BCV vs BWV

[HolidayRoad]

Right now I have 150 points in ROFR at BWV we picked this because we though of the great night life and location to EPCOT and DS. We also picked it because it was a little cheaper than BCV on resale per point. We are now talking about if Disney decides to exercise their ROFR on are current bid and we are forced to start over that we may go after some BVC resales and to be honest, mostly because of this forum. Now don't get me wrong I want this process over, ROFR is killing me but I seam to read far more mixed reviews about BWV and very little negative things are to be said about BCV. I'm hoping someone who has stayed at both hopefully more than once can maybe enlighten me a little as to why I am getting this vibe from this forum. I am pretty familiar with both resorts, their theming etc. I am not a picky person, we always stay at moderates and managed one time to stay at WL which was a big treat to us. Just being in WDW is unreal to my family and when the idea of actually owning DVC became a real possibility well, we are a little overwhelmed by our good fortune to be in this position. So could someone explain to why the feed back seems far more mixed at BWV and far more positive at BCV, thanks.

 

[mikron]

I own OKW & SSR, stay at BWV with BW view. I have stayed at all the resorts including AKV and they are all excellent. I think it's like ice cream many flavors you pick based on your likes. We like OKW for the larger size, BWV for the view of the lake and boat ride to the parks. My sister loves, loved BCV untill the past two weeks. She is staying in a dedicated 2 bedroom at OKW and can't get over the extra room. They stayed in and cooked more then any other visit. Most people like BCV for the pool, best of all the resorts and you can't visit the pool if your not staying there.

 

[tammymacb]

Well, as you know, I'm partial to BWV..

I was there in December, we went for 4 nights and it was beautiful, walking to Epcot and MGM to see the Osborne Lights. We stayed in a standard studio. Our ressies were 9 points per night. If we stayed at BCV, the points the same studio is 12 points per night. So, obviously, we can stay 5 nites at BWV for the price of 4 at BCV. Since location is the most important factor in choosing my DVC, that is a big deal.

In December, BWV did need a little "face lift", the hall carpets have seen better days, little dings etc. It was still great.

It's been a few years since I've been to BCV. The pool is nice ( but can be very busy ) Beaches n Cream is great, the resort is pretty. But, moneywise ( IMO) BWV makes more sense to me.

 

[crisi]

You must just be timing it wrong. As recently as last summer there were lots of complaints about BCV upkeep - dirty hallway carpets, unclean rooms, everything in bad need of s refresh - while BWVs was relatively unscathed as to bad reports.

We were at BWV in October and had one of the cleanest and best experiences of our BWV ownership.

 

[HolidayRoad]

Believe me when I say I want this ROFR over I want my points at BWV and I want to be a member!(I'm sure Tammy could attest to that from our support group). I just keep reading threads where there are reports of CM's showing little or no "Disney Magic" that is so much a big part of WDW at BWV. I really don't care about worn carpets or an imperfection here or there it's just that it's starting to seam like, on this forum, you go to BWV and your own your own, I mean did you read about that poor woman that fell down and sat there bleeding on the sofa while nobody seam to care at BWV and then you go to BCV and "Art The Greeter" meets you at the door and everything is wonderful in and around the resort there's sunshine and lollipops. Am I getting a false vibe here?

 

[HolidayRoad]

You must just be timing it wrong. As recently as last summer there were lots of complaints about BCV upkeep - dirty hallway carpets, unclean rooms, everything in bad need of s refresh - while BWVs was relatively unscathed as to bad reports.

We were at BWV in October and had one of the cleanest and best experiences of our BWV ownership.

Thank you, honestly that makes me feel so much better. It's a big purchase and I guess with that there are always doubts even if it is the happiest place on earth.

 

[bobbiwoz]

There was a time, not too long ago that BCV had many detractors. I do believe they have new rugs in the hallways now. Each resort has a turn being bashed. We own at both BCV (140 points) and BWV (250 points). BCV has SAB and dedicated 2 bedrooms, some of which have 2 Q's in the second bedroom. It was those amenities that made us buy the BCV last year. BWV has standard points villas, which we often use, GV's, and Boardwalk View villas that we are trying later this year. They have a great location, and we've have 2 major family vacations there, with rave reviews and no complaints.

One of the nicest things any CM ever did for us was at BWV. It was our last day, we blithely packed our suitcases and gave them to the luggage handlers, and about 1/2 hour later we realized we had packed our AP's in the bags. We were dismayed and in the lobby when we were approached by a CM, who noticed our distress. He gave us day passes to AK, the park we were headed for. ME was going to pick us up much later in the day.

Best wishes as you make your decision, perhaps you will end up with both!

