Beach Club or Boardwalk??

[KatGarcia]

I am torn on which to stay at this coming feb for our anniv trip. We are currently booked at BWV but I can't make up my mind! I know we want to stay in that area because of how close it is to Epcot and MGM. I also wonder how close it is to get to drinks if we have refillable mugs at either resort? Any advice would be great. Our trip is for 6 days in the beginning of Feb in a studio for just DH and me! Thanks!

 

[zackspal]

If you like to use the pool, Than Beach Club is the one to go to

 

[I'mNoPrince]

We just stayed at the BCV for the first time it was really great.We had a 1st floor right at the Villas pool.

I would think BWV is the same but haven't stayed yet (next trip ).

We do the grocery runs so no refills for us ,so I can't help you there. I do know at BC the store/walkup is close to the entrance of the Villas

 

[Popovich]

We love staying at both resorts. However, if it were just DH and me, I would stay at BWV. The shops and restaurants along the boardwalk are great. ESPN and the Jelly Rolls are nice and there is that little bar/game room on the balcony at the BWV. DH and I went to dinner at Flying Fish on a recent trip and we stopped at the little BWV bar/game room after and sat outside on the balcony.

Good luck with your decision. I'm sure you'll have a great time no matter where you stay. Both resorts are beautiful!!

 

[jekjones1558]

If you are likely to use Stormalong Bay, BCV is your best choice, understanding that February is not necessarily very warm. If the Stormalong Bay pool is not a big draw for you, then I think a BW view studio (if available) would be a great place for you. It is fun to watch people, fireworks, performers and soak up the atmosphere. Either way, I wish you a wonderful anniversary trip.
P.S. If you fall in love with the BW view, please keep it to yourself. Those rooms are becoming very hard to book as the word gets out!

 

[eporter66]

We stayed at BWV last October and loved it. The Boardwalk is great at night, and all the restaurant choices (BW, BC & EPCOT, not to mention Swan & Dolphin area), it is an awesome location.

The BCV have that great pool area (Stormalong Bay?), so that is the only kicker for me.

The location is great, so if it is a hassle, dont worry about switching. Go, enjoy BWV and try to get BC the next time. BWV was a great place to stay, and we are hoping to get to the BC next time. Both are beautiful

E

 

[KatGarcia]

Thanks to everyone for the wonderful advice! I'm still discussing it with DH. His original reaction to BC was he didn't like the look of it, but I did, so its become difficult. I do plan to do some grocery shopping before hand but i like to bring home mugs as souvenirs so I was hoping for refills. DH will swim in any weather, esp because Feb in NY and Feb in Fl are worlds apart! DH also hates clowns and even tho I showed him the BWV pool he seemed ok with it, but would he be once we get there. i dont know!?

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Remember... this is just your NEXT trip. You already have the ressies made.

I have heard too many horror stories about people trying to change resorts and in the brief moments of cancelling and making the new ressies the availability of the desired room is gone and when they try to get back the old ressies they're gone too. No joke. It's a real possibility.

I suggest you go to BWV as planned and visit BCV while you're there to see if it is where you want to go to next trip. Either way have a great trip

 

[Simba's Mom]

DS and DDIL stayed at BWV for their anniversary in April. After visiting the BCV, they wish they'd chosen that one instead. They were disappointed in the few CS options convenient to the BWV, so they liked that BCV had the Marketplace right there. They also loved B&C, the character breakfast, and of course, the pool.

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

beach club would be my pick, closer to EPCOT, great pool, and the mug refill is much more convenient IMHO (also the onsite store is better and has more options for snacks)

 

[byoung]

Boardwalk views are OUTSTANDING at BWV

 

[colieolie]

We prefer the BWV due to the view we get of the boardwalk and the entertainment that goes on at nite.
Bike riding piano player, jugglers, magicians.
This is also great viewed from your room if you are lucky enough to get a boardwalk view or sit in the Belvedere room which is a bar that overlooks the boardwalk.

The BC is great for the pool and the steakhouse restaurant. You don't have the view as you would from the boardwalk.

When me and my husband go we prefer the BWV when we bring family with kids, we stay at BC due to the pool.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[Corinne]

We have stayed at both numerous times. Our first choice is always BCV. I think we are partial because our first trip on property was at the YC, and before we became DVC members we always stayed at the YC. I honestly don't think you can go wrong. IMO, the area is the best!

