BCV vs. BWV

[Terry Lilly]

We are looking to purchase resale timeshares at either the BCV or the BWV. LOCATION is the key to the resort. We have stayed at the Beach Club Resort many times, however, never the villas nor have we stayed at the Boardwalk.

Any feedback on the pros and cons when comparing the resorts?

Best Regards,
Terry

 

[Granny]

BCV and BWV both are pretty much equal as far as location goes. I suppose BWV gets a small nod in that it is somewhat closer to walk to MGM from there, while still being a short walk to EPCOT. But frankly, the location is pretty much equal, IMHO.

Differences? Well, other than the obvious theming differences, there are several things.

1. SAB pool at BCV is considered to be the best pool on WDW property so if that's really important to have access to SAB, you can stop right here and make your decision. With DVC, you can pool hop to other pools except SAB and AKL pools unless you're staying there.

The BWV main pool has an excellent slide and is considered a great pool as well.

2. BWV is obviously closer to the Boardwalk with all the dining and entertainment that comes with that.

3. BWV has a "cheaper" point schedule for select rooms (called Standard View rooms) that for the most part overlook the front drive. BWV also has a guaranteed Boardwalk View category that you can reserve at the time of booking. Both Standard View and Boardwalk View are probably more difficult for non-BWV owners since the BWV owners get the four month booking advantage on these highly coveted rooms.

BCV has no such guaranteed view rooms or lesser point rooms.

There are many other comparisons and contrasts, but to me these are the most basic differences.

Good luck in your decision!

 

[crisi]

You may want to look at some photos of room decor. www.tagrel.com has some nice photos. One big difference is the "dining room table." www.allearsnet.com has nice photos of the public areas.

 

[CapeCodFam]

All of the posters have great points. I'll add a few our own:

I really enjoy the boardwalk and being able to grab a quick pastry/coffee/crepe/calzone/nachos+cheese, etc. just a short stroll from our room. While you can easily visit the boardwalk from any of the resorts on the lake, you wouldn't necessarily make the trek for a chocolate croissant. (But, my DW would )

We do visit BCV for Beaches & Cream + Cape May. We'll also be staying at BCV next July to try the pool.

You really can't go wrong with either resort. We picked BWV because it is the one that we most wanted to stay at for every visit. We do want to try the other resorts. But, If the other resorts are booked, we'll still be happy staying at BWV.

 

[robinb]

I agree with everything that Granny said. I have a couple more comments to add.

The BCV villas are really quite a hike from Stormalong Bay. You need to go through the lobby of the villas and then the lobby of the BC in your swimsuit to get there. Fortunately, that makes the villas very close to the side self-park lot so you don't have to wait for the valet to bring your car around.

The end rooms at BWV are also a long way from the elevator, making for a long trudge back to the room. However, there is a door nearby that allows you a shortcut to the bus stop without having to go through the lobby.

BCV just opened when we bought our BWV resale. We stay in a Standard view villa to save points or a Boardwalk view villa for the great view. I am very happy with my decision to buy at Boardwalk.

 

[DaveT1]

Both are great. IMHO, BCV being smaller can be harder to get into at most times, is a closer walk to Epcot (most take the boat to MGM from either resort), and you don't have to go outside to hit most restaurants. Parking is closer and it can be less of a walk to elevators.

BWV has standard view rooms (less points) that can be harder to get at most times. The preferred views are mostly a nicer view than BCV to me. Has more dining and entertainment options less of a walk.

We chose BCV to be closer to Epcot, for the quieter resort, yet still be within walking distance to all that the Boardwalk has to offer. I have still managed to stay at BWV fairly easily when i choose.

 

[rocketriter]

BWV is livelier (or noisier, depending on your point of view). BCV is quieter (or more isolated, depending on your point of view).

 

[Patty3]

We own at both BWV amd the BCV. If I had to choose one over the other, for me, it is the BCV. We love SAB!

 

[laceemouse]

We bought BCV from Disney when they were selling there. We did not do research on the other resorts prior to that but wanted SAB/11 month window there. On our first stay, which was great, we did request and get a dedicated 2 bedroom. We are a family of 6 and having as many real beds as possible is important to us. I have since learned that BWV does not have any dedicated 2 bedrooms. DH and I might try it sometimes as a couples only trip, but we have no desire to stay at BWV with the whole gang. We recently bought another contract at VWL, and we stayed at OKW in October. I will always try to get a dedicated 2 bedroom, don't know if this is important to you or not....Lacee

 

[crisi]

On a similar note BW has Grand Villas. Expensive ones, but available.

 

[Bella2000]

Great thread since we will be staying at BW for the first time this year.

Quick question regarding differences between BW and BC - is the bathroom layout different in the 1 bedroom? At BCV off the master bathoom portion with the shower we have always had a sink where the toilet appears to be in the Boardwalk Pictures. The toilet is in a little room with a door in this shower section.

allears bwv photo

allears BCV shower/sink with door to side

 

[Terry Lilly]

Thank you All for helping us to make our decision! We purchased two timeshares at the BCV and are very excited to get started - should close mid Feb., hopefully in time to book for mid Dec. and get what we want.

Again, I really appreciated all the great info!

Regards,

Terry

 

[FLYNZ4]

We are looking to purchase resale timeshares at either the BCV or the BWV. LOCATION is the key to the resort. We have stayed at the Beach Club Resort many times, however, never the villas nor have we stayed at the Boardwalk.

Any feedback on the pros and cons when comparing the resorts?

Best Regards,
Terry

Terry,

Your experienes are very common to ours. We have stayed in the Beach Club Hotel a LOT... I would estimate over 120 nights since it opened in 1991. 100% of all of our nights were in the premium lagoon view rooms, or concierge level rooms when it was still available. The vast majority of the nights were spent using $99/night AP specials (this was before the popularity of the internet caused the huge price leveling we have today). We also stayed there during several conferences (at slightly higher rates) which were valid business expenses.

When we decided to purchase DVC... we just assumed that BCV would be our only real choice based on our family preferences. However.... it really bothered us that not only would be not be getting our desired Lagoon View locations... we would actually get the units that were closest to our least desireable location (parking lot). Note that the Beach club used to have 4 rooms classifications (A-Lagoon, B-Pool, C-Garden, D-Standard (parking lot)).

After some serious consideration of the above... we decided that we would prefer BWV (BTW - not a unanimous family decision) because of the reasons presented by other posters... most notably... the ability to get a gauranteed BW view.

In the end... we actually decided to go with SSR because of the extra 12 years... plus the proximity to DDT. It seems that we end up there many nights during each stay... and the kids love DQ.

/Jim

 

[PatMcDuck]

We own at BCV, we sold our OKw when BCV was available. I will say, we like the bathroom set up at BCV over BWV, with the little door! (Large family here, what can I say?) I like the closeness to the parking lot, and there are plenty of spaces. It is nice to pop in that side door near the lot (with room key access). We like the BCV alligator, and those big turtles in our canal. We always eat at Cape May on check in day, too.

It is just so beautiful there, we love it SO much, and I like to take photos of BWV at night accross the way...........

Both resorts are winners.

 

[kathleena]

Quick question regarding differences between BW and BC - is the bathroom layout different in the 1 bedroom? At BCV off the master bathoom portion with the shower we have always had a sink where the toilet appears to be in the Boardwalk Pictures. The toilet is in a little room with a door in this shower section.[/URL]

Yes, the slight difference is that they have the toilet in its own, little teeny, tiny "room" off the shower and sink room. There is still sink there..............