Epcot Area resort advice

[Ms.Minnie]

But if you are staying in BWV you just walk a little way down crescent lake and then go in the BC entrance or the BCV entrance. If we walk to HS we walk right past the launch. It doesn’t seem all that inconvenient to me.

Sorry I'm not following your train of thought. Are you talking about taking the boat from BWV to BC? If that is what you are talking about you are correct. I was talking about taking the boat from BC/BCV to Epcot which is what I said in my original comment. Sorry for any confusion and it's not really a big issue, just something I was pointing out.

My original comment: "The downside of using the boat to go to Epcot or Skyliner while staying at BC/BCVs is it's a long walk to the boat launch, you're heading in the wrong direction if you want to go to Epcot. The boat ramp is much closer at the BW/BWVs. I'm sure this isn't a deal breaker but I wanted to point it out just incase. "

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Sorry I'm not following your train of thought. Are you talking about taking the boat from BWV to BC? If that is what you are talking about you are correct. I was talking about taking the boat from BC/BCV to Epcot which is what I said in my original comment. Sorry for any confusion and it's not really a big issue, just something I was pointing out.

My original comment: "The downside of using the boat to go to Epcot or Skyliner while staying at BC/BCVs is it's a long walk to the boat launch, you're heading in the wrong direction if you want to go to Epcot. The boat ramp is much closer at the BW/BWVs. I'm sure this isn't a deal breaker but I wanted to point it out just incase. "

Sorry, I was typing on my phone. From
BCV the boat to HS is on the way to HS walking so it isn’t in that inconvenient.

 

[Ms.Minnie]

Sorry, I was typing on my phone. From
BCV the boat to HS is on the way to HS walking so it isn’t in that inconvenient.

Agreed but that's not what I was talking about.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

My original comment: "The downside of using the boat to go to Epcot or Skyliner while staying at BC/BCVs is it's a long walk to the boat launch, you're heading in the wrong direction if you want to go to Epcot. The boat ramp is much closer at the BW/BWVs. I'm sure this isn't a deal breaker but I wanted to point it out just incase. "

I'm not sure why one would ever go to the boat to go to Epcot. It's less than a 5 minute walk from the BCV gate to the International Gateway and even closer to the Skyliner. Just seems like kind of a silly objection, even in an "in case" scenario.

 

[stwaldman]

I'm not sure why one would ever go to the boat to go to Epcot. It's less than a 5 minute walk from the BCV gate to the International Gateway and even closer to the Skyliner. Just seems like kind of a silly objection, even in an "in case" scenario.

ha yeah, we bought at VGF for the walkway. both epcot walks seem quite mild compared to the walk from VGF in Florida heat :-D

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

ha yeah, we bought at VGF for the walkway. both epcot walks seem quite mild compared to the walk from VGF in Florida heat :-D

We go in January so the heat isn't really a factor but we always walk BC to HS. It's faster in the morning and our way to decompress in the afternoon/evenings.

We also walked from MK to Poly the one time we stayed there for the same reason. The walkway to VGF was definitely a game changer for us.

 

[Ms.Minnie]

I'm not sure why one would ever go to the boat to go to Epcot. It's less than a 5 minute walk from the BCV gate to the International Gateway and even closer to the Skyliner. Just seems like kind of a silly objection, even in an "in case" scenario.

OK I'm calling UNCLE!

 

[dvc lover 1970]

does BCV not have a community hall? This might actually be a dealbreaker for us, as those types of activities are pretty much perfect for the age we're going into (especially if the weather doesnt cooperate for a day) and might sway us to BWV. We loved the BLT one even on our last trip because they had baby toys and disney toys there even for the little ones.

Bwv has a much better community hall. Bcv has some activites in the solarium but it pales in comparison to bwv community hall

 

[Sandisw]

I'm not sure why one would ever go to the boat to go to Epcot. It's less than a 5 minute walk from the BCV gate to the International Gateway and even closer to the Skyliner. Just seems like kind of a silly objection, even in an "in case" scenario.

We took it when I had a friend with knee issues and so we limited the walk to parks to help out. It was enough to help

 

[kboo]

We've stayed at all 3 with little kids (baby times to present), and actually went as far as making offers on BWV and BCV before RIV was a thing. (Now we own at RIV). We love all 3 but I would recommend RIV, especially if you're going to be in a studio:

BCV: pros: close to EP, cons: no views, long walk to SAB pool. which isn't really laid out well for little kids. (If you're in a 1br, the bathroom layout in BCV and BWV is a little wacky - I feel like there's some wasted space there.

