Time to start planning - BCV vs BWV

[Shleedogg]

Just got back from a great 10 day split stay at BLT and AKV now it's time to start planning our next trip. We have another DD (I'm guessing) on the way in the spring, so we'll be holding off till next fall for our next trip. We want to try one of the Epcot resorts. Initially we had said Beach Club for the pool area. We went to B&C this trip and the pool looks awesome. Well, I looked at the point chart, it's 30 more points for a week at BC than it is at BW. Our DD will be 3 and our other LO will be about 7 mos so she won't be using the pool much.

So, my question. Is it worth it? Is the pool really that much more awesome at BC than at BW. DD does love to swim and we swim probably every other day on vacation. Do they have stuff for little kids at BWV in the pool area? Thanks for any input!

 

[DizGirl20]

So, my question. Is it worth it? Is the pool really that much more awesome at BC than at BW.

YES!!!! There is nothing - and I mean nothing - quite like Stormalong Bay!

I can't explain why but I much prefer BCV to BWV. Esp the pool area. We stayed at BCV in May and as guests could use the BWV pool. My DDs (10 & 12 yrs old) took one look at the BWV pool and said "no thank you, can we go back to our pool?"!

I know you are going to get many different opinions. I think sometimes it's hard to say why someone prefers one resort to another. It's just one of those gut reactions, which for me is BCV all the way!

 

[DizGirl20]

Oops - one more thing - there are great kiddie pool areas @ SAB for the little ones. That being said, just be aware that there are parts of SAB that have a slow-moving current and it is rather big. I did not have a problem with it, but I have heard others comment that SAB is so big it is a bit difficult to keep track of your kids. But I am always the type of Mom who is in the pool with my kids anyhow. I am sure others will chime in on this...

 

[Disney Doc]

Assuming that BWV is not your home resort, I think you should not expect to get standard view BWV rooms at the 7-month window, especially if you are visiting during F&W (in which case any room at BCV or BWV may be tough to get). In that case, the points needed for BW vs BCV are roughly equivalent. With the age of your kids, I wouldn't think SAB is of much benefit. Both are great resorts - I don't think you can make a wrong decision with either choice.

 

[jekjones1558]

I am a BWV fan, but we always book BW view and we aren't that keen on the crowds at SAB. If you can save 30 points by booking BW standard view, go for it. There is a small kiddie pool and adjacent play area at BW that your DD will be happy with. The standard view at BW may not be available at 7 months, however. In that case you could book BCV and your DD could enjoy the sand pool at SAB. Good luck and congrats on the new addition to the family!

 

[dbs1228]

As far as distance goes to parks my DD (17) stayed at BWV this summer with friends and said she liked being able to walk to both HS and Epcot, she checked out BCV for her sisters possible up coming trip and said the walk to HS is really long from there although she did like the property. She loved BWV.

 

[dbs1228]

One more thing, I have traveled to Disney with young kids and ANY/ALL pools were a thrill for them, I think 3 and newborn they will not know the difference at all so you should pick the pool the parents will be most comfortable with watching the 3 year old.

 

[Shleedogg]

Oops - one more thing - there are great kiddie pool areas @ SAB for the little ones. That being said, just be aware that there are parts of SAB that have a slow-moving current and it is rather big. I did not have a problem with it, but I have heard others comment that SAB is so big it is a bit difficult to keep track of your kids. But I am always the type of Mom who is in the pool with my kids anyhow. I am sure others will chime in on this...

That's what I'm worried about. I always go in w/ DD and DH does too, but just worried about adding another little one to the mix. I've also heard about the crowds which worries me a little with DD's size, she's a peanut. She was getting pushed around in the splash pad at Epcot and on the playground at AKV where parents weren't watching their kids. I guess I'm just over-protective of DD at this age. Wondering if it's too big of a place for her.

Assuming that BWV is not your home resort, I think you should not expect to get standard view BWV rooms at the 7-month window, especially if you are visiting during F&W (in which case any room at BCV or BWV may be tough to get). In that case, the points needed for BW vs BCV are roughly equivalent. With the age of your kids, I wouldn't think SAB is of much benefit. Both are great resorts - I don't think you can make a wrong decision with either choice.

We're planning on Nov, after the F&W fest as I know it will be impossible to get either of those resorts. Actually, there is a 30 pt difference in 2011 points. 107 for a week at BC and 78 for a week at BWV. I was shocked by the difference for next year! That's exactly what I was wondering, if there would really be a huge difference for a 3 year old between the 2 pools. I know when she's older there will be no contest that BC is the better pool option.

