BWV std versus preferred... does it pay off?

[CK1]

Just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing here...

Is the only benefit of a preferred room the "chance" ofa a view of Boardwalk? What are the other "preferred views" ?

52 pts means alot to me... if it's a "must-do", I'll get the pts and do it. If, on the other hand, there are perfectly fine std views and the risk of a preferred view that is "less than preferrable!", I would hate myself for wasting those pts!!

Remind me again, too -- just what are those "preferred views", and what are the "standard" views...

We will have a party of 8 -- lots of kids. Is the Boardwalk view noisy? I would imagine a view of Luna Park would be, too. Is the quiet pool considered preferred?

THANKS FOR ALL INFO!!!

 

[CarolynK]

We like std view, and not just for the point savings. We like being able to see Illuminations (the fireworks part of it) from our balcony.
Yes, the quiet pool is considered preferred view.
We were upgraded last March to pref. view when they were renovating the std view rooms and were given a view of the Tower of Terror at MGM. It was nice, but we missed being able to see fireworks at Epcot.

 

[DebbieB]

I booked preferred view our first year at BWV. I requested BW view, got quiet pool with a view of the canal and MGM. After that I decided to save the points and get standard view. I like the standard view, both years we were on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the bus stop and had a view of the fireworks from Illuminations, we could even hear the music. Plus we saved 34 points for 6 nights.

 

[InstImpres]

I have been given to definitions of preferred...not parking lot (which in many cases is not very visible) or mostly water view - this could be pool, canal, etc.

I haopen to like first floor standard view. The bushes cover the landscape but there is an easy side door exit to the buses.

JMHO
Sandy

 

[Lisa F]

The "standard" view at BWV is the biggest bargain out there. There are worse views for more points at BCV (we were rather shocked when we stayed there and had a view overlooking the parking lot for preferred points). I think DVC is sorry that they created the standard category, I don't consider the "standard" views to be any worse than the preferred views. We had a village green view once and it was really noisy so now if we can't get standard, we actually request a canal view! We actually have a prayer of getting it, too, since everyone seems to request boardwalk.

Lisa

 

[CK1]

So if we want an illuminations view, I should just ask for upper floor, illuminations (or Epcot) view?

If you have a good "illuminations" view, what are you looking at by day?

THanks....

 

[dcfromva]

I was wondering how difficult is it to get a STD view? (Do you always have to reserve at the 11month window or is there any leeway?)

-DC

 

[Zurg]

Originally posted by CK1
.. what are you looking at by day?

Me?

Most likely I am looking at the inside of one of the theme parks or the kids in the pool.

 

[drusba]

About 20% of the rooms are standard view; they are in the front of the building overlooking the front entrance and road leading up to it, and also at the end of the building overlooking the tennis courts (those tennis court rooms can also see part of MGM). You can see the parking lot from any of them but it is not close. If you get upper floors (4 to 5) for the ones overlooking the road leading up to the front entrance you can see the upper fireworks of Epcot although you will be looking over the BWI. Standard view can be difficult to get because of the low number of rooms and the low points needed and thus it is always best to try to get a room at the 11 month window to assure success. The rooms themselves are the same type and layout as the preferreds except there are no Grand Villas on that side. There is really no downside to the view. In other words, if your desire is to save on points while also being at BWV, then it is an excellent choice.

Preferred views are everything else -- boardwalk views (about 15% of the rooms); Luna Park (main pool) views from which you can also see the canal and S/D; canal views overlooking the canal leading to MGM from which you can also see S/D or part of MGM (off in the distance); and quiet pool view overlooking the small pool and from which you can also see the canal to MGM and S/D or part of MGM. Boardwalk view is the best of the preferreds and MS also calls it Epcot view; it also includes courtyard view. Thus, if you are requesting "epcot" view you are also requesting the preferred boardwalk view. Thus, for a standard view that might allow you to see fireworks, you don't request Epcot view but instead upper floor facing BWI and Epcot. Boardwalk view is the only preferred view that faces Epcot.

 

[Stimpy]

It seems like this would be almost impossible, but is there a chance for someone with another home resort to get a standard view at BWV at the 7 month window?

(We're trying to buy into BCV now, just waiting on the wait list for March use yr.)

 

[drusba]

There is always a chance as many have reported doing so. It is more difficult at peak DVC times (holidays, November and first two weeks of December, most of the February to April season). The seven month window, at all resorts, can bring a number of "switchers," members who have reserved at their home resort to assure having a room and are now at 7 months cancelling and reserving at another resort; as a result some rooms can become available then although BWV standard is often the one many are trying to switch to.

Also, why are you waiting solely for a March use year in order to purchase? Are there not others available? Your use year has nothing to do with when you can go (which is any time of year) and when you can call to make a ressie ( which is always 11 months in advance at home resort and 7 at others).

