Bwv. Yes or no?!

[disneyobessed]

Anyone "not" like BWV..? We usually stay at BCV but are going to try bwv nextnyr. My concern is no as to refill my mug... Is that a reason alone not to enjoy it? Pool isn't a factor.. We like the Clown!

 

[DizBub]

Other than the notoriously long hallways (and only 1 set of elevators) the only problem I have with BWV is the parking/dropping off luggage situation. Of course, if you're not driving there is no issue. It's really a great resort. Hope you enjoy it!

 

[CajunMomof3]

The mugs were an issue, but it was not a deal breaker for us. In fact, the bakery on the boardwalk and the pool bar gave us our drinks in to go cups which meant no mug washing (or coffee flavored diet coke- lol)!

DH says I have to add that I never did get my bearings inside the building. But that is pretty normal for me

 

[OKW Lover]

Got to agree with DizDub above.

Your room can be pretty far away from the lobby. Much further than the furthest part of BCV from the BC lobby. OTOH, you may just get lucky and be near the elevator.

Also agree that the parking situation at BW is significantly worse than BCV if you have a car.

The units themselves are pretty much the same except for the paint job.

 

[Dean]

Anyone "not" like BWV..? We usually stay at BCV but are going to try bwv nextnyr. My concern is no as to refill my mug... Is that a reason alone not to enjoy it? Pool isn't a factor.. We like the Clown!

We prefer it over BCV. You can refill the mugs at the pool or Bakery and one of the boardwalk venders as well and we too prefer getting a cup rather than having to clean the mugs.

 

[spiceycat]

my problem is going out on the BW to get anything to eat.

now the pool does fix somethings - but really want really food.

so make sure when you stay here you are prepared to walk out of the hotel for most of your meals or order out - otherwise make sure you can go to a grocery store - or have a grocery deliver

 

[drusba]

Being owners, BWV is and likely always will be our first choice. However, it has one major downside: the worst bus system on earth. Thankfully it exists for only two parks. That problem has existed for years. Recently Disney added a new problem but it is not unique to BWV, it went real cheap and put in a wireless system that is much worse than any of the decent hotels i have ever been in (and that is a lot), worse than even the ones I previously thought had very poor service. The "suits" who made that decision on the wireless should not just be fired, they should be summarily executed.

 

[tjkraz]

Parking is worst among all DVCs. Bus service isn't great, either. Fortunately you don't need either to visit two of the parks.

The long hallways are no big deal if you can walk stairs since there are stairwells throughout the resort. It was a pain in the rear when our kids were younger and we were lugging a stroller around. These days, no big deal.

We aren't refillable mug people so that's a non-issue here.

The One Bedroom and larger villas aren't as spacious as the likes of BLT or AKV.

Personally I find the entire look and feel of the resort to be charming. That whole BoardWalk atmosphere--even with the carnival barkers and the live performers--is unlike any other Disney resort. And it's unique to most non-Disney resorts.

Every resort has its drawbacks. It's mostly a matter of determining what you are willing to overlook when weighing pros and cons. Transportation is a pain at BW but the other, more positive aspects of the resort outweigh that for our family.

 

[Deb & Bill]

BWV is our least favorite resort. We always drive and parking is horrid there. The long corridor seems endless with only one elevator bank. And the BW dining facilities are not among our favorite.

We prefer OKW and SSR with their neighborhood feel. But we do like VWL for the Yellowstone feel and BCV for the closeness to Epcot (and great parking there and two elevator banks).

BWV just feels to hectic to us. We prefer the feeling of being away from it all.

But that's good for other members because we aren't fighting to get one of their favorite spaces.

 

[Dean]

my problem is going out on the BW to get anything to eat.

now the pool does fix somethings - but really want really food.

so make sure when you stay here you are prepared to walk out of the hotel for most of your meals or order out - otherwise make sure you can go to a grocery store - or have a grocery deliver

I know some are put off by the restaurants being on the Boardwalk rather than in the hotel but this isn't an issue to us.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I love the whole feel of the resort, it gives me that "vacation" feeling. Views all around the resort are pretty good. Hallways can be long but once you find the shortcuts (staircases) it really isn't a problem. Give it a try!

 

[Caren90]

In my opinion, a Boardwalk view forgives the hallways, parking, bus system, and Clown pool. For me, nothing beats sitting on the balcony, overlooking the boardwalk and sipping a glass of wine.
Stephen

 

[disneyobessed]

Thank you for the responses!! We do have a rental car. The bus servive as BCV is just as bad! We learned!

