Just back from BWV - some quick thoughts

[jenanderson]

We just got back from the BWV yesterday and I thought I would post some thoughts (I am not sure I am up to doing a whole trip report). We were there for 6 days/5 nights.

BWV - I rented points from a DVC member for a 1BR villa. It was nice but I doubt we would ever do it again. We loved - having seperate rooms (although we usually reserve 2 rooms), the washer and dryer (we could have packed even less than we did), the fridge, and the big slide at the pool. The reasons why we wouldn't go back are not huge - we hated the transportation (we rented a car and used it a lot - stopping at 5 resorts to go somewhere is not my idea of efficient), the theming was not us (the boardwalk was neat at night but it just was not our style), and we found that we didn't use the kitchen like we thought we would (we would be in the parks at meal time and just grab some quick things to share at a counter). I also did not like having daily maid service (you don't get that with a DVC rental without paying extra). The pool was super. The kids loved the slide but the pool was really busy. We were also disappointed that the slide closed so early each night. We thought there would be more to the boardwalk as well. It was really pretty lit up at night and there was usually one "performer" there but we expected a bit more. It was a nice stay but we have loved other Disney properties a lot more. The transportation was our biggest complaint and I would never stay there if I was depending only on Disney transportation.

The crowds were pretty good while we were there and increased each day. We always go at our Spring Break time and thought that the crowds were pretty good compared to other years.

One of the biggest disappointments of the trip - rides that were broken down. One afternoon we used a fastpass to see Mickey's Philharmagic. We finally got into the "holding area" by the doors to go into the theater when they announced there was a problem but we should be able to go into the theater in a few minutes. After waiting 25 more minutes, they cleared us out. They said it was going to be down for "some time". They did not give us another fastpass (they were doing this at Splash Mountain when it broke) and we were a bit disappointed to have waited so long for our fastpass time only to miss it. Splash Mountain was down for 2 of the 3 days we were at the Magic Kingdom. Other guests were reporting that other rides had been down as well. I know that Disney does not expect these type of problems and it is a safety issue. I was just surprised that they had as many problems as they did.

A fun tradition - DS had his haircut on Main Street (he does this each year). They put in the green gel and the confetti - also had a green Mickey head put on the back of his head (made out of the gel). He got tons of attention from the CM and from other guests - he loved it. We laughed a lot over how funny he looked.

The food was really good as well. We usually do the Silver Add-On and eat a lot of great meals (we will do this again the next time we go). This time we went without the plan and ate a lot of counter service. We were happy with how good most of it was and that we were able to share 2-3 baskets between the 4 of us. We also ate at Chef Mickeys - fabulous breakfast. I would really recommend a late PS, our kids had lots of extra time with all of the characters since there was hardly anyone else there by then. I had also gotten 2 vouchers for Beaches and Cream. It was good and I would get vouchers for that again. Just a note on the pool at the Beach Club - we were amazed at how even though the pool was busy, it was not crowded like ours at the BW. I know they keep out all of the extra people with the wrist bands and it must be helping. We were at Beaches and Cream twice and each time we saw about the same amount of people. I guess we expected it to be more crowded because of all we read here.

Well, I wrote more than I thought I would. We had a fabulous time and were very sad to leave. We will be taking a year off from Disney vacations because we are building a new house. The whole family is already talking about how we will save to get back there in 2 years! Feel free to ask any questions if you have them.

Jen

 

[peaches]

We are thinking about a studio at the BWV, but would like to know what view the studios have, as we are taking our seven month old and will probably spend more time in the room and on the balcony then before. Any tips on getting a good view or general BWV info. Thanks

 

[jenanderson]

peaches - our view was of the parking lot and was not worth sitting outside. As I said, we had a one bedroom villa and I am not sure if the studios would be in a better location. Also, there are different views available. We rented a standard view and if we were ever to do this again, I would reserve something different. Our DS took naps and both DS and DD went to bed early some nights. We love to sit outside during this time but this balcony was not in a good location for doing so. We did sit out there a bit but it just seemed weird to be looking at the area where people pull up to the valet service and then at the parking lot.

As I said, this was just not our style. If we ever rent a villa again, I think we would try the Wilderness Lodge. Our main reason for this choice is that you can ride a boat over to the Magic Kingdom and with the kids, that is where we spend the most time.

Jen

 

[MicheleC]

We are DVC owners at the BWV and love it there. BUT we have never used the bus transportation. We use the boats for MGM and walk to Epcot and we used our rental car for MK and AK. We were thinking about trying out not having a car this year and using the buses, but after reading your post, I'm not so sure. We would not enjoy a long wait or lots of stops on the buses. Although if they stop at Swan/Dolphin, we would probably just get off there and walk back to BWV. Is that the route?

And Peaches, as far as room views...we stayed in Boardwalk view which was really nice and it is relaxing to sit out and look at the water and the boats. Our rooms were way down the end twoard the clubs and it was a little noisy at night. Last year we stayed in a Standard view and although our main view was of the entrance/parking lot, we had a great view of Illuminations every night and it was quieter over there. We even thought the balcony was nicer. So it depends on what you would like. We are going for the Standard view again this year. Our room was 3117 if that helps (but it was a 1-bdrm), but you could ask for a studio in that area if that sounds good to you. Have fun!

 

[las3888]

peaches, we stayed in a studio at BWV with a standard view this past May. The 3 view choices are: standard (mostly parking lot and front entrance), boardwalk (overlooking the boardwalk), and preferred (anything else, i.e. main pool, quiet pool, MGM, Swan, etc.).

If you are staying on points, you will find that the standard view rooms book QUICKLY because they are really popular (takes fewer points for standard than it does for boardwalk view or preferred view). The boardwalk view also sells out very quickly since it is also very popular. If you are not booking too far in advance, your only option may be a 'preferred' view. I have not stayed in these rooms, but like I said, they mostly overlook pools. Others have reported they can see MGM (especially near the quiet pool) and can hear Fanastmic every night. I hear that is a very nice popular view. Our standard room was probably just around the corner from Michele C's...our room was 3125. We couldn't see Illuminations since we were around the corner, but we really enjoyed our view. We did see the parking lot, but there is so much landscaping, it is really buffered. We saw tennis courts, the walkway to MGM and overlooked a small pond where we really enjoyed watching the baby ducks waddle into the pond every day. We loved this location also because while we were far away from the main lobby, we were just steps from 2 staircases that either took us to the parking lot (or bus stop) or the other staircase took us to the pool area or the walkway to MGM. With a stroller in tow, you might consider requesting a lower floor since the only elevator is at the main lobby area, and if you are located far from that (and be aware - at BWV - if you are far from the main lobby, you are FAR), you will not be able to take advantage of the very handy staircases as easily with a stroller on the 4th or 5th floors.

We always get a car, so can't speak too much about transportation, but we did take the monorail from EPCOT to MK, and the bus back one day. It wasn't bad at all. We waited maybe 5-7 minutes for the bus (this was in the middle of the day,maybe 2pm). It then took us to YC, then BC, then to our hotel (I don't remember if the S/D being on that route at all, so maybe they have their own bus?). It wasn't bad at all.

Good luck all with your planning!