Disney Enthusiast
<font color=purple>This I command...you are forbid
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2003
- Messages
- 1,463
We just got back from a wonderful first trip home. We actually own at BCV and SSR but stayed at BWV since that was all that was available during that time. We were very impressed and will want to stay at BWV again.
We checked in at 11 am on Jan 29th. The fella didn't say "Welcome Home" but I got lots of those from the Disboards so I didn't let it get me down. Our room was not ready, so we walked into MGM. The day was beautiful and the walk was even better. The grounds are nicely manicured and the walkway goes along the canal. It was a perfect beginning to a perfect week.
We went back at 4 and our room was ready. The cast member checking us in at that time wished me a "Welcome Home" and I was so pleased to hear it.
We were in 4094. The farthest room from the elevators down that particular hallway. It was a long haul. But soooo worth the walk. We must have had one of the best rooms on property. We just loved it. We were in a corner room (1 br, preferred view) w/ a double balcony spanning the entire length of our rooms. We looked out over the Keister Coaster Pool from behind the slide and looked out over the canal, the Swan and Dolphin, and, because we had a corner room, the window beside the TV looked back towards MGM. Amazing. The room was SPOTLESS and the design motif was lovely and calming. I secretly looked around for anything dirty or broken for fear my husband might find it first but the room was really nice. I smelled fresh paint in the hallways so they must have just painted out there. We used the stairs right by our door to go to the parks and pool when we weren't taking the stroller. It was a quick run up and down those steps and we were lounging poolside. We could communicate via our balcony so really got a lot of use out of those stairs.
The only problems: I tried to turn on the coffee table lamp and the bulb was out. I called that night and told them no hurry and to drop a lightbulb off the next day... they brought it up in minutes. We also noticed the lock on the balcony door was falling off and had to really work w/ it to lock or unlock it. And the spray nozzle plate for the kitchen sink became unglued and would come off when you used the nozzle. Didn't upset either of us and we just dealt w/ those while we vacationing, but I mentioned it to the front desk at our departure so they could fix those 2 items before the next guests arrived. It was normal wear and tear and nothing housekeeping would see unless they were told about those issues. It didn't bother us a bit.
The room service was fabulous and one of our favorite experiences. My husband and I got to eat from Spoodles and Flying Fish a couple nights while the kids slept and the service and food were both excellent. The first night I tried to get take out from the YS (one of my favorites) because the kids had traveled that day and I didn't feel like pushing it by taking them into the restaurant. We rented a surrey (lots of fun) and headed over there to order the food. They wouldn't take my order and said they don't do carryout. They assured me that we could bring the kiddies in that evening, but we opted not to because we didn't need any more stress. Hence we ordered inroom dining and the server set up our entrees and drinks and we were set. That was one of the best meals I ever had.
The only complaint I have is the bus system. I read about it but never found the transportation at Disney to be an issue for me. During the value season, the bus system is still horrible. We usually caught the bus quickly (w/in 15 min), but the buses stopped at the Swan, the Dolphin, the Yacht Club, the Beach Club, and then your destination. All those stops for 1 and 2 people usually took an addt'l 45 min. We thought that at least coming back will be better... but the bus stops at all those places, and then the BW is last again. I was hoping we'd be first on the route either coming or going, but being last always doesn't seem to be fair. So we figured we'd get off at the Swan and walk the 2 min to cut off 30 min of our bus trip. We usually walked to MGM and EPCOT and started walking to EPCOT for the monorail to MK rather than taking the bus. It shaved off a good 30 min off of our travels. The AK was the only time we HAD to take the bus.
Other than the disappointment in buses, we had a marvelous time. A little drizzly at the beginning of the week, but nothing we and our stroller couldn't handle. In fact we had EPCOT to ourselves one drizzly warm evening, the kids fell asleep in the stroller, and my DH and I walked hand in hand past the countries back to our room. It was a perfect evening.
We are so absolutely thrilled that we purchased the DVC in Oct of 03. After lounging around at the BW pool, watching our little one play in the water, and going back for a nap, before dinner, I can't imagine not having my Disney Home. I loved staying in Disney concierge, but after staying in a villa, there is no going back. I never wanted to stay in a homey place because I loved the fine accomodations of a deluxe. But the villas aren't a step down from the deluxes... they are just as nice as the deluxe rooms, only bigger and w/ the conveniences of being at home. It was so nice to wash the baby's clothes and warm towels. It was so nice to cook my picky 2 yr old some dinner and then take him to a dinner show where he wouldn't eat, but would watch the show while we ate.
