BWV or BCV? Which do you prefer?

[Snoozan]

I've stayed a couple of times at the BWV - and loved it! I thought the location was perfect and we enjoyed the walks to Epcot and MGM. However, the person I rent from only has BCV points available at the 11 month mark, but I could get BWV at the 7 month mark.

How is the BCV's different from BWV? Will I like the location as well at BWV? I know the SAB at BCV looks wonderful and I've always wanted to get to use that pool. Will I miss the little stores/restaurants along the BW? My DH & I enjoy sitting on our balcony overlooking the main pool - is there a good view at BCV's?

Give me the good and bad of each to help me decide! Thanks!

 

[Lora]

I personally did not care for the feel of BCV when we stayed there. I felt like the villa section was an after thought and seemed kind of remote. We did not get a great view, but that's not what I really care about. I do like seeing Illuminatios from my standard view at BWV.

We really love the BWV - so maybe it was just because it didn't feel like "home". However, when we stayed at BCV we took advantage of SAB and really enjoy that pool. That would be my one and only reason to go back to BCV. As far as the BW shops, etc., you could always walk or take the boat to the BW and you can take the boat to MGM.

Since we get standard view at the BW, the point difference is definitely a factor. If you're used to doing preferred view, then that wouldn't be a consideration.

 

[JimC]

Have stayed at both, enjoyed both. Prefer BCV as we are particularly fond of SAB!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We own at the BWV and the BCV. But our first love is the BWV and always will be. We like everything about it, including the Community Hall and quiet pool area, the close walk to MGM and EPCOT, the shops, the real pool bar and the long hallways.

We like the BCV very much. We used to pool hop over to SAB every once in a while on trips. When they announced that they were closing SAB to pool hopping, we purchased the BCV to get our SAB fix.

We like the view of the quiet pool at the BCV. The view toward EPCOT is okay during the fireworks but otherwise it is a view of the servcie road. I don't think you will miss the Boardwalk much because the walk to there isn't that far. It's only .79 of a mile around Crescent Lake, so you can easily make the trip over and back in a short amount of time.

I find it frustrating to get to SAB from the Villas. The most direct route is directly through the BC lobby. While I enjoy showing off my new Speedo suit to everyone, my kids get embarrassed.

HBC

 

[rocketriter]

We love BCV and bought there. We prefer to be a little distant from the Boardwalk--it's easy to get to at BCV but also easy to get away from. We like the beachy, playful atmosphere and find it very comfortable, and we consider SAB a huge asset. We also like being off in our own wing. What seems "tacked on" to another poster feels secluded to us. It's a matter of taste.

In the end, both resorts are wonderful. Go with your gut feeling, and don't worry about the results.

 

[zurgswife]

BWV owners and lovers here...we have only stayed at the BWV....we had friends at the BCV it was ok...I'll stay at the BCV when my kids really have to swim at SAB...otherwise I really enjoy BWV

 

[Kerlynne]

This is our struggle with now too, trying to decide which we wanna try to buy. One thing I'm surprised they didn't take more precaution with was the theme of the clown. There are a lot of people that really have a phobia with clowns. Now although I don't have nightmares of clowns, I gotta say, they do give me the willies (I think it's the whole mask thing). And while you can find "friendly" looking clowns for kids, the BIG clown at the pool is so large, with his hair that it looks like Chucky a little (I'm referring to the horror one). And I noticed from the pictures, that even at the kids play ground, there is one there too! LOL Not saying I wouldn't stay there, because of them, just surprised they couldn't go with another "theme" besides the clown, or at least a more funny, sweet face.

 

[tiggerguy2000]

We have the BCV but my family like the BWV better.The community hall is great and the location is better.Everything seems close by with thw BWV while everything at the BCV are a long walk away.

 

[Patty3]

We own at the BWV and the BCV as well. I really like them both, but I prefer BCV and my daughter liks the BWV better. Hubby does not care which one, so it is a toss up. One thing I have noticed that when checking into the BCV, our rooms always seem to be ready. At the BWV, I can never get into them until after 4 and have found the front desk cast members not quite as knowledgeable as at BCV. Not a very good reason to pick one over the other. Next year we will be going back to the BWV and try to get the grand villa.

 

[travelbug]

I'm another one that owns at both places. When I stay at BWV, I love all the activity on the boardwalk. I love the easy walk to both MGM and Epcot. And I do enjoy the "scary clown pool." I'm usually the tallest one (read: only adult) in line to go down the slide. When I've taken siblings, nieces, and nephews, they enjoy the community hall and everything to see on the boardwalk. I usually stay busy and active around BWV, and love every minute of it.

