2 BWV questions

[ValpoCory]

Hi all, I am considering a first vacation at the Boardwalk Villas, but would love some advice from people who have stayed there. A couple questions in particular:

1. The BWV official website lists 3 room types:
# Water View - Look out over Crescent Lake.
# Garden View - Take in views of gardens or the adjacent woods.
# Standard View - Enjoy expansive views of Resort grounds from your Guest room

The DVC point chart lists only 2 levels, "S = Standard, P = Preferred"

Are all Water and Garden views considered Preferred? If so, can you guarantee yourself a Water View when you book a Preferred room?

2. In 2010, a week in an S room is 82 points and a P room is 105 (28% higher). That seems like a big difference. Is it worth it to upgrade to a P room? Anyone stayed in both and have an opinion on what they'd do again?


Thanks in advance everyone for your help.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Standard rooms look out over the entrance to the resort and the parking lot. They comprise about 20% of the total rooms. The BW View is a special preferred category that also comprises about 20% of the total rooms. The remaining 60% is the Preferred view, non BW view - garden, pool, waterways.

I'm not sure where you found the categories you found. Here is what I found on the WDW website:

Room types at Disney's BoardWalk Villas boast standard views of Resort grounds, boardwalk views, or preferred views of pools, the canal, courtyards or gardens. Select from Studios, One Bedroom Villas, 2 Bedroom Villas, or 3 Bedroom Grand Villas.

Normally, only members get the BW view or standard view. Booking through DRC only gets you the pool/canal/courtyard/garden views.

If you are not a member at BWV, it's hard to get the standard or BW view.

 

[DebbieB]

The Preferred view points on the chart ("P") are for both pool/garden and boardwalk (water) views. It used to be the specific view was not guaranteed, you could get either under preferred. But about 5 years ago they changed it to specifically book pool/garden or boardwalk view.

I would spend the extra points for boardwalk view. I wouldn't for pool/garden. I own at BWV and almost always book at exactly 11 months. Before the boardwalk view was guaranteed, I booked standard to save the points rather than gamble between pool/garden and boardwalk. Once it became guaranteed, I've always booked boardwalk view, I can't give it up now!

 

[ValpoCory]

I'm not sure where you found the categories you found.

If you are talking about the S and P categories, here:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/BWV-Points.shtml

Are you saying are in fact 3 different categories (with 3 different point charts) for the 3 types of rooms?

The room descriptions were on here:
http://www.kingdom-travel.com/Walt_Disney_World_Resorts/Disney_BoardWalk_Villas.shtml

 

[ValpoCory]

The Preferred view points on the chart ("P") are for both pool/garden and boardwalk (water) views. It used to be the specific view was not guaranteed, you could get either under preferred. But about 5 years ago they changed it to specifically book pool/garden or boardwalk view.

OK great. So a pool/garden and boardwalk (water) views require the same point values? Seems like no one would actually want a pool/garden view, but rather end up there if no boardwalk or standard (S) rooms are available.


Thanks for your help.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Seems like no one would actually want a pool/garden view, but rather end up there if no boardwalk or standard (S) rooms are available.

That's not necessarily true. Some folks do not care for the BW view. They feel the rooms are too noisy on the boardwalk.

Some like the rooms near the quiet pool and Community Hall. It's a shorter walk to DHS. Or, you may have a view of the canal and/or TOT.

You can also request a room over the Village Green...which you may or may not get. It's worth a try if you want a BW view, but can only book preferred (this is the area between the Villas and the Inn).

And, of course, there's Luna Park.

 

[buckylarue]

The room descriptions were on here:
http://www.kingdom-travel.com/Walt_Disney_World_Resorts/Disney_BoardWalk_Villas.shtml

FYI, that is not the "official" BWV website, it is a travel agency. Here is the link to the official BWV site:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/board-walk-villas/rates-rooms/

 

[Dean]

OK great. So a pool/garden and boardwalk (water) views require the same point values? Seems like no one would actually want a pool/garden view, but rather end up there if no boardwalk or standard (S) rooms are available.


Thanks for your help.

While there are exceptions, it is generally true that the BWV and Standard views are the most in demand and it's not just due to the number of rooms. The other problem with preferred view is that there's no way to have much impact on what exact room type you get and the word "preferred" should not be seen to imply much of an expectation from a view standpoint.

 

[dcfromva]

We enjoy the BW view, but I have only booked it a few times as a treat.

I book STD if it is available to save points. I book BWV if STD is not available and preferred view last, if that is all that is available.

I like the STD view because the rooms are generally close to the lobby (or parking), there is nice greenery and landscaping to look at and the rooms are nice and quiet for the most part.

The BW view is absolutely stunning. It is fun to watch the activity on the BW.

I like BWVs, so I can't see how you can go wrong with any view

DC

 

[ValpoCory]

FYI, that is not the "official" BWV website, it is a travel agency. Here is the link to the official BWV site:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/board-walk-villas/rates-rooms/

Thanks!

