Thanks Dis Ohana. It has been a tough summer but our disney trip was wonderful.
Our DS slept on the sofa bed and he said it was fine. He is not picky though as he has sailed with the tall ships for weeks in a little bunk and hiked in Europe with friends. Don't get me wrong-- he knows and likes the good stuff when traveling with us
--but he is not picky. I do not know if two people could use it---depends on age and size. The roll away was actually nice and good sized. It was not a fold up deal but a twin bed on wheels that we just left set up all week.
I was a little disappointed at first about the balcony but it was so hot and we were out so much that I did not miss it. We drank our coffee upstairs in our bedroom as we talked and got ready and let the kids sleep in for another 30 minutes or so. We could have a light on etc and basically not bug the kids downstairs. I am sure little kids would wake up--but my older kids just slept!
I would not stay with little kids in this type of room--too far away, they would be by the door etc. The balcony rooms have their own entrance and look across the quiet pool area. The balcony is a little recessed,only on the second floor so it is not like looking over the boardwalk or a water feature happenings. It is very quiet back in the suite area.
For us, the lounge was not too far away because we just went out our gate, through a door (with your key to open) and up a couple of flights of stairs to the hallway where the lounge was located. We didn't mind but with little kids--no! DH ran each day at about 6:45 to get coffee and then we always hit the lounge for breakfast. We planned ahead so we didn't go back to the room after breakfast as we headed right out to the parks to save a trip. The kids were able to run anytime for drinks,snacks etc. We would stop back after being out all day for a cold drink. Sometimes the guys would grab wine/beer with some appetizers to bring back to the room for when the gals were still getting ready for the evening adventure. That was a bit tricky but doable. DH thought he wouldn't have done it without DS to help.
The lounge itself could be crowded at times. We always found a couple of chairs and moved a couple together if we had to. Most of the people were polite, friendly etc--no poor behavior as someone else had previously posted. Although, one evening, a group of adults were sitting at a sofa area with bathing suit attire and they had drapped wet towels on the backs of their chairs. I know the towel was wet because I brush against it going by to get a glass of wine--yuck! The staff was great --always talking to us, clearing dishes, getting more food/drinks ready. Overall it was a friendly,comfortable place to be. It was a lot quieter than the beach club.
The food at the lounge was fine. Breakfast was fruit,cereal,bagels, danish,yogurt--plentiful and delicious. The evening appetizers were very good--food from Flying Fish, Spoddles and ESPN. We didn't always make it for this but what we had was good.Cheeses, crackers, dips,hummus, veggies along with hot stuff. The hot stuff--corn chowder,mini burgers,chicken fingers, lamb kabobs, muscles, hot wings,--was yummy. Plentiful and presented very nicely. We had the meal plan too and it was too much food ! And let me tell you putting on my school clothes this week proved that!
We did not eat at the BW restaurants this time. We loved the Flying Fish during our last trip and wished we had made a reservation for this time. It looks beautiful.
Overall, we are glad we stayed in the Garden suite ( DH especially! ) because it met our needs. However, the kids said they liked the BC better for the pool and the overall design. I did not like the pool area at the BWI. I think the BWI was quieter than the BC in general. The BWI felt more spread out because the lobby was on the second floor and we used different doors to travel about.
Hope this answers some of your questions. Feel free to ask more!!
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. Thanks again for checking in.
