BWV Preferred View Worth It?

[jdpk]

Those who know,
We are BCV members planning a late Feb early March 2004 visit with friends who are considering DVC. ( I think they will buy after they experience a 'HOME'-coming. )
My question is this; Are the preferred views worth it? We are after a 2BR sat-fri. The point differential is 42, a lot to us.
Does anyone have an opinion? What are the chances of a 2br w/BW view? Nil?
Lets talk about it!
John

 

[LoveMyDVC]

no, odds are you won't get a view worth 42 extra points

 

[Michelemouse]

IMO, the preferred view rooms are only worth it if you don't have your heart set on a Boardwalk view. Most of the preferred view rooms overlook the pools and the canal between the BWV and the Swan hotel. You do have a chance of getting a Boardwalk view, however the chance of not getting that view is much, much higher.

We were lucky enough to get the coveted BW view twice. While it was terrific we now book standard view when we stay at the BWV. If we could guarantee the BW view we'd probably be more likely to give up those extra points. The other preferred views, however, are not worth it to us.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

Since you will be checking in on a Sat. I think you will have a better shot at a BW view. We stayed in a studio for a Fri night earlier this month. Our only request was non-smoking and we were able to get BW view - didn't even ask for it! We were thrilled to say the least.

Honestly, I think your friends will be impressed with BWV regardless of your view.

 

[zurgswife]

I'm a cheapskate and didn't enjoy the Boardwalk view the one time I had it (late evening noise bothered me)....I always go for the standard view at the Boardwalk...

 

[Eeyore2U]

This was our Preferred View in February.

 

[JVL1018]

I don't believe the preferred view is worth it. We've had preferred view twice and got a Luna Park view. I am just as happy with the Standard room views. In fact if for some reason I didn't book at 11 months and couldn't get a standard view, I wouldn't even stay there, I'd go over to OKW.

 

[Richyams]

No one seemed to mention the important thing.....

You don't have much chance getting a standard view at the seven month window. These go VERY fast. People call day by day to get them at eleven months.

While we have had reports of SV success at seven months, you certainly can't count on it.

 

[DebbieB]

I own at BWV and made my first reservation for Dec 2000 exactly at 11 months and requested boardwalk view. It was a Saturday arrival. There is a poster over on the AOL DVC board who is a BW owner and he always seems to get his requested BW view. So I figured I had a good chance. Didn't get it - got quiet pool. It did have a nice view of MGM but I don't have extra points so I wasn't going to gamble again. I booked standard view the past 2 years and found out we love the Illuminations view. If I could be guaranteed the boardwalk view, I probably would pay the extra points at least once but with no guarantee, I'm not gambling. Those extra points would give me an extra night or two in standard or at OKW.

 

[jdpk]

Richyams, I totally agree. That's why I thought we'd have to book the preferred, and waitlist the standard view hoping it will come through. I was more concerned about being stuck with the preferred and what to expect.
Thanks
John

 

[dvcfamily41801]

Well, for us we just totally love the atmosphere of the Boardwalk itself. Our first DVC stay was at BWV and we had a preferred Luna Park view and loved it. Our second time we hit the jackpot and were in the Crest O The Wave building 2 floors above the DVC offices and were in heaven. We so wish we had all of our points at BWV, becuase we just love being there. That said, even if we did have our points there and could book 11 months out, I know I would still want to try for that Boardwalk view. Silly I know, but we are hooked on the Boardwalk!!

 

[spiceycat]

my first time at BWV - I got the BW view - it is well worth the points - the next 5 times I got the main pool - I learned to hate that silly looking clown.

Now I go for the standard view and I have VERY happy with those views. Well I am probably happier with the points being used.

 

[ZachnElli]

I'm getting ready to book my first trip "home" for next March (we just joined this week, otherwise I would have done it earlier). What are the Epcot views? Which buildings and are they standard or preferred? Can you see Illuminations from them? Sounds like I'll have to book preferred if standard books fast, but that's ok, that's how many points we bought. Thanks to anyone who can help!

