Boardwalk Villas vs Saratoga

[OHIOVACATIONER]

Help please! I need to make a choice. Could anyone please give me opinions on which one to stay at. Heard alot of different things about both of these. Just 2 adults going beginning of Dec. probably just a couple of days and going to epcot, mgm, mk. No car and trying to decide where to stay.
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Sammie]

Since both of these resorts are Disney Vacation Club, if you post your question on that forum you will get plenty of replies.


Post it on the DVC Planning forum.

 

[MEK]

No car and you want to go to mgm / epcot - then I say boardwalk villas. It is within walking distance. Saratoga springs is newer, but it is much further away.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

Defnitely Boardwalk. Lots to see and do and so close to Epcot and MGM.

 

[spiceycat]

definitely BWV - you can walk or boat to both Epcot and Mgm studios.

SSR is nearer to DD.

BWV is more expensive money or points than SSR.

both their studios are similar - one queen bed and a double sleeping sofa.

 

[mbb]

I'd have to vote for BWV

But SSR is so lovely....

And now I'll pop your thread over to the DVC Boards, and you'll get more votes!!

 

[jekjones1558]

Good luck getting a room if you are talking about THIS Dec. Both resorts are full or nearly so.

 

[castleri]

Good luck getting a room if you are talking about THIS Dec. Both resorts are full or nearly so.

There may be availability if you are going through Disney for cash but if you are thinking of a points reservation I have to agree with the above poster. Hope you have a great trip whichever resort you pick.

 

[jenelope]

I have to be the voice of dissent and vote for SSR. The Boardwalk is nice and it's convenient for restaurants and the Studios and Epcot. But I love SSR. To me, it feels more like a resort and less like a hotel. The fact that it's more remote is actually a selling point for me, because I like an escape from the theme park atmosphere when I'm actually at the resort. Plus- and this is such a silly, girly thing to say- but I think the room decor is so much prettier at SSR.

Like others have said, though, good luck getting a ressie at that time. I'm pretty sure BWV has been booked for months.

 

[Lucky82061]

Both are very nice resorts, however if you don't want to bother with the waiting game for busses for epcot/mgm then you shoud definetely stay at BWV.

I like SSR though if you don't mind waiting for the bus, since it feels a little more secluded and is across the water from DD, easy access to some nightlife

 

[ttfn3]

BWV - especially if you are only going for a couple of days. It's very convenient to walk to Epcot and MGM.

SSR is really nice also. I would prefer to have a car while we stay there. It's pretty spread out. If you end up staying there, ask for a room near a bus stop!

 

[MinnieGi]

BWV!!!
It's our "home" and we love the convience of boating or walking to Epcot & MGM. Without a car I would stay here!!!

 

[travelbug]

In your situation, I'd pick BWV for location, location, location.

 

[nhdisnut]

We have stayed at both (and own at SSR). For me, it depends on what you want for your vacation. Rooms at both are fantastic. Both have great swimming complexes. BWV definately has a "in the middle of things" atmosphere that my wife loved. I personally preferred the more laid back, spread out atmosphere at SSR. BWV just felt more congested to me. One plus for BWV is the ability to quickly walk to Epcot (5 - 10 minutes) and the Studios (10 - 15 minutes). That is pretty neat. We found the bus service at SSR to be excellent, however, so proximity to the parks was not an issue for us. We also enjoyed walking to DD from SSR to shop and eat - very convenient.

I also like the AP for counter service food at SSR. BWV has the bakery (yum!), but has very limited counter service (ie. sandwich) type options.

Even with all that, I don't think you can go wrong at any DVC resort! Enjoy your trip!!

 

[Sammie]

Either one really. I would pick the theme. The location does not mean that much to me. I would rather ride a bus for 20 minutes versus walking for 20 minutes. The bus stop at SSR was literally minutes outside our door just across the parking lot. In fact the younger ones and older ones in our group much preferred SSR over the BW or BC due to having to walk. Our niece said the last time we stayed at BW, "Why can't we stay someplace we don't have to walk?" So one person's luxury is another's misery.

If you like a busier hotel atmosphere go for BW. If you like peace and quiet and beautiful landscaping right outside your door then go for SSR.

If you need or want a quick CS meal then definitely SSR. It want a variety of Full Service restaurants near, then go with BW althought Downtown Disney has plenty of places to dine and just a walk away from SSR.

So you see either one is great.

 

[eporter66]

If you are hitting all the parks and no rental car, probably BWV's just for the convienence. You can walk to Epcot and MGM - and for MK you can hop the monorail from Epcot (if you feel like walking over and have the park hopper pass). If not - it is the only park you will need Disney Transportation for.

We have stayed at both, and they are both great resorts in our eyes. If you like a more laid back place - SSR probably fits the bill.

 

[thelobstershanty]

Either one really. I would pick the theme. The location does not mean that much to me. I would rather ride a bus for 20 minutes versus walking for 20 minutes. The bus stop at SSR was literally minutes outside our door just across the parking lot. In fact the younger ones and older ones in our group much preferred SSR over the BW or BC due to having to walk. Our niece said the last time we stayed at BW, "Why can't we stay someplace we don't have to walk?" So one person's luxury is another's misery.

