Questions about BWV

[rnnomore]

Need any and all info on BWV and figured you guys were the best to ask...

Staying there for the first time this holiday season. We are very excited!! Since the waitlist came through, we are not telling DD7 who really wants to stay there-it will be a surprise.

We were told it was a standard view room, but when I called and took it, they said it was preferred view. What view is that?

We will be stopping at a grocery store before checking in. If the room is not ready, will our perishable grocery items be stored for us? If we run out of something, is there a store on property that stocks some food items?

I read somewhere that there are no stores or restaurants in the resort itself since the boardwalk serves that purpose. Is that true? Is there any type of restaurant in the building? Not that I think we will be having many meals there, but its always good to know. In your opinion, which is the best restaurant to have dinner at on the boardwalk? Have most of my dinners planned, but am looking for one more for the day of arrival.

How about Community Hall? My kids loved the activities at OKW when we were there this summer. Does it have many kids activities?

As you can see, I am looking for any and all info I can get. Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by rnnomore
We were told it was a standard view room, but when I called and took it, they said it was preferred view. What view is that?

Standard View overlooks the driveway leading to the resort entrance. Preferred Garden / Pool view could be one of several views: The canal that runs to MGM, one of the resort pools or just a lawn. I'm assuming you paid cash for the room. If memory serves, you should get the Preferred View. The one view you are guaranteed not to receive is a view of the boardwalk itself. Those rooms are reserved for members only.

We will be stopping at a grocery store before checking in. If the room is not ready, will our perishable grocery items be stored for us? If we run out of something, is there a store on property that stocks some food items?

Bell Services can store your food items as well as luggage. They have a refrigerator / freezer. Just make sure that the cold and frozen items are properly segrated and that the bags are clearly marked to refrigerate or freeze. Probably wouldn't hurt to bring along a sharpie to mark them yourself. I've seen more than my fair share of people who claimed to have given explicit directions regarding storage of their food items, only to later find that perishables had...perished. Should this happen, the resort will certainly compensate you, but try to avoid the hassle.

Yes, there is a general store in the resort at which you can purchase milk, soda and dozens of other food items. Prices are about 2X what you would pay at a normal grocery store.

I read somewhere that there are no stores or restaurants in the resort itself since the boardwalk serves that purpose. Is that true? Is there any type of restaurant in the building? Not that I think we will be having many meals there, but its always good to know.

Technically that is true. You have to go outside to reach a restaurant. But the boardwalk (and associated restaurants) line the villa and inn rooms. You'd have no further to walk to a Boardwalk restaurant than you would at any other resort.

In your opinion, which is the best restaurant to have dinner at on the boardwalk? Have most of my dinners planned, but am looking for one more for the day of arrival.

Each of the restaurants have their fans. We like the ESPN Club for the causal atmosphere and casual food. The Boardwalk also has Flying Fish (seafood) and Spoodles (Mediterranean), which are liked / loved / loathed to varying degrees.

Also note that the Beach Club, Dolphin and Swan resorts are within walking distance, and each have wonderful restaurants of their own. If you like seafood and will have kiddies with you, consider Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club which is a buffet character meal.

 

[rnnomore]

Thanks for the info. Yes, we are members who own at OKW. Would there be a chance that a preferred view could be a boardwalk view? Wouldn't that be nice.

Great tip on the marking of the grocery bags. I'll need to remember that and put a marker in with our travel bag.

Any other thoughts on BWV??

 

[megrod74]

I think you have to specifically request a Boardwalk view.
Have fun!

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by rnnomore
Thanks for the info. Yes, we are members who own at OKW. Would there be a chance that a preferred view could be a boardwalk view? Wouldn't that be nice.

Sorry. Since you were a bit ambiguous about the reservation I thought perhaps you were paying cash for the room.

The three categories are:

Standard View
Preferred Garden / Pool View
Preferred Boardwalk View

In order to get the BW view, you need to be specifically assigned to such a room at the time of booking. The point costs for both Preferred classes are the same, and for years one would be booked into a Preferred room with no idea of whether they would get the BW view or not until arrival. So, DVC made the Preferred BW View its own category.

Other than during the very slowest seasons, it is unlikely that you'll be able to book either the Standard View or Preferred BW View unless you are an owner at BWV. The SV rooms cost fewer points--about the same as OKW rooms. And, the BW View rooms are attractive for obvious reasons.

We just successfully booked a Standard View room for next May at the 7-month window. But more often than not, those rooms are booked more than 7 months out by those who own at BWV.