SleepyatDVC
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2001
- Messages
- 2,562
Just back last weekend from a 13 night vacation in Florida. We stayed 6 nights at BWV, 2 nights in a hotel room in Miami, and 5 nights at BCV. There were four of us DH, me and our 2 dds (3 ½ yrs. & 17 months) - we stayed in a 1 bedroom at both BWV (std view) and BCV. Sorry if my report gets extremely LONG and a bit rambling. Writing it in bits and pieces while at work.
We picked up our car rental at National (aisle service) DH took FOREVER picking out a car. Even though we had a guaranteed full size, we finally drove away in an intermediate (Galant) with 62 miles on it all the other cars with enough trunk space seemed to smell funny (smokey) we decided that the new car smell was preferable to more room. I just wanted to get on the road. (There were 780+ miles on it when we finally returned it!)
Check-in was fast and painless. Our standard view 1 bedroom was ready (around 3pm). We used Amex to secure our room charges and got one AMEX welcome pack containing 2 lanyards and 2 pins. We let our girls play with it a bit and packed it away theyre too young to get addicted to such an expensive hobby!
We were on the 5th floor near the elevators (I think 525?). Forgot already! It had a view of the main entrance and we could see some of the Illuminations fireworks nightly. The view was fine with us, since Disney landscaping is so pretty everywhere and we dont spend tons of time outside in the heat. The unit was very nice and comfortable for our family of four. The décor was bright and airy and I personally prefer it over the VWL where I stayed last trip.
With our little ones, we certainly made use of the kitchen, washer/dryer, and Jacuzzi. Although, we ate out a few times, the baby was fussy and the 3 year old kept falling asleep at meals, even though I tried to schedule them as early as possible. We found that fixing a meal in the unit and letting the kids watch TV or play while we ate was much more relaxing this trip than eating out. As always, the kids generated a ton of dirty clothes which kept the washer/dryer busy. We have such cute pictures of them enjoying their daily bubble bath in the Jacuzzi. DH put in a little too much bubbles the first time!
We went to the parks only for a few hours in the morning. We took the bus to MK once arrived at the bus stop 30 seconds before the bus came and found the return bus waiting for us at the bus terminal at MK. Cinderellas Royal Table was the highlight for our DD. Of course, DH and I thought it was much ado about nothing. But alas, with 2 girls, WE WILL BE BACK! We drove the next time because DD was attending the Grand Adventures in Cooking at the Grand Floridian. We valet parked and I took DD to her activity while DH took the baby to MK via the monorail. He took the baby to all the rides that DD insisted were all too dark and scary for her to go on Peter Pan, Snow White, Country Bear, etc. He said she enjoyed them all and wasnt scared of the witch at all. After the class, we took the monorail (its a ride in itself) to meet DH & baby at the MK. We did 1 ride together and took the railroad back to the Main Street entrance, where we headed back to the GF and then back to the BWV. We walked to MGM one morning doable but quite a hike with two strollers in the heat. I think Epcot is closer by foot. We found the air-conditioned boats extremely convenient. We seemed to catch one waiting even when prepared to walk. Heck, we even took one to and from B&YC for dinner at Beaches & Cream. Its great not having to fold up those strollers.
We were usually back in the room by 1pm. I took our older DD swimming at the kiddie pool and sometimes the big pool almost daily after lunch and a rest. She actually insisted on going down the pool slide one day even after I warned her it might be scary. And although she said she liked it, she refused to go on any pool slide again on this trip not even the baby slide at SAB! She told me maybe NEXT time. DH usually stayed in the room with the napping baby playing computer games on our new laptop. He brought her down to the pool when she woke up. The pool area was very easy to get to from the rooms down the elevators and out the doors. I met many DVC families around the kiddie pool. It had a very homey, intimate feel. Community Hall was great and empty. It was nice having a place for the kids to go to and run around in when they were stir crazy in the room and we werent going out to the parks.
We never even got to enjoy the Boardwalk in the evenings. After parks and swimming, the kids crashed early every night. After taking them to the parks and pool and chasing the baby all day, I crashed soon afterwards. DH stayed up late in the evenings playing computer games. Hey, its his vacation too! He never gets to play at home (Read I dont let him). Btw, it rained almost every night sometimes really heavy rains too but lucky for us we were usually tucked away in our room by then.