 

[spiceycat]

I got the BW view once - the other 5 times I got the silly clown from the main pool - not my idea of a preferred view. So I have been with standard view since - kept your standard view. I quiet pool would have been okay. but I learned to hate that silly clown - so now it is always standard view.

 

[Cruelladeville]

First of all, Lisa, there are no preferred view/standard view rooms at BCV--they are all the same price, so you could just as easily get a parking lot view as a courtyard or woods view. You just get what you get. BWV are the only preferred/standard views, and it was created that way because so many people complained about the cost of those rooms overlooking the tennis courts and front of the resort. It depends upon whether or not you want a terrific view--I always request, and get, boardwalk view, which is worth every cent. I am a people-watcher, so it's fun to be there. Standard view rooms are DEAD, people-wise, especially by the tennis courts. If that's not your thing, you might enjoy standard view, but I thought I had died and gone to H*** staying 9 nights in that standard view room. It was awful--now I book standard view at the 11 month window only when I know I will be changing to another resort at the 7 month window.

 

[CK1]

OK, so a request of "2 br std view-- NS, not HT, and upper floor facing BWI / EPcot" should cover me?

One question...does anybody have a map of BWV so I can see where those rooms are (relative to BW, LP ppol, Coom. Hall, etc.), just to get my bearings?

THanks!

 

[Lisa F]

Cruella,

First of all, did I say it was a preferred view? I said for "preferred points" which is basically the same point cost as the preferred view at the BWV. I KNOW BCV points are all the same, my point is that some of the views that cost as many points as a PREFERRED view at BWV are actually WORSE than a standard view at BWV, hence the idea that the standard view at BWV is one of the biggest bargains out there.

I'm sorry you felt like you had gone to hell staying at BWV on the standard side. My guess is that you have been extremely fortunate in your life if that is the worst possible thing you can imagine (unless you can imagine something worse than hell).

Boardwalk views are the only thing that is more rare than a standard view. I personally would never pay preferred points if a standard view is available since I have never gotten a BW view, even when requested. Also many people talk about the hustle and bustle of the boardwalk... the standard view side is pretty quiet and you can have the best of both worlds.

Lisa

 

[Lisa F]

Originally posted by CK1
OK, so a request of "2 br std view-- NS, not HT, and upper floor facing BWI / EPcot" should cover me?

One question...does anybody have a map of BWV so I can see where those rooms are (relative to BW, LP ppol, Coom. Hall, etc.), just to get my bearings?

THanks!

CK1, ALL of the standard rooms pretty much face BWI. Nothing "faces Epcot" except with BWI in the way. Here is a MAP of the Boardwalk. The boardwalk villas are the section to the right on that map. The boardwalk views are toward the bottom, facing the boardwalk (obviously). The standard views are the ones facing that big entry courtyard that leads up to the front entrance. Over the BWI and the convention center opposite those is where you can see the Illuminations fireworks. I also have to mention that we had a room on the 1st floor and could still see the fireworks.

Lisa

 

[joepoe]

Originally posted by Cruelladeville
First of all, Lisa, there are no preferred view/standard view rooms at BCV--they are all the same price, so you could just as easily get a parking lot view as a courtyard or woods view. You just get what you get. Standard view rooms are DEAD, people-wise, especially by the tennis courts. If that's not your thing, you might enjoy standard view, but I thought I had died and gone to H*** staying 9 nights in that standard view room. It was awful--now I book standard view at the 11 month window only when I know I will be changing to another resort at the 7 month window.

Standard views are not necessarily dead. I love to watch people arrive/leave through the front entrance all hours of the day and night while sitting on my balcony smoking a cigar and sipping an adult beverage.

 

[CarolMN]

Not all of the standard view rooms will have a view of the Illuminations fireworks. Those nearest to the elevators definitley do NOT! But you can always walk out to the Boardwalk to see them.

It is possible to get a standard view room at the 7 month window, but it is not probable. Most who do, have to use the waitlist for at least some of the days they need.

 

[mickey7861]

Standard view at the BWV is the only room I have never been able to get at the 7 month window. I don't bother with wait list I just pay the extra points and request the Boardwalk view which I have successfully gotten all 3 times that we've been there. Lucky I guess. My boardwalk views have had fabulous views of Illuminations firworks. I know my luck will run out someday and I'll be bumbed out looking at the canal.

I do agree that BCV has some terrible views and I even wrote a letter to the management expressing my views on that , a manager called me back and told me that was one of the biggest complaints that they receive.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by Lisa F
The "standard" view at BWV is the biggest bargain out there...

I agree, it's a big advantage the BWVs have over other close proximity resorts. Standard views are a great way to save and stretch points.