Just back from DCL/VB/BWV Trip

[scott.campbell]

Staying in the UK we tend to vist Disney just the once a year for a fortnight. We used out points this year to go on the 3 night Wonder cruise, 4 nights at Vero Beach, and 7 nights at BWV.

The cruise was brilliant, as first time cruiser we were not sure what to expect. Cabin was spacious, immaculate, etc. Food was great, entertainment was great, Castaway Cay was superb. What a ship, what a trip!

Vero Beach as always was good, weather wasn't to great but it didn't matter. The Green Room must be my most favourite bar in the world to chill out with a beer, and the bar staff are so friendly (and cute ).

BWV our first DVC home was good, a little disappointed with the amount of scaffolding that was up. But the maintenance needs to be done I suppose. I really would like the poolside bar to stay open later than it does. Parks were ok as well, not to busy, fastpass worked well. We were in room 3066, good view, not very noisy.

We also visited OKW for the first time, huge property. I did not realise it was so big. I think we will stay for a while at OKW next year to see what it's like.

All in all a superb vacation, time to start planning next years.

 

[Paul in CT]

Scott,

Thanks for posting a great trip report. My wife and I really like the Green Cabin Room at VB, too. We will be there for two nights in August with 5 nights at BWV first. I guess the scaffolding will still be there. Did you have a standard or BW view?

OKW is our home resort and I think you will enjoy your stay there.

Thanks again for posting!

 

[ncligs]

Scott,

Glad you had a great trip!! Thanks for the report. VB is a 1st class DVC resort.

 

[ralphd]

Glad you had a great vacation!!!!!

ralphd

 

[pattyoh]

Scott -- Thanks for the up-date on your great trip -- especially the cruise!

I could not help noting your home town in Scotland. DH and I are planning a trip to your homeland in September and I wondered if you would think it very presumptuous of me to ask you to give me a little travel advice. It will be our first time to travel out of U.S. I have so many logistical questions -- distances, costs, modes of transport, etc.

Would you mind replying to me via e-mail -- or if there are other Scotland DVC members, I would appreciate any help in this area.

By the way, we will spend two nights in London using points through the Concierge Collection. We will be at the Royal Garden Hotel. Fewer points than the Dorchester. The transaction making the reservations was painless.

Any input would be appreciated.

Pattyoh

 

[trishy]

Glad you had a great trip. I never fully appreciated OKW until I went on the Western DCL cruise and looked at the little island off Key West. It looked just like OKW - or should I say OKW looked like the island! What a terrific design. But nothing beats the cruise. Good luck with your planning.

 

[Doctor P]

Glad you had a great trip!

 

[Credit Man]

WOW! What a trip. Glad you had a great time.

 

[scott.campbell]

Paul we were in room 3066 which had a boardwalkview.
Not sure how much longer the scaffolding is going to be up. But it sure is an eyesore.

 

[Paul in CT]

Scott,

Thanks for the info. We have a "standard view" room reserved at BWV for the first time. Previously, we have requested BW preferred view and have always gotten one - some views better than others. This time I was trying to conserve points so that we can try out BCV in December.

 

[erikthewise]

Scott,

Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
So do you think you'll be doing the cruise again? 3, 4, or 7-day next time?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Thanks for the report, Scott. I am glad you had a good time!

It's funny: as I read your report, I read it with a Scottish accent going through my head!!!

 

[scott.campbell]

lol at reading with a Scottish accent. Next time I would hope to go on the 7 night cruise, would maybe pay cash for that though. My points would pretty much all be gone for the 3 of us to go.

I've yet to make it to any of the weekly member meetings in community hall, could any one tell me what happens?

 

[Beth]

The weekly member meetings are described by many here on the boards as just a sales pitch for people to purchase add-on's.

The last one I went to was fine, though. (but a couple of years ago) They showed a slide show of some of the Concierge properties, and had a question/answer time. They also had a drawing for different DVC items, which was nice.

 

[Nanajo1]

Those weekly meetings are a pitch for the other uses of your points. As well as pushing add-ons. They seek endorsements from members who have used points to stay elsewhere. I did learn a little bit about how to use the different collections. I would only go again for the nice breakfast of pastries, donuts, coffee and juices!

 

[scott.campbell]

Thanks for that info.

 

[Debs Hill]

Hi Scott! We are planning a similar trip next Nov with time at our home BWV, followed by the 4 night cruise and then either time at Vero or OKW. Did you drive from the cruise to Vero? If so, how was that journey? What sort of accommodation did you have at Vero? Did you find it at all stressful splitting your trip 3 ways, or did it last longer because it was 3 separate trips?!! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[scott.campbell]

Debs,

While we love all things DVC, the cruise in particular "made" our holiday this year. We most definently did not find the 3-way split of the holiday stressful, we just had to be a bit cleverer packing as to prevent opening all the cases every time.

We went on the cruise first, so due to flight times we arrived the day previously and stayed at the Radisson at Port Caneveral which was nice and provided parking for the duration of the cruise. Although on that point I believe that next time I will use the Disney parking even though there is a small cost. I would do this just to prevent waiting on the hotel minibus.

Each of our visits to Vero we have stayed in a ocean view inn room, which is adequate for our needs and handy for the Green Room for me. lol.

The drive from Port Canaveral was not bad at all, not sure of the actual time as we went north first. We decided as we are off ship pretty early in the morning and not likely to be able to check in at Vero until later in the afternoon that we would visit the Space Center. We took the A1A all the way down. I'm sure there would be quicker ways but we think the A1A is pretty scenic.

Glad to be of help.

 

[Granny]

Thanks for the report Scott.

We stayed at the BWV last week as well. There was a fair amount of scaffolding, but with that white mesh material over it we really didn't find it all that offensive. In fact, DW commented that it was a pretty classy way of doing renovation without looking gaudy.

We stayed in a room across the hallway from a side that was being refurbished. We never heard a sound all week, so they must do a good job of working quietly since we were just on the opposite side of the corridor.

The cruise sounds great....someday that'll happen for us too, I'm sure. Right now we're too busy exploring the various WDW DVC resorts!

Thanks again for a nice report.