Can not make my mind up

[LSW]

I would like to rent points for our vacation to WDW in 2006 3/12 - 3/18

I am wavering between Wilderness Villas and Beach Villas.

Our party consists of two adults and a five year old. We will spend equal time in all the parks

I have a couple of questions I need to get answered to help me determine where to stay:

Does either of these resorts have a "self " serve restaurant? - like the food courts of the moderate priced hotels. I know the Contempary has one. We do not like to always pay the price for room service or spend time in a sit down rest. Speaking of room service - DVC Villas can get room service if they want?

Do all of the studio rooms have a patio or balcony? When my DD is falling asleep - my DH and I need a place to retreat to and I would rather avoid paying for us to have a one bedroom.

DD also loves to go in the pool but has no interest in slides etc.. Just getting in with her bubble and dad. Which one has the closest pool to the villas?

Do the Wilderness and Beach require the same number of points?

Hopefully the responses I get will allow me to narror my choice.

Thank you

 

[spiceycat]

for VWL you can use Roaring Folks and for BCV the new marketplace at the BC. not to mention Beaches and Cream.

Yes, both have room service.

I am pretty sure that both have balconies - I have never stayed in a DVC resort w/o a balcony.

both also have a quiet pool just outside their doors. - no help am I....

I would go with VWL because then your daughter won't see the big swimming pool at BC/Yc and won't bother you to swim in it.

of course since all the parks are in your plan. BCV is close to 2 parks Epcot and Studios. VWL is only close to the MK.

 

[Cinderella]

I would vote VWL as it also has a paddling pool for younger kids to play in in addition to both main pools and a self service restaurant. Also the balconies are bigger at the lodge than at BCV. Yes villas have room service.

 

[kathleena]

I'm gonna echo Spicey Cat on most items and add:

There is quick food available at both. Plus - with BCV - easy to go over to Epcot or over to the BoardWalk.

Yes, all studios have a balcony.

As for the pool - the quiet pool is same distance from either. And the pool at BC/YC (called Stormalong Bay) has a wonderful sandbar area for kids and a kiddie pool and a very short slide in the pirate ship. Plus it has a lazy river, a whirlpool and just goes on and on forever. I think if you plan on a lot of pool time, you should definately check out SAB. Not as close as the quiet pool, but really not far away either.

The VWL and BCV are the same points.

I don't think you can go wrong with either one, based on the questions you ask, but I do think I would lean towards BCV for the two park location, the BW activities, and the food options.

Oh and there is also mini-golf a short walk away!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Yes, all studios have a balcony.

Almost all! There is one studio at VWL without a balcony. I can't remember the room #, but I think it's on the fourth floor. I found this out when the people who had gotten it came into the DVC sales center while we were there-it was their first trip home and they weren't too happy!

 

[clutter]

Much as I LOVE BC, it really falls short in "self-serve" food category. Both the marketplace and Beaches and Cream have extremly limited menus. There's no breakfast at Beaches and Cream and while the breakfasts at the Marketplace were interesting to me, I couldn't feed my pancakes-and-bacon loving child there.

 

[tamu91]

VWL is my home resort so I might get little partial before this post ends but from reading your post, I can't imagine you'd be disappointed with the Beach Club. It's a short boat ride to MGM and you can walk to Epcot. There are some fantastic venues on Boardwalk which is just on the other side of the lake and no resort on-site has the pool like SAB.
Your DD might not want to leave the pool and you save on the park admissions

 

[Anniegirl]

splitting your stay between the 2 resorts? I am thinking a 5 year old would find MK to be the most fun so VWL would be great for spending large chunks of time there for a couple of days. It is just a boat ride to the MK! Our boys are 5, 2 1/2 and 6 months and we plan on spending th ebulk ofour time at MK this summer for our trip, thus we booked VWL. A few days into your trip you can relocate to BCV for the pool time and easy access to EPCOT and MGM. for another couple of days. There is no rule that you have to stay at one location for the whole time you are there. Frankly, I don't think you can go wrong with either resort, so do both!

 

[LSW]

everyone made some really good points.

Speaking of points - I will be renting them. Once the rental rate is determined does that include all taxes and fees? Or should I plan on paying an additional amount.

Thanks

 

[dianeschlicht]

everyone made some really good points.

Speaking of points - I will be renting them. Once the rental rate is determined does that include all taxes and fees? Or should I plan on paying an additional amount.

Thanks

There are no taxes involved when renting points from a DVC owner. We are not a business, so we can't charge tax.

 

[LSW]

Just curious

so when you are a DCV owner the hotel does not charge you "taxes/fees" when you stay there?

We are thinking of becoming a DCV owner and I am just starting to learn about the program.

 

[DisneyKidds]

I'll second the motion to split your stay..........because we do on just about every trip now, and we usually split between the BCV and VWL.

BC is my better half's favorite resort, and the WL is her second fave and our home resort. For us it's hard to imagine a trip that doesn't include time at both. In fact, our last trip didn't and my DW really missed the BCV.

BC Pros......Stormalong Bay (incredible, especially for young kids), direct access to Epcot and the Studios, Beaches and Cream and access to restaurants, shops, activities on the Boardwalk, decor of the resort/villas if you are into 'beachy'.

BC Cons.......can't think of any. Perhaps lack of fast food/food court.

WL Pros.......Boat access to MK, very nice pool, guyser (stream actually flows out of the lobby, over waterfalls, down to the main pool - kids love running over the bridge in the lobby), most relaxing spot on Disney property (that would be the Hidden Springs pool area and hot tub over by the villas), Whispering Canyon, Electrical Water Pageant from the beach, decor of the resort/villas, even if you aren't into 'woodsy'.

WL Cons........can't think of any.

So, you can see why deciding one over the other is next to impossible.

As for your taxes question, there will be no taxes on top of whatever rental price you agree on. As for members, taxes are paid as part of our annual maintenance fees. Cost of ownership includes the original purchase price, plus annual maintenance fees.

 

[LSW]

I would like to confirm that the studio at either the Villas at the Wilderness or the villas at the Beach have a queen bed and a pull out sofa - full?

Also if I am planning on staying in 3/06 can I rent points now? should I? and if so how do I found out how many I need?

THis is a great resource. I could spend hours just reading everyones comments.

Thank you

 

[spiceycat]

definite try for a reservation now.

You need a reservation.

Sun-thurs studio BCV or VWL 14 points so depending upon who you rent from could be $140 to $168 ($12 a point) to $196 ($14 a point) per night - this is Sun to Thurs only!!!

this is Spring break time so I would see if someone could get it for you NOW.

 

[LSW]

I can not find information about the new "marketplace" at Beaches

can someone tell me about it?

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Here's a link to the menu at the Beach Club Marketplace:

http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_bcmp.htm

 

[dizplanner]

Right now, to reserve you will need to find an owner of the resort you are interested in. For example, we are going the same week you are and I have a reservation at VWL. In August we can try to book at the other resorts. I am going to try for either BCV (for the pool and access to Epcot and MGM - I have two teens plus two younger cousins are coming) or OKW (lower points, more room). But if I can't switch, I'm happy with VWL.