Split stay within BVC - am I being a brat?

[nigel-bigel]

I am planning a girl's weekend for January. I am not a DVC member, my friend is. She generously is using her points for our trip. She is fine with using her points, but I feel a little uncomfortable making suggestions to change things, as we are essentially playing with her money. We have been friends for 30 years, so I'm very comfortable saying anything to her.

Here is our situation. We wanted to stay at the BLT, but it is booked. She booked us at BWV. We wanted a 1-bed BW view, but only could get that for two of our three nights, so the first night she booked at BWV studio, and we will switch on our second day.

I hate to sound like a diva, but I don't want to move in the middle of our trip. How much of a pain is it? We will have minimal groceries, it'll just be our baggage. However, we'll be moving in the middle of our "perfect day" - Magic Kingdom, massages at GF, then afternoon tea at GF, back to MK, dinner at the California Grill. Who wants to be lugging baggage around in the middle of all of that?

So my questions...

Is it a big pain to change rooms at the BWV?

Should I suggest checking availability at the Beach Club?

Is it a hassle for her to make changes through DVC?

I know I am sounding spoiled, seeing as how I am staying at WDW as someone else's guest. However when we started planning this whole thing we were going to book a hotel room and each pay with money, which I AM STILL HAPPY TO DO. In the end, I just want this trip to be hassle-free.

Any advice?

Nicole aka Nigel

 

[GoofItUp]

I don't think it's really a big deal to move within the same resort. Have bell services pick up your bags before you leave that morning and store them for you. Ask them to be delivered to your new room when it's available. (I'm not sure if they'll deliver them while you are out or not -- you may have to call when you get back that night.) No lugging bags around or anything.

On the flip side, if you want to ask your friend what she thinks about other options - checking on BCV or waitlisting that first night in the hopes that you could get the 1-bdrm for the full time - that's very do-able, too. Just make sure she knows that you're appreciative of her using her points and will be ok with it however it works out.

 

[quirty30]

I don't think you're a brat. I enjoyed a recent split stay over 8 nights, however, for 3 nights, I, too, would feel like moving would be a bit of a hassle. I would have a talk with your friend and toss around ideas so you can enjoy your 3 nights in the same room.

 

[Nicoal13]

It's not a big deal to move within the same resort. You could ask her to check other availability, but I would just go along with what she has planned. She may feel you're being ungrateful if you ask her to switch. You'll have a lot of fun no matter what!

Is she on the waitlist for the 1 bedroom BW view for the first night? She can waitlist that night, you probably have a good shot at that coming through.

Jealous of the spa day at GF. Enjoy!

 

[n2mm]

OP, I'm with you, I do not like moving mid-trip (or any time during my trip). Why not talk about it again and tell her how you feel. You need to do it ASAP while you still have options. Why not look into staying at BWV at any view instead of a hard to get view like boardwalk. I'm sure there is plenty of availability in the preferred section of BWV.

 

[nigel-bigel]

Thank you everyone for getting back to me.

Perhaps she - and I - are confused about preferred rooms at BWV. I think she assumed that BW-view rooms are preferred. I think our preference is more for a better over-all room location than a good view. Are "preferred" rooms a different category than waterview rooms?

Do any of you prefer the BCVs over the BWVs? The pool is not a priority.

Nicole aka nigel

 

[adminjedi]

Thank you everyone for getting back to me.

Perhaps she - and I - are confused about preferred rooms at BWV. I think she assumed that BW-view rooms are preferred. I think our preference is more for a better over-all room location than a good view. Are "preferred" rooms a different category than waterview rooms?

Do any of you prefer the BCVs over the BWVs? The pool is not a priority.
Nicole aka nigel

If pool isn't a priority, IMO they are the same experience. Location is the issue and they both have it!

BWV rooms / points are by view. I would tactfully let her know that the view is not an issue to you if there is availability without a move. However, understand the view may be important to her! Either way, enjoy your stay!

