Thoughts from 1st DVC Trip!

[Candlelady]

Arrived home yesterday from 2 nights @ BC and 6 nights in a 1 bdrm at BCV. The accomodations exceeded my expectations. We had a fantasmic vacation!!!

Checked in approximately 7:30 a.m. and the room was ready. Had requested smoking, full balcony, pool view, in that order. I had asked at check-in for a room fairly close to the elevator because one of my daughters has a TBI and gets confused and lost easily. CM allowed me to choose the villa from the room map. As we started for our villa, I went back and asked to make sure it was a smoking room. I was told that it wasn't and given two ashtrays! Told the CM I didn't want to smoke in a non-smoking and would wait till one opened up later in the afternoon. Was told there would not be a smoking room available for two days so don't worry about it. We apparently were not the only smokers to get a non-smoking as I noticed there were smokers next to us and I know they were non-smoking rooms. Room # was 408. I suggest if you have reactions or severe allergies to double check with the CM that the room has been properly cleared of smoke. This appeared to be common practice by the way the CM spoke.

The balcony in 408 runs the width of the 1 bdrm villa with 4 chairs and 2 little tables. You can also see the MK fireworks in the evening. Nice view of the pool and canal but you can also see the parking lot from the 4th floor. Funny thing is you don't really notice the parking lot.

The villa was spotless and we were thoroughly pleased with the entire set-up. A little confusing at first with the bathroom doors but after the first day we were accustomed to it. We had to have the coffee maker replaced as it did not work and they replaced it within 10 minutes. I asked for the extra towel package and was told to just ask housekeeping. I checked our bill and there were no charges for the extra towels.

The shower had plenty of hot water and I nearly scalded myself it was so hot! The water pressure wasn't as high as the BC, but was high enough to do the job.

We brought grocery items from home and also made a grocery stop. Most of it I left for Mousekeeping. We ate one breakfast in the room, the rest of the time we ate out. I now have a better idea of what food items to bring next time.

This is without a doubt the best vacation investment we could have possibly made. I had a few regrets right after we bought, but after staying in the 1 bdrm, it was the best decision we could have made.

I had never stayed in the Epcot area and now I don't want to stay anywhere but the Epcot area. It was wonderful to just walk to Epcot and MGM in a few minutes.

Asked about adding on a few more points and was told BCV was 2/3 sold. Also told that prices will soon be going up again! I inquired what would happen when Eagle Pines opened and was told that there would be a different ending date and existing members would probably be given a chance to extend their memberships. Said that EP would be at least $100 p/point.

I'll be glad to answer any questions that I can. And thanks to everyone for all the info provided before we left.

Candlelady

ps: I finally met dis'er on our last morning. She had noticed my lime green ribbon and asked. I had looked the entire trip and did not see one person with lime green.

 

[PamOKW]

Thanks for the nice write-up and the info on future DVC plans. I'm glad your first trip "home" was magical and the first of many more to come!

 

[LUVMICKEY]

So glad to here your first trip home was wonderful. We're still waiting till our first trip home, which won't be until June. We are staying in a Two bedroom villa. We can't wait.

Michele

 

[cgcw]

It sounds like you had a wonderful trip. DVC has exceeded our expectations also. Thanks for sharing.

 

[SimbaNoodle]

Glad you enjoyed your first trip home. We love DVC.

 

[BeckyV]

In reference to the smoking in the nonsmoking room I stay at other timeshares and most do not have smoking vs nonsmoking rooms. I do have severe allergies to the smoke even second hand. Either I have been lucky or the rooms are aired properly. Only one time did I have a problem and that was with Cypress Pointe at Lake Buena Vista and that room was listed as nonsmoking. The scent was never removed from the Master bedroom, and I was so glad to move to OKW after two nights.

 

[Terry S]

Good to hear you had such a good time! DVC and BCV has also exceeded our expecations and I can't wait to go back.

I hope your information about allowing existing members to extend thier membership is true. I would love to give my childern and their childern the gift of Disney/DVC vacation memories.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by Candlelady
CM allowed me to choose the villa from the room map. As we started for our villa, I went back and asked to make sure it was a smoking room. I was told that it wasn't and given two ashtrays! Told the CM I didn't want to smoke in a non-smoking and would wait till one opened up later in the afternoon. Was told there would not be a smoking room available for two days so don't worry about it. We apparently were not the only smokers to get a non-smoking as I noticed there were smokers next to us and I know they were non-smoking rooms. Room # was 408. I suggest if you have reactions or severe allergies to double check with the CM that the room has been properly cleared of smoke. This appeared to be common practice by the way the CM spoke.

This post above is why hopefully in the near future, all DVC resorts will go to "non-smoking"

Then there will be no question of what is allowed or not.

P.S.Glad you enjoyed yur 1st trip.

 

[Barringer75]

Glad your trip exceeded your expectations! We will be going on our first trip home too in June to BCV. Can't Wait!! So, what food WOULD you recommend for next time?

 

[Candlelady]

Thanks, we do plan on having many more magical vacations. I've already got my mickey gear packed for our October trip! It was so difficult to leave the magic and return to the real world. We consider ourselves extremely lucky to be able to return.

