BWV vs BCV

[MikeNY]

Anyone have a preference? We want to add on to be closer to Epcot and DHS.

 

[JandD Mom]

Boardwalk:

You can walk to Epcot
It's a slightly long (but manageable) walk to DHS
Very nice CMs
Ok pool area
Nice evening entertainment
Rooms in desperate need of refurbishment (a.k.a. SKANKY)
Larger rooms
Cheaper to buy
Higher annual dues


Beach Club (Disclaimer, I have not stayed yet):

Nicest and biggest pool on Disney property (one of the few that doesn't allow pool hopping visits)
Newer rooms
Close to Epcot
Walkable (though far) to DHS
Smaller rooms
Fewer dining options
Higher buy in cost (at least in resale)
Lower annual dues

 

[MikeNY]

Thanks JandDMom - interesting comment about the condition of the rooms at BWV. We've never stayed there before but are going to try later this year. Appreciate your thoughts!

 

[edk35]

I have stayed at both and we loved BCV. I would add on there if it were me. We liked BWV okay...but the kids didn't like the pool area. The walk is further not by much though..to EC. BCV has the wonderful SAB, Beaches and Cream, a better gift shop with a little deli too. There is no question where we would add on if we could. There is not ONE thing I can say negative about BCV. BWV you do have the long hallways, not a great pool, and the walk to EC is longer than from BCV. IF you stay at BCV you can always walk over in the evenings too.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We did add on at BCV because they have 1. some dedicated 2 bedrooms with 2 Queen beds in the second bedroom and 2. SAB, which we all enjoy. Our first years of membership, we stayed at BCV a few times in a studio with our other points, but once our DGC got old enough and we began bringing them to WDW we wanted to be assured of the dedicated 2 bedrooms, so then, we added on. For DH and I (and guests who were also in studios), we were willing to take our chances on availability, and we were never not able to get BCV. Mostly this was in May, I called exactly at 7 months, but never day by day, I love the Flower show and Mother's Day Brunch and May seems to be a good time to get into BCV.

However, initially, we bought BWV because of the standard view villas. We think those are an excellent bargain for the location and we've never had a view or room location that wasn't at least "good." In November, we tried a Boardwalk view studio, and we weren't impressed..nice but not something we would have to have. It was cold, so staying on the balcony wasn't fun, and we just weren't in our room at night, so we missed seeing fireworks from the balcony.

After the cold weekend at BWV, we had an all family vacation in November and stayed at BCV with them, and it was so chilly the day we used SAB, we were practically alone, well, the lifeguards were there, too

We think the Christmas decorations at BWV are better and it's just more of a WOW when we enter their lobby.

I do like BCV a lot, but of the two, I'm glad we have more points at BWV (250vs 190), the standard view points are a big reason.

Bobbi

 

[tjkraz]

Boardwalk:

You can walk to Epcot
It's a slightly long (but manageable) walk to DHS
Very nice CMs
Ok pool area
Nice evening entertainment
Rooms in desperate need of refurbishment (a.k.a. SKANKY)
Larger rooms
Cheaper to buy
Higher annual dues


Beach Club (Disclaimer, I have not stayed yet):

Nicest and biggest pool on Disney property (one of the few that doesn't allow pool hopping visits)
Newer rooms
Close to Epcot
Walkable (though far) to DHS
Smaller rooms
Fewer dining options
Higher buy in cost (at least in resale)
Lower annual dues

Regarding the bolded items above:

I know that Disney has different published room sizes for the two resorts but they are essentially the same. Their numbers for the sq footage has changed over the years and I don't know where they came up with the higher numbers for BWV. The layout is almost identical and even if there are differences, you couldn't tell after walking into the two.

As for the condition of rooms and quality of CMs, I just want to say that those aren't great criteria for making a buy/don't buy decision. CMs come and CMs go. Some rooms are well-maintained, others are not.

