BCV or VWL??

[lbrown]

We are planning a trip to WDW in mid June 05'. The two places that we are thinking of staying at either BCV or VWL. We have three children a DS 9, two DD's who are 7 and 4.

If anyone has any input on the two resorts we would love to here it. Also, how is the weather in June and crowds at the parks???

Thank You from Northern Michigan

 

[TeresaNJ]

Well, for me that is a very hard question to answer as I love both resorts, but for very different reasons. First, we own at both resorts, but VWL is my favorite. I love the theming at VWL and really feel like I am away from it all. I love the tall pine trees surrounding the lodge, I love rocking on the porch at the villas listening to the music, I love the fireplaces scattered throughout WL and the gurgling stream that begins in the lobby and travels outside to the waterfall that then flows into the pool. I love laying on a beachchair at night watching the Electrical Water Pageant go by. I love the woodsy, smoky smell, the train room in the villas where you can sit and relax playing checkers or just talking. I love walking to the dock to catch the boat to the MK or Fort Wilderness. I can go on and on about the VWL as you can see, LOL. Now on the other hand, the BCV are light and airy, Stormalong Bay is a fabulous pool, and it is a beautiful resort especially in the evening when it is all lit up and you can take a walk around the lake and see all the pretty lights from the BW and the BCV reflected on the water. Plus you can't beat being walking distance from Epcot and the Boardwalk, and also have your choice of boating or walking to MGM. My brother, who is a diehard Beach Club fan, saw WL for the first time this past July while we were staying at the BCV, and he was blown away by WL, so guess where we're staying next June when he and his family come with us again? Why, the VWL of course!

 

[TeresaNJ]

Okay, here I go again. I just wanted to add that the VWL is much quieter than the BCV, being that it is more secluded. One thing that I don't like about staying at the BCV is that I feel like I am always on display. For example, Stormalong Bay is usually always crowded, and with it being right next to the walkway, and having Beaches and Cream right there, it seems like there are always a zillion people around. Not a very relaxing atmosphere. But hey, maybe you're not concerned about relaxing. If your kids are big swimmers they will probably love Stormalong Bay, but be warned, the hot tubs aren't exactly away from it all, they are smack dab in the middle of the action. Then again, the BCV quiet pool is much less crowded, and definitely more relaxing and easier to keep an eye on the little ones. I forgot to mention that the WL pool is pretty crowded too due to the slide, but we hardly ever use it, we much prefer the quiet pool and the hot tub at the VWL. As far as the crowds go in June, our experience has been that if you utilize Fast Pass, and don't try to be a commando in your park touring, and take advantage of a few early entries, you should have no problem. It's crowded, but not as bad as July or August. Have fun deciding.

 

[rocketriter]

The kids will love either resort. But if you're really there for the parks, at that age they'll probably prefer VWL since it's much closer to MK.

 

[Muushka]

Originally posted by TeresaNJ
Well, for me that is a very hard question to answer as I love both resorts, but for very different reasons. First, we own at both resorts, but VWL is my favorite. I love the theming at VWL and really feel like I am away from it all. I love the tall pine trees surrounding the lodge, I love rocking on the porch at the villas listening to the music, I love the fireplaces scattered throughout WL and the gurgling stream that begins in the lobby and travels outside to the waterfall that then flows into the pool. I love laying on a beachchair at night watching the Electrical Water Pageant go by. I love the woodsy, smoky smell, the train room in the villas where you can sit and relax playing checkers or just talking. I love walking to the dock to catch the boat to the MK or Fort Wilderness. I can go on and on about the VWL as you can see, LOL. Now on the other hand, the BCV are light and airy, Stormalong Bay is a fabulous pool, and it is a beautiful resort especially in the evening when it is all lit up and you can take a walk around the lake and see all the pretty lights from the BW and the BCV reflected on the water. Plus you can't beat being walking distance from Epcot and the Boardwalk, and also have your choice of boating or walking to MGM. My brother, who is a diehard Beach Club fan, saw WL for the first time this past July while we were staying at the BCV, and he was blown away by WL, so guess where we're staying next June when he and his family come with us again? Why, the VWL of course!

TeresaNJ, I LOVED your description of VWL. You nailed it exactly (in both of your posts!) why I love VWL so much, and not so crazy about the other resorts. Thank you, I felt like I was there today!