Bobbi

 

[lisareniff]

A different year a different resort is out of favor. Currently BWV is getting a run of bad reviews. But as Crisi indicated not to long ago BCV went through it's time. I'm sure AKV's time will be coming soon. It seems like after a resort newly open they go through some, umm.. growing pains. Shortly after we purchased BCV, I got incredibly worried that we had bought into a dump.

 

[byoung]

BWV boardwalk views are the best in DISNEY IMHO.

 

[LSchrow]

it's all a matter of personal preferences ~ they are both great resorts in their own right (we own at both).
imho, the big (huge ) draw of the BCV's is SAB, which many love. personally, the lure of SAB is lost on us (we live near an ocean ~ love our gorgeous town beaches ~ & designed our backyard into our own private "oasis"), so the most important reason to stay there, ends up moot. the pool gets extremelly crowded & noisy (as does the lobby), again simply not for us.
why we like the BWV's: the BW view is what i miss most when staying at any resort. watching the sun come over the lake in the morning, no "real world" in sight, watching ppl play the carny games or make silly faces in the funhouse mirror, sip wine while watching Illuminations....ppl are always amazed when they see "the view" i have as my cel phone wallpaper but even the standard views at the BWVs are beautiful (& a great point value ).
we like the lack of a counter service location (which some dislike); we feel it helps the resort maintain a quieter, more elegant feel. the nightlife on the BW is great: street performers, carny style games, surrey bikes, etc. in the evening, we enjoy drinks at the BRG tables, people watching & basking in the atmosphere. luna park pool has a great slide, & doesn't seem to get "packed" like SAB (personally, we really enjoy the quiet pool, tho ~ it actually is quiet ). btw, my nephews & kids prefer luna park to SAB.
some ppl feel the BWV rooms can be very far from the elevators. personally, we don't find it any longer than from a BCV room to SAB, & we don't mind using the many stairwells to get where we're going faster (plus we take those quiet minutes to chat about our day, look for hidden mickeys, etc).

like i said, both stunning resorts, each will their own, unique appeal. remember too, once you own DVC, you will soon find you need more points (& more points & more points & more points ). visit the different DVC resorts next time you're there, & stay at a different one every so often ~ you might be surprised when you fall in love with somewhere you never expected to!

 

[bobbiwoz]

A different year a different resort is out of favor. Currently BWV is getting a run of bad reviews. But as Crisi indicated not to long ago BCV went through it's time. I'm sure AKV's time will be coming soon. It seems like after a resort newly open they go through some, umm.. growing pains. Shortly after we purchased BCV, I got incredibly worried that we had bought into a dump.

And just before our first Grand Gathering at BWV, many many posts about trash in hallways. After we had a marvelous time, no problems whatsoever, I have stopped worrying about resort bashing anymore. "Dump" had come to my mind as well.

Bobbi

 

[BroganMc]

Am I getting a false vibe here?

Yup, pretty much. Relax. BWV is just the whipping boy this week. All the resorts have had a turn at it.

It was unfortunate what happened to mickeywho? a couple days ago, but I didn't take it as indicative of the resort as a whole. There are times I walk into any given Disney resort and am either completely ignored or fawned over. You learn to laugh it off. (I joke that I must be more "cinder" than "ella" that day.)

FWIW, if I was buying one of those resorts, I'd pick BWV. Those standard point rooms are a good deal and you actually have a chance at getting a Boardwalk or water view. I do not like BCV's location at all (tucked away behind the hotel and next to the road). IMHO the only reason to own BCV is because you are a diehard StormAlong Bay fan.

 

[crisi]

FWIW, if I was buying one of those resorts, I'd pick BWV. Those standard point rooms are a good deal and you actually have a chance at getting a Boardwalk or water view. I do not like BCV's location at all (tucked away behind the hotel and next to the road). IMHO the only reason to own BCV is because you are a diehard StormAlong Bay fan.

I think the dedicated two bedrooms are worth consideration as well. Not everyone likes the "all lockoff" BWV situation. The rest seem relatively minor to me.....well, perhaps that couch......

(I have this thing against BCVs couch - I happen to find it ugly).

 

[HolidayRoad]

Thank you so much, I honestly feel soooooo much better about this now . I am relatively new to Disboards my wife has been on here for years but I haven't. All of your posts were exactly what I was hoping to hear to put my mind at ease, Thanks

 

[DebbieB]

I've stayed at both and would never trade my BWV points for BCV. I love, love, love my boardwalk view! I don't know if I would still be a member if they wouldn't have changed the boardwalk view to a guarantee. Standard view was OK but I may have sold after my mom died (we only had 1 trip after the guaranteed BW view started). Now I'm hooked!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

There was a time, not too long ago that BCV had many detractors. I do believe they have new rugs in the hallways now. Each resort has a turn being bashed. We own at both BCV (140 points) and BWV (250 points). BCV has SAB and dedicated 2 bedrooms, some of which have 2 Q's in the second bedroom. It was those amenities that made us buy the BCV last year. BWV has standard points villas, which we often use, GV's, and Boardwalk View villas that we are trying later this year. They have a great location, and we've have 2 major family vacations there, with rave reviews and no complaints.

