Recently returned from our first trip home!!!(long)

akghutton

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Apr 28, 2001
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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!
;)
 
What a wonderful report. Glad your first trip was magical.
 
akghutton....glad you had such a wonderful trip! To get one of the heavily requested Boardwalk views was a great way to begin your DVC vacationing. You did a great job capturing the ambience and feeling of the Boardwalk area.

Great idea to "sample" VWL before buying any points there. It has its own feeling and you found that it doesn't fit you for the foreseeable future. And you're right....the seclusion you don't care for is a big part of why I enjoy VWL so much.

Of course, in the years to come you will be able to sample the various DVC resorts...that's a great benefit of the program.

Thanks for the report!:)
 
Your story should be on a DVC brochure - beautifully written :)

Thanks for sharing.

P.S. Could you tell me a little about your experience with transportation at VWL?
 

As a BW owner, You're killing me!!
The rasberry donuts, the sunrise, the action on the BW, seeing EPCOT fireworks, all bring back very fond memories. You're right about the kiddie pool and the elephant, it's great for little kids. I have a two yr old and last July she loved it.

Great report!!:)
 
Thank you everyone for the kind replies!

Mousecrazy - We had pretty good experiences with the transportation from VWL. The buses ran pretty frequently; although we did miss the proximity we had to EPCOT and MGM from BWV. It is a long ride to the Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, downtown Disney, and MGM from VWL, especially with stops at Fort Wilderness and the water parks. The boatride to the Contemporary was very quick and convenient for the morning we had reservations at Chef Mickeys, which by the way is wonderful. Boat ride to and from MK was pleasant.

Hope this helps!
 
akghutton,
Thanks for the memories! All that you wrote just reminds me of the magic of BW. Did you notice if they still have the Coffee and other bakery treats on the Inn side of the BW? They used to have it there so you didn't even have to go to the bakery. ( not that I mind going to the bakery, they have an awesome breakfast sandwich there too.) It's just that I did not see it on my last trip and I wondered if it was something that suffered as a result of budget cuts. The best part of buying into DVC and BW is that you will have MANY magical trips to come! We bought in when our youngest ws only a baby and our kids feel like they have grown up there, they really feel like they are home when we finally get to the BW.
Glad you had such a great trip!
 
annk,
Sorry, I did not notice whether they still had baked goods and coffee on the Inn side of BW. We really didn't venture over there during our stay.
 
Thanks for a wonderful report that makes me long for our trip in 45 days...A beautiful report detailing all of the things that I also think are magical about BWV....almost...we usualllly opt for the cheap rooms so no balcony overlooking the boardwalk...but other than that I agree and can't wait to experience again at the end of oct.
 
Thanks for the great trip report.

We just bought at the BCV in July and have to wait until next December for our first trip home. We are banking points to let the newborn grow a bit and to invite the grandparents along. I hope it all works out as planned. Your report, while increasing the anxiety, did reassure me that the wait will be worth it.

I have never been to the Epcot resort area and can't wait to experience all of that. There is a very narrow window for Disney to exceed my expectations (they are almost through the roof). I hope that our first trip proves to be as magical as yours.

:earsboy: M.E.
 
Great trip report, I felt like I was almost back at the wonderful BWVs!! I am leaving for the land of Mickey in just 4 days and I can't wait!! :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:
 
Thanks for the great report. Like, Granny, we like the quiteness of VWL. That is where we were on our first trip home. I'll probably try BWV one day, but don't think it will be for us. But as akghutton has said so wonderfully, DVC is full of flexibility and there is sure to something for everyone!!
 
DeeP,
Lucky YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you check on the Inn side and see if they still serve breakfast foods? I won't be going until November and I am just curious if this was discontinued.
Have a GREAT trip! Give us a report when you get back!
 
Great report - thanks. We got our first BW view at Easter after 4 years of ownership and was one of our favorite ways to end the day - as the kids slept. I loved the sunrise and joggers too. Each resort is special....thanks for all the memories of past trips and dreams of the future tripss.
 
It sounds like you had a great trip!!!! I agree with your comment about the flexibility of the DVC. That's one of the things DH and I love about it too. If you're in the mood for a "hustle/bustle" vacation, where you're in on all the action, you have the BWV and now the BCV. OKW is a little more laid back, and I find VWL laid back and serene as well. Don't completely discount the VWL...the beauty of it is that the feeling of being "off the beaten path" makes it a very restful resort. DH and I stayed there for a long weekend a few years back after a particularly difficult few months with some health issues, and it was the perfect antidote to relieve the stressful feeling that we had been under...you know, the "squirrel on a wheel" feeling, where you're just running and running and don't feel like you're getting anywhere. We were there for 4 days, and it was one of the nicest vacations of my life. For convenience though, you can't beat that BW location.

Don't you just LOVE the DVC??????????:D :D :D
 
This has to be the most eloquent trip report ever written! I hope all those on the board just "thinking" about DVC get a chance to read it!
 
Thanks for the wonderful report, it really summed up my feelings about Boardwalk as well. We were very lucky that on our first trip we had a Boardwalk view and it is magical. We head out soon to share a 2-bedroom with my in-laws and this time are going standard view, but still at that wonderful resort. Thanks for sharing with us. I think your post in one anyone considering DVC should read.
 
Thanks for a terrific trip report! My upcoming trip in Dec. will also be my first one to my home resort of BWV (bought over 2 yrs. ago). Your wonderful descriptions are helping me picture things and get even more excited!

I'm so glad you had a magical time, and that you were able to share it with your parents who needed it so much. Thanks for taking the time to write such a special report. :D
 
Great trip report. I thought I had it bad when I had to wait two years for my first trip home, but your wait was even longer. I am so glad you found it worth the wait. I am now making up for lost time, and will be going a total of five times in a thirteen month period. That's something we never could have done without DVC. You made me wish I was going home today.
 










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