BWV: pros: close to both parks, kiddie pool and playground, Boardwalk area is fun; cons: no splashpad, hallways can be loooong especially with a stroller. One elevator bank isn't super close if you're walking to HS with a stroller, and sometimes you'll have to wait.

RIV: pros: terrific layout in studios (similar to VGF studios with split bath and 2 places to shower), if your toddler is in a crib there is usually a little space near the bathroom that's a little out of the way where they can sleep; nice views for after baby goes to bed. splashpad and pool are well laid out for little kids, excellent food, skyliner is fun. community hall is fun. (if you're there over Xmas you can let them know your room number and we got personalized letters from Santa back in 2021) cons: not walkable to EP/HS (but I find the skyliner to be more than adequate; we've stayed there 4 times and never had to bus to/from EP or HS)

If I had to rank studios: RIV, BWV, BCV

We stayed at Beach Club in November with a 4 and 6 year old.... the pool at BCV is cool, but really over whelming with young kids that are not strong swimmers.... lot's of different areas, the lazy river is really deep, the small slide that would be for the 2 year old is across the walk-way outside of the pool area. The large sandy area is fun, but there isn't a "splash pad" area for young kids. We started going to Disney when my youngest was just shy of 2 and he loved the pools that had the smaller splash pads so he could do slides. Of the 3 resorts you mentioned only Riviera has the splash pad area for young kids. Not sure how important the pool is? I will say the walkability to Epcot and HS is great from either BCV or BWV... BWV will be closer to HS. We love when we are able to walk back to the resort for a break!

We have stayed at BCV a few times starting when my younger one was a toddler (she is now 6 and a pretty strong swimmer). SAB is a huge favorite with my kids now, but it was challenging with a toddler because even in the sandy beach area, the sand was uneven enough that she would fall down and end up underwater because she insisted on walking in chest deep water. So I ended up crouching/sitting while she explored. It wasn't really restful.

ha yeah, we bought at VGF for the walkway. both epcot walks seem quite mild compared to the walk from VGF in Florida heat

LOL. We bought before the walkway, were super excited to use the walkway, used it once in December, and went back to using the boat "home." Monorail at rope drop, boat home FTW. (The boats to VGF are really only a pain if you have a stroller to fold, but they are the best kept secret... oops)

 

[Ms.Minnie]

stwaldman said:
ha yeah, we bought at VGF for the walkway. both epcot walks seem quite mild compared to the walk from VGF in Florida heat

LOL. We bought before the walkway, were super excited to use the walkway, used it once in December, and went back to using the boat "home." Monorail at rope drop, boat home FTW. (The boats to VGF are really only a pain if you have a stroller to fold, but they are the best kept secret... oops)

This is what I was thinking, after walking around a park all day why would you want to walk home? I thought it was just me but maybe not. LOL glad I'm not the only one.

 

[kboo]

stwaldman said:
ha yeah, we bought at VGF for the walkway. both epcot walks seem quite mild compared to the walk from VGF in Florida heat



This is what I was thinking, after walking around a park all day why would you want to walk home? I thought it was just me but maybe not. LOL glad I'm not the only one.

And we are big time walkers. Our record was 20 min from our villa at BCV to the Brown Derby for a dinner reservation. Sort of negated that pre-dinner shower.

ETA: I LOVE that walking is an option with VGF now, at least if the lines are awful for mono and boat, you can walk. But nothing beats the BLT stroll.

 

[Shellyred8]

Hi all!

Looking for suggestions or pros/cons We're doing a sit stay (holiday time) with VGF (home resort) and and Epcot Area resort, three nights each. We're a party of three (two year old at time of travel) and likely to stay in a 1br but would consider a studio if it's "roomy" considering there's a toddler in tow. Looking for suggestions on BCV vs BWV vs RIV

P.s. im squatting a reservation short one night, so I'm not concerned about availability at this time.

Editing to add we will be going into the parks which is the driver of wanting and Epcot Area split, but we're not "open to close" people considering the age of our daughter. So resort activities matter at least somewhat!

I would vote for BWV. The main pool area isn't quite as overwhelming as SAB. There is also a nice non-pool play area right next to the main pool that is good for toddlers. If the main pool area is really busy, you can pop over to the quiet pool that is next to the community hall.

