toodycat
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 4, 2008
- Messages
- 1,648
We just returned from a five night stay in a one bedroom villa at BCV. We are typically GF enthusiasts, but, between the advice of friends, the need for more space to accommodate 6'2, 190 pounds of 19 year old muscle DS, DH's enthusiasm for walking to Epcot and the Boardwalk, and under the influence of a 30% discount, we decided to give BCV a go.
It was great...just great.
Upon arrival, we were greeted enthusiastically by the valets as we pulled up, by name as we entered the lobby, once again by a greeter in the lobby and checked in with a level of enthusiasm and efficiency usually reserved for Kenneth from "30 Rock." When we entered the BCV building, Klayton, the concierge, greeted us and oriented us very kindly.
We were in villa 319. It had a full balcony which overlooked some trees and the parking area. The whole villa was kept spotlessly clean by Mousekeeping throughout our stay, Everything in it appeared in relatively new or good condition. The unit had an entryway, a well-equipped kitchen, living area with fold out queen size bed, flat screen TV and another chair. A peninsula counter separated the kitchen from the living space. You could eat at the peninsula or at the dining table. The master bedroom had a king size bed, flat screen TV in a unit that also served as a dresser, a chair and a desk. The bathroom was an elaborate maze designed so that someone could bathe or brush their teeth while someone else used the W.C. There was a jacuzzi tub and sink in one area separated by a door from the shower (enclosed by glass doors) and sink area. Another door separated the toilet from the shower and sink. Thus, you could bathe while someone was using the toilet, but if you were in the shower and someone had to go to the bathroom, that person would have to wait or walk through while you were showering and see you in your birthday suit through the glass doors. The only disappointment was the lack of closet space. There was only one very shallow closet and it was filled with a high chair and pack'n'play. Consequently, there was no place to store empty luggage or dirty clothing. A hamper would have been nice. Overall, We loved the villa lifestyle of eating breakfast in our own kitchen before rope drop each morning and we also appreciated having room to spread out after a long day at the parks.
We didn't eat at any of the Beach club restaurants, except for Beaches and Cream which made excellent milkshakes. We were a little put off by the smell of the Cape May Cafe. We've eaten there twice---once for breakfast and once for dinner. We remember both meals positively, but this time we found ourselves referring to Cape May as "the stinky fish restaurant." My uncle was a fisherman who drilled into my head that a good fish restaurant or store will not smell fishy. The Cape May Cafe smells fishy.
Stormalong Bay was a lot of fun. You have to show a room key and get a wristband every day to gain entry. The pool is an elaborate series of connecting areas, slide drop, activity area, baby pool, lazy river and on. The sand bottom is actually better than real sand! To go from area to area, you walk over some stairs and overpasses. We spent most of our time in the lazy river. The slide is great fun, but if you have small children, be aware that the access to the slide is not in view from the pool area. If I had a younger child, I would walk him to the slide,but I've always been more of a Marlin than a Dory when it comes to kids. There are a lot of lounges at SAB, but shade is at a premium. Hurricane Hanna's, the poolside counter service, has very good food and makes a mean mojito. Rocky, our waitress, never stopped smiling.
The convenience of the BC location can't be overemphasized. We walked in and out of Epcot easily. it was great to say, "Hey. Who feels like Moroccan food?" and be eating at the Tangerine Cafe six minutes later. We also walked over to the Boardwalk to go shopping or to the bakery. The boat to DHS was also quite convenient. Although we rented a car, we did wind up taking the bus to MK a couple of times. I've read criticism of BC bus service, but we had no problems.
Overall, we had a great stay and would definitely consider another stay at BCV.
It was great...just great.
Upon arrival, we were greeted enthusiastically by the valets as we pulled up, by name as we entered the lobby, once again by a greeter in the lobby and checked in with a level of enthusiasm and efficiency usually reserved for Kenneth from "30 Rock." When we entered the BCV building, Klayton, the concierge, greeted us and oriented us very kindly.
We were in villa 319. It had a full balcony which overlooked some trees and the parking area. The whole villa was kept spotlessly clean by Mousekeeping throughout our stay, Everything in it appeared in relatively new or good condition. The unit had an entryway, a well-equipped kitchen, living area with fold out queen size bed, flat screen TV and another chair. A peninsula counter separated the kitchen from the living space. You could eat at the peninsula or at the dining table. The master bedroom had a king size bed, flat screen TV in a unit that also served as a dresser, a chair and a desk. The bathroom was an elaborate maze designed so that someone could bathe or brush their teeth while someone else used the W.C. There was a jacuzzi tub and sink in one area separated by a door from the shower (enclosed by glass doors) and sink area. Another door separated the toilet from the shower and sink. Thus, you could bathe while someone was using the toilet, but if you were in the shower and someone had to go to the bathroom, that person would have to wait or walk through while you were showering and see you in your birthday suit through the glass doors. The only disappointment was the lack of closet space. There was only one very shallow closet and it was filled with a high chair and pack'n'play. Consequently, there was no place to store empty luggage or dirty clothing. A hamper would have been nice. Overall, We loved the villa lifestyle of eating breakfast in our own kitchen before rope drop each morning and we also appreciated having room to spread out after a long day at the parks.
We didn't eat at any of the Beach club restaurants, except for Beaches and Cream which made excellent milkshakes. We were a little put off by the smell of the Cape May Cafe. We've eaten there twice---once for breakfast and once for dinner. We remember both meals positively, but this time we found ourselves referring to Cape May as "the stinky fish restaurant." My uncle was a fisherman who drilled into my head that a good fish restaurant or store will not smell fishy. The Cape May Cafe smells fishy.
Stormalong Bay was a lot of fun. You have to show a room key and get a wristband every day to gain entry. The pool is an elaborate series of connecting areas, slide drop, activity area, baby pool, lazy river and on. The sand bottom is actually better than real sand! To go from area to area, you walk over some stairs and overpasses. We spent most of our time in the lazy river. The slide is great fun, but if you have small children, be aware that the access to the slide is not in view from the pool area. If I had a younger child, I would walk him to the slide,but I've always been more of a Marlin than a Dory when it comes to kids. There are a lot of lounges at SAB, but shade is at a premium. Hurricane Hanna's, the poolside counter service, has very good food and makes a mean mojito. Rocky, our waitress, never stopped smiling.
The convenience of the BC location can't be overemphasized. We walked in and out of Epcot easily. it was great to say, "Hey. Who feels like Moroccan food?" and be eating at the Tangerine Cafe six minutes later. We also walked over to the Boardwalk to go shopping or to the bakery. The boat to DHS was also quite convenient. Although we rented a car, we did wind up taking the bus to MK a couple of times. I've read criticism of BC bus service, but we had no problems.
Overall, we had a great stay and would definitely consider another stay at BCV.
to hear that about Cape May; we have ressies there on our upcoming trip.
We have stayed in a 2 BR villa three times and we have loved every minute of it. We would usually only eat breakfast in the villa, but it was still really handy to have a full kitchen. 
