Boardwalk Villas vs. Beach Club

[wildernesslodgefan]

The ice cream parlor is the best!

 

[Massillon Dad]

better atmosphere/proximity. The actual beach club DVC rooms are so far away, equivalent to a boardwalk room if it were located halfway out the parking lot.

 

[maminnie]

Both resorts are great....the location of both can't be beat. Being able to walk or take a boat to Epcot and Hollywood Studios is what sold us on both locations. We prefer to be off the buses as much as possible and therefore prefer these two resorts.

Either location is enjoyed by our family.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

The Boardwalk views are phenomenal, and the standard views are as good as the views at BCV.

Here is a strange thought. I'm one of those folks that struggles with the miles of walking at WDW. BCV is a closer walk to Epcot, but you can take the boat from the Boardwalk!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

The Boardwalk views are phenomenal, and the standard views are as good as the views at BCV.

Here is a strange thought. I'm one of those folks that struggles with the miles of walking at WDW. BCV is a closer walk to Epcot, but you can take the boat from the Boardwalk!!

Not only can you take the boat, but Epcot is the next stop! Then it's the first stop from Epcot!

I save my BCV points for warm weather stays. For my family, it's all about SAB.

Bobbi

 

[jekjones1558]

If SAB is to your liking, then BCV is the only resort on property to offer such an experience. For kids at an age where they can use the pool slide, lazy river, etc. without constant adult supervision SAB just can't be beat. We are the rare birds who are not huge fans of SAB and we love the BW view rooms. As a PP suggested the choice between these 2 resorts is very personal, so it would be ideal if you could visit both before you decide. Good luck!

 

[Coach81]

Beach club.. for us it had better CS options, especially for breakfast.. we also loved the pool.. and we enjoyed the theming better than Boardwalk.

 

[platanito]

I prefer BWV,, In opinion think they have a better theme and atmosphere for my taste.

 

[ValpoCory]

I prefer BWV because the standard view rooms are so affordable. We also are from Texas, where Storm Along Bay type pool parks are becoming quite common place. Thus, it is not something novel to us, and we do not spend much time in any Disney pool.

 

[LSchrow]

we own at both, and only rent or use the BCV points at the 7 month mark for stays at the BWVs.
we prefer the quieter common areas, hallways, and pools at the BWVs - we found the BCVs very chaotic and noisy. we love waking up to/going to sleep with a gorgeous view at the BWVs; BCVs' views are severely lacking, imho.
many love the pool, SAB, at the BCVs, but we are not fans of the chaos and crowds there, having to share one lounge chair (if you are able to get one) for an entire family. while the pool is large, the YC, BC, and BCVs all share it. also, we enjoy actual swimming, which is difficult if not impossible in such a crowded pool.
BCV does have movies on the beach and a few pretty good CS options (hurricane hannah's and beaches and cream), all of which you can use even if not staying there (you just can't use the pool).

the major complaints i've heard about the BWVs are the walks from the parking lot, and to some rooms - we've stayed there 2-3x a year since it opened, and never found either a problem (even when with my parents, who have difficulty walking).
enjoy

 

[delaneyc52]

When it's just DH and myself, we will always do BWV with Boardwalk View. We have been going to WDW since it opened, so we appreciate having patio time and watching the happenings on the Boardwalk.

When we are with the young children in our family, we will head for BCV. After a long day in the parks, we found BCV to be more "calming" and conducive to getting little ones to bed or falling to sleep with the movie on the beach.

 

[Jaaron2]

Again, resort choice is about personal choice.....for us we would LIVE AT BCV if they would let us

 

[jarrdisney]

We prefer BWV to BCV but it is totally a personal preference. We were married at Sea Breeze Point and LOVE the themeing of BWV. The music and decor are more to our taste. We also love the activity that takes places on the boardwalk, bellvue lounge, and flying fish. The Christmas decorations are also our favorite of any resort. There is NO feeling like waking up in a Boardwalk View room, sitting on the porch, and listening/watching everything come alive.

