What are the BADS of BWV,...

WALTSAGOD

DIS Veteran
Joined
Feb 18, 2008
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For those that bash BWV, what was it that you disliked?

So far I have read about:

Funky smell
LONG hallways
Trash in hallways
Lack of friendly CM
Worn out rooms
Noise level
Crowded lobby, pool and common areas

What else?


And for those that LOVE their home resort what did you think about these concerns of others visitors?
 
BWV is not my home resort, but I have stayed there twice. I haven't encountered any of the above, though both times we had a room close to the elevators!

One thing you didn't list that I have read complaints about is lack of counter service options. I can see the point there, though we do eat some meals in room, so it didn't affect us greatly.

We have found the BWV to be a wonderful place to stay. You just can't beat that location!
 
Most of those "bads" can be found at all of the DVC resorts. We own at BWV after staying and fell in love. The only negative I have is the lack of CS, especially in the AM. My hubby's negative is how far the parking lot is from the building. There are pros and cons at all of the resorts. Neither of our negatives sways me from booking here. (As you can see below in my upcoming trips for 2008/09 -- so far).
 

The parking lot is quite a walk.

The CM's have always been friendly and professional when we've been there.
We love the bakery and don't mind the walk. There is counter service but it is pretty spread out. There's the Bellevue Room, Bakery, pool and the pizza window at Spoodles. I love that it is within walking distance to Disney Studios, Epcot, mini golf, and so many dining choices on the Boardwalk, Swan, Dolphin, and Yacht and Beach Club.
 
don't like having to go outside the resort to eat.

especially in the rain.

now most of the time will have something in the room to eat. but sometimes just like to eat someplace else.

also no hamburgers nearby. (now they did have some at big river grille - but only want a hamburger - not a cheese or bacon or anything else)

so had to walk over to beaches and cream for it.

no place to refill you refillable mugs - waiting in line at the Bakery is not convenient or quick or even reasonable. who wants to wait in line 30 to 45 minutes to refill their mug.

have some more if you want them.

also own there - it definitely has it good points. but the design itself was bad.
all the elevators in one location was not only silly but a bad design. as many exits as this place has it could easily have more elevators.
 
BWV is my favorite resort by far and I have satyed in them all and own at 4. I don't know about smells...I think it smells nice.

The only negitive I have is that stupid clown slide.

Lets list the positives:
+ Awsume Location (EPCOT, Hollywood Studios)
+ Lower point costs in standard rooms
+ A boardwalk with nightly entertainment
+ Great restaurants nearby at BCV, YC and all of EPCOT
+ Great pool area
+ nightly fireworks
+ It is beautiful

Hands down the best resort that I have ever stayed at
 
The long hallways are my only (minor) gripe. The pluses outweigh any possible negatives - which, other than the length of the hallways, we haven't experienced. We love BWV.

DisFlan
 
don't like having to go outside the resort to eat.

especially in the rain.

now most of the time will have something in the room to eat. but sometimes just like to eat someplace else.

also no hamburgers nearby. (now they did have some at big river grille - but only want a hamburger - not a cheese or bacon or anything else)

so had to walk over to beaches and cream for it.

no place to refill you refillable mugs - waiting in line at the Bakery is not convenient or quick or even reasonable. who wants to wait in line 30 to 45 minutes to refill their mug.

have some more if you want them.

also own there - it definitely has it good points. but the design itself was bad.
all the elevators in one location was not only silly but a bad design. as many exits as this place has it could easily have more elevators.

Dsis and I was at BWV in december and she had no problem getting just a burger. She just told the server she didn't want any cheese or bacon. She didn't care for the chips that come with the meal and would have preferred fries. I also don't like going out in the rain for a meal:laughing: . I don't even bother with a refillable mug. BWV isn't my home resort but I plan to add points there in the next 6 months. Susan
 
The hallways are not only long, but freezing cold, too.
 
Funky smell - never noticed it.


LONG hallways - hallways are long, it is a big resort. Hallways are not long compared to getting from the back end of AKL to Mara or getting from the end rooms at WL to Roaring Forks or getting from the back buildings at OKW or SSR to their theme pools. Hallways get a lot longer when you keep turning into the "dead ends" (or not turning into them, if that's where your room is) - which often takes a few trips to your room or a few visits to the BW to avoid.

Trash in hallways - there are often room service trays in the hallways - like most hotels. I've never noticed trash.

Lack of friendly CM - CMs have always been professional. I am particularly fond of the bartender in the Bellevue room who I see every trip and the head of secuirty - neither of whom I can remember their name, but they "seem" to recognize me.

Worn out rooms - we've had some rooms at the end of their refresh cycle. That is normal with all timeshares. If you don't want worn rooms, stay in a hotel where the refresh cycle is more frequent.

Noise level - the Boardwalk area can be noisy - particularly during Illuminations. I do notice a hum of the Boardwalk staying in a BWView room, its not disturbing, but noticable. There are quieter resorts if that is your cup of tea. We've never found it disturbing (well, except the fireworks - if you can see fireworks from your balcony, the price you pay is that you hear fireworks from your balcony).


Crowded lobby, pool and common areas - Pool has never been that crowded when we've been (over food and wine when the resort is booked solid). Maybe a ten person slide line max. And the garden pool has always been very quiet (like a different resort the garden area). Bellevue Room can get busy in the evenings, not exactly a shock - especially right after Illuminations - but I've been in there earlier to a very quiet bar. Lobby is busy as a lobby is - people checking in and out with kids running around - but I've sat in rockers on the back porch reading and absolutely alone at 2:00 in the afternoon.

