We're Back ! Thoughts ...

[lsutigger2]

We've arrived back home on Monday, 10/21 after staying 8 days in a BCV 1-bdrm. It was a grand trip!!
Some observations:
* was able to check in about noon on Sunday, 10/13. We got room 357. We were able to see Spaceship Earth, the very top of Journey into Imagination, and the really high fireworks from Illuminations.
* could hear some road noise, but it didn't bother us.
* took us a day or two to get used to the new surroundings and to figure out the best way to get where we wanted to go. Maybe we're getting old ! There was a very convenient elevator near our room.
* when we went to purchase our AP's, I found out that I could not "trade-in" the days on the Park Hopper Plusses we had for AP's without the pluses, but the CM did give us a Disney Club discount, at the International Gateway at Epcot! It was really nice to have the AP's since my DH spends much less time in the parks than I do and we really enjoyed hoping over to Epcot at night for an hour or two.
*loved being so close to Epcot.
*the Wild by Design tour at AK is wonderful. We really enjoyed.
*like someone else reported earlier, we got Mousekeeping two days in a row. On Wednesday, they did the full cleaning (fourth day) and on Thursday we got towels, and we got towels again on Sunday.
*loved having the washer/dryer. Esp when DH came back from golfing soaking wet because he had gotten caught in a rain shower (and we don't not play just because it is raining!)

I'll be glad to answer any questions others may have.

Oh, and don't tell anyone, but I made reservations for a trip in May (check below!)

Gotta love that DVC!!!

 

[DeeP]

Thanks for the report!! I am faithfully counting down the days until I am back at BWV. Ohhh Disney, take me away......LOL

 

[Tony-NJ]

We loved the BCV too! The walk to and from Epcot was great!

 

[Lyndarella]

I have read other reports of trading in Park Hopper Plus passes for Premium APs only. On 10/13 at the AK Guest Services I traded one in for a regular AP. We were told there is no value to the plus part. It was valued the same as a regular Park Hopper, but it was still more than I paid for it in Dec. Do they have different rules at different places, or what?

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Lyndarella
I have read other reports of trading in Park Hopper Plus passes for Premium APs only. On 10/13 at the AK Guest Services I traded one in for a regular AP. We were told there is no value to the plus part. It was valued the same as a regular Park Hopper, but it was still more than I paid for it in Dec. Do they have different rules at different places, or what?

This is my understanding:

You can "trade" in an unused pass for any pass that is more expensive and get full credit for the price you originally paid.

To get credit for the full price you originally paid on a partially used pass, you must "trade" it in within seven days of the first day the pass was used. You can only purchase a more expensive pass than the one you originally purchased. If you want an annual pass and used any of the plus options (from a PHP) from the original pass, you have to get the Premium Annual Pass.

To get a credit towards the purchase of a more expensive pass, you can "trade" in a partially used pass at any time. The credit is roughly equal to the number of unused major park days divided by the original number of major park days. It is true that there is no value assigned to unused plus options. If you upgrade, you lose any remaining plus options.

If you were given credit for more than you originally paid for the pass you traded in, the CM made a mistake in your favor. It does happen. Lucky you!

 

[DaisyDebbie]

I want to know more about the Wild By Design tour, sounds interesting

 

[RealMickey]

Thanks for the great report.

 

[lsutigger2]

DaisyDebbie, the wild by design tour was wonderful. It starts at about 8:15, before the park opened. So there was opportunity to take some photos before the other guests arrived. Paul was our tour guide and he was great. The tour takes place in the park, not behind the scenes. So he has a microphone and everyone else has a headset, so they can always hear him. He tells "stories" of how the villages in Africa and Asia came to be and some interesting facts about the whole park. It was very interesting. We were done about 11:30 - 12:00. It is a lot of walking but there is a break built in where you are served morning snacks (muffins, fruit etc) and beverages. I would recommend this for anyone who likes this type of thing. It gives you a whole new appreciation for the AK and the other parks as well.

 

[DaisyDebbie]

That sounds so interesting and cool! I might have to do that
Thanks for the info

 

[Simba's Mom]

lsutigger2, I'm curious as to where you golfed and what your impressions were of it. Anyone who golfs even in the rain is DH's kind of golfer!

 

[lsutigger2]

Actually, I am not the golfer, only the golf-rider-along sometimes! DH is the golfer and after me, it is his favorite thing in life! He played at Osprey Ridge two days, and Lake Buena Vista one day. He likes the WDW courses alot, in fact I think it is where he got his start in golf, many years ago. The rough was quite thick this trip and he wasn't happy about that, but all in all he really enjoys all of the courses. I think he has played them all at some time or the other. Has your DH ever been to the tournament? It is fun, even I enjoy that. Golf is hard to watch in person but it is fun anyway!
The golf is what keeps DH going back with me. I always make sure he has golfing time and I have park time. It works well for both of us. And sometimes I do ride with him. The courses are beautiful and you never know what types of wild life you'll see. He said one day at Osprey Ridge he saw deer and wild turkeys. At the tournament we saw a racoon.

 

[tbickford]

I just wanted to say hi to you. I see where you're from Baton Rouge....We're from Hammond. Glad you had a great trip. We're leaving for our first DVC trip on Nov. 22 which is very soon!

Take care neighbor.

 

[lsutigger2]

tbickford,
You'll have a wonderful time. Things should be Christmas beautiful at that time of the year.

Feel free to "pm" me if you have other questions. Neighbors helping neighbors!

 

[pedrotheairplane]

I lIoved hearing about your stay at BCV, however, I am quite interested in getting around the resort. Do you have to go through the BC to get to Epcot or is there a new walkway built? I think the location would be great. We are really Big BWV fans because of the proximity to Epcot and MGM.

 

[lsutigger2]

pedro,
As you exit BCV towards the BC there is a short walkway between the two buildings. You go left on this and the right on the sidewalk at the end and follow it around until you reach the walkway area to Epcot. The sidewalk will follow around the BC rooms. It is real easy once you know where it is and this make more sense when you see it in person. Didn't take more than 5 - 10 minutes (sorry we never timed it). The walk from MGM to BCV is a bit longer. It is the walk from MGM to BW plus around the lagoon to the BC and then to the villas. We did it one night, there was a full moon and we took our time, very romantic!

Enjoy your stay! It is a great place!

 

[pedrotheairplane]

Thanks for the info. We plan to go to WDW in June (but must wait for our 7 month window since our home resort is HH) and are trying to decide on which villas to stay in. We have never been to OKW and we wonder about staying there. I understand that transportation there is not so great. Do you have any info on this. I really can't decide. I believe it will be between the BCV and BWV.