Just Back From BCV

[EAP'sDAD]

Just got back from my 8 day stay at BCV 1 BR. Had some good points and some bad ones. first let me say that this was my first stay at BCV, usually we stay at BWV but because of SAB and the no pool-hoping my DW talked me into BCV.
Day 1 we arrived at 1:00 after driving 20 straight hours and was glad to get out of the car. went to check in and the room was not ready, asked the CM about Epcot view and was told that I would be able to watch illuminations from my balcony. was not overly happy with this CM when I stated that I was DVC it seemed that I was treated differently then the guest next to me who was staying at BC. DW and DD 7, DS4, DS2 decided to go for a walk and had a great lunch at ESPN(becoming my favorite place to eat) and then went to the room # 357. Room was in good shape but much smaller then BWV. my view of epcot would have been great except for the trees that blocked the view. and I really miss the closet when you first walk into the room.
Day 2 Went to SAB for the entire day, got there at 9:30 and left at 4:00 took DD and DS to fantasia golf and had a great day.
Day3 Went to the princess breakfast Food was so-so but the princesses were great. walked around future world. dw and dd went to e-night while I took the boys to boardwalk and walked around so far another great vacation
Day 4 played golf had a great round while the rest of the family hung out at SAB. went to ESPN for dinner, this was the first bad experience. While waiting for a table on the bar side I went and got controllers for the playstation they have at the table, DW waited by the table while the people paid their check, well some rude idiot walked up and took the table from her. words were exchanged but I didn't feel like it was going to help so I went to wait for another table, what made me mad was 3 waiters came up to me and said the couldn't believe that guy took the table but then all three told me that they wouldn't do anything about it. it really made me realize that the attitude by many of the workers is not to care. but the meal was great.
Day 5 went to Cape May for breakfast my first time and by far the best character meal I have had. then it was off to MK and had problem number 2. we parked at the CR (met friends) and took the monirail over. the park was crowded for the weather (was raining) but went on a bunch of rides and had a blast. we left at 5:30 me and DW were going out and had to meet the Fairy Godmother at 7:00. Well we go up to the monirail and there is no one there as the it pulls up DD asks if we can sit in the front I ask the CM "is anyone in the front?' as he checks another couple with kids walks up and asks if they can sit in the front the CM says noone is in the front, but since the other family asked first they would get to ride. I was mad he said that we didn't ask to ride it just if anyone was in there. Since we were pressed for time I really couldn't argue. But it was that same non caring attitude from be. Vera showed up 15 minutes early and Me DW went to Le Celliar for dinner then watched illuminations. Kids loved Vera. highly recommend Fairygodmothers!
Day 6 was another great day at MK and the whole family did e-night. If you never did this it was one of the best things ever well worth the money, best was DS expression when we finished Buzz and walked right in with no line. did it about 5 times in a row
Day 7 hung out at the pool then did the illuminations cruise another great thing that I found out on this board. Captain Ron was great and the kids loved it.
Day 8 was MGM when we got there RNR was down so we did a few other things and when we came back it was working and there was no line. great day even though it was raining. only problem waiting in line for timons autograph with ds who is 2 when the CM states that they would only be there for 5 minutes well 2 minutes (checked my watch) the CM said that was it we were 2 from the front, well DS started to cry. when I asked the CM what happened to five minutes he shrugged his shoulders and said sorry kind of smug like.
All in All it was another great trip to Disney

 

[jcanary]

I was just concerned about the buses after e-night to BCV. Did you drive or use the bus? I will probably have our 4 16 year olds doing one of these and I was hoping to let them do it by themselves but I was worried about the bus transportation. How late does it run from MK to BCV? Thanks

 

[caskar]

Thanks for posting. What did you mean by the CM seemed to treat you differently because you were DVC?

Also, I had a situation with the monorail sitting up front. There were two people already sitting up front but they allowed my daughters to ride up front but not us. I understood that - only 4. The next stop(Poly) the 2 people up front got off so we jumped out and asked if we could sit up front with our daughters. The man said no that "these people" (ones waiting at the Poly) were waiting first. He turned and lead a couple of people into the front car. I was left standing there with my mouth open. My wife pulled me back into the monorail car we were riding in and off to Floridian we went. He was the same CM that had allowed my daughters to sit up front.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just curious, when you played golf (Day 4), where did you play? How did you like it? And how convenient a drive was it from BCV? One reason DH likes OKW is its convenience to golf, but I love BCV.

 

[Bella2000]

Sounds like for the most part your experience with BCV was favorable - that's good to hear. We went first week of June and had a great trip.

 

[EAP'sDAD]

The buses back from e-night were pretty crowded but we all got on the second bus that came and were in our room within 45 minutes after e-night again I highly recommend this.
Played at Ospey Ridge It was in good shape. Took advantage of the DVC Golf Membership and it was only 35 dollars each a round including cart from BCV to the course took maybe 10 minutes tops by car very convienent.
WHen I checked in I told the person I was DVC and dhe simply handed me the package of information and really didn't go over anything with me I had told her this was my first time at BCV and she simply checked me and told me to call back to see if my room was ready. The person next to me who was paying for his room, had a CM who went through the package told of te different things going on really seemed to go out of her way to make the person welcome. when I inquired about E-Night it seemed the CM was doing me a favor to make up tickets for me. Just not the same feeling I got when I stayed at BWV>

One other thing I forgot to mention, while I was there me and DW went into the sales area (wanted to see a WL room on display) well let me tell you that the low key no pressure sales pitch I got, that was so nice, was gone. this salesmen had this couple and I listened in and this guy was going hard trying to make a sale. Felt like I was in a car dealership. When I inquired to the woman at the front she had told me that things have slowed a bit and that some of the salesman have been going a little bit harder to make a sale. I remember when I did my tour in 98 I felt that the salesman didn't care if we bought he just wanted to make sure we were comfortable and Knew every thing about DVC, no pressure at all.

Again the majority of the trip was great and my kids had a blast already planning next years trip. DS who is 4 is already asking when he can go back and ride RNR (wasn't big enough but we told him next time we go he should be tall enough to ride).

 

[Dean]

The rooms are essentially the same square footage for BWV, VWL and BCV.

 

[Gillian]

caskar, there are rules about sitting in the front of the monorail, and I think one of them is that you are not allowed to transfer from a regular car to the front. Even though the CM knew you wanted to sit with your kids, the people waiting at that station had priority over you. You'd think they could have explained that better though.

Here is a link to a post where Chip n dale express (a Disney transportation CM) lists the rules.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=341736

 

[caskar]

Oh, I never thought of that - thanks. Wow, that's a lot of information I never knew. Thanks so much.