idratherbeinwdw
<br><font face="comic sans MS" color=violet>I'll n
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2000
- Messages
- 1,353
My two DD's, 14 and 19 and I just got back from BWV, our home resort. We arrived Sunday the 12th and left yesterday, the 17th. This was my first trip as a DVC member, I had visited once before with a friend on rented points. (It was love at first sight and I bought my resale within a month of returning home)
What a wonderful trip! I think the CM's (and I) were in particularly good moods because Ivan turned away and they didn't have to deal with a third hurricane in such a short time. A lot of the CM's I talked to mentioned damage to their homes. The insurance adjustors and home repair people must be working overtime, almost everyone I talked to had some damage from Charley, including my limo driver, Sid from Tiffany Towncars. I always ask for him, he's a honey. As always he was waiting for me at baggage claim and off we went.
I was worried that supplies would be short because so many online reports were saying locals had bought out the stores in case Ivan did hit. But Sid assured me all would be well, and when we stopped at Publix the shelves were indeed full. We used the shopping list I always bring and within half an hour we were on our way again.
We got to BWV at about 11:30 AM and the cm's were particularly friendly and warm and we received many a welcome home. Not only that the room was ready, woohoo!! Actually I had high hopes it would be, as it was evident a LOT of people canceled in fear of the hurricane. The plane going to Orlando was emptier than I had ever seen (I always take the same flight), about half full. The captain even made an announcement that we were free to change seats and stretch out more if we wanted to.
I was slightly disappointed, as I had requested a Luna Pool view (it was preferred ressie) and they only had quiet pool. It wasn't that big a deal though, and I was happpy with the room we got. It was room 4095, it overlooked the quiet pool, bbq and community hall. We could see the Tower of Terror and some lights and lasers from Fantasmic! from the balcony. We learned if we walked down the stairs just outside our room that it would lead us right between the luna park pool and community hall. We used both extensively. My kids were awed at how much room we had compared to the standard room at the Poly they were used to.
Our luggage was delivered promptly by yet another cheery cm. The 1BR was the same set up as the one I had in May, with the kitchen on the right as you walk in, master bedroom and jacuzzi to the left. (Hey does anyone besides me like watch TV while soaking in the jacuzzi? I think that's so cool, LOL) It was nice to have the same orientation as last time, so I felt right at home. The balcony was covered and one of the nice sized ones that spans from the LR to the BR. Everthing was in perfect working order and clean. The only thing missing was a frying pan, which was delivered within 5 minutes of me calling.
The pool was clean, as were the hot tubs--one thing the I always missed having at the Polynesian, I LOVE hot tubs! Transportation was fine, one afternoon we waited about 15 minutes for an MK bus, but that was the longest, most waits were 5-10 minutes for all modes of transportation. We walked to Epcot most of the time, to MGM half the time (some days were really hot and the boat was a welcome relief).
Two minor negatives: I did not like the Atlantic Brewery food at all. We tried salmon, pecan crusted chicken and chicken caesar and it was all quite mediocre. Since the prices were no bargain I won't be going back there again. I thought Spoodles far superior and it's fun to try and share the different tapas.
The other negative: The staircases. Maybe I am being picky, but they do tell you to use the staircases, so it's not like they are supposed to be only for workers. Yet they look like they are a workers-only type area, the steps all dingy and dirty. I'd like to see them cleaned up.
We used communty hall a lot, my 14 year old and I were in there most every day playing air hockey, ping pong and foosball. What a great perk, I never stayed at a WDW resort that had those things for free. Dishwasher and Washer/Dryer were in fine working order. It was great to do the laundry in the Villa and come home to put everything away clean instead of having piles of dirty clothes to do.
I'm not going to give an extensive "what we did every day" report, sorry, just too darn lazy! I just wanted everyone to know that things went smoothly at BWV, all was in good shape and there were no major problems whatsoever. I will say one "non-DVC" related comment--the parks were EMPTY and I mean EMPTY. You could walk on Buzz lightyear, Test Track, Splash Mountain, Peter Pan's Flight, etc. at 2 in the afternoon all week up until Friday when things got slightly more crowded, with perhaps 10 minute waits for the really popular rides at peak times. They weren't bothering to even issue FP's, there was no need to.
Particular kudos to BWV CM Fernando. I don't know if anyone here knows him, but he was really great. I asked to see his pins, and he not only showed me his lanyard he produced a huge ziplock with about 30 pins for me to look at! I ended up trading three pins with him. And it seemed every time I walked through the lobby he was there smiling and waving to me.
