Beach Club, Boardwalk or Wilderness Lodge?

[Mcmouse]

If we decide to purchase DVC which would be the best choice out of these 3?
I was thinking Beach Club Villas for the location and the use of SAB. Boardwalk offers a good location as well (which is better?). I really like the theming of the Wilderness Lodge Villas but the location is not as desirable.

Any Opinions?
Mike

 

[jarestel]

Unfortunately, choice of resort is a matter of personal choice. I'm sure someone will make a wonderful case for each of the resorts you mentioned, but that doesn't mean it will be the best choice for you. Sorry to dance around the question, but if I were you, I'd choose the resort that appealed most to me and forget about what anyone else thought.

Good luck!

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Early this year, I had it narrowed down to these three resorts as my favorites. Ultimately, I chose the BWV because I wanted the lower point option of the standard view. I loved the Boardwalk area and the ability to walk to both Epcot and MGM. I ruled out the BCV because I was buying through Disney and thought the wait would be too long. I did stay one night at the BCV earlier this year and found it to be wonderful. I hope that the BWV will be just as great. I am planning to do a small addon at the VWL for Christmas trips every other year or so. I don't know if this helps or not but this was how I made my decision.

 

[newarknut]

When we purchased in 2001, they were selling VWL. We love it! However, we did buy some points at BCV, too. VWL, transportation wise, is not as bad as you might think. A quick bus trip to the TTC and then a monorail ride to Epcot or a bus to anywhere else.

If you were buying just one place and really like the Epcot area, then buy either BCV or BW.

 

[littlestar]

VWL now has direct bus access to the Magic Kingdom, along with the boat option. Hopefully they keep both.

Bay Lake at the lodge is nice if you like water activities.

We bought at all three, but the bulk of points at VWL.

 

[Pluto 2]

i will have to say beach club. bcv you have the best pool. you are close to boardwalk but dont have to hear the noise when you are trying to sleep.
i own at bwv it must have the worst parking out of all the hotels at wdw.
you have free valet parking but time you give a tip to take your car than another one to pick it up the money really adds up. i just do it sometimes when im tired. call me cheap oh well walking is good for you, but after getting done the parks i really dont feel like walking a half mile.
the only advantage bwv has over bcv is the less points when you get standard view. i dont mind standard view because you dont hear the noise.
now if you like going to bed 2 oclock in the morning everyday than go ahead get a boardwalk view. VWL must have the best decorations at christmas. i will pick bcv out of the three, but if i ever get more points i will go with ssr for the 12 more years. i might not make it that long i will be 84 at the time ssr is done but i can pass it along to my son

 

[byoung]

I stayed at both liked BWV better that's why I brough BWV points. Also BWV are lower points.

 

[jaysue]

Mcmouse, do you have kids who will be travelling and if so what are their ages? This would help me to recommend BCV or BWV

As for WLV, if you like the Northwest themes and you like to feel that you have gotten away a bit and find the boat launch idea to MK and other resorts as fun (which some do) then by all means go with that resort - it is really nice and the hardest to book into at 7mo window since fewest # of units

Cheers
jaysue

(BCV, SSR, VB owner)

 

[keishashadow]

Early this year, I had it narrowed down to these three resorts as my favorites. Ultimately, I chose the BWV because I wanted the lower point option of the standard view. I loved the Boardwalk area and the ability to walk to both Epcot and MGM. I ruled out the BCV because I was buying through Disney and thought the wait would be too long. I did stay one night at the BCV earlier this year and found it to be wonderful. I hope that the BWV will be just as great. I am planning to do a small addon at the VWL for Christmas trips every other year or so. I don't know if this helps or not but this was how I made my decision.

We think alike...we did the same, except bulk of points @ VWL (each year) & BWV (every other). Now, if the AK or CR Villas come to pass, all bets are thrown out the window.

 

[jkfreeman33]

We chose BWV because of the location, also BC wasn't there yet. I love that we can walk to Epcot or MGM. We have even walked to the mini-golf area. If the BWV is booked ehen I call, I'll galdly take the BC.
We have a studio booked at the BC for 12/15 - 12/18.