BeckyV,
I was extremely disappointed they seem to routinely allow smoking in a non-smoking unit. I am a considerate smoker. I know how much smoking bothers some and makes others seriously ill. If I was a non-smoker I would not be a happy camper to find my non-smoking unit had been smoked in. On the other hand, I was not a happy camper as a smoker to be given a non-smoking villa. I smoked mostly on the balcony. When smoking in the villa, I had both ceiling fans and bathroom fans going full and both sliding doors open. Hopefully, when we return in October, I will be smoke free. (hey, I'm trying).

I did NOT post about the smoking to start a debate. I posted because I feel that non-smokers have a right to know that Disney SEEMS to routinely allow smoking in the non-smoking units.

 

[Candlelady]

Barringer75,
I guess it really depends on your family. We had hot dogs, condiments, bread, english muffins, coffee, milk, jello, grapes, two bags salad, two bags of veggies(mixed carrots, broccoli and cauliflower) bag a carrots, dip for veggies, two cases water, eggs, bacon, butter, dry soup mix, 1lb hamburg, ziti and sauce, two boxes of cereal and a little bit of lunchmeat and some cheddar and wine.

What we actually ate were two hotdogs, 1 box cereal, grapes which we brought to the parks, jello which I made as soon as we arrived, the veggies and dip and half the english muffins. Of course we finished off the wine and cheese with some fresh bread from the BW bakery.

I brought home the ziti and sauce, one box of cereal, soup and the condiments. I left the eggs, butter, rest of the water, bread and the two bags of unopened salad, bacon and frozen hamburg for the mousekeepers to either throw out or keep.

I really thought we would eat a few meals in the room, but we didn't. Next time I will bring some frozen food that we can boil in bag or nuke. (I have a foodsaver that I love and it really does work) I found I definitely did not want to actually cook anything. We will bring more veggies and dip, cheese and wine and chips and salsa. If we had small children, I'm sure we would have used that cute stove decoration more.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Candlelady
...(snip)... Hopefully, when we return in October, I will be smoke free. (hey, I'm trying). ......

Just wanted to wish you good luck. You can do it!!


P.S. Thanks for posting your report. Nice to hear you had such a good time.

 

[Candlelady]

CarolMN,
Thanks for the encouragement. Lord knows I need it. I'm trying to work on the stress factor first. Hoping if I can de-stress, it will help with quitting.

The only disappointment I had (and to me, this was a huge disappointment) the fountain between FW and WS was closed for repairs the entire 8 days. I adore this fountain especially in the evening. If you ever see a foolish woman standing there with happy tears streaming down her cheeks, that is me. There is something magical about that fountain for me. Of course DH says I cry at everything in Disney.

 

[CarolMN]

My DH & I love that fountain, too. We make a point to watch the synchronized shows every time we are in EPCOT. Thanks goodness you are a DVC member so you know you will see it again soon.

 

[Terry S]

That fountain is also very special to me as well. Here is my story: I had been to WDW several times and asked my parents to go with us on several occasions, she always told me she couldn't afford to go. Well, finally after some arm twisting they agreed to go, the first night we got there, everything was closed with the exception of Epcot so we went there, we walked in and went straight to that fountain, my mom stood there and cried and said to me "I never thought I would make it here" (it had been a life long dream to go to WDW). Of course, I started crying too and now I cry every time I see it!

 

[BeckyV]

I just posted to let others know about my experiences with units at other timeshares which do not distinguish between smoking and nonsmoking units. We have stayed in many of these. I hope you did not take offense about what I said. I just cannot understand how the other ts do not distinguish between smoking and nonsmoking, and I have never had any problems. Never even smelled smoke. Good housecleaning maybe? I have been put in two smoking optional rooms at BWVs and did not have any problems either. This was right after the rooms were refurbished.

 

[Candlelady]

BeckyV,
No, I did not take offense at all. Actually, I'm pleasantly surprised this did not turn into another ugly smoking debate. I hesitated posting about the subject but I felt that people had a right to know that Disney OK's smoking in a non-smoking villa if there are no smoking rooms available. I do hope they note it on their computers so they can 'clean' accordingly for the next occupant. One thing I did not think of was to leave a note for the mousekeeper so she would know.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by Candlelady
Actually, I'm pleasantly surprised this did not turn into another ugly smoking debate. I hesitated posting about the subject but I felt that people had a right to know that Disney OK's smoking in a non-smoking villa if there are no smoking rooms available.

Candlelady,
Thanks for letting us know.We apprciate it so we can be prepared and let the CM's and DVC know our feelings about it. "Good luck" in kicking the habit.

 

[fkj2]

Another word to encourage you in your battle to overcome smoking! I have never tried it but the nicotine is highly addictive and our society has historically glamorized the habit. Based on the behavior of some of the ex-smokers I know, it will be difficult but hopefully, your family/friends give you all of their support.

You guys are bringing tears to me this AM with your memories of the fountains and parents. Wish mine could go; I'm have them on the next plane in a heartbeat. My dad was always drawn to the horses pulling the trolley on Main Street. He raised draft horses away from his regular work. My mom and I always loved to sit and rest on one of the theme park benches and just watch people go by. Oh, and the boat ride in The Land; couldn't miss that! In all the rush of going to a place like WDW, there really are sooooo many unending memories made.

 

[margaretCT]

Candlelady,

You had a neighbor from Vernon, CT, right across the way at BWV. DH and I were the ones with our faces lifted to the sun!

Margaret in CT.

PS Don't you love coming home to snow, sleet, and freezing rain!