Trip comments: BWV Feb. 5 - 12

[jekjones1558]

A few comments regarding our recent BWV trip:
• I used to dread getting a HA room. Now we need one and are most grateful that they are available. We don't need most of the accommodations but the higher toilet with grab bars is fantastic for DH. Also the stackable washer/dryer has an HE front loading washer, unlike the "regular" rooms that have a noisy top-loading agitator. So many things in life are relative...
• There were lots of empty spots in the valet lot of BWV. I wonder when some of those spaces will be recouped for self-parking.
• Cold weather really makes WDW far less enjoyable for us. I especially like the evening events and we enjoy sitting by the pool and reading in the daytime. These things just are not as fun when it is so cold. While I am willing to risk the cold weather in early December in order to see Osborne Lights, Candlelight Processional, etc., we will think long and hard about booking a WDW trip in January, February or early March in the future. Because we also dislike really hot weather, our options are becoming late March, April, May, Oct., early Nov.
• Shula's has outstanding service, wonderful hash brown pancake, decadent lava cake. The steak was very, very good but probably not the best I've ever eaten. The 20% TIW discount was great.
• We did one night at AKV concierge so that we could do Sunrise Safari. We were lucky to get the animal curator as our guide and he was amazing. We got great photos and video but we FROZE. We were very satisfied with the concierge food offerings. The view from our room was fine (surprised to see animals rather than roof) and we especially enjoyed the giraffes. The room decor was beautiful but I would not want to stay in such a dark room for too long.
• We visited Kidani and can see why many folks love it. If we stay it will probably not be our first choice because it feels isolated. We enjoy "middle of the action" at BWV but I can certainly understand why those who like tranquility would love the beautiful Kidani.
• Owner's Locker is just the best. Traveling with only carry-ons is a dream. Unpacking when we get home is a snap.
• We love having Sweet Tomatoes at Crossroads!
• We didn't do Cirque this trip (I saw it in December) but am looking forward to seeing it again now that the new juggling act has been added.
• The 20% AP discount sure made me buy more than I have in quite a while. I suspect that I am not the only one, so I am not surprised that Disney has extended the expiration of this discount.
• We spent 2 long nights of our vacation trying to see the last night shuttle launch. Because we were on a tour, it turned out to be expensive and the weather meant that we froze. But I would do it again in a heartbeat. Talk about shock and awe!

 

[Disney Princess]

I am so happy that you had a nice trip. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and comments with us. We were there the first week of January, and we thought our cold week was a fluke - I guess it has lasted a lot longer. I am still happy to hear that you had fun!

 

[justloveit]

I agree about missing the nighttime shows because of the cold. We visited in January with recordbreaking cold temps, and spent evenings in the room. It has just been a very cold and unusual winter and I can't wait for spring!! The good part is because of DVC, we know we can see it all on the next trip in April!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm heading down this coming weekend, and already I think it will be long long time before I schedule a vacation for January or February. However this is as much to visit with my relatives as it is for me to see WDW. It was freezing in January, and the forecast for this weekend isn't much better. This winter is causing us to think we may need more than just a 6 week Orlando/Florida respite when we finally do retire.

I'm so glad you and your DH got to see and enjoyed the Shuttle launch. We were at the BWV one November, and saw the arc in the sky from a shuttle launch. However, the rains came just as it became visible, so it was a very brief view, but it was a thrill. Your pictures and the link to the video were awesome to see.

The AP passholder discount will be used to buy some extra gifts for DGC and I'm going to take a look at the handbags!

F&G, early May is my preferred time weather wise to visit WDW. Hopefully, we can meet there someday!

Bobbi

 

[Debi]

Welcome home! Glad to hear you had a good trip, despite the cold weather.

How long has the AP discount been extended for? I got that 20% discount in December and loved it!!

 

[jekjones1558]

Welcome home! Glad to hear you had a good trip, despite the cold weather.

How long has the AP discount been extended for? I got that 20% discount in December and loved it!!

