Beach Club or Boardwalk?

[chrysano]

My wife and I just purchased DVC in December and have booked our first trip in May at AKL, our home resort. We plan on heading to Aulani and back to WDW for the food and wine festival later this year.

So, for our food and wine trip I was just wondering if there was a big difference between Beach Club and Boardwalk?

We stayed at Yacht Club on and after our wedding, and were concierge and loved it. Also, anything I should be prepared for DVC wise that's different than normal?

 

[disneybirds]

We love BCV for the pool and the ease of walking into the back of Epcot. I haven't stayed at BWV, but I know there are alot of people that love it as well. I really think you need to stay at each one or at least visit to decide.

 

[kaligal]

I prefer Beach Club. It's a much shorter walk into Epcot. I prefer the rooms there. And I'd much rather be at BC looking at the Boardwalk than the other way around.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with Boardwalk Villas because in my opinion the Boardwalk has the best theme/atmosphere among any WDW Resort. Plus when comparing it to the Beach Club Villas they have more total Table Service Restaurants and Quick Service locations. Finally the Boardwalk is the closest of the Epcot Resorts when walking to Hollywood Studios, which is about a 10 - 15 minute walk.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are talking about Oct 2012, you will have a hard time getting BCV (at least in a one bedroom). I couldn't get but one night out of seven that I needed for mid-October. So we booked a different resort. BWV was a little bit easier to get. Usually one bedrooms are the easiest to get.

But we have stayed at BWV and didn't care for it. We always drive and the parking lot at BWV is the worst of all the DVC resorts. You are far from the entrance unless you valet park and we choose not to valet park. And with F&W going on, you can bet people not staying at the BW will try to park at the BW parking lot to keep from paying to park at Epcot.

The BCV were our first choise for F&W because the BCV are just so close to Epcot. I like staying there because I can leave the villas at 8:50PM, find a spot to watch Illuminations between France and Great Britain and be back in bed by 9:30. It's a bit further to Epcot from BWV.

Not much difference in the villas, pretty much the same layout. BWV were renovated about three years ago. BCV has only had soft goods replaced.

We also like BCV because the villas are behind the BC, so you are away from all the noise of the area. At the BWV, you are right in the middle of it all, especially if you get the BW view (goes fast, though) or a Luna Park view (the pool can be noisy at night).

 

[jujube]

I'd be happy at either. My home resort is BWV so it's my favorite. It's a few minutes more to get from BWV to Epcot.
It's been out experience that BCV is noisier but that's probably because of kids and the SAB pool. It isn't horrible though.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

And with F&W going on, you can bet people not staying at the BW will try to park at the BW parking lot to keep from paying to park at Epcot.

Since you said yourself that the Beach Club is closer to the International Gateway entrance of Epcot (Although not by a lot) if some people were to do what you said, wouldn't they rather park at the Beach Club because it's closer and not at the Boardwalk?

 

[carrie6466]

I love BWV, staying there for the second time in September. I haven't stayed at BC, though, so can't make a comparison. We didn't have a car, so no parking issues for us.

 

[smidgy]

I prefer BCV.. ask for a pool view. the pastel colors at the villas are so cheery!.. the villas pool is very nice!!. and it is a short walk to epcot. and you have the marketplace, and hurrican hannahs for CS. (the burger at Hurrican hannahs is great! the sameas at beaches and cream.)

you can still walk over to the boardwal, short walk, for their entertainment and restaurants, without all the noise.

the bridge between the 2 resorts is a great place to watch illuminations on a non park day!

 

[n2mm]

I own at BWV and love it there. While we also enjoy staying at BCV, each has advantages. At BWV we are a closer walk to the Studios and you have the night time entertainment on the BW. At BCV you are closer to EPCOT, better parking, and SAB. We seldom even use SAB, so that's an issue for us. However, as mentioned you are going to run into some issues of booking either at the 7 month window during F&W. Both of these resorts generally fill before the 7 month window. While some folks do get lucky, as the norm, being an owner here really helps for October. This is one of the reasons we added on to the BWV after buying in. I tried to book my daughter a room 1 week after the 11 month window openned for a standard studio for this October and it was already sold out and she's been waitlisted since and it's never come through. If you are looking at a 1 bedroom, that increases your chances as they are the last to be booked. BWV-pool/preferred view is the most available at the BWV. Good luck.

