BWV - what am I missing?

[Sandisw]

The thing that concerns me about RIV is not the long term but if something would come up and you need to sell soon. There were resales sold at a big loss before it even opened, which means it was never used. I bought BWV in 1999 and it helped my decision to buy knowing I could get close to my money back if I had to sell. At this point, I’ve used it so many times if it was worthless, I wouldn’t care, I got my monies worth and then some.

As far as condition, I don’t have a problem with it. I’ve never been picky about theme, paint colors etc. as long as they don’t take away my boardwalk view, I’m happy.

Very true, but the huge loss does apply to all directly bought contracts, Any resort bought that way and Sold within a short time will take that big hit too.

But, yeah, buying on resale market is the only way to insulate yourself from a huge loss if one has to sell within the first year or two.

 

[Wakey]

The package wins for me at Boardwalk:

1. Hotel is a beautiful design. Very nicely kept.
2. Extremely well managed. I’ve spoken to the management there who have a real attention to detail. One of the managers was walking around with an assistant with clipboard- pointing out every little thing she thought needed fixing. She asked me to please give her a complaint. Only thing I could think of was pool furniture was looking a little worn. She said all new was coming Monday!
3. Theming is the best- 1920s music etc, feels like a sugar coated Boardwalk Empire without the gangsters and prostitutes.
4. Clown pool area is actually very nice, we love the pool.
5. Location of course.
6. Atmosphere is top.
7. As an owner you have a better chance at the incredible value standard rooms.

My favourite resort, but with only 24 years left, I wouldn’t buy, if they offered an extended contract I’d buy an add on tomorrow.

 

[mustinjourney]

The package wins for me at Boardwalk:

1. Hotel is a beautiful design. Very nicely kept.
2. Extremely well managed. I’ve spoken to the management there who have a real attention to detail. One of the managers was walking around with an assistant with clipboard- pointing out every little thing she thought needed fixing. She asked me to please give her a complaint. Only thing I could think of was pool furniture was looking a little worn. She said all new was coming Monday!
3. Theming is the best- 1920s music etc, feels like a sugar coated Boardwalk Empire without the gangsters and prostitutes.
4. Clown pool area is actually very nice, we love the pool.
5. Location of course.
6. Atmosphere is top.
7. As an owner you have a better chance at the incredible value standard rooms.

My favourite resort, but with only 24 years left, I wouldn’t buy, if they offered an extended contract I’d buy an add on tomorrow.

BWV definitely has a great location. Walking to two parks is nice -- and I love me some jellyrolls as well.

Theming actually isn't my favorite -- I prefer BCV vibe (and smell).

Creepy clown is creepy -- but that pool/slide is a better combo for me right now with the ages of my kids. I like that I can easily keep an eye on them as they're going up the stairs and waiting at the top. Slide at BCV is no es bueno.

Standard rooms are an incredible value if you can get them.

Biggest gripe is lack of a good QS -- and if you have resort mugs, they're a huge PITA to refill. Yeah -- you can refill at the pool bar, but I feel bad doing that to the bartender -- so I end up tipping $1 every few refills. And the pool isn't always open -- so this isn't even an option all the time.

I also am not a fan of the lobby not being on the ground floor -- it can make getting around in a stroller awkward.

 

[DebbieB]

BWV definitely has a great location. Walking to two parks is nice -- and I love me some jellyrolls as well.

Theming actually isn't my favorite -- I prefer BCV vibe (and smell).

Creepy clown is creepy -- but that pool/slide is a better combo for me right now with the ages of my kids. I like that I can easily keep an eye on them as they're going up the stairs and waiting at the top. Slide at BCV is no es bueno.

Standard rooms are an incredible value if you can get them.

Biggest gripe is lack of a good QS -- and if you have resort mugs, they're a huge PITA to refill. Yeah -- you can refill at the pool bar, but I feel bad doing that to the bartender -- so I end up tipping $1 every few refills. And the pool isn't always open -- so this isn't even an option all the time.