That being said, I really do enjoy the view at BCV if you overlook the pool and river. I also find that BCV have an overall better theme and look than the actual BC itself. There's also an added bonus of Beaches and Cream. Plus, if pools are your thing, you really can't beat SAB.

 

[JWG]

This is an age old question dating back to 1996

It's really depdenent upon what you like in a resort. We prefer BWV over BCV because:
- Restuarant selections along the Boardwalk
- Entertainment along the Boardwalk
- Even access to Epcot/MGM (especially if you stay in a SV near the end of the BWV resort)
- Activity at the Boardwalk
- Views of Epcot fireworks from your room
- Nice pool with good slide, but not as crazy busy as SAB

Though, BCV is very nice also. Really can't go wrong with either.

 

[aclov]

Owner at BWV but will be staying for the first time at BCV and looking forward to it!

 

[Mississippian]

I was sure that I wanted to buy a BCV contract until I stayed there. It just didn't have the magic for me that BWV had. But it is a very neat resort, and we did spend a couple of nights in the hotel a few years ago following a BWV stay.

A couple of comments: Some parents are uncomfortable with SAB and children under the age of 10. We like to monitor our children, and it is virtually impossible here. Our children are older now, but the slide at BWV is enough for us. (Actually, right now we have no contract, sigh).

The BCV location is really top notch. It really is at the gate to EPCOT, whereas BWV has a moderate walk.

We found the food and drink situation more to our liking over on the BWV side, but that is a matter of personal preference.

 

[twoehr]

We just spent 7 days at BCV and 3 days at BWV this past October. Since we stayed at BCV first, and had excellent CM service, and BWV second, and had several CM issues, we clearly preferred BCV over BWV. If things were a little more even, like the service, we probably would have still preferred BCV, but none of my family will stay at BWV anytime soon.

Are biggest issue with BWV was the main pool being closed, but no one told us we could use SAB, that there was a shuttle to take you over there, or that the quiet pool in BWV was open.

We didn't like the long hallway walk, but I don't think it was that bad, except for the days we went to Hollywood Studios, were you basically backtracked. If we didn't have a stroller I would have gone down the stairs near our room. I think they should have put an elevator near the quiet pool.

The other thing I didn't like where you had to go to fill-up your refillable mugs, aside from coffee in the morning you had to go all the way out to the boardwalk. That is when the long walk bothered me.

At BCV, I do agree that it is a long walk to the pool (at least the drinks were close) and I though the selection at the inside counter service was just okay. (We've been spoiled by SSR, I think it is the best of the DVC resorts.)

To me the two big things BWV has going for it is the "std room", which can save you a few points, as has been mentioned. But the second, which I'm surprised hasn't been mentioned already is that BWV has three bedroom grand villas and BCV doesn't. I think that is a big ommision over at BCV.

In the end, as many have said it is personal choice, and I'd give BWV another try, we didn't like OKW too much when we first went, but it is was better the second time.

(BWV Pros, if you have observations/suggestions on the refillable mug, or better ways to get to Hollywood let me know! I'm all ears!! lol)

 

[mouseaider]

We have never seen either resort but we chose to buy at BWV because of the location. And..... BCV had a greater chance of being snatched up by ROFR when we bought a few months ago.

Either resort would have been fine as far as location goes, but we found a great little 100 point BWV contract loaded with points, 100 banked 2009 and 100, 2010 and a December use year that was too good to pass up.

We are making our first DVC stay at BWV in 42 days and we were able to book a standard studio for next October. We will still have points to bank and hope to use in 2012 for an April stay at Aulani.

So as far as I'm concerned.... we made a smart decision. Now ask me again in 50 days and see how I feel.

 

[rice00]

The pool at the BCV is probably the best pool on Disney property. The area is controlled so you must stay at the resort to use the pool. It has a great water slide.

As far as BWV, the boardwalk area is a great night spot or place to eat. Both are extremely popular.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The pool at the BCV is probably the best pool on Disney property. The area is controlled so you must stay at the resort to use the pool. It has a great water slide. ....

Actually, it's the YC/BC/BCV complex pool. Not the BCV pool. Dunes Cove pool has no water slide.