Beach Club Villas

[maryjane]

As I contnue to save for my DVC I have many questions. We are very interested in Beach Club Villas. But we will have to go down to see them first hand. We've never stayed there. But they sound great! I'd love to hear from others who have Beach Club as their home away from home. We may go resale,but I was also wondering if we would have a problem going through Disney. Is there such a thing as not being able to purchase that as our "Home. Do they really fill up at BCV. Also just curious if anyone has made this move going in site unseen? I'd appreciate any info on BCV. And thanks for taking the time to read my many,many questions.
Have a good day!
MaryJane

 

[jel0511]

You'll have to go re-sale if you want BCV, as Disney has sold out this resort. Just a note, if you plan on going re-sale your financing (if that's what you plan on doing) options will be limited. There really isn't any competetive financing options for timeshares out on the open market. You'll either have to use a credit card, or use a home equity loan. If you want to purchase through Disney, the only resort on WDW property for sale is Saratoga Springs. Also, BCV is one of the more popular DVC reosrts. I've stayed there, but own at VWL. It books up fast so use of the 11 month window is critical if this is where you really want to stay. I bught at VWL sight unseen, with the exception of seeing the lobby at WL. I just called one day and bought points. We've added on twice since then, and we love our DVC. We're contemplating another add-on in the not to distant future.

 

[JUDSON]

Yes I bought at BCV site unseen and my only regret is that I didn't buy sooner when points were cheaper. I honestly think you cannot go wrong with any DVC resort but VWL, BCV & BWV are fantastic if being near theme parks are important.

The reasons for buying at BCV are many and have been listed countless times. Personally, it was being in the Crescent Lake area that did it for me (BWV would have sufficed just as nicely). CL is wonderful to walk around in the early a.m. or at night (when it is pleasantly cooler). Each resort's theme is more appreciated as you round the lake, with horns sounding from the boats ever enhancing the nautical effect. And just KNOWING that you are only a short walk from Epcot & MGM....

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by maryjane
Also just curious if anyone has made this move going in site unseen?

MaryJane...count me in also as one who purchased DVC at VWL sight unseen. And I was completely satisfied with the decision!

If you're undecided, you might want to try out BCV by renting points for a stay. Then you can be sure that the resort and DVC meets your expectations. It's a big vacation investment, and you might want to make sure you understand what you are getting for the money!

While financing options are more limited through re-sale, you can also save some money that way.

But mostly, it would enable you to buy where you want to stay the most, which is sound advice.

Good luck in your decision, and keep asking questions!

 

[BCV23]

We bought BCV unseen too on the first day sales opened...hence my name....it was 2/3/2002. We had seen it under construction but viewed the decor and room layouts on the DVC site.

Although it is sold out, maybe you could put your name on a waitlist with DVC? I know in the past people have posted that some points became available for purchase from DVC for other soldout resorts. It's worth a shot perhaps.

 

[OneMoreTry]

I don't think the seven month window is absolutely critical except at certain times of year. Depends on when you will travel. If holidays, you need to buy where you will stay. (Then be sure to check out the points needed cause they are real high during holidays.)

BCV is close to the parks. The building interiors are gorgeous. The lakeside is nice. The canal side is not very attractive in my opinion. SAB is popular.

Boardwalk has the restaurant choices and is close to parks. And the option to save points if you want to select a standard room. In that case the 11-month may be important. (We got one on a wait list for Memorial Day weekend at 7 months, however.)

OKW is my "Home." It has more of a home feel than the others. Is more secluded, which feels "exclusive" to me. Park by your home. Get away from the routine Disney crowds. We're trying the others but love OKW best (but we're not park hounds).

Check out the thread on what people wish they had known before they bought.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Originally posted by jel0511
You'll have to go re-sale if you want BCV, as Disney has sold out this resort. Just a note, if you plan on going re-sale your financing (if that's what you plan on doing) options will be limited. There really isn't any competetive financing options for timeshares out on the open market. You'll either have to use a credit card, or use a home equity loan.

When I looked into resale I was told NO credit cards. Only a cash advance or one of those convenience checks. (I wanted the points on my disney visa )

We own at BCV and think it is a wonderful resort. I agree with the renting of points and trying it out first. Good luck!

 

[pat-rick]

We too bought BCV sight unseen.
We did take a walk around Cresent Lake during the BCV construction but did not know anything about DVC at the time. When we did learn about the DVC we became very interested in the BWV's but they were sold out as is the BCV now. When the Beach Club started selling we jumped at the chance because of the location, even closer than the Boardwalk. We love the BCV / BWV locations and over doubled our points last September. We did not normally visit WDW very frequently. Since purchasing our first points in April 2002 we have visited:
BWV's Sept. 2002 to take a peek at DVC,
Big family trip BCV's Nov. 2002 for Thanksgiving,
Sept. 2003 OKW,
Oct. 2003 BCV
and most recently Jan. 2004 BCV.
We have reservations for May 2004 BWV's for Flower Show
and Big Family trip Nov. 2004 Thanksgiving at BCV's.
We are in our late 50's and could have purchased nothing more
enjoyable to share with our 2 daughters and 6 grand children.

