BWV or BLT....Please help me decide!

[Planner2012]

Such a problem...not sure which amazing resort to go with.

BWV or BLT. Both look amazing for different reasons!

I think the BWV theme is great, the location is good and there seems to be a lot to do in the area of the resort, but BLT is close the MK and the monorail.
There will be 4 of us going (2 adults & 2 kids <10). It will be the first time for the kids, so I'm guessing that we will be spending a lot of time at MK. How long of a bus ride is it to MK from BWV?

For those that have stayed at both, do the BLT studios seem a lot smaller? Is BWV resort too big? Noisy?

I keep going back and forth on which one would work best, but I just can't decide. I also thought of a split stay, but I would rather stay at only one resort (we're going for 8 days).

Any input you could give me would be greatly appreciated!

 

[wdwnut]

Hi:

We've stayed at the BWV many times with grandkids. When we first bought BWV, our kids were older. The grandkids love the Boardwalk area and walking to the 2 parks. There's a lot to do there. It was really neat when we had a GV and were able to sit on the balcony and interact with the performers. The pool is a lot of fun with the slide as long as you're not freaked out by clowns. Community Hall has a fair amount of things for the little ones as well as DVDs to watch in the villa. Buses have always been a little hit or miss, but it seems to have been better in the last couple of years.

We stayed at the Contemporary many times during the 90's when our kids were younger. The ability to walk to the MK has always been great. The theming is just different. We're looking forward to staying in a GV at BLT this May. I know we'll have a lot of fun.

I don't think you'll make a wrong choice with either location. There are definite advantages to both. Have a wonderful time!

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

You can't go wrong with either.

Biased towards where I own but you should have a great time either way. I have not stayed in a BLT studio (only a 1BR) so I'm not sure. We stayed in an AKV Studio at Christmas and having the extra space was missed.

 

[WDWFERN]

Both resorts are terrific! Given the ages of your children, I would agree that proximity to the MK would be great! We have stayed at BLT twice and loved being able to walk to the park. It was great peace of mind knowing that when the kids were done, we could just stroll back. That said, this last trip, we had extended family with us. My two siblings and their one friend (so 3 adults in their 20s) shared the studio portion of a lockoff. While they loved BLT,were thrilled with the trip, and never complained, it did look a bit tight for the 3 of them in there and I know they used the balcony quite a bit just for the extra sitting space. When I saw their room, I thought it was very nice and certainly would work, but for our family of 4, especailly with our luggage and strollers, I felt it would be a little cramped. I also wouldn't really want to rely on having younger children out on the balcony too much for extra space, especailly if on a higher floor. So while this strategy worked well for my brothers, it wouldn't be the best for our family. I was planning for our next trip to have the 4 of us stay in a studio, but think now we might stay for a shorter amount of time in a 1 BR. Also, for our last two trips we have done a BLT/BCV split stay. While I initially did not think I would like having to move, we have really come to love just walking to the parks, so for us, the loss of the moving day morning, is made up for by the ease of transportation (ie walking) the rest of the trip. This last time, we took a bus to AK, otherwise planned our park days so that we could just walk to MK while at BLT and walk to Hollywood Studios and Epcot while at BCV. It was also really fun to experience the diferrent aspects not only of the two resorts themselves, but of the surrounding areas. We felt like we really had two trips in one each time. Sorry for the rambling thoughts, I hope you have a wonderful vacation!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Consider a one bedroom at BLT instead of just a studio. You will be very cramped in a studio at BLT. It is the smallest studio of all the DVC villas. Otherwise, BLT would be a great location for a family with two younger kids.

BWV is my least favorite resort. We always drive, so we have car to park each time we go out. But the parking at BWV is the worst of all the resorts. You may even wind up parking across the street if too many non-BW guests decide they want to park in the BW parking lot. The other thing we don't like about the BWV is the long, long, long corridors. There is only one set of elevators in a single elevator bank. So the rooms at the every end of the hallway seem like you are forever and a day away from the elevator. Sometimes you will get lucky enough to be close to a stairwell and use that, but if you have a stroller or someone who just can't use the stairs too easily, it's definitely a problem. BWV also has very limited dining choices right there, especially if you are looking for something other than a specialty table service (Flying Fish, Cat Coreas). Finally, I just don't like that clown pool. The leisure pool (non-themed pool) is fine, but I stay away from the themed pool.

 

[Sandisw]

We have stayed in studios at both and I can say that you could tell the difference in size between the two. BLT was definitely smaller but we only did it for 2 nights so no big deal.

We are splitting our summer stay between the two so we can have the best of both words. 2 nights in a BW view 2 bedroom at BWV and then off for 3 nights to BLT in a 2 bedroom SV room.

We did the BCV/BLT split last summer and really liked that. I am thinking that a BWV add on is in our future so we can get the BW view rooms all the time--got lucky I think this year at the 7 month mark.

Good luck!

 

[JWG]

We own at both. Have to decide what's most important to you. Both will have a sleeper sofa.

BWV will have:
- Bigger rooms (noticeably)
- Easy access to Epcot and for the most part DHS
- Better pool (that's up a personal thing I suppose)
- GREAT bakery

The biggest downside for me is they share their bus service with the Epcot resort loop. That's painful.

BLT will have:
- Several restaurants within the CR
- Even more restaurants on the monorail loop
- Walking distance to MK

The biggest downside is the rooms are smaller. Also, they do share bus service with the MK resort loop.

That's not helpful at all is it.
With 4 people, I'd probably go BWV for the space.

 

[MinnieGi]

We love both too!! We own at BWV and just had a fantastic visit over Christmas at BLT. We are also a family of four 2 adults 2 kids - 10 & 6. The kids enjoy both resorts alot. However we always do a one bedroom and sometimes a two bedroom.

