Just returned from a week at BCV/WDW and a day trip to Orange Bowl in Miami, which turned out to be fun, but nto a very good game. But as for WDW:
Checked into BCV on SundayJan 2 around 11am, waited around 15 min or so. This was the first of several 10+ minute waits for front desk service. Room was ready, 1bed lock-off room 171 with view of back of Epcot service area and road. Our guests commented on the endless hallways, and they've never seen or heard about all the threads dedicated to that topic here on the DIS!
So first the "opportunities for improvement":
Lots of little wear and tear in room-- chips and scratches and fraying, but nothing major. Sofa sleeper matress was pretty bad the first night, our guests said. I called and was told they didn't have any egg crates/foam available but would send an extra blanket to put between the matress and the sheet. We did that, and asked that they put us on the "foam waitlist" for the next night, and possibly take a look at rotating out the matress. They did replace it the next day while we were out with a foam one.
Quiet pool had a ring of green scummy stuff around the water line, and it was there the whole week. We didn't mention it, but did overhear another guest telling a lifeguard CM about it on Monday.
Got a note in our room Monday saying slide at StormALong Bay was being repaired. I thought that meant the slide would be closed but pool would be open. Turns out pool was closed most of the week, which was extremely aggravating. Not so much that the pool was closed but that we weren't told about it when we made the reservations so that we could've chosen to stay elsewhere. But, hakuna matata. We've got 50 years of WDW trips, I'm sure we can enjoy StormALong Bay another time.
Ended up losing 24 points because of a front desk confusion too. Had to change our flights last week. Tried to call MS, couldn't get through, so called BCV front desk on Saturday to drop the last night of the reservation. Told it wasn't a problem, but you need to talk to MS, and they're closed, so just make sure to tell the person at check-in, and they can modify the reservation at that time. Told the person at check-in on Sunday, and they said, oh, that won't be a problem, but we can't modify reservations, you need to talk to MS, and they are closed until Tuesday. So I called MS on Tuesday and they said I was given misinformation, that front desk CAN modify reservations, but that once you check-in, if you make a modification your points are forefitted. Of course, I politely explained that I had tried a number of times to make the modification, and that perhaps some retraining was appropriate for BCV front desk CMs on how to handle these issues when MS is closed. MS told me to take it up with the front desk manager at BC. I was annoyed, but 24 points wasn't worth getting stressed out over, so I let it go.
Service at B&C was terrible-- drinks were empty from 10 minutes before our meal came until we got the check, after we had finished eating. On the plus side, the food was really good, as always!
Transportation-- we had a rental car and used it all week after waiting over 50 minutes for a boat from BC to MGM our first night, and then being told that boat was full, we'd have to wait again. 2nd boat took 4 people (we were about 15th or so in line), so we finally got on the 3rd boat after a total wait time of 76 minutes.
New tickets are creating some craziness at park gates. Lots and lots of mgmt types milling around with clipboards. Many extra CMs on hand at gates and ticket booths on Sunday and Monday to explain new tickets. Between the MYW and the DVCers discount, Guest Services had lots of lines. THe whole "everyone is getting their fingers scanned" or "Ticket Tag" as WDW is calling it, is adding a considerable amount of time to the lines at turnstiles, from what I observed, but YMMV, and hopefully this will get better on its own as both Guests and CMs get used to the new system.
Evening EMH at MGM was a total joke on Sunday night. 90 min wait for RNR, 75 for TOT. We left, went back at opening the next morning, and had ridden both of them 2-3x each in the first 2 hours the park was open.
This is long already, but I don't want it to be a report of just the complaints, as overall we had a wonderful trip, and would go back tomorrow if we could!
Weather was wonderful! Highs in the mid70s all week, and no rain to speak of. Few clouds at all, but sometimes a little breeze made it cool if you wanted to swim.
Ate at RFC at AK using VKL vouchers, and had a fun time, awesome server, and pretty good food too. Had an amazing meal at Artist Point. This was our first time there. Food, service, and atmosphere were all excellent. New dessert on their menu called evolution of chocolate is pretty good, but my advice would be to order a scoop of their homemade blackberry ice cream with the cake, bc it was a little dry. At our table we tried buffalo, beef, and salmon, and all were delicious. Also grabbed a quick dinner at Backlot Express, new menu item is turkey pannini, and it was pretty good.
Parks were crowded, but manageable, and we had a great morning at MK by starting in Frontierland and working back toward Tomorrowland. Philharmagic was alot of fun (again, liked it last trip too). Didn't try remodeled Alien Encounter bc waites were long, and we needed to leave park before FP window came up. Always need to save something for next time anyway.
Easy drive to Miami for the Orange Bowl on Tuesday, even got their early enough to squueze in a couple hours at the beach. Sat in the first row at the Orange Bowl, which was DH's Christmas present, and it was really neat. Wish the game had been a better one though, USC gave the Sooners a good trouncing. Saw Shaq, P.Diddy, Trace Adkins, and more on the field in front of us. Everyone boo-ed Ashley Simpson at half-time, to the point where I felt sorry for her. I don't think she is a good singer, but still, that was kind of mean. Mickey Mouse also came down from Orlando for an "exciting announcement"-- one day free admission to a Disney park with your Orange Bowl ticket stub, as a way of celebrating Disneyland's 50th Anniversary. I, of course, loved this! Left Miami around 12:45 or so, made it back to WDW around 4:30 am, and dreamt Disney dreams.
Overall, a wonderful trip! DH loved the villas and told me several times during the trip how glad he was that we joined DVC (and I carefully held in the urge to say I told you so). I missed the friendly CMs at the Poly, but I really enjoyed bath bombs and the big tub in the 1 bedroom after a day at the parks. Came home to ice and 19 degrees.
