Just Back From BWV's, any questions?

[taylor1293]

Just back from 11 terrific nights at WDW and Universal.

2 nights at HIFS, 5 at BWV, and 4 at HRH.

Any questions about BWV, I'd be happy to answer them .

We LOVED the resort. We had a 1 bedroom and it was beautiful!

Our room was on the 5th floor and our view was of the quiet pool and Tower of Terror.

There were 5 of us in the room. Myself, DH, MIL, and 2 children ages 9 and 2. We found it to be more than enough room for all of us.

Teresa

 

[amyah]

Hi!

Glad to hear you had a wonderful stay at the BWVs! My family is planning a trip for the end of September in a one-bedroom villa. I actually have more questions for you than I originally thought, so whatever you are able to answer, I will be most appreciative.

I've read conflicting info on the amenities in the kitchen, so I was wondering if you could tell me if there was an oven in addition to the stove-top, or just the stove-top. Just curious so we can plan what meals to make back at the room...

Also, did you find the room quiet or was there any noise from the Boardwalk that you found distracting for nap times (if your children took naps) and bedtime? We were concerned with the level of late night activity on the Boardwalk since we will be traveling with a 4 year old, and a 6-month old. But we really wanted to be close to all the shops and choice of eateries.

Have any of the villas been refurbished recently? And if so, are there any specific rooms to request?

We will most likely be the very last party checking in as we are traveling from the West Coast and won't arrive into the airport until around 8:30 p.m., so we're concerned about not getting a non-smoking room. If you requested a non-smoking room and had a late check-in, did you have any problems with your request?

Anyways, whatever info you could share would be most helpful.

Thanks!
Amy

 

[taylor1293]

Hi Amy

Yes, the kitchen is a full kitchen. Complete with ALL appliances. This is a list of the supplies in the kitchen

http://www.wdwig.com/bwv_kit.htm

Our view was of the quiet pool so the noise from the Boardwalk wasn't an issue for us. You won't have any problem with noise.

Are you booking with points or are you renting directly from Disney?

If you are doing it directly from Disney you will get whatever view is available. DVC members get their first choice as to the views as that is usually the Boardwalk, Luna Park Pool, and quiet pool views.

I don't know if they have been refurbished lately, but our villa was in great condition.

Since you want it quiet for your 2 little ones, I would suggest requesting a room higher up. We were on the 5th floor and heard no noise at all.

I have read that most of the rooms are non-smoking, so I doubt you will have any problem with that request.

I hope that answers all your questions

Teresa

 

[KyMattDisney]

Thanks for the info...we will be there from July 11-18 splitting our stay at AKL and BWVs......

Just some quick questions....

How comfortable is the pull out sofa?

Can you walk to Epcot and MGM? What timeframe are we talking about?

Could you see Illuminations from your room?

I heard there were renovations going on........how did this affect the noise and overall resort appearance?

Thanks!!!

 

[taylor1293]

My MIL and DD slept on the pull out sofa and they said it was very comfortable.

Yes, you can walk to both Epcot and MGM. Walking to Epcot is quicker than taking a boat. We used the boat to MGM except for one night after Fantasmic when we walked (it was an easy walk). We didn't want to wait 30+ minutes for a boat so we decided to walk.

I've heard that you can see Illuminations from some of the upper rooms that face Epcot. But most rooms do not have a view of Epcot.

The renovations were overlooking the parking lot. I never heard a thing

Teresa

 

[taylor1293]

I forgot to mention this in my orginal post.

We rented points to stay at BWV. I highly recommend this option!

We saved 45% off of rack rates by renting points vs reserving the room directly through Disney.

Teresa

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Just hearing about your wonderful time, and your room has me so excited ! I will arrive at BWV on December 8th for 3 nights.
I rented the points, also. I have requested Non-smoking, top floor, overlooking the quiet pool. Hey ! I might get Your room !
Just before going to the BWV, I will be spending 3 nights at The Swan. This is a solo trip for me ( it will be my 5th Solo ) and I just cannot wait. I am afraid, though, once I stay at the one-bedroom villa, I won't BE ABLE to go for anything less again !
I am indulging myself with that Jacuzzi tub !