The CMs at BWV were great from start to finish. The CMs at BCV were nice & friendly also. But little things (but BIG in little eyes) pushed the BWV over the top. The CMs at Bell Services made balloon animals, swords, flowers, etc. for the kids every day. I took the kids down to the lobby for the Disney Caravan one morning and after greeting Chip & Dale, and some characters from Pinocchio, all the kids were gathered around the Bell Service kiosk waiting for balloon figures. The characters took a back seat to the BWV CMs! On 2 separate occasions, a CM went to the back to get my girls helium filled balloons. They LOVE balloons even more than costly souvenirs. Also, the CMs around the pool and Community Hall were super friendly.
We packed up and drove to Miami for the weekend to visit with some friends. I use to live in Miami during my college years. In fact, my family still has a residence down there. But I didnt want to open up the place for 2 nights. Although, I did stop by to check on it. I got 2 nights at the Hyatt Coral Gables via Priceline. We spent Saturday by the pool at our friends Coral Gables house. We drove back to WDW on Sunday after spending the morning and early afternoon in Weston, FL with some more friends.
My DH has informed me, no more moving around to different resorts, no more units smaller than a 1 bedroom - and if we must stop by Miami, well go either go in the beginning of trip (most likely) or at the end. I agree with him packing & unpacking is not fun or relaxing. We should have enough points to stay over the weekends.
We checked into the BCV after 7 PM. We stopped by the Super Walmart on the way up. We were meeting up with my aunt and her family for the week. She got a 2 bedroom and a studio for her family of 8 kids and 2 helpers. She came down with all her kids and helpers first. DH went with her to pick up my uncle later on that week. We requested to be near each other. I used AMEX again. The CM was very friendly but forgot about the AMEX perks. I asked about it and she gave me 2 AMEX welcome packs.
We were all on the first floor near the building lobby which worked out great because our large group never had to wait for an elevator. They had rooms 123 and 122 and we had room 129. We were near each other but on opposite sides of the lobby. It would have been nice to have our 1 bedroom connect with their studio. But it was also nice to have a quiet sanctuary to retreat from our large group which is why we didnt push the request. Our room 129 and their studio 122 faced the wooded path behind the resort. We had a great view of Illuminations nightly. Better than at our 5th floor BWV room. We could see the fireworks and hear the music. Im sure the higher floors would have been even better. But I was more than satisfied. Their dedicated 2 bedroom (123), however, faced the walkway between the BC hotel and the BCV lobby. Theres a lattice fence in front for some privacy but I doubt many people would sit out there. But they didnt care a bit.
I like the décor of the BCV slightly better than the BWV but Ive always been a BC fan. The BCV unit was definitely smaller than the BWV. The door to the adjoining studio was by the entrance which was nice but that meant no closet to stick shoes, ponchos, strollers, etc. We stuck everything in front of the connecting door. The dedicated 2 bedroom had a large walk-in closet where the 2nd entrance would have been to stick all your junk. The closet in the master bedroom with the safe was tiny with a huge door. Since it already had an iron and ironing board in it, there wasnt much room for anything else. The closet at BWV was big enough for an open pack-n-play. Which reminds me we couldnt find the playpen anywhere so I finally called housekeeping apparently with the lack of closet space, they had to put it in the trunk that doubles as a coffee table! I liked the bench with the oblong table - it worked better for us. The bathroom sure did have a lot of doors it made it seem smaller BUT I really liked having an extra door (with a lock) to the toilet. Its the only place to get any privacy from 2 kids anymore. They seemed to find a way to get into the bathroom at BWV somehow!
The quiet pool was nice and convenient. But my kids LOVED the sandy-bottomed pool at SAB. I, myself, never got to enjoy it much. I usually sent my older girl out first with the other kids and the helpers. By the time I hiked over there with the baby, it was either time to leave for rain, lunch, or dinner. Boy, is it a loooong walk to the shallow end of SAB. I thought that it was a long walk when we stayed at the BC. But its even longer now from the BCV. I would seriously consider taking the stroller next time.