 

[Brian Noble]

My take is that the two are more alike than they are different. The biggest difference is "vibe". BWV is a bit more "in the middle of the action" with the boardwalk right there. BCV is a bit more on the quiet side. Depends on what you are looking for.

 

[LSchrow]

BWV is our favorite resort!
we prefer it over the BCVs, which we also own at but find too loud and busy (inside and at the pool) for our tastes.
we haven't had problems with what some people dislike. we use the stairwells rather than elevators whenever possible, so no long walks (even at the BCV, you would need to walk a while to get to the pool, lobby, etc).
they keep non-BWI/BWV guests out of the main lot, so no parking problems. even the far awy parking spots are just a few minute walk to the lobby. if carrying groceries, just drop one person near lobby while the other parks. we do buy a lot of groceries, but we enjoy the short walk and have not found it neccessary tho (and we greatly prefer not hearing, seeing and smelling cars from our room!).
there are so many options/activities: community hall (ping-pong, dvd rentals, video & board games, crafts, etc), funnel cakes, surrey bikes, bakery, restaurants, tennis, face painting, jelly rolls, belle vue lounge, street performers, carny games, etc. or you could do as we do quite often: find one of the many quiet areas, such as the back balcony, the little nook below it, the croquet lawn, etc....and just relax. just strolling around the resort is one of our favorite pasttimes. as you must know, both DHS and EPCOT are just a walk away...as well as fantasia mini-golf
if there was one compliant i had to pick, i think it would be the bus system (same as BCV tho). however, even that has greatly improved - there has always been a cM at the depot to insure the buses are running regularly now. personally, we just drive to the DTD, where the buses are the worst.

and BW view......there is literally nothing like it in the world!!

 

[DebbieB]

my problem is going out on the BW to get anything to eat.

now the pool does fix somethings - but really want really food.

so make sure when you stay here you are prepared to walk out of the hotel for most of your meals or order out - otherwise make sure you can go to a grocery store - or have a grocery deliver

Most of the WDW DVC's do not have a restaurant within the building with the rooms. The only one I can think of is AKV. You could have a long walk at OKW or SSR to get to a restaurant.

 

[CRobin]

Being owners, BWV is and likely always will be our first choice. However, it has one major downside: the worst bus system on earth. Thankfully it exists for only two parks. That problem has existed for years. Recently Disney added a new problem but it is not unique to BWV, it went real cheap and put in a wireless system that is much worse than any of the decent hotels i have ever been in (and that is a lot), worse than even the ones I previously thought had very poor service. The "suits" who made that decision on the wireless should not just be fired, they should be summarily executed.

Agree wholeheartedly on both points. That wireless is terrible. As for the buses, anytime I am heading from a park back to BWV, I have scouts posted at SD / YCBC bus shops and 90% of the time we grab a Swan bus and walk over.

 

[spiceycat]

Most of the WDW DVC's do not have a restaurant within the building with the rooms. The only one I can think of is AKV. You could have a long walk at OKW or SSR to get to a restaurant.

bwv was the first of their share w/hotel resorts. So it is not in the same category as okw or ssr which would say are comjmunity - not hotel/tijmeshare which is what BWV.

at VWL, BCV, Blt and AKV (jambo house) - you can easily walk under cover (in case of rain) to the restuarants. You can't at BWV.

now do own at BWV and like it - but for the standard points - plus its location.

 

[petrola]

We just got back from BWV and absolutely loved it! It was very charming, with the boardwalk right in front of the hotel with all its shops and restaurants. Plenty of options for dining - we loved taking our morning stroll over to BW bakery for coffee and thought the Flying Fish restaurant was wonderful. Walk to Epcot was very convenient and we have a three year old who loved the walk as well. (granted it took a little longer with stopping to say "hi" to every duck she saw on the way!)

I would not hesitate to stay there again. the clown pool, kiddie pool area and quiet pool were all lovely and resort was not crowded at all. Hope to go back there soon...

 

[BEASLYBOO]

We've always liked the BWV. I don't care about refillable mugs, we have drinks in our villa. Parking, we've always been able to park, walking's not an issue and the buses are no worse/better than any other resort. The Boardwalk and it's surrounding areas offers quite a variety of restaurants. It's lovely at night. We love the bakery, my son goes down every morning for croissants when we're there. (I wish OKW had it's own bakery)

I've always found BCV boring, without views! Much prefer BCW!

It all depends on what's truly important to you!