Availibility of BWV or BCV during Food and Wine Festival

[ToddnLiz]

My wife and I will soon be attempting to purchase our first DVC points. We initially thought that we should purchase at either BWV or BCV because most of our visits will be during the Food and Wine Festival and if we own one of those two then we can lock it in at 11 months. With that in mind, if we purchase at one of the other resorts, how hard is it to obtain a 2-bedroom at either BWV or BCV during the Food and Wine Festival if you don't own there? Do we need to purchase at one of those locations if our focus will be the F&W festival or can we get from Epcot to one of the other resorts (by monorail or bus) fairly easily (eg. within a decent timeframe - 30 minutes or so)? All thoughts, suggestions and opinions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[debbiepump]

I purchased at BW (since sold) and BCV due to location. We spend the majority of our time in Epcot and World Showcase, and it's great to be able to walk there. Also, BCV and I believe, BWV are the hardest resorts to book into, so the 11 month timeframe comes in great.

 

[paults]

if you plan on going to the F&WF every year(like us) and like BWV and BCV then I would buy there. It's only going to get harder to book these resorts at that time as more people join DVC.

we own at BWV and booked 11 months( 4studios /st) out for F&WF in Oct and F&GF in May 1 or 2 studios

 

[macky03]

I am going to the F&WF in October and I am a new DVC member. We just tried to book BWV and they are booked up the weekend I want to go, along with BCV and Sarasota... We got in to OKW for 4 of our 5 nights and we are wait listed for the 5th night... so book early!! And maybe see you guys down there... -mac

 

[dianeschlicht]

I am going to the W&WF in October and I am a new DVC member. We just tried to book BWV and they are booked up the weekend I want to go, along with BCV and Sarasota... We got in to OKW for 4 of our 5 nights and we are wait listed for the 5th night... so book early!! And maybe see you guys down there... -mac

Sarasota is a long ways from WDW. Sorry, just a tease, because I know you meant Saratoga Springs!

 

[mikesmom]

The answers are yes and yes.

If you want to be at BWV or BCV for the Food & Wine Festival then you should buy there. It is and will be difficult to book at 7 months. It will become more difficult as more members join.

If you don't mind staying elsewhere, the bus service back and forth is just fine, certainly less than 30 minutes. We own at BWV and OKW. First trip to Food & Wine I didn't book early enough and ended up with OKW. We took the bus back and forth and it was just fine. As a matter of fact we like the laid back atmosphere and large rooms at OKW better than BWV. If we traveled alone to Food & Wine (which NEVER happens anymore, LOL) we would probably book OKW and take the bus. Usually though we travel with a group of friends and it is easier on them to be walking distance.

 

[jdg345]

Yah, I think of you want a Studio/Std View, the 11 months is almost a necessity for F&WF ...

 

[byoung]

We bought BWV for the F&W time we want the 11 month to book our stay there. Will stay at OKW a lot at other times.

 

[macky03]

I always get those 2 mixed up Sarasota Saratoga... whatever man... it's almost the same word

 

[JimMIA]

Do we need to purchase at one of those locations if our focus will be the F&W festival or can we get from Epcot to one of the other resorts (by monorail or bus) fairly easily (eg. within a decent timeframe - 30 minutes or so)? All thoughts, suggestions and opinions will be greatly appreciated.

To try to answer this part of your question, the monorail doesn't go to any DVC resorts, so that's out.

Walking from the World Showcase to the busses and then home to OKW, SSR, or VWL in 30 minutes? I wouldn't count on it. We usually drive to and from OKW, and I could probably make it that way, but including the walks, etc, I think you'd be more like 45-60 minutes.

Also, bear in mind that if you're leaving right after IllumiNations, you're not going to just walk up and step on a bus -- you're going to stand in line.

If the majority of my trips were going to be for F&W, I'd buy at BWV or BCV. They're not and I didn't, but if you can book 7+ months ahead of time, I'd recommend one of those Epcot resorts.

 

[JimMIA]

I always get those 2 mixed up Sarasota Saratoga... whatever man... it's almost the same word

As long as you don't go out for beer and come back with bear, you'll be okay.

 

[ToddnLiz]

Thanks everyone for the extremely helpful replys. We really appreciate it.

 

[kitty44]

We stayed at SSR last November for F&W, and we thought the transportation back and forth to Epcot was fine. I think that Disney knows that at that time of year a lot of people are going to EPCOT, and there always seems to be a bus coming along within 10 minutes or so. And I don't think we ever had much of a line leaving the park either. The only time I started to get impatient was waiting for a Magic Kingdom bus late morning. I think we waited about half an hour for that one.

We are staying at SSR again this October.

 

[jdg345]

We stayed at SSR last November for F&W, and we thought the transportation back and forth to Epcot was fine. I think that Disney knows that at that time of year a lot of people are going to EPCOT, and there always seems to be a bus coming along within 10 minutes or so. And I don't think we ever had much of a line leaving the park either. The only time I started to get impatient was waiting for a Magic Kingdom bus late morning. I think we waited about half an hour for that one.

We are staying at SSR again this October.

You know, it's interesting that you mention that ... we pretty much experienced the opposite ... we saw two each of MK, MGM, and AK busses for every one Epcot Bus over Memorial Day. Maybe one of the Epcot busses broke.

Even then, it was only like a 20-25m wait for the bus. If you figure you're going to drive to the park, and then wait for the Tram, and then etc etc ... it'll probably take at least 20-25m imo.