 

[lsenquiz]

We are huge fans of BWV. I like its location because it just feels like it is in the middle of everything. We can walk to EPCOT in 5 minutes, DHS in 12, Swan and Dolphin in 5 and BCV in about 7. The energy on the boardwalk is awesome. We love the pool(my kids prefer the BWV slide over the BCV slide). We stay there every year now and have never been disappointed.

 

[nutty4wdw]

since we like to swim we prefer the BC due to stormalong bay which i think is the best pool in disney. love the sandy bottom. feels so good after a day of walking.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the DVC Resorts board.

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

Since you said yourself that the Beach Club is closer to the International Gateway entrance of Epcot (Although not by a lot) if some people were to do what you said, wouldn't they rather park at the Beach Club because it's closer and not at the Boardwalk?

The reason many people park at the Boardwalk is that there is a lot with no guard and that makes it easier to do.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Since you said yourself that the Beach Club is closer to the International Gateway entrance of Epcot (Although not by a lot) if some people were to do what you said, wouldn't they rather park at the Beach Club because it's closer and not at the Boardwalk?

You'd think so, but they all want to park at the BW. I think it is because of no guard at the further lot and they can get away with it more easily to say they are shopping/dining/going to the clubs at the BW. Plus the BW is more of a destination because of the boardwalk than the BC or YC.

 

[chainkid]

I always valet park as that is the fun of vacation for me so that is never an issue for me. . I find the boardwalk to be my only favorite resort. None of the others satisfies all my family members. Beach club pool is not a draw for me at all and I hate that none of the rooms have a view worth having IMO. I think the view from the Boardwalk to the beach club/yacht club is more soothing . You are not as close to Epcot but other than that I prefer the ESPN club, Jelly rolls and the outside vendors and during the F&W festival you are closer to the Swann /Dolphin area that hosts their own festival. My family has alot of very active sports nuts so the ESPN club being just a short stroll away is a major draw for us. I enjoy the hussle and bustle as i live in the country where it is totally peaceful 24/7..nice to have something different . Never had a problem with noise when sleeping either and I get the Boardwalk view as often as I can

 

[gdrj]

Can't go wrong either way.

My choice would be Boardwalk for the following reasons.
1- The room views of either Boardwalk or Pool/Gardens are very nice. BCV while it may overlook Villas pool (not main pool) there is also the chance you could have a view of roadway, trees, or obstructed.

2- While all Food choices are on the Boardwalk (not actually in hotel), there are many from Bakery, Pizza, hotdogs to ESPN,and full service restaurants

3- Night time activity (street performers, games) creates a buzz that even if you don't particpate in is fun to walk by while grabbing an ice cream. SInce its kid focused it doesnt run too late.

4- The Resort feel to the location and beautiful lobby, the rockers overlooking the water all add to the experience.

5- As far as parking, we've driven and flown. We rarely use the car when we are there, walk or boat to MGM or Epcot. Use buses for most others. Considering all the walking in the parks I dont see it that big of deal to grab the car while the rest of the family is getting ready. Other choice is to Valet if you need the car multiple times a day but my recommendation would be just to park it.

 

[crisi]

I prefer the BW, but its home. Either resort is nice. You many not have a choice, so I wouldn't get my heart set on having a definite preference, and call early the day you can first make reservations. F&W is a very popular event with DVCers, with a lot of people owning at BWV or BCV just to have the priority booking window for that time of year, and quite a few non Epcot area owners have your same idea.

Hardest to book will be BW Standard View, then Boardwalk View, then anything at the Beach Club, then BW Preferred View. Personally, I'd do my prioritization in that order - if you CAN get standard view or boardwalk view at the Boardwalk, grab it - its unlikely to come your way again at that time of year. If not and Beach Club is open, grab that, while you might get that on a future try, it will be more difficult. Then grab BW Preferred View if that is available, that is most likely to be open in the future.

 

[smidgy]

I don't think they need a guard at the further lot at BW, or anyone parking there is "getting away with" something.

boardwalk is a destination, and you shouldn't have to have an ADR to go there. we often drive over to go to Jellyrolls, and to do karaokee at the swan. often you want to stay past the time the boats take you to Hollywood studios.

not everything to do at Boardwalk requires a reservation. since they basically did away with pleasure Island, it's a nice night spot for adults. I think that's kinda the purpose of the further lot.

 

[Sammie]

Either one.

Beach Club has better parking, better pool, restaurants that we prefer.

Boardwalk has better views, newer rooms, nicer lobby area, and more shops and entertainment.