Boardwalk or Saratoga

[fairies308]

I just found out that I can exchange my RCI week with Disney. I don't know too much about the different resorts so I thought I could get some answers/opinions here. I have 2 weeks to choose from at this point in time. The week of Feb 20 at Boardwalk or the week of Feb 27 at Saratoga. I have 3 children, 18, 7, and 3. I am just looking for pros and cons of each resort. I know that Boardwalk is close to Epcot and I think Saratoga is near Downtown, am I correct with this? Also how is the transportation from each of these resorts? Also would I be able to get a dinning plan with this exchange? Thanks for your help.
Jen

 

[Tink_lover900]

I would have to say Boardwalk is my favorite, even tho SSR is our home resort. We really like being so close to Epcot and just a short walk or boatride to Hollywood Studios. You can get on a bus and be at Mk or DD really quick. Not to mention all the great activities on the BW at night time, magicians, jugglers, etc. Me and DH and DS's loved it last year in July, we are going there again this year in July. Hope this helps. Have fun on your trip.

 

[POS]

Fairies,

You are correct on where BWV & SSR are located.

I have not stayed at each either but have stayed at the Swan and Dolphin plenty so am familiar with the BWV area. If I had not stayed in that area before, I would choose the BWV 1st as the location is outstanding but I have stayed there enough now to where we are leaning toward giving SSR a try soon. From what I have read, I believe your children would enjoy the pool(s) better at SSR than BWV. But since you are going in February, you may have a shot at the Boardwalk view which would be another plus. Not sure of the RCI rules and at what point you would be able to start booking but the Feb time frame may just give you a shot at the Boardwalk View.

If points are an issue, you can get more for your points at SSR. Sounds like you want a 2 bedroom, I would with (3) children so you may have better luck at availability and the lower point requirements at SSR.

You cannot do points and the dining plan. Never been a fan of the dining plan ourselves. We do two Table Service meals a day and we just get water and are creative on making two or three appetizers as an entree and find that we make out much better financially just paying out of pocket. It seems with the dining plan, you have to gorge yourself on your TS credit to get your money's worth. We take ziplock containers with us and don't stuff ourselves and take the non-perishables with us to have a 2nd meal 2-3 hours later.

 

[bwvBound]

Yes, you may book the dining plan with your RCI exchange. The confirmation paperwork will include a phone number DVC Member Services. Use this phone number to setup Magical Express (bus transportation between airport/resort), room requests, dining plan, etc.

If the choices offered include different room sizes -- go for the larger room first, specific resort second. Of course, the choices offered to you could be different the next time you phone RCI or check their website??

 

[bwvBound]

Ok, for grins, I just went through the process with my confirmed RCI exchange into BWV for Jan 2010. The RCI confirmation paperwork did not include the info that I was accustomed to finding on my II exchange paperwork ... but all can be solved with two phone calls.

1. Call RCI using the number they provide on the confirmation. Ask the RCI rep for the DVC Member Services phone number.

2. Phone DVC Members services and choose phone options as if you were a DVC owner needing help with a DVC reservation. Explain to the Members Services rep that you have an inbound RCI exchange and are seeking help with that reservation. At this point, I was put on hold and transfered to a different department. The new voice on the line was very helpful, quickly found my reservation, entered my "room location" request, offered to setup Magical Express and provided info on two dining plan options: Regular Dining Plan ($40pp per day) and Deluxe Dining Plan ($70pp per day). This rep also helped me determine what kind of room I had received ("preferred view" not "boardwalk view" or "standard") and provided the DVC confirmation number which will make future calls on this reservation easier to reference.

 

[fairies308]

Thanks for your help

I haven't officially booked our vacation yet but did put a room on hold until tomorrow when I can talk to hubby more. I think we lost the boardwalk room but thats ok cause its not a confirmed vacation with hubby yet. I think we will call then and see why we can't see anything past Feb, he would like to go a little later to allow time for our tax return next year, which is completly understandable. If they don't have anything I will book the SSR. I am just excited that finally we can exchange within Disney.

 

[bwvBound]

I think we will call then and see why we can't see anything past Feb, ...

The very earliest DVC owners can book w/in the DVC system is 11 months. Deposits out to RCI seem to be closer to 10 months out. I booked my January BWV stay at 10 months 3 days ... using an open search. If you are seeing deposits out through Feb - you are likely in great shape to see new deposits as they come online. Of course, if you have a date/location/unit size in mind -- you may want to use an open search to snag it as soon as possible?? G'luck!