 

[bcvillastwo]

BCV is our home resort but we've stayed at BWV and WLV as well. We prefer BCV for various reasons but you really can't go wrong with with BWV or WLV. I agree with the early post that suggested you pick the one that is best for you and your family and don't concern yourself with what other's think.

That said, it is always appropriate to ask questions and get the opinions of others when making a decision.

 

[debbie in Seattle]

We couldn't decide, so bought points at both! Going in 3 days, will be our first visit, so can't tell you which is better. Main reason for wanting the location is that we can walk to Epcot and MGM. Kids are grown up, so not an issue as far as needing the elaborate pools, etc.

 

[Sheriff Woody]

I don't think it really matters, does it? If you buy in you're going to eventually stay at all of them at one time or another, no?

 

[erikthewise]

Perhaps the OP is wondering whether one of these is rundown or in some way substandard compared to the others. This would be an important question to ask for many timeshares. But here it is not really an issue. DVC resorts are well maintained, and these three have pretty much the same level of quality.

 

[Straughn]

DH and I had a similar discussion about whether to buy VWL or BWV. We opted for the VWL as our home property for the following reason which jaysue mentioned earlier. The VWL have the fewest # of units so it would be better to be able to book it at 11 months and then switch or book the BWV, which is much larger and therefore have greater availabilty, at the 7 month option.

 

[twotoohappy]

Good luck on your decision! They're all great. I'm getting ready for a BWV add on. I already have BCV and VWL. Here's what I like about them:

VWL - Close to MK, very quiet and relaxing, beautiful at Christmas, smallest DVC

BCV - Sab, popular one so trading in can get more difficult, 2nd smallest DVC, closest to Epcot

BWV - Closest to Jellyrolls love the standard points rate, but those loooong hallways can make for a bit of a hike

If you're buying a larger amount of points, then maybe buy at more than one? We usually do VWL in Dec., BWV March, BCV August.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

This decision only matters if you know you can routinely book more than seven months in advance and stick to the reservation. In that case buy where you would most regularly want to stay.

BCV -- proximity to EPCOT & the feature pool
BWV -- proximity to EPCOT & to the restaurants and entertainment on the boardwalk.
VWL -- proximity to MK, MK hotels & Bay Lake. Also Christmas if that floats your boat. ...peace and quiet.

 

[jaysue]

This decision only matters if you know you can routinely book more than seven months in advance and stick to the reservation. In that case buy where you would most regularly want to stay.

Well put - indeed, if you are going to be within 7 months on regular basis you should buy the resort with the lowest consistent mtce fees which is OKW

Cheers
jaysue

 

[mowog]

If you weren't a DVC member or potential member where would you stay? We found we really liked the BC/YC after stays at many sites, so it was a natural choice for us. We have a Sister who always stays at WL so VWL would be great for her. We found we like to visit and eat at AKL but didn't enjoy staying there as much as BC/YC. We've visited and eaten at WL but never stayed there- the pics of the rooms seem kind of dark and we like light accomodations better- so go with your gut feelings about where you would be happiest. I would not buy a DVC where I haven't stayed, but that's just my opinion. (by stay I mean WL for VWL, Port Olreans or Carribean Beach for OKW, BC/YC or BW for the epcot DVCs- The feel of each resort and how they interlink with the rest of WDW should feel right for your personality and vacation style)

Jean and Bob

 

[skoi]

We had the same exact dilemma when we bought a few years back. Disney was still selling BCV. We had never seen Beach Club or Boardwalk except in pictures, but had stayed at WL. I love the theming at WL, but the person who needed the most convincing (dh) thought BCV would be best in case we "wanted to get rid of it". He wasn't the Disney lover of the family. So we went with BCV because of that, and the fact that it was immediately available so he couldn't change his mind while waiting to find a suitable contract. Now, he loves Disney, I don't know if it's because DVC created that Disney magic for him, or because he's convinced himself he had to love it because we bought points and go to Disney every year. Doesn't matter, we're all happy.

BCV and VWL are both great-- I like them both for different reasons. We haven't stayed at BWV. I think if you make good use of the points, and you love Disney, you can't go wrong with any of the resorts, but I'm pretty easy to please.