One of the nicest things any CM ever did for us was at BWV. It was our last day, we blithely packed our suitcases and gave them to the luggage handlers, and about 1/2 hour later we realized we had packed our AP's in the bags. We were dismayed and in the lobby when we were approached by a CM, who noticed our distress. He gave us day passes to AK, the park we were headed for. ME was going to pick us up much later in the day.

Best wishes as you make your decision, perhaps you will end up with both!

Bobbi

Thanks Bobbi for your upbeat report! As a new BWV owner, I have read more BWV bashing this year than from any other resort! It takes the joy away from the new excitement of ownership. No resort is going to be perfect, and truthfully I have read mousekeeping problems affecting every resort but AKV this year. I wish people would let up a little, and lets just enjoy the opportunities we have, and deal with the issues as they arise. I have even noticed some that bashed BWV turn around and add-on! My trip is in April...I hope people will refrain from comment until I get back!

 

[icouldlivethere]

I've enjoyed reading this thread. It is so nice to hear positive things for a change. I just bought BWV sight unseen and am awaiting closing. I'm not liking reading all of the negative threads as of late.

I decided on BWV based on location and the ability to book SV and BWV rooms at the 11 month window. I'm really looking forward to taking my first trip home.

I really appreciate reading all of the positive comments! Thanks to everyone who contributed something positive here!

 

[VrBchJ]

You can't go wrong with either BWV or BCV. I chose BWV because of the lower points for standard view and for the boardwalk view. I agree that the boardwalk view is the best at any resort. I like all the activity on the boardwalk at night. It's fun after walking back from Epcot to watch the entertainers. When I was at BWV in Dec. they were painting the hallways on our floor and replaced our balcony furniture. The hallway carpet looked new. We had a problem with our fridge and 15 min. after I called maintainance was knocking on the door. He said it was beyond repair and called for a replacement. The CMs have always been unfailingly helpful and courteous. I like staying at BCV from time to time but I really love staying at BWV.

 

[crisi]

The other thing that happens is that quickly the resort you bought becomes YOURS so you start noticing every little dig out there about it - often with the unreasonable need to defend it of someone who invested a lot of money and wants it to be perfect. And some people around here (like me) enjoy poking on occation. No DVC resort is going to be perfect. Right before a room is refreshed or carpets are replaced, things look worn - at all the DVC resorts - the only time they don't look a little worn is right after they've been built or refreshed. Most Disney CMs are not Art the Greeter, Art the Greeter is an institution and there is one Art the Greeter. Housekeeping sometimes doesn't do the greatest job - and every DVC resort has had its housekeeping complaints. Every DVC resort has a room with a disappointing view and gets its pool closed for maintenance. Bus service at all the resorts is occationally really bad - or occationally a guest just has a trip where the bus service might have been great for some other guest, but their timing was always "reach the bus stop right after the last bus had pulled away." For the guest whose trip was always "reach the bus stop just as the bus is pulling in" they went home raving about how good Disney transportation was.

 

[DVC Mike]

The other thing that happens is that quickly the resort you bought becomes YOURS so you start noticing every little dig out there about it - often with the unreasonable need to defend it of someone who invested a lot of money and wants it to be perfect. And some people around here (like me) enjoy poking on occation. No DVC resort is going to be perfect. Right before a room is refreshed or carpets are replaced, things look worn - at all the DVC resorts - the only time they don't look a little worn is right after they've been built or refreshed. Most Disney CMs are not Art the Greeter, Art the Greeter is an institution and there is one Art the Greeter. Housekeeping sometimes doesn't do the greatest job - and every DVC resort has had its housekeeping complaints. Every DVC resort has a room with a disappointing view and gets its pool closed for maintenance. Bus service at all the resorts is occationally really bad - or occationally a guest just has a trip where the bus service might have been great for some other guest, but their timing was always "reach the bus stop right after the last bus had pulled away." For the guest whose trip was always "reach the bus stop just as the bus is pulling in" they went home raving about how good Disney transportation was.

So true!

Each DVC resort has people who love it and think it is the best, and other people who dislike it and think it is the worst.

The only opinion that matters to me is mine!

I love each of my 4 home resorts and look forward to each stay as they all offer different things.