Trip Report BWV and SSR

[Tigger031266]

Just returned yesterday from a great Chrismas to trip to WDW.

We were so excited to be staying at the BWV over Christmas. Weather was nice (a bit cool in the mornings). Kids swam every day, cold or hot. We stayed in studios at both hotels for 10 days (SSR for 1 day, then BWV for 7, than SSR for 2 days).

BWV Observations:We got a great room 2052 just off the lobby
- BWV seemed a bit old and run down. The thermostat was not digital so hard to get temp correct.
- Room had some minor damage to tables
- Entertainers were great as usual. Because of cold, they moved them into the BW bar and Lobby area (nice).
- Boardwalk still serriously needs a counter service for food
- We ate at Kat Cora (whatever its called..Kouzzina??) many times. The food was ok but my 8 year old son was still hungry even after ordering adult size entries. That place is empty because it is simply not worth a sit down. I think Disney should change it to a counter service restaurant!!
- Parking was painful. Can someone explain why vallet is closer than employee parking? I say Make the Disney employees walk farther and give us the close lot. When in Disney history has cast memebers had to walk less than customers.
- The highlight was tennis drill at Grand Floridian. It was great.
- BWV is a great hotel. Comunity hall is top notch and staff was great. Amazing Hotel!

SSR Observations:- We stayed in Padlock and Grandstand. Grandstand was nicer location but both were great.
- We had a great check in. I recognized cast memebr for his great sevice.
- Rooms seemed very nice, updated and clean.
- Artist Palet was well run even with crowds
- SSR is such a great place if you have your own car. No long walks like BWV to get to car for parks other hotels
- Everytime we come here we are more impressed

Restaurants and Ratings
Kouzzina Food++ Service and Ambiance +++ Value +
Cape May Food+++++ Service and Ambiance +++ Value +++
Chef Mickeys Food++++ Service and Ambiance ++ Value +
Italy (new Restaurant) Food++ Service and Ambiance ++ Value +
Fultons Food+++ Service and Ambiance +++ Value ++
ESPN Food+++ Service and Ambiance +++ Value +++
New Chickin Place at DTD Food+ Service and Ambiance + Value +
Wolfgang Pucks Express DTD Food++++ Service and Ambiance ++ Value +++
9 Dragons China Food +++++ Service and Ambiance +++ Value +++

We had great fun and are planning next Christmas already!

 

[Sandisw]

Thank you for sharing. The lack of CS is one of cons we also found at BWV.

Of course, we may now be moving to eating more TS meals and less CS as DH and I will be going on trips by ourselves so it may end up not being so important.

I think if DH gets to stay in a BW view room ever, it will move right on up there with BLT.

 

[VrBchJ]

I agree that parking at BWV is painful. It's especially difficult after 4:00 PM when people start arriving for an evening at Epcot. But I don't quite understand your observation that employee parking is closer than valet and the self parking lot. As far as I know employee parking is across the street and behind the gas station. Maybe I misunderstood what you were saying

 

[skelfbsfb]

When we stayed at BWV we noticed that staff had parked across the road, didnt know they had changed this.

 

[Tigger031266]

But I don't quite understand your observation that employee parking is closer than valet and the self parking lot. As far as I know employee parking is across the street and behind the gas station. Maybe I misunderstood what you were saying

Sorry for the confusion. I mean that vallet parking is closer. Vallet people do not have to walk as far as customers. I believe that the vallet should be farther out (where we park) and we should get the vallet spots. Let the vallet people do the extra walking.

 

[maminnie]

Tigger031266:

Was your studio one of the renovated units?

Thanks.

 

[Tigger031266]

Was your studio one of the renovated units?

I am not sure how to tell if it was renovated. It had a new TV (flat). But I think most everthing else seemed older. The problem was the damage to furniture with pieces of the furniture missing or dents. Carpeting seemed ok and it had a great picture in the room.

I think the bigger problem may have been we became use to 1BR. There was 4 (DW and 2 kids under 12) of us in a studio. It is really hard to lose that extra room. Give the kids school schedules we have to go over school breaks which cost mega points. We either need to drop from 3 to 2 trips per year or buy more points I am affraid.

We have 425 points and like to go 3x per year. We need like another 200 points. The purchase price is not the issue, its the $175 mo maintenence fee.

All this rambling means the Boardwalk is great... We just miss our 1BR's