But I enjoy my stays at BCV in a totally different way. It feels quieter, and I find myself taking leisurely strolls around the water, sitting on the swing by the beach, going in and out of Epcot more often, riding the friendship boats just for fun, and taking things at a more relaxed pace. So far, all my stays at BCV have been with other adults only (no kids). Not by design, just the way it has worked out. Believe it or not, I haven't been in SAB yet. I'll get there eventually, and I do have my eye on that great shipwreck slide. (Look out kids, I'll be the tall one in the line again. )

I stayed once at OKW and it was great too! Sometime I really want to try out VWL and SSR also. But it's hard to forego staying at BWV and BCV. They are a great match for me.

In your shoes, I think I would give BCV a try. You'll still be close to the boardwalk activity, but you can try out SAB and Beaches & Cream. JMHO Good luck!!

 

[donmil723]

We own at BCV but have stayed at BWV. Views at BWV are probably better but nothing can compare to SAB. We also like the "secluded" feel of the BCV as well as the atmosphere and room decor. I do wish though that we had the bathroom vanity with drawers and doors at BCV like is at the BWV studios.

There are many similarities between the two resorts. You can visit the restaurants and stores of both resorts and the Swan and Dolphin easily regardless where you stay. The location of both is great since both are within walking distance of MGM and Epcot.

Since you have stayed at BWV before and will probably be back there again in the future, why don't you give BCV a chance this time? You might be happily surprised!

Donna

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Originally posted by Kerlynne
snip... One thing I'm surprised they didn't take more precaution with was the theme of the clown ...snip... the BIG clown at the pool is so large, with his hair that it looks like Chucky a little (I'm referring to the horror one).

I have often suggested that for fun, every once in a while they switch the direction of the clown at the pool so that you slide down into the clown's mouth instead of out of it. Then we would be talking fun!

But seriously, IMHO the clown keeps with the turn of the century seashore boardwalk theme. It was a time before Stephen King.

HBC

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by Snoozan
. Will I miss the little stores/restaurants along the BW?

Those little stores and restaurants are a very short walk from BCV. Compared to walking the parks, everything along the Boardwalk is easily accessible from BCV.

I'm in the "can't go wrong" camp. It just depends on your priorities.

If you really want access to SAB, then BCV is your best bet.

If you really want the best shot at BWV standard rooms or Boardwalk Preferred View rooms, then BWV is your best bet.

Good luck!

 

[Synonymous]

We own most of our points at BWV, but haven't been back since our first trip, preferring VWL and BCV. I find BCV to be much more relaxing. BWV has the convention center right there, so there always seem to be alot of "business" types hanging around which, for some reason, gives me the willies when I'm on vacation. I guess it reminds me too much of the "real world."

I also didn't find BWV to be as heavily-themed as other resorts. It feels more like a "regular" hotel. VWL is best for theming, of course, but I also like the theming at BCV, especially the quiet music and airy seating areas.

And, of course, SAB is an attraction in itself.

The shops and restaurants at BCV are definitely inferior but, as mentioned above, it only takes a couple minutes to get to the BW, Swan and Dolphin.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've stayed at both, specifically so that I could answer this question-which resort do I prefer? Undoubtedly, BCV. And this is without factoring in SAB-I don't swim. Primarily, it's the overall theming I prefer. I miss my beloved Cape Cod, sand under my toes, the beachy feel, Beaches and Cream. I also much prefer Epcot to MGM, and found that BCV was closer to Epcot. At BWV, when I took the elevator down and the doors opened, there I was, smack-dab in the middle of the hustle-bustle of the lobby. I prefered the peacefulness of the BCV, all the quiet areas to relax and read a book (can't remember the name of the room to the right as you come in the doors, but I loved it). And I loved sitting in the swings on the beach after sunset and looking over at the Boardwalk and the boats on the water. Can you tell I wish I was there now?

 

[SharonS]

I own at BWV and have stayed at both. If I were going during the summer and wanted to spend time at the hotel swimming, then I would chose BCV for Stormalong Bay. Overall, I prefer the Boardwalk. I like feeling like I'm in the middle of everything, and Boardwalk definitely gives you that. At BCV, it was quite a hike to the lobby, or any other public area.

When we were at BCV, I felt kind of removed from everything. I like being able to go right out to the Boardwalk and have a choice of restaurants (sit-down and fast food) readily available. While it is a short walk from BCV, it just wasn't as convenient. The other thing I didn't like about BCV was the lack of fast food options there. For breakfast, you could go to Beaches and Cream. However, the limited seating would force you to bring the food back to the room quite often. Same for lunch/dinner. Beaches and Cream is good, but the lack of seating makes it less than desireable for us.

The rooms at BCV were very nice, but I prefer the bathroom layout in the 1 bedroom at Boardwalk.

That said, both are lovely resorts, and I wouldn't have a problem staying at BCV if BWV was unavailable.

 

[Madpotter]

We love them both but do prefer BWV over BCV. BCV is too removed from restaurants, main pool, boat dock. I agree with a previous poster about BCV being an add on, this is very obvious in the distance between the building and the pool, restaurants, boat.