Access Road behind BCV-how loud?

[Forever a Princess]

Hi there,

We are thinking of adding on at the BCV. We would buy through resale. Obviously we're going to have to patient. We're in no hurry. We realize that Disney may excercise ROFS on the property.

Anyway, I've been reading everything that I can about the BCV on the boards.

I know that I need to take a lot of the bad posts about the BCV with a grain of salt but some things have really bothered me because they are mentioned over and over.

Things that I think I would like to ask about BCV

1. The access road behind BCV. How big, how loud. Who is the road used by?

2. What shape are the BCV in? Normal wear and tear or worse?

3. Are owners overall happy with BCV?

 

[Beca]

The access road is a road of traffic. It is a loop that goes behind the BW, BC, and S/D. We would enter the loop on the BW side, and drive behind the BCV to get to the resort. The road is also used by Disney buses for transport.

I guess I am not really bothered by much. We had the road view, on a lower floor (2nd) on this last trip. We also overlooked the canal, so we could feed the turtles from our balcony, and we had a great view of SSE and Illuminations. The noise did not bother us at all, and we often kept our patio doors open and sat on the patio in the evenings. The only noise that woke up my dd was the noise of Illuminations.

As far as the shape of the rooms goes, I would say they are slightly more worn than the BWV rooms. They do need some work done on them, but it is certainly nothing that I would regret my membership about (and we have 540 points at BCV).

BCV is not a perfect resort, but I LOVE owning there, and am thrilled (often to the point of tears) when I arrive....it is an amazingly beautiful resort. If you like BCV and really want to own there, you will love it. If it is not a resort that really appeals to you, the "little things" will certainly add up and diminish your experience. Before our trip (last week), I was thinking I wanted to do an add-on at VWL. But, the moment we arrived at BCV, I turned to my dh and said, "No, I just want more points here." It is the perfect resort for me!!

Good luck in whatever you decide,



Beca

 

[gilld]

We had a room overlooking the canal and road in september. The traffic in no way spoiled our enjoyment.

The carpets were rather worn but I believe the resort is usually full or nearly so - things are bound to get worn. Howver, we think the advantages FAR outweigh the niggles. Being so close to Epcot and the restaurants of the Boardwalk, Stormalong Bay if you like it - we don't but the BCV pool is lovely - we are REALLY glad we own here.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

We don't own at BCV but stayed there this November. Just loved it. We had what we call the 'swamp view' which they call the EPCOT view. It's a peaceful view and if on an upper floor you would hardly notice the road. The road sound did not bother us at all(much quieter that having your balcony out on the Boardwalk at BWV). We were on an upper floor so had a great view of Illuminations. We really loved:
1. SAB
2.Cape May
3. The common rooms as you walk to the Villas
4. Watching the fireworks
5. Being close to EPCOT and the Boardwalk area

 

[debbie in Seattle]

Just got back from my first stay at the BCV (think Beca and I were there at the same time) and was on the 2nd floor overlooking the road. At the same time of buying at the BCV, I had bought at the BWV. Had such a bad stay at the BWV sold them, but LOVED my stay at the BCV!! I was under the impression the road was a 'frontage road' but it isn't. I would in NO WAY let this deter my decision in purchasing at the BCV. If I am at the BCV during the warmer months and think I will sit out on the balcony, will just request a Villa that does not face the road. To me, these Villas are so superior to the BWV's, for us it is that they are set off from the hustle bustle of the main resort and the ease to get to Epcot/Worldshowcase. Was concerned with not having all the places to eat as the Boardwalk does, but the sandwiches and gelato at the Marketplace makes up for that. Parking is by the Villas, so you have easy access to your car.
Go for it! Great purchase, we couldn't be happier!!

 

[DisZip]

We own at BCV and VWL. We just love the location and themeing at BCV, the closeness to Epcot can't be beat.

Each stay (the last one was just a week ago) we have had no problems. There is some signs of wear and tear - like the sleep sofas and the hallway carpets - which are going to be addressed according to what was said at the BCV annual meeting.

To get an idea of the proximity of the roadway to some of the villas, take a look at http://www.parkinfo2go.com/dvc-bcv/room469.php. Also take a look at some of the other room views for comparison.

 

[jarestel]

It's not noticeable inside the room with the balcony door closed. If you tend to leave the balcony door open at times for fresh air or whatever, the road noise can be fairly loud inside. Or if you're outside on the balcony, it's just like sitting next to a road anywhere.