If you like a busier hotel atmosphere go for BW. If you like peace and quiet and beautiful landscaping right outside your door then go for SSR.

If you need or want a quick CS meal then definitely SSR. It want a variety of Full Service restaurants near, then go with BW althought Downtown Disney has plenty of places to dine and just a walk away from SSR.

So you see either one is great.

Our home resort is BWV, that we totally love, however we stay at ALL WDW resorts and enjoy them all. I'd have to disagree with you about the amount of walking required at BWV, or BCV, for that matter.
We stayed at SSR this past June and liked it very much, so this is in no way a slam against any resort.
At BWV & BCV you can walk to 2 parks, but you do not have to, there is also alternate boat transportation that is very conveniently located, runs VERY frequently and is usually much less crowded than the buses. At SSR you do not have a choice of transportation--it is bus only.
We found SSR to have no less walking required than most WDW resorts. We stayed in Congress Park and loved our location and view of DTD, but it was a hike to get to the main pool and the food court/restaurant, or an additional bus ride. Walking in 90 degree heat, in wet bathing suits, it is not the greatest. It is not the end of the world or something to spoil your day, but it is definitely a lot longer walk than getting to the main pool or food at either BCV or BWV.
I also think, if you take into consideration all the different places to get fast food at BWV/BCV, the selections are equal or greater than at SSR. Main difference is at SSR they are all in one location; at BWV/BCV they are spread out: Boardwalk Bakery, Leaping Libations, Hurriance Hannahs, BCV market place, etc.
Both BCV and BWV have their busy areas, even more so at BWV vs BCV. But both also have many quiet and laid back areas to enjoy. The quiet pools are lovely and so are the villas and the balconies.
I totally agree that both SSR and BWV are great resorts. We think all WDW resorts are great resorts. They are overall the nicest, most accomondating and customer friendly resorts, we have stayed at, and that includes resorts in the US, the islands and abroad.

 

[Sammie]

Our home resort is BWV, that we totally love, however we stay at ALL WDW resorts and enjoy them all. I'd have to disagree with you about the amount of walking required at BWV, or BCV, for that matter.
We stayed at SSR this past June and liked it very much, so this is in no way a slam against any resort.
At BWV & BCV you can walk to 2 parks, but you do not have to, there is also alternate boat transportation that is very conveniently located, runs VERY frequently and is usually much less crowded than the buses. At SSR you do not have a choice of transportation--it is bus only.
We found SSR to have no less walking required than most WDW resorts. We stayed in Congress Park and loved our location and view of DTD, but it was a hike to get to the main pool and the food court/restaurant, or an additional bus ride. Walking in 90 degree heat, in wet bathing suits, it is not the greatest. It is not the end of the world or something to spoil your day, but it is definitely a lot longer walk than getting to the main pool or food at either BCV or BWV.
I also think, if you take into consideration all the different places to get fast food at BWV/BCV, the selections are equal or greater than at SSR. Main difference is at SSR they are all in one location; at BWV/BCV they are spread out: Boardwalk Bakery, Leaping Libations, Hurriance Hannahs, BCV market place, etc.
Both BCV and BWV have their busy areas, even more so at BWV vs BCV. But both also have many quiet and laid back areas to enjoy. The quiet pools are lovely and so are the villas and the balconies.
I totally agree that both SSR and BWV are great resorts. We think all WDW resorts are great resorts. They are overall the nicest, most accomondating and customer friendly resorts, we have stayed at, and that includes resorts in the US, the islands and abroad.

I agree they are both great resorts, as I said to the OP. We just prefer to ride to the park versus walking. We found our room at the end of the hall at the BW to be as much walking to get down the hall, ride the elevator, through the lobby, down the stairs, across the Boardwalk to the bakery to be as long as walking to Artist Pallette.

The boat is an option at the BW but not at BCV for Epcot, so there you must walk to Epcot. We prefer to start our day in Future World so prefer to arrive at the front of the park.

Either way the OP can't go wrong with either choice, we just disagree on the location factor being a plus for the BW.

 

[thelobstershanty]

I agree they are both great resorts, as I said to the OP. We just prefer to ride to the park versus walking. We found our room at the end of the hall at the BW to be as much walking to get down the hall, ride the elevator, through the lobby, down the stairs, across the Boardwalk to the bakery to be as long as walking to Artist Pallette.

The boat is an option at the BW but not at BCV for Epcot, so there you must walk to Epcot. We prefer to start our day in Future World so prefer to arrive at the front of the park.

Either way the OP can't go wrong with either choice, we just disagree on the location factor being a plus for the BW.

Both resorts require the same amount of walking. It all depends on where you are walking to at each resort. The MK and Epcot resorts offer the option of various forms of transport from the resort to several of the major parks--SSr does not. The DVC resorts that only offer one mode of transportation offer either bigger villas or newer villas. Bottom line is---ALL WDW resorts are great!

Just to clarify----BCV offers boat transportation to both Epcot and MGM.

 

[Cruelladeville]

It's all about location, and BW is closer than SSR to MGM and Epcot. It's a picky little thing, but I don't like the cement "hallways" at SSR. It feels like the old Holiday Inns to me, but I own at BW, so I am somewhat biased.

Correct! The boat goes to both BW and BC on it's way to Epcot.