 

[TinksDH]

We like both of these properties the best of all the WDW locations. We have very similar family situations. We have 3 kids as well - DS9, DS7, and DD3. We were just there June '04 and couldn't decide on which resort, so we stayed 3 nights at BCV and 4 nights at VWL (and 5 at VB as well!). That way, we could focus on EPCOT and MGM the nights we were in BCV, and MK the nights we were in VWL. We also had my parents with us, and we wanted to show them as much of DVC as possible - it must have impressed them, as they gave us enough money to go buy 150 points at HH as soon as we got back from vacationing with them!

TeresaNJ summed up very well the differences between the 2 resorts. If I had to absolutely pick one, it would be VWL, but I'm also swayed for sentimental reasons. WL was the first WDW resort we stayed in as adults, AND the first resort we stayed in when we took our kids for the first time. Little did we know what we were getting into!

For us, the ultimate "Welcome Home" is grabbing a cup of coffee, running to the dock, and taking the boat from VWL to MK in the morning for early entry when the sun is just coming up over the lagoon and the mist is still in the air. It don't get much better than that!

Seriously, if you can't decide, consider switching halfway through. The CMs make it as painless as possible when moving. They come get your stuff, store it while you check out and hit the parks, and have it waiting for you at your next resort when you check in. They'll even store your refrigerated food for you in a big walk-in fridge.

As far as heat and crowds go, June is 'transitional'. Early June is still OK, as the schools in the Northeast aren't out yet (we're in Kansas and get out before Memorial Day). By late June the crowds are in full swing and it is starting to get warm. Drink lots of water and always have a water bottle in the parks to fill up, especially for the kids. Soda dehydrates them with the caffeine.

 

[lbrown]

thanks for the insite,

we will stay at both... now which one first??? LOL

(5) days at BCV/Studio and (6) days at VWL/1 Bedroom

or visa versa.

Does anyone know the room size on a Studio/1 Bedroom at both resorts?


TinksDH, you said CM will deliver luggage/food to the next resort. I had wondered what they would do with perishables. We will have our car, can we just park it that the next resort that morning, then head for the parks from there.

 

[timC]

I think VWL is better for smaller kiddos... It's not as crowded, it features a fun boat ride to MK. The pool features aren't as intense. Kids love the ducks! Cruising on Bay Lake is the BEST! Rent some bikes and cruise through FW. Fun and games are easy to access at FW. The resort theming is fabulous, for being relaxing and having casual kid fun.

Weather in June = HOT.
Crowds = moderate in early June, summer crowds late June.
Artist Point = Copper river salmon run!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Originally posted by lbrown
thanks for the insite,

we will stay at both... now which one first??? LOL

(5) days at BCV/Studio and (6) days at VWL/1 Bedroom

or visa versa.

Does anyone know the room size on a Studio/1 Bedroom at both resorts?

Ooops, you'll need a two bedroom for a family of five. You only have sleeping room for four in a studio and one bedroom. And you'll only get linen for four ( four bath towels, four pillows, etc).

 

[lbrown]

Deb, we have small children 4, 7, 9 and plan on bringing a twin mattress. We're driving so we will have extra pillows & such..

Will this work with MS? or should strongly we consider a two bedroom.

We won't be in the room much, mostly at the parks/pool.

 

[disneyfreak2127]

Our family of 4 (Me, DH, DD11, and DS4) have been debating over this very question. BCV or VWL? We have decided to split our stay as well. June 1-10. I can't decide which to stay at first and at which one I would rather have the 1 Bdrm. Oh, decisions, decisions!! It certainly is a comforting thought that with DVC we will always have another opportunity to try something different the next time.

For Thanksgiving we will be in a 2 bdrm at BCV with my parents along for the trip. Hoping to share with them the magic we feel at WDW and DVC.

Depending on your travel dates, who knows, maybe we will run into you at one of these great places.

Traci

 

[westjones]

We also love both! We own at BCV, but we love VWL too. I like the walk over to Ft. Wilderness. Just seems like there is more 'space' there.

The kids (twins, 11) want to stay at BCV next time because of the pool, but they loved VWL too.

DJ

 

[TinksDH]

As far as room occupancy... this is a VERY HOTLY DEBATED topic on this board (and other DVC boards I may add). Only you can determine how you want to handle this.

I had just made a ressie for March '05 and the MS CM I spoke to said that DVC will allow 5 in the 1BD even though the stated occupancy is 4, but claims that for firecode reasons they will not allow 5 in a studio (unless one child is under 3). I have heard of others MS CMs giving different interpretations.

We have 5 of us (2 adults, 3 kids DS9, DS7, DD3). We take an aerobed, and even when we stay in a 2 bedroom with 7 people (parents with us) my DS7 still wants to sleep on the aerobed instead of sharing a queen.

Expect some strong opinions on more than 4 in a 1BD. Again, you decide how you want to handle.