The only downside to BWV is that most of the eating options are outside. So, if it's raining, you have to go out in the rain to get your food.

 

[Lumpy1106]

The only real con to the Epcot area is that food options aren’t great at BC or BW. I don’t like having to rely on the skyliner so I wouldn’t think to go over to Riviera for something quick. So we end up eating in epcot a lot. Then again maybe that’s not a con after all!

Don't forget Swan/Dolphin. There are better QS options there, and it's right there too. Wish I had known before our BWV stay - didn't discover that until after we really needed it.

 

[kboo]

Don't forget Swan/Dolphin. There are better QS options there, and it's right there too. Wish I had known before our BWV stay - didn't discover that until after we really needed it.

One thing w Swan and Dolphin though - is it's a longer walk to HS and EP and it's a pain to bus over to MK because they now drop you at TTC. But if between the two, I'd go for Swan because it's a little closer to the BW and to the parks (walking). it's also the first stop back if you take the boat from HS.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

One thing w Swan and Dolphin though - is it's a longer walk to HS and EP and it's a pain to bus over to MK because they now drop you at TTC. But if between the two, I'd go for Swan because it's a little closer to the BW and to the parks (walking). it's also the first stop back if you take the boat from HS.

I think Lumpy was referring to the food choices, which TBH I never thought of. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[CarolMN]

This is what I was thinking, after walking around a park all day why would you want to walk home?

I walk because standing around is much harder on me than walking, and we always seem to either just miss a boat or monorail, or encounter a long line to get on one. I'm very glad to have the option at VGF.

 

[kboo]

I think Lumpy was referring to the food choices, which TBH I never thought of. Thanks for the suggestion!

Funny, with the exception of Il Mulino I haven't generally been a fan of the food choices there. Or how crowded it gets for picking up breakfast. (and this is both pre- and during covid)

Edited: then again, it's not like Boardwalk bakery is a must-do for breakfast either. LOL. I probably enjoy the early morning walk to pick up food there more than the food itself.

I do love the dinner options on the boardwalk (Trattoria al forno, Flying Fish)

 

[Lumpy1106]

Funny, with the exception of Il Mulino I haven't generally been a fan of the food choices there. Or how crowded it gets for picking up breakfast. (and this is both pre- and during covid)

Edited: then again, it's not like Boardwalk bakery is a must-do for breakfast either. LOL. I probably enjoy the early morning walk to pick up food there more than the food itself.

I do love the dinner options on the boardwalk (Trattoria al forno, Flying Fish)

We were looking for an easy QS for our arrival night at BWV. There was really nothing at BWV, so we took the boat over to check out BCV. That...was pretty disappointing too. If I had know there were options @ Swan/Dolphin that would have been the call - it just didn't occur to us.

 

[havoc315]

Hi all!

Looking for suggestions or pros/cons We're doing a sit stay (holiday time) with VGF (home resort) and and Epcot Area resort, three nights each. We're a party of three (two year old at time of travel) and likely to stay in a 1br but would consider a studio if it's "roomy" considering there's a toddler in tow. Looking for suggestions on BCV vs BWV vs RIV

P.s. im squatting a reservation short one night, so I'm not concerned about availability at this time.

Editing to add we will be going into the parks which is the driver of wanting and Epcot Area split, but we're not "open to close" people considering the age of our daughter. So resort activities matter at least somewhat!

Can't go wrong with any but..
- Riviera gives the biggest studios. Skyliner becomes a ride for the 2-year-old. Very good kids play area in the pool, alongside very adult pools. It's not a super active kid's pool like Beach Club, which is a positive when it's a 2-year-old who you want to keep an eye on.
- Beach Club -- the 2 big positives are the pool and the location. But I find the pool to be great for adolescents and tweens, who can go off on their own. It's not such a huge positive for a 2-year-old, but if you want to do a lazy river with your 2yo, etc, it can be fun. And location is great in terms of walking to Epcot. Very convenient to be able to exit Epcot when the 2yo gets tired, and be back in your room in 5 minutes.
-Boardwalk -- I'm not a huge fan of the resort itself. Above-average dining. I find the rooms small. Below-average pool. But, it may have the best location. Walk to Epcot is about the same as Beach Club, while it's also closer to DHS than Beach Club (BCV walk to DHS can be a bit long, BWV is more reasonable by a few minutes) . Boardwalk is also the most affordable 1 br.