Beach Club or Boardwalk???

[CindyTx]

I am trying to decide between these two resorts to buy a resale on.

What do you like about these resorts and what do you dislike??

Which would you pick to buy into???

Thanks,

Cindy

 

[NJParkhopper]

... I guess it depends on such things as the pools, the resort's location on the Boardwalk, etc. We enjoyed the BCV's but always find ourselves staying at the BWV's because we just love the feel of the place. I like being closer to The Screen Door if I need anything or the Bakery in the A.M. Both are great though... If you have kids, would they enjoy the BCV's pool more than the BWV's pool? Boy, what a great problem to have... making a Disney decision!!!

 

[J and R's mom]

Hi Cindy, TX.

I had similar type question. Click here to read that thread. It's more of a trip report but it also addresses buying into BWV vs BCV just a little bit.

We stayed in a 2br at BCV in Nov and a BWV studio last week. I was really surprised to find that I preferred BWV to BCV, although I'd be happier at either one. Anyway, here's why:

1) I preferred the upkeep of the room at BWV to the one I stayed in at BCV.

2) I preferred being closer to the Boardwalk area. When we stayed at the BCV, I thought it'd be easy to walk over to the Boardwalk anytime we wanted to. It's not that it's difficult, but I just had a hard time convincing myself to walk all the way over there after a long day at the parks.

3) The boat dock SEEMS closer at BWV. I guess it all depends on how close of a room you get to the elevator at BWV, though.

4) BWV has two different point categories (encompassing 3 different view options).

5) A Boardwalk view is really neat...and having the 11-month booking advantage for that view is a big plus.

6) BWV resales are cheaper than BCV.

But I will say this, there were two times when DD (2.5) and I were coming back from EPCOT via the international gateway (walking), I'd look at that little side gate that leads to the BCV and wish we were staying at BCV.

Also, BCV has SAB. That might be enough to make a decision for some folks right there. And I can't forget to mention Beaches-n-Cream.

Since I'm still trying to decide between the two myself, I'm VERY interested in what the season veterans have to say.

 

[gilld]

BCV definitely.

 

[slp87]

We've stayed at both and although our points are at BWV, we split our last stay at both and will be again in March. We love, love, love the pool at BCV. My DH likes it better because he thinks it has more of a family feel throughout the resort and it is quieter because of the villas being somewhat removed and not connected to the lobby. We love BWV because of the feeling that you're in the middle of the action. My DD thinks the pool slide is the best at BWV. You also have the Community Hall if you have kids. There is nothing I dislike about either resort.

 

[LSchrow]

SSR!!
oops, that wasn't a choice (i really like those extra years tho )...

i own at BCV, BWV, & SSR ~ & my hands-down fav DVC resort is BWV!!
elegant, convenient, VERY entertaining...the only thing on site that comes close to having all those things (IMHO) is yacht club concierge, which is WAAAAY more pricey (but wonderful as well )

 

[Disney Doll]

BCV because:
~It's closer to Epcot
~It has Stormalong Bay
~It has Beaches and Cream
~I stayed there on my honeymoon
~I love the themeing/decorating

 

[debbiepump]

Owned at both (have since sold BWV) and I really like the BCV. It's a smaller property, love the parking next to the villlas, enjoy the Marketplace and being able to pick up just sandwiches and gellato (w/o having to go to a sit down restaurant), the community rooms and the intimate feeling. Downside, the 'frontage road' and the BWV 'views' are much nicer than the BCV, but we're not there to take in the 'views'.

 

[Batistuta]

How long is the walk from BCV to the boardwalk?

 

[KarenP99]

Just back from our first stay at BCV (owners since 2002), our last stay at BWV was in 2001.

No complaints about BCV, but BWV just seems to be more "us". Although they are both beach/seaside type themes, the BWV felt much warmer & relaxed to me. The layout of the BCV seemed very confusing, no real central location. No real views, certainly not horrible dumpster type views, but the BWV seems to have better grassy views. The pool at BCV is the best hands down, but not a big draw for us.

Good luck in your choice, I don't think you'll be disapointed either way

 

[Terry S]

BCV for our family hands down! I think both resorts are great and you won't go wrong with either one but it is more of a personal preference than anything and the best thing to do is stay at them both. We have stayed at both and prefer BCV, here is why:

1) Love the themeing

2) Love the atmosphere

3) Love the Beach

4) On a rainy day you can walk completely covered to the store or any resturant (one of the times we stayed at BWV, it was very rainy and we got completely drenched just going to breakfast)

5) Love Beaches and Creme

6) Love that it is quiet at the BCV, but you can walk to the hustle and bustle of the boardwalk if you want in less than 5 mins.

Just an FYI.. I have had a Boardwalk view at the Boadwalk and although it was awesome during the day, it kept us up in the evening until they shut the boardwalk games down.

 

[LongIslandCouple]

How long is the walk from BCV to the boardwalk?

Five minutes or a boat across.