 

[NewDCLGuy]

Yeah you are being a bit of a diva. But that's OK. I assume you'll be picking up a dinner check or two. So you are allowed Many of us specifically bought in to be able to vacation with friends and family.

BCV is tougher to book than BWV, so she can check, but it's very unlikely to find anything.

Moving usually isn't a big deal at all. Unless you need the room in the middle of the day, it's zero issue. You drop your bags off at bell services in the morning (or call for a ballman to come get them). You go have your "perfect day." You come back to the BW, check into the new room, then have the bellman bring up the bags.

 

[quirty30]

Yeah you are being a bit of a diva. But that's OK. I assume you'll be picking up a dinner check or two. So you are allowed Many of us specifically bought in to be able to vacation with friends and family.

BCV is tougher to book than BWV, so she can check, but it's very unlikely to find anything.

Moving usually isn't a big deal at all. Unless you need the room in the middle of the day, it's zero issue. You drop your bags off at bell services in the morning (or call for a ballman to come get them). You go have your "perfect day." You come back to the BW, check into the new room, then have the bellman bring up the bags.

I don't see where moving is ever a "zero issue." You still have to pack everything up and check out...I don't see how that isn't an inconvenience.

 

[Sandisw]

Thank you everyone for getting back to me.

Perhaps she - and I - are confused about preferred rooms at BWV. I think she assumed that BW-view rooms are preferred. I think our preference is more for a better over-all room location than a good view. Are "preferred" rooms a different category than waterview rooms?

Do any of you prefer the BCVs over the BWVs? The pool is not a priority.

Nicole aka nigel

A BW view room is a preferred rom but it is also its own booking category.

If you really have a BW view room, your reservation will say that you have a BW view. If it says "garden/preferred", then you have something different.

BW view and preferred/garden views cost the same number of points but they are different rooms.

We have stayed ato both BWV and BCV. I liked BCV better because it was closer to Epcot and it was easier to get coffee in the morning without having to go completely outside. At BCV, you do walk from the villas to the Marketplace outside, but is cmompletely covered. At BWV, you have to go to the Boardwalk Bakery. It was quite a hike and getting my morning coffee is important.

I think I might just let your friend know that you prefer not to split, even if it means changing resorts.

Good luck!

 

[a742246]

If you want to change your reservations and don't want to hassle your friend, I would just bring a bottle of wine over to her and explain your situation. I am sure she would be more than willing if you set the mood right.

 

[bookwormde]

Have you checked the disney websight to see if CRO has a room for that night? If so you could always offer to pay for that night and do the rest on points. There is a slight chance you might have to move anyway but it is quite rare.

bookwormde

 

[TreesyB]

One year I waitlisted for a BWV boardwalk view and it didn't come through until 7 days before checkin. So, I wouldn't despair it could happen.

 

[DenLo]

You could offer to pay for the first night with a cash reservation, however, the Boardwalk Views are all assigned to DVC members staying on points (same for the standard views). So that means your friend would have to move her reservation from a BW view to a preferred view if you could get a cash reservation for a 1 BR. A preferred view (the category's latest official name), is sometimes referred to as a garden or pool view here on the DISboards. It's basically all the other rooms that have a view and are not Boardwalk views.

As others have posted, moving luggage won't be a problem as before you leave for MK in the morning either take your luggage to Bell Services or have them come and get them. They will hold them until you come back and check into the new 1BR.

If you really feel that moving will ruin your special day, tell your friend, but keep in mind, she's thinking she's saving you both a lot of money by using her DVC points. So she might agree that you are being a bit of a Diva. There's always the chance that if your friend has a WL that it will come through for the first night. Based on your schedule on that move day, it doesn't sound like you'll have time to return to your room, until you change for dinner any way.

If the cost of paying for a 1BR is bit pricey, then I would suggest that you might want to try it and see if the change is worth it. You might really like the BW view.