 

[Golden Rose]

I've stayed at both, and am an owner at one of the two you mentioned (BWV.) We prefer BWV to just about any other resort for location, location, location. We love being able to walk or take a short boat ride to both Epcot and DHS. The real disadvantage of SSR is that you must take a bus everywhere, although we've had reasonably good luck with the buses there. It is less of a factor if you'll have a car and like to drive to the parks. (You'll get free parking at the parks as a resort guest, if you choose to go that route.)

I will say, if you think you'll be spending a lot of time at DTD or playing golf, SSR is a great choice. You can either walk or take a boat over to DTD easily; my mom and her DH did that every day of our last vacation, and just loved it. Plus, a big plus for golfers, one of the golf courses is on property.

Both have good swimming pools. Unless your children are afraid of clowns. (I am not a fan of the clown at the BW swimming pool, myself.) The nightlife at the BW is great, but the nightlife at DTD is also great (and not too far away from you at SSR.)

BWV feels like a hotel. SSR feels like a condo.

Really, you can't go terribly wrong with either. I prefer BWV, but I think several of my family members prefer SSR, at least for relax days instead of park days.

 

[Lisa P.]

I have 2 weeks to choose from at this point in time. The week of Feb 20 at Boardwalk or the week of Feb 27 at Saratoga. I have 3 children, 18, 7, and 3.

The younger two may enjoy the pools at SSR more, especially the 3 year old due to the zero entry pool (so nice for mom and dad) or if they don't like clowns. The teen may enjoy either, depending on whether they prefer to spend more time at Epcot/DHS or DTD. Both resorts have plenty of places to walk, explore, ride bikes and try a couple different pools.

I haven't officially booked our vacation yet but did put a room on hold until tomorrow when I can talk to hubby more. I think we lost the boardwalk room but thats ok cause its not a confirmed vacation with hubby yet.

Good to put it on hold - the 2BRs are the first to go.

I think we will call then and see why we can't see anything past Feb, he would like to go a little later to allow time for our tax return next year, which is completly understandable. If they don't have anything I will book the SSR. I am just excited that finally we can exchange within Disney.

DVC only deposits up to 11 months out. So with this being mid-April, you would not see anything past mid-March anyway. But in the past, they didn't deposit much during popular spring break weeks with II so I would not expect them to deposit much between March and mid-April with RCI either. DVC members want to reserve their home resorts for then. If the late February week would work, you may want to consider just how strongly you want to go and stay in a 2BR, or if it's worth taking the chance on passing by the late Feb week while watching for a March deposit. Right now, the latest 2BR I see at WDW is for Feb 7th at SSR - later weeks have all be taken or at least put on hold, like yours. It's always a challenge to figure out when you want to settle with a "bird in hand" and when you want to wait and hope for the possible longer shot. HTH.

 

[Cruelladeville]

FYI--BWV rooms on the boardwalk are supposed to be for members only, so I don't believe you will get a boardwalk view. Of course, stranger things have happened.

 

[fairies308]

FYI--BWV rooms on the boardwalk are supposed to be for members only, so I don't believe you will get a boardwalk view. Of course, stranger things have happened.

Oh I don't care what type of view we get, just going back is good enough for me!!! But thanks for the information.

 

[steve12256]

Yes Boardwalk is near Epcot, Saratoga near Downtown Disney. Saratoga is a bigger resort, can take a boat ride to downtown disney where there is alot to do and see. You can't beat the closeness to Epcot from Boardwalk. I guess it comes down to if you want some night life if not staying in the parks all day long. In that case stay at Saratoga. Have fun on your stay.

 

[lauch]

We stayed at BWV last sept. and had a blast. Our home resort is SSR. BWV bus tranportation was a disaster. You will be sharing a bus with Swan, Dolphin, Yacht club, and Beach Club. The location was awesome for Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Entertainment was great on the boardwalk. Our kids had a blast at the pool. All the wives went to SSR for a 3 hour treatment at the Spa. Bus transportation from SSR was the best we've experienced. Downtown Disney was nothing special, but we are used to areas like this coming from a tourist town. Rooms at SSR are nicer but amenities are more convenient at BWV. Good Luck.