Thanks for the great report !

 

[taylor1293]

You may get our room! You'll LOVE it!

After staying in a 1 bedroom villa, I don't see how I can stay on property any other way from now on.

Have a great trip!

Teresa

 

[disneyfanforever]

Glad you had such a great time on your trip.
We just got back about a week ago from BWVs as well.

I think BWVs are the best in the entire world. My parents are DVC members (yes, I am lucky) and they take me, my DH, and my 2 boys (6 and 2) each year. This year we finally got the Boardwalk view after 3 times of requesting it. It was so wonderful, and we were on the 4th floor and could see Illuminations from the balcony. I was just wanting to note to the person that asked that we didn't have any problems with noise and our kids sleeping. One night I did hear more noise than I normally like but the view was definitely worth it. On other trips where we overlooked Luna Park pool and another time we overlooked the canal, we didn't hear any noise at all. I don't think there is a bad room in that place. I am still can't get over the view we had.

It sounds like your trip was great as well.

Oh, and I slept on a pullout with one of my kids and I slept just fine. It wasn't my bed at home but nothing else is.

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but does that unit have 2 bathrooms or just one. Thanks . Also can you get a refill. mug???? if not for quick breakfast, where do you go. Thanks alot.

 

[taylor1293]

disneyfanforever - that's terrific that you are able to go with your parents every year . Glad you finally were able to get your Boardwalk view!

Dopey's Twin - A one bedroom unit only has 1 bath, the 2 bedroom does have 2 baths.

Sorry, I'm not sure about the refillable mug? We just brought our own soda and put it in the fridge. Except for the mornings that we had character breakfasts, we just ate a quick meal in the room.

Teresa

 

[NHLFAN]

Sounds like you had a great time!

We will also be renting pts from a DVC member at the BWV's in Oct. and have a couple of questions.

Since this is our first time renting at BWV,

Do you check-in like any other resort?

What type of maid services do they provide?
(empty trash, fresh towels and soaps?)

Did you buy your Park passes in advance?

We have always bought park hoppers (Disney Club) but,
since we are going to be sooo close to the action maybe the Length of Stay passes (Discounts?) might be the best?

 

[taylor1293]

NHLFAN,

We loved this resort and I think you'll really enjoy it too.

Yes, you check in the same way. The check-in for the Boardwalk Villas and the Inn are the same place.

You will get trash and towel service on day 4. They emptied our trash, gave us new towels, and replaced our soaps. I think on day 8 you get full housekeeping, but we weren't there that long.

We already had our annual passes from our last trip, but you can purchase the tickets when you check in

Teresa

 

[wdwlover88]

Hi!

This is our first time staying at the bwv and we're very excited!! there's 8 of us going (3 adults, 1 teen, and 4 kids) and we were kind of curious about the maid service. We're worried because we've never stayed at a disney resort without the everyday maid sevice and with 4 kids, coming home from a long day at the park and having to clean up a big mess and make beds and stuff doesn't really appeal to me. i hope i don't sound lazy or even snotty i'm just saying who would want to come home, worn out and have to straighten up?? now i do know that the maids do come around but i'm not sure how often??

Also, i saw in an older post that someone said you could practically walk to epcot in like 2 minutes?? is that true?? (or is that MGM)??

One more thing, sorry, as i said earlier, there will be 8 of us but we'll be getting a 2 br villa... do u think we'll be alright room wise? i don't want to spend almost 10 days uncomfortably.

one last thing i swear---how's the noise from the boardwalk at night?? some say you can't even hear it others say it keeps you up at night. honestly, does it really bother you??

thank-you very much, i'm glad you had a great time and i hope we will too!!

 

[disneyfanforever]

We had 8 people plus the child under the age of 3 in our 2 bedroom villa at the Boardwalk last May. I didn't feel cramped at all. The sleeper sofa we folded up during the day so there was plenty of room to walk around and relax.