We mostly went to Epcot this week because it was so convenient. The kids could spend hours at Innoventions. We never made it to the boats this trip. We did take the bus to AK one day. We took 3 of my aunts girls as well as our own 2 so we had a baby, two 3 year olds, an almost 5 year old, and an 11 year old. There were a lot of stops along the way all the Epcot resorts as well as Blizzard Beach but it was fine. We had seats on a air-conditioned bus and let someone else do the driving. Besides, we never had to wait for the bus saw it coming at BC and ran for it once again it was waiting for the return. Besides, we struck up conversations with our fellow passengers not a few people commented on how brave we were to have so many! NOT ALL MINE! NOT ALL MINE!!!
DH and I had dinner at Artists Point one evening to celebrate our anniversary a few days early while my aunt and her gang watched our kids. WL was very romantic and not as dark as I remembered. DD (3) was scared of the dark décor when we stayed there this past March. She refused to look up in the lobby or the walkways in fact she usually hid her head until she was safely in the room. The fact that we went during a cold spell didnt help it made the décor seem even more dark and dank (to her).
We valet parked every day at BWV and the first few days at BCV. DH wasnt too crazy about valet parking not because of the tipping but because he likes access to the car, like for his forgotten sunglasses, etc. He self parked at BCV and found it very convenient. On check-out day, he made 2 trips to the car to load up our luggage. He cleaned out the junk our girls had left behind and found numerous toys and missing items in the back and under the seats. We left the laptop and other valuables in one of my aunts units until we physically left WDW. Valet parking is nice sometimes (like for dinner) but at other times it makes you feel rushed getting your kids and all their junk in and out of the car. And dont you hate it when you forget something? Although, theyre pretty good about getting something (like a diaper bag) out of the car for you.
We got a free BCV pin for stopping by the model and signing the guest book it was exactly like our half of the unit but cleaner!
Btw, I thought I would get on-line to check e-mail and the disboards, but never had the time so I never even tried our dial-up access numbers. Besides, dh was using the laptop to either play games or down load pictures from our digital camera. With my kids occupied with relatives, I never got to check out if they had any organized childrens activities. Although, the rooms off the lobby were great to hang out in.
BOTTOM LINES: (and this is only my personal opinion)
I love the Epcot resort area. I liked the BCV slightly better for décor, location, pool and relaxing atmosphere. But like I mentioned, I was always partial to the Beach Club. However, the rooms are a little bit smaller and the SAB pool is like a mile away. But BWV wins hands down (this trip) for making me feel like a DVC member. To my mind, BWV feels like a DVC resort with a hotel tacked on. The common pool area is intimate and many people you run into are fellow members and CMs assume and treat you like a DVC member. The BCV feels like a hotel resort with the DVC villas tacked on. SAB is huge and is shared by 2 large resorts as well as BCV. Most people you run into are probably NOT fellow DVC members and CMs usually assume you are a guest, not a member. This feeling makes a difference but it certainly wont make or break my vacation.
I think that we will try the VWL again in a few years, after DD gets over this scared of dark places phase if DD #2 doesnt go through the same! DH liked it and it seemed to appeal to me more this trip maybe it was the weather it seemed very cool and inviting in the Florida heat.
But I have to confess both DH and I discussed it and we both agreed WE LOVE AND MISS OKW!!! Theres no better place to relax. We definitely feel like going HOME when we drive through the gates and up to our unit. Maybe its this stage in our lives. We have young kids and tend to spend more time in the room so the extra space does feel great. The full size washer & dryers in the separate laundry room does make a difference. DH kept complaining about the loud noise from the washer/dryer units at BWV & BCV. We dont really take advantage of the nightlife and activities (yet) available at the other resorts. Were not as close to everything but the buses have been fine were not on a strict timetable. Besides, the car is right there if we need it. I actually like driving off-site to go shopping. The biggest factor is that we live in an apartment building in the city where our car is parked in a garage 2 blocks away. OKW makes us feel like were playing house at our second home.
ALL the DVC resorts are great. We decided that for short trips or when I take the kids down alone (maybe to meet up with my aunt), well stay at either BCV (SAB), BWV (std view), or VWL (MK). But for family trips (with DH) that are longer than 4 or 5 nights, well stay at OKW. Its great to have a choice!!!