If you stay in a room with a shower curtain (studios and HA rooms) the shower curtain is perhaps the ugliest thing I've ever seen. Some of the BW balconies have a solid rail, making it difficult for little kids to see out. There is a single set of elevators, savvy BWV owners learn the stairs unless they are stroller bound. There is no "food court" and if it is raining, you can't get food without getting wet (or callilng room service) - although BWV is the best resort for someone with a sweet tooth - between the Boardwalk Bakery and Seashore Sweets (which has ice cream) you may not be able to get a burger, but getting a brownie, ice cream, fudge and a really good cinnamon roll for breakfast is easily done. Walking to Epcot is not IMO overrated, but walking to the Studios probably is - its twice as far and in my experience I see few people on the path when I do it - not that it can't be done, just that I think most people will have "good intentions" and sell it as a plus - but don't follow through. I prefer the dining room table layout at the post VWL resorts. BWV studios do not have a coffee table. The pool is not zero entry and the toddler pool is frankly a weak little thing unfit to entertain anything but the smallest splasher. The pool bar is not up to Hannahs, or the Poly. We've had excellent bus service, and visits where we think every criticism of the BWV transportation is justified - I suspect this has to do more with our timing than an inconsistancy in service.


And for those that LOVE their home resort what did you think about these concerns of others visitors?[/QUOTE]
 
Oh, all the BWVillas two bedrooms are lockoffs, there is no opportunity at this resort to get a two bedroom that has two actual beds in the second bedroom.
 
We just stayed at BWV in February. Lack of counter service is it's only negative IMO. People complain WAY too much! BWV is beautiful, so is SSR, which people love to bash. The close proximity to Epcot is so nice, and the lobby is elegant. I love upscale and elegant decor, thats why I love BWV & SSR. They are my favs:lovestruc BTW, trash in the hall is room service stuff waiting for pick up! Seen this at most of the upscale places we've stayed at.
 
I didn't see anyone mention the very poor bus service. Long waits and full busses by the time they arrive at BWV.

I have not really noticed much in the way of the other 'complaints'. The halls can be long, but short if you use the bus or have a car in the lot. Never noticed any unpleasant smells. Rooms are no more worn that the other DVCs, it just depends on the room and if it is due for a referb. Yes, the lobby get crowded, but that is true for ALL Disney resorts, not just BWV. Trash in the halls, I assume that is by renters that don't know where the trash should the taken.

I try to not let the little things bother me, heck I'm at Disney World!!!:thumbsup2
 
also no hamburgers nearby. (now they did have some at big river grille - but only want a hamburger - not a cheese or bacon or anything else)



no place to refill you refillable mugs - waiting in line at the Bakery is not convenient or quick or even reasonable. who wants to wait in line 30 to 45 minutes to refill their mug.


I believe you can get burgers at the ESPN Club also. Any place that sells a cheesburger will leave the cheese off for you.

Yes, the mugs are not real convenient at BWV, but you can also fill them at the pool bar.

I love the BWV, we don't want to stay anywhere else. It truly feels like home to me.
 
WALTSAGOD said:
For those that bash BWV, what was it that you disliked?

So far I have read about:

Funky smell
LONG hallways
Trash in hallways
Lack of friendly CM
Worn out rooms
Noise level
Crowded lobby, pool and common areas

What else?



Why would you start a thread asking everyone to come up with bad comments about a resort? :confused3


Are you considering a purchase there and just want to make sure you know all the potential negatives? If so, why would you ask it in this manner?


And for those that LOVE their home resort what did you think about these concerns of others visitors?

No offense, but this thread seems intent on stirring "both sides" of the opinions up. Maybe I'm reading it wrong.
 
I dont own at BWV but it is my 2nd favorite resort and I try to stay there at least once a year. I wish more people would gripe and complain (like they do about OKW my favorite and home resort) so less people will try to stay there and keep the availability to those who prefer it. I do my part for the SSR and BC lovers...

Totally off subject and a very odd observation of the BWV (from myself and few family members) but does anyone else think that the design and decorating was possibly influenced by Stephen King?

Think about it... The long, long, long hallways, the chairs in the lobby (flower faced - very creepy), the clown at the pool slide (pennywise), the merry go round in the lobby, the marble floor of the lobby, the glass chandeliers, the promenade ballroom, the french doors, cast iron head boards. I realize it is designed after an old New England town and Stephen King writes primariliy of New England towns but it seems the similarities are many which we find interesting to say the least. Before my last trip with my neice her immediate reaction was "Oh cool, the place with the evil clown pool !!!"
 
Why would you start a thread asking everyone to come up with bad comments about a resort? :confused3


Are you considering a purchase there and just want to make sure you know all the potential negatives? If so, why would you ask this?




No offense, but this thread seems intent on stirring "both sides" of the opinions up. Maybe I'm reading it wrong.

My thoughts exactly Granny. Its just getting real old reading about the "bads" and the "problems" and the "attitudes".
 
<And for those that LOVE their home resort what did you think about these concerns of others visitors?>

Sounds like maybe it'll be easier for us BW lovers to get ressies closer in than the 7 months???:goodvibes

That's okay by me!

"Long Hallways" - Always makes me laugh. They're air conditioned, and you don't get wet in the rain. I just don't get it. Anyone ever stay at Coronado Springs or Caribbean Beach Resort? Even the Contemporary, Grand Floridan, and the Poly. Resorts are big people, walking is part of the deal.

"Don't like walking outside to go to a restaurant - especially in the rain"

Epcot must be VERY DISAPPOINTING to those who feel this way. I'd take Florida rain in Disney to get to the dinner I don't have to cook, over a NY winter rain battling the food market and parking lots to buy what I have to go home a prepare any day of the week.

Every resort has it's goods and not so goods - it's vacation - enjoy the good, forget the not so good.
 



















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