 

[J and R's mom]

First off, CONGRATS on the anniversay trip! How FUN!

My vote is for BWV (see my signature--and we're SSR owners as of 2003). The views are much better (most of the time) at BWV--especially if you get a BW view room. You can refill your mugs at the BW Bakery (that's the only place I know of at the BW to refill the mugs). The BW does not have a counter service venue, though--if that is important to you. It does have a general store down on the BW, though, but no place to refill your mug inside of it.

We really enjoyed our stay at the BCV, too. You can refill your mugs at the general store inside the main lobby building and possibly at Beaches-N-Cream (but I'm not sure). BCV does have the counter service option (Beaches-N-Cream) and is a bit closer to EPCOT but further from MGM.

If you're interested in some pictures of the BWV (1br boardwalk view) and the story of our trip without kids, feel free to click the link in my signature to my trip report.

Have a FANTASTIC trip!

 

[heidiboo]

Have any of you stayed at the BWV in a studio room? I am considering switching from the Swan to the studio. (There are 4 of us - 2 adults and 2 teenagers).

Thanks.

 

[jeankeri]

We own at BWV and know all the different views, etc. My boys want to try out BCV for our next trip. There are no different room view categories on the points chart, so I am interested in what the views are. Is this a request you make at reservation time and cross your fingers it comes true? Would love any comments!

 

[J and R's mom]

Have any of you stayed at the BWV in a studio room? I am considering switching from the Swan to the studio. (There are 4 of us - 2 adults and 2 teenagers).

Thanks.

My DD and I stayed in a BWV studio (BW view) last February. The room size is not that much bigger than a typical deluxe hotel room at WDW. It does come with the kitchenette, though, which will at least give you an additional sink.

This website will give you a virtual tour of a BWV studio.

For the virtual tour, click on the "View 360 room tour" icon in the middle of the screen and select the "Studio" option.

You can also see the layout (floorplan) for the studio by clicking on the link directly under the virtual tour link.

You won't have two beds, but you will have one queen bed and a sleeper sofa. The nice part about that is that you can fold the sofa bed up during the day and have a bit more room in the unit.

We own at BWV and know all the different views, etc. My boys want to try out BCV for our next trip. There are no different room view categories on the points chart, so I am interested in what the views are. Is this a request you make at reservation time and cross your fingers it comes true? Would love any comments!

The views that I am aware of are rooms that face the quiet pool, rooms that face a canal/road, rooms that face the Soarin' building and rooms that face towards France (in EPCOT). We had one of the rooms facing towards France and could make out the Eiffel tower through the trees and could see the higher fireworks from Illuminations at night from our balcony.

 

[Jillpie]

You mentioned two things that are important...refilling mugs and your husband hates clowns. The decision is easy then, Beach Club!! He will hate the clown pool at the BW, even though I love it because the slide is fun. The accessibility of the mug situation is so much easier at the BC, right there in their store and close to the lobby. Easy right off the buses. Not easy at all at the BW. Have fun with your choice (oh and the pool is just so much better at the BC)!!!

 

[snyderla]

Heidiboo, the rooms at the Swan are probably the same or maybe even slightly bigger than a studio at BWV. We have stayed at both, and I prefer BWV (or ANY DVC resort) to Swan or Dolphin. Our bathroom at Swan didn't have a fan/vent and as humid at it gets there, getting dressed after a shower with your clothes sticking to you is not fun! The beds were comfortable, but that was really the only thing I liked about it.

Lori

 

[Deb & Bill]

Have any of you stayed at the BWV in a studio room? I am considering switching from the Swan to the studio. (There are 4 of us - 2 adults and 2 teenagers).

Thanks.

I would not get a studio with four people, especially four grown people. Way too crowded. You only get a queen sized bed and a double sleeper sofa. Do a one bedroom at a minimum.

As for the refillable mugs, I don't think they are such a good value at the DVC resorts because it just isn't convenient to get refills. VWL would probably be the only one because of the food court, but none of the others really have food courts. Just fill up your refrigerator and get what you like. I have heard that they are using the same refillable mug at all the resorts.