BWV or BCV?

[BCV23]

Thank you, abubu919! Happy to read that you had wonderful experiences at both resorts

Would you or anyone know how the standard view compares between the two?

Are you booking through Disney Reservation Center? If so the categories for standard view at BWV may be different that for DVC reservations. At BCV, there are no views labeled "standard" at least for DVC reservations. As noted, the views there are of the pool, woods or courtyards. Many people think the views at BWV are superior but we love the quiet views and atmosphere of BCV. The busy atmosphere of the BW area is not appealing to us. Others love that very thing.

SAB and having all amenities of the hotel under cover are other advantages of BCV for us. The elevators and parking at BCV are a significant plus IMO. At BCV, self parking is right by BCV. There are two sets of elevators so no villa is far from one. At BWV from what I understand, there is one set near the lobby? It's a large resort so the walk to a villa can be long.

Both are great choices. Have fun!

 

[TinkerKell-ey]

RE: food at resorts around the Boardwalk...IMHO there is most food selection in this area (all the resorts, the BW itself and proximity to World Showcase at Epcot) than anywhere else at WDW, but it's all TS or snacks. The only QS I found was at the Dolphin hotel (or WS)... our first night at BC was so frustrating!!! We were starving, weren't sure when we would arrive so I did not make an ADR and everyplace had an hour plus wait or no availability at all (I discovered the QS place at Dolphin later in the trip and did not want to use a park day at Epcot just for dinner) !! We just wanted a decent burger and fries for pete's sake!! It really made me miss AP at SSR : ) We ended up hopping a bus to CR via MK and eating nasty QS there... (kids REALLY wanted to ride the monorail...or we would have headed DTD to Earl's!!)

To OP---We stayed in a studio at BCV in Feb. Our view was of the "quiet pool". We had a lovely balcony overlooking the simple pool with trees behind it (and the parking lot behind those-though we couldn't really see the lot.) Yes, BCV is about as close as you can get to the Epcot WS entrance, but BWV probably only adds a few minutes to your walk. Though I loved the resort as a whole, I honestly was really disappointed in the room decor of the BCV. It was clean, just run down and dated. We toured the 1br model at BWV and liked the styling much better. Can't say for sure which I would pick for a future trip . . . we're at AKV next and then home to SSR, so it will be a while...

 

[randallsghost]

Beach Club, its a shorter walk to Epcot.

This site has two awesome live cams up at Boardwalk right now.

http://tiny.cc/jbb6p

 

[DizGirl20]

Beach Club, its a shorter walk to Epcot.

This site has two awesome live cams up at Boardwalk right now.

http://tiny.cc/jbb6p

Thanks, watching right now! We can't wait to go to the Beach Club in a few weeks.

OP - I have never stayed at BCV or BWV but I don't think you can go wrong with either. We picked BCV for the pool (SAB) and access to Epcot. Was a bit worried about the possible noise level at Boardwalk? Good Luck & Happy Planning!

 

[Lynne M]

Folks, the arguing is getting a little silly. Can we return to the OP's original question, please?

 

[fla4fun]

I have stayed at both BCV and BWV.

The main downside for me at BWV is the parking situation. Once I park my car at BW, I don't move it for anything during the entire stay. At BC, I don't mind moving the car to drive to a park or DTD. I've heard they are getting more strict at BW regarding the parking issue, which would be a good thing in my book.

However, other than the parking, I prefer BWV. I like that it's more centrally located between DHS and Epcot, making it easy to walk to both. If you don't want to walk, the boat dock is right in front of BW - at BC, you have to walk to YC to catch a boat, which is not a problem for Epcot, but sometimes discourages me from going to DHS when staying there. Also, if the weather isn't the best, you can wait inside the store at BW and watch for the boat, going to the dock at the last minute instead of waiting around outdoors. I like that there are more restaurant choices at BW than BC - even if you do have to go outside to get to them. And although BWV gets a bad rap sometimes for having long walks to the room, I've had rooms at the far end of BCV that felt like just as long a walk as the BWV.