The end date is a moving target but, as of now, it is through at least Mar. 1. Unlike when I was there in Dec., you don't need a coupon and it is good on almost everything and at almost all stores.

 

[Liljam]

I agree about the cold weather as well. We missed out on every show this time around because I couldn't imagine taking my two year old out at 9pm to view the shows in that bitter air - even with the winter coats and hats and mittens we had with us. February or the other winter months aren't for us either. Glad we tried it out and we had lots of fun moments as well, and owning DVC made me feel less guilty about being so lax. Glad you had a nice time.

 

[lisareniff]

Thanks for all your insights.

We are currently in FL and have finished or WDW portion of our trip, and I agree it is COLD! We have been coming to FL in Feb for ~13 years and have never had a week as cold as this. Usually it's in the high 60's- mid & upper 70's. Yes is was nicer then home, but I was hoping only to wear my winter jacket (shell) to and from the airport, not in WDW! Also hoping not to be one of those crazy people in the pool with their kids on a 40 degree day. Yep, it happened.

I didn't realize the 20% discount was still on. Oh well, a drop in the bucket really.

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

our options are becoming late March, April, May, Oct., early Nov

I totally agree... but I'll add December, too, for the Holiday decorations & festivities. I don't like roasting on vacation, but I don't like freezing, either...

Glad you got to see the shuttle launch!

 

[Debi]

You now need a coupon for the AP discount? Bleh. Where do you get the coupon? Like you, when I was in WDW in December, all I had to do to get the discount was show my AP. I can't believe there are coupons now.

 

[jekjones1558]

You now need a coupon for the AP discount? Bleh. Where do you get the coupon? Like you, when I was in WDW in December, all I had to do to get the discount was show my AP. I can't believe there are coupons now.

Unlike when I was there in Dec., you don't need a coupon and it is good on almost everything and at almost all stores.

NO coupon. In December there were discount coupons on some receipts and it was a pain. The current AP discount has NO coupon needed.

 

[BigEeyore]

Are they still doing renovations at BWV? I had heard the pool was also under renovation and BWV guests were going to SAB - is that still the case? We have our first BWV stay coming up next month (kind of last minute surprise trip, gotta love DVC!).
Also, as someone else said - this has been an unusually cold winter in the southeast, and not typical of most Februarys. Still going to be cool in the evening but not freezing typically. It has just been a hard winter (I am in GA and there have been so many days it has actually been warmer in Maine!).
So don't completely rule out another Feb trip!

 

[jekjones1558]

All BWV rooms are now renovated. The Luna pool just reopened so no more using SAB.
Regarding cold weather: I have lived my entire life in Minnesota and the temps at WDW during our trip were not as cold as our frozen tundra, but the same temp in WDW feels colder than Minnesota. I had my winter jacket, mittens and I was still cold. It was more than mindset. Maybe the dampness of the cold or maybe because there were stiff NW winds much of the time. I am used to a couple of days of cool weather when we go in winter, but this year the cold just doesn't let up.

 

[Debi]

Sorry about that! I misread your post and thought you needed a coupon for the AP discount. Lets hope this AP discount is a permanent one.

Glad to hear renoventions are complete!

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

TheDISneyFamily - I love your picture in your signature!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

• Cold weather really makes WDW far less enjoyable for us.

I'm in total agreement with you here. No drinks by the pool, no after dinner walk, no sitting out on the balcony. As you know, 2/12, this past Friday, it was 40 degrees w/ wind gusts of 30mph. The weather didn't ruin the 5 day stay but it did put a damper on some of the activities we usually enjoy doing both at the resort and the parks. It was all we could do to climb up Spaceship Earth!

Thank you for the trip report!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I just peeked at the weather, and the site I looked at says "Abundant Sunshine" for Orlando today. Maybe things will be turning around!

Bobbi

 

[manning]

It has just been a very cold and unusual winter

You can say that again. I have a snowbird aunt who has spent the last eight winters in Spring Hill. She said it was the first time she got an electric bill over $100.00.