 

[tor]

SSR!!
oops, that wasn't a choice (i really like those extra years tho )...

i own at BCV, BWV, & SSR ~ & my hands-down fav DVC resort is BWV!!
elegant, convenient, VERY entertaining...the only thing on site that comes close to having all those things (IMHO) is yacht club concierge, which is WAAAAY more pricey (but wonderful as well )

I agree with LSchrow 15 years is a long time to give up and with the last discount friends and family or whatever it was it was cheaper at SSR than the resales. Also as great as the BWV is lets not forget they will come up with something better some day like the monorail DVC or perhaps DVC at sea of tranquility on the moon and you miss out because your timeshare expired plus you still can stay at the BWV or BCV just do a point swap or book at 7 months

 

[crisi]

BCV attributes:

SAB - you can't pool hop here.
Quieter location, more "relaxed theming"
A little closer to Epcot, a farther from MGM.
Slightly different room layout (I like the table arrangement better here, but the master bedroom closet is smaller. Other people really like the secluded toilet stall).

BWV attributes:
Booking Views - BWView and Standard View points
Community Hall access.

To me, things like B&C or access to BW Entertainment aren't really factors - its a five minute walk between resorts. And the Epcot walking distance difference wouldn't be a big factor to us. Its the things you can really only take advantage of as a guest (I'm not sure about the Community Hall - you can probably use that as a BCV guest - I've certainly never been carded for anything other than videos and lifejackets - not for ping pong!)

 

[Terry S]

BWV attributes:

Community Hall access.

(I'm not sure about the Community Hall - you can probably use that as a BCV guest - I've certainly never been carded for anything other than videos and lifejackets - not for ping pong!)

Last time I stayed at BWV I was talking to a CM at community hall and told her that the community hall was the only thing we miss when staying at BCV. She told me that the community hall is for DVC members not just Boadwalk guests. My daughter was so happy she would be able to do some of the crafts on our next trip to BCV.

 

[Northern Lights]

We chose BCV simply b/c of the pool and it is a bit closer to Epcot. We love being able to take a quick walk into Epcot for dinner in Canada or Italy (we always buy APs with the DVC discount so we are not burning a park day just to eat dinner). That said, we are trying BWV on our spring break trip (didn't plan soon enough this time and our waitlist for BCV did not come through) in 16 days and are very excited about trying something new.

Based on BWV's closer proximity to MGM, it may actually be the better optimum of walking to both epcot and mgm. I'm just speculating here though but plan to find out in about 2-3 weeks!

 

[Dis13]

I'm currently trying to decide the same thing - BWV or BCV Great problem to have, I guess!

I'm driving my family nuts... If we go with BWV, then.... but if we go with BCV, then...

I was actually able to talk my DH into going to stay for one night in each in May! Although I used the Anniversary excuse as well. And no kids! I just hope they don't raise the prices on resales too much before then. I've heard Saratoga prices were going up. Has anyone heard anything about resale prices?

Thanks to everyone here on the DIS for all the info on both resorts. It's impossible for us to decide without going to touch and feel for ourselves. Who know, we may actually like Saratoga Springs or Old Key West (we plan on checking them all out while there). And taking a day to see the Flowers at Epcot of course!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Now that the BC Marketplace has opened, especially, one advantage of the BCV is that they have more, varied fast food options than BWV. Remember, although B&C isn't really fast food, they don't take ressies. And in the case of BC Marketplace, you can get your food "under cover", that is, if it's raining, you won't get wet. And there's a character meal right there, at Cape May Cafe, an excellent one, IMHO. I find more quiet places to sit and read than at BWV. But I agree-try to stay at both first.

 

[Beca]

Well....all I can say say is, "Get the one you REALLY want" because there is nothing worse than owning at your second choice and seeing your first choice EVERY time you leave your hotel!!!

We bought BWV because of the standard view option, and lower point price. When we stayed there, we really liked the resort, but found that we LOVED BCV. It was really hard to see such a beautiful resort across the street, and having just spent thousands on BWV....know that we could not afford to buy there.

So...we sold our contracts at BWV, VWL and OKW, and bought BCV!!!

It's heaven!! We love being "on the beach" as opposed to being on the boardwalk...it is just so much more relaxing. We love having the amenities of the hotel "inside" the hotel instead of on the boardwalk. We LOVE Beaches 'n Cream, Hurricane Hannas and the Marketplace. And....my family cannot get enough of SAB. Now that we own at BCV, and always stay there....we spend more time at our resort than we do in the park. Okay, that's it...I'm done....I REALLY need to get there soon!!!



Beca

 

[LSchrow]

Both close to EPCOT & MGM

reasons we prefer BWV over BCV:
~ while SAB is gorgeous, we rarely use it (barely use the one at home )
~ BCV beach theme is beautiful, but we see quite a bit of that on long island already BWV has a more refined, elegant feel
~ the "views" are simpy not our taste (roadways??! even our SV's at BWV have been breathtaking)
~ we find BCV more noisy (more lil ones), while BWV has noise that we can at least join in on
~ sooooooo much to do on the BW (tho you can hoof it/ferry on over)
of course, Art the greeter at BC is amazing tho......

we find the diff in distance to parks so miniscule as not to be noticable.

btw, we have never had a prob getting what/where we want (in august or sept) at the 7 month window.

hth