Next trip 118 days and counting, hooray DVC, I am sooo glad I joined, it really does feel like home when I am there.
What a wonderful trip! I think the CM's (and I) were in particularly good moods because Ivan turned away and they didn't have to deal with a third hurricane in such a short time. A lot of the CM's I talked to mentioned damage to their homes. The insurance adjustors and home repair people must be working overtime, almost everyone I talked to had some damage from Charley, including my limo driver, Sid from Tiffany Towncars. I always ask for him, he's a honey. As always he was waiting for me at baggage claim and off we went.
I was worried that supplies would be short because so many online reports were saying locals had bought out the stores in case Ivan did hit. But Sid assured me all would be well, and when we stopped at Publix the shelves were indeed full. We used the shopping list I always bring and within half an hour we were on our way again.
We got to BWV at about 11:30 AM and the cm's were particularly friendly and warm and we received many a welcome home. Not only that the room was ready, woohoo!! Actually I had high hopes it would be, as it was evident a LOT of people canceled in fear of the hurricane. The plane going to Orlando was emptier than I had ever seen (I always take the same flight), about half full. The captain even made an announcement that we were free to change seats and stretch out more if we wanted to.
I was slightly disappointed, as I had requested a Luna Pool view (it was preferred ressie) and they only had quiet pool. It wasn't that big a deal though, and I was happpy with the room we got. It was room 4095, it overlooked the quiet pool, bbq and community hall. We could see the Tower of Terror and some lights and lasers from Fantasmic! from the balcony. We learned if we walked down the stairs just outside our room that it would lead us right between the luna park pool and community hall. We used both extensively. My kids were awed at how much room we had compared to the standard room at the Poly they were used to.
Our luggage was delivered promptly by yet another cheery cm. The 1BR was the same set up as the one I had in May, with the kitchen on the right as you walk in, master bedroom and jacuzzi to the left. (Hey does anyone besides me like watch TV while soaking in the jacuzzi? I think that's so cool, LOL) It was nice to have the same orientation as last time, so I felt right at home. The balcony was covered and one of the nice sized ones that spans from the LR to the BR. Everthing was in perfect working order and clean. The only thing missing was a frying pan, which was delivered within 5 minutes of me calling.
The pool was clean, as were the hot tubs--one thing the I always missed having at the Polynesian, I LOVE hot tubs! Transportation was fine, one afternoon we waited about 15 minutes for an MK bus, but that was the longest, most waits were 5-10 minutes for all modes of transportation. We walked to Epcot most of the time, to MGM half the time (some days were really hot and the boat was a welcome relief).
Two minor negatives: I did not like the Atlantic Brewery food at all. We tried salmon, pecan crusted chicken and chicken caesar and it was all quite mediocre. Since the prices were no bargain I won't be going back there again. I thought Spoodles far superior and it's fun to try and share the different tapas.
The other negative: The staircases. Maybe I am being picky, but they do tell you to use the staircases, so it's not like they are supposed to be only for workers. Yet they look like they are a workers-only type area, the steps all dingy and dirty. I'd like to see them cleaned up.
We used communty hall a lot, my 14 year old and I were in there most every day playing air hockey, ping pong and foosball. What a great perk, I never stayed at a WDW resort that had those things for free. Dishwasher and Washer/Dryer were in fine working order. It was great to do the laundry in the Villa and come home to put everything away clean instead of having piles of dirty clothes to do.
I'm not going to give an extensive "what we did every day" report, sorry, just too darn lazy! I just wanted everyone to know that things went smoothly at BWV, all was in good shape and there were no major problems whatsoever. I will say one "non-DVC" related comment--the parks were EMPTY and I mean EMPTY. You could walk on Buzz lightyear, Test Track, Splash Mountain, Peter Pan's Flight, etc. at 2 in the afternoon all week up until Friday when things got slightly more crowded, with perhaps 10 minute waits for the really popular rides at peak times. They weren't bothering to even issue FP's, there was no need to.
Particular kudos to BWV CM Fernando. I don't know if anyone here knows him, but he was really great. I asked to see his pins, and he not only showed me his lanyard he produced a huge ziplock with about 30 pins for me to look at! I ended up trading three pins with him. And it seemed every time I walked through the lobby he was there smiling and waving to me.
Next trip 118 days and counting, hooray DVC, I am sooo glad I joined, it really does feel like home when I am there.
I guess I'll just have to be content and read all the great reports until I can post my own again! 