Sorry so long! Now back to work for a while.
Note to self: hmmm... must investigate how to delete countdown clock!
We picked up our car rental at National (aisle service) DH took FOREVER picking out a car. Even though we had a guaranteed full size, we finally drove away in an intermediate (Galant) with 62 miles on it all the other cars with enough trunk space seemed to smell funny (smokey) we decided that the new car smell was preferable to more room. I just wanted to get on the road. (There were 780+ miles on it when we finally returned it!)
Check-in was fast and painless. Our standard view 1 bedroom was ready (around 3pm). We used Amex to secure our room charges and got one AMEX welcome pack containing 2 lanyards and 2 pins. We let our girls play with it a bit and packed it away theyre too young to get addicted to such an expensive hobby!
We were on the 5th floor near the elevators (I think 525?). Forgot already! It had a view of the main entrance and we could see some of the Illuminations fireworks nightly. The view was fine with us, since Disney landscaping is so pretty everywhere and we dont spend tons of time outside in the heat. The unit was very nice and comfortable for our family of four. The décor was bright and airy and I personally prefer it over the VWL where I stayed last trip.
With our little ones, we certainly made use of the kitchen, washer/dryer, and Jacuzzi. Although, we ate out a few times, the baby was fussy and the 3 year old kept falling asleep at meals, even though I tried to schedule them as early as possible. We found that fixing a meal in the unit and letting the kids watch TV or play while we ate was much more relaxing this trip than eating out. As always, the kids generated a ton of dirty clothes which kept the washer/dryer busy. We have such cute pictures of them enjoying their daily bubble bath in the Jacuzzi. DH put in a little too much bubbles the first time!
We went to the parks only for a few hours in the morning. We took the bus to MK once arrived at the bus stop 30 seconds before the bus came and found the return bus waiting for us at the bus terminal at MK. Cinderellas Royal Table was the highlight for our DD. Of course, DH and I thought it was much ado about nothing. But alas, with 2 girls, WE WILL BE BACK! We drove the next time because DD was attending the Grand Adventures in Cooking at the Grand Floridian. We valet parked and I took DD to her activity while DH took the baby to MK via the monorail. He took the baby to all the rides that DD insisted were all too dark and scary for her to go on Peter Pan, Snow White, Country Bear, etc. He said she enjoyed them all and wasnt scared of the witch at all. After the class, we took the monorail (its a ride in itself) to meet DH & baby at the MK. We did 1 ride together and took the railroad back to the Main Street entrance, where we headed back to the GF and then back to the BWV. We walked to MGM one morning doable but quite a hike with two strollers in the heat. I think Epcot is closer by foot. We found the air-conditioned boats extremely convenient. We seemed to catch one waiting even when prepared to walk. Heck, we even took one to and from B&YC for dinner at Beaches & Cream. Its great not having to fold up those strollers.
We were usually back in the room by 1pm. I took our older DD swimming at the kiddie pool and sometimes the big pool almost daily after lunch and a rest. She actually insisted on going down the pool slide one day even after I warned her it might be scary. And although she said she liked it, she refused to go on any pool slide again on this trip not even the baby slide at SAB! She told me maybe NEXT time. DH usually stayed in the room with the napping baby playing computer games on our new laptop. He brought her down to the pool when she woke up. The pool area was very easy to get to from the rooms down the elevators and out the doors. I met many DVC families around the kiddie pool. It had a very homey, intimate feel. Community Hall was great and empty. It was nice having a place for the kids to go to and run around in when they were stir crazy in the room and we werent going out to the parks.
We never even got to enjoy the Boardwalk in the evenings. After parks and swimming, the kids crashed early every night. After taking them to the parks and pool and chasing the baby all day, I crashed soon afterwards. DH stayed up late in the evenings playing computer games. Hey, its his vacation too! He never gets to play at home (Read I dont let him). Btw, it rained almost every night sometimes really heavy rains too but lucky for us we were usually tucked away in our room by then.
