BCV or BWV 1 Bedroom (Jan. 2026) with Kids

[atots]

I just booked my first DVC stay, switching SSR to BCV at 7 months, 1 bedroom. Super excited for my first Disney trip with my kids and as an adult (My non-Disney loving husband is just along for the ride, would love to be able to change his opinion). I had been planning on and stalking a BWV 1 bedroom pool/garden view room for months. I never imagined that Beach Club would be available but since it was and I've heard how great the pool is and how hard it can be to get into, I booked it. And now I'm second guessing myself. Should I book Boardwalk instead?

Reasons I went Beach Club: not having to walk outside for food and drinks, super close to Epcot, the pool (but maybe this shouldn't be a deciding factor in late January ), complaints of the super long hallways at Boardwalk, BCV has fewer rooms and more popular so there is a better chance that I'll be able to try Boardwalk in the future.

Reasons I'm nervous/rethinking it: I'm from Martha's Vineyard so it seems kind of lame to be spending 8 nights at a Cape Cod themed resort. I've seen mixed reviews about Stormalong Bay with little kids either being great or being scary and overwhelming. Mine will be 4 and 7; neither can swim independently and I doubt that will change by then. My 7-year-old is autistic.

We are planning one day at each park, two at Magic Kingdom and probably two at Epcot. Now that we're definitely walking distance from Epcot, and also thinking about getting the Park Hopper tickets. Planning to rest in the room every afternoon. Planning on a lot of character dining so we're going to go with the Disney dining plan since both my kids will be free in 2026. My spreadsheet shows we will break even or come out a little bit ahead without factoring in drinks/alcohol.

Keep Beach Club or switch to Boardwalk??? And if we stay, any recommendations?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We'd always select BCV over BW, but that's just our opinion from experiences over the years. You just can't beat the short walk to EPCOT (shorter than BW, but BW isn't bad either!). It's also super close to the Skyliner station should your plans take you there. BCV has also recently be refurbished in the last couple years and have the Murphy Beds installed. I'm less familiar with the BW rooms and renovation situation.

Stormalong Bay really is an amazing pool to experience. There are 3 main pool areas. The pool on the YC side of the resort is shallower for kids with lots of sand to play with/in. But also keep in mind you'll have access to the 'quiet' pool at BCV and also the one at BC, if the more traditional pool options might be more comfortable for you - you'll have a choice.

In reality, both are great options. You don't have a bad choice. I would say, however, we'd 100% change from SSR to either BCV or BW. Hope you have a great trip.

 

[kilik64]

Beach club.

Just stayed at bwv and didn’t really care for it outside of the room. SAB can be a little intense with younger kids, but they will love the sandy beach area and there is a self sustained little kids slide across a walkway. The bad part is the main slide but if they are not all about doing that part, it’s all in the same area otherwise.

If you have down time, the community hall at boardwalk was pretty cool, can do some crafts (some free, we did a sand art thing that was like $5 I think), it’s a good spot to hang out for a while too, has Nintendo switches to play as well. Can get there pretty easy from bcv, just ride the boat over.

 

[Tatebeck]

If it was BWV resort view for the savings or BWV boardwalk view it would be more arguable worth it to stay with BWV. With BCV being harder to get into, I would personally choose BCV over BWV P/G view. I switched our BWV to BCV (and Poly Tower) in Jan 2026 as well

 

[MICKIMINI]

WOW what luck!! Keep BCV!!

 

[Mommb]

If you're heading back to the room each afternoon, Beach Club will probably be better than Boardwalk. It is quicker walk from Epcot to Beach Club, since there's an entrance before you reach the hotel entrance. For Boardwalk, the villas are past the hotel rooms, and then a ways more. I have felt that I was walking halfway to Hollywood Studios going from the lobby to my room at Boardwalk Villas.

As mentioned, if you or your kids don't like Stormalong Bay, you can use the quieter pools.

In the case of inclement weather, there's more space inside Beach Club than Boardwalk to walk around without going outside.

 

[Wedgeout]

Nothing to rethink. Snagged a great reservation. Keep BCV and enjoy all we love as a home resort. Main pool has something for everyone. Plus a leisure pool directly out from the building. Option here to request a dedicated room. Has one of the best character breakfast locations. If the balcony is your happy place, request 2nd floor for the most full length ones.

 

[Shellyred8]

Another vote for keeping BCV. It might be better for your autistic little one as the atmosphere is a little more calm. At least I've always felt this way when I was there. Also, I think BCV is harder to get than BWV, so I would keep BCV and try for BWV at a later time. I also like that BCV has more indoor food options. If you have inclement weather for any length of time, this becomes a bigger issue at BWV.

 

[Girlstar30]

BCV is so hard to get. I say Keep it. You can always go to BWV one bedroom pg view with ease another time.

 

[RuntheMouse]

I just booked my first DVC stay, switching SSR to BCV at 7 months, 1 bedroom. Super excited for my first Disney trip with my kids and as an adult (My non-Disney loving husband is just along for the ride, would love to be able to change his opinion). I had been planning on and stalking a BWV 1 bedroom pool/garden view room for months. I never imagined that Beach Club would be available but since it was and I've heard how great the pool is and how hard it can be to get into, I booked it. And now I'm second guessing myself. Should I book Boardwalk instead?

