BCV, DBW, DVO, DSS - Oh my! A lil' help, please

[joannchilada]

Hey, people!

I'm trying to choose between DBW, DVO, DSS, and BCV for one week - fun/romantic trip for two twenty-somethings. I was just looking for some opinions on the romance level of each place (the pool, the atmosphere, the view, etc), as well as other general tips. The last time I went to Disney I was 13, so I'm totally clueless when it comes to these resorts.

I find some of the websites out there to be a little overwhelming with the amount of information and options. They're also more promotional than opinion-based.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Tinkbellfan]

Welcome to the Disboards! Would love to help you with your decision, but some more detail about the trip and budget would be great. When are you thinking about going and what would your budget for the hotel be per night? Are you looking for quiet/relaxing or fun nightlife?

Yah - you are going to Disney World!

 

[joannchilada]

The hotel cost isn't a concern (family timeshare). I think we would like to do some romantic quiet nights and some nights out. We'd prefer a place that doesn't cater mainly to kids, but I don't think that's a problem with any of the four resorts.

The room is important - the bed, the view, the bathroom, etc. Transportation, as in bus and shuttle, is also very important since we will not have our own car. I would also be interested in what people thought about the pool.

Another choice was the DWL, but I ruled that out because we live in New England and I would just head to Vermont for a lodge experience. We're more interested in enjoying the atmosphere of Florida.

I hope this is a little more helpful for people to offer me their help. I guess part of why I posted here is because I'm so undecided! Any advice/tips/experiences in relation to these resorts would be helpful, and if it meets any of the criteria I'm looking for, all the better.

Thanks a bunch everyone! This is my first "adult" trip, post-college, away from New England, and without family. I'm so excited!

 

[Sammie]

Not sure what DVO is but I will assume you are asking about the Disney Vacation Club resorts since you mentioned Time Share etc.

You will get more detailed info about each DVC resort if you post this on the DVC forum.

The atmosphere of Florida would be Old Key West naturally. Beach Club is New England and Boardwalk is Atlantic City, and Saratoga Springs, is upper New York.

As to the rooms they are all very similar in size and amenties with different decor, except for OKW which is the largest of all the rooms offered by DVC if you are getting a one bedroom or larger.

Beach Club and Boardwalk are near Epcot and MGM and Saratoga Springs is walking distance to Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island.

Beach Club, Boardwalk and Saratoga all have wonderful pools. Night life can be found at Downtown Disney and the Boardwalk.

Not sure if you are the DVC member or trading in or renting from Disney, but your selection can sometimes be limited to dates and availiblity. So that might narrow your choices.

 

[Eeyore2003]

I have stayed at OKW and BWV. We are staying at SS and BCV in 3 weeks, so I'll know more about them soon.

We stayed in a studio at OKW and 1 bedroom at BWV. IF your'e looking for "truly" romantic, nothing beats the one bedroom at either place. King sized bed and jacuzzi for starters. We loved it. For the studio, the one thing I don't like about OKW is it's the only DVC place that has two beds instead of a pull out couch and bed. Makes it seem kind of like a small apt. with the couch and bed and more like a motel room with the two beds. So for romance, the one bedroom at any of them, for a more "villa" feel in the studio, anywhere but OKW.

As far as atmosphere, I would have to say both are very romantic in their own way. OKW is layed back, huge palm trees, lovely clapboard villas done in pastels. It has a very warm, lazy feel to it in a cozy way. The only restuarant is Olivia's, but it's a VERY nice place with good food. There's a boat that goes to DTD. It also has the warm feeling of "family". One plus that we like is being able to park right outside the villa instead of in the huge parking lot, way in the boondocks!!! We found the bus service excellent. The most reasonably priced and largest rooms of all the villas.

The BWV on the other hand seem very adult and upscale. The boardwalk is there and adds allot to do at night plus allot of restaurant choices between that, the YC, BC and Epcot. It's nice and convenient either walking or taking the boat to and from Epcot and MGM. We really enjoy strolling around Epcot in the evening, very pretty, then stopping over at Beaches and Cream for an ice cream. Much busier atmosphere, but in and adult sort of way. We were very surprised by the few children that were there compared to AKL, CR and WL.

Just guessing, but I would think that SS is much like OKW, since they're both in the same area, except for the fact that because they're still building and it's new, we noticed last time at SS that of coures the trees are no where near the size of OKW, which is one thing that adds to the charming atmosphere at OKW, and all the amenities at SS are not quite there yet. There's only one restaurant and it's a kind of deluxe snack bar. BCV, I would imagine, is much like BWV, since they're in the same area.

 

[Tinkbellfan]

Joannchilada, glad to see that you are getting some excellent advice from the Dis. I agree with eeyore2003. 1bdrm villa's are great. I have stayed at BCV and truely love it, but it might be a tad on the kid friendly side. You do have to remember though that it is Disney (= kids). I am also from New England, but still love WL. It's different than the ski lodge decor. I love it b/c it's very quiet.

The pools in the resorts are all really great. The villas also have their own quiet pools, which is nice if you want to be more private. The BC pool (SAB = storm along bay) is kid heaven! My DD(5) needs to be dragged out kicking & screaming (literally, but that's another story).

There are pro's and con's to each resort. I guess if I had to recommend, using the info I have, it would be in order: BW, OKW, BC, WL, SS.

I would also recommend getting a guide book and keep asking questions on the DIS. Most people here love to help!

Now say it with us - Yah, I'm going to Disney World!!