BWV vs. BCV

[crisi]

Do you have kids?
My kids much prefer SAB.

SAB is a really cool pool, but its also a really hard pool to watch kids in. For about six years I wouldn't stay at SAB with our kids - from five or so to eleven....old enough to be able to get some "pool independence" from Mom, young enough that I wanted to be able to count heads.

It is a really cool pool, though. It just might not be worth the grey hair depending on a person's parenting style and their kids.

 

[DizGirl20]

BCV has an uglier couch. But it isn't as ugly as the shower curtain in a BWV studio.

(I haven't seen the new BWV shower curtains though, and the rooms just got refreshed. Its possible that the new BWV shower curtains are more attractive than the BCV couch).

 

[TALB]

We have two children 8 & 12. They are part of the reason we like these two resorts. We like the idea that in a few more years there will be lots for them to do in the evenings. Those of you with teenagers do you feel comfortable letting them explore the area alone? We originally considered SSR for the availability of DTD but the decided it was too far from the parks. Anyones thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[JWG]

BWV = Better views from boardwalk view (Epcot & Fireworks from boardwalk view), more entertainment options (dining/clubs/dancing/activities), access to bikes, more active/stuff going on

BCV = Better pools, access to the evening beachfront movie, access to a beach, access to water recreation, closer to Epcot (shorter walk) and International Gateway, less "noisy" with less activity than down on the boardwalk

BWV= Slightly less in resale right now

Both are great, and I think, best located DVC options in WDW. Walking distance to two of the four parks and possible monorail access to MK if you don't mind the 10-12 minute walk to Epcot first.

 

[Poohs Pal]

BWV is a shorter walk to your room from Jellyrolls. (Jellyrolls is an adult only dueling piano bar on the Boardwalk...one of the great places to go at WDW!!!!!)

Now your talking true advantage

 

[pmhacker]

BWV is a shorter walk to your room from Jellyrolls. (Jellyrolls is an adult only dueling piano bar on the Boardwalk...one of the great places to go at WDW!!!!!)

I agree. Jelly Roll is awesome.

 

[Carmell226]

We stayed a BCV in January and loved it. We really don't mind walking but I did not find the walk to SAB that long. This may because in the past we stayed at CSR and that is a very spread out resort. We really enjoyed the quietness of BCV and we had an Epcot view, meaning at night we could watch Illuminations from our balcony which was pretty awesome. On the mornings we were going to walk to HS we would first swing by the Boardwalk Bakery for Coffee and Pastries. I really think staying at BCV offers the "best of both worlds" because you are SO close to the Boardwalk entertainment, yet you have access to SAB.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

BCV has an uglier couch. But it isn't as ugly as the shower curtain in a BWV studio.

(I haven't seen the new BWV shower curtains though, and the rooms just got refreshed. Its possible that the new BWV shower curtains are more attractive than the BCV couch).

Priceless post!!!

 

[Camping Griswalds]

If you are torn, why not buy at both? i don't know how many points you want, but I might consider two 100 point contracts, one at each resort, with same use year. Then you can use all of the points at one resort, but switch homes if you want and still have an 11 month booking window.

 

[DizGirl20]

OP - Just curious, what did you decide to go with... BCV or BWV? We are staying at BCV in just a few days - I can't wait! I am worried I am going to fall in love with it and want to buy a small contract there!

 

[yekcoh_99]

We stayed a BCV in January and loved it. We really don't mind walking but I did not find the walk to SAB that long. This may because in the past we stayed at CSR and that is a very spread out resort. We really enjoyed the quietness of BCV and we had an Epcot view, meaning at night we could watch Illuminations from our balcony which was pretty awesome. On the mornings we were going to walk to HS we would first swing by the Boardwalk Bakery for Coffee and Pastries. I really think staying at BCV offers the "best of both worlds" because you are SO close to the Boardwalk entertainment, yet you have access to SAB.

Could you please tell me what room that was?

 

[Jerry@dvcstore]

They are both fantastic resorts, either choice would be fine resort to either purchase or stay at.

 

[3DisneyKids]

I think I read somewhere that the walk around Cresent Lake is only .9 mile. There is also a boat that takes you across from Beach Club to Boardwalk . To me it seems funny when people compare the two because they are so close, all the restaurants in the area are close to both of them.

Definitely much shorter, if you are talking about "the loop." There is a loop that goes all the way around the BW, to Beach and Yacht, past the Swan/Dolphin and back to BW. This loop is more like .6 mile (I ran it like 12 times last time there in order to get a run in). But if you are just going door-to-door from BW to BC, it is maybe a 5 minute walk. Quick and easy if you are able-bodied.