Reasons I went Beach Club: not having to walk outside for food and drinks, super close to Epcot, the pool (but maybe this shouldn't be a deciding factor in late January ), complaints of the super long hallways at Boardwalk, BCV has fewer rooms and more popular so there is a better chance that I'll be able to try Boardwalk in the future.

Reasons I'm nervous/rethinking it: I'm from Martha's Vineyard so it seems kind of lame to be spending 8 nights at a Cape Cod themed resort. I've seen mixed reviews about Stormalong Bay with little kids either being great or being scary and overwhelming. Mine will be 4 and 7; neither can swim independently and I doubt that will change by then. My 7-year-old is autistic.

We are planning one day at each park, two at Magic Kingdom and probably two at Epcot. Now that we're definitely walking distance from Epcot, and also thinking about getting the Park Hopper tickets. Planning to rest in the room every afternoon. Planning on a lot of character dining so we're going to go with the Disney dining plan since both my kids will be free in 2026. My spreadsheet shows we will break even or come out a little bit ahead without factoring in drinks/alcohol.

Keep Beach Club or switch to Boardwalk??? And if we stay, any recommendations?

We just swapped into BCV in a 1 bed at 7 months last week. I then saw a resort view at BWV open up so I swapped again only to save the points.

I would stick with BCV for you. It is so much quieter compared to BWV and agree on the indoor access to food. Stormalong Bay is the wild card, it can be a bit much but you can always use the quiet pools if they suit your kids better.

 

[SG131]

A couple things. If you booked a DVC stay as a member or through a rental site, you will not be eligible for free dining for the kids. You have to have a package for that. Second, you do have to walk outside a bit to get to the food and drinks from the DVC villas, but it is extremely close.

I personally would probably still keep the BCV room because it is a harder one to get just so you get a chance to try it, though overall I prefer boardwalk better. When we stayed at BCV, we did not have to deal with the long hallways as we were pretty close, but we did have to deal with the noise outside from the courtyard and it was a lot. But the sand bottom pool for little kids at BCV may be a great fit for your family. I feel like both BWV and BCV are very much love it or hate it, so until you personally stay there it's tough to know which your family will end up liking better.

 

[atots]

Thank you all! I feel better about sticking with BCV this trip. Looking forward to trying as many places as I can in the future too. Why is January so far away

 

[atots]

A couple things. If you booked a DVC stay as a member or through a rental site, you will not be eligible for free dining for the kids. You have to have a package for that. Second, you do have to walk outside a bit to get to the food and drinks from the DVC villas, but it is extremely close.

I personally would probably still keep the BCV room because it is a harder one to get just so you get a chance to try it, though overall I prefer boardwalk better. When we stayed at BCV, we did not have to deal with the long hallways as we were pretty close, but we did have to deal with the noise outside from the courtyard and it was a lot. But the sand bottom pool for little kids at BCV may be a great fit for your family. I feel like both BWV and BCV are very much love it or hate it, so until you personally stay there it's tough to know which your family will end up liking better.

Thanks! Hope I'm in the love of camp now that I've committed

I did want to note that you just need a room, cash or DVC, to get the 2026 free dining for kids 3-9. Now that I'm sticking with BCV, I booked the dining online yesterday on the DVC portal; both kids were free!

 

[RickNJane]

We own at BWV and I hate to say it but keep BCV. The pool alone is worth it. We are from Seattle so my kids would hit the pools in 60 degree weather thinking it's the hight of summer! I would definitely get Park Hopper. Our favorite thing to do after hitting the parks in the morning, is head to the room for an afternoon nap, or pool time, then head to Epcot for supper. Lots of QS options. Our favorite is the Fish and Chips at the QS at Rose and Crown. Easy stroll and near the International Gate. Our last trip we ate at Beaches and Cream for the first time. It was fantastic. Definitely taking the grandkids there in our November trip.

Thank you all! I feel better about sticking with BCV this trip. Looking forward to trying as many places as I can in the future too. Why is January so far away

I am with you on that! Our next trip is in November and just can't wait! January would be super painful!

 

[miss0033]

A couple things. If you booked a DVC stay as a member or through a rental site, you will not be eligible for free dining for the kids. You have to have a package for that. Second, you do have to walk outside a bit to get to the food and drinks from the DVC villas, but it is extremely close.

I personally would probably still keep the BCV room because it is a harder one to get just so you get a chance to try it, though overall I prefer boardwalk better. When we stayed at BCV, we did not have to deal with the long hallways as we were pretty close, but we did have to deal with the noise outside from the courtyard and it was a lot. But the sand bottom pool for little kids at BCV may be a great fit for your family. I feel like both BWV and BCV are very much love it or hate it, so until you personally stay there it's tough to know which your family will end up liking better.