I am a BWV fan, but we always book BW view and we aren't that keen on the crowds at SAB. If you can save 30 points by booking BW standard view, go for it. There is a small kiddie pool and adjacent play area at BW that your DD will be happy with. The standard view at BW may not be available at 7 months, however. In that case you could book BCV and your DD could enjoy the sand pool at SAB. Good luck and congrats on the new addition to the family!

Yes! Thank you for that bit of info! She loves splash pads. We were bummed that the one at BLT was under construction when we were just there. I am worried about the 7 month availability. We're going to book the week we want at BLT so we have something and then try to waitlist at 7 months. Thank you!

One more thing, I have traveled to Disney with young kids and ANY/ALL pools were a thrill for them, I think 3 and newborn they will not know the difference at all so you should pick the pool the parents will be most comfortable with watching the 3 year old.

That's what I was kind of thinking. That DD wouldn't know the difference and obviously the baby won't be paying any attention, lol. With being new to the whole 2 kids thing, it will probably be easier at a less busy pool

Thanks for the input everyone! I think we're going to try for BWV this time around. Maybe in a couple of years we'll go for BCV when DD can really appreciate it and will be less likely to get run over.

 

[lisareniff]

I think that a 3 yo would just LOVE the shallow sand bar area of SAB and you might like the strolling waitresses from Hurricane Hannah's (although my experience is the service is slow). I am one that says SAB is a great pool that is difficult to watch your children, and I am one that swims with the kids too. It really is a matter of having a good adult to child ratio, so that you can split if the kids want to go in different areas. It is really about bad sight lines. I need to see my kids when they are in the water. However with a 3 and 7mo you should be fine most of the time together in that sand bar area. You can watch from the side in the shade and take care of the baby if needed or sit in the sand with the baby and make sand castles with your 3 yo. There is also a little slide in the shipwreck area that your 3yo would love as well.

The sand bar area I'm referring is in the upper right quadrant with Hurricane Hannah's in that white slightly curved building in the center (with umbrella tables on the serving side). There is also a standard baby pool (like BWV) and play equipment on the outer edge of the sand bar area. The shipwreck pool and slide area in the upper right.

All that being said, a 3 yo will not know what she is missing and will be happy with whatever pool she has.

If I were in you shoes (from what you described) and could choose then yes I would choose BCV first for the pool, but wouldn't be disappointed with BWV.

BWV is closer to DHS for walking and the night time performers right at your resort are very fun way to end the night. By the time we stayed at BWV our girls were just past the kiddie pool stage, but there is one...

 

[lisareniff]

I just wanted to add that I think it would be easier for you now at SAB then in a couple years. If you have one swimmer and one non-swimmer it gets more difficult. With a babe-in-arms you can carry her with you where ever your 3yo wants to go.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

the 78 points your looking at is for a standard view studio....which may be very hard to get at 7 months
the majority of BWV rooms are preferred view and a preferred view studio at BWV is the same as BCV 107 points.....so if both are available I'd go for which ever resort you'd like the pool best

 

[lisareniff]

Can you tell I'm trying to change your mind???

I just had to add this link for a slide show from Tagrel's site...

http://tagrel.com/Tours/DVC/SAB2003/SABSlideShow.shtml

 

[El&Asmom]

We have never had luck scoring a standard view anything at BW. We always go in very slow DVC times and still no luck. (Sept, Jan, early May), so I wouldn't count on the std view. We actually had luck getting a BW view though during those times.
As for the pool, we went to BCV when dds were almost 6, 3.5 and 5m. Dd who was 3.5 at the time LOVED SAB. She loved playing in the sand digging all day. It was a bit challenging having to walk dd1 over to the slide but dh and I just traded off going with her or staying with the little ones.
The main benefit would be the shallow area at BCV will be fun for your dd to play in without you having to hold her the entire time. This will leave your hands free to hold the baby. At BWV, she can play in the little kiddie pool, but our dds tire of those areas and want to play in the pools. There is no zero entry at Luna Park pool so someone would have to be holding her the entire time.
The points will likely be a wash since I wouldn't count on a std view room although it would be great pixie dust if you get it. So if I had to choose between the two I would pick BCV for children your age. (Now that mine are getting older we spend more time at BWV. The pool at BCV is just too spread out when kids are starting to swim on their own and going in different directions. At least at BW, we can see them at all times).
Congrats on your new addition.