It says
"Studios with Standard Views look out over Resort grounds or parking area.
Preferred View Studios look out over pools, the canal, courtyards or gardens.
Boardwalk View Studios overlook Disney's Boardwalk and Crescent Lake. Rates vary for each."

So Rates vary for each. But for DVC members, the Preferred View Studios and Boardwalk View Studios cost the same?

 

[vicki_c]

http://www.dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/boardwalk-villas/points-chart

There are 2 points price-points: boardwalk/preferred or standard.

 

[DebbieB]

Thanks!

It says
"Studios with Standard Views look out over Resort grounds or parking area.
Preferred View Studios look out over pools, the canal, courtyards or gardens.
Boardwalk View Studios overlook Disney's Boardwalk and Crescent Lake. Rates vary for each."

So Rates vary for each. But for DVC members, the Preferred View Studios and Boardwalk View Studios cost the same?

I've never seen cash rates for a preferred or boardwalk view. On disneyworld.com, when playing around online I've never seen anything but a standard view come up. Even though it says "standard view" with disneyworld.com, you usually get whatever is left over from member reservations and that is usually pool/garden.

 

[ValpoCory]

Thanks again everyone. I appreciate it. I think I'll try to get a gauranteed Boardwalk view, then a standard room if I can't get that.

 

[corvair]

Just wondering....is the village green considered a preferred veiw?
I would love to have this area...I have a preferred veiw booked.

thanks.
amy

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just wondering....is the village green considered a preferred veiw?
I would love to have this area...I have a preferred veiw booked.

thanks.
amy

Yes, it is preferred.

Thanks again everyone. I appreciate it. I think I'll try to get a gauranteed Boardwalk view, then a standard room if I can't get that.

You'll need BWV points to get either of those. Make your reservation at 11 months out. Good luck.

 

[DebbieB]

You'll need BWV points to get either of those. Make your reservation at 11 months out. Good luck.

It's kind of deceiving that the disneyworld.com website says boardwalk views are available for cash. I wonder if it actually ever comes up as available.

Room Types & Pricing
Room rates at Disney's BoardWalk Villas begin at $335 per night plus tax in a standard room most nights during Value Season. (Minimum length of stay requirements may apply.)

Room types at Disney's BoardWalk Villas boast standard views of Resort grounds, boardwalk views, or preferred views of pools, the canal, courtyards or gardens. Select from Studios, One Bedroom Villas, 2 Bedroom Villas, or 3 Bedroom Grand Villas

No matter what dates I put in, it only comes up with "standard view":

Studios with Standard Views look out over Resort grounds or parking area. Preferred View Studios look out over pools, the canal, courtyards or gardens. Boardwalk View Studios overlook Disney's Boardwalk and Crescent Lake. Rates vary for each.
Includes a queen-size bed, a double-size sleeper sofa, one bathroom and a mini-kitchen
Private balcony or patio
Satellite TV (includes Disney programming)
Table and two chairs
Vanity area with sink
Makeup mirror
Mini-fridge
Toaster
Microwave
Coffeemaker
Vacuum
Hair dryer
Iron and ironing board
High-speed Internet access (for an additional fee)
Pack 'n Play playard
In-room wall safe
Ceiling fan
Voice mail
Wake-up call
Wheelchair-accessible rooms available
Non-smoking

 

[crisi]

CRO sells the rooms as "Standard View" because it gives them the most flexibility where to stick you. It will almost certainly be a preferred view room because the standard views book on points - then you are thrilled - you got an upgrade! On the other hand, if you check in and only standard view is available (under some fluke) and they'd let you book a preferred view room, they'd be stuck.

 

[DebbieB]

CRO sells the rooms as "Standard View" because it gives them the most flexibility where to stick you. It will almost certainly be a preferred view room because the standard views book on points - then you are thrilled - you got an upgrade! On the other hand, if you check in and only standard view is available (under some fluke) and they'd let you book a preferred view room, they'd be stuck.

I agree that's the reason but it's deceiving that they say boardwalk views are available. Also, some people may book standard view thinking they will have a good chance at a fireworks view facing the driveway and they will end up over the pools. They should just label it as "variable view".

 

[Sid74]

We've just come back from our first DVC stay.

We own at OKW, but I was lucky enough at the 7 month window to book a studio at BWV for Halloween weekend. I booked a standard view, as that was what was offered to me by MS.

We got a pool view, first floor room, 1070. It was a HA room with roll in shower, as that is what I needed. I thought at the time that it was supposed to be extra points for the view we got, but figured that they might not have the room I needed in a standard view section on that date.

We liked it well enough, and the Halloween party was as good as we had hoped, but I think we will be trying the other properties before we go back.

 

[sssteele]

I've booked a boardwalk view at 7 months (exactly) three times, and got what I wanted every time (in June), without waitlisting. Twice we booked a single studio, and once a lockoff 2 bedroom. Just lucky I guess. To repeat, we called as soon as the 7 month window opened.