Even Miracles Take A Little Time; a PTR 5 years in the making. NEW! Nov. 2 - Single Digits!

[teekathepony]

Sue is right - all the studios have balconies at BWV and BCV. The pro's to the BWV is the availability is A LOT better. I have stayed there more than any other DVC resort and I've always been able to get a reservation. Also - the views from the pool & garden view rooms are actually nicer than BCV. Request a high floor wherever you stay.

As far the the BWV pools - the creepy clown pool is not that creepy when you are on the pool deck. The villa pool and the inn pool are both very nice. The inn pool is one of my favorite quiet pools on property. It's really nice in that little courtyard. SAB is really cool, but BWV has better quiet pools - hands down!

Another thing I like about the Boardwalk is the great theme. That whole Atlantic City / Coney Island thing is super cool. There really is some cool stuff to look at.

It used to be a pain to get your mug refilled, but I think they added a refill station since the last time I stayed there (which was over a year ago). I'll be there in two weeks, so I'll let you know.

The one thing the BC has over the BW is the better parking lot, which is a non issue if you aren't driving.

You really can't go wrong with either resort.

I am really loving all this feed back, thanks Mary Ellen!
We did make up our minds (finally) and went with BCV. I do like the theme over at the Boardwalk, but SAB kind of won out, and we figured that we can just walk over and enjoy the atmosphere at the BW.

Even though we own DVC, YC is our favorite hands down. It books crazy fast esp if there is a conference there but keep your eyes open as you just never know! If it ever has DVC I am in trouble as we will have to add on.

BC:

Pro: If you are in a villa, the villa pool is lovely! If you are in a villa, all villas have balconies. Studio villa gives you a couple of extra's with a sink, toaster and small microwave, those can be handy depending on how you travel. SAB is pretty stinking cool if you are a pool person.

Cons: If you are in a villa, no view categories and it could be great, or really awful. If you aren't in a villa, chances of a balcony are limited and many of them are juliet balconies so can't sit out there. SAB is a pro and con for me. It can be crazy crowded and hard to find a chair, to me, the business of the place makes it a bit less relaxing and if you have little kids it's stressful as you can seriously lose them there.

The entire vibe of BC is very very different than that of boardwalk. LOTS of little kids. LOTS. Which, for me is ok if I am there with little kids, and it's not like I don't love little kids but....to me would not be the more adult experience I'd like on a couples only trip. As for mugs it's pool (Hurricane Hannah's) or the BC Marketplace. I notice the little kid factor most in the lobby and restaurants at BC, and it honestly can make me want to get out of those places quicker sometimes.

BW.

Pro: Best quiet pool EVER over at the cottage pool. Creepy clown actually isn't creepy up close and the vibe at the main pool is really really great. Mugs refills (I think, we don't really do the mug thing) are at the pool, the bakery and for coffee in the morning at the Belle Vue Lounge. Bakery!!!!!!!!

Con: Long hallways. Variable view categories depending on what you book but you have a lot more (guaranteed) options.

We adore the BW, it is one of our home resorts. The entire vibe of the place just resonates with us. There are plenty of kids too of course but they tend to be a bit older and perhaps a bit quieter?

You can't go wrong with either.

We are still going to keep checking at the YC, it's still at the top of my list.
We did end up booking in the villas. I'm not too concerned about the view, it wasn't a priority for this trip so I'll get by with whatever we're stuck staring at.
I would be perfectly happy in the BW too I'm very sure, but in the end, the pros we found for the BW were ones we could walk over from the BC and enjoy too. I was a little worried about the kids, but I've stayed at Pop Century and had no issue with all the kids so I'm sure it won't be a problem.

I missed all of this because we were out of town for the weekend. But we did talk on FB and I told you what I thought. We did not enjoy our stay at the BC (and were not fond of their counter service at all). We LOVE the Boardwalk (except the scary clown pool). I truly considered moving our reservation for October to the Beach Club since Mark has not stayed there (I stayed with Mary and the girls), but I heard that the Villas would be undergoing refurb at that time and I didn't want to deal with it so I stuck with the Boardwalk.

I read a lot about the refurb, it doesn't sound like it will be too bad. I'm still checking for the YC and keeping my fingers crossed!
I'm sure I would adore the BW too, and even now that we've made a decision, I still go back and forth. Some day I'll get to the BW too and get to see and experience both!

I can totally relate to your post about the new boards. They scare me and therefore, I ran away from them for a while but I am back now. I also just found the smileys which makes me because I just wrote an entire post without them on my TR.

What is your favourite...
... ride? PeopleMover
... character? Steamboat Willie
... movie? Little Mermaid
... Disney restaurant? Be Our Guest

How's that for variety in favorites?!?!

