year membership. She said she was glad she bought at the Beach Club when she did as she had a membership that did not expire and she would be willing it to her kids. I told her we had bought resale at BWV and had 38 years left and that I was pretty sure that was all she had with her contract. She was sure she had a membership that didn't expire but I could see she was starting to doubt this - I hope she calls her guide and is set straight..... I felt sorry for her as I believe she was misled or didn't read the contract. We changed the subject.

We had a great trip and are happy with our purchase. It was crowded when we were there in comparison to last year - fast passes were gone early afternoon on Friday for Test Track and Magic Kingdom was packed on Monday with long waits. We can't believe we're already home and it will be a year until we return!

If you have any questions, let me know. Thanks to everyone on this board for all of your help!

I will also try to do a trip report after I do all the laundry :eek:
 
Glad you enjoyed the BWV....it is our home resort and we love it..
 

Great report! How nice that you were able to stay in the studio portion and just open up the one bedroom next door. Very convenient. Thanks for sharing!
 
Glad you had such a great trip - we were recently in rooms 5007/5009 - we also were able to see both Wishes and Illuminations (the high fireworks, anyway) from our balcony - you just can't beat that view (IMHO!). We're sending my sis and her boys this summer - wish I could be a fly on the wall when they enter that 2 BR boardwalk view !! - then we'll be back in Dec. - can't wait !!!
 
How convenient when you switched to the 2 BR!! Enjoyed the review! We returned 2 weeks ago and still love the BWV!
 
We had that 1-br 2 years ago for my birthday. That was the best birthday present I ever got. We hardly left the room we loved it so much. Glad you had such a wonderful stay. We haven't been to our BWV home in the 2 years since and I can't wait for 2+ more weeks. Did you notice the main entrance? Are they still working on it? Notice any more rehab stuff going on? DBIL will be in a time share off site but will be hanging out with us and DH wants to show them what a real vacation home is all about so we are hoping every looks great.
 
MsDis - They were working on painting the shelter area over the main entrance when we were there. They were also doing a lot of touch up painting in the hallways next to the health club.

Also, I think the bus issue still exists. The buses were packed even at 11:00 a.m. Had to stand to go the Magic Kingdom. Usually when we go to the parks later in the day we had the bus to ourselves at Port Orleans. However, we did love being the first stop back from Epcot on the boats. Didn't learn this until the last day (we walked before). Saved lots of steps!

We did feel like we walked a lot more this trip than when we were at Port Orleans - mostly because of the location of the room (but it was worth the trade off for the view!)

Some of our digital pictures turned out and I will try and post. We purchased a new Olympus digital - takes fairly good daytime pics but evening shots with the flash didn't turn out - disappointed in this camera. We didn't take many with the 35mm and now wish we would have! I need some Boardwalk view pics for our album! Oh well, at least I know there's a next trip!
 
Thanks for the great trip report! I agree with you about the view--it is breathtaking, especially at night. We also spend a lot of time on our balconies at BWV. We also find the long walk well worth it for the view. The walk seems the longest that first time but after a day or so we don't even notice it. We often times will use the back staircases also.
 
Hi,

Thanks for sharing!!

Allison an associate
 
We also love the BWV. It is our favorite resort so far. We have stayed at the BCV and OKW. We are staying at VWL later this year and hope we love it as much as The Boardwalk. Glad you had a great trip. I do think it is a first time initiation to walk and walk and walk to your room. These last two times we knew to ask for rooms close to the elevator.:D
 
Glad you had a great Boardwalk trip! I love the Boardwalk and can't wait until my DH experiences it with me this October!
 
We love the Boardwalk. Like you, we purhased sight un-seen and I have no regrets what so ever! DH will see "our investment" for the first time this July. He hasn't been able to vacation with us (job related issues) in the past but now that's all behind us!

I can't wait for him to see the Boardwalk!!!
 
Glad to hear you had a great time. BWV is my favorite, definitely....great choice of resort ;) That view is breathtaking...I spent so much time on the balcony there....much more than at VWL, OKW, and BCV!!! There's just so much more to look at when you have a great view!!
 
So glad you had such a good trip!!!!!!! The bugs in Florida always get me. I don't notice tons of them in the rooms, but every once in a whie one turns up, and they look so different from the bugs at home that I am always shocked!:eek:

The BW location is a great area. We stayed at the BWV a few years ago and liked it very much. We had a standard view, so we were looking over the main entrance, which I also found interesting, watching the comings and goings, and loved the lights at night.

I m glad to hear that they linked your studio to your 2BR so you were able to spread out into it. We are going to the BCV in May, and for the first couple of nights we have a 1BR, then family is joinig us so we have a 2BR for the next 3 nights, so I am hoping for the same "spread out, don't have to move" luck!!!!!!;) But even if we do end up moving, that'll be OK too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everything is always OK when you're at WDW!!!!!!!!!!:D
 



















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