BWV - Does the view matter?

[domiii]

Please share your opinions. Is there a huge difference between premium and standard view? I know the rooms are the same so there are no worries about that. And I know it depends on what you want as a view. I am just curious if there is a big difference. :confused3

[ANIMO]

Actually, we have never really cared much. We have had pool views(nice) and parking lot views (not so nice) however we find we aren't in the room all that much to worry about the view. The savings in point value is worth taking the standard view.

[Figment2]

There are actually three views at BWV. Guaranteed Boardwalk, preferred and standard. If I was going to spend the extra points I would reserve the Boardwalk view. Otherwise, I love the standard and that's what I usually reserve. I actually like the view of the drive and watching the hustle and bustle of people arriving and departing.

Cyn

[Boardwalker]

I agree with Figment2.
If the view is important to you, go Boardwalk view. If it isn't, try to get standard. I have had some preferred views that I couldn't figure out why they would be preferred. I think the explanation is that preferred view overlooks water of some sort.... the pools or the canal. To me, that isn't the view that is worth the extra points.

[Spine_DR]

Most people like the standard view for points savings but I personally think BW view is a must.

[slp87]

We've only stayed in standard view. Because the building curves away from the drive, there's actually lots of grass and greenery between the rooms and the road.

[beattyfamily]

The top priority for me is to be as close to the elevators as possible so that is always my request. I've been lucky enough to always get that request until this past October. We had one of the last rooms down the hall. It was HORRIBLE. :sad2:

[domiii]

Thanks for the input. We had the same thoughts about the most for your points ... We're happy because it is so close to EPCOT and we are going during F&W time.

[Connears]

The one time we stayed at BWV(we won't return) we had to get preferred view, because that's what was available when we called MS. We also asked to be close to the elevator. We got a 2bdroom that was the next to the last villa room from the elevator(long walk after park touring) and our PREFERRED view was of a roof and the corner of the canal to MGM. We asked about the room and the cm at the desk said it was preferred because it was WATER view! If you stretched your neck to see over the roof..maybe! We complained to MS when we returned home and they gave us back the extra points needed for preferred view...Didn't like the cm or atmosphere at BWV..just our experience.
Connears

[crisi]

The thing to be aware of is that Boardwalk View and Standard View are about 20% of the resort each. And they are the most popular (with Standard View rooms usually going first). Few people will take preferred view if they have a choice of one of the others. So when the resort is 40% full - what will be left is preferred view. View is one of the things that makes the home booking advantage at BWV important.

That isn't to say that people haven't gotten standard view or Boardwalk Views after the seven month window - some people have even gotten them on really short notice! But people who aren't booking 11 months out shouldn't make their plans based on lower point standard view rooms being available.

Standard View rooms have a pretty nice view - some of them are better than some of the preferred view rooms (as Connears discovered). Boardwalk views are very consistant. A lot of people think they are one of the best views Disney has to offer. I'm not so hot on them, but they are dependable. Preferred views are really a crapshoot.

[slp87]

A lot of people want to be near the elevators, but we actually prefer to be farther away because we feel the standard views get better as you go down the hall. We take advantage of the stairs and it makes it much easier to get to the main pool, quiet pool/community hall and the walkway to the bus stop.

[domiii]

But people who aren't booking 11 months out shouldn't make their plans based on lower point standard view rooms being available.

Hmmm hadn't thought about it that way. We are new at this, excellent advice. Thanks!!!

[mbhoxsie]

We always try to get Standard first at the 11 month window... If we can't we then try BW view and then get waitlisted on the Standard View...

[disneystick]

It does not hurt to try for the standard room first if that is what you want. Got a standard room at 4 months out from our June vacation date just yesterday. :banana:

[crisi]

I'm reading that you are planning on doing this switch during F&W. From October through the holidays are really popular times at BWV - owners were calling day by day for those standard/Boardwalk views last November (I didn't, I called on my checkout day, and got the last two bedroom Standard View available for one of my nights - so as of November there was a waitlist already active for some October nights).