And I must say that BWV are my favorite although I haven't stayed anywhere else and can't compare. But the location is fabulous, the dining selections are superb, the resort is lovely, 2 parks are a delightful stroll away, and it seems to be right in the middle of all the action. When you have to get back for naps every day, every minute counts, and you need to get to your destinations fast. The BWV offer that. I will definitely try to stay there again, but look forward to seeing the differences in what the other resorts offer as well.
All in all, our first experience w/ DVC was amazing. My DH had a smile on his face the whole time (except when our 2 yr old acted up and we had to deal w/ his challenging personality) and only called work a few times (which is way below his normal amount). We have no regrets and only wonder why we didn't do this sooner. We loved the room so much and enjoyed our trip. We even thought of staying an extra day or so due to the ice storms hitting the northeast. We didn't want to get stuck in Pitts w/ 2 small children and no room. I checked w/ Disney and the CM told me we could keep the room and that they would do whatever they could to help out family. Wow! We ended up coming home as originally planned, but that was a big deal for my DH to suggest staying longer. That's never happened before. And I believe it might have been the first time we weren't looking forward to getting home. Although he enjoys his vacations, my DH always looks forward to getting home to his own bed and surroundings. Not this time. We were both bummed about leaving WDW and our only consolation was that we will be back next year. Normally we must wait a couple years before we go back. Now w/ DVC, we can go every year.
If anyone is on the fence about DVC, I hope this pushes you over to the "yes" side. It is sooo worth every penny, our room was immaculate, and the service was superb. Everyone had a smile on their face and bent over backwards for us. Maybe I was looking thru DVC glasses, but it seemed even more so than past years. And taking a 2 yr old to WDW is very challenging. The DVC made it attainable w/ the amenities and roominess. I am sure the vacation would not have been as enjoyable w/o the villas. The DVC resort certainly made it easier.
I am sad to be back home typing this.... but I am so glad that we'll be visiting WDW every year for the next 50 yrs. Knowing this makes it easier to get thru the year until we visit again. No regrets w/ our purchase!!!
If I can answer any questions... just let me know. We ate at several character breakfasts and dinner shows and I'd be happy to let you know how much we liked them. Thanks for reading!
We checked in at 11 am on Jan 29th. The fella didn't say "Welcome Home" but I got lots of those from the Disboards so I didn't let it get me down. Our room was not ready, so we walked into MGM. The day was beautiful and the walk was even better. The grounds are nicely manicured and the walkway goes along the canal. It was a perfect beginning to a perfect week.
We went back at 4 and our room was ready. The cast member checking us in at that time wished me a "Welcome Home" and I was so pleased to hear it.
We were in 4094. The farthest room from the elevators down that particular hallway. It was a long haul. But soooo worth the walk. We must have had one of the best rooms on property. We just loved it. We were in a corner room (1 br, preferred view) w/ a double balcony spanning the entire length of our rooms. We looked out over the Keister Coaster Pool from behind the slide and looked out over the canal, the Swan and Dolphin, and, because we had a corner room, the window beside the TV looked back towards MGM. Amazing. The room was SPOTLESS and the design motif was lovely and calming. I secretly looked around for anything dirty or broken for fear my husband might find it first but the room was really nice. I smelled fresh paint in the hallways so they must have just painted out there. We used the stairs right by our door to go to the parks and pool when we weren't taking the stroller. It was a quick run up and down those steps and we were lounging poolside. We could communicate via our balcony so really got a lot of use out of those stairs.
The only problems: I tried to turn on the coffee table lamp and the bulb was out. I called that night and told them no hurry and to drop a lightbulb off the next day... they brought it up in minutes. We also noticed the lock on the balcony door was falling off and had to really work w/ it to lock or unlock it. And the spray nozzle plate for the kitchen sink became unglued and would come off when you used the nozzle. Didn't upset either of us and we just dealt w/ those while we vacationing, but I mentioned it to the front desk at our departure so they could fix those 2 items before the next guests arrived. It was normal wear and tear and nothing housekeeping would see unless they were told about those issues. It didn't bother us a bit.
The room service was fabulous and one of our favorite experiences. My husband and I got to eat from Spoodles and Flying Fish a couple nights while the kids slept and the service and food were both excellent. The first night I tried to get take out from the YS (one of my favorites) because the kids had traveled that day and I didn't feel like pushing it by taking them into the restaurant. We rented a surrey (lots of fun) and headed over there to order the food. They wouldn't take my order and said they don't do carryout. They assured me that we could bring the kiddies in that evening, but we opted not to because we didn't need any more stress. Hence we ordered inroom dining and the server set up our entrees and drinks and we were set. That was one of the best meals I ever had.