Oh I would totally take the BCV over BW. The Villas are quiet and you have access to Stormalong Bay (the BEST pool at Disney)! I noticed one of your con's was the amount of children but BCV are in a separate building from the BC itself and it is very quiet with no restaurant/check in traffic. We have stayed there once and are staying at BC this summer. Either way you will be at Disney in an awesome hotel for your 5th anniversary.....sounds wonderful to me!

Ahhh Steamboat Willie! I love him! And Oswald too, I almost forgot. Great favourites!
We did go for the Villas! I was worried about so many children because I had read that it was a concern of others... but the more I thought about it the more I realized that it shouldn't be an issue for us! We've stayed at Pop Century and I don't know of a resort with more kids, it doesn't bother us at all.

 

[teekathepony]

An update!

Sunday evening we went to my travel agen- I mean, my MIL's for dinner. While we were there we went ahead and booked our trip! As of now, it's official --

November 11 - 21 in a studio in the Beach Club Villas! 10 day Park Hoppers and we included the meal plan. I know people are all really divided on whether it's worth it or not, but we've done the math for every trip and it's worth it for us.

We weren't sure what to put in for room requests, so we requested a high floor.

I appreciate all the input everyone gave me! It was a hard decision, and an easy one; hard because both resorts are amazing and it was hard to pick one over the other, but easy because either choice could easily be the "right" one! And I know both would have been amazing.

I'm excited to try Stormalong Bay, (hoping that the November weather will keep everyone but thick-skinned Canadians out! ) and incredibly excited to be within walking distance of Epcot. Walking distance! To my favourite park!

Another thing we did Sunday evening when we got home was go through every Disney restaurant and make a master "Long List" of places we'd like to eat. Because I'm home sick in bed with nothing better to do, I'm going to give you the full long (very long) list!

We always arrange our list by park, so that we can try to best plan out our days. Here we go...

Animal Kingdom
Tusker House (breakfast)
Tusker House (dinner)
Yak & Yeti

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Mama Melrose*

Epcot
Coral Reef
Le Cellier
Nine Dragons*
Chefs de France
Biergarten
Via Napoli
San Angel Inn
Akershus
Rose & Crown

Magic Kingdom
Be Our Guest*
Crystal Palace

Animal Kingdom Lodge
Boma
Sanaa

Beach Club
Beaches & Cream
Cape May

Boardwalk
ESPN

Contemporary
The Wave

Grand Floridian
1900 Park Fare
Citricos

Polynesian
'Ohana
Kona

Wilderness Lodge
Whispering Canyon*

Yacht Club
Captain's Grille*
Yachtsman

Downtown Disney
T-Rex
Raglan Road

That's why we call it the long list. 30 restaurants for a 10 day trip! We have some cuts to make.

The two of us are super picky eaters. I also don't eat red meat, and neither of us eats fish/seafood! It can make for some difficulties when choosing restaurants, but this trip we promised to eat at as many new places as possible, and even try some new foods too.

Anything with a * is almost a definite. Honestly, every time I read the breakfast menu at the Captain's Grille I drool. Can anyone confirm, is it as good as it sounds?

I am so excited for this trip.

Only 274 days to go!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

congrats on making the booking! As far as the meal plan, I am definitely of the opinion that whatever works for you is the right thing!

That is quite the list! I have read that if you book one of the last breakfast ADRs at Tusker House they will be brining out the lunch food so you can get to try both sets of food for one ADR ... so that would bring you all the way down to only 29

Also, I can highly recommend Sanaa for lunch on an AK day as it is a nice break from the park, easy to get to, and generally fairly empty/easy to get an ADR/seat near the window.

We've done Rose and Crown a couple of times and like that they have their own private viewing area for Illuminations so if that interests you try to get a later ADR. Even if you are sat inside you can go out to watch the firworks and then come back in.

good luck!

 

[momabbate]

Wish I could help with ADRs. They all look so good.

 

[Tracy161]

Sorry to hear that you're sick! But what better way to spend a day sick in bed than to dream of Disney?! A big congrats on your decision and on officially booking the trip! I think you absolutely made the right call! Now... if time just sped up, right?! Trust me... I'm below the 100 day mark and I feel like time has suddenly stopped.

 

[MEK]

Yay for having your reservation secured. That's awesome! You will love BCV! It's lovely and the proximity can't be beat. I am staying for three nights during my upcoming trip. 3 nights there 3 nights at the BWV and 2 nights in Cocoa Beach. I just wish it would get here.

I am no help with the ADRs either. Good luck with that!

 

[amazingact21]

I thought I had posted on here before, but if guess I didn't hit post or something. Sorry for that! But I am here and am following along!

