Not loving my BELOVED BWV like I used to - anyone else?

[ReneeQ]

We fell out of love with our home resort. We sold our 2 contracts there. We waited for an incentive to come along at BLT. When it did we bought in. We are in love with DVC again.

Ooh, I would LOVE to own points at BLT! Interesting thought. But for what we paid for our BWV points 10+ years ago vs. what we could sell them for vs. what BLT points would cost, I think I'll keep what I've got. It's not that I hate, or even don't like BWV, just not loving everything like I used to. BUT I do still LOVE the low points requirements for standard views , especially for my solo trips!

Do you mean lack of counter service "in the hotel," cause there is counter service at the Bakery.

As far as pin trading goes... Now, your nephew would have to go into the Screen Door. They have a trading book there plus a lot of the CMs wear lanyards.

Cyn

Yes, I mean lack of counter service IN the hotel, as well as lack of self-serve, easily located refillable mug stations. There is no where to get burger and fries, etc. Or if one of us wants a sandwich, one pizza, and one a hot dog, we have to go to three different places.

THANK YOU for the Screen Door pin trading book info! Last time he was at BWV with me, he wasn't as into pin trading, so I had not noticed that before. He does ask every CM with a lanyard if he can trade, but he LOVED the self service book at VWL.

FWIW, I think the parking at BWV has gotten better. The CMs at the entrance seem to be directing most without a BWV or BWI parking pass to the lot across the street.

I still love the BWV best. The ability to walk to 2 parks is a huge perk for us.

IMO, you won't have trouble changing resorts for a March vacation (as long as it isn't the week before or after Easter). If you really don't want to stay at BWV and can't change when you call at 7 months, use the waitlist. I predict it will be successful unless you have your heart set on something very popular (like MK or SV at BLT, or value or concierge at AKV).

That's great news about the parking situation - thanks! We also like the ability to walk to 2 parks, so I'm thinking of trying for BCV at 7 months. Plus BCV has a tiny food court with self serve refill mugs. The trip starts March 11th, and Easter isn't until April 24th in 2011, so I'm hoping there will be easy availability at other resorts at 7 months.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

This thread does a great job of highlighting "different strokes for different folks." Anyone looking to buy into DVC really should visit the resorts they are considering prior to purchase (a suggestion we did not follow when purchasing Aulani... and I hope we don't live to regret it!). I see so many comments comparing BWV and BCV, and often BCV comes out the winner. But, we did a split stay between the two for our 25th anniversary. Our entire family preferred BWV. Maybe we just hit it during a bad week (the week before Christmas) and would enjoy it more during a calmer season... but for now, BWV will remain our favorite!

 

[ReneeQ]

I think you've just come to the realization that one resort may not meet your needs all of the time. That's one of advantages of the DVC. When you travel with your nephew another resort might be better.

BTW, the gift shop, Fantasia at CR has pin trading in the evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. They put out a huge board loaded with pins on the counter so the CM can help customers and pin traders. The only other cart I remember seeing is at the Poly on the second level near Ohanas. Most gift shops will have someone that pin trades though. Sometimes they don't wear them, but have them in a drawer. We just ask. I know at AKV, Jambo House there is pin trading scheduled in the daily events and the CM's will trade in the gift shop.

I think you are correct. For the past 10 years I have booked my trips to stay wherever I had the most points to get the 11 month window, without really thinking about who was going. Now that my nephew is almost 13 (I don't have children, and take him once a year, sometimes just me and him), his interests have changed. I no longer have to thing about which kid club he wants to visit, for instance.

THANK YOU for the CR pin trading info! I had no idea about that! He always asks CMs if he can see there pins, but I didn't realize there was an actual "event" each day.

Have you explored any of the other resorts? Maybe it's time to find a new favorite! I find that if I can get one of these 4, OKW, BWV/SSR & AKV, each have enough of what I enjoy, to make for a wonderful stay!

We have stayed at BWV, VWL, BCV and SSR. I prefer the "hotel" type resorts, over the "condo" type resorts, so I did not really like SSR. We were just too far from the food court. I really want to try AKV and BLT!

We usually eat breakfast in the room and other meals at the parks. I do think a counter service would be nice. I've always thought the space previously occupied by the kids club would be a good spot.

