Boardwalk villas or beach club villas

[granismith]

We will probably choose boardwalk or beach club villas. Which would you choose and why? Thanks

 

[Deb & Bill]

We will probably choose boardwalk or beach club villas. Which would you choose and why? Thanks

When are you going? Are you booking on DVC points or cash through Disney Reservation Center?

 

[granismith]

No DVC just booking through Disney going in June.

 

[Deb & Bill]

No DVC just booking through Disney going in June.

How many in your party (what size villa will you be booking)?

 

[figment_jii]

We will probably choose boardwalk or beach club villas. Which would you choose and why? Thanks

To me, the one-bedroom villas were pretty similar (same general set-up, different decorations and color-schemes).

I would pick the Boardwalk ultimately. It's closer to the boat dock (for the BC you have to walk to the YC or IG). The BW is the last stop before Epcot, so even if you don't get a seat, it's a short ride. It's the first stop after leaving Epcot, so there is a good chance of getting a seat for the ride to DHS. If you miss the boat or there isn't one in dock, you can wait for the boat inside the store (if it's open), which is nice on hot or rainy days.

Now, the Beach Club does have a better pool (Stormalong Bay) (the Boardwalk Pool is clown-themed and clowns creep me out). The Beach Club also has a better QS set-up (the BW Bakery is currently closed for remodel, so there is a temporary location with a limited menu).

 

[Deb & Bill]

The parking at BWV is further away than at BCV if you have a car. And lots of people try to avoid paying for parking at the theme parks by parking at the BW.

 

[granismith]

4 adults and 2 children 7 and 1. Not sure on the size yet. Interested in overall best space, location, views, restaurants, rooms.

 

[Deb & Bill]

4 adults and 2 children 7 and 1. Not sure on the size yet. Interested in overall best space, location, views, restaurants, rooms.

With six (five plus one under the age of three) you will need a two bedroom villa at a minimum, unless you book more than one villa. A one bedroom villa only sleeps four at BCV and BWV.

All two bedroom villas at BWV are lockoffs, meaning a studio connected to a one bedroom villa. You will have one queen bed and one double sleeper sofa in the studio portion. In the one bedroom you will have a king sized bed and queen sized sleeper sofa.

BCV does have dedicated villas, but they are probably not available this late, so plan on a lockoff there as well. The second bedroom for both will also have a separate kitchenette.

BWV and BCV are very similar in layout. Decor is about the biggest difference inside the villa. BCV is a smaller resort and is located behind the BC, so none of the view are that great. BWV is larger and has a single elevator bank, so you may have to walk a distance from the elevator to your villa. At BWV, more than likely, you will have a view of one of the pools, either Luna Park (the themed pool) or the leisure pool (non-themed pool).

 

[sharadoc]

If you're going June 2013 there's not much chance that you'll get into Beach Club villas. There are a lot less of those and they get snapped up quickly.

We love Boardwalk, we've stayed at both and prefer Boardwalk. BCV seemed really far away from the lobby and boat to Epcot/DHS. BWV seems like it has a lot of hallways, but everything is right there on the Boardwalk once you emerge from the elevator, which we preferred.

 

[granismith]

If these villas are full does anyone have a recommendation. We prefer at least 1seperate bedroom since there are 4 adults and a child and a baby. We really want Disney property. We have always stayed offsite in the past.thx

 

[Deb & Bill]

If these villas are full does anyone have a recommendation. We prefer at least 1seperate bedroom since there are 4 adults and a child and a baby. We really want Disney property. We have always stayed offsite in the past.thx

The Fort Wilderness Cabins, the All Stars Family Suites and the Arts of Animation Family Suites all sleep six with at least one separate sleeping area.

If you want other DVC villas, you will still need a two bedroom villa except at BLT (they sleep five plus one with one bedroom) or AKV (they also sleep five plus one). OKW, SSR, VWL all have two bedroom villas that might have availability. BLT and AKV have one king bed in the master bedroom, one queen sleeper sofa in the living room and a twin sized sleeper chair in the living room. The sleeper chair cannot be moved out of the living room into the bedroom. Kidani Village (AKV) and BLT also have a second bathroom off the entrance to the villa.

 

[sndral]

Costwise 2 rooms @ a moderate or a value may be better. You can ask for connecting rooms - they aren't guaranteed but I've always gotten connecting rooms when I've requested them.

 

[roydavid7771]

Beach Club for three reasons:

1. Stormalong Bay. Greatest pool on property. It's easy to get the kids to take a break from the parks when you come home to something like that!

2. It's the closest resort to EPCOT, literally steps away.

3. Most of the time, you only share buses with YC, making for shorter rides on buses.

 

[ParrotBill]

Some more differences:

Beach Club much better for an active pool atmosphere, better food and drink with Hannah's and Beaches & Cream. More space.

Boardwalk main pool just not that great for space, food and drink (must walk out the the boardwalk in your swimsuit for better options). But the quiet pool area at Boardwalk is way better than the one at Beach Club. Lots of space, and really quiet most of the time.

Agree with the poster pointing out that if you have a car, much easier to load/unload at BCV than at BWV.

We have found the bus service at BW to have more problems than it should. Bus at BC is usually problem-free. We love the boats and walks to EPCOT and Studios for both.

The rooms are very comparable, except for views. BCV has some pool views, and lots of garden views and woods views. BWV has lots of pool views and some boardwalk views and some garden views. On whole, views at BWV are better unless you prefer garden/woods.

 

[LSchrow]

4 adults and 2 children 7 and 1. Not sure on the size yet. Interested in overall best space, location, views, restaurants, rooms.

"space" is the same.
"location" is similar: both are within walking distance/boatride to EPCOT and DHS (a few minutes difference either way)
views: BWV is generally considered to have better views. if booking thru DRC, you will get what is called "pool/garden" view in dvc-speak. BCV views can be of pool, parking lot, a street with trees beyond.

BCV has a large pool complex with a "shipwreck" slide, sandy bottom, etc(many love it, but we find it too noisy and congested for our tastes). kids in your 7yo range usually enjoy it. BWV main pool is carny themed, with a clown slide, and seperate play area for little ones.
BCV parking is closer to units (hence the "parking lot views"), BWV has nighttime action: street performers (magicians, etc), carny games, surrey bike rental, etc, as well as adult options (jellyrolls, belle vue lounge, atlantic dancce hall).
both have movies by the pool/beach (open to all).
BCV/BC/YC restaurants include cape may (yum!), yachtsman steakhouse, etc.
BW has ESPN, kouzzina, big river grille (our area favorite), flying fish, etc

as said tho, june is not likely to be available at either resort. i would suggest calling to see if any DVC resort has 2 bdrm availability (most likely would be SSR or OKW - both large resorts), or task about the value suites.

 

[cukal6]

We've stayed at both the Boardwalk and BC. I prefer the BC just because of the pool, but my kids liked both. I love that area and don't think you can go wrong with either!