Solo and in a one Bedroom!

[Figment2]

Last week my bank sent me down to Orlando for a pension conference (I know, can you believe it!). Although the conference was held at the Royal Pacific, I offered to foot the accommodations bill and use my DVC points (they would pay for my car rental). At first I reserved a studio and then decided I was going to be decadent and get a one bedroom. Room at OKW was ready at check in (I should add that it was 11:00pm) and it met my requests of no smoking and close to Hospitality House (or at least fairly close). As always it was in perfect condition. Had a slight view of a fairway but the view is never that important to me - I’m at WDW! Probably not the best use of points, but what the hey, they are mine.

I’ve driven around WDW a lot but I don’t think I have ever seen as much traffic on the road as on this trip. I felt like I was back home in Chicago rush hour (no matter what time of day or night). Driving at night was especially interesting. You know you’ve been to WDW too often when you can drive anywhere without looking at a map.

All the years I’ve been going down to Orlando and I had never been to CityWalk or Universal for that matter.. Spent two evenings there (ate at Margaritaville twice - not by my choice. It was okay but I wouldn’t make a special trip there. Margaritas were good but not as good as Lalos in downtown Chicago). I enjoyed the boat ride to City Walk but the parking lot is a bit far away for me (I tend to have knee problems).

Had three outstanding meals at Olivias (two breakfasts and a dinner). Parking at HH was scarce on Saturday (all day) and Sunday morning. Don’t flame me but since I knew I was only going to be there for a short time (meal) on Saturday and Sunday mornings, I parked across the street. Saturday afternoon, though, a friend and I were going to take the boat to DTD. We ended up driving back to the room and walking over to HH. The bus came before the boat so we rode that over to DTD. We did take the boat back though. First time and I would definitely do it again. Reason we took transportation is that my friend had just come from DTD and parking was at a premium. I found the same thing on Sunday morning when I drove over on my way to the airport. Since DTD didn’t seem that busy I wondered if a lot of people were parking there and taking Disney transportation.

One disturbing item (at least to me) - my home is Boardwalk and I stopped there to buy a small suitcase I had seen in the lobby store. When I walked through the lobby (it was about 3:00pm), there were people sleeping, and I do mean sleeping. They were scattered throughout the lobby; stretched out on all the couches and chairs. This is supposed to be a DeLuxe Hotel and it looked tacky. I realize their rooms were probably not ready but it just didn’t sit right with me. Do I have a solution, no. This is just my observation.

Overall, it was a great conference and a great trip. Got to see a lot of friends (even pin trading friends that I didn’t know were going to be there). Finally used the jacuzzi (it takes forever to fill it)! Next trips will be in October and December!

Cyn

 

[LIFERBABE]

Oh WOW!! That sounds great!!

Thanks for the trip report. I'll have to try a 1bdrm on a solo trip just so i can soak in the tub in peace!.

I'm country as Hee Haw! but we would never sleep in the lobby! I could see relaxing in the lobby with a book or mag but not stretched out sleep! LOL. You should have yelled GET A ROOM! at them! LOL (Im only kidding so no flames pleassse!)

They dont have any quiet lounges at BWV where people can wait?

 

[ColoradoBelle1]

Thanks for the fun post. HOw grand to be indulgent once in a while!!!!
I love the OKW 1 bedroom jacuzzi,but am too cheap to use up points for it unless there are 4 of us. I guess I have to start treating myself better!!!

Re lots of traffic: over the years I've been to Disney a lot and NEVER have noticed traffic except when the parks close or open.....am I just nonobservant or is this a new problem for Dis?


One thing about seeing people sleeping in the BWV lobby: I saw that at AKL too during the weekend of Dec 10-12. I overheard someone with an english accent begging (very sincerely and nicely I might add) the front desk to just give his family ANY room at all (even tho they had booked savannah) just so they could get some sleep. I'm assuming the English accent meant a long overseas flight..it was 2pm and they were just exhausted. The front desk personelle were completely (and in my opinion rudely) unsympathetic....no, we can't do that NO rooms are available yet. So a bunch of people were sprawled all over that rather formal lobby with food and luggage...it was tacky looking. This is a room management problem and something needs to be done...hey maybe they could use that holding pen that was my ugly view from my savannah room and put all those 'Get a room people' in it!!!!! Don't flame me!!!!! Just kidding!!!!
Here's some options (when the weather is warmer than it was) The front desk apologizes for no rooms being available and gives those people who are too exhausted to run off to the parks like I do (I hate waiting) a buzzpass (like the thingie that restaurants give out?????) and tell them to use the changing room to change into a swimsuit so they can catch some zzzzs and a relazing jacuzzi. OR, they point out that people can store luggage with the bellman and then direct them to one of the porch type or club type lobbys off the central lobby...or to the restaurant for a quick bite and so on.

When guests are SOOOO tired and maybe it is their first time...they need to be given options for their waiting. THis is something that the front desk didn't do at AKL the two times I was waiting in line...They werent' WELCOMING in my opinion.

Im not sure if BWV has other quiet spaces off the main one to 'sort' people too, but it is really up to a 5 start hotel to figure out something if they can't get rooms ready in time. I felt that the front desk people at AKL were way too inexperienced for what they were doing....they were kinda zombie like and I had never expereienced that at a Disney resort check in before. Maybe it was the day, maybe it was the weather or the high occupancy...but it left me feeling bad about the experience and I really felt bad for the English family...if I had a room I would have left them use it!

Colorado Belle

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

What a good post! Thanks for sharing!!

Allison

 

[flexsmom]

On the subject of people sleeping in the lobby - I've seen people on these boards critical of people who arrive long before check-in...."they should know check-in isn't until 4pm"...."they should arrange their travel plans accordingly", etc.

However, Disney sets this problem up often - take the land/sea package with DCL, for instance, or any instance in which guests follow a DCL cruise with a stay at DVC if they are members. For the land/sea package, guests may do WDW before, or after, the cruise. If they elect to do it after, they're going to land square in the lobby of whatever resort they elect at around 11am and possibly end up hanging out waiting.

We were in this situation in December, going to BCV for the first time. I know a lot of people like dropping luggage and heading straight for the parks, but after a 7-night cruise and with two small children, we were ready for a break. We weren't irritated that our room wasn't ready until 2pm as we knew that check-in was at 4pm, but if that meant that we had to loiter in the lobby for hours (having lunch at B&C, and exploring the property as much as we could to keep everyone content), then that's to be expected - by us, and by anyone who might observe! DS2 needs to take a nap somewhere!

I really feel for the people who take red-eyes into Orlando or international flights that arrive first thing in the morning. Please don't be too judmental when you see the "homeless" laying around the lobby......(since they are at "home", after all, without a "home assignment" quite yet!)

 

[PamOKW]

). One disturbing item (at least to me) - my home is Boardwalk and I stopped there to buy a small suitcase I had seen in the lobby store. When I walked through the lobby (it was about 3:00pm), there were people sleeping, and I do mean sleeping. They were scattered throughout the lobby; stretched out on all the couches and chairs. This is supposed to be a DeLuxe Hotel and it looked tacky. I realize their rooms were probably not ready but it just didn’t sit right with me. Do I have a solution, no. This is just my observation.
Cyn

Thanks for the great trip report and I don't blame you for the one-bedroom splurge! Did you get the feeling you "lived" at WDW?

As to people sleeping -- that's something I've seen more and more at the GF. Many times I think it's just folks who are "resting" rather than anyone waiting for a room. They aren't even necessarily staying at WDW. I agree that it really takes away from the feel of the lobbies.