Just returned from six nights at BWV. The first night we stayed in a preferred view studio -- just my DS, DH and me. We ended up in the last studio on the third floor above the quiet pool. It's a dedicated studio and was incredibly quiet and private. It was also incredibly far away from the BoardWalk and the Luna Park pool -- my son's favorite. But it was just one night, so we didn't worry too much. My one observation about this room was that I think it would be difficult for anyone larger than my 6-year-old son to sleep in what Disney calls a "daybed" in the dedicated studio. We have used the daybed at the Polynesian before, and it was much larger. Anyway, I thought that was an observation worth posting.
Then the fun began. We had guests arriving from Texas Sunday and checked out and back into two- two bedroom standards. They did not end up being side-by-side as I had hoped, but they were in close proximity by BWV standards. The strange check-ins were difficult. Each cast member told us something new, and it was a constant struggle to get keys, UPH's, etc. straight. But, that was over by Sunday evening, and we had a wonderful time.
What I learned: If you're traveling with a crowd and want the least amount of hassle, either check everyone in when you arrive, or arrive together. Also, when we checked in on Saturday, they would not sell us our UPH's because our ressie was just for one day. The CM said if we wanted to go into a park Saturday evening, we'd have to buy a one-day pass and then purchase the unlimited park hoppers Sunday when we checked in for the rest of the week. I think this was wrong, but I didn't press it because we weren't planning on going into the parks Saturday night. We just got our passes Sunday a.m. when we had our luggage moved. Anyone else had experiences with this? Also, one of our guests did not arrive until Monday. The CM insisted that that guest would have to buy either a regular park hopper or our discounted unlimited park hopper for four days instead of the three that she would actually be there because our "actual reservations" started Sunday. I didn't even mess with that CM. I just said, "Will you please call a manager out because I know this is not so?" Sure enough, the manager cleared it up. Oh well. Can't expect perfection, I guess.
Cast members were wonderful. We pool hopped to SAB for the last time. Lifeguard there said to expect pool hopping at SAB to end June 30 instead of July 1 because of the July 4th weekend. I don't see a big difference, but I thought I'd pass that along. Several CM's said they felt certain that early entry would be back. Turns out that they are using a form of it tomorrow to deal with the big Pride Week crowds.
We missed early entry and e-ride nights, but we survived without them. More about that on another board. But wanted to make those that I thought were pertinent to DVC here.
Julie
Oh! Forgot to mention -- Last year, bus service at BWV was horrible. This year it was spectacular. We never waited at BWV and only waited at MK once for around 30 minutes (not at closing). We walked up to the BWV bus stop and walked right on buses more times than I can tell you. And that includes buses to Downtown Disney.
Then the fun began. We had guests arriving from Texas Sunday and checked out and back into two- two bedroom standards. They did not end up being side-by-side as I had hoped, but they were in close proximity by BWV standards. The strange check-ins were difficult. Each cast member told us something new, and it was a constant struggle to get keys, UPH's, etc. straight. But, that was over by Sunday evening, and we had a wonderful time.
What I learned: If you're traveling with a crowd and want the least amount of hassle, either check everyone in when you arrive, or arrive together. Also, when we checked in on Saturday, they would not sell us our UPH's because our ressie was just for one day. The CM said if we wanted to go into a park Saturday evening, we'd have to buy a one-day pass and then purchase the unlimited park hoppers Sunday when we checked in for the rest of the week. I think this was wrong, but I didn't press it because we weren't planning on going into the parks Saturday night. We just got our passes Sunday a.m. when we had our luggage moved. Anyone else had experiences with this? Also, one of our guests did not arrive until Monday. The CM insisted that that guest would have to buy either a regular park hopper or our discounted unlimited park hopper for four days instead of the three that she would actually be there because our "actual reservations" started Sunday. I didn't even mess with that CM. I just said, "Will you please call a manager out because I know this is not so?" Sure enough, the manager cleared it up. Oh well. Can't expect perfection, I guess.
Cast members were wonderful. We pool hopped to SAB for the last time. Lifeguard there said to expect pool hopping at SAB to end June 30 instead of July 1 because of the July 4th weekend. I don't see a big difference, but I thought I'd pass that along. Several CM's said they felt certain that early entry would be back. Turns out that they are using a form of it tomorrow to deal with the big Pride Week crowds.
We missed early entry and e-ride nights, but we survived without them. More about that on another board. But wanted to make those that I thought were pertinent to DVC here.
Julie
Oh! Forgot to mention -- Last year, bus service at BWV was horrible. This year it was spectacular. We never waited at BWV and only waited at MK once for around 30 minutes (not at closing). We walked up to the BWV bus stop and walked right on buses more times than I can tell you. And that includes buses to Downtown Disney.
