BWV vs. BCV (studios)

[pstepka]

What are the major differences between these two resorts? Can you visit the Yacht Club if you stay at BCV? How far is the Boardwalk from the Beach Club (walkable?) I thought I had decided on the BWV studio, but now that I saw the BCV, I'm undecided again!!

Any info/pic/etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Pam

 

[PKS44]

The BCV and BWV (and YC and BC) are located around Crescent Lake. The distance to go around the whole lake is 0.8 miles circumference...so everything is pretty walkable.

The main difference between the BWV and BCV to me is that you can use Stormalong Bay pool if you stay at the BCV- (the slide is currently under rehab until March or April)--you cannot use SAB if you are staying at the BWV but thei Luna Park pool slide is working and you could poolhop to the BWV from the BCV....the resorts have different themes... there is more "hapening' around the BWV with the restaurants, Boardwalk entertainment, etc...BCv is "quieter"---the parking lot for the BCV is closer to the resort than the BWV's parking lot is to it-both have valet parking for members for no added fee...the BWV has standard view rooms for fewer points, also has better views than most of the BCV for the same points..BCV has a few Epcot views..BCV is newer, the BWV is still finishing a long rehab in parts.

It all depends on what you are looking for...

Paul

 

[kem330]

Not sure what you mean by visit the YC? Beach Club Villas is off of the main BC Hotel. YC is connected to BC so they are sister resorts and share the same recreational facilities. Boardwalk is across the lake from Y & BC about a 5 min walk. You can not use the pool (stormalong Bay) unless you are staying there. Differences are: Pools, SAB vs Luna Park; BW is closer to MGM, BCV closer to Epcot; studios are about the same size; BWV have better view, BCV quieter and off to the side. You could save money buying a BWV resale, but if the pool is important to you then go for BCV

 

[pstepka]

Am I reading this correctly? If you're at BCV, you CAN use the BW pool? BUT, if you're at BW, you canNOT use SAB?

AND, the nightlife on BW is very walkable from BC, right? We have a 13 y/o who can stay with the little ones at night if my husband and I want to go out for a little bit. We wouldn't drive anywhere, but would like to go for a stroll, get a drink, etc.

The waterslide at BW looks bigger than SAG...is it?

Thanks again for the info!

Pam

 

[kem330]

Pool hopping is permitted (except during holidays when it is usually suspended) to all WDW resorts pools except SAB and AKL.
So yes if you are at BCV you can go to BWV (occupancy permitting- you must call ahead and make sure it is available) but you can not pool hop to SAB if at BWV. It is an extremely pleasant and easy stroll over to the BW area from BCV (and vice verse)

 

[karebear1]

Another question about pools- while we're on the subject! If we're staying at the BCV- can friends swim in the SAB too?

 

[kem330]

we've heard accounts here of BCV guests being allowed to bring guests to sab- I think it depends on the discretion of the CM at the time- not sure what the "official" policy is.

 

[Terry S]

pstepka.... I am pretty sure the slide at SAB is bigger than the one at BWV. I am not sure what you mean when you say "it looks smaller", if you were referring to pictures or if you have actually seen both of them. The slide at SAB starts accross the road from the pool at the pirate ship that sits in the lagoon and goes 150 feet into the pool. Just in case you were unaware, SAB has sand in the entire bottom of it and has several different themed areas of it. It is actually considered a mini-water park instead of a pool.

 

[pstepka]

Thanks everyone!! I have definitely decided on BCV. Now...to find points to rent...

Pam

 

[Caskbill]

Some not yet mentioned minor differences between BWV Studios and BCV Studios.

1. The connecting door to the "1-B/R" side unit is in a better location at BCV than at BWV. It doesn't interfere with the layout of the 'living' area.

2. The TV set in the BCV studio is larger than the ones in the BWV studios.

3. The BCV studios do not have any drawer space in the bathroom sink area.

4. The sleeping area drawer space for clothing is smaller in the BCV than it is at BWV.

5. Table and chair at the BCV is larger than the one at BWV (Thanks to relocating the door as mentioned in #1 above)

6. The bathroom 'commode / tub area is larger in the BCV than the same area at BWV.

7. BCV has another elevator down closer to the pool/parking area as well as the elevators off the lobby area. BWV just has the one set of elevators (one location only).

Also note that the slide at SAB is currently closed for refurbishment for the next couple of months.

While BWV guests cannot hop to SAB's pool, they can still hop to the BCV 'quiet' pool located at the BCV's themselves.

 

[pstepka]

Thanks for all the details!!

Pam

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks a lot for those details, Caskbill. I'm one of those rare people for whom SAB plays no part in my decision on where to stay, because I don't swim. However, I've stayed at BCV and absolutely loved it there-the peaceful feeling sitting on the balcony with the faint sounds of Epcot music. I'm trying to talk myself into trying BWV, since, as someone said, the points are fewer for the standard view studios. I appreciate the comparisons.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Remember, though, either a BWV or BCV studio will only hold four persons plus one infant under the age of 3. It kind of sounds like you have five people for the room. You really need a two bedroom if that is the case.

Also, there are times when pool-hopping is not permitted, usually around holiday times for maybe a week or two at a time. Then you can only swim in the pool at the resort you are staying at.

About bringing guests to SAB, when we were there last summer, you had to show a room key for everyone entering the pool area and were given a wristband. No room key, no wrist band. If they spotted anyone without a wrist band, they asked them to show their room key. No room key? They escorted them out.

The paying guests at YC/BC/BCV should have the rights to SAB, not others.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I think the way they handle guests in SAB probably depends on the time of year...or the CM...probably both.

I was there for Food & Wine & Mickey's Not So sCarey...I asked the CM about guests. What she said was that the guests would have to be with me when I entered the pool area. Turns out my friends couldn't get it together to visit so they became DVC owners without visiting SAB.

...For the reason I cited I suspect that CM's demanding room keys may have had the unintended result of causing legitimate guests to generate extra room keys for their friends staying at other hotels. Could be a small or large problem depending on whether or not a convention was in the hotel(s).

 

[PKS44]

The slide at BWV may actually be a little longer at 200+ feet but the SAB has a long straightaway that gets going much faster than the spiral of the BWV pool ever gets...but SAB slide is closed for now...I am not sure about the quiet pool at BCV being available for hopping-I think all of Yc/BC/BCv is off limits---nor is it clear to me why anyone would want to hop to the new quiet pool--I do doubt anyone is enforcing any ban there...


Paul