Just back from first trip to BWV!

[tigger2esq]

We just returned from our first trip to our home resort of BWV. (1/8 - 1/13) Overall I was VERY impressed with the accommodations and the resort. We booked a 2BR standard view and an efficiency preferred view for friends of ours. They had room 3066 overlooking Luna Park pool and were RIGHT next to the elevator. We ended up in 3004/06. We were overlooking the canal to MGM and the Swan resort. I dont know if we were upgraded to a preferred view or if this is a normal standard view--but it was nice. We were able to watch the marathon runners from our balcony on Sunday. My biggest complaint was the distance to the elevator. Since we had my DD (8 months!) and a stroller, using the stairs near our room was a bit of a hassle. I will now know for next time why you all request CLOSE TO ELEVATOR! The room itself was awesome. Everyone is right--I dont think we will ever stay in an efficieny again after the 2BR. There was pleanty of room for us and the baby and my parents and they liked having their own space to retreat to. (The washing machine also came in handy with the baby!!!)
I LOVED the BW location and being able to walk to MGM and EPCOT. The bus worked well to the Magic Kingdom and the one day we went to Animal Kingdom we just drove. My parents who stayed with us loved being able to take the baby in the stroller out to the boardwalk at night, and my DH loved being next to the ESPN club for the playoff games this weekend!
even though the weather was a little cool, my mom and I had fun in the Luna Park pool and going down the slide!
Overall it was a great trip and I am very happy that we decided to buy at BWV. We will most definitely be staying there again (and again and again and again!)
The funniest thing that happened was we returned one day to our room to find the one portion (3004) had been cleaned but the other side (3006) had not. When I called housekeeping, they indicated that the rooms, although converted to a 2BR for our stay, may have been assigned to 2 different housekeepers (and in fact it was the case...) the other housekeeper eventally showed up to take the trash and towels from the other side fo the room. how bizarre...

as for meals, we had a great lunch the first say at Big River brewery. Breakfast with the princesses in the Magic Kingdom on Friday was as expected. We had an AWESOME lunch in the Germany pavillion on Saturday. the food was excellent and the show was a lot of fun! Sunday night we had a very nice dinner at Chefs De France and another AWESOME dinner at the Flying Fish on Monday. We had some VERY good sushi at Kimonos at the Swan one night, and I highly recommend FRESH at the dolphin (we ended up having breakfast there twice!) (we were loving that 20% DVC discount for the Swan & Dolphin restaurants!!!!). We also ate for the first time at the Flame Tree BBQ at AK and the food was VERY good!
our only BAD meal was a "quick" counter service disaster at the MK on Friday night--Pecos Bills . We wanted to grab a quick burger & chicken wrap before the fireworks. the service was terribly slow. there are exactly 5 menu items there (salad, wrap, hamburger, cheeseburger and hot dog), the CM's behind the counter were working on ONE order at a time and if something wasnt ready--would just stand there instead of starting to put together the next order. it looked like they were in slow motion! It took forever! and we were all aggravated by the time the food came out (I thought there was going to be a riot in the line...) ! (but the food itself was actually good).

 

[JMWSR518]

Sounds like you had a great time. We are going on Monday 1-19-04 although we are staying at OKW (own at BWV). We are also hoping for nice weather and going in the pool. But we will take what we get. Thanks for the great report.

JMW

 

[tigger2esq]

one other thing... we originally booked this trip becuase DH and I were registered to run the WDW 1/2 marathon. Because my training did not progress as well as I had hoped post baby, and because I ended up with a nasty case of the flu the week before we left, we decided not to push our luck and bagged the race. We did have a great time cheering on my friend who ran the full marathon. That day I was a little sad we did not run but glad when I heard the stories of how COLD it was at 4am at the start!!!! maybe next year...

 

[bobbiwoz]

I loved reading your report. We too enjoy eating at FRESH at the Dolphin, and the discount makes it even better. No problem with getting the discount either.

Your baby has a million dollar + smile!

