Took my mom for a short trip to BWV Thurs-Sun. It was my mom's first trip to WDW!!! This was my first trip to BWV (home is OKW) In brief-
No flight delays, Happy Limo (Carol) was on time and very sweet.
Arrived at BW at 3:30pm and room was ready. My ressie was made less than 2 months ago and I requested non-smoking, BW view and casually mentioned "close to the elevators" which was not printed on my request slip. Well, I was surprised to actually get my BWview 1-BR, and the lovely CM (I can't remember if it was Stephanie or Sarah) apologized for not getting me closer to the elevators because the whole bank of rooms above the Wyland Gallery is being renovated.
We were in 2017 right above the Big River Grill. We had a nice view and it was fun to peek out at the people eating below us. The room was ready, clean, and right across from a trash/recycling disposal site (a good thing.) The room had not been recently refurbished but everything worked except one light bulb. The auto dry function on the dryer also did not ever turn off and we had to turn off the dryer before going to bed! I expected a DVD player (did I read that somewhere?) and brought exercise DVDs but the room had a VCR. Mom was blown away and could not believe how clean and nice everything was...she remembers her trips to the "real" Boardwalk at "the Jersey Shore" and sometimes boardwalk hotels weren't that nice
I explained that the Boardwalk was built as part of the hotel, and not the other way around!!! We had a pretty long walk to the room, but mom took it really slow and refused to use a WC in the hotel (but used one in the parks and DD.) We also pre-ordered just a few things and the order was delivered sometime after 5 when we were out. There were a few mistakes (2 half gallons of juice instead of 16-oz and missing on 6-pack of soda.)
As we were unpacking, I realized my prescription sunglasses were not in my purse and called the front desk. They weren't there so I called Happy Limo. Carol had them (they slipped out of my bag) and so kindly delivered them back that evening. The front desk staff had them labeled and waiting for me!
We went to Epoct at around 5 and ate at 7:30 at Rose & Crown (see restuarant board post.) We ate inside but were escorted out to the lower deck for a FRONT ROW SEAT for Illuminatiions! Wow!!! Mom loved the Friendships and kept threatening to flirt with the captain (she's 79!) The next day we did MK in the am and ate a GREAT lunch at Kona Cafe (mmmmm, stickey wings.) Mom loved the Poly atrium! We then went to Epcot, finished seeing the other side of world showcase, and went back to BW for dinner at the Flying Fish (good but I felt kind of rushed there.) Strolled the BW, sat on the rockers for a while and turned in.
Sat am we took the boat to MGM (very crowded.) We saw quite a bit but mom was disappointed that the Great Movie Ride was not operating. Also, many shows started later and conlicted with lunch or were too late for us to hang aroung so we missed Millionaire and Beauty and the Beast, but enjoyed a very nice, elegant lunch at Brown Derby. We got back for a swim (many chairs available- gardenia hedge in full bloom) and took the bus to DD. We had to wait over 30 min for a bus and I finally asked one of the MK bus drivers to call for one. We went to 6 pm Cirque (awesome, mind-blowing...mom LOVED it) and a very nice meal at Portobella YC. DD was VERY CROWDED as it was Grad Night at PI, and PI was only open to the public after 9pm, and was expected to fill to capacity. We shopped (I loved Basin (used that 10% DVC discount!) and Once Upon A Toy... both new to me) and caught a bus back. Happy Limo (Carol again)was right there for an early morning departure.
In summary, I loved the BW view, loved the beauty of the resort, and especially liked the convienence of the boats for my mom. Mom loved the atmosphere of the Boardwalk and adored the lobby and porch!!! However, I prefer the room layout at OKW (more spacious, more windows, more calm, condo style) and will probably go bac kto staying at "home" for longer stays with the whole family when we have a car.
Thanks for everyone's advice!!
Renee
No flight delays, Happy Limo (Carol) was on time and very sweet.
Arrived at BW at 3:30pm and room was ready. My ressie was made less than 2 months ago and I requested non-smoking, BW view and casually mentioned "close to the elevators" which was not printed on my request slip. Well, I was surprised to actually get my BWview 1-BR, and the lovely CM (I can't remember if it was Stephanie or Sarah) apologized for not getting me closer to the elevators because the whole bank of rooms above the Wyland Gallery is being renovated.
We were in 2017 right above the Big River Grill. We had a nice view and it was fun to peek out at the people eating below us. The room was ready, clean, and right across from a trash/recycling disposal site (a good thing.) The room had not been recently refurbished but everything worked except one light bulb. The auto dry function on the dryer also did not ever turn off and we had to turn off the dryer before going to bed! I expected a DVD player (did I read that somewhere?) and brought exercise DVDs but the room had a VCR. Mom was blown away and could not believe how clean and nice everything was...she remembers her trips to the "real" Boardwalk at "the Jersey Shore" and sometimes boardwalk hotels weren't that nice
I explained that the Boardwalk was built as part of the hotel, and not the other way around!!! We had a pretty long walk to the room, but mom took it really slow and refused to use a WC in the hotel (but used one in the parks and DD.) We also pre-ordered just a few things and the order was delivered sometime after 5 when we were out. There were a few mistakes (2 half gallons of juice instead of 16-oz and missing on 6-pack of soda.) As we were unpacking, I realized my prescription sunglasses were not in my purse and called the front desk. They weren't there so I called Happy Limo. Carol had them (they slipped out of my bag) and so kindly delivered them back that evening. The front desk staff had them labeled and waiting for me!
We went to Epoct at around 5 and ate at 7:30 at Rose & Crown (see restuarant board post.) We ate inside but were escorted out to the lower deck for a FRONT ROW SEAT for Illuminatiions! Wow!!! Mom loved the Friendships and kept threatening to flirt with the captain (she's 79!) The next day we did MK in the am and ate a GREAT lunch at Kona Cafe (mmmmm, stickey wings.) Mom loved the Poly atrium! We then went to Epcot, finished seeing the other side of world showcase, and went back to BW for dinner at the Flying Fish (good but I felt kind of rushed there.) Strolled the BW, sat on the rockers for a while and turned in.
Sat am we took the boat to MGM (very crowded.) We saw quite a bit but mom was disappointed that the Great Movie Ride was not operating. Also, many shows started later and conlicted with lunch or were too late for us to hang aroung so we missed Millionaire and Beauty and the Beast, but enjoyed a very nice, elegant lunch at Brown Derby. We got back for a swim (many chairs available- gardenia hedge in full bloom) and took the bus to DD. We had to wait over 30 min for a bus and I finally asked one of the MK bus drivers to call for one. We went to 6 pm Cirque (awesome, mind-blowing...mom LOVED it) and a very nice meal at Portobella YC. DD was VERY CROWDED as it was Grad Night at PI, and PI was only open to the public after 9pm, and was expected to fill to capacity. We shopped (I loved Basin (used that 10% DVC discount!) and Once Upon A Toy... both new to me) and caught a bus back. Happy Limo (Carol again)was right there for an early morning departure.
In summary, I loved the BW view, loved the beauty of the resort, and especially liked the convienence of the boats for my mom. Mom loved the atmosphere of the Boardwalk and adored the lobby and porch!!! However, I prefer the room layout at OKW (more spacious, more windows, more calm, condo style) and will probably go bac kto staying at "home" for longer stays with the whole family when we have a car.
Thanks for everyone's advice!!
Renee