Congrats on deciding on a resort. That has to be one of the hardest decisions of trip planning. The struggle of fighting staying at a familiar and well loved resort, then the obsessive weighing of pros and cons of new places. For what it's worth, I have visited the BC several times, and each time I leave it I fall in love with it's proximity to Epcot. It's incredible to be within walking distance to the park. I think you and Johnny are going to really enjoy your stay there.


As far as restaurants go, my suggestion would be Via Napoli just because it's my favorite restaurant, and I always people to try it for themselves. Plus, you'll be near Epcot as is and so World. Showcase restaurants make sense.

 

[teekathepony]

congrats on making the booking! As far as the meal plan, I am definitely of the opinion that whatever works for you is the right thing!

That is quite the list! I have read that if you book one of the last breakfast ADRs at Tusker House they will be brining out the lunch food so you can get to try both sets of food for one ADR ... so that would bring you all the way down to only 29

Also, I can highly recommend Sanaa for lunch on an AK day as it is a nice break from the park, easy to get to, and generally fairly empty/easy to get an ADR/seat near the window.

We've done Rose and Crown a couple of times and like that they have their own private viewing area for Illuminations so if that interests you try to get a later ADR. Even if you are sat inside you can go out to watch the firworks and then come back in.

good luck!

Thanks! We're really excited to have something nailed down!
Oh that list. It taunts me every time I look at it... I can't possibly cut anything!
I remember your review of Sanaa, that's why I suggested it to Johnny. It does sound really nice.
The fireworks viewing at Rose and Crown would be perfect. Oh dear. What do I cut??!!

Wish I could help with ADRs. They all look so good.

That's my problem, they all look good, I don't know what to cut!

Sorry to hear that you're sick! But what better way to spend a day sick in bed than to dream of Disney?! A big congrats on your decision and on officially booking the trip! I think you absolutely made the right call! Now... if time just sped up, right?! Trust me... I'm below the 100 day mark and I feel like time has suddenly stopped.

It's true, dreaming of Disney is excellent medicine!
I can't wait until November. I hate to wish the entire year away but...

 

[teekathepony]

Yay for having your reservation secured. That's awesome! You will love BCV! It's lovely and the proximity can't be beat. I am staying for three nights during my upcoming trip. 3 nights there 3 nights at the BWV and 2 nights in Cocoa Beach. I just wish it would get here.

I am no help with the ADRs either. Good luck with that!

I'm really excited to try BCV, I can't believe how lucky I feel to actually finally get to stay in an Epcot area resort!
Haha oh that ADR list, it haunts me! I don't know what to eliminate!

I thought I had posted on here before, but if guess I didn't hit post or something. Sorry for that! But I am here and am following along!

Congrats on deciding on a resort. That has to be one of the hardest decisions of trip planning. The struggle of fighting staying at a familiar and well loved resort, then the obsessive weighing of pros and cons of new places. For what it's worth, I have visited the BC several times, and each time I leave it I fall in love with it's proximity to Epcot. It's incredible to be within walking distance to the park. I think you and Johnny are going to really enjoy your stay there.


As far as restaurants go, my suggestion would be Via Napoli just because it's my favorite restaurant, and I always people to try it for themselves. Plus, you'll be near Epcot as is and so World. Showcase restaurants make sense.

officially, Alicia!
I can't wait for BCV, I'm so excited to be so close to Epcot!
Via Napoli is pretty much a must for us. Johnny talks about it all the time, it's his #1 favourite!

 

[teekathepony]

Happy Valentine's Day to all my Dis friends! I hope you can spend some of it talking to people you love.

I'm spending mine in a blanket fort with Johnny and all our fur babies. (Except the horses!!)

 

[Tracy161]

Awww, that sounds like a wonderful way to spend Valentine's Day! I'm spending mine... well... you're lookin' at it!

Happy Valentine's Day to you too, Wendy!

 

[teekathepony]

Awww, that sounds like a wonderful way to spend Valentine's Day! I'm spending mine... well... you're lookin' at it!

Happy Valentine's Day to you too, Wendy!

It was wonderful! I love blanket forts.

Happy belated Valentines Day, Tracy!

 

[KatMark]

Sounds like a lolvely way to spend Valentine's Day. Mark had to work, but the kids were here and we ordered food in and then they went out and I curled up on the couch with a nasty cold.

I love your ADR list for the most part. You have some of my favorites on there. We are trying Nine Dragons in for the first time in October hopefully.

 

[teekathepony]

Hi everyone!
East Coasters -- are we all buried yet?
Cape Breton was the only spot along the Atlantic, I think, that isn't! We had more rain than snow. Of course that means we also have a lot of ice now... gross. My poor horses will be stuck inside for a week.

Speaking of horses...

