My DH, DS (2), DM, DF and I recently returned from a trip to BWV and VWL from 8/18-8/29. This was our first trip "home" since we bought in at the BWV in 1999. Before leaving for our trip, I became concerned that in the three years that I had been planning and anticipating this vacation, I had built up my expectations to an unreachable level.
Amazingly, the BWV surpassed my high expectations. We had a boardwalk view on the 4th floor above the DVC offices. The walk from the elevators was very long, but we didn't mind, as the view was worth it and we needed the exercise after out frequent visits to the boardwalk bakery. We were shocked by the size and quality of the 2-bedroom. It was fabulous to have a common room to use when my DS was napping or sleeping at night. We also loved the kitchen, which saved us a ton of money on breakfasts, lunches and a few dinners. I loved having a washer and dryer, which I used every night to wash clothes and towels used during the day. We didn't miss the daily housekeeping at all. The rooms were easy to keep clean, and it made it feel like we were at home.
Our entire family loved the boardwalk pool. The baby pool and playground were perfect for my DS; the elephants spraying water and the faucets near the baby pool were a big hit with him. I frequented the keister coaster slide every trip to the pool and even persuaded my DF to go down. It was great to see both my parents acting more youthful. The stress of their jobs coupled with 10 years without a true vacation has made them feel and act older than they are. Being able to bring my parents with us on this trip has made the DVC one of the best investments my DH and I have ever made. I look forward to bringing them and other family members on future DVC trips.
Having a 2-yr-old, the character caravan that came to the BWV 3 times a week was wonderful. I know that many members miss the early entry mornings, and I am sure that if we didn't have a small child, my DH and I would be in the same mindset. However, the character caravan was wonderful for my DS. In addition to getting some good one-on-one time with the characters, as it was never crowded, the bell service staff gave out balloons and stickers and made balloon animals and swords for the kids. We were very happy with the character caravans and went down for all of them during our stay at the BWV. The BWV even put balloons and an autographed photo of Mickey and Minnie in our room for my son's 2nd birthday. He was very excited.
My favorite thing about staying at the BWV was our boardwalk view. I loved that when my DS went to sleep early some nights, that the adults could sit out on the balcony watch the people and performers on the boardwalk, request songs from the bicycling piano player and watch Illuminations at EPCOT. And the mornings were just as great. Watching the sunrise while relaxing on the balcony with a raspberry filled donut from the bakery, as the occasionally jogger runs down the boardwalk, was truly magical and relaxing.
After 8 nights at the BWV, my DH, DS and I moved over to a 1-bedroom at the VWL. (My parents had to go home to get back to work) The resort is beautiful, and the staff was very nice, but we missed the BWV. The resort seemed very secluded to us, which I am certain is a great draw for many members. We were glad that we stayed there, as we are planning on adding on points and were considering getting points at the VWL. Now that we know that we enjoy the hustle and bustle of the Boardwalk, we have put our names on a waiting list for add-on points there. For all of the VWL owners, the resort is gorgeous; it just too laid back for me right now. It will be a nice escape for us if we want a resort to really relax at on future trips. But that is the beauty of DVC, there is a resort for everyone.
I apologize for rambling on and on, but be certain that I could have written much more about this magical vacation. For those members, who haven't yet been able to go "home," be confidant that you have made a wise decision by joining the DVC.
For all the members on this and the other DIS boards, thank you for all of your invaluable advice. It saved us a ton of money on our trip in airline fares and park tickets, plus it helped us to plan ahead so that our trip was flawless and full of pixie dust! May all of your trips be as magical as ours was!
Amazingly, the BWV surpassed my high expectations. We had a boardwalk view on the 4th floor above the DVC offices. The walk from the elevators was very long, but we didn't mind, as the view was worth it and we needed the exercise after out frequent visits to the boardwalk bakery. We were shocked by the size and quality of the 2-bedroom. It was fabulous to have a common room to use when my DS was napping or sleeping at night. We also loved the kitchen, which saved us a ton of money on breakfasts, lunches and a few dinners. I loved having a washer and dryer, which I used every night to wash clothes and towels used during the day. We didn't miss the daily housekeeping at all. The rooms were easy to keep clean, and it made it feel like we were at home.
Our entire family loved the boardwalk pool. The baby pool and playground were perfect for my DS; the elephants spraying water and the faucets near the baby pool were a big hit with him. I frequented the keister coaster slide every trip to the pool and even persuaded my DF to go down. It was great to see both my parents acting more youthful. The stress of their jobs coupled with 10 years without a true vacation has made them feel and act older than they are. Being able to bring my parents with us on this trip has made the DVC one of the best investments my DH and I have ever made. I look forward to bringing them and other family members on future DVC trips.
Having a 2-yr-old, the character caravan that came to the BWV 3 times a week was wonderful. I know that many members miss the early entry mornings, and I am sure that if we didn't have a small child, my DH and I would be in the same mindset. However, the character caravan was wonderful for my DS. In addition to getting some good one-on-one time with the characters, as it was never crowded, the bell service staff gave out balloons and stickers and made balloon animals and swords for the kids. We were very happy with the character caravans and went down for all of them during our stay at the BWV. The BWV even put balloons and an autographed photo of Mickey and Minnie in our room for my son's 2nd birthday. He was very excited.
My favorite thing about staying at the BWV was our boardwalk view. I loved that when my DS went to sleep early some nights, that the adults could sit out on the balcony watch the people and performers on the boardwalk, request songs from the bicycling piano player and watch Illuminations at EPCOT. And the mornings were just as great. Watching the sunrise while relaxing on the balcony with a raspberry filled donut from the bakery, as the occasionally jogger runs down the boardwalk, was truly magical and relaxing.
After 8 nights at the BWV, my DH, DS and I moved over to a 1-bedroom at the VWL. (My parents had to go home to get back to work) The resort is beautiful, and the staff was very nice, but we missed the BWV. The resort seemed very secluded to us, which I am certain is a great draw for many members. We were glad that we stayed there, as we are planning on adding on points and were considering getting points at the VWL. Now that we know that we enjoy the hustle and bustle of the Boardwalk, we have put our names on a waiting list for add-on points there. For all of the VWL owners, the resort is gorgeous; it just too laid back for me right now. It will be a nice escape for us if we want a resort to really relax at on future trips. But that is the beauty of DVC, there is a resort for everyone.
I apologize for rambling on and on, but be certain that I could have written much more about this magical vacation. For those members, who haven't yet been able to go "home," be confidant that you have made a wise decision by joining the DVC.
For all the members on this and the other DIS boards, thank you for all of your invaluable advice. It saved us a ton of money on our trip in airline fares and park tickets, plus it helped us to plan ahead so that our trip was flawless and full of pixie dust! May all of your trips be as magical as ours was!
M.E.