We get used to it rather quickly, and it's not that big of a deal. But there is definitely a noise component and I guess it depends on the individual whether it's bothersome or not.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I think I was also there when Beca and Debbie in Seattle were.
As far as road noise, it really bothers me. I love to sit out on my balcony and can't really relax when I'm overlooking the road-that noise is so annoying. Fortunately, I've only gotten the road view once, just enough to hate it! But I love BCV and have had no problem getting different views since. Although I hate the road noise, it's definitely not a deal-breaker to me-BCV has so many pluses as far as I'm concerned-can't beat squishing my toes in that sand in the zero entry area, can't beat the Marketplace for gelato, macaroon chocolate chip bars, or sandwiches-can't beat the quick hop to B&C. I've never noticed any wear and tear-what I have noticed, just like at the BWV, is that I always see a "Wet Paint" sign somewhere-it seems there's constant maintenance. VERY happy BCV owner here!

 

[personaltrainerstaug]

We really like BCV. It is our 2nd favorite DVC resort. BWV is our absolute favorite.
As much as we like staying at BCV, we do not like the rooms overlooking the road, at all. We do not enjoy the view of the constant traffic and we are disturbed by the noise. It is non stop from early morning until after the parks close.

 

[DizWacko]

Some people call the road a "service road', or an "access road", not sure what is with these terms. In reality, it is "Epcot Resorts Boulevard" , and this road handles ample public traffic (buses and cars) to and from the resorts.

This kills the magic for me ... I will always request pool or courtyard/garden

 

[DaveO]

I agree with Diz - I own at BWV and stayed for 6 nights at BCV last year with the road view. It destroyed the whole atmoshpere of the resort enough for me that I will never stay there again. Of the countless times I have walked to Epcot from BWV I never really knew the road was there (walking over the bridge) until I stayed at BCV. Also I did not like the layouts of the room. But alot of people like it there so YMMV.

Dave O.

 

[lisareniff]

BCV is our home and we have been there twice but none of the other DVC resorts so can't fully compare. We have been very happy with our home resort and if we had to do it all over again would either purchace BCV or BWV.

Things we love (in order):
- Walking distance to Epcot & MGM
- Beach Theme
- SAB/beach
- Walking distance to many restaurants
- Close Self Parking
- Dedicated 2 bedrooms (some with 2 queens)
- Illuminations view

Things we don't love:
- no Grand Villa's
- higher points then others (OKW, SSR, BWV-std.)
- Road view/no great views
- no Community Hall

As far as the road view goes... we had room 367 right over the canal in Feb. We had a great view of the higher fireworks of Illumination, which we loved, but also a great view of Epcot Resorts Blvd, which we didn't love. For us the road view is a love/hate thing. For us the road noise didn't intrude too much, with the doors closed we could hear the thump thump of the traffic as it went over the junctions of the bridge. It seemed to bother my DH most in the morning when he wanted to be sleeping a little longer, the thumps would wake him. For me the part I didn't love was more visual. Not watching the cars, but seeing the stagnate water of the canal and a couple pieces of garbage sit in it all week. I also heard the thump, thump in the background but it didn't bother me as much. But come 9:00 the girls were in their PJ's and we were sitting on the balcony with popcorn watching the fireworks!!! That was a nice ending to the day. The road noise is a very subjective thing. I think it depends what background noise you are used to at home. We have a very quiet road at night where we live.

 

[Forever a Princess]

Hi All, thank you all very much for your replies.

Special thanks to DisZip for the link to the road pic and the room layouts.

Hmmm, I'll have to do more thinking on this. We bought at VWL because it is tucked away away from the hustle and bustle.

I'm already thinking that the road view would not be a good thing for us. Of course we could request a non-road view but would not be guaranteed.

We've stayed at the YC before and have driven on this road-quite busy if I remember right.

We enjoyed so many things of the YC/BC
-Stormalong Bay
-Clambake
-Kitchen Sink

I'll have to do some thinking and see if the BC is right for us. The other option would be the Boardwalk.

We've gone to F and W Festival for several years. This past year though we did a lot of the seminars and such.

I've been trying to get DH to say ok to adding on since we bought our points at VWL. After the F and W Festival he said "We have to add on at either Boardwalk or BCV."

No problems says I.

 

[CarolA]

I had an road view on my last stay. The noise didn't bother me and from my balcony I could look left and see Wishes and just to the right and see Illuminations! PRETTY NEAT!

 

[DizWacko]

Anything would be better than looking at/hearing Epcot Resorts Blvd .... this is NOT a service road, this handles a full load of bus and car traffic. On a breezy day, I dont see how it wouldnt be possible that bus diesel exhaust would carry into an open door on the balcony. I cant think of a single resort (including All Stars) that has a balcony near or over a busy road ..