As far as the walk to Epcot, I think it takes us about 5-10 minutes but we usually have kids dragging behind or making us stop for one thing or another. It isn't that far at all. The MGM walk is farther but it is a nice path and is faster than the boat.

The lack of housekeeping doesn't bother me at all, and I definitely thought it would. I actually like not having to have someone in my room while I am gone. It really hasn't been an issue at all, and I am definitely a slob according to my DH


I just love BWV!

 

[Lewisc]

You can pay for daily maid service if you want it. Probably less than a 10 minute walk to EPCOT or MGM. Very few units have boardwalk views.

Originally posted by wdwlover88
Hi!

This is our first time staying at the bwv and we're very excited!! there's 8 of us going (3 adults, 1 teen, and 4 kids) and we were kind of curious about the maid service. We're worried because we've never stayed at a disney resort without the everyday maid sevice and with 4 kids, coming home from a long day at the park and having to clean up a big mess and make beds and stuff doesn't really appeal to me. i hope i don't sound lazy or even snotty i'm just saying who would want to come home, worn out and have to straighten up?? now i do know that the maids do come around but i'm not sure how often??

Also, i saw in an older post that someone said you could practically walk to epcot in like 2 minutes?? is that true?? (or is that MGM)??

One more thing, sorry, as i said earlier, there will be 8 of us but we'll be getting a 2 br villa... do u think we'll be alright room wise? i don't want to spend almost 10 days uncomfortably.

one last thing i swear---how's the noise from the boardwalk at night?? some say you can't even hear it others say it keeps you up at night. honestly, does it really bother you??

thank-you very much, i'm glad you had a great time and i hope we will too!!

 

[wdwlover88]

thanks alot!!

 

[Richyams]

I think 8 in a two bedroom is way too many people. We take the GV at OKW with less people than that. think about it, where are they all going to sleep? Only two bathrooms for 8 people, yikes!!!!

I know, different people have different levels of comfort that they will deal with.

As far as I am concerned, one couple to a bedroom, vacationers shouldn't have to sleep in the same room with their kids, that's not vacation.

This all goes double for those tiny units at BWV. Five in a one bedroom???? I can understand someone only being able to afford or only wanting to spend that number of points, but I couldn't deal with it and certainly don't consider five people sharing one bathroom to be comfortable.

Richyams occupancy suggestions

Studio 2
One bdr 2 and one kid
Two bdr 4 adults or two adults and up to four kids
GV 4 adults, four kids and possibly a stray teenager on the pullout.

 

[Cruelladeville]

Rich, what are you doing over on this board? Now, by suggesting a certain number of people per room you have given your readers the idea that any more than that would be a tight squeeze, and we both know it's not. You have rented a grand villa for two people so you are definitely used to more space than many of these people. I think 4 people in a studio is typical for an overly large hotel room, but a one bedroom would be REALLY roomy for 4 if you are used to a regular sized motel room. In my case, a one bedroom is too small for me with two teenaged girls who hog the bathroom, so I get a two bedroom. I want to have my own bathroom and my own living space!! I think I may have an extreme view, however

To Lewisc, Epcot is about 4 minutes away from Epcot, unless you are trailing toddlers, but it's a nice 10 minute walk to MGM with a full ceramic coffee cup in your hands. I'm over 50, and have no trouble walking this distance. Those people with children walk that far every day when chasing after their tykes

 

[taylor1293]

wdwlover88 - I was worried that we would miss the maid service but I really didn't. It was nice not having someone in the room everyday.

I think 8 people would be perfectly fine in a 2 bedroom.



Richyams - we found 5 people in a one bedroom to be very comfortable. We have a large 4 bedroom/3 bathroom home and rarely is more than one bathroom in use at the same time.

Fortunately for us, my family members don't need an excessive amount of time in the bathroom, (no teenagers yet) so only having one wasn't an issue. I agree that different families have different comfort levels. However, most people would be comfortable in a 2 bedroom unit with 8 family members.

As for it not being a vacation because your children sleep with you. We allow our 2 year old to sleep with us because we "want" her to, not because we "have" to. Once again, what might not be comfortable for your family is perfectly comfortable to other families.

Teresa