We also eat all breakfasts in the room. But now that I have been to WDW 30+ times, we only hit a park every third day or so. We spend lots of time around the resort, just enjoying the pool, etc. Sometimes we take lunch down to the pool (or I run back up to the room and get it), but some days it's SO nice to just eat at the food court. And I have said the EXACT SAME THING - that the old Harbor Club space would be perfect for a food court! Seems like "free money" on Disney's part to me.

 

[ReneeQ]

You can refill your refillable mugs at the Pizza window which was much easier than the Boardwalk Bakery. If you are looking for hot beverages you can also refill them at the Boardwalk Joe's coffee.

I think the best DVC resorts for the CS options would be VWL and AKV (JAMBO only.)

I say it is definitely time to try the other resorts, for what you like I would suggest you try BCV if you really like the Boardwalk location. BLT if you want to have an amazing location...

Good to know about the other refill locations, I thought it was only the Bakery and the pool. And I agree with CS being great at VWL. That is where we've been on nephew's last 2 trips, which is what got me thinking about the lack of CS (and other things) at BWV, where we plan(ned) to stay next.

I'm thinking of trying for BCV at 7 months (love that pool, plus the mini food court and the self-serve refill mugs), or BLT (now that I know about the nightly pin trading at CS, plus quick monorail to Poly Pool, which we LOVE, and finally trying the BLT pool, plus the food court at CS). Not to mention, easy parking at both!

I have never been drawn to BWV, but as far as counter service dining...it really isn't great at any Disney deluxe or DVC resort. Small snack bar type services are the norm.

Agreed, no CS is GREAT. But it doesn't take much to please the pre-teen boy!

I'll gladly give up CS at BWV for that boardwalk view. In April parking got to be an annoyance after a few days but I'll have to put up with it so that I can be within walking distance of DHS and Epcot. I go to Illuminations every night when I'm at WDW and walking "home" after that and hanging out on the boardwalk to watch the street performers makes up for whatever small deficiencies BWV has.

Ah, but I want CS at BWV AND the Boardwalk view - ha!

we don't participate in pintrading, but i do think it would be a great activity for community hall .(something you might want to suggest to member satisfaction about).

we stay at the BWVs 2-3x a year, and have found the parking situation is improving...

it sounds like the BWVs might not a good fit for you.

Great idea about suggesting pin trading at community hall!
Good to hear parking is improving, though.
I agree, BWV might not be the best fit for my trips with nephew. Though I still do love BWV with DH, or on my solo trips! I'm not selling out anytime soon.

 

[Ms. WDW]

I still love my BW just as much as the day I first arrived there.

Can't comment on the parking since we don't use a car.

CS comment - we never had a problem in the mornings either going to the Bakery or the Belle Vue Bar in the mornings. As for other meals, we've utilized the carts on the Boardwalk for quick meals or the pizza window.

Mugs - I don't use them too much but I think I will for this next trip.

Pin Trading - I can't comment on that either since I never collected nor did my son.

I LOVE, LOVE the Boardwalk with SSR coming in a close second! And I'm counting down the days (97) till I'm there again

 

[ReneeQ]

Housekeeping at the BWV was what bothered me the most. I called 4x throughout the first day to complain about the 10 cigar butts and large amount of ash outside of our first floor balcony. By the time they got there, I also found shaving cream with hair dried and stuck to the front of our bathroom sink, and rather than giving us a new dish detergent, they simply filled it with water.

Yikes, that doesn't sound good at all!!

We still love our Boardwalk (since '99) and own almost all of our points there. The ease of walking to our two favorite parks cannot be beat and the Boardwalk view is spectacular.

I'm so glad so many have posted. Your post, like many, have made me realize I really DO still love my BWV, and it IS still the perfect resort for SOME of my trips. It's just maybe not the right resort with my nephew at the age he's at RIGHT NOW. Things do change over time.

It's funny because the BWV were the one place we really didn't like of the WDW DVC resorts. However, we have had GREAT stays there the last two times and it is now at the top of our list.

The only exception is the darn parking! Friday and Saturday nights are crazy! We ended up having to valet park because there was absolutely no parking (we refused to park across the street since we were staying at the BW). I made a stink at the front desk and told them they need to address this issue. The manager would not even come out to talk to me (think they know there is a problem?) but authorized free valet parking for the rest of our stay. I refused and said I was just making a point that this is a deluxe resort and a DVC resort and they absolutely need to put their guests ahead of the people visiting the Boardwalk.