A lot of BWV owners own specifically to use the resort during F&W (we own there specifically to go a certain week our kids have off in October - which happens to be during F&W). Early June, May, September...different kettle of fish entirely than October - early January at BWV. That doesn't mean its impossible, just not likely you'll find availability for anything other than preferred view (and you may have to waitlist for that).

[Lexxiefern]

We usually book boardwalk view first and then standard view. That said I love most of the views at BWV. I have had a couple rooms that looked at luna park (the main pool) and I absolutely love that view. I haven't had the quiet pool view yet, but that looks lovely too.

[DebbieB]

I used to book standard view because I didn't want to waste the points and not get the boardwalk view, view didn't matter then, I was satisfied with standard view. Now when boardwalk view became guaranteed, I booked it and got hooked! My last 3 stays were boardwalk view and I have 2 reserved for this year. The last time I could see Spaceship Earth from bed!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6ce09b3127cce8ec6257fc82700000026108AZOGTFq4ZtJ

[jekjones1558]

When we first joined DVC we did standard rooms and studios whenever possible to conserve points. Now that we have added-on, we do BW view whenever it is available. Our vacations are more about the whole experience than about the parks.
The few times when BW view has not been available, I choose standard view if it is available. We have had a great view of Luna pool (I realize others don't like this view) http://home.comcast.net/~jekjones1558/P1010002.jpg,
but other preferred views may or may not be worth the extra points.
Good luck with your choice. Hope you enjoy the BW location as much as we do.

[Boston5602]

A lot of people want to be near the elevators, but we actually prefer to be farther away because we feel the standard views get better as you go down the hall. We take advantage of the stairs and it makes it much easier to get to the main pool, quiet pool/community hall and the walkway to the bus stop.

I love being at the end of the hallway. I feel the view is better and there is LESS HALL NOISE !!!!!

[domiii]

We are PLANNING (with a capital P) to get a studio at AK 10/30/08 to 11/02/08, cruise on the Magic 11/02/08 to 11/05/08 (category 3), return to WDW and stay in a 1BR at BWV until our points allow (hopefully from Thursday to Sunday).

No matter what we will book 11 months at home, SSR, just in case the original plan doesn't work. It's DH and my 50th birthday year and we just want to go for it all!! After all I am only going to turn 50 once.

I know it is way off, but I have learned from my friends on the Disboards ... it's all in the planning! Anyway, we have to plan for our GV at SSR stay this November first.

[Inkmahm]

Most people like the standard view for points savings but I personally think BW view is a must.

Agreed. I want BW view! That's why we have points at BWV, so that I can call at the 11 month mark and get reservations for the view I want.

[WendyinNC]

Is the Bw view loud? I will be traveling with a 1 1/2 year old who goes to bed early. I would love a good view since I will be spending more time in the room. However, I'm concerned about the noise. This is our first DVC trip and I have a preferred room reserved. I'm wondering if I should waitlist for a BW view or just keep what I have.

[crisi]

Is the Bw view loud? I will be traveling with a 1 1/2 year old who goes to bed early. I would love a good view since I will be spending more time in the room. However, I'm concerned about the noise. This is our first DVC trip and I have a preferred room reserved. I'm wondering if I should waitlist for a BW view or just keep what I have.

We thought it "noticably noisy," even with the doors closed. The big issue is Illuminations at 9:00 - always when our kids were "almost asleep" - but that's the whole Boardwalk (and I suspect the Beachclub as well). But we could hear the games and the foot traffic until late. Not enough to disturb sleep, but we knew it was there.

Other people say they don't hear a thing with the doors shut.

[DebbieB]

Is the Bw view loud? I will be traveling with a 1 1/2 year old who goes to bed early. I would love a good view since I will be spending more time in the room. However, I'm concerned about the noise. This is our first DVC trip and I have a preferred room reserved. I'm wondering if I should waitlist for a BW view or just keep what I have.