 

[DemoBri1]

Originally posted by OneMoreTry
BCV is close to the parks. The building interiors are gorgeous. The lakeside is nice. The canal side is not very attractive in my opinion. SAB is popular.

Just to clarify...there is no lakeside area of BCV. Only the YC and BC have building sides that face Crescent Lake.

Now...speaking from the experience of a sight unseen buyer, I was completely satisfied with our first stay at BCV this past December. BCV is a very quiet and "laid-back" resort due mainly in part to its location within the YC/BC complex. It is set behind the BC, and thus has no direct sightline of the Boardwalk area. You can, however, get to the Boardwalk very easily by following the walking path that runs in-between the BCV and BC and then winds around the back of BC. This path will take you out right in front of the bridge that crosses over the waterway leading to Epcot and the International Gateway.

The rooms were in good shape, and we didn't encounter any of the water pressure or air conditioning problems that other posters have mentioned in other threads. The two things I would have to say need to be added to BCV is it's own check-in desk, and Grand Villas if they ever expand this resort.

All in all I think you will be happy with BCV, and of course I forgot to mention that you'll have exclusive use of the best on-property pool area, Stormalong Bay.

Brian

 

[Disney Doll]

We've stayed at BCV, and it is a lovely resort. It does not have as many rooms as some of the other DVC resorts, so I do think that the 11 month window may be important. It migth be tought o book there at 7motnhs, depending on the time of year. And remember, the bust times of year are different for DVC than they are for the rest of WDW. Us DVCers tend to go there when the kids are in school!!!!!!

Obviously, being within walking/boating distance to MGM and Epcot is a HUGE plus for the resort. Being on the Boardwalk is also a huge plus. Stromalong Bay is a huge plus.

I would be very confident to tell you to buy sight unseen. You won't be disappointed.

 

[LoveToDisney]

Originally posted by maryjane
I'd love to hear from others who have Beach Club as their home away from home......Also just curious if anyone has made this move going in site unseen?

We purchased BCV last summer when points were still available, totally sight unseen and will take our first trip this year. I didn't know about this website and would have loved to had all the info you can glean here. IMHO, I would contact the DVC sales office and put your name on their list as being interested in BCV. They have ROFR on all contract sales and could purchase back points to sell to you if they so desire.

I think you will be happy no matter where you purchase because the club has all great resorts. Plus with SSR you get a longer contract...great if you are a young family. (That doesn't matter to us as we will already be in our 80's when our shorter contract ends.)

The only thing I know for sure...wish we had bought sooner when the DVC first opened!!!

 

[cheyita]

We stayed at BCV twice on cash before taking the DVC plunge. We are considering getting more points resale, since we are now attempting two trips to WDW a year.

I'll admit the thought of sight unseen is a little scary - there are things about each resort that different people like and dislike. Just because I say it's completely awesome doesn't mean you will agree. But for the record - I think it's awesome!

It does fill up fast. About a month ago we decided to plan a trip for June. BCV was the only DVC resort that was completely booked. But I had no problem getting my reservation for December, since I took advantage of early planning.

Good luck in your decision making!

 

[Tigger007]

Hi! We also bought BCV unseen - and can't wait to get there for our first visit home!!!!

 

[KaterBell]

US TOO!!!

We bought sight unseen in March 2002. I wish we could have bought more points. 210 is NOT enough!

Upon our first visit home in oct. 2002 we LOVED it, and knew we made the right choice. Walking to Epcot is butter, baby!

I think you'll enjoy BCV if you are able to get a resale!

 

[zulaya]

Bought BCV sight unseen - had never seen any DVC room in person - in March 2002. We're so pleased, we did an add-on in November.

 

[sgtpet]

I think many of us purchased add on points at BCV prior to its completion in being built. I was one of them.

 

[lisareniff]

I'm so glad I'm not alone...

We purchased sight unseen as well!! Heck, hadn't even been to WDW as adults!!! Talk about sight unseeen!!!!

Yes, we were crazy! But we did have the extra money to spend and we were planning a few trips in the coming years. So, I read everything I could, and then my DH said "yes, if I wanted to" (never expecting I would). I call the next day for our guide to send papers. It was a done deal! Boy was I relieved.... WE LOVED IT!!!!!

BCV is our home resort. We loved it''s location and theme (were from the north; vacation = beach). The only down side was the lack on Grand Villas, but we knew this before we bought.

Good luck!!

 

[Mouse Ears]

We also bought at BCV sight-unseen in July 2002. I had never seen the Epcot resort area (Boardwalk, etc.) nor any DVC rooms when we took the plunge. Our first trip home was in December and it exceeded my expectations in almost every way.

My favorite thing about BCV was the very short walk to Epcot. My favorite thing about DVC is the reassured feeling of knowing you'll be back.

Everything you need to know to make a wise decision is here on these boards somewhere!