I hear what you're saying. Years ago we thought we had enough points, yet while on a Disney cruise we decided to add on 100 more. Were going to buy them at Hilton Head, but the guide talked us into Wilderness Lodge He said should we ever decide to sell, it would be easier to sell a VWL contract vs. a HHI contract. We had never even seen VWL. Turns out it is now our FAVORITE resort, we would NEVER sell, and wish we had more points there than at BWV.

Yikes, how long ago was your parking incident? Others have said it has improved. We are close enough to drive to WDW, but we rarely use the car once there. So if we can get a decent parking spot on arrival, we're good.

 

[disneynutz]

BWV used to be my FAVORITE resort. We own most of our points there, also own at VWL. Have stayed at VWL more lately, and I find myself NOT wanting to stay at BWV. I have a trip planned there for 3/11, last stayed at BWV 11/09.

First reason - parking. The parking situation was terrible at BWV in 11/09. Hard to find a place to park, and the drop off area up front was a complete zoo, with everyone pulling up to drop off their stuff, then going to find a place to park.

Second reason - and not a HUGE reason, but my nephew (13) will be with me and he is VERY into pin trading. He loved going down to the WL lobby alone in the morning when he got ready first, to wait on us and do pin trading at the pin trading cart. He made great friends with those pin trading CMs, and they helped him SO much! There isn't a place like that at BWV, unless I missed it, even in the stores out on the BW.

Last reason - NO COUNTER SERVICE at BWV! This is a huge issue to me. Along with that, no easy place to fill refillable mugs. We LOVED the counter service and refillable mugs at VWL! Why oh why won't they put a counter service at BWV?

Like I said, I LOVED BWV in the past, have owned there since 1999. Guess I didn't miss what I didn't know. But now, having stayed at VWL more, it's making it hard for me to want to go back to BWV. Anyone else, or is it just me? The absence of a food court is my biggest issue. Really thinking of trying to change resorts at the 7 month window, but not sure how easy that will be for a March trip.

The items that you mention aren't new, it just seems that your wants have changed. Nothing wrong with changing favorites, we have done it a couple of times and BWV is currently our favorite.

The wonderful world of Disney has something for everybody!

Bill

 

[auntsue]

Kim...I honestly don't have a clue how to get the signature. I saw it in BWV Dreamin's posts and commented to her how much I loved it. She was kind enough to walk me through it about three separate times. I am not all that computer literate and had a lot of trouble, but she was very patient with me. With each failure, she became more determined that I get it, so she kept helping me until I did. There's no way I would be able to explain it to you, but BWV Dreamin was very sweet and I am sure she wouldn't mind helping you. She posts often, so you should be able to find her.

 

[Alexander]

Yikes, how long ago was your parking incident? Others have said it has improved. We are close enough to drive to WDW, but we rarely use the car once there. So if we can get a decent parking spot on arrival, we're good.

April 2010--So I don't believe that it has improved that much! Honestly, we were there for 7 nights, and only Friday and Saturday got bad. We didn't move our car on Friday, so there was no problem, but when we left on Saturday for dinner, we couldn't park when we got back (about 8:00 PM).

 

[LSchrow]

April 2010--So I don't believe that it has improved that much! Honestly, we were there for 7 nights, and only Friday and Saturday got bad. We didn't move our car on Friday, so there was no problem, but when we left on Saturday for dinner, we couldn't park when we got back (about 8:00 PM).

were you there during a very busy week?
because we go 2-3x a year, mostly the first weeks of may and october (every year during the flower and garden and food and wine festivals), and every other year during the last week of aug into the first week of sept.

not once since the BWVs have opened were we unable to find a spot on the first drive through the resort guest lot. the only time we had a slight problem was during a convention at the BWI - then we had to park near the end of the lot (there were still quite a few spots left, but mostly near the outskirts). just a suggestion.: when the lot is pretty full and we have a lot of groceries, one of us drops the other near the front of the resort with the packages, and parks the car. honestly, i still love even the walk from the lot, strolling across the bridge (while those unlucky people who aren't staying there are leaving), stopping to gaze at the soothing fountain in the waterway, watching the ducks on the lawn, and coming upon the BOARDWALK arch that takes away my breath every single time

 

[Sammie]

It has never been a favorite of ours for all the reasons you noted and for some reason, we seem to get the most unhappy front Desk CMs there over any other resort, some type of BWV bad luck or something.