We had a room at the BW in '08 that was in excellent condition. We could smell the cleaning solution when we walked into the room (a GOOD thing, IMO) and there were no noteworthy issues with paint, carpet, appliances, plumbing, etc. BCV is the newer of the two (by about 6 years), but they are both high traffic resorts. The differences between a 13-year old resort and a 7-year old resort are negligible. Most times it comes down to how recently the room YOU are given has been refreshed.

In addition to what others have said, here are a few other comments about the two:

BWV
* Inconvenient self-parking
* One set of elevators (a lot of people talk about the "long hallways", but in reality it's about the same distance from the BC lobby to its villas. The bigger issue for some is the fact that the only elevators are right off of the lobby. If you can use the stairwells, the resort size isn't a big deal. But if you have to walk to the elevators each time it can add to your journey.)
* No counter service dining
* No restaurants actually in the resort (have to go outside to reach a restaurant)
* Excellent room views (canal, pool, BoardWalk)

BCV
* Very convenient self-parking
* Two sets of elevators--one right in the Villa wing
* Long walk to Stormalong Bay pool
* Very poor transportation to DHS (walk is a good 25+ minutes, only other alternative is boat)
* Have to walk outside while going from lobby to Villa
* Villa room views are mediocre at best; about 1/4 of the villa wing sits alongside a busy roadway

 

[Hopefully]

We have stayed at both and we have enjoyed both, but we decided to buy at the BCV.
Epcot is our favorite park and we end most eveings of our trip eating at a WS restaurant. We love the short walk via the International Gateway to World Showcase. I feel the BWV walk is noticabley longer, although still certainly doable. We also love relaxing in the afternoon at SAB. We are, at this point, a party of adults without young children. The walk to DHS is certainly much longer than from BWV, but again something we do. We probabaly visit DHS once each trip, but we go to Epcot almost every day.
I also like the decor at the BCV. We have always been pleased with our Villa.
Good Luck with your decision.

 

[JandD Mom]

Regarding the bolded items above:

I know that Disney has different published room sizes for the two resorts but they are essentially the same. Their numbers for the sq footage has changed over the years and I don't know where they came up with the higher numbers for BWV. The layout is almost identical and even if there are differences, you couldn't tell after walking into the two.

As for the condition of rooms and quality of CMs, I just want to say that those aren't great criteria for making a buy/don't buy decision. CMs come and CMs go. Some rooms are well-maintained, others are not.

Regarding the above, from my research what I have found is that the closets are smaller in the BCV than that BWV, and also the living room area slightly smaller. The bathrooms are also laid out differently in the BCV with the toilet behind a door you can close. In the BWV it is in the same room with the shower. Some people seem to like it, some don't

The strongest draw for us for BWV was the ability to book standard view rooms at lower points. It's very economical and we have gotten good use of our points that way.

As I said, I have never been to BCV, but from reviews here you see a lot more complaints about CM attitude and housekeeping deficiencies than you do at BWV. While I have also had excellent and clean rooms at BWV (notably on my last trip in Nov 2008), the appliances are still very old and in desperate need of replacement. I had a rusty refrigerator, a dryer that broke, as well as the fact that they have HORRIBLE electric stoves with burners that can't seem to lie flat enough to put a pot on it (I think they have these same stoves at BCV but since we haven't been yet, maybe someone else can comment). Our stove also broke and needed repair during our stay.

Another constant problem at the BWV is there have been plumbing problems since it was built. Our shower didn't drain and had to be fixed, and I read that is a frequent problem.

Regarding the long hallways, it's no problem for us. We like staying far down the hall. Just go out a back stairwell and you are either on the walkway to DHS (and almost half way there) or very close to the parking lot. In this regard I disagree strongly that the parking is inconvenient. The only way it's inconvenient is if you are unable to take the stairs and must walk back to the elevators.

The thing is, we still LOVE it there. It will eventually be upgraded. The question is, will these things bother you? They really bother some people.

