I'm a DVC member and BWV is my home resort. We've stayed there multiple times (including once in January) and never, ever had a bad room. I'm quite certain that the "bad" room was an isolated experience. If by some chance you do encounter a dirty room or something that is in need of repair, by all means, contact the front desk and give them a chance to make it right! If there were a problem with rooms at BWV, it would be reported all over the DVC board here on the DIS, and I assure you that is NOT the case. Anyone can have a bad experience at ANY hotel, so don't let that one person's experience worry you. It wasn't typical.
Don't count on a complimentary upgrade from a 1 bedroom to a 2 bedroom. Upgrades at the DVC resorts are very few and far between. They do not not happen nearly as frequently as at the other deluxe hotels - probably because the DVC resorts tend to have higher occupancy rates.
IMHO, the views from all the rooms are good. You will probably get a view of either one of the pools or of the canal/Swan/Dolphin Hotels. It is possible that you will get a view of the Boardwalk and Crescent Lake, but that is the most frequently requested view. It is also possible that you will get a view of the Hotel entrance and parking lots, but that also isn't very likely. Most of those views are taken by the DVC owners as they require less points to reserve. If you do happen to get one of those, the good news is that you may have a view of the higher level EPCOT fireworks from your balcony. That would also be the case if you got a Boardwalk view.
I think you will just love the 1 bedroom no matter what view you get. It has a large jacuzzi-like tub (in addition to a large shower) and a washer/dryer right in the unit. You also get a kitchen (fully equipped with dishes, cooking pots & utensils, silverware and the appliances) as well as a living room with a TV and VCP.
Enjoy your trip!