I also am not a fan of the lobby not being on the ground floor -- it can make getting around in a stroller awkward.

I agree with that. I enjoy Captain Cooks at Poly, Roaring Fork at WL.

 

[Perelandra]

I’m going to come in on the side of BWV is amazing! Love the feel of the early 1900s Boardwalk, the decor, the chandeliers, and music. It’s perfect. Had zero problems with worn down facilities. Having free entertainment right there on the Boardwalk was also some added lagniappe. In addition, AMPLE freakin’ HILLS!!! Throw in the fact that you can walk to a brand new and improved DHS and an EPCOT that will be awesome in a couple years! If you don’t have a problem with the 2042 date, I think it’s a no brainer. I just submitted a contract to AKL for the primary reason of the value, but if they had the same date, I would have gone BWV.

 

[DduzDis]

We just had our first stay at BWV as owners. We rented at BCV and found ourselves hanging out on the boardwalk most of our free time on that trip. We bought without staying there (though I did tour the model room). The only downside was the lack of QS. Filling the cups was not ideal, but not a maker or breaker for the trip for us. We made it work just fine. We love the resort and the proximity to EP and DHS (15 min walk from my room to Rose & Crown on our last trip...:).

I don't think it has been mentioned yet, but the rental market for these points seems strong. I put in with David's and had my points rented within an hour. If for some reason you can't use your points, renting the points is seamless and you can use that to pay for dues in the event the resale market becomes less than desirable as a seller.

 

[Princess Merida]

I do agree with the lack of quick service and refillable mug issue. My family orders drinks from amazon prime so it's not a big issue for us. We usually go to Boardwalk Bakery for breakfast and for dinner it's usually late and we love the pizza window for pizza and sangria. Have to get it each trip no matter where we stay. My little one hates pizza so she goes for a Mickey pretzel at Boardwalk Joe's. Of course if you plan on eating quick service in the evenings daily the pizza window doesn't really offer a variety for you. For dessert.... Ample Hills!!!

 

[BcIcemen]

There aren’t any dedicated 2BRs at BWV, so you’re not just competing with others looking for your same room type. Everyone looking for a studio AND 2BRs needs the studio as per of their reservation because the 2BRs are lockoffs. All studio seekers are competing with those looking for studios and 2BRs, and all 2BR seekers are competing with other 2BR seekers as well as those looking for studios. You can now see why the standard studios go so quickly.

This is my one con against BW. A dedicated 2 bedroom has 3 beds(1K and 2Q) plus pullout. Makes for better family type sleeping arrangements.It does not come into play if you never plan on a 2bedroom.

 

[mustinjourney]

I agree with that. I enjoy Captain Cooks at Poly, Roaring Fork at WL.

I do like Captain Cooks too -- but I haven't made it over there in a couple years now. I found out last year that the salads at GF QS are the kind where you tell them what you want in it, and that has been what I've been going with lately when I'm in that area. So much lighter than normal QS food.

As an aside -- the QS at RIV is really good...and they do mobile ordering...so you can literally put your order in from your room (and tell them you're there) and it will be ready for pickup by the time you get there. I tried 3 or 4 different things there last month and I liked everything I got (portobello burger; margherita pizza; croque monsieur; and crispy chicken breast cutlet -- the risotto was so good).

 

[AKNOTTS66]

I do like Captain Cooks too -- but I haven't made it over there in a couple years now. I found out last year that the salads at GF QS are the kind where you tell them what you want in it, and that has been what I've been going with lately when I'm in that area. So much lighter than normal QS food.

As an aside -- the QS at RIV is really good...and they do mobile ordering...so you can literally put your order in from your room (and tell them you're there) and it will be ready for pickup by the time you get there. I tried 3 or 4 different things there last month and I liked everything I got (portobello burger; margherita pizza; croque monsieur; and crispy chicken breast cutlet -- the risotto was so good).

Ive heard the steak is really good at primo piatto too!

 

[minnie king]

Boardwalk is one of our home resorts and we love it!!! I find it hard to try a different resort. Location is amazing!!

