beach club vs boardwalk

[2tink4u]

I asked this question on a different thread and someone said I should ask the experts so. I'm considering buying resale at Beach club or Boardwalk. I would like Beach club the best I believe, but have been hearing good things about BW. There are many good values resale on BW, not such good deals on BC. Since BW is also walking distance to epcot and MGM maybe I would be okay with that. I've never had the privledge of staying at either resort. Can you guys help me with the little extras you've loved and experianced at these resorts to help me make my decision? I have a 7 year old son who can swim and we are beach people in general. Though we've never felt we have the time to enjoy our resort before we are hoping to change this.

 

[jekjones1558]

We own at BWV and feel that the view from the rooms facing the BW is the best in WDW. We also like the fact that it is only about a 15 minute walk to MGM and 10 minutes to Epcot. We are not enamored of SAB pool because it is so spread out and hard to keep track of kids. However, we are definitely in the minority. Most people love SAB and I would guess that your DS would be thrilled with it. The beach theme sounds like it might be a good match for you as well. Good luck with your decision!

 

[DVC Mike]

BWV (1996)

• Attached to a deluxe resort hotel (BWI)
• Lively atmosphere: ¼-mile Atlantic city Boardwalk midway
• Well-themed pool (Luna Park) with 200-ft Keister Coaster water slide
• Boardwalk location (lots of activity - street performers, games, nightlife)
• Standard View rooms are low on points!
• Boardwalk view offers great view of Crescent lake
• Ten-minute walk to Epcot; 15-minute walk to DHS
• Boat launch to DHS and Epcot
• Room service and valet parking
• Great restaurants (Flying Fish Café and Spoodles)
• Community Hall with lots of activities for children

BCV (2002)

• Location! Just a few minutes walk to Epcot!
• Attached to a deluxe resort hotel (BC)
• 2nd smallest DVC resort at WDW
• Stormalong Bay: 3-acre mini-water park (the best feature pool at WDW!)
• Close proximity to the Boardwalk resort area
• Onsite character breakfast (Cape May Café)
• Sandy "beach" on Crescent Lake
• Valet parking and room service
• Good onsite restaurants (including Yachtsman Steakhouse)
• Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
• Boat service to DHS and Epcot
• Mid-Atlantic "nautical" theme
• No 3-BR GV
• No community hall

 

[mjy]

BWV (1996)

• Ten-minute walk to Epcot; 15-minute walk to DHS
• Boat launch to DHS and Epcot

Jumping the gun a bit? It's MGM until January 1st!

(Actually, I've been calling it the Hollywood Studios as soon as they announced it.)

Okay, on the serious note, I think your comparisons were right on target.

I think I would also add that the Boardwalk, generally, has better views all around. The Beach Club Villas are sort of behind the Beach Club and, imho, a lot of the "views" leave a lot to be desired. The Boardwalk has great views of Crescent Lake as well as the waterway in back, as well as the great themed pool. At the Beach Club you have to really go to the hotel to see all of those.

Not bashing the BCV, though. It's a nice place as well. I just prefer the BWV.

 

[DeeCee735]

You will get alot of people partial to BW, and alot of people partial to BC - it's really personal preference. But we too own at BW...because it is our favorite DVC resort. Many, many people really love BC. Though I've never stayed at the BC villas, I think the resort is beautiful. I've taken my kids over to the pool before there were pool hopping restrictions with SAB. It's nice, but very big and winding, hard to keep track of the kids unless your in the water with them. Most people rate it the best pool on property.

IOHO....
However, we favor BW. I prefer "sharing" the lobby area with the hotel......we prefer the villas with the "hotel" feel. It is not a separate outside building and we really like that. Lots to do at BW all the time. There's the surrey bikes, the community hall, a great slide on the pool, a nice quiet pool, the shops, the ice cream parlor, and restaurants (Big River Grille has outside seating). Jellyrolls for the adults, which is a blast, and the arcade at ESPN. There's nightly strolling entertainment on the boardwalk and it's right between Epcot & MGM. It also has tennis courts and bicycle rentals (I think all the DVC resorts do though).

