Returned from BWV, an Observation.....

[DVCDAVE]

Just returned from BWV a few hours ago, from a 5 night stay over Thanksgiving. (Bumped in to 'Pluto for Pres' too !). They had a portable fence around Luna Park and checked everyones resort pass entering Luna Park. Needless to say there was no problem getting a lounge at the pool. I hope they continue this practice, and maybe even find a way of making that portable fence permantant and more appealing to look at. Our room was a studio standard view, #3085 and it was in fine condition. Gloria at the front desk greeted us with a healthy "Welcome Home !" and Dris, our favortite waiter at Spoodles, is always great to see and talk to. The weather was sunny and in the low 80's, couldn't be beat.

The parks were unbearably crowded in the afternoons, but the mornings were fine. Cutbacks are very noticable in transportation (we gave up on the buses our second day and drove), grounds keeping, and park cleanups. We couldn't help but notice lots of lightbulbs burned out at the BWV exterior, lots of downed dead leaves blowing around all the parks, along with trash (that would have been picked up in 5 minutes) now taking the entire day. We were on several rides that broke down, or weren't working properly. Namely Haunted house broke down twice on us during one ride, The bubble machine at Mumpetts wasn't working, Test Track seemed to break every day, Space mountain broke down on us, and we had to be removed, and just after we left Tower of Terror, they closed it becuse it broke too.

I also made a point to drive buy the new BCV's, and they seemed to be all but landscaped and interior finished. Eagle Pines does have an access road, but it is baracaded. I guess that means it is on hold or mothballed. Pop Century and Dixie Landings are deserted, (empty with lights out).

 

[Doctor P]

Thanks for your information. Hope transportation improves by the time we go next month.

 

[waltfan]

Are you sure Haunted Mansion broke down or did they stop it for a handicapped guest?

 

[DVCDAVE]

It stopped dead for more than 5 minutes each time, my son even joked 'thank god we aren't in It's a Small World' !! LOL !!!

 

[Ms. WDW]

DVCDAVE - thanks for your comments. It kinda helps us here, who can't go until later in the year, keep up with things.

One little comment; on our last trip to the World this July, we noticed the Haunted Mansion had lots of mechanical (???) problems. We not only broke down in the middle of the ride 3 times in one week, but it broke down while we were on line waiting. We had over a 10 minute wait and...they contined to let people in from the "waiting room". Talk about a crowded area!!

I'm hoping that all these little "bugs" are worked out by the summer months when the crowds (hopefully for WDW) will be rolling in.

 

[lampy]

Space mountain broke down on us, and we had to be removed

How terrible. Were you in the middle of the ride?

Thanks for the update.

 

[ahoff]

Space mountain was working great for Enight on Wed, but Test Track broke twice on Tuesday, once while in the FP wait line, didn't get back to ride until Thursday. Movie Ride broke right while we were at the end of it, sat there for 15 minutes or so. Spaceship Earth stopped while on it for about 5 minutes one day. I think it was Monday near park closing we were on Pirates and it stopped for about 10 minutes. Unfortunatly they didn't turn off the speaker over our boat that said "Dead men tell no tales"

 

[DVCDAVE]

LAMPY, yes, they turned the lights on and came around and helped everyone out. They said there was a computer glitch. It was kind of strange seeing this roller coaster inside a room, and it looks far less intimidating in the light.

AHOFF, you are right. I forgot to say that Spaceship Earth had also stopped two times during our trip through too. Both of those stops were less than 5 minutes, it could have been handicap stops, I don't know, so I will give them the benefit of the doubt.


Glad to Be of help,
--Dave

 

[JonHM]

Quick Question: When you said that Dixie Landings was deserted and empty, you meant Port Orleans Riverside, right? Isn't the Dixie Landings part of Port Orleans still open? Or am I just *totally* confused?

 

[Disney Doll]

Why do they have temporary fencing around Luna Park pool? Did they have a problem with guests from other resorts crashing??? Do you think they are going to do that with all the resort pools?If there's a thread on this somewhere, I apologize..I didn't see it.

 

[DVCDAVE]

JONHM, I just checked with my wife, the sign said Riverside. You are right, I stand corrected. To me the look is almost the same plus these name changes haven't helpped me either. the parking lot was empty, and the lights were all out as we drove by at night. Sorry for the mistake or confusion I may have caused.

 

[GoldenPrincess]

The temporary fence was most likely there because it was a busy time and pool hopping was suspended for DVC guests. This is just a guess, though.

 

[DVCDAVE]

I didn't ask a CM about it, but it must have worked. Even though the resort was busy, as the parks, we never had a problem getting a lounge chair at the pool. The portable (temporary) fence was made of white PCV pipe and blocked all the enterances to the pool except the main one nearest the arcade and locker rooms. At that enterance there was a guard or CM checking everyones pass.

This worked for me, I wouldn't mind this being standard procedure, just would like to see the fence a little bit more apealing to look at.

--Dave

 

[ahoff]

How long was the pool fenced off? We were at BW from Sat to Thurs, when we moved to WL. There was no fence until Thurs, when the kids went down to fill their mugs, and came back saying they needed their keys. No fence at WL, but pool was busy. The quiet pool was uncrowded. And did they extend the hours on the slide at all from Thursday on, or do they always close it at 7?

I saw Space Mountain once with the lights on while riding the wedway, it gave you a whole new perspective. I think I read somewhere that it is actually quite slow, around 20mph

 

[Pluto4President]

The fence was up from 11/21 (night) to 11/25 morning. As for the rides. The only problem we encountered was a break down at Test Trak. It was our car that got a flat! It was neat though, got to walk out the back way behind the scenes.

 

[DVCDAVE]

It was good to see you and run it to you PLUTO4 PRES !! Glad to have you back. My wife and I enjoyed talking to your father for a long time ! Hope you had a great holiday, as we did, we'll be down this March, and next Thanksgiving, we'll be staying at VWL.

 

[DaisyDebbie]

Just got back last night, no fence around the pool and only got asked for my room card once. I was in room 3018, what a hike from the elevator. First room we had was very close to elevator but the balcony was enclosed on the bottom and you couldn't see out unless you stood. My kids 8 & 5 were standing on chairs to look over, not a good idea, so I asked to be moved. They have one whole section of the resort closed for repairs, painting, etc. by the quiet pool. The room was nice, smaller than OKW and the pull out couch was not very comfortable. It was ok for my kids but I couldn't sleep on it, could feel the bars underneath.

I got a "Welcome Home" when I checked in. I think BWV has the prettiest Christmas decorations out of all the resorts I saw.