It can depend on the time of year. I stayed in a 2nd floor room above Big River in June. Being it was warm, people were out on the boardwalk to all hours (many I'm sure drinking). In October, I was on the 4th floor above the Screen Door, didn't hear a thing.

[LSchrow]

we'll always book BW view if available (we do spend time at the resort). we drink our morning coffee on the balcony, as well as sit out there sometimes during the day, & most every evening (never had a bug problem, btw :) ).
the hugely variable standard view would be second (we've had the famed 1bdrm end unit with the amazing, gorgeous "standard view" :lovestruc , as well as a SV studio whose balcony was in a tree, with a very little, itty-bitty, partial view of the parking lot if you leaned over a railing, bent your head, & jumped :confused3 .....but then you still had to deal with all the bugs in the tree).

just don't care for the pool views, so preferred is last on our list.

[keishashadow]

Other than drink my morning coffee, or watch fireworks (CR:thumbsup2 ) we rarely venture onto the balcony...bugs & heat - eww. Sure would be nice to watch the boardwalk spring to life in the am:scratchin .

Until we add on have to conserve points, it's the BW stand view for us (benefit of being very quiet too).

Even with the view of the entrance area/we could see some treed areas; plenty of blue sky on the upper floor; it was just fine imo.

[jdvm]

We're members at Old Key West but have stayed at Boardwalk. For us, the view of the Boardwalk was really the main reason to try it.
John

p.s didn't particularly like it by the way....spent most of our time walking to and from our car or down the longest hallway on the planet!!

[tfc3rid]

When we stayed at BW we always got standard view... One year we got the 1 bedroom on the corner that had 2 separate exits for the balcony that stretched the entire length of the unit... That was amazing!!! Loved that room...

[goofy4tink]

I hadn't made up my mind whether or not I was going to WDW in early Dec at the 11 month window. But, three weeks past it, I decided...no standard, no BW view. I have preferred with a bw view waitlist.

[jade1]

We only stay at BWV if we can get the BW View. If not we stay at BCV.

[toesmom]

No better view than view of boardwalk. Standard rooms have view of entrance, nothing compared to the Boardwalk IMO

[Lizziejane]

We had a preferred view booked - not Boardwalk - but ended up in what we feel was the best of everything. We overlooked the Village Green, which gave us a partial boardwalk view, but probably a little less noise. We had 3rd floor which had huge balconies. And we were about 8 or 10 doors from the elevators - close enough that we felt "lucky" but far away enough that we didn't have to deal with elevator noise. If we return, we would definitely request this location again.

[1000th happy haunt]

Boardwalk view in the early morning hours...

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/ghost1000/mouseowne/Dscf3547.jpg

[LSchrow]

Boardwalk view in the early morning hours...

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/ghost1000/mouseowne/Dscf3547.jpg

ahhhhhhhhhhh
i think that's what heaven looks like
:cloud9:

[lisaviolet]

A lot of people want to be near the elevators, but we actually prefer to be farther away because we feel the standard views get better as you go down the hall. We take advantage of the stairs and it makes it much easier to get to the main pool, quiet pool/community hall and the walkway to the bus stop.

Yep.

The last room we got (I believe it was a xx21) had such a beautiful view I was shocked that it was SV.

I always ask for the down the hall. It's so peaceful. In fact, I find the front entrance view very peaceful in general. I wonder if it is because I spent years walking up from the parking lot staring at those suites thinking "oh lucky them....one day....one day...it will be us too". And now it is. So thrilling.

[Pig Pen]

I didn't think view mattered until we splurged for a 1 br Boardwalk View this past December. WOW! We were over the Screendoor and had a wonderful time watching the activities on the Boardwalk.

We didn't think it noisy at all, but we love people-watching and don't have little children.

Previously at BWV we had a standard view, close to the elevators, overlooking the elevators; and a preferred view, directly over the fitness center/arcade, overlooking the pool. I would take either one again.

We love the BWV!