BC, on the other hand, has Beaches and Cream - yum, and a white sand beach area with beach lounges, and of course SAB.

It really depends on which you prefer the most. Have you visited either one of them? Perhaps that would help. BW has walk through models of the villas so you could see the rooms in the BW theme decor, stroll the BW and check out what's available there, and maybe go over to Y&BC area and have lunch in B&C? Just an idea.

Anyway, either one is great and you won't regret becoming a DVC member. Good luck with your decision.

 

[MikeChan408]

How is the crowd/noise factor if you have a boardwalk view room? How is it with all the windows closed?

 

[rogerram]

How is the crowd/noise factor if you have a boardwalk view room? How is it with all the windows closed?

I never really had much problem with noise, if you have the sliders closed, i don't really notice it. If they are open, then you will hear some noise, but it is not usually bad unless you get a few loud ones in the crowd.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

In all seriousness, you should consider holding off on your purchase until you've had a chance to try both places. Consider renting points and doing a split stay. DVC is a large financial commitment, and you may find yourself going at peak times where 11-month booking is important.

Both are real nice, and both have their passionate defenders. We bought BCV on resale last year because that was where I really wanted to be. We had stayed at YC/BC prior, and it was where I could "see" my family. We coud really envision how the purchase would evolve as the children grew, etc.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[2tink4u]

Okay, Here is the whole deal. We have made the decision to buy!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!! However, DH doesn't want to spend anymore dough on Hotels. He thinks buy and we'll use the DVC. We've worked it out dollar for dollar. I did my home work guys!!! I have American Express to cut the cost of flights and just ordered Disney Visa for yearly fee assist. Much spread sheeting to get DH on board. We are planning a trip during F&W 09. My true belief from what you wonderful and so knowledgables has taught me is, While DS is home (he's only almost 7) we think BC is the choice. After DS moves on or gets older we think BW would be better. Now, here is the kicker. Don't want to own at both, cause, would like to pay off prior to Hawaii and buy some of those points with the member discount cause we're already members. You guys know how important this decision can be. I read here, a lady bought BC had remorse, sold, bought somewhere else and then felt she made a mistake. I wish I knew why???? Gee Whiz, save me from this please. DH will kill me. The true deal with lots of points in the 200 point range are currently at BW. We plan to travel frequently during F&W and December yearly. Maybe take the extra points once every three and go hhi/vb or trade II. II trades w/Harborside which is the Atlantis Hotel in the Bahamas and is truly magnificent. (have no idea cost of doing this yet) Anyway, off season what are the chances of getting BC if I take the BW deal. Will I regret my decision if it's hard to book bc 7 month window and DH and DS love it. If I buy BC and BW is better in 6 years how hard to trade into that? Sorry so wordy..... I agree with everything you've shared with me so far, this is how I got where I am....... Thinking wise that is. whew..

 

[2tink4u]

P.S. Also, if I can get DH to go during Summer/Peak season I know BC would probably be the choice. But know, he has only agreed once and swore to never do it again. It was 1995. Even w/all my new planning and knowledge skills.....

 

[BusterCat]

We own at Beach Club and love it. That said, we also love the Boardwalk, but would not consider adding on points there since the resorts are so similar and close. The boardwalk is an easy, pleasant stroll and feels like an extension of the YC/BC. When you purchase either, you're buying into the Epcot resort area.

Buying at the Beach Club instead of Boardwalk we miss out on the great Boardwalk views and the standard rooms. Also, parking is easier at Beach Club. Conversely, if we owned at the Boardwalk we would be locked out of SAB, which matters to us.

Pick one and enjoy

 

[Inkmahm]

We own at BWV and feel that the view from the rooms facing the BW is the best in WDW. We also like the fact that it is only about a 15 minute walk to MGM and 10 minutes to Epcot. We are not enamored of SAB pool because it is so spread out and hard to keep track of kids. However, we are definitely in the minority. Most people love SAB and I would guess that your DS would be thrilled with it. The beach theme sounds like it might be a good match for you as well. Good luck with your decision!