I'll tell you the kids LOVED being on the monorail line, easily walking over to the CR to get snacks and mug refills, looked forward to the ewp every night, liked watching the fireworks from the bridge, TOWL, or observation deck if we were not in MK. During Christmas week it was SUCH a pleasure in the hordes of crowds to just WALK back to our resort instead of waiting in the long lines of buses, monorail, and boats!!!

BWV, they also really enjoy - great to walk into EPcot and boat or walk to DHS, kids like walking around the boardwalk. We often when staying here just walk in to Epcot for dinner.

You really cannot go wrong with either one and availability may determine it for you!

 

[Mississippian]

Consider a one bedroom at BLT instead of just a studio. You will be very cramped in a studio at BLT. It is the smallest studio of all the DVC villas. Otherwise, BLT would be a great location for a family with two younger kids.

BWV is my least favorite resort. We always drive, so we have car to park each time we go out. But the parking at BWV is the worst of all the resorts. You may even wind up parking across the street if too many non-BW guests decide they want to park in the BW parking lot. The other thing we don't like about the BWV is the long, long, long corridors. There is only one set of elevators in a single elevator bank. So the rooms at the every end of the hallway seem like you are forever and a day away from the elevator. Sometimes you will get lucky enough to be close to a stairwell and use that, but if you have a stroller or someone who just can't use the stairs too easily, it's definitely a problem. BWV also has very limited dining choices right there, especially if you are looking for something other than a specialty table service (Flying Fish, Cat Coreas). Finally, I just don't like that clown pool. The leisure pool (non-themed pool) is fine, but I stay away from the themed pool.

Deb & Bill,
I respect your view and you raise some important points that everyone should consider. With that said, I've never understood the problems with the hallways. There are plenty of stairwells, and the "outdoor" hallways at SSR, for example, are more than one-half mile long. So if you want to get a paper, you have to walk incredibly long distances in the rain. I honestly have found the BWV hallways to be very short in comparisons to the walks at other resorts, BCV and VWL excluded.

I personally find the dining choices at BWV to be much, much better than OKW, or SSR, or VWL, or AKV. I do think BLT has better dining choices. The key to understanding BWV is that all the EPCOT resorts are really one big hotel. Just go get your food from wherever you want, and if none of that suits you take a few dozen steps into EPCOT and get something there.

Finally, as to the parking, if you are really driving every day this might very well be a valid complaint. I would not know. Like most WDW guests, I park my car once and it does not move for the entire time I am at the resort. But in the events someone wants to drive around on a regular basis, perhaps this might be a problem, although self-parking has never been a problem for me.

Obviously the things that bother you don't bother me, but you are right to bring them up so that people can make an informed choice. I just want to present the other side of the coin.

 

[simmons_m]

Planner2012, how long will you be staying, and what time of year?
For the fall, it would be nice to be at BWV for the quick access to Epcot. Our last couple of trips we have split stays at BWV/BLT and BCV/BLT.
A split stay can provide the best of both worlds if you do not mind moving.

 

[a742246]

Whatever you decide you will have a great time. Enjoy.

 

[Planner2012]

Thank you for all the responses! I really appreciate everyone's input.

We are staying the first week of March for 8 days.

Its not in the budget to stay in a one bedroom at BLT (although it sounds great), so based on a studio I am now leaning towards Boardwalk. I just have a few questions. I have read about "village green" views. Are these located near the muscles & bustles health club? If I request village green what are my chances of getting this view? Using the bus, how long does it usually take to get to MK from BWV?

Thanks again for all your help.

 

[JWG]

Thank you for all the responses! I really appreciate everyone's input.

We are staying the first week of March for 8 days.

Its not in the budget to stay in a one bedroom at BLT (although it sounds great), so based on a studio I am now leaning towards Boardwalk. I just have a few questions. I have read about "village green" views. Are these located near the muscles & bustles health club? If I request village green what are my chances of getting this view? Using the bus, how long does it usually take to get to MK from BWV?

Thanks again for all your help.

I would say bus is 15-20 minutes once on it. Bussing is part of the "Epcot Resort Loop" so you'll also pick-up/drop at Swan/Dolphin and Beach/Yacht but I don't remember the order as we haven't stayed there since 2007. The issue with bussing from BWV is they can often times be full given the volume they serve.

 

[Hopefully]

I would say bus is 15-20 minutes once on it. Bussing is part of the "Epcot Resort Loop" so you'll also pick-up/drop at Swan/Dolphin and Beach/Yacht but I don't remember the order as we haven't stayed there since 2007. The issue with bussing from BWV is they can often times be full given the volume they serve.

We do not find that this is usually the case any more. Especially in the busy commute hours. We stay at the BCV and the busses are usually just YC then BC/BCV.
I have experienced the "loop" later in the night, I think coming from DTD.
But our theme park buses have not been all the resorts on our last several visits.

 

[alldiz]

My 2nd favorite resort is BWV.....1st is my home WLV.

Haven't stayed at BLT yet....I will in a few weeks....but for 4 people I would not do a studio at BLT for 8 days.....Maybe for a split stay.

 

[goofylovers]

I have stayed at both. At BWV we had a studio just DH and I and at BTL we had a 1 BR MKV with DD8. She loved BLT and does not want to stay anywhere else. I do think if you have the points the 1 BR is much roomier. My daughter loved it and so did we.

 

[simmons_m]

In March, I think BWV is the better option. It is a quick walk to epcot for flower and garden, and if you are thinking about a garden view, and can book 11 months in advance, I would book a boardwalk view. If you are renting points and plan far enough in advance, the BWV points are the same as the garden/preferred view.
If you go with the park hopper option, you can always walk through epcot and take the monorail to the MK or MK hotels.

 

[DoYourHomework]

Bwv