The only complaint I have is the bus system. I read about it but never found the transportation at Disney to be an issue for me. During the value season, the bus system is still horrible. We usually caught the bus quickly (w/in 15 min), but the buses stopped at the Swan, the Dolphin, the Yacht Club, the Beach Club, and then your destination. All those stops for 1 and 2 people usually took an addt'l 45 min. We thought that at least coming back will be better... but the bus stops at all those places, and then the BW is last again. I was hoping we'd be first on the route either coming or going, but being last always doesn't seem to be fair. So we figured we'd get off at the Swan and walk the 2 min to cut off 30 min of our bus trip. We usually walked to MGM and EPCOT and started walking to EPCOT for the monorail to MK rather than taking the bus. It shaved off a good 30 min off of our travels. The AK was the only time we HAD to take the bus.
Other than the disappointment in buses, we had a marvelous time. A little drizzly at the beginning of the week, but nothing we and our stroller couldn't handle. In fact we had EPCOT to ourselves one drizzly warm evening, the kids fell asleep in the stroller, and my DH and I walked hand in hand past the countries back to our room. It was a perfect evening.
We are so absolutely thrilled that we purchased the DVC in Oct of 03. After lounging around at the BW pool, watching our little one play in the water, and going back for a nap, before dinner, I can't imagine not having my Disney Home. I loved staying in Disney concierge, but after staying in a villa, there is no going back. I never wanted to stay in a homey place because I loved the fine accomodations of a deluxe. But the villas aren't a step down from the deluxes... they are just as nice as the deluxe rooms, only bigger and w/ the conveniences of being at home. It was so nice to wash the baby's clothes and warm towels. It was so nice to cook my picky 2 yr old some dinner and then take him to a dinner show where he wouldn't eat, but would watch the show while we ate.
And I must say that BWV are my favorite although I haven't stayed anywhere else and can't compare. But the location is fabulous, the dining selections are superb, the resort is lovely, 2 parks are a delightful stroll away, and it seems to be right in the middle of all the action. When you have to get back for naps every day, every minute counts, and you need to get to your destinations fast. The BWV offer that. I will definitely try to stay there again, but look forward to seeing the differences in what the other resorts offer as well.
All in all, our first experience w/ DVC was amazing. My DH had a smile on his face the whole time (except when our 2 yr old acted up and we had to deal w/ his challenging personality) and only called work a few times (which is way below his normal amount). We have no regrets and only wonder why we didn't do this sooner. We loved the room so much and enjoyed our trip. We even thought of staying an extra day or so due to the ice storms hitting the northeast. We didn't want to get stuck in Pitts w/ 2 small children and no room. I checked w/ Disney and the CM told me we could keep the room and that they would do whatever they could to help out family. Wow! We ended up coming home as originally planned, but that was a big deal for my DH to suggest staying longer. That's never happened before. And I believe it might have been the first time we weren't looking forward to getting home. Although he enjoys his vacations, my DH always looks forward to getting home to his own bed and surroundings. Not this time. We were both bummed about leaving WDW and our only consolation was that we will be back next year. Normally we must wait a couple years before we go back. Now w/ DVC, we can go every year.
If anyone is on the fence about DVC, I hope this pushes you over to the "yes" side. It is sooo worth every penny, our room was immaculate, and the service was superb. Everyone had a smile on their face and bent over backwards for us. Maybe I was looking thru DVC glasses, but it seemed even more so than past years. And taking a 2 yr old to WDW is very challenging. The DVC made it attainable w/ the amenities and roominess. I am sure the vacation would not have been as enjoyable w/o the villas. The DVC resort certainly made it easier.
I am sad to be back home typing this.... but I am so glad that we'll be visiting WDW every year for the next 50 yrs. Knowing this makes it easier to get thru the year until we visit again. No regrets w/ our purchase!!!
If I can answer any questions... just let me know. We ate at several character breakfasts and dinner shows and I'd be happy to let you know how much we liked them. Thanks for reading!
I thought when I stay at SSR next year, I'll be able to visit the club. Maybe when DH is babysitting... ha ha. Thanks for posting me. I always love reading your posts! I learn so much! Kungaloosh!!!