 

[Shleedogg]

the 78 points your looking at is for a standard view studio....which may be very hard to get at 7 months
the majority of BWV rooms are preferred view and a preferred view studio at BWV is the same as BCV 107 points.....so if both are available I'd go for which ever resort you'd like the pool best

aaah, I didn't know that the split was heavy on the preferred view side. If we do end up not able to get a standard, then it would make more sense to do BC for us.

Can you tell I'm trying to change your mind???

I just had to add this link for a slide show from Tagrel's site...

http://tagrel.com/Tours/DVC/SAB2003/SABSlideShow.shtml

LOL Thanks for the link, it does look really really cool! I love the sand zero entry part; I think DD would have a lot of fun playing in the sand. Now that I know that the point values will be the same if we can't get standard view, BC has popped back up on the possibility list. I think we'll try to get BW standard, that way we can stay a couple extra days with the extra 30 points, or bank them for next year so we can go with a 1 bedroom instead of a studio. But if it's not available, at the point it's a no brainer to go to BCV!

 

[lisareniff]

Now that I know that the point values will be the same if we can't get standard view, BC has popped back up on the possibility list. I think we'll try to get BW standard, that way we can stay a couple extra days with the extra 30 points, or bank them for next year so we can go with a 1 bedroom instead of a studio. But if it's not available, at the point it's a no brainer to go to BCV!

Sounds like a great plan. Glad I won you over to SAB!

Really I think your kids are good ages for SAB. The first time I went my kids were just 2 and 7.5(good swimmer). I went alone with the kids and I had a horrible time. My 2yo only wanted to be in the sand bar area and decided she didn't want to be held in deep water. While my 7.5 yo really wanted to swim and try the slide but I couldn't see her from the sand bar area, so we all had to stay together. I was so relieved when my DH showed up from golfing. So I always add the caveat about adult to child ratio for that pool.

 

[LSchrow]

we own at both resorts.
after a few stays at the BCVs, we either rent out the points or use them elsewhere at 7 months. my kids and nephews (ages 5-16) did not care for SAB - very congested and noisy
actual swimming was just about impossible in shoulder-to-shoulder people, getting a lounge chair requires getting there early to claim one - simply not the relaxing pool experience we have gotten at any other DVC resort.
views of EPCOT is a busy road with a sliver of SE through the trees
pretty resort, but does nothing for us.
we love the BWVs, on the other hand

 

[smacky1]

I think SAB is the better choice for your 3 yo and totally worth the extra points. We own at BWV, but have been staying at the BCV for our last few visits starting when my kids were 1 and 3. The sandy kiddie pool is the best for relaxing with your little ones. They can swim and dig and build castles! SO much fun. SAB also has a kiddie water slide section that you 3 yo will love. Its very gently. Our son loved it at 2. This year at 3.5 he could do the big pirate slide which he LOVED. The reason Im thinking about staying at BWV next year is that now that my kids are better swimmers, I want a smaller pool so I can watch them easier. They like to go everywhere and DH and I are always in the water with them, but when we stayed at the AKV and swam at the Jambo house, it was so much easier to watch them. Plus at BCV, you have to walk quite a distance a way from the pool to get to the slide entrance. I dont like that with the kids at all. One of us would stay in the pool and one of us would walk to the entrance with them. I think its great for younger kids who dont swim around to much, but when they are in-between, I think a smaller pool is better. They are happy to just be swimming so I dont think they will miss it. They loved AKV's pool.

 

[dbs1228]

If your 3 yr old is anything like my 3 girls at that age the pool will be more fun then the parks themself! lol Have fun enjoy! Take lots of pictures

 

[Shleedogg]

Thanks for all the continued responses everyone!

My DD is actually a really good swimmer already and she's not even 2. No way, no how she will let us hold her in the pool. She wears arm swimmies and is able to swim around, slowly, but she's mobile. That was part of my concern, that she'd be run over by lots and lots of people in the pool. She loved the little kid slide at BLT's pool, it was nice and slow for her. Glad to find out there's a kiddie slide at BCV, she's a huge fan of water slides.

We might end up at BCV on first shot anyway. DH might not want to stay 10 days even if we get BWV standard. We did 10 days this time and DH felt like it was too much .

Random question. Are all the villas the blue section closer to Epcot? Or are they mixed throughout the hotel?