Back to the OP--we love both, you really can't go wrong. If pressed to choose one over the other, I would go with BCV because of the Marketplace being right there and SAB. And the reason the Marketplace is a big draw is because there really isn't anywhere in or on the BW where you can get a true CS meal. The Screen Door (at BW) has things like milk and cereal for the villa, but not sandwiches and wraps, etc. And sure, there is the BW Bakery, but their offerings are more limited and the line in the mornings is often quite long. And if you are interested in the BW "Nightlife" it is literally nothing to walk over to it from BCV. We like SAB better than the BW pool as there is a greater variety and it is larger, though really both are fine. BCV is definitely smaller and it feels that way. Definitely a more intimate resort than BWV. But again, you can't go wrong. Not sure what MFs are at the current time, but you might want to factor that in as well--if there is a big discrepancy that might make a difference for you.

 

[Scraper]

BCV is my favorite. I have stayed at BWV 3 times and have had to use extra points for a garden- pool view because the standerd views were booked. Twice I have seen nothing but tree branches and twice the front desk was rude. I have stayed at BCV many times and have always had a pleasent vacation. This last trip in May we had to lieve for a family emergency and the BCV said they would make sure we got our points back and we did. If we ever purchase more points it will be at the BCV.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

Love them both!!!!! We stay more often at the BCV's because we bought in there but the BWV's was our first resort at Disney as a family and we stayed there so many times . I like that you can park so close to the Resort at the BC and it is smaller and pretty quiet at night. It is so close to Epcot. We love the restaurants at the BC/YC and tend to use the quiet pools. The Boardwalk does have so nice views though and we walk over there all the time in the evening for dinner or activities. Either way you can't miss.

 

[Sammie]

They both have a lot to offer. If you like BCV for access to SAB then you best buy at BCV, it is smaller and harder to get at 7 months that BWV's are. Also if you like the pool at BWV, you can always pool hop over to it, but not to SAB.

Distance from the villas to SAB is certainly no further than to the pool at BWV from some of the rooms, so to me that would not even be a consideration at all.

BCV does have a small counter service restaurant where BWV does not. If you want a restaurant at BWV you do have to leave your room and go out of the hotel down to the Boardwalk.

I am sure many enjoy that, but in the heat of the summer or during a storm we enjoy the convenience of being able to get to a restaurant at the Beach Club or Yacht Club without going outside.

Views from the villa, no question BWV views are much better.

If you want a Grand Villa, then BWV, as there are none at BCV.

Self parking, hands down BCV wins this one, parking at BWV is horrible in my opinion and made worse now that valet is not free.

It truly depends on what appeals to you and your family as they both offer alot but are different in some ways.

 

[randy55]

We are BCV owners and we just returned from a 1 week stay at BWV, our first and probably last stay at BWV. The room was great, we enjoyed watching the World Cup on the flat panel televisions, our view was okay.

Our Issues:

First, there are long hallways with only one set of elevators at BWV, BVC has shorter halls and have 2 elevator locations. So our room was on the 4th floor more than 2/3 the way down the hallway towards the parking lot. Anytime we wanted to use the car or go to the bus stop we had to walk back to the elevators (unless you wanted to walk down stairs) then walk back the direction we just came from, because there was only one elevator location in the middle of the long length of BWV. This part of Boardwalk, with the long hallways should have had three elevator locations.

Second, BWV's parking is far away from the building, but BCV's parking is off the end of one of the BCV wings, very easy to get to for those that have a car, like us. We like to drive to the grocery store and go off site to eat a few times during our week stay.

Third, We dislike the hassle of the Disney bus system but our favorite park is Epcot, within walking distance, and I would guess the walk from our BWV room was 3 or 4 times the distance the walk we usually have from BCV location. Not a big deal originally, but now that I'm getting older it is becoming a bigger deal.

Again, Boardwalk Villas, is a nice location, but when you look at how we vacation, BCV fits our needs much better. So, when you are selecting which DVC location you want to purchase, think about how you like to vacation and what is important to you, to help you decide.

Good Luck!

 

[Ms.Minnie]

Technically you do have to go outside to get to any restaurant or counter service at the BCV. BCV is a stand-alone building added onto the BC not part of the original structure.
Depending on what route you take from BCV to the main building the walkway is covered.

My favorite is BWV, long hallways and all. I find the long hallways are equivalent to the walk from the lobby of the main building of BC to the BCV rooms. That being said, they are both very nice resorts in a great location. I prefer BWV for the BW views. We don’t have a car while in Disney so parking isn’t an issue for us. I can understand the benefit of the close parking at BCV but that also gives a lot of parking lot view at no reduction in pt cost for that view while staying at BCV.

Both resorts are very nice, it is a personal choice only you can make. I suggest you make a list of all the pros & cons for each resort then go with you heart.

 

[LSchrow]

Also, people have mentioned that it is noisy at BCV. Does the noise bother you when trying to sleep at night?

in a few stays there, we found the highest noise levels and congestion in the lobby and pools
almost every morning (multiple trips) we were awakened by yelling, crying, and screaming in the BCV hallways. the noise level went down somewhat during the day (when ppl were out of their rooms), and normally peaked again around 10pm to midnight.
BCVs seem to have a lot of little ones, who understandably get cranky around those times. unfortunately, those are also the times most other ppl are trying to sleep