Regarding which property to stay at first - we tailor ours around what special events we may be doing. For example, if we are doing Fantasmic at MGM during the trip, we'll stay in BWV or BCV that night. Similarly, if we want to do e-ride night at MK, we'll try and stay in VWL that night. However, SOMEthing always comes up and wrecks those best laid plans anyway!

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by lbrown
We are planning a trip to WDW in mid June 05'. The two places that we are thinking of staying at either BCV or VWL. We have three children a DS 9, two DD's who are 7 and 4.

If anyone has any input on the two resorts we would love to here it. Also, how is the weather in June and crowds at the parks???

Thank You from Northern Michigan

Either resorts are wonderful, you won't go wrong staying at either one. If you were purchasing, that might need more investigation, but for a stay, I wouldn't fret over the decision. Stay in one this vacation, and the other a future vacation. Enjoy.

 

[TinksDH]

Forgot this thought - regarding which property first. If you are locked into a specific room size at a specific property (I'm guessing for weekend point reasons) I'd suggest that you go from a studio to a 1 bedroom (or the 1 bedroom to the 2 bedroom if you go that route) and go UP in size; coming DOWN in size would probably make you feel cramped. Also, if we are breaking up our stay in 2 resorts, we do the shorter stay first and unpack less. However, both of your stays are fairly long (versus 2 or 3 days) so it probably isn't as big an issue.

Let us know what you end up doing!

 

[disneyfreak2127]

After reading what TinksDH said, I believe we will go for a Studio at BCV for the first part of the stay which will include the weekend and move on to VWL for the last portion.

For my kids sake, and my sanity, they will want access to SAB as soon as we arrive. Hopefully, the more relaxing part of the stay will come at VWL at the end of our trip so we won't go home totally needing another week off. This is one of the major reasons that we are planning for 9 nights, to avoid the commando style vacation.

Oh, just so you don't think I am trying to plan this off the top of my head, we own at BCV and I have already booked the entire stay there in a studio. So, at 7 months I will switch the last half over the VWL in the 1 Bdrm. We have enough points left to account for the difference. I knew I could count on The DIS to help me walk through the decision making process.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[gopherit]

Just FWIW, we too have a fam of 5 (ds aged 9,8, and a dd age 4). We shared a 2 br lock-out at BCV with my SIL, BIL and their 2 boys (aged 4 and infant). For this part of trip, our fam pretty much had the studio side -- and it was tight, personally. Later, at BWV, our family had the 1 br side of a 2 br lock-out -- better, a bit more space. Bigger closet. More drawers for stuff. And a bigger fridge/freezer for beverages for all those thirsty mouths, bigger table for snacks, etc. We have had a 2 br at VWL before -- when we only had the 2 queen beds side for us, it was livable, but oh how spacious it was when our guests left and we had the whole 2 br to just us 5! Heavenly. A 1 br at SSR proved ok -- but by the end of our trip, we decided a 1BR would probably never work again for us. DD is a very small 4 yr old, and especially in new places, she invariably ends up snuggled in with me and DH, but on our next trip, that gal has GOTTA get her own bed! We have tried air matts and maybe my dd is a "princess and the pea" case in study, but bottom line, she simply doesn't sleep well on one. Neither do our boys. Definitely try one out at home before you plan on it for a vacation -- some kids can handle these, but ours aren't among them. (They never liked pack-n-plays either -- had to have a "real" crib!) I haven't found a air mat yet that I personally like, either -- so maybe it's genetic, haha? In any case, for our gang, it's gotta be a bed. And as we all know, if the kids don't sleep, YOU don't sleep, and it sure takes its toll on the vacation spirit.


Bottom line, wherever possible, get an actual bed for all parties, including the lil' nippers. It's just my opinion (which, when combined with 75 cents might get you a soda somewhere). I think this concept becomes even more critical the longer your trip is. We usually take trips of about 9-14 days in length. Those sofa beds (and the hassle of pulling them out, putting them back, etc.) grow pretty weary after a just few days, and some of them are also less than stellar on comfort (I will add, however, that the new ones at SSR are quite nice! Much better than the ones we had at BCV and BWV -- they use a foam core versus springs. Comfy!) And with a 2 br it is SO nice to have the living area free for use in the evening. If you can at all swing it, either cut back on the studio days (maybe a 2 day BCV studio/8 day 1 br VWL?) or step up to a 1 br at both. Of course, ultimate plan would be a 2 br for the whole stay -- but that's a decision for you to make. From here on out, we will probably have the 2 br to just ourselves (family and guests will have to find their own room I guess!)