 

[natcam1996]

Interesting aside about BWV views. We were at BWV in late June. We own at BCV and had already been there 6 nights but wanted to try BWV. After a real bad experience waitng for check in, we were assigned room 4007. Since we had never been there my wife presumed "low number, room must be close to the elevator". I can hear all you BWV owners chuckling now. We got to the 4th floor, start following the room signs and it turns out to be one off the "Death March" rooms. As we approach the end of the hall, I can almost see my wife's dissatifaction growing. I'm expecting that we get to the rooom and I'm on the phone asking for a room change (in my wife's defense, she has been battling with a broken leg problem for over a year). We got to the room, and she immediatley goes over to the drape and opens it. What I heard first was "OH MY GOD". Obviously you DVC pros know what she saw. We had a really wonderful view of Crescent Lake, part of EPCOT, BCV and a good stretch of the Boardwalk itself. That night we were enjoying a glass of wine out on the balcony watching the fireworks in EPCOT with our daughter.

Since for the most part we enjoy walking I would spend the extra points (we have plenty) and ask for these kind of rooms because of the view. While I found the location a little busy and noisy (some early morning delivery trucks were unloading almost right under the room and late night Boardwalk activity) I can handle that.

 

[gtrist4life]

natcam1996,

So I'm guessing room 4007 was a preferred view?

We just joined DVC with Boardwalk as our home resort (actually sent the paperwork back yesterday, shouldn't be too long till it's official ), and all the view comments have been helpful.

For the fellow BWV owners, just wondering for your first stay "home" you stay in standard or preferred?

We're thinking for the first time, standard, then gamble with the preferred.

Peace
G4L

 

[kathleena]

I've stayed at BWV three times and had BW view twice. One time I had booked at about 10 months (for a May trip) and the other I had booked exactly at 11 months and it was during the very busy early December time. We checked in on Tues/Wed for the two trips. The third time, I booked at 7 months and had a main pool view. Checked in on Wed that time. Also, I had booked two nights for my dad at 45 days out, asked for BW view and he got it, checking in on a Monday and it was in March.

Now - for your question - is it worth it? In my opinion - if you get the BW view, it is definately worth it. We have loved it both times and were not bothered in the least by any noise - no more than buses rolling by at OKW, people stomping overhead etc etc. And we were way down at the end near to the piano bar one time and the other time over an entrance to the store. Let's face it - we have not decided to go to a secluded getaway!!!! We have gotten over any noise a long, long time ago. (But just to comment on that - I do find the screams of the kids at the main pool far more irritating than the noise from the BW.)

I think that the prior poster who mentioned the window you are booking at is correct - your luck to get a standard is minimal. You will probably end up with a preferred anyway and wait list for a standard.

So, my advice is - if you have to get the preferred view, don't set your heart on the BW view. Ask for it, give your second choice, and be happy with whatever you get.

 

[DownNeckBoy]

I guess we qualify as the exceptions to the rule. We own @ HH and have managed to get standard views @ BW twice. The first time was last year and was at about 4-6 weeks out. The second time was for our trip last month. That trip did require that we waitlist, but we did get the entire trip.

The trip last month also resulted in an "upgrade" due to the work being done on the standard wing. We got a view of the canal with MGM and the Swan/Dolphin. It was a lovely view, which we would love to get again. Is it worth the extra points? I am not really sure, but my family sure liked it!

In the final analysis, as many people will state on these boards, don't get too worked up over your requests. I have yet to be disappointed by any of the accommodations that we have received and I am sure that you will be satisfied as well.

Good luck with your planning!

 

[Lexxiefern]

Originally posted by gtrist4life
natcam1996,


For the fellow BWV owners, just wondering for your first stay "home" you stay in standard or preferred?

We're thinking for the first time, standard, then gamble with the preferred.

Peace
G4L

We are taking our first trip home in October. We are staying preferred view the first 5 nights (sunday - thursday in a 1 bedroom) and standard view the last 3 nights (fri - mon in a studio).

I am taking my mom in January and I booked a standard view 1 bedroom.

I feel like I have to at least try for the standard view rooms. This way I can get more trips or longer trips out of my points. If it is unavailable, then at least I will get a better view.

 

[natcam1996]

gtrist4life,

Yes it was preferred view and obviously a nice one.

 

[TheWho]

Yes, without a doubt. Is there a better view at any of the WDW DVC resorts? I had it recently and I would take it everytime.

The big question is, can you get? I haven't read a consistent techique for securing one.

It's gamble, but if you score a BW view , you'll love it!!