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

[ReneeQ]

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.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

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.

 

[Figment2]

I love my BWV. Lack of a food court doesn't bother me since if we are up early it means we have a breakfast reservation somewhere. If it's a sleep in day, most times we have a early lunch somewhere.

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

As far as pin trading goes, Boardwalk used to be one of the epi-centers for pin trading. Back in the early days, we used to congregate at the pin cart and have impromptu trading sessions or just sit and talk until closing. Met a lot of my Disney friends during that time. 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.

I do agree with you on the parking. Sooner or later, they will have to address the situation.

Cyn

 

[CarolMN]

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.

Can't speak about the drop off area as we tend to arrive at less busy days of the week.

No experience with pin trading and I haven't seem much of it going on at the BWV either.

I still love the BWV best. The ability to walk to 2 parks is a huge perk for us. We get around the CS issue by buying a few groceries and eating breakfast in the room. We go to Picabu (CS in the Dolphin Resort) for some CS meals, It gives DVC members a 20% discount and can make more than one meal out of some of their items.

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).

 

[DenLo]

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. However, if you want to go the Food and Wine in October or New Years, you'll have the home resort advantage at BWV. I too do not think of a take out place as a very good CS restaurant, especially in the rain or cold weather. Thank goodness for a kitchen/kitchenette.

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.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Favorite resorts in order of preference - OKW, BWV/SSR (both in 2nd place). My son preferes the Boardwalk so we alternate stays there between OKW stays.

CS-DVC really works for us because we don't use CS. We always get a 1 or 2br and make use of the kitchen. I do love sending my son down for fresh croissants from the Boardwalk Bakery every morning and he loves to go!

VP-I don't use valet parking and we have always self parked at BWV. Personnally, I don't find that the parking issue is any different than let's say a year ago. Frankly, parking in front of your villa like at OKW, is fantastic, I don't even mind the stairs, though I understand it can be a problem for some. As I get older the lack of an elevator might become an issue, who knows.

Pins-As far as pin trading, it almost appears to me that interest in it is somewhat waning, it seemed prevalent in years past but in my last 4 stays it seems to have all but disappeared !

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!

 

[DebbieB]

My last trip to BWV was in December and it's still my favorite. We did have a parking issue on the Saturday afternoon we arrived but the rest of the week was fine. I do think they need to address that. They blocked the main entrance but no one was at the side entrance checking parking passes.

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.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Still loving my BWV. Because he gets up earlier than the rest of us, hubby would love to have CS there or at least a beverage station for the mugs, but otherwise it's the perfect resort for our current travel habits. I suspect BLT will move to first place for trips when we have future grandchildren along...

 

[Cmbar]

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.


We understand your feeling about the CS options and it is the main reason we don't want to stay at BWV. We own at BLT and found that while it was a bit of walk over to the Contempo Cafe it was nice to be able to do that and not have to wait in line to fill our mugs or grab a quick bite to eat. While the pool bar was small at BLT, the refill mugs station was handy.

I think the best DVC resorts for the CS options would be VWL and AKV (JAMBO only.) We found SSR and OKW are too far to even want to go grab a drink or a snack. We were very pleased with the Marketplace at BCV because it gave us quick access to refill station (the Villas are close to the marketplace, so much so that we could fill up while at the DVC pool) plus it had better options besides the burger and hot dog fare. The sandwiches were delicious. If you want the typical burger fare you can get it at Hurricane Hannahs at the Stormalong Bay pool.

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 also and AKV Jambo if you want to try a completely different resort with amazing animals. I also think the CMs at AKV are very friendly and it will give you the VWL feel you like as well. Not sure they have PIN trading there, but the whole resort feels similar to VWL.

Good luck. I say definitely try to switch at 7 months. We were on the waitlist for BCV for three months and got it three weeks before we left! We are so happy it came through because this may be our new favorite resort! Oh an parking looked like it was a breeze and right next to the Villas. The BCV are placed wonderfully at the resort. Quick walk to the parking lot, the buses, the marketplace and it was so close to the Resort Airline checkin we didn't need bell services.

 

[Chuck S]

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.

The parking would be an issue for me at almost any "hotel" style DVC resort. It is one reason I love OKW.

 

[VrBchJ]

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.

