Will we be able to relax at BWV?

[melk]

Trying to plan our trip for next August. DH really wants to try BWV, while I would be perfectly happy to stay (again) at our home resort, VWL. We went at the end of August last year and one of my favorite parts of that trip was hanging out at the quiet pool at VWL. For a few evenings we just hung out at the pool in a lounge chair with a cold drink, watching the kids in the pool. There were a couple of times we were the only ones there, we had it all to ourselves!!

My opinion (and it may be completely wrong) is that BWV is a busier place, maybe not as relaxing. How is their quiet pool? (Of course the kids want to go, just to go to that clown slide, btw, how busy does that pool get??).

So my question is, can I still relax at BWV?

Thanks!!

(Just to add, we're spending a few days first at OKW with family, I've been there, and know I will get a little relaxation there, lol!)

 

[browniemtb]

Good question.......I've never stayed at VWL but have been able to relax at the clown pool with my kids at BWV. Guessing, I would say that BWV is a little busier.....its bigger for one thing. The quiet pool usually had nobody there when I would walk by it but we tend to visit in March and November, August may drive more people to the water during the day. Don't forget your at Disney......you will be able to relax where ever you end up...I hope.
Brownie

 

[jekjones1558]

Give it a try. If the clown pool is too busy, the quiet pool will be relaxing. The clown (Luna) pool seems bigger to me than the main pool at VWL, so even in August you will, hopefully, be able to have a relaxing time while the kids enjoy the slide. Also, the pool bar is nice.

 

[Nanajo1]

The main pool can get busy. It has the Clown slide, the Libations snack/bar, a kiddie area and a hot tub. The closest "quiet" pool is right beside the Community Hall which can get busy with kids enjoying the arts/crafts etc . It also has a hot tub. There is another pool over on the Inn side. It tends to be quieter but at times there are special events going on in that area.

 

[keishashadow]

During most recent trip the Community Pool area was very calm & relaxing in the mid-late afternoon. ..very similar to our experience @ WL last Dec.

Even the day the Luna pool was closed for an hour or so due to some unexplained issue, that throng just hung around in the chaise lounges that they had staked out. BTW, I didn't notice this issue @ WL...what's up w/unattended lounge chairs w/pool towels for hours on end? I thought they did period sweeps & cleared the ones out that didn't have any additional personal items?

Additionally, we were pleasantly surprised w/the overall atmosphere of the BW area itself. We were worried it would be a zoo but, it didn't seem to get oppressively crowded until Friday evening.

 

[crisi]

Other places to relax - the porch overlooking the Boardwalk is set far enough back to be comfortably relaxing. Bellevue room is wonderful to hang out in.

 

[LauraLea]

I also like the quiet pool on the Inn side. It is in a courtyard surrounded by the garden cottage rooms. Very nice and never crowded.

 

[melk]

Thanks for the replies, I think we will be giving BWV a try!

One other question; are the standard views at BWV all strictly parking lot views? I would of course like preferred view but if it means being able to stay an extra night or two we may take standard.

Any of you ever get bumped up to preferred view from standard?

Thanks!

 

[crisi]

Thanks for the replies, I think we will be giving BWV a try!

One other question; are the standard views at BWV all strictly parking lot views? I would of course like preferred view but if it means being able to stay an extra night or two we may take standard.

Any of you ever get bumped up to preferred view from standard?

Thanks!

They really aren't parking lot views - they tend to be views of the front drive. But there is a grassy area between the resort and the drive, and then from there you see the Boardwalk Inn. They aren't bad at all - better than some of the preferred views (which are occationally better and occationally worse). If you can get a standard view, I'd book that. Then I'd book a BW View, I'd only take a preferred view if that was all that was available (unless you are wowing guests or want a treat, then take the BW View if available). However, since BWV isn't your home resort, you may have to take a preferred view - most people prefer the Boardwalk or the cheaper points for the standard, so they book first.

 

[Granny]

melk...I think you know how much we treasure VWL and I have to say that we also enjoy BWV quite a bit too. So much that we bought a contract there since we needed more points and wanted the home resort booking advantage.

The quiet pool is very nice with Community Hall right there. I don't think you'll have any problem relaxing as the Friendship boats ply the canal behind Community Hall on their way to and from MGM.

As for the SV rooms, crisi gave a good description. Here's a view from one SV room we stayed in, looking down the wing of SV rooms....

If we looked straight out of our balcony we would see the driveway leading up to the resort and the area where people load and unload when registering. It was still a very peaceful place to stay, except a couple of mornings when the groundskeepers were mowing very early in the morning!

I think you will enjoy BWV a lot. It is very different from VWL, but a great resort in its own right. Enjoy!

 

[melk]

Thanks for the input, especially the picture, Granny! I didn't picture it like that at all. I'm hoping we can get standard view just to save on points, it didn't even occur to me that people who owned there would have the same idea, lol!

Thanks for all the great descriptions, too. I'm getting excited already for our next visit. Only 13 months to go, but I guess that's part of the fun, all the planning.

 

[byoung]

You will be happy at BWV, have a great vacation.

 

[kathleena]

The main pool at BWV is no busier than the main pool at WL.

And the quiet pool is quiet, plus it has the Community Hall!

 

[kidsister]

While I haven't been there during busy times, I've stayed twice in May. Both times....for morning coffee and late afternoon relaxing....I found myself to be the only one on the balcony in my section of rooms (and that standard section is LONGGGG). While both times the clown pool seemed busier and noisy, there were still chairs and lounges available. And both times the quiet pool was very quiet. If I were you, I'd request that your preferred view room be in the 'courtyard' that faces the canal and the Dolphin and Swan which some call the 'croquet courtyard'. If you look on a map, this courtyard is the one that doesn't have the quiet pool or the clown pool in its center. It used to house a building used as a DVC sales center, but that was torn down, and now it is just grass (and a perfect croquet field). Very quiet...you can see TOT from most rooms and watch Fantasmic at night. and if you don't mind stairs, it is a quick exit to the bridge to the Swan and around to the Atlantic Dance Hall and the boardwalk.