BCV AGAIN or try VWL??

[nelsonkg]

We are DVC and always stay at BCV, because my kids LOVE it there. I want to try VWL but am afraid we will miss the Boardwalk and IG, which we take advantage of a lot. Opinions? Thanks!

 

[jimmytammy]

I would say the biggest difference in something missed at BCV vs VWL would be the pool area. But VWL has so much to offer too. Try it, you may be pleasantly surprised.

 

[DizGirl20]

We have stayed at both VWL and BCV. In fact, we stayed at VWL this year and we have BCV booked for next year!

As you know, they are 2 very different resorts. VWL is much much quieter (which I LOVED). You have access to the boat that takes you over to the Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary. We also rented bikes and spent the morning riding around Ft. Wilderness. However, as my kids are 12 & 15, they really missed the pool area so we made sure to spend a day at Blizzard Beach. I think that helped alleviate their desire for SAB. We took advantage of dining at the monorail restaurants which we loved - Artist Point, WCC, California Grill, Kona Cafe and Citricos.

That being said we are looking forward to staying at BCV in March. This time we will not be hitting any water parks but rather spending a lot of time at BCV and eating around the Boardwalk and Epcot. And I know it definitely will not be as quiet! I think you just need to take advantage of what's available around your resort as each has something different to offer. I love the fact that every time we go we have a different experience.

Bottom line: it's Disney and we love every resort!

 

[DanenRox]

I LOVED VWL, my husband...not so much. I just thought it had a homey, "set apart" feel that was unique to that resort. I suspect you will miss all the perks of the Boardwalk area but you'll find things at VWL that you'll love too! I don't know...you should try a lot of different flavors of ice cream, don't you think?

 

[disneynutz]

You really need to try each resort and as a DVC owner you have plenty of time to do so. Just tell the kids that you are going on an adventure and that you aren't leaving BCV for good.

Bill

 

[nelsonkg]

Thanks everyone I value your thoughts!

 

[coup2516]

You could always do a split stay during your next trip. Go to VWL for the first half and BCV for the second half. Then, if you don't like VWL or miss being at the Boardwalk, you know that you're moving there in a few days.

 

[Disney st8 of mind]

I was recently in the same boat. We stayed a few times at BW and BWV then three trips at BCV. For Aug 2012 we booked at VWL and had the very same fears of missing IG and such. While it was quite a different trip (we spent much less time in Epcot) we LOVED the resort! We actually just put in our first purchase offer for VWL!!! I have never personally been overly impressed with SAB. Just too chaotic and the whole ID thing was always a pain. Also don't like how you have to leave and walk across the public walkway to get to the kid area and slide. WL is just sooo relaxing. I spent many a minute just sitting on the beach looking across the water. The boat to MK was cool, the villa pool is great, the geyser and marshmallows on the beach are an unexpected treat. BCV does have a slight advantage in parking convenience though. You're not out anything if you try it! Have a great time!!

 

[nelsonkg]

I am really considering the change. VWL sounds relaxing and fun.

 

[PoohsFan1]

You really need to try each resort and as a DVC owner you have plenty of time to do so. Just tell the kids that you are going on an adventure and that you aren't leaving BCV for good.

Bill

This

We too love BCV and have stayed there many times (we are not owners but want to some day), however we have stayed at WL (the lodge not the Villas) many times too and love it there. We are planning on a trip to VWL in 2014 and are really excited. I really wouldn't worry about the kids, they will love the resort....the pool, geyser, boat to MK, restaurants, etc. Like Bill said, let them know that it is an adventure and that you will be back at BCV soon enough .

 

[suemom2kay]

I suppose I have the opposing view in this thread. Last year, we were unable to get BCV (cause I had to change dates well after the 7 month mark) so we decided to try VWL.

First, what I liked about the resort. The amazing lobby, loved sitting there and looking at all of the architecture, etc. Loved the relaxed feel, the homey, family atmosphere. Loved the theming. The counter service was really good compared to other deluxes with a nice variety. Loved Whispering Canyon - Lots of fun and nice to have it right at our home resort...

Didn't like...

The main pool is very small and was ALWAYS crowded and very loud (we went the first week in June-your mileage may vary). My daughter did not enjoy the slide much, which is more like a kiddie slide and ALWAYS crowded. It was nearly impossible to find a lounge chair. Impossible to find more than 1 together.

There is only one "quiet" pool and it was also ALWAYS crowded and very loud. Someone was using a super soaker in there. No lifeguard to stop them.

The boats - thought this would be very convenient like the boats at BCV. There is a "normal" size boat (like at BCV) and one itty bitty one. Invariably we would be at the end of a moderate line, but the small boat was so small it would only take half the line. The captain would say, "there's a boat right behind me...." 15-20 minutes later the next boat would come... So after waiting 10-15 minutes for a full boat we would wait another 15-20 minutes for the next boat. We did this a few times and then just took the bus.

The bus was often shared with Fort Wilderness and the GF. This was very time consuming. I know the bus is not the fastest at any resort, but I really thought the boats would at least take care of MK.

Just know this review comes from a family that absolutely LOVES the Beach Club. We are parents of a very hyper 11 year old and SAB keeps her very occupied so it is very relaxing for us as we don't have to be in the pool with her. She's having a blast.

I didn't hate VWL and I think it is a very charming resort. If I'm not mistaken it was one of the first DVC resorts and they went high on theme (the pool theming is beautiful and amazing with the "spring" that feeds it from the lobby, the geyser, etc., perhpa to a fault, i.e. lots of theming but not enough space for the number of guests). Again, charming resort, just wasn't the right resort for us.

Have a magical vacation whichever you decide!

 

[joeyrose]

you'll never know til you try!

 

[daisyduck123]

That's what split stays are for!

(As you can see in my signature, we are HUGE split-stay fans)

 

[nelsonkg]

I still haven't decided soooo hard

 

[J and R's mom]

Have you ever visited VWL on one of your previous trips? If not, you could always stay at BCV this trip, visit VWL and ask your kids (not sure of their ages) if they would like to try VWL next time.

We like both for different reasons and choose based on which best meets our needs for that trip (or based on availability ).

But I recommend staying there at least once at some point so that you know for sure.

Or a split-stay if you are into that sort of thing.

 

[rklives]

I agree, if you've never stayed at vwl you should go there. It is our favorite resort, just added on there, you wont be disappointed.

 

[Brian Noble]

I was at VWL in February, and just got back from a week at BCV. I enjoyed both resorts, but for very different reasons. VWL itself is "more interesting" than BCV as a place to be, and VWL is a bit more of "an escape", while BCV is more "in the middle of it all". It will be a different sort of trip at VWL, but not necessary a better or worse one.

 

[StormalongKay]

BCV is our home resort too, and our first love. But in 2008 we tried VWL. We went for a week around the 4th of July, and found the trees and darker colors very cooling in the heat of the summer.

Also, we signed up to be the flag family when we arrived. I'm not sure if they still do this - but we were permitted to go to the roof with a cast member and raise the flags for the resort one morning. We got special buttons, concierge level floor breakfast and great views from the top. That is an experience unique to the VWL. My kids loved it and it is a great memory.

As to the pools, I echo the comments posted a little earlier - the main pool was jam packed and so was the villa quiet pool during the day. We solved that problem by using the quiet pool at night. It had cool bubbling springs in it too which my family loved.