I don't know that this is true. We have seen reports of people adding park tickets to their DVC bookings (as members, no idea about rentals...) and being able to add the free kids dining to their Dining Plan. Maybe something changed recently though...

https://www.disboards.com/threads/f...in-2026-is-valid-for-dvc-point-stays.3966311/

 

[RLM852]

Can’t wait to hear your thoughts after the trip; we stayed at BWV for the first time last September in a studio and fell in love with resort. Was able to use a bounce back offer for December 2026 for a 1 BR at BCV (BWV not available)- really hoping we don’t regret it and quite honestly, I’ll keep sporadically (obsessively) checking for BWV openings…….

 

[atots]

Can’t wait to hear your thoughts after the trip; we stayed at BWV for the first time last September in a studio and fell in love with resort. Was able to use a bounce back offer for December 2026 for a 1 BR at BCV (BWV not available)- really hoping we don’t regret it and quite honestly, I’ll keep sporadically (obsessively) checking for BWV openings…….

I keep thinking about doing a trip report. And now you're going to get an essay, sorry! I don't think you'll regret it but I don't think this would ever be my favorite resort. From the videos, I really love the BWV rooms. The BCV rooms were boring, barely any theming (curtains, pictures over the Murphy bed, throw pillow). I'm from New England and it felt like a blander grandma's dated cottage with super boring/generic artwork and off-white walls.

Our room was very quiet, well insulated from the neighbors even with a connecting door. We had plenty of space, loved having a full kitchen and laundry. We were in room 258 which had a great balcony but felt like a hike from the elevator at the end of the day (I know Boardwalk has the longer hallways though). The resort was nice, Yacht Club is definitely nicer. YC is also the first stop on the bus before BC for both pick up and drop, and their bus stop is a shorter walk from their lobby. The resort overall felt clean and staff was very friendly. They were a bit stingy with amenities. It got cold when we were there, 30° days. I turned up the heat and asked for blankets. Then during our 1 cleaning, they took away those extra blankets and I had to call for more again. They were also quite stingy with the toilet paper. Two rolls for 4 people for 8 days will never be sufficient. Just something I didn't feel like I should have to call for. Our closet only had one extra pillow and blanket for the Murphy bed. It was not sealed (e stayed one night in the Grand Floridian and the bag there was sealed with a zip tie thing). Next renovation, I left a comment that they should move the toilet paper holder. It was a full adult arm reach away so my 4-year-old needed to call for help every time she used the bathroom. I also wished the room had a pair of scissors and a pen. I will be packing scissors in my checked bag next time!

My kids had fun at the arcade, the little kid slide was great and I understand why people love the pool. Unfortunately it wasn't for us, my autistic son had a major aversion to the sand bottom. Luckily we had the option of the quiet pools and the little kids slide area is not sand bottom. We did need wristbands for the pool, since it was January, the wristband was good for our entire eight night stay, no need for daily wristband changes.

Characters did visit the resort during the day. We happened to run into Chip and Dale during check-in and Goofy, Pluto, and Donald on our rest day which was so magical. My kids loved finding the hidden Flounder and Max at the two connected resorts each day to get their pin and stickers. We did the Mickey tie dye but didn't get to any other resort activities.

The quick service restaurant in both the Beach Club and Yacht Club are just so so for options. Cape May is consistently decent and the characters are really fun at breakfast. It was easy to get on the walk-in list in the morning. Ale & Compass breakfast was good.

The number one best thing was the close walk to Epcot, especially with two young kids and a double stroller. 25 minutes to Hollywood Studios was more than we wanted to try walking, but we did end up waiting longer than 25 minutes for the boat one day so perhaps it can sometimes be worth it. The Skyliner was down during our stay (this was a plus for entering Epcot through the international gateway!). We enjoyed the entertainment and a meal on the boardwalk one night and I had a lovely time checking out the Cake Bake Shop bakery with my daughter on our rest day (although my macarons taste better...).

BWV is on the top of my son's list for the next trip (he wants to be close to Hollywood Studios). I'm going to try for BLT or BWV. Our next quick stay will be Pop Century (also a bounce back offer, which I was surprised they provided since my trip was on DVC points) for a weekend in December because I'm out of points!

 

[Lionezz]

Thank you for the review. My kids love to hang out at the quiet pool. I always try to get them to the main pool, which is the reason I bought a DVC contract at Beach Club. But I also like to use the grill next to the quiet pool, so I’m leaning more and more toward the quiet pool as well. Both are great!

The walk to EPCOT from Beach Club is great. I actually like that entrance better than the main entrance.

We have stayed at BoardWalk, and it was a nice, easy walk to Hollywood Studios. But I don’t think it was the main entrance.

 

[RLM852]

Thank you for taking the time to write that review! I think I might keep looking to switch to BWV if it becomes available. The only advantage I see for BCV is the closer walk to Epcot (which BWV is just a few minutes further) and the pool (but how much will that come into play in December?).

Just hope if we end up staying in BCV we don’t hate it

 

[Lionezz]

You will love it. I started going to IBM conferences held in Dolphin/Swan. The first few years I saved money and stayed offsite. After a few years I tried Port Orleans. What a difference (much better). The following year I tried the hotel all the executives and IBM staff stayed at which was the most expensive and nicest hotel of them all. Beach Club. I didn't have kids then or was interested in family but that changed as soon as I was there. Imagine being there with family in the future. It must be like going to heaven!