 

[TisBit]

As for BWV vs BCV, is the pool is not an issue, I would definitely stay at BWV even with the move BCV is close to the boardwalk, but it is not at the boardwalk, so there is something be said about staying right there with all the restaurants and clubs, etc at your disposal. Figure about 10-12 minute walk from your rooms at BCV over to the boardwalk area....

 

[nigel-bigel]

Wow! Thanks again to everyone for your guidance.

Here is the situation on my friend and I: We have been good friends for thirty years. We have never lived in the same state, and this is the first time we will seen each other in nine years. I am now in the midwest and she is in New England. So, unfortunately, I can't take a bottle of wine over to her house and discuss this!

We travelled together regularly in our teens and twenties, so she knows how picky I can be. I'm not saying that makes it okay to be picky (I'm actually much better than I used to be), just that she knows who she is dealing with.

So it seems the general consensus is this...

1. Determine if a water view is important to my friend. If so, wait-list the 1-bedroom for the first night.

2. If water-view isn't an issue, try to book a preferred room OR a room at the Beach Club.

3. If neither option works, just change rooms on the second day as planned. While an inconvenience, it is not the hassle it sounds like.

QUESTION - If not all preferred rooms are water-view, what makes a room preferred? Location?

BTW, I've been thinking about what to do for my hostess to show her my appreciation. I was thinking about buying her park tickets (she does not have an AP).

Thanks again, I appreciate all of your advice!

Nicole

 

[NewDCLGuy]

To clarify... there are three view types at BWV

The toughest to get are standard view. They generally face the parking lot. But are popular since they are cheaper. Don't worry about them, as they are almost certainly booked.

The next toughest to get is Preferred-Boardwalk view. Rooms face crescent lake, the Beach Club on the other side, and Epcot beyond.

The easiest to get is Preferred-Water/Garden. These include a hodgepodge of views. There's a canal, pools and greenery. Rooms cost the same number of points as Preferred-Boardwalk.

Just to confuse matters, the Preferred-Boardwalk view category is often shortened to just "Boardwalk" and Preferred-Water/Garden is often shortened to just "Preferred."

You aren't thinking of giving up a "water view," but Boardwalk view.

 

[crisi]

And a lot of people think those Boardwalk Views are really something special. For many people, they are worth switching mid trip. We switch mid trip and don't mind it at all. I suspect your friend wants to wow you with the view, but can only get it for a night. Rather than whining about the switch, I'd live with the switch (its pretty easy) and make sure to make a lot of appreciative comments about the view.

Its hard to get a Boardwalk View, and you should be able to sit out on the balcony and watch fireworks.

Also, a few of the "preferred view" rooms have AWFUL views - including looking into other people's rooms.

 

[Sammie]

I would not want to move.
For one thing you have a busy day planned that day. Your room most likely will not be ready until after 4pm possibly later. If later is that going to impact your dinner reservations of having no room.

 

[Cajun28]

Nigel-bigel,

At the risk of offending you (I hope I don't since you asked for opinions) I thought I'd give a view from the other side of the coin (your friend's). Last year we met some friends over the Thanksgiving holidays at the BWV and we paid for their room with our points. We have been extremely good friends with this couple for about 20 years and no longer live in the same state, so we try to get together whenever we can. Now my point, if my friends had called me and asked to change the reservations because what I booked wasn't "good enough" for them, I probably would have found them to be, quite frankly, a tad bit ungrateful.

That being said, I don't know you, your friend or your relationship so I don't know how your friend would react, but I thought I would give you a differing viewpoint. Myself, if my friends would have booked and paid for the rooms, I would have just gone along with their plans and not let a change in rooms ruin the trip.

Also, your thought of paying for your friend's ticket is very generous. Our friends bought us a very nice anniversary present as a thank you for the room, even though nothing was asked for or expected.

Good luck and have a great reunion trip