 

[RoseGold]

I don't understand why anyone would buy any of the 23 year resorts at this point, unless you really love them that much you will accept the financial hit. If this discussion were five or ten years ago, it made more sense. It's going to get harder and harder to sell as they approach the end of their life.

But I would never cram five into a studio anyway, so I don't travel the same way you do. The Poly studios are bigger, if that matters to you.

 

[mustinjourney]

I don't understand why anyone would buy any of the 23 year resorts at this point, unless you really love them that much you will accept the financial hit. If this discussion were five or ten years ago, it made more sense. It's going to get harder and harder to sell as they approach the end of their life.

But I would never cram five into a studio anyway, so I don't travel the same way you do. The Poly studios are bigger, if that matters to you.

if you're over the age of 60 -- they make a lot of sense.

If you want to walk to epcot -- they make a lot of sense.

If location is the most important factor to you -- they make a lot of sense.

For many...$$$ is not the most important factor. Accessibility, theming, location, pool, etc...make up for the increased costs. (I'm speaking of BWV and BCV -- not the other 2042 resorts).

 

[_auroraborealis_]

if you're over the age of 60 -- they make a lot of sense.

If you want to walk to epcot -- they make a lot of sense.

If location is the most important factor to you -- they make a lot of sense.

For many...$$$ is not the most important factor. Accessibility, theming, location, pool, etc...make up for the increased costs. (I'm speaking of BWV and BCV -- not the other 2042 resorts).

Well, she did say "unless you really love them that much you will accept the financial hit."

OP doesn't sound keen on that and has minor children.

 

[mattpeto]

We're getting a little closer to honing in on a resort / contract that will work really well for us. Foregoing direct RIV purchase because of the resale restrictions.

Talk to me about Board Walk Villas. I'm looking at this resale and it seems like it might hit all the right marks for us, but am I missing some piece of wisdom that you guys know about that I don't?

Pros:
Proximity to parks - LOVE the walking distance to Epcot and HS - plus gondola access in the event that service will be extended in the future
Refurbished rooms - from what I'm seeing all the rooms have been refurbished and look really fresh and clean
Low points per stay - I was actually really surprised to see how low the points per stay is that this resort 78 points for a studio during our preferred travel time - what?!?!
Studio sleeps five - we are a family of 5 so that's a must.
Decent price per point on the resale market
Fun pool area for the kids

Cons:
New restrictions mean we cannot stay at any of the new resorts
Shorter contract expiring in 22 years - can't decide if this is actually a PRO or a CON - maybe not being locked in for 50 years might be an okay place to start?

SO - I'm throwing it out to you guys - what am I not considering here? Is there some secret that I'm not factoring in? Is it SUPER hard to book into this resort because of everything I've mentioned above? Anything I should know? Thanks so much

I'm in the same spot as you. I just finished a wonderful vacation at Boardwalk Inn and my family was completely floored at the resort and the location. I'm looking into resales as we speak, but realize it's not a cost effective decision until probably the 5th or 6th visit and that doesn't include maintenance fees which are the huge unknown it seems.

With the expiration approaching, it can't be an investment strategy decision. On the other hand, I like the concept of making Disney more affordable as each time we just need to buy the park tickets going forward.

 

[mustinjourney]

Well, she did say "unless you really love them that much you will accept the financial hit."

OP doesn't sound keen on that and has minor children.

I have minor children as well -- but 23 years of usage is a really long time. Life's too short to compromise on some things.

 

[TexasChick123]

I think if you like a resort, you should buy it and enjoy it. We sold BWV because it ended up not being a great fit for the family. However, we bought it and owned it for a year, so the difference in useable years left was only 1 year.

Anyone looking for the best deal should just buy SSR and be done with it. Nothing else is as good of a deal. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Life is stressful enough on its own. DVC ownership should be fun. We bought one BLT contract for $100pp and spent $135pp just 1.5 years later because the price jumped that much! I’m not stressed about it especially when I’m enjoying my stays at BLT.