Ditto. The pool wasn't important to us but the view was... can't beat the Boardwalk view! We bought BWV as our very first contract and then went from there...

 

[Muushka]

In all seriousness, you should consider holding off on your purchase until you've had a chance to try both places. Consider renting points and doing a split stay. DVC is a large financial commitment, and you may find yourself going at peak times where 11-month booking is important.

Both are real nice, and both have their passionate defenders. We bought BCV on resale last year because that was where I really wanted to be. We had stayed at YC/BC prior, and it was where I could "see" my family. We coud really envision how the purchase would evolve as the children grew, etc.

Good luck on your decision.

Right on!

We have stayed at both resorts. We really liked one and really didn't like the other. It doesn't matter which and why, because it is a personal preference thing.

 

[bgdude]

Okay, Here is the whole deal. We have made the decision to buy!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!! However, DH doesn't want to spend anymore dough on Hotels. He thinks buy and we'll use the DVC. We've worked it out dollar for dollar. I did my home work guys!!! I have American Express to cut the cost of flights and just ordered Disney Visa for yearly fee assist. Much spread sheeting to get DH on board. We are planning a trip during F&W 09. My true belief from what you wonderful and so knowledgables has taught me is, While DS is home (he's only almost 7) we think BC is the choice. After DS moves on or gets older we think BW would be better. Now, here is the kicker. Don't want to own at both, cause, would like to pay off prior to Hawaii and buy some of those points with the member discount cause we're already members. You guys know how important this decision can be. I read here, a lady bought BC had remorse, sold, bought somewhere else and then felt she made a mistake. I wish I knew why???? Gee Whiz, save me from this please. DH will kill me. The true deal with lots of points in the 200 point range are currently at BW. We plan to travel frequently during F&W and December yearly. Maybe take the extra points once every three and go hhi/vb or trade II. II trades w/Harborside which is the Atlantis Hotel in the Bahamas and is truly magnificent. (have no idea cost of doing this yet) Anyway, off season what are the chances of getting BC if I take the BW deal. Will I regret my decision if it's hard to book bc 7 month window and DH and DS love it. If I buy BC and BW is better in 6 years how hard to trade into that? Sorry so wordy..... I agree with everything you've shared with me so far, this is how I got where I am....... Thinking wise that is. whew..

As you stated, since the bulk of your travel to WDW will be in the off season, it makes perfect sense to get as many points as you can for the least amount possible.

 

[Shellandscott]

We plan to travel frequently during F&W and December yearly. .......Anyway, off season what are the chances of getting BC if I take the BW deal. ..

We bought at SSR in 2004 and we have come down 5 times already and planning on a 6th in May 08, yet we have only stayed at SSR once. All the other times were used at other resorts. ( 8/04 BCV, 1/05 SSR, 1/06 VWL, 7/06 OKW, 10/07 BWV, our 5/08 visit is currently 1/2 at VWL 1/2 at SSR)
The stay we had at F&W this year was at boardwalk, so it is possible to trade into other places. I think it comes down to timing & luck.
If you buy at one you can book it 11 months out for F&W, and then stay your other visit in a less prime time at the other non-owned resort.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Okay, Here is the whole deal. We have made the decision to buy!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!! However, DH doesn't want to spend anymore dough on Hotels. He thinks buy and we'll use the DVC. We've worked it out dollar for dollar. I did my home work guys!!! I have American Express to cut the cost of flights and just ordered Disney Visa for yearly fee assist. Much spread sheeting to get DH on board. We are planning a trip during F&W 09. My true belief from what you wonderful and so knowledgables has taught me is, While DS is home (he's only almost 7) we think BC is the choice. After DS moves on or gets older we think BW would be better. Now, here is the kicker. Don't want to own at both, cause, would like to pay off prior to Hawaii and buy some of those points with the member discount cause we're already members. You guys know how important this decision can be. I read here, a lady bought BC had remorse, sold, bought somewhere else and then felt she made a mistake. I wish I knew why???? Gee Whiz, save me from this please. DH will kill me. The true deal with lots of points in the 200 point range are currently at BW. We plan to travel frequently during F&W and December yearly. Maybe take the extra points once every three and go hhi/vb or trade II. II trades w/Harborside which is the Atlantis Hotel in the Bahamas and is truly magnificent. (have no idea cost of doing this yet) Anyway, off season what are the chances of getting BC if I take the BW deal. Will I regret my decision if it's hard to book bc 7 month window and DH and DS love it. If I buy BC and BW is better in 6 years how hard to trade into that? Sorry so wordy..... I agree with everything you've shared with me so far, this is how I got where I am....... Thinking wise that is. whew..