The CMs at BWV were great from start to finish. The CMs at BCV were nice & friendly also. But little things (but BIG in little eyes) pushed the BWV over the top. The CMs at Bell Services made balloon animals, swords, flowers, etc. for the kids every day. I took the kids down to the lobby for the Disney Caravan one morning and after greeting Chip & Dale, and some characters from Pinocchio, all the kids were gathered around the Bell Service kiosk waiting for balloon figures. The characters took a back seat to the BWV CMs! On 2 separate occasions, a CM went to the back to get my girls helium filled balloons. They LOVE balloons even more than costly souvenirs. Also, the CMs around the pool and Community Hall were super friendly.
We packed up and drove to Miami for the weekend to visit with some friends. I use to live in Miami during my college years. In fact, my family still has a residence down there. But I didnt want to open up the place for 2 nights. Although, I did stop by to check on it. I got 2 nights at the Hyatt Coral Gables via Priceline. We spent Saturday by the pool at our friends Coral Gables house. We drove back to WDW on Sunday after spending the morning and early afternoon in Weston, FL with some more friends.
My DH has informed me, no more moving around to different resorts, no more units smaller than a 1 bedroom - and if we must stop by Miami, well go either go in the beginning of trip (most likely) or at the end. I agree with him packing & unpacking is not fun or relaxing. We should have enough points to stay over the weekends.
We checked into the BCV after 7 PM. We stopped by the Super Walmart on the way up. We were meeting up with my aunt and her family for the week. She got a 2 bedroom and a studio for her family of 8 kids and 2 helpers. She came down with all her kids and helpers first. DH went with her to pick up my uncle later on that week. We requested to be near each other. I used AMEX again. The CM was very friendly but forgot about the AMEX perks. I asked about it and she gave me 2 AMEX welcome packs.
We were all on the first floor near the building lobby which worked out great because our large group never had to wait for an elevator. They had rooms 123 and 122 and we had room 129. We were near each other but on opposite sides of the lobby. It would have been nice to have our 1 bedroom connect with their studio. But it was also nice to have a quiet sanctuary to retreat from our large group which is why we didnt push the request. Our room 129 and their studio 122 faced the wooded path behind the resort. We had a great view of Illuminations nightly. Better than at our 5th floor BWV room. We could see the fireworks and hear the music. Im sure the higher floors would have been even better. But I was more than satisfied. Their dedicated 2 bedroom (123), however, faced the walkway between the BC hotel and the BCV lobby. Theres a lattice fence in front for some privacy but I doubt many people would sit out there. But they didnt care a bit.
I like the décor of the BCV slightly better than the BWV but Ive always been a BC fan. The BCV unit was definitely smaller than the BWV. The door to the adjoining studio was by the entrance which was nice but that meant no closet to stick shoes, ponchos, strollers, etc. We stuck everything in front of the connecting door. The dedicated 2 bedroom had a large walk-in closet where the 2nd entrance would have been to stick all your junk. The closet in the master bedroom with the safe was tiny with a huge door. Since it already had an iron and ironing board in it, there wasnt much room for anything else. The closet at BWV was big enough for an open pack-n-play. Which reminds me we couldnt find the playpen anywhere so I finally called housekeeping apparently with the lack of closet space, they had to put it in the trunk that doubles as a coffee table! I liked the bench with the oblong table - it worked better for us. The bathroom sure did have a lot of doors it made it seem smaller BUT I really liked having an extra door (with a lock) to the toilet. Its the only place to get any privacy from 2 kids anymore. They seemed to find a way to get into the bathroom at BWV somehow!
The quiet pool was nice and convenient. But my kids LOVED the sandy-bottomed pool at SAB. I, myself, never got to enjoy it much. I usually sent my older girl out first with the other kids and the helpers. By the time I hiked over there with the baby, it was either time to leave for rain, lunch, or dinner. Boy, is it a loooong walk to the shallow end of SAB. I thought that it was a long walk when we stayed at the BC. But its even longer now from the BCV. I would seriously consider taking the stroller next time.