It's a tradition of mine to introduce you to my family in every PTR I write. You've already met Johnny and I, so here's the rest of our silly crew. And because it saves a lot of time, I'm copying this from a previous PTR!


Carteego Star, aka "Teeka"

Teeka is my first horse. She turns 20 on the 20th of this month! I got her 18.5 years ago when I was 10 and she was a yearling. She's a Pony of the Americas (sort of an Appaloosa pony) and she is my darling. We used to show together but she wasn't much of a show pony so we retired to the pleasure riding life. We do mostly Western, occasionally English, sometimes we do reining, jumping, and trail riding. As a tribute to my longtime best friend, my username on everything I do is teekathepony.








Ottago Cruisin aka "Dale"

Dale is a 13 year old American Quarter Horse. He has been mine since 2008. He was given to me by a best friend when my old horse, Jewel, died suddenly leaving Teeka very lonely.
Dale is untrained! I have been slowly working on him. He's an absolute sweetheart, a giant teddy bear, and should be an easy one to train, if I ever get around to it.






Sheeka

Sheeka is Johnny's dog, technically speaking. He got her in 2005 from the trunk of a car at a flea market -- they were taking the whole litter of pups to the SPCA. Her brothers and sisters are all tall, thick, silver, blue-eyed huskey mixes. Sheeka is the runt and she's... well...



Distinctively NOT silver. She's a sweet, loyal dog, and without a doubt the smartest dog I've ever seen. She is maternal and cuddly and loves her squeaky toys.






Holly

Holly is my Christmas puppy. I got her for Christmas 2008 from my parents, who adopted her from the SPCA. She too is a wonderful mixed breed, I think she has some greyhound in her because she can really run! She is definitely my girl and cuddles with me every morning when we wake up. She is active and loving and mostly obedient. She's my heart dog.








Harry

Harry was adopted from the SPCA in 2005. He used to be a barn cat, but since I've built my house he comes indoors more often than not. He's a loving cat, mostly very calm and quiet. He likes to be petted but is not an attention beggar and doesn't like to be picked up. He's named after Harry Potter, but his nickname is Harry Monster, like the Sesame St. character.








Oscar

In October 2012, Johnny was working at the airport and some of the workers found a kitten in a trash can. After making sure no one else could take him, Johnny took him straight to the vet and then straight home naming him Oscar, appropriately enough.
Oscar LOVES to cuddle and is very trusting. He will climb onto your chest and flop, assuming you'll catch him! He's a love bug and a cutie pie.

So that's my family! These are the critters who make it hard to leave to go to Disney and the main reason I would ever want to come home from there.

 

[teekathepony]

Sounds like a lolvely way to spend Valentine's Day. Mark had to work, but the kids were here and we ordered food in and then they went out and I curled up on the couch with a nasty cold.

I love your ADR list for the most part. You have some of my favorites on there. We are trying Nine Dragons in for the first time in October hopefully.

Kathy with a ninja post!

We had a nice Valentines Day. I was really sick too, so curling up in the blanket fort was just right. Sorry to hear you had a nasty cold while the kids were home.
I'm still on the fence about Nine Dragons. I know I said it was a sure one, but I'm so nervous that we won't like anything. Sucks to be picky!

 

[DisneyHoover]

Awww all your animals are so adorable! What a cute family

 

[KatMark]

leave it to me to ninja post.

Nicki and Todd SWEAR by Nine Dragons.

I love your "fur" family. They are all beautiful animals and you can tell from here and on FB that they are well loved.

 

[sunnysideup3]

Awww...your fur babies are precious, I can understand how it would be hard to leave them!

 

[BridgetR3]

Whoa, so you are going in November now? Did I miss that post somewhere? I thought it was Sept./October for some reason! So excited for you! You will love the BCVs and Stormalong Bay. We also love how close it is to Epcot just like you mentioned!

 

[teekathepony]

Awww all your animals are so adorable! What a cute family

Thank you! I sure do love them!

leave it to me to ninja post.

Nicki and Todd SWEAR by Nine Dragons.

I love your "fur" family. They are all beautiful animals and you can tell from here and on FB that they are well loved.

Well I'm glad to hear Nicki and Todd like it! I haven't read too many reviews, but the menu looks good!
Thanks Kathy! I adore my fur-babies!

Awww...your fur babies are precious, I can understand how it would be hard to leave them!

Thanks! They are hard to leave, that's for sure.

Whoa, so you are going in November now? Did I miss that post somewhere? I thought it was Sept./October for some reason! So excited for you! You will love the BCVs and Stormalong Bay. We also love how close it is to Epcot just like you mentioned!

Yup! November 11-21! We often go in September, perhaps that's why? I can't wait to get to BCV, I literally don't know how I'm going to be able to stand the wait!