I don't think you'll have a bad vacation whichever one you choose. The rooms are similar size and layout - just different decor. They are both in a good location.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Are you going to have kids with you who want to swim? Stormalong Bay seems to be the preferred pool. I actually prefer the theming at BWV much better than BC. BC seems to ALWAYS feel crowded to me. As for restaurants, there is Flying Fish, Koussina, ESPN Zone, Boardwalk Bakery, Big River Grill and Brewery. No, they are not directly IN the hotel but they are right there on the boardwalk. That is part of the theming.

 

[BCV23]

Hi nurse.darcy. I remember you from the DL forums when I was planning our last two trips there.

I've seen others have issues with the BW restaurants since there is no way to get to any of them without getting soaked during the summer deluges. At Y&BC, all restaurants and lounges are accessible from BCV without leaving overhead shelter.....BC Marketplace, Cape May, Beaches and Cream, Captain's Cup, Yachtsman's Steakhouse, Captain's Grille and Ale & Compass. You do go outside BCV to get to all of them but the walks are covered. That would not be a deciding factor for me but then we don't usually go in the summer.

The lobby of BC is a bustling place much of the time but the public areas of BCV are very peaceful.

Oh, BWV has an activity center. BCV doesn't.

 

[damone]

I've seen others have issues with the BW restaurants since there is no way to get to any of them without getting soaked during the summer deluges. At Y&BC, all restaurants and lounges are accessible from BCV without leaving overhead shelter.....BC Marketplace, Cape May, Beaches and Cream, Captain's Cup, Yachtsman's Steakhouse, Captain's Grille and Ale & Compass. You do go outside BCV to get to all of them but the walks are covered.

Thank you for pointing this out. I was beginning to think I was going crazy.

 

[disneyjunebug]

I have stayed at them all, and I have to say I do love the BWV much better! another reason that no one mentioned is that the BWV have just recently finished a rehab on the rooms if that matters to you! I can post photos...will be there in a week!!

Please do! I hope to be staying there in October!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

RE: food at resorts around the Boardwalk...IMHO there is most food selection in this area (all the resorts, the BW itself and proximity to World Showcase at Epcot) than anywhere else at WDW, but it's all TS or snacks. The only QS I found was at the Dolphin hotel (or WS)... our first night at BC was so frustrating!!! We were starving, weren't sure when we would arrive so I did not make an ADR and everyplace had an hour plus wait or no availability at all (I discovered the QS place at Dolphin later in the trip and did not want to use a park day at Epcot just for dinner) !! We just wanted a decent burger and fries for pete's sake!! It really made me miss AP at SSR : ) We ended up hopping a bus to CR via MK and eating nasty QS there... (kids REALLY wanted to ride the monorail...or we would have headed DTD to Earl's!!)

To OP---We stayed in a studio at BCV in Feb. Our view was of the "quiet pool". We had a lovely balcony overlooking the simple pool with trees behind it (and the parking lot behind those-though we couldn't really see the lot.) Yes, BCV is about as close as you can get to the Epcot WS entrance, but BWV probably only adds a few minutes to your walk. Though I loved the resort as a whole, I honestly was really disappointed in the room decor of the BCV. It was clean, just run down and dated. We toured the 1br model at BWV and liked the styling much better. Can't say for sure which I would pick for a future trip . . . we're at AKV next and then home to SSR, so it will be a while...

Your description of the dining frustrations is what concerned me, thus I chose to stay at Poly this time. I decided to give up having a 1 bdrm in order to have the convenience of CCs for CS meals. It is nice with little ones to be able to run to a food court for a decent selection of hot or cold meals any time you want...esp during nap times.
I do hope to try BC and BW someday...when the kids are older. Thanks for sharing your story. That is exactly what I was picturing.