Lots of Questions re: BWV (Standard View Studio)

[annnewjerz]

So...let me start out by saying I am SO EXCITED, we have booked our first DVC trip afgter renting points at BWV for December 13-December 18, 2009!!!!

We are going to be staying in a standard view studio. We would have LOVED LOVED LOVED a boardwalk view, but just couldn't afford it this trip.

That being said:

1. Has anyone stayed in a BWV standard view room? If so -- any idea what I can expect a view of? I would guess standard are things like the parking lot/no view, preferred would be the pool and the boardwalk would be the boardwalk (DUH!). I know it depends on the room, but just wanted to know how good (or bad) to expect. Honestly though, it doesn't matter...I am just SO EXCITED to be staying in the BWV, it will be our first trip ever staying anywhere but a Value.

2. Any pictures of what the rooms look like? I read the description and they sound bigger than the standard rooms at places like ASMU and Pop. I know they have a bed, a sleeper sofa, a bathroom and kitchenette.

3. Any idea what the kitchenette includes? I always think of kitchenette as microwave, sink, mini-fridge but was wondering if there was a stove-top and dishes provided as well.

4. How long of a walk (without dilly dallying and without speed walking) is it to Epcot and to DHS? I know you can at least take the boat to DHS from down by the Boardwalk but I would really like to walk wherever possible.

Thanks in advance for any information. Only 329 days until we see The World at Christmas!!!

Ann

 

[DebbieB]

I have not stayed in a standard studio but I have stayed in a 1 bedroom standard.

1. The view will be of the front driveway or the pond at the end. See Granny's post:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=29398725&postcount=5

I always request top floor, across from the bus stop. Gets you away from the entrance and high enough to see the fireworks.

2. Information and photos here:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/boardsvillas.htm
http://allears.net/acc/faq_bwv.htm
http://allears.net/acc/g_bwv.htm

3. Microwave, sink, toaster, microwave, coffeemaker, small fridge. No stove top. Paper plates, paper bowls, glasses, coffee mugs, plastic utensils.

4. Never walked to DHS, it has to be close to a mile from Epcot.

December is a great time to go! I have a reservation for December 5 to 11.

 

[annnewjerz]

I have not stayed in a standard studio but I have stayed in a 1 bedroom standard.

1. The view will be of the front driveway or the pond at the end. Granny has a great photo that he outlined, I'll see if I can find a link. I always request top floor, across from the bus stop. Gets you away from the entrance and high enough to see the fireworks.

2. Information and photos here:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/boardsvillas.htm
http://allears.net/acc/faq_bwv.htm
http://allears.net/acc/g_bwv.htm

3. Microwave, sink, toaster, microwave, coffeemaker, small fridge. No stove top. Paper plates, paper bowls, glasses, coffee mugs, plastic utensils.

4. Never walked to DHS, it has to be close to a mile from Epcot.

Thank you! I did end up finding the information on WDWinfo.com right after I posted this about the kitchen. Honestly, I'm not going to really cook so not having a stove-top is just fine. Just wanted to make sure there was something to heat food and keep it cold for breakfasts (i.e. milk for cereal, a microwave for instant oatmeal, etc.)

A mile from Epcot isn't bad at all. Consider how much walking you do in a day at WDW, a mile is NOTHING But in all seriousness, I took the boat from DHS last time over to the Boardwalk for dinner at Flying Fish and it took forever. 10 minute wait for the boat, 10 minutes for the boat ride. Even if it takes the same amount of time to walk, I'd rather walk...just the fact that you are constantly on the go at least makes you feel like you are getting there faster

 

[palhockeymomof2]

We walked to the studios from the BWV all the time..for us it's faster than waiting for the boat..etc.....depending on where your room is you can take take the stairs... wind up by the tennis courts and almost halfway to the studios.....

 

[VLee]

We too have a standard BVW studio for Dec 12 - 18....see you there!

 

[Laurabearz]

We LOVE BWV standard view. It's the best kept secret of DVC.

Personally I think the walk to DHS is too long. But often on the way back we will get off at the Swan and walk back the rest of the way.

Now some people say WL is where you want to be at Christmas but for me... the garland at the BWV is THE BEST. OMG I love it. And the Boardwalk all lite up and decorated. It's just devine.

HAVE A BLAST!!!

 

[annnewjerz]

We too have a standard BVW studio for Dec 12 - 18....see you there!

Can't wait! From what I understand---a standard studio for this time is a hot commodity, glad we got one!

 

[EricaG]

We stayed at BWV (in a 1BR) in Oct. and loved it. REALLY made me want to buy into DVC!! But, not now says DH--maybe he'll change his mind soon!

Anyhow, we walked to DHS twice and it took about 20 min. max, pushing our 2-y.o. in his stroller. An easy walk, I would say.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

From the elevator, it's 0.7 miles to the gates of DHS and 0.4 miles to the gates of Epcot. The SV rooms start at the elevator, and extend down a long hallways. If you are down the hallway and willing to take the stairs, you get a shorter walk to DHS. But the farther down the hallway you are the longer the walk to the elevators/EPCOT/etc.

The only really bad views are the first couple rooms. From there, you are mainly looking at parts of the BWV/BWI building. Once you get out a couple rooms, you can see a mix of greenery, building, road and parking lots. But the roads and parking are far enough away that you don't feel like you are right over traffic. You also get view of some Epcot fireworks. The rooms farthest away also have a bit of water view and are considered by some to be the best of the standard views. But the walks down the hallway to the elevator do seem long.

 

[londonderrydisneyfan]

Slightly offtopic question here-- how do people get groceries to their room at BWV? The parking lot seems so far away from the rooms that it must be a pain to lug everything by hand. Would a bellman help you with them?

 

[CarolMN]

We almost always walk between DHS & BWV. (Usually stay in SV 1 bedrooms). We always beat the boat. Depending on your room location, it can be almost as far to the boat dock as it is to the DHS.

We always beat the boat back to the BWV, even if one is just leaving the DHS boat dock when we are just getting started. I prefer to walk, especially after Fantasmic, since there will be a wait to get on the boat most of the time. It is easier for me to keep moving than it is to stand and wait.

If you do take the boat, consider getting off at the Swan/Dolphin dock (first stop after leaving DHS), and walking back from there. You will beat the boat unless you are a very slow walker or have to carry sleeping children.

 

[annnewjerz]

It is easier for me to keep moving than it is to stand and wait.

I TOTALLY agree here.

It'll just be DH and I (both in our mid-20s and in good shape), so I think I would opt to walk over the boat. Like I said, I took it once before and while it was a nice ride, it just seemed to take FOREVER. On the way out in the morning, I just want to get there. As long as I'm moving along instead of waiting in line for a boat, I'll be happy. On the way home, I like that there is the option to walk or to boat. If we're beat...we can just relax on the boat. If we're full of energy or just don't feel like waiting...there's no rush to get back to the hotel, I think it would be a nice leisurely walk back to end the day.

 

[DebbieB]

Slightly offtopic question here-- how do people get groceries to their room at BWV? The parking lot seems so far away from the rooms that it must be a pain to lug everything by hand. Would a bellman help you with them?

The bellman will help you (tip, of course), you would have to pullup to the entrance. I've always carried them myself, maybe making 2 trips. I usually buy water, I will leave that in the car and get it later.

 

[londonderrydisneyfan]

The bellman will help you (tip, of course), you would have to pullup to the entrance. I've always carried them myself, maybe making 2 trips. I usually buy water, I will leave that in the car and get it later.

Thanks, we're not going to be doing the meal plan this trip so we're going to have a lot of groceries and it will be worth the tip to have a bellman help.