The I Love BWV (yes, Hallways and Clown Pool too!) Thread

[jekjones1558]

Glad that all went well, HBC! Also glad to hear that parking issues are still being addressed.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Just returned from 5 nights at the BWV. Had our requested 1st floor quiet pool view room and everything was perfect.

Parking was great over the 4th. There was a lot of security making sure there were plenty of spaces for resort guests. Even the buses seemed better than usual (and we usually dislike the BWV transportation).

We would have had a room at 10 AM on check in day but waited until 3 PM to get our request. Great trip to our favorite resort!

HBC

Welcome back! Glad to hear everything went so well!!

 

[LSchrow]

How is parking during Food & Wine? I know even during summer nights we've had trouble getting parking in the BWV lot.

parking during busier times seems to be easier than the slow times lately
during our most recent 4/22-5/1 vaca (F&GF), we always found a spot within the first few spots in a row (most empty spots were in the rows nearest the driveway). the guard at the shack was insttructing anyone without a valid BWV/BWI id to either valet park (another guard was watching to ensure they went straight rather than turn right toward the guest lot), or making them turn around to go to the overflow lot.
there often wasn't a 2nd guard at the lot entrance, which is mostly manned during the F&WF (last oct there were tons of spots).
all in all, the parking sitution has vastly improved. the parking difficulty was the only thing that used to bother us about the BWVs; now we can honestly say that there isn't anything we don't love about the resort
just under 3 months to go!

 

[gojoe]

We returned to BW around 8 pm on 7/2. I dropped my daughter and grandchildren at the door. I drove up and down a few isles before finding a spot. Not too bad, I've seen worse during food & wine. We watched Illuminations from our villa, nice view. One of my granddaughters is afraid of the noise so she watched from the couch inside (she loved them).

Well back to my story. I had to return the rental car to Dolphin and headed out around 10 pm. The parking lot was half empty with more people heading to there cars. I'm sure they were not resort guest heading out for the night of guest just finishing diner.

We did hear the guards asked the people in the car in front of some question about there reason but did not hear the response. He saw our car pass and asked for an ID or room key. Told us to Welcome Home and Have a Good Evening. They are doing a better job but it still needs some improvement.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

In one week I will be making my 11 month reservations for the week of July 4th. It is the first time in the 12 years we've owned at the BWV's that I will be booking a "pool/garden" view instead of the usual standard or some times Boardwalk view at 11 months.

We had such a good time this year with our 1st floor quiet pool view over the 4th of July that we figured we would give it a try for next year and reserve at 11 months.

Not sure if I will be able to not select "standard" on the on line pull down menu but will give it a shot. At least we have our standard room for the F&W festival.

HBC

 

[Caren90]

In one week I will be making my 11 month reservations for the week of July 4th. It is the first time in the 12 years we've owned at the BWV's that I will be booking a "pool/garden" view instead of the usual standard or some times Boardwalk view at 11 months.

We had such a good time this year with our 1st floor quiet pool view over the 4th of July that we figured we would give it a try for next year and reserve at 11 months.

Not sure if I will be able to not select "standard" on the on line pull down menu but will give it a shot. At least we have our standard room for the F&W festival.

HBC

I have stayed in all the different views as well as all the different size rooms and have yet to be unhappy at BWV. It is where we own most of our points and I am not afraid to splurge with either the room view or room size. That is why I got the points and picked BWV as a home resort.

Heck if you run out of points, just purchase a few more!

Stephen

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

In one week I will be making my 11 month reservations for the week of July 4th. It is the first time in the 12 years we've owned at the BWV's that I will be booking a "pool/garden" view instead of the usual standard or some times Boardwalk view at 11 months.

We had such a good time this year with our 1st floor quiet pool view over the 4th of July that we figured we would give it a try for next year and reserve at 11 months.

Not sure if I will be able to not select "standard" on the on line pull down menu but will give it a shot. At least we have our standard room for the F&W festival.

HBC

We've had the garden/pool category the last few times, a consequence of not booking at the 11 month window (actually, within the 7 month window). Just glad to be at BWV!

Could you see the pool from your first floor room? We had a couple villas on the 4th floor last year, and the pool view was blocked by the tree tops. Enjoyed seeing the canal, Swan, and ToT though.

 

[bobbiwoz]

In one week I will be making my 11 month reservations for the week of July 4th. It is the first time in the 12 years we've owned at the BWV's that I will be booking a "pool/garden" view instead of the usual standard or some times Boardwalk view at 11 months.

We had such a good time this year with our 1st floor quiet pool view over the 4th of July that we figured we would give it a try for next year and reserve at 11 months.

Not sure if I will be able to not select "standard" on the on line pull down menu but will give it a shot. At least we have our standard room for the F&W festival.

HBC

I hope you get what you want!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Could you see the pool from your first floor room?

From our first floor room you could see the pool but the nicest part was sitting on our patio and being able to walk out to the pool from the room. It was about 95 degrees and 100% humidity. We spent a lot of time sipping cold wine, enjoying the view and relaxing. Nice thing about DVC is not having to rush around. "We shall return."

We did notice from some of the higher floors there were huge trees blocking the view.

HBC

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I hope you get what you want!

Thanks "bw." I'm sure we will since we got this last one less than 7 months out. It just kills me not stay in a standard or boardwalk room since we've always booked those at 11 months.

It amazed me that rooms were available up to about two months before July 4th for both standard and pool/garden. I kept being tempted to change to a standard and am glad we didn't.

