Well we are back :)

[SammieG]

I may write a trip report... but i just wanted to say we are back from 18 wonderful days...

a week at okw, a week at AKV and the final few days at the Beach club villas.

We had a great time even though Virgin tried to ruin it for us with an 8 hour delay at the end!!!! grrrrrr


Highs: Getting to stay at some great dvc accomodations... we loved them all for different reasons...
The weather for the first part was great... and then became rather rainy!.. but over all the weather was pretty good..MUCH hotter than we had imagined for this time of year.

Lows: I wasnt that well this trip.. and the CROWDS were huge!
Oh and have i mentioned that Virgin Atlantic annoyed me!

 

[Snowy-girls]

Welcome back.Hope you had a great time-shame you was'nt 100% for your trip.Count me in if you do write a trippie.
I have been hearing about Virgin's delays for a couple of days now,there are a couple of threads up at the moment.x.

 

[crabbie1]

Glad you had a good holiday Sorry you were un well and had such a horrible delay with VA They seem to be having a bad spell at the moment.What did you think of OKW and AKLV?We are staying at SSR in december but would prefer one of the 2 you stayed in.Any tips would be great.

 

[The Fetherstons]

Welcome home So glad you had a good time Shame you were unwell for part of it, we went in April one year and found it to be really busy, hope you write a trip report

 

[SammieG]

we loved AKV and OKW

OKW is a BEAUTIFUL resort... big though.. for me the plusses are being able to park outside the room... and the size of the accomodation.
I find the pastel colours a little insipid if I am honest.. perhaps a little old fashioned looking...

AKV though were something else! The rooms there are just amazing. We bought at AKV so knew what it would be like.. but we loved the rooms here.. I think because they are modern and the theming hasa sense of humour in in too.... its a beautiful resort.. but sprawling!

We perferred the pool at AKV although DS8 LOVED the slide at the main pool at OKW.. but i found ALL the pools at the disney resorts a little frenetic and not very peaceful. Yesterday we had a lovely morning at the BCV quiet pool.. it was gorgeous.... and then an hour or so at stormalong bay in the afternoon - which wasnt so great i didnt think.

I know lots of people love Stormalong Bay but id rather have the quiet pool any day!

 

[merlin307]

Welcome back Sammie
A wee question ......you mention that it was busy.......we normally go at this time of year and have never found it that crowded....what were the queues like (we fly on Saturday 12th)

 

[UKDEB]

As a fellow recent DVC owner, I'm interested in your assessment of the various resorts. I love to stay in new resorts, so I'm quite keen to stay at AKV (we stayed at AKL shortly after it opened) - the refurbished DVC accommodations look fabulous and we've viewed the mock-ups at SSR. Whilst we're anxious to stay at BWV or BCV for the IF&WF later this year, I know that the rooms themselves are a bit jaded having stayed at both previously.

 

[jen_uk]

Welcome back!

What was BCV like? Locatiion and room wise?

 

[jjk]

welcome back

 

[SammieG]

Hi Merlin .. well we arrived on Easter Monday and whilst the crowds have cleared a little since then, it is still the busiest i have ever seen it! Spring Break is on... and its full! BUT.. its very full of Brits too, so maybe it will be better.

Wait times were long... up to 140 mins for test track and soarin - somethings you could walk on.

Just trying to find a spot for illuminations was quite tricky on our last night (with half an hour to spare).. we were about 3 or 4 people back

We have been April before and never seen it like this... it must just be where easter was in the calendar this year.

 

[SammieG]

Hi Jen - BCV.. rooms were lovely. Looking a little old fashioned now... but perhaps thats just me...

bed was the most comfy of the three (terrible pillows and very hard beds at DVC imo - but am very fussy about having a firm pillow )

Location of the villas is closest to Epcot. To be honest.. all of the resort is accesible...
we had a 4th floor garden view... one small balcony. It had a big bathroom set up (two separate rooms) but the kitchen and living room area was quite small. Bedroom was good size...

 

[natalielongstaff]

Welcome back

 

[Strommie]

Welcome home

 

[amberandolly]

The resorts you stayed at sound great.
I've seen a lot of people saying how very busy it's been - it must be to do with how easter has fallen, coupled with spring break - I think the huge crowds haven't been kept to the main two easter weeks because of the bizzarely staggered UK easter holidays.
Watching youtube videos of the parks this week - I've never seen epcot so busy, we've been just before easter a few times, but always come home before easter sunday.
We go on the 28th, I really hope it's calmed down by then, afaik, springbreak ends the weekend of the 26th?

 

[Grumpy John]

Welcome back, we fly out next Wednesday hope the crowds have died down a tad

With regards to Virgin, not their fault I am afraid. Bad weather here and in Orlando was the cause. They are gradually pulling it back though - just in time for next Wednesdays take off

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Welcome back - you seem to have been to 3 wonderful resorts. Any other info you can share?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Welcome back Sammie.

Only experience of DVC oursleves was when we stayed at the Boardwalk, I agree with Deb's comments as we were surprised by the room which did look 'jaded' in many ways.

April is obviously getting busier, it used to be one of my favourite times to go, school holidays have kind of changed when we can go these days.

 

[SammieG]

Welcome back, we fly out next Wednesday hope the crowds have died down a tad

With regards to Virgin, not their fault I am afraid. Bad weather here and in Orlando was the cause. They are gradually pulling it back though - just in time for next Wednesdays take off

bad weather in Orlando? ?? I dont think so John... when was the bad weather? Do you mean rain? We did have rain on saturday and sunday.... but surely that isnt the problem!?

I know that the flight we were on was the one they chose to keep the rest of the schedule online.. HOWEVER.. there is NO excuse for the way that they handled it.

We checked in online.. and the flight was showing on time... in fact they had known for 3 days it would be late.. there is NO excuse for not letting us know.. Plus no excuse for the rudeness..

 

[Debs Hill]

Welcome back, loved hearing about your trip as we are not going to WDW this year, so living it through others!! ha! ha! We own at OKW and love it for the same reasons you've mentioned, the space and being able to pull up outside your villa! Bliss! We also own at BWV but last time we stayed there felt that things were looking a bit worn and would like to try somewhere else next time........................which is where you come in!
Would you choose to stay at BCV or AKLV? Did you have a Savannah view? Did you find the resort very dark?
Debsxx

 

[SammieG]

Hi Debs....

gosh... which would i choose.....??? difficult question.
In terms of theming... no doubt.. AKL - its modern... exciting and just wonderful.
I didnt like that there was not a seperate shower in the bathroom.. and getting in and out of the huge spa bath wasnt easy (infact i slipped and severely bruised my knee and pulled a muscle in my foot!) but I think at Kidani there will be a seperate shower in the units.

We had a savannah view over the sunset lounge. It was cool ... but strange to be awoken by the sounds of ostriches at night!

I didnt find it overly dark (other than at night.. when the light was very bad for reading etc)

BCV were not as well themed in my opinion and a little worn. The resort itself is beautiful.

Stormalong Bay was a bit of a disappointment to me to if I am totally honest - but the quiet pool was gorgeously relaxing...

I think what makes BCV is the proximity to Epcot though... and the boardwalk and mgm.....

I would love to stay at both again in future.. i would find it difficult to decide.

Some friends were staying at VWL and we absolutely adored the resort! That might be top of our list to stay next time ..