BWV Views: Preferred vs. Standard vs. Boardwalk view?

[JMC]

Hey everyone,

From the points chart I understand there are preferred and standard views at the Boardwalk Villas. But when I was making my reservation for a preferred room I asked if that translated into a view of the Boardwalk itself. I was told that there were no more Boardwalk views available, that this preferred view would be of the gardens.

What does this mean exactly? Does it mean that the preferred Garden view I am getting, while not of the Boardwalk, is still substantially better than the standard view? The the standard view rooms have some undesirable outlooks? Also does anyone have experience with these rooms? I think I've heard that the rooms looking onto the boardwalk can sometimes catch a lot of noise- does the garden view have some benefits?

We could also just try to book at the BCV, but the Boardwalk is so close to the IP at Epcot- which is where we like to eat.

Thanks for any and all advice.

 

[Lewisc]

BCV is much closer to EPCOT than BWV. I think many of the standard view rooms at BWV overlook the parking lot.

 

[spiceycat]

the preferred views (not BW) are the pools, gardens, and the lagoon view looking out at the Swan and the lagoon going to Studios.

the standard views look out on the parking lot and the drive way entrance - these are my favorites and are very hard to get!!!

for a long time I got the preferred view and always and I mean always I got the silly CLOWN at the main pool. I am sorry I just can't consider this a preferred view.

I would go with the standard view and save you some points!!!

the higher views in the standard have reported the fireworks both at Epcot and Studios.

 

[Danthesand]

There are THREE types of views one can reserve at the Boardwalk.

1. Standard view (which is basically anything other than a view of the Boardwalk, a canal or a pool. Some show lawns, some show parking).

2. Preferred view (overlooks a canal or pool or garden)

3. Preferred Boardwalk view (exactly what is sounds like, a villa that actually ovelooks the Boardwalk).

From what the OP wrote, I sense that when they called to make a reservation, all the Preferred Boarwalk view rooms were already booked and that the only views available were Standard or Preferred.

Frankly, during anything other than a very slow season, the only way to get a Preferred Boardwalk view villa is to own at that resort and to call exactly 11 months out, making a day by day ressie. That's what I had to do to book our upcoming August stay in a Preferred Boardwalk view one bedroom.

BCV is much closer to EPCOT than BWV. I think many of the standard view rooms at BWV overlook the parking lot.

Not entirely correct on either count. In terms of "closeness," by boat, theres no difference, and walking you're talking at best a 1/8 of a mile difference. And MGM is closer to the Boardwalk than BCV. As for views, over half of the standard view rooms at the Boardwalk overlook lawns (parking lots from some of those are viewable, but are off in the distance). A few even actually have partial views of Epcot and MGM.

 

[crisi]

Standard views have often been harder to get than BW Views. While there is general consensus from most (but not) all people that the BW View is wonderful, there is not consensus on whether Standard views are any less desireable than the regular preferred view rooms. There are some excellent standard view views and some lousy preferred view rooms.

Do keep in mind that the preferred views at the Boardwark (non-BWV) are the same number of points as the rooms at BCVs and VWL and have the same quality of views.

 

[Danthesand]

Standard views have often been harder to get than BW Views. While there is general consensus from most (but not) all people that the BW View is wonderful, there is not consensus on whether Standard views are any less desireable than the regular preferred view rooms. There are some excellent standard view views and some lousy preferred view rooms.

Do keep in mind that the preferred views at the Boardwark (non-BWV) are the same number of points as the rooms at BCVs and VWL and have the same quality of views.

Excellent points by crisi. DVC members looking for the "highest possible ROI per point spent" have made the standard views at BWV tough to get during low point seasons, particularly in the fall. And yes, these boards are full of trip report threads from BWV guests either bragging about how they lucked out and got one of the handful of standards with a great view of the MGM Fantasmic fireworks, or those whining about the view of the dumpster they had from their preferred. The latter risk is why I always book a Preferred Boardwalk - why not, given the points are the same as those for a "basic" Preferred?

 

[DebbieB]

Actually many standards have a view of Epcot Illuminations, a handful have a view of MGM Fantasmic. I lucked out a couple years ago and had a view of both (corner room above the pond).

 

[chrissyk]

We usually book standard view, but we recently ended up booking a preferred view for a short-notice trip. The view was sooooo nice. I don't remember the room number, but it was on the 1st floor, and it opened out onto a little park. The canal was next to the park, and then the Swan was on the other side of the canal. That view was awesome and was worth the extra points! I really enjoyed sitting out there reading a book