HBC

 

[zeferjen]

Hi everyone. We will be staying at bwv for the first time this October. It will be a trip of first: first bwv stay, first mnsshp, first f&w. We have a boardwalk view studio reserved. Any. Feedback on the pool? The pictures I have seen are very neat, although the clown is creepy

Also any tips on room request?

Lastly, how long is the walk to beach club? We will probably use the kids club there one night, if we can get tickets to party for the senses.

Thanks!

 

[psac]

Hi everyone. We will be staying at bwv for the first time this October. It will be a trip of first: first bwv stay, first mnsshp, first f&w. We have a boardwalk view studio reserved. Any. Feedback on the pool? The pictures I have seen are very neat, although the clown is creepy

Also any tips on room request?

Lastly, how long is the walk to beach club? We will probably use the kids club there one night, if we can get tickets to party for the senses.

Thanks!

Unless you have Coulrophobia (fear of clowns ), the clown pool is fine. You get over the scariness of having him staring at you after not too long. Otherwise, it's a really nice pool area in general. People love the slide as well.

For room request, if you're at the very end of the hallway, the walk is LOOOOOONG (could be as much as 10 mins to get to the lobby), though the view might be a little better. But it might be good to ask for close to the elevator if the long walk would be a problem.

I would give yourself 10-15 minutes for the walk to the beach club, as the entrance is not right where it starts. It's closer to walk towards ESPN as opposed to past the Swan/Dolphin to get there, even if you're at the very end of BWV. If the timing is right and you see the boat coming from Epcot, the quickest is to hop on the boat right across the water, otherwise it's not worth waiting for the boat.

Enjoy!

 

[zeferjen]

Unless you have Coulrophobia (fear of clowns ), the clown pool is fine. You get over the scariness of having him staring at you after not too long. Otherwise, it's a really nice pool area in general. People love the slide as well.

For room request, if you're at the very end of the hallway, the walk is LOOOOOONG (could be as much as 10 mins to get to the lobby), though the view might be a little better. But it might be good to ask for close to the elevator if the long walk would be a problem.

I would give yourself 10-15 minutes for the walk to the beach club, as the entrance is not right where it starts. It's closer to walk towards ESPN as opposed to past the Swan/Dolphin to get there, even if you're at the very end of BWV. If the timing is right and you see the boat coming from Epcot, the quickest is to hop on the boat right across the water, otherwise it's not worth waiting for the boat.

Enjoy!

Thanks so much!

 

[JohnnyB2]

Hi IMO the BW view is the best. You have Cresant Lake, the YC & BC with some partial Epcot views as your scenery. Also the Boardwalk right below. Have a great trip and with the the BW view we once were at the end of the hall/ walk time maybe 5 to 6 min.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We will be staying at bwv for the first time this October.

One of the first things you should do is learn where the stairs are and use them if you are able. This isn't a BWV criticism. It is just a fact that once you figure out the stair locations, it makes getting around easier. For example there is a set of stairs right off the hallway where your room will be that will take you directly to the Boardwalk. Have fun.

HBC

 

[LSchrow]

One of the first things you should do is learn where the stairs are and use them if you are able. This isn't a BWV criticism. It is just a fact that once you figure out the stair locations, it makes getting around easier. For example there is a set of stairs right off the hallway where your room will be that will take you directly to the Boardwalk. Have fun.

HBC

absolutely agree with cat - we LOVE using the stairs, and there are quite a few of them throughout the resort. we have always found a stairwell within a few doors from our room, but especially enjoy wandering the halls and going down a random stairwell just to see where we will wind up. btw, going down the stairs is never a problem, but the uphill climb can be a bit exhausting if one's room is on the 4th or 5th floor (upper floors have better views so it is a bit of a tradeoff).

however, if you have a stroller, you'll most likely want to use the elevators excusively and request "near elevators".

the main pool has games and music going on most of the day, and there is a playground for little ones. the slide is really fun, and they have movies with a campfire at night. in addition, community hall by the "quiet pool" has crafts, video games, board games, bike rentals, etc. they also offer DVD rentals, free for DVC members. you will be given a sheet at check-in showing the dates and times of activities.

one thing: there is so much to see and do at the BW that many first-timers don't take the time to explore the resort. there are a lot of little nooks and crannies throughout, such as the tennis courts, cushioned wicker conversation areas in the hallways, quiet walkway to DHS, the nook below the back balcony (quiet and cool spot for reading or conversation), "penny viewers" in the walkways to BWI, etc. ask for a BW fact sheet at the FD, which outlines the history and architecture of the resort.
try to always give yourselves a few extra minutes to get anywhere, because with the BWVs, it shouldn't be all about where you are going from there. the journey is often the most memorable

 

[macleod1979]

Exploration is a good thing. It makes you never want to leave BMV.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Exploration is a good thing. It makes you never want to leave

Or at least makes you want to come back.

HBC

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Bump

 

[Disney52303]

We will be staying at BWV for a whirlwind weekend 11/30-12/2 and it will be our first stay there, following 2+ months on a wait list!

I have not made any type of requests, think I should? We are flying in late Friday (think we'll get to BW 8:30-9, we're renting a car). My only concern is we will end up getting whatever is left (standard view studio) since it'll be so late. We don't mind the long halls, don't mind stairs, etc etc. We're also planning on spending most time in the parks aside from an hour or two at the infamous clown pool Saturday afternoon. All these factors, think I'm fine with no special requests (normally we prefer upper floor, close to pool)????