Beach Club or Boardwalk?

[skier_pete]

Thanks for the warning! Just how difficult is it to book other resorts at the seven month window point if you are traveling in early December or early January? As I said I have stayed at Wilderness Lodge and loved it but I so love Epcot and the idea of staying within walking distance is very tempting. How do you rent points?

As msmithmd mentioned, early December appears to be the absolutely biggest time of year for DVC rental. You need to book early at home resort or if you wait until 7 months you will be very limited.

Early January isn't quite as good as msmithmd states. New Years weekend itself can be tough. In addition, usually the 2nd weekend in January is a marathon weekend. Any marathon weekend books up VERY early. However, the REST of January other than those couple of days is usually VERY open at 7 months, but fills up pretty quickly by about 5-6 months out. (This is general seems to be the case. Rarely is there a LOT of availability less than 5 months out.)

There's lots of ways to rent points. The least risky way is through a broker. This will cost you a little more, but as PP said that you are paying for the guarantee. Renting directly from other owners can be done through many different sites, including this one. We did this once from two separate owners. We had no issues doing it, but you typically have to pay the DVC member, and then they will book your room and send you your confirmation, which you can confirm through Disney. We paid using paypal, which supposedly gives you a "warranty of service" so that if the person doesn't provide the stay, paypal will give you your money back. When booking points through individuals, you need to also understand once you book, you really can't change the reservation like you could with a normal reservation. It still comes out a lot cheaper than paying to stay in these resorts.

 

[PleasejointheFarque]

IMO both resorts are shabby and in need of refurbs and who knows when that will happen... we love BLT or AKL..both nice properties

but as always YMMV

 

[DizBub]

IMO both resorts are shabby and in need of refurbs and who knows when that will happen...

Well, they just started the long awaited refurb for the entire BC (just hoping BCV is included in this) that is going to take nearly 2 years.

Judging from the fact that it's nearly impossible to get a room for more than a day or 2 in a row at any time of the year, even with all the complaining about how run down and shabby it is, I fear this will make BVC even more sought after and harder to get in the future. Hoping too that the rumors are true about them adding BCV through conversion of BC rooms.

BTW, BWV has the highest MFs on property, not BCV. BWV is great for the cheaper standard view rooms so you could own less points but only if you can book standard consistently. Parking at BWV is horrendous especially during F&W. All things considered we chose BCV.

 

[beer dave]

IMO both resorts are shabby and in need of refurbs and who knows when that will happen... we love BLT or AKL..both nice properties

but as always YMMV

The refurbs are coming (at least BCV)--- give blt and AKL another 5 years and they will be in the same boat.

 

[conandrob240]

I like the rooms, views and atmosphere better at BWV but I absolutely hate the pool there and I like the lobby area much better at BCV.

 

[chainkid]

I feel it is totally subjective as to what is better even though BC and BWV share the best location. I own at BWV and AKV and one is great the other is not my cup of tea. I bought at BWV after a cash stay. I fell in love with the place immediately but knew nothing about DVC until i got home. I was totally in love. I bought several resale contracts there after buying my first one direct and can honestly say if i never stayed anywhere else I would be content. Then I made the mistake of doing small direct sale for AKV when Disney hyped it. I bought sight unseen and after my first visit immediately regretted it. Rooms too dark, the first impression of underground parking is a real downer and the animals are obviously programmed to follow the food trucks. Not much to do after dark as an adult. Not a fan of the restaurants either. I could see once in awhile but if I never go back i wouldn't care.

The point Im making is that many people love AKV and wouldn't want to stay anywhere else and the same goes for BC obviously yet neither one appeals to me in the least. I also do not enjoy VWL as its too much like my own home. I adore VGF but my husband won't cough up that much right now. So if you can try them out and i think you will know what I mean if one just hits your heart more than the others. They are all great for someone..