 

[LSchrow]

we've haven't lost that *magical feeling* even though we have been staying at the BWVs since they opened (even before we owned DVC).

it's a bit funny that some of the things you wish were there, are the same things that we are happy the resort is without
we find CS locations make for larger crowds and higher noise levels.....we prefer the serenity of the resort be maintained.
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...the guards are more strigent about the resort guest lot, and it is manned during heavy time periods, e.g., the F&WF. the guard will check for a BWV parking pass, along with resort and photo ID at the lot entrance.

it sounds like the BWVs might not a good fit for you. personally, we've stayed at all the other WDW DVCs (exclusing BLT, which we really aren't interested in), and still greatly prefer the BWVs over any other (we also own two other resorts, and really regret that we bought a certain one without staying there - despite its proxmity, it doesn't compare to the BWVs)

best of luck getting your favorite DVC at 7 months!


ETA: ironicly, directly below your post was another questioning selling their points as they no longer enjoy WDW in general. it just reinforced what many of us are saying, no resort is a perfect fit for everyone; for some, wdw isn't even an enjoyable vacation

 

[kimpossible]

The have also made the pool bar part of the QS dining plan.

I still love the BWV...location cannot be beaten. 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.

Also, our favorite night time performer (we call him squeeky) was not there. Hope he was on vacation.

 

[auntsue]

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. We have one coming up in December. As for our BLT purchase, again the ease of walking to a park was what sold us on that one as well. I'm just not into the bus service. It's too bad you can't walk to AK from AKL. We take our car when we go there.

 

[Alexander]

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.

 

[kimpossible]

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. We have one coming up in December. As for our BLT purchase, again the ease of walking to a park was what sold us on that one as well. I'm just not into the bus service. It's too bad you can't walk to AK from AKL. We take our car when we go there.

Love your DVC signiture! Where/how did you get it if you don't mind sharing.

 

[Inkmahm]

we've haven't lost that *magical feeling* even though we have been staying at the BWVs since they opened (even before we owned DVC).

it's a bit funny that some of the things you wish were there, are the same things that we are happy the resort is without
we find CS locations make for larger crowds and higher noise levels.....we prefer the serenity of the resort be maintained.
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...the guards are more strigent about the resort guest lot, and it is manned during heavy time periods, e.g., the F&WF. the guard will check for a BWV parking pass, along with resort and photo ID at the lot entrance.

it sounds like the BWVs might not a good fit for you. personally, we've stayed at all the other WDW DVCs (exclusing BLT, which we really aren't interested in), and still greatly prefer the BWVs over any other (we also own two other resorts, and really regret that we bought a certain one without staying there - despite its proxmity, it doesn't compare to the BWVs)

best of luck getting your favorite DVC at 7 months!


ETA: ironicly, directly below your post was another questioning selling their points as they no longer enjoy WDW in general. it just reinforced what many of us are saying, no resort is a perfect fit for everyone; for some, wdw isn't even an enjoyable vacation

I don't care about CS as we don't use it or the refill mugs. We're not into pin trading, either. But we LOVE the boardwalk view! That view is the reason we purchased at BWV instead of BCV in the first place. I also like being able to walk to two parks from BWV. From BCV, we tend to only walk to Epcot but that is a nice short walk.

I haven't stayed at BWV since October 2008 as DVC moved us to BCV from BWV in October 2009. We really liked BCV! I was surprised. We are staying again at BWV in October of this year for F&W. I have to admit I've worried about the parking situation there now that valet is no longer free. We never used the self park lot, always valet. I'm hoping it won't be an issue.

 

[La2kw]

BWV is our least favorite resort for the reasons you said, plus I feel it's way too crowded in that part of the world for us. All those resorts in such a relatively small amount of land is like being in a city. The good thing is, you don't have to stay there if you don't want to.

 

[twinklebug]

Although I love BWV we've never booked another stay there due to the overcrowded bus service & lack of a covered walkway to get to/from any food service or store (when it's pouring buckets out as it typically is during our stays I need this). It's a beautiful resort, but these two issues bothered me and made me feel like a forgotten guest.

The parking issue I haven't experienced but can fully understand the anxiety it might cause. By ignoring that situation the Boardwalk is showing a lack of concern for those who choose to stay there.

 

[Corinne]

After our visit to the BWV last month I can honestly say I am in no hurry to go back either. We love the area, always have, always will~but we prefer the BCV over BWV, it is just so darn to get a room there!

I agree with the OP and would love a counter service place similar to the BC Marketplace. I also feel it is not convenient to "run down" and fill your mug in the morning. The bakery is ALWAYS packed, a quick refill is usually not happening. I am sure we will stay there again, but I do prefer the size of the WL and BCV and will try my hardest to stay there before heading to BW again.