We mostly went to Epcot this week because it was so convenient. The kids could spend hours at Innoventions. We never made it to the boats this trip. We did take the bus to AK one day. We took 3 of my aunts girls as well as our own 2 so we had a baby, two 3 year olds, an almost 5 year old, and an 11 year old. There were a lot of stops along the way all the Epcot resorts as well as Blizzard Beach but it was fine. We had seats on a air-conditioned bus and let someone else do the driving. Besides, we never had to wait for the bus saw it coming at BC and ran for it once again it was waiting for the return. Besides, we struck up conversations with our fellow passengers not a few people commented on how brave we were to have so many! NOT ALL MINE! NOT ALL MINE!!!
DH and I had dinner at Artists Point one evening to celebrate our anniversary a few days early while my aunt and her gang watched our kids. WL was very romantic and not as dark as I remembered. DD (3) was scared of the dark décor when we stayed there this past March. She refused to look up in the lobby or the walkways in fact she usually hid her head until she was safely in the room. The fact that we went during a cold spell didnt help it made the décor seem even more dark and dank (to her).
We valet parked every day at BWV and the first few days at BCV. DH wasnt too crazy about valet parking not because of the tipping but because he likes access to the car, like for his forgotten sunglasses, etc. He self parked at BCV and found it very convenient. On check-out day, he made 2 trips to the car to load up our luggage. He cleaned out the junk our girls had left behind and found numerous toys and missing items in the back and under the seats. We left the laptop and other valuables in one of my aunts units until we physically left WDW. Valet parking is nice sometimes (like for dinner) but at other times it makes you feel rushed getting your kids and all their junk in and out of the car. And dont you hate it when you forget something? Although, theyre pretty good about getting something (like a diaper bag) out of the car for you.
We got a free BCV pin for stopping by the model and signing the guest book it was exactly like our half of the unit but cleaner!
Btw, I thought I would get on-line to check e-mail and the disboards, but never had the time so I never even tried our dial-up access numbers. Besides, dh was using the laptop to either play games or down load pictures from our digital camera. With my kids occupied with relatives, I never got to check out if they had any organized childrens activities. Although, the rooms off the lobby were great to hang out in.
BOTTOM LINES: (and this is only my personal opinion)
I love the Epcot resort area. I liked the BCV slightly better for décor, location, pool and relaxing atmosphere. But like I mentioned, I was always partial to the Beach Club. However, the rooms are a little bit smaller and the SAB pool is like a mile away. But BWV wins hands down (this trip) for making me feel like a DVC member. To my mind, BWV feels like a DVC resort with a hotel tacked on. The common pool area is intimate and many people you run into are fellow members and CMs assume and treat you like a DVC member. The BCV feels like a hotel resort with the DVC villas tacked on. SAB is huge and is shared by 2 large resorts as well as BCV. Most people you run into are probably NOT fellow DVC members and CMs usually assume you are a guest, not a member. This feeling makes a difference but it certainly wont make or break my vacation.
I think that we will try the VWL again in a few years, after DD gets over this scared of dark places phase if DD #2 doesnt go through the same! DH liked it and it seemed to appeal to me more this trip maybe it was the weather it seemed very cool and inviting in the Florida heat.
But I have to confess both DH and I discussed it and we both agreed WE LOVE AND MISS OKW!!! Theres no better place to relax. We definitely feel like going HOME when we drive through the gates and up to our unit. Maybe its this stage in our lives. We have young kids and tend to spend more time in the room so the extra space does feel great. The full size washer & dryers in the separate laundry room does make a difference. DH kept complaining about the loud noise from the washer/dryer units at BWV & BCV. We dont really take advantage of the nightlife and activities (yet) available at the other resorts. Were not as close to everything but the buses have been fine were not on a strict timetable. Besides, the car is right there if we need it. I actually like driving off-site to go shopping. The biggest factor is that we live in an apartment building in the city where our car is parked in a garage 2 blocks away. OKW makes us feel like were playing house at our second home.
ALL the DVC resorts are great. We decided that for short trips or when I take the kids down alone (maybe to meet up with my aunt), well stay at either BCV (SAB), BWV (std view), or VWL (MK). But for family trips (with DH) that are longer than 4 or 5 nights, well stay at OKW. Its great to have a choice!!!
Sorry so long! Now back to work for a while.
Note to self: hmmm... must investigate how to delete countdown clock!