Time to start planning the next one... 
Checked into BCV on SundayJan 2 around 11am, waited around 15 min or so. This was the first of several 10+ minute waits for front desk service. Room was ready, 1bed lock-off room 171 with view of back of Epcot service area and road. Our guests commented on the endless hallways, and they've never seen or heard about all the threads dedicated to that topic here on the DIS!
So first the "opportunities for improvement":
Lots of little wear and tear in room-- chips and scratches and fraying, but nothing major. Sofa sleeper matress was pretty bad the first night, our guests said. I called and was told they didn't have any egg crates/foam available but would send an extra blanket to put between the matress and the sheet. We did that, and asked that they put us on the "foam waitlist" for the next night, and possibly take a look at rotating out the matress. They did replace it the next day while we were out with a foam one.
Quiet pool had a ring of green scummy stuff around the water line, and it was there the whole week. We didn't mention it, but did overhear another guest telling a lifeguard CM about it on Monday.
Got a note in our room Monday saying slide at StormALong Bay was being repaired. I thought that meant the slide would be closed but pool would be open. Turns out pool was closed most of the week, which was extremely aggravating. Not so much that the pool was closed but that we weren't told about it when we made the reservations so that we could've chosen to stay elsewhere. But, hakuna matata. We've got 50 years of WDW trips, I'm sure we can enjoy StormALong Bay another time.
Ended up losing 24 points because of a front desk confusion too. Had to change our flights last week. Tried to call MS, couldn't get through, so called BCV front desk on Saturday to drop the last night of the reservation. Told it wasn't a problem, but you need to talk to MS, and they're closed, so just make sure to tell the person at check-in, and they can modify the reservation at that time. Told the person at check-in on Sunday, and they said, oh, that won't be a problem, but we can't modify reservations, you need to talk to MS, and they are closed until Tuesday. So I called MS on Tuesday and they said I was given misinformation, that front desk CAN modify reservations, but that once you check-in, if you make a modification your points are forefitted. Of course, I politely explained that I had tried a number of times to make the modification, and that perhaps some retraining was appropriate for BCV front desk CMs on how to handle these issues when MS is closed. MS told me to take it up with the front desk manager at BC. I was annoyed, but 24 points wasn't worth getting stressed out over, so I let it go.
Service at B&C was terrible-- drinks were empty from 10 minutes before our meal came until we got the check, after we had finished eating. On the plus side, the food was really good, as always!
Transportation-- we had a rental car and used it all week after waiting over 50 minutes for a boat from BC to MGM our first night, and then being told that boat was full, we'd have to wait again. 2nd boat took 4 people (we were about 15th or so in line), so we finally got on the 3rd boat after a total wait time of 76 minutes.
New tickets are creating some craziness at park gates. Lots and lots of mgmt types milling around with clipboards. Many extra CMs on hand at gates and ticket booths on Sunday and Monday to explain new tickets. Between the MYW and the DVCers discount, Guest Services had lots of lines. THe whole "everyone is getting their fingers scanned" or "Ticket Tag" as WDW is calling it, is adding a considerable amount of time to the lines at turnstiles, from what I observed, but YMMV, and hopefully this will get better on its own as both Guests and CMs get used to the new system.
Evening EMH at MGM was a total joke on Sunday night. 90 min wait for RNR, 75 for TOT. We left, went back at opening the next morning, and had ridden both of them 2-3x each in the first 2 hours the park was open.
This is long already, but I don't want it to be a report of just the complaints, as overall we had a wonderful trip, and would go back tomorrow if we could!
Weather was wonderful! Highs in the mid70s all week, and no rain to speak of. Few clouds at all, but sometimes a little breeze made it cool if you wanted to swim.
Ate at RFC at AK using VKL vouchers, and had a fun time, awesome server, and pretty good food too. Had an amazing meal at Artist Point. This was our first time there. Food, service, and atmosphere were all excellent. New dessert on their menu called evolution of chocolate is pretty good, but my advice would be to order a scoop of their homemade blackberry ice cream with the cake, bc it was a little dry. At our table we tried buffalo, beef, and salmon, and all were delicious. Also grabbed a quick dinner at Backlot Express, new menu item is turkey pannini, and it was pretty good.
Parks were crowded, but manageable, and we had a great morning at MK by starting in Frontierland and working back toward Tomorrowland. Philharmagic was alot of fun (again, liked it last trip too). Didn't try remodeled Alien Encounter bc waites were long, and we needed to leave park before FP window came up. Always need to save something for next time anyway.
Easy drive to Miami for the Orange Bowl on Tuesday, even got their early enough to squueze in a couple hours at the beach. Sat in the first row at the Orange Bowl, which was DH's Christmas present, and it was really neat. Wish the game had been a better one though, USC gave the Sooners a good trouncing. Saw Shaq, P.Diddy, Trace Adkins, and more on the field in front of us. Everyone boo-ed Ashley Simpson at half-time, to the point where I felt sorry for her. I don't think she is a good singer, but still, that was kind of mean. Mickey Mouse also came down from Orlando for an "exciting announcement"-- one day free admission to a Disney park with your Orange Bowl ticket stub, as a way of celebrating Disneyland's 50th Anniversary. I, of course, loved this! Left Miami around 12:45 or so, made it back to WDW around 4:30 am, and dreamt Disney dreams.
Overall, a wonderful trip! DH loved the villas and told me several times during the trip how glad he was that we joined DVC (and I carefully held in the urge to say I told you so). I missed the friendly CMs at the Poly, but I really enjoyed bath bombs and the big tub in the 1 bedroom after a day at the parks. Came home to ice and 19 degrees.
Time to start planning the next one... 
I could not be blase about 24 points, however; I would have to pursue the correct resolution of the matter.