I think VWL and SSR both have very good quick service.

But honestly the hallways bothered me as much as anything, I always felt I was lost in some fun house of long hallways and never could seem to get to the elevator.

I read all the wonderful trip reports about BW and I go, I must try it again and when I do, still do not like it.

If I am going to be in that area I want to be across the lake at BCV. And as Bill said, it's nice to have choices.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

But honestly the hallways bothered me as much as anything, I always felt I was lost in some fun house of long hallways and never could seem to get to the elevator.

LOL, Sammie, I laughed out loud when I read this part! This is EXACTLY how I felt during our first BWV stay. We had a fabulous room and it was well worth the hike when we finally reached it, but geeeeeeeeez, I felt like we would never get there! BWV is our favorite resort, though, despite the fun house experience. Maybe Disney should just add crazy fun house mirrors along the hallway and call it a ride... ;-)

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

BTW, the gift shop, Fantasia at CR has pin trading in the evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. They put out a huge board loaded with pins on the counter so the CM can help customers and pin traders. The only other cart I remember seeing is at the Poly on the second level near Ohanas. Most gift shops will have someone that pin trades though. Sometimes they don't wear them, but have them in a drawer. We just ask. I know at AKV, Jambo House there is pin trading scheduled in the daily events and the CM's will trade in the gift shop.

I have actually seen that pin board out in the afternoons on various days and the real pin trading event over there takes on the 3rd or 4th Friday of each of month, which is called Mickey's Pin Trading Night. Basically from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM in one of their convention center rooms pin traders get together and trade their pins with each other, plus there is a kids trading area if they are no more then 14 years old. However the main difference is if you go there and want to trade with those people they can say no to a trade you want to make with them, since they own the pins they bring. When trading with the Cast Members they don't own those pins and that's why they are not allowed to say no. So personally I wouldn't call putting out the pin board in the Fantasia store a pin trading event.

Also the Fantaisa store is the only store among the resorts to sell all types of limited editon pins and not just the regular pins you see all over WDW. Now when WDW releases specifc resort pins for Christmas then only those resorts will sell them, so for example that would be the only time the Polynesian pin cart would sell a limited editon pin since it's a specific pin to the Polynesian.

 

[Sammie]

LOL, Sammie, I laughed out loud when I read this part! This is EXACTLY how I felt during our first BWV stay. We had a fabulous room and it was well worth the hike when we finally reached it, but geeeeeeeeez, I felt like we would never get there! BWV is our favorite resort, though, despite the fun house experience. Maybe Disney should just add crazy fun house mirrors along the hallway and call it a ride... ;-)

The sad thing with me is I really want to like it. I think it is visually one of the most beautiful resorts at Disney. But the mechanics of it, just don't work for me personally.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We had no problems with parking 2 cars during my family's stay the last weekend in June. Only 1 2 bedroom standard view had a longer walk than we had, but that meant we weren't far from the stairway exit, and that meant we were pretty close to our car.

CM's at the pool were very good. The DGC enjoyed the games and pool. It was their first visit there, next will be over NYE week.

 

[Figment2]

I don't think the walk to the room at BWV is any longer than AKL or Kidani. Both have very long walks to the end rooms. Friends wanted to see the Red River hogs so we walked down the hallway to the windows that overlook that savannah. It was wayyyyy down.

Has anyone measured to see what resort has the longer walk?

Cyn

 

[disneynutz]

People don't seem to have a problem walking 10 times the distance in the parks, but if they have to walk in the resort, it's a big enough reason not to own there.

Bill

 

[BWV Dreamin]

People don't seem to have a problem walking 10 times the distance in the parks, but if they have to walk in the resort, it's a big enough reason not to own there.

Bill

LOL!! Too funny!

 

[hakepb]

Actually, I enjoy the quick service selection available at BWV with the pizza window, food carts and the bakery with those huge cinnamon rolls for breakfast..

...if you are paying cash. It is just while on DDP you cannot use credits on the food carts (non-disney owned which means they have a slightly cheaper Coke price), and (when I last tried) could not get a slice of pizza on the dining plan.

 

[Cmbar]

People don't seem to have a problem walking 10 times the distance in the parks, but if they have to walk in the resort, it's a big enough reason not to own there.

Bill

Yes, absolutely!!! I want convenience!!!!! No long halls without elevators for me!! At least at the parks you have something to look at besides suite numbers.