The best advice I would give you is rent a night or 2 at each resort, and see what you like best. I think they are comparable in terms of location, and if you decide to rent your points, they are both strong renters.

 

[LSchrow]

both are beautiful, but we own at both & LOVE the BWVs (whereas we only like BCVs. we enjoy our SSR points more).
imho, the big draw at the BCVs is the pool. personally, we've found SAB too crowded & noisy for our tastes (not a great place for a swim, or relaxing....& i've heard many parents who are concerned about their children's safety ~ it is huge & there have been ~ literally ~ masses of ppl during our stays).

we've found both resorts about the same distance to the parks (the difference is negligible). also, no difference in room size or condition, service.

we prefer the views at the BWVs (especially stunning BW view ), the differing point options, the quieter & more elegant atmosphere (though still child friendly), nighttime entertainment (surry bikes, street performers, carny games & food), dining options (the smell of bakery goodies wafting to your BW view balcony in the AM is pure heaven), the pools & community hall. the views are especially important to us as we spend time at our resort, & prefer not seeing busy roads or parking lots while "away from it all". (we would rather walk a few extra steps to our car or use free valet, rather than see a parking lot full of cars ~ keeping that "immersive" feel).

for us at least, BWVs feel more like a luxurious "resort", wheras BCVs feel more like a nice WDW hotel.
hth

 

[MikeNY]

Wow - lots of information to absorb. Thank you so much to everyone who weighed in with their thoughts. I suppose we just need to try both and see which appeals to us more. Thank you!!!

 

[JandD Mom]

I suppose we just need to try both and see which appeals to us more. Thank you!!!

A wise decision. When you find your "home" you will know it!

 

[lisareniff]

Anyone have a preference? We want to add on to be closer to Epcot and DHS.

Good question. I always like to ponder that one. We own at BCV and are currently there now. We just had the most wonderful day at the pool yesterday. Lately I had been thinking I would purchase BWV if I were to do it all over again....until yesterday.

BCV
The pool is great with a nice poolside counter service/bar with roaming waitress.
Dedicated 2 bedroom w/2 queens
Very close self-parking


BWV
Grand Villas
Standard View - very cost effective
Boardwalk view
Views are generally nicer
Community Hall
Boardwalk entertainment
Closer to DHS

I really can't say one has more or better restaurants, being they are both so close to each other that you can easily visit any of the restaurants. The rooms are vary similar and the conditions of the rooms and CMs can swing back and forth a bit. Actually I had the opinion that currently BWV had been getting some negative reviews lately. But that changes every couple years. The views at BCV are nothing to write home about but they are OK, not bad.

My general impression is that BCV is more relaxing. Not just because it isn't "in the middle of things", but because the overall theme is one of relaxation at the beach. BWV's theme is one of business that is shown in the interior design choice in the villas.

 

[Scraper]

As you can see BWV is our favorite resort. We do not own there but have never had trouble staying there. We do not have to go in peek times though.

 

[Disneypirate85]

We have not stayed at BCV YET but we do spend time there on every visit and like it, but we have stayed at BWV and LOVED it (Will be there 6/28-7/5).
So nice to walk to EPCOT and really the walk to DHS was easy and even some tree's along the way so not to bad, even in July lol. We sit in the grass by the Bridge and watch the 4ths fireworks is AWESOME.
Yes some rooms need refurbed but that will come in time
We hope to add on at BWV soon

 

[Simba's Mom]

One plus with BCV (note-I love BCV) is that if it's raining, you can get food easily without getting wet. Getting to BC Marketplace or Cape May is covered. And we love the fact that you can even reach Beaches and Cream without getting wet. The other thing I prefer at BCV is that you can squish your toes in the sand either at Stormalong Bay (which has an area with sand-bottom) or on the beach. Yes, you can walk on the beach even if you stay at BWV, but from BCV it's closer.