BCV vs BWV

[coloradodad]

Hi, this is my first post and I am in the early research phase. I have gathered that there are strong opinions on which resorts are best.

As for the two that many feel are in the most the desirable location, why the disparity in the prices between BCV and BWV.

I know I am getting into personal preferences, but I appreciate your thoughts. My situation is married with 4 yo DS and 2 yo DD, travel from Colorado about once a year to WDW.

Thanks

 

[bobbiwoz]

Hi to you, too!

BCV has the mini water park, Storm Along Bay (SAB)! It's used by Yacht/Beach Clubs and BCV. Pool hopping by DVC members is not allowed to SAB. BCV is a smaller resort, it has two elevator locations and self parking is very convient to the villas. Lots of people prefer BCV to other DVC resorts, so the resale price reflects that.

We are BWV (also AKV, VB, and VWL) owners. We like to stay 1 -3 nights a year at BCV, but we are happy being BWV owners. Since I don't intend to sell it, the retail prices don't "bother" me. We like the Boardwalk area, and we are especially happy with the options for a Guaranteed Boardwalk View, and the Standard View at BW. We are empty nesters, and travel to Florida from Ohio 4-7 times a year for 2-7 night stays. We have DGC (3 of them) whom we bring with their family for 1 stay every year For those stays we've booked VWL because of the age of the children, convenience to MK. That will change, I know. We also have brought my DMom (87) down for at least 5 trips, mostly at BWV, but also at BCV and VWL. She, like we, love the DVC experience...and different options for different visits.

Good luck to you as you make your decision!

Bobbi

 

[emma'smom]

We've done both BCV and BW with dd4 and dd2. We preferred BCV for several reasons:

(1) Stormalong Bay- We found it offered more for the little ones. They were able to dig in the sand and sit in the water while still playing in the sand. BW's pool is fine, but my dd's preferred BCV.

(2) Location to Epcot- While it is minimal, the walk to Epcot from BCV is just a tad shorter. This was good for us! That being said, it was a longer (but only minimal) walk to the boat to MGM from BCV.

(3) Beaches and Cream- DD's loved this!

(4) We found the restaurants/businesses on the Boardwalk were geared for an older clientele than two little ones. I'm sure others will disagree, but Spoodles and the Bakery were the only businesses we frequented. ESPN Zone, Jelly Rolls, and the Dance Hall just weren't geared toward our family's demographic.

(5) Proximity to Cape May Cafe. They had a character meal and a clam bake. We have done them both.

(6) Children's Waiting Area- This is silly, but BC has a waiting area for children with little chairs and cartoones. BWV did not and check in took a long time.

(7) Conventioneers- There were a lot of conference attendees at BWV...there is a conference center on site. This isn't really a problem, but I like to pretend the "real world" doesn't exist when I am in WDW.

Just my two cents!

 

[Hollymom1229]

Posted in Wrong Place

 

[ParrotBill]

emma's mom has the differences down pretty well! Curious - which resort is coming up more expensive?

Given the average room location for the villas in each resort, the walk to EPCOT is likely to be nearly half at BCV what it would be at BWV. The walk to the boat dock is a bit longer at BCV than at BWV.

BCV has a convenient store and quick service food facility. BWV has the convenience store but it seems to have less things... and no single quick food service facility.. a major detraction.

Rooms are smaller at BCV than at BWV.

 

[coloradodad]

emma's mom has the differences down pretty well! Curious - which resort is coming up more expensive?

Thanks for all the input - BC is more expensive for the initial buyin.

mg

 

[lisareniff]

As you can see from my sig. I own at BCV but recently returned from a stay at BWV. The location is basically the same, so it is easy to visit any of the Epcot resort restaurants.

Here is my list of advantage of each...(**home resort needed)

BCV
- Storm-along Bay - one great pool that can't be hopped
- Dedicated 2 bedrooms some w/2 queens**
- Close self -parking - right at the end of the villas
- smaller - more intimate, easier to walk

BWV
- GV's - only 7 huge (but expensive) GV's**
- Std. view - great cost savings**
- Boardwalk view rooms - great views**
- Community Hall

 

[mjy]

They're both ideal locations -- close to two great parks. BCV is closer to EPCOT (by a couple of minutes walking only) and BWV closer to MGM (by a couple minutes of walking.) So that's a tie.

For me, one of the reasons I prefer BWV is because I'm a cheapskate and I like the price offering of the standard view rooms. I usually do the 11 month booking window so that I can do the standard view rooms and I end up saving a lot of points.

Then again, if I want to splurge, the Boardwalk view rooms are fantastic! Great view of the Boardwalk, the lake, and EPCOT fireworks, especially on the higher floors (which I would always request for Boardwalk views so as to be a little more removed from the noise of the Boardwalk).

However, with all things being relatively equal, it comes down to personal preference. What do -you- like? If you have a clear choice, make it, stick with it, and be happy with it.

 

[Granny]

I agree that it mostly comes down to personal preferences. Which are the most important to you?

- do you prefer one theming over another?
- BWV has a Community Hall and good main pool, BCV has Stormalong Bay pool which many consider to be a mini-water park.
- BWV has lower point schedule rooms (Standard View) that can be useful when trying to stretch point ownership. Those are challenging to book if not an owner at BWV.
- BWV has guaranteed Boardwalk View rooms, overlooking the Boardwalk and Crescent Lake. Many people love this view. BCV has rooms that face EPCOT and allow a view of Illuminations, but it is not a guaranteed view like the Boardwalk View at BWV.
- BCV is the smaller of the two resorts so all things being equal, it is often more challenging to book a room there without home resort ownership than BWV.

As for the two that many feel are in the most the desirable location, why the disparity in the prices between BCV and BWV.

BCV is smaller (think supply & demand). BCV has SAB pool, which is a HUGE draw for many people. BCV is part of the Yacht & Beach Club complex which has always been one of the highest rated resort locations at WDW for many years.

I would go with the one that you think your family will be happiest at. I wouldn't let the price differential sway your decision as it really isn't that much of a difference when you amortize it over 35 years. Good luck.