Why cant they just build some kind of canopy/overhang just over the part of the road that borders the resort? Nothing fancy .. then again Im no engineer . .maybe it would be cost prohibitive.

With all of this being said, BCV is still my fav DVC resort for all the reasons everyone else has posted, just keep me away from that side of the resort.

 

[Terry S]

We own 1000 points at BCV and have owned there since the week they began sales.

We have requested and gotten that road view on many trips. The minimal amount of road noise and road view you hear and see when you look down is far out weighed in our families opinion by the view of spaceship earth and the countries during the day and illuminations at night when you look out.

I will post some pics of what you see when you look out as opposed to down when I can find them.

Our family has never been bothered by the road noise at BCV one bit. We were however, bothered by the noise from the boardwalk every single night from our boardwalk view grand villa on our last trip. The grand villa was beautiful and the view during the day was very nice, but not worth it in our opinion when it keeps the kids awake at night.

The best thing to do might be for you to stay at one of these rooms and see for yourself. We love the atmosphere and ambiance of the BCV, we also love the fact that this resort is far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the boardwalk but close enough that you can just walk there in 5 mins. if you want to.

 

[lisareniff]

As far as the road view goes... we had room 367 right over the canal in Feb. We had a great view of the higher fireworks of Illumination, which we loved, but also a great view of Epcot Resorts Blvd, which we didn't love. For us the road view is a love/hate thing. For us the road noise didn't intrude too much, with the doors closed we could hear the thump thump of the traffic as it went over the junctions of the bridge. It seemed to bother my DH most in the morning when he wanted to be sleeping a little longer, the thumps would wake him. For me the part I didn't love was more visual. Not watching the cars, but seeing the stagnate water of the canal and a couple pieces of garbage sit in it all week. I also heard the thump, thump in the background but it didn't bother me as much. But come 9:00 the girls were in their PJ's and we were sitting on the balcony with popcorn watching the fireworks!!! That was a nice ending to the day. The road noise is a very subjective thing. I think it depends what background noise you are used to at home. We have a very quiet road at night where we live.

I just wanted to clarify that I wouldn't let the road noise stop you from buying at BCV, it's not that bad, just slightly noticable. I would buy there again. BCV is tucked away behind BC, making it more removed from the action with it's own pretty little pool/spa area.

 

[JimC]

Hi there,

We are thinking of adding on at the BCV. We would buy through resale. Obviously we're going to have to patient. We're in no hurry. We realize that Disney may excercise ROFS on the property.

Anyway, I've been reading everything that I can about the BCV on the boards.

I know that I need to take a lot of the bad posts about the BCV with a grain of salt but some things have really bothered me because they are mentioned over and over.

Things that I think I would like to ask about BCV

1. The access road behind BCV. How big, how loud. Who is the road used by?

2. What shape are the BCV in? Normal wear and tear or worse?

3. Are owners overall happy with BCV?

We were on that side, high up with a great view of Epcot and Illuminations fireworks and Spaceship Earth. The road was not noisy even on balcony.

It is three years old so it is showing normal wear and tear.

Very happy overall with BCV. It is a great location and nicely packaged with YC/BC.

 

[Sammie]

I think the thing to remember about the location of the Beach Club is that since it was an add on to exisiting resort it was built in the Beach Club valet parking lot and tennis courts which were built next to the road. They have done a good job with sound proofing, but there are some rooms at the end of the building that are very close to the road.

The pool views also face the parking lot and road too. It is a great resort with a great location, but views are probably its weakest point.

Here is an aerial photo of the resort with the villas being in the upper right of the photos. Epcot Resorts Blvd is just the other side of the parking lot and the other side of the end of the building.

http://www.disneypix.com/2000ft/Roll2/Roll02_017.htm

This is an aerial of the Boardwalk Resort, you will see the Road as it passes to the lower left of the photo. This road continues around the property and will pass the same distance from the end of one of the wings of the Villas.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photos/orlando-aerial/pages/Disney_Epcot-Resort-Area_02.htm

 

[Sammie]

I just wanted to clarify that I wouldn't let the road noise stop you from buying at BCV, it's not that bad, just slightly noticable. I would buy there again. BCV is tucked away behind BC, making it more removed from the action with it's own pretty little pool/spa area.

Since the villas are set to the left of the entrance of the Beach Club resort how can it be tucked behind the Beach Club?