BWV Standard views?

[jlovesee]

Well I posted this question on the "other" board, (not naming any names!) and didn't get much of a response so as you guys have been so helpful in the past I figured I would try here.

First I called on wednesday and got a BWV standard view 1 bedroom for January, right at the 7 month mark. After all the talk about how "impossible" the standard view rooms were to get at 7 months I was pretty excited!

I had read that some of the standard view rooms had views of Illuminations and/or tower of terror. Does anyone know what the best locations to request would be for these views? Does anyone by chance have any view photos?

Also about how long is the walk to EPCOT and MGM, we are ok w/walking a bit but I am wondering if the boats are a better idea.

Thanks for your help!

BTW this is our first stay in a 1-bedroom and we are very excited. (sure to be spoiled)

Jennifer

[idratherbeinwdw]

Well I posted this question on the "other" board, (not naming any names!) and didn't get much of a response so as you guys have been so helpful in the past I figured I would try here.

First I called on wednesday and got a BWV standard view 1 bedroom for January, right at the 7 month mark. After all the talk about how "impossible" the standard view rooms were to get at 7 months I was pretty excited!

I had read that some of the standard view rooms had views of Illuminations and/or tower of terror. Does anyone know what the best locations to request would be for these views? Does anyone by chance have any view photos?

Also about how long is the walk to EPCOT and MGM, we are ok w/walking a bit but I am wondering if the boats are a better idea.

Thanks for your help!

BTW this is our first stay in a 1-bedroom and we are very excited. (sure to be spoiled)

Jennifer

First, congratulations on your luck at getting the 7 month window! I was on a waitlist last year for std room at BWV for this January, and it only came through just before I left for the trip. (and I waitlisted 8 months out!). So you must have had some pixie dust thrown your way!

We have a database with room descriptions on the main site, that might help you some more, especially with pictures, but I can answer your questions:

The standard rooms furthest from the elevators have the best Illuminations views. I would request "Last Hallway overlooking the tennis courts". You won't be near the elevators, but there are stairs conveniently located all throughout the resort. Look for "Exit" signs to find the stairs closes to your room. Oh and be sure to pay attention where you come out so you remember where to enter for your return to the room. BTW--If you do end up in that hallway you're as close to DS as you can be. And yes, you can end up not only with Illuminations views from that hallway, you can see TOT as well.

However, nothing is guaranteed, as I am sure you know. If you get a standard room that overlooks the front of the resort, as many of them do, most have illuminations views. There are some negative reports about rooms too close to the elevators: Not only do you have elevator/hall noise, you are right above the DME luggage drop off area. And to add insult to injury there are some big trees that block any views you might have of Illuminations. So you cant go too far wrong if you just ask for a room far from the elevators!

Depending on where your room is the walk to Epcot is anywhere from 10-15 minutes, Walk to DS is about 5 minutes longer. (that's at a leisurely pace, it can be done faster). If you have to wait for the boat to Epcot usually it's faster to walk it. If the boat is already there, you can save your feet and a couple of minutes time by riding the boat to Epcot.

I love the walk from BW to DS, but some people find it too long. One suggestion if you do take the boat: Returning from DS the boat makes many stops before BW (Swan, dolphin, YC/BC). It's a good idea to get off at the first stop and walk 2 minutes across the bridge that leads to BW. You'll save time that way.

Hope this helps, feel free to ask more questions if you have any, I love BWV! So when are you going? I'll be there the second week of January, as will a number of other folks from this site.

[jlovesee]

Thanks for your help that is exactly what I am looking for, and while I understand requests are just that, you don't get it if you don't ask!

We are going the last week of January, we always go that week as it is our wedding anniversary (Jan 26th)

Jennifer

[Niki]

I can confirm that all of these suggestions are wonderful. I have stayed in both locations. ToT is great to watch from the balcony at night, and the far hallway rooms, the higher than better, give a great view of Illuminations. The down side is that if you get a room on a higher floor, and go in and out alot, those are alot of stairs. DH is a smoker, and the trip up and down from the fourth floor got bad after a few days.

[AFMom]

We overlooked the tennis courts and the walkway to DHS. There was a parking lot - but it was so covered by trees, you really couldn't seeit. It was very lovely - with the canal on the right side, and lawn and trees everywhere else. We could see the high fireworks from Fantasmic and hear the music.
Definately check out the room database - most of the rooms have balcony pictures- including the report I gave from November.
Congrats!

[bjelsasser]

I had a room last year on the 3rd floor on the second to last hallway. We had a good view of the fireworks. We had a one bedroom and we could lay in our bed and watch. You can't see everything, just the high firewroks. Your view of the fireworks will be over the BW convention center.