Well, I think you made the right choice (BCV fan here-I'll admit it). I've stayed at both resorts and always felt "teased" by the beach from BWV-"so near yet so far". At BCV, I love to go out to the sandy beach and squish my toes in the sand (also at SAB). Also, I prefer the fast food options at BCV. BC Marketplace is right there for quick breakfasts, sandwiches, and gelato , and it can be accessed without going out uncovered (a big plus if it's raining).

 

[2tink4u]

Well, Thanks!!!! A BC lover with another positive, I was begining to think there were only BW lovers out there. Yes, I too am afraid of the taunting pool. I'll watch for a deal at BC. Maybe none right now because of F&W and maybe more after. If it doesn't materialize I'll suck it up and purchase BW. Was hoping for more BC lovers with all their magical reasons......Anyone out there....? Hubby thinks cheaper is for him....

 

[Muushka]

Well, Thanks!!!! A BC lover with another positive, I was begining to think there were only BW lovers out there. Yes, I too am afraid of the taunting pool. I'll watch for a deal at BC. Maybe none right now because of F&W and maybe more after. If it doesn't materialize I'll suck it up and purchase BW. Was hoping for more BC lovers with all their magical reasons......Anyone out there....? Hubby thinks cheaper is for him....

Ok. Ok.. I said I wouldn't say which I prefer, but it was BC, for a host of reasons.
But then my first choice is VWL, so some strange taste buds here .

That is why I think it is a good idea to stay somewhere before you buy it. The reasons why I prefer or dislike a resort might just be the opposite for someone else.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Well, Thanks!!!! A BC lover with another positive, I was begining to think there were only BW lovers out there. Yes, I too am afraid of the taunting pool. I'll watch for a deal at BC. Maybe none right now because of F&W and maybe more after. If it doesn't materialize I'll suck it up and purchase BW. Was hoping for more BC lovers with all their magical reasons......Anyone out there....? Hubby thinks cheaper is for him....

We own both. We purchased BCV first and then BWV. I thought we would like BWV more than we do, especially with the value rooms and the Grand Villa option that BCV does not have.

None of those reasons have compelled us to stay at BWV more than a night or two.

I dont like the views at BCV either, but those are compensated by the proximity of the villa parking, the villa pool, and the main areas, the beach, the recreational activities and SAB. Just back from BCV on a girls trip and we sat out by the pool most days and it was nice to have pool service with hot food or salads and drinks delivered to our poolside table. We also ate at Beaches n Cream

For us, the negatives outweigh the positives at BWV, although it is impressive and beautiful and I wouldnt cry a river if I have to stay there, it doesnt fit what is important to us when we are on vacation so we have a choice.

Our favorite DVC is SSR because we enjoy all the family activities offered, we love visiting DTD, great staff and we can swim as late as we like.
We would choose an SSR GV over a BWV GV, because SSR gave my extended family a ton of dining options whereas BWV is pretty limited and the restaurants are expensive.

 

[spruce]

We own both as well. OKW too. It's great to walk to EPCOT from either but BCV is closer. The views at BCV don't compare to a boardwalk view and since they are guaranteed, we only get that view. The pool is better at BCV and we almost always spend a day at Stormalong Bay whichever resort we stay at, that's why we bought points there, to add a day during all trips. It's that good for us.
OKW gives us a vacation of a different pace and love the golf course views bigger rooms and parking right out front.
It's impossible to pick a favorite. They are all good. We even liked our stays at VWL. SSR is great too but we prefer OKW since that is home. I'll bet AKL is awesome.