Bobbi

 

[Credit Man]

Thanks for the report. Your DD is the sweetest Minnie>

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Glad you had a good time!!!

Allison an associate

 

[wilderness01]

That is the only downside to Pecos Bills.......they are VERY slow. Other than that, the food is good and the toppings bar the best!

 

[Gomez Gang]

Great report and beautiful baby (LOVE the dress!)
This November we will be staying in a 1 bedroom at the BWV......our first time at this resort. Any suggestions on room requests? Any tips on the resort itself? Thanks for any suggestions

 

[tigger2esq]

thanks! she is a realy cutie. She had a blast at WDW. She just started "waving" and spent the trip sticking out her little hand and opening and closing her fist and anyone and everyone. We put her in the Minnie Dress for a day at the MK and breakfast w/ princesses. she was a HUGE hit. She loved most of the characters (Mickey kind of freaked her out--but probably because he was the first one we saw) Minnie had her laughing out loud which had EVERYONE else in the room hysterical. She also really liked Goofy. Her favorite ride was Its a Small World. She was laughing out loud and watching the windmills and the little dancing dolls. She also laughed and bounced during the Lion King Show at AK. We made sure to give her lots of time in the room to nap and play and the 2BR was perfect with lots of space for her to crawl around and play in the main room.

As for room suggestions. we actually really liked our location except for the elevator issue. since it was our first time there--I am afraid I cant help much else. We overlooked a really pretty little courtyard, and there was minimal outside noise. We could see tower of terror from our balcony and the fireworks from Illuminations were reflected in the windows of the Swan hotel rooms which was cool! taking the stairs we ended up out on the pathway along the canal to MGM and were a short walk from the bridge to the Swan and Dolphin and the end of the BW near Jellyrolls/Atlantic Dance.

 

[tigger2esq]

oh--one more thing--the Minnie Mouse dress--I got at a Disney Store last January (before DD was even born) it was on an "Ultra" clearance rack of leftover Halloween costumes. I paid $3 for it! She wore it for Halloween (it was a little big) and it fit her perfect for this trip. I must say I got my $$ worth out of that one!!!!

 

[BWVDee]

As I am sitting here listening to the weather forecasts for snow and counting down the days till my next trip (10 days Yahoo!!!!) your report was just what I needed! I am so glad your first trip home to BWV was wonderful. We also love our home resort at BWV very, very much. We also eat a lot of meals at the Epcot resort and boardwalk restaurants. Flying Fish is one of my top favorite WDW restaurants. Isn't our DVC home grand??? Thanks for posting!

 

[JudithM]

Renee, your daughter is adorable!! Thank you for taking the time to write a trip report about your first DVC vacation. I'm glad you all had a nice time.

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

Hi Renee..... Brigitte here.... So glad you had a great time and glad you got back to Central PA safely. I was wondering if you got rid of your flus before the trip. Our family just passed around a cold and we are all feeling wonderful and looking forward to a healthy vacation to WDW in 15 days! Wahoooo!

We will be staying at the BWV as well and I enjoyed reading your report. We will be bringing the double stroller and will be walking to MGM and EPCOT like you. We are staying in a 1 BR preferred view and might even get one overlooking the pool or gardens like yourself. We love being far away from the elevators though. When we stayed at the GF 2 yrs ago w/ DS (8 mos. at the time) we had to go up the elevator and walk and walk and walk turning corner upon corner. It was a HUGE pain when going for a cup of coffee on the Concierge floor w/ my PIL's in their 70's, but boy was it worth the view. We were on the Clarendon Level overlooking the castle and marina and fireworks. It doesn't get much better than that. So when I have to walk, I now hope it's because of the great view. My friend used to change her hotel room if she was close to an elevator or ice machine (due to noiseI think) and I thought she was a nut. But I guess it takes all kinds, Hunh?

I have a question for you. What did you end up doing for groceries? We are going in 2 wks and I read your post about the grocery stores, and was wondering what you ended up doing and if it worked out well for you. Thanks.

