Things I learned while staying at BWV this week....

[rutgers1]

Just got back minutes ago. Here are a few random thoughts that were bouncing around my brain as we were in flight.....

1) We loved our room. It was room 3053 and it looked out into the courtyard area. Taking the elevator up by the gift shop put you in our hallway. It might not have been a true boardwalk view, but we definitely looked out over it and could see the water. But better than that was the HUGE balcony that I referred to in this thread. From what I could tell, all villas (we were in a studio) on the third floor in this area have the large balcony. A picture of it is

.

2) After falling in love with the pillows at BLT, I was assuming that BWV would have the same ones. I suspected that they don't since I don't recall LOVING them when we stayed there two years ago. Well, they weren't the same. And if they were, they were way, way worn in. The BLT pillows are more firm -- the absolute best pillow on Earth. I bought a set of pillows that another thread on this board said were the DVC pillows a few months ago, and they definitely weren't like the BLT ones. Rather, they were more like the BWV ones........If any of you are going to BLT soon, please check the tag and send me a private message with the info!!!!

3) Yes, the clown is a bit goofy (and fading), but I think the BWV main pool is the most fun at Disney. I just like the vibe of it. The staff is a lot of fun (great activities for the kids), the slide is great, and it always seems like everyone is having a lot of fun. It is always a great mix of relaxation and action. I haven't seen that mix anywhere else.

4) I can't begin to say how much I love the actual "location" of BWV. I think I like the location more than the resort itself. Our favorite resorts are Epcot and Hollywood Studios, and being a short walk from both is the best.....Along the same lines, we think that the Swan/Dolphin is the best deal in all of Disney. We stayed there last year because we were out of points, and the price cannot be beat given the incredible location (right next to BWV). If any of you are BWV/BCV fans and are out of points, I think you will be very happy with the Swan/Dolphin.

5) Why doesn't anyone mention that little walkway/outcropping near the base of the bridge (heading to the exit by BWV/BCV) as a great place to watch Illuminations? We were going to exit the park before Illuminations last night, but decided to stick around. I looked down toward the water and saw that little peninsula (cement walkways/stairs, with some plantings) and couldn't believe that there was so much open space. We took a spot right next to the railing (near the water) and had an incredible view of the show. A half hour earlier, I saw people lining up along the main pathway by the countries in areas where you couldn't sit do to waist-high hedges. Why would someone stand along that main path when they could SIT in the area I was referring to? As I was sitting there, I started googling "places to watch Illuminations" and didn't see any listings of this particular spot.

6) We love our Disney vacations. We love DVC. It has truly added so much to our family.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Sometimes that place to watch Illuminations from is catered. It's not always available. You were lucky! Once it was roped off for random people who had gotten passes from CMs during the day to go there. I wasn't one of the lucky ones.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

My son, 14 loves BWV, I prefer OKW so we alternate stays! Those few rooms with the bigger balconies are fantastic, maybe when we get away from booking 2brs we'll get there! Their's nothing better than sending your kids to the Boardwalk bakery to get fresh croissants in the morning. OKW needs a bakery!

P.S. That clown has always appeared faded even after the pool rehab!

 

[rutgers1]

We were having an argument regarding whether the clown's hair looks pink or orange.

 

[twinklebug]

the clown is a bit goofy (and fading), but I think the BWV main pool is the most fun at Disney. I just like the vibe of it. The staff is a lot of fun (great activities for the kids), the slide is great, and it always seems like everyone is having a lot of fun. It is always a great mix of relaxation and action. I haven't seen that mix anywhere else.

Oh how I wish that clown were "Goofy" (or even Dumbo) instead of what it is. Faded or not - I still don't like IT and tend to camp out near the bar so I can't see it head-on (Like I don't have another motive for being close to the bar )

I think the feel you'll get from the pools depends on who's life guarding for the day. Some lifeguards really play around with the kids, others just see it as a job and are counting the number of times they have to jump in to rescue kids off the end of the clown slide.

 

[disneynutz]

We were having an argument regarding whether the clown's hair looks pink or orange.

Orange when freshly painted, pink when faded.

Bill