BWV or BCV??

[mommapea]

We are starting to plan our 09 vacation, and I've narrowed down to these 2. We just came back from a week stay at the beach and boardwalk. After looking at pictures, my 5 yr old wants BCV and my 9 yr old loves the Keister Coaster and wants BWV.

1. Is one better than the other as far as walking to Epcot?
2. How gross is the pool at BCV, as there's sand in the bottom??? (sorry, I'm not a true beach person, but my kiddos are).
3. What are the other differences? issues with Disney transportation to Parks? Something I'm completely missing.


We stayed at WLV and LOVED their pool!!! We also stayed OKW, and the pool was nice (not as great as WLV, though). Would SAB be that much nicer than Luna Park? Just curious...thanks for any input.

 

[domestic goddess]

We have stayed at both and we prefer the BWV. BCV is nice and I think the pool is better but it is harder to watch the kids because the pool area is so big they seem to constantly be moving. My kids loved both pools. BWV is a closer walk to DHS and is only about a 7-10 minute walk to EPCOT. BCV is closer to EPCOT, by only a couple of minutes. That whole area is fun. We also love WLV and it is by far our fav. My DH and I are staying at BWV in Aug. because it is closer to EPCOT but we had a hard time giving up WLV. The only things I didn't like about BWV is that parkling is so far away and there is no food court/counter service restaurant in the hotel. BCV has the same issue with the restaurant but parking is closer.

I think you will be happy with either and you will be at WDW. Have a great trip!!

 

[mommapea]

BCV is nice and I think the pool is better but it is harder to watch the kids because the pool area is so big they seem to constantly be moving. My kids loved both pools.

I think you will be happy with either and you will be at WDW. Have a great trip!!

thanks, I didn't even think about this. my kids will be 6 and 9 next yr and ALL OVER THE PLACE. So, I will be able to see them at the slide coming and going???

We will have our car, but planned to use Disney buses most of the time we're there. Keep the info coming!!!

 

[auroraarielella]

thanks, I didn't even think about this. my kids will be 6 and 9 next yr and ALL OVER THE PLACE. So, I will be able to see them at the slide coming and going???

We will have our car, but planned to use Disney buses most of the time we're there. Keep the info coming!!!

The enter and exit of the slide at BCV are nowhere near each other - in fact, the children have to cross the promenade that rings the lake to get to the steps to the slide. (Look for the runway of wet footprints.)

BCV pool was great with my DS3 who loved the zero entry sand bottom pool, but it was a nightmare with my DD6 who wanted to be everywhere! I will not attempt that resort/pool until they are much older.

When we went to BWV, the enter and exit of the slide are at just about the same location. From most deck chairs you can see the entire pool area and DS5 and DD8 loved that pool (as well as mom and dad).

The BWV does not feel like it was "tacked on" to another resort - and IMHO - I think BCV does. The children loved the performers on the boardwalk - and the walk to either resort was fine.

 

[TheSilverTherapist]

The BWV does not feel like it was "tacked on" to another resort - and IMHO - I think BCV does. The children loved the performers on the boardwalk - and the walk to either resort was fine.

My parents did BCV last year and that was one of their only problems with it, it felt like the villas were isolated from the main resort and it took a long time (relatively, my parents have gotten more impatient as they've gotten older) to get to the pool from the villas. BW was built with the villas in mind and it's basically just the east wing of the resort, while the inn is the west (I think that's right). The BVW are also the part closest the Luna Park pool.

To the OP: Are you a DVC member? I know that it requires far fewer points to stay at BWV than BCV even though the rooms are identical. I don't know if that translates over to paying for the rooms regularly.

 

[BLLB]

We have stayed at both BCV and BWV. We prefer the BWV for the same reasons that the previous poster stated. Stormalong Bay is very expansive and it was hard to keep track of the kids. Also, I did not like that the kids had to cross the "sidewalk" full of people and the multi-seat rental bicylces to get to the slide entrance. Also, I did feel like it was a long haul to SAB from the BCV, just my opinion.

 

[slp87]

We have an older daughter and we love to swim, so that's a big draw to the BCV for us. I can see some of the issues at the pool with multiple children. We also love the BWV, so we end up splitting our stay between the 2. The BWV feels like you're in the middle of the action and it's so fun to see all the entertainment at night.

As far as buses go, a lot of times the BWV & BCV share a bus along with the YC, Dolphin & Swan. If we're at the BW, we usually get off at the Swan and walk. Same with the boat. I don't believe the distance is any farther compared to the walk from BW stop.

 

[mommapea]

Thanks for all of the great information! I wasn't even thinking about the difference in # of points.

One other question, though...is it true that busses do not run directly to Epcot? We were planning on spending 2 days there. I noticed this while looking at one of my friend's Disney books, but it might be outdated info.

 

[Laura's Dad]

We had a 2 bdrm booked at the BWV with free dining until one at the BCV came open. We love Stormalong Bay, Beaches and Cream (Kitchen Sink), a five minute walk to Epcot, games at the pool, movies on the beach, Art the Greeter, and all of the things that make the BCVillas special.

 

[mrqster]

Thanks for all of the great information! I wasn't even thinking about the difference in # of points.

One other question, though...is it true that busses do not run directly to Epcot? We were planning on spending 2 days there. I noticed this while looking at one of my friend's Disney books, but it might be outdated info.

You don't have buses that go from the BWV and the BCV to Epcot. You either boat or walk. You wouldn't want to wait 10-15 for a bus to take you to Epcot with a drive to the front of Epcot taking another 5 minutes further, for a total of twenty minutes? You can walk to Epcot in less than 3-5 minutes from the BCV and BWV? Really no need for a bus from the BWV and BCV to Epcot.

 

[slp87]

I agree with mrqster, the walk is very quick and really handy. You'll enter at the International Gateway between France & UK. We love Epcot and it's great to be able to zip over for an evening. We will always stay at one of the Epcot resorts because of the easy access.

 

[Hopefully]

We have stayed at both and we far prefer the BCV over the BWV. SAB is the best pool on property, although we don't have young children. The walk to Epcot is shorter from the BCV, but longer to the DHS.
We do not feel that the BCV feel "tacked on" to a resort. On the contrary we feel they are peaceful and quiet. I did not like the bustle at the BWV. You can easily walk to the Boardwalk to experience the entertainment in the evening, if you wish.
All that said, I would stay at either in the future. We love the location.
Have a Great Trip.