So happy you are well and had a good time. I am seriously considering the Biergarten this trip due to the kids (haven't been there in years) and your post made up my mind. And I might have to check out Fresh. Sounds delish! Take care.

PS And your DD is a doll. Just love her in that dress.

 

[MJTinNH]

I am happy you enjoyed your 1st trip to the BWV. Thank you for posting!

 

[tigger2esq]

Hi Brigitte! We ended up going to the Super Wal Mart on 192 because I needed to get things like diapers and formula (and a small inflatable baby bath). It was a little further than I thought it would be and IMO NOT WORTH the drive or the $$ saved. The place is laid out TERRIBLY. Groceries on one side and Health and Beauty CLEAR ACROSS the store. I felt like I hiked about 3 miles just trying to find things like film and sunblock. Its just way too big. I suppose if you have all day to shop and dont want to make several stops its the place to go but I will never go there again. Next time we will try the Winn Dixie at the Crossroads for sure!

One other thing I was really impressed with at the parks was the baby care centers (esp the one at Animal Kingdom! ) What a nice facility to stop and feed and change Kendall. never knew they existed and now I know its the place to go with a little one--even if you just need an afternoon break!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Renee,
Thanks for the TR---sounded like you had a wonderful time (especially since you recovered from the flu in time) and a great view at the BW. I'll have to take your suggestion to eat at FRESH too. I agree that Flame Tree BBQ is very good at AK---we also like Tusker House there.

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

Thanks so much for the suggestions Renee. This trip was an impulse since we had some points to use before Oct 04 so we decided to go. We were lucky enough to get a room. I think we are "winging" it this time which goes soooo against my grain, but I am going to try. I will mail or bring w/ me a package of diapers and formula. And I will FAX the grocery list to the villas for the milk and bread and such. We decided to not rent a car and go w/ Disney transportation. It is the slow time of the year though and I've rarely had trouble w/ Disney's transportation, just used to having a rental out in the lot in case. So I doubt I'll be traveling to shop this time, but that is really useful info for when we go around this time next year. I will have one visit home under my belt and will have more time to plan the trip. I also read that the stores will deliver to the villas, so I might that as well in the future. This time though, I think we will eat out a lot, so the dining suggestions really gave me some great ideas.


The baby stations sound wonderful. I didn't use them for Tristan at 8 mos. but I keep hearing how great they are and will have to try them for baby girl this time. I appreciate the reminder on those.

Thanks for all the great information. I am going to print out some menus now so I can narrow my choices down a bit. I just can't seem to fit 38 restaurants into my trip planner. So I have to start cutting some. Take care.

 

[rocketriter]

Bridgitte,
Yes, it's true that WDW stores will deliver back to your DVC resort, which certainly beats lugging souvenirs around all day! You'll get a message on your room voice mail when they arrive at the resort; then you go downstairs and pick them up.

However, there's one thing to watch out for. That delivery usually takes at least a day and a half, sometimes two days, so you don't want to use it during the last couple of days of your visit. The shopkeepers are very upfront about this and, if you tell them when you're departing, they will advise you whether you're cutting it too close.

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

Originally posted by rocketriter
Bridgitte,
Yes, it's true that WDW stores will deliver back to your DVC resort, which certainly beats lugging souvenirs around all day! You'll get a message on your room voice mail when they arrive at the resort; then you go downstairs and pick them up.

However, there's one thing to watch out for. That delivery usually takes at least a day and a half, sometimes two days, so you don't want to use it during the last couple of days of your visit. The shopkeepers are very upfront about this and, if you tell them when you're departing, they will advise you whether you're cutting it too close.

Thanks rocketriter for the info. I misspoke. I was aware of the WDW store deliveries, and it is a wonderful perk. What I was referring to this time was the grocery stores like Winn Dixie deliver for a $10 fee w/ a minimum of a $50 order. I thought maybe I could get a delivery of groceries that way as well. I do appreciate your suggestions on the WDW deliveries though. Sorry I wasn't clear.