Final decision

[petbren]

After researching for several months, I am ready to spend many happy vacations as a DVC member.
I am still not sure if I want BCV, or BWV.....any thoughts??
Hubby,also has some questions:

How can we be sure that the resorts will continue to be well maintained?
I have been reading a thread about matresses that need to be replaced at BWV, and it seems to be taking a long time to do. Also, that the overall appearance of OKW is a bit shabby. How do we know that when it's something more major, new roofs, new electrical, even just a general spruce up, that it will not take years to do??

Thanks for any info, or advice.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

After researching for several months, I am ready to spend many happy vacations as a DVC member.
I am still not sure if I want BCV, or BWV.....any thoughts??

I have THEE perfect answer... purchase VWL..

Hubby,also has some questions:

How can we be sure that the resorts will continue to be well maintained?

On a serious note, this one is easy-
Think of it this way... Disney maintains their reputation with a beautiful resort, and they send us the bill in order to do so.
-- It costs them nothing.

I have been reading a thread about matresses that need to be replaced at BWV, and it seems to be taking a long time to do. Also, that the overall appearance of OKW is a bit shabby. How do we know that when it's something more major, new roofs, new electrical, even just a general spruce up, that it will not take years to do??

I just don't know about the mattress. I guess it takes some time to do all the different resorts.

OKW looked completely up to snuff when I saw it in October.
For major work, DVC has a reserve budget ready to go.
Remember, it's Disney we're talking about here. Do you really think they would let one of their resorts fall apart?

Good luck with your decision!

MG

 

[mikron]

I think the threads you read are a very small sample of the total number of people who visit disney. I live 80 miles from disney, i am a dvc member and go to disney a lot. There is overall nothing wrong with any of the resorts and or the furniture. Buy a resort for what you most want from your trips. My family and i just returned from disney, we stayed at OKW and everything including the grounds and buildings were prefect.

 

[starbox]

After researching for several months, I am ready to spend many happy vacations as a DVC member.
I am still not sure if I want BCV, or BWV.....any thoughts??

If SAB is important to you, BCV.

With BWV you'll have the option to reserve a standard view room, which can save lots of points over the course of a vacation. If I were choosing between the two, I'd personally choose BWV. I think it offers better views, better point value, better themeing, and the boardwalk area itself is adorable. Boardwalk also has a community hall - something our kids really use when they are on vacation. There don't seem to be as many complaints about poor room condition as there are at BCV at BWV.

But - there are plenty of people who really, really Stormalong Bay and who would not be happy vacationing without that specific pool. If you are one of those people - buy BCV.

 

[Plutofan]

Remember that Disney has a big incentive to keep all the DVC is good shape. Included in our dues is reserves and maintenance to keep the DVC resorts in good shape and when the term expires Disney gets the resorts back.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Just to clarify, the slow mattress replacement is occurring at BCV.

I personally did not think OKW looked shabby at all when we were there in September.

The only new resort is SSR, I would visit the others and see if you like the way they are currently being maintained. They have annual meetings, and they discuss issues such as maintenance and refurbs so you could always attend those to get the latest plans for the DVC resorts.

 

[Muushka]

To be honest, sometimes I think the internet provides way too much information. When we bought VWL 5 years ago (and did our research for up to 7 years ago), these boards were teeny tiny, all the negative room/resort information was minimal, which made it very easy to decide to buy. But now that the internet is THE source, people come to it and give/take any and all information there is.

My suggestion: if you think that when you buy DVC and are going to walk into the resort/ villa and look for everything that may be wrong, it is probably not be the timeshare for you. But if you trust that your maint. fees will be used appropriately and that the money you spent was for a vacation and not an investment, then DVC is the timeshare for you.

As far as BWV vs BCV, if you have not stayed there, I would probably try to stay at each resort before buying there. We did not like BWV from the get-go (and had never stayed there) and we had stayed at BC (not the villas) and did not like it. So when we did an add on, we added on at VWL, the love of our lives! But last year we decided to give BC via BCV another try, and we loved it. I wish we had added on there! And this year we stayed at BWV for the first time and did not like it. Not sure why, I know that many many people love it. And the SAB isssue was not part of the equation as we went in Dec.

You are spending a chunk of change, I really think staying at a resort is the only way to know if you will like it. I know we stayed at VWL before we bought there, and we had been staying at WL for years before.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[lisareniff]

Some reasons to buy BWV (vs. BCV):

GV's
Std. view points
BW view
Community Hall


Some reasons to buy BCV (vs. BWV):

Dedicated 2 bdrms (1/3 with 2 queens)
SAB
close parking


The location is very similiar with BCV being slightly closer to Epcot and BWV being closer to MGM. There are a few villa differences that are more of personal taste thing, like the bench and oval table at BCV that I prefer.

Both are great resorts. Not sure which I would buy if I was chosing today. With the resale price difference I might go for BWV.

 

[dianeschlicht]

After researching for several months, I am ready to spend many happy vacations as a DVC member.
I am still not sure if I want BCV, or BWV.....any thoughts??
Hubby,also has some questions:

How can we be sure that the resorts will continue to be well maintained?
I have been reading a thread about matresses that need to be replaced at BWV, and it seems to be taking a long time to do. Also, that the overall appearance of OKW is a bit shabby. How do we know that when it's something more major, new roofs, new electrical, even just a general spruce up, that it will not take years to do??

Thanks for any info, or advice.

The short answer from me and my family would be NOT to buy either BWV or BCV, because we don't care for either one.

As for the mattresses....OKW took about 18 months to replace all the mattersses, so I would assume BWV will take about the same or slightly less time, since it is a smaller resort.

As for "shabby" OKW......Have you EVER stayed there???? After 10 years and too many trips to OKW to remember how many it is now, I have never had a unit I would have called "shabby". On the contrary, every time we are there, there seems to be some sort of maintenance going on. If it isn't painting and unit refurbishing inside or out, it's landscape being updated or building exteriors and roads being renewed. I'd have a hard time calling any DVC resort "shabby" because Disney has a reputation to uphold, and that reputation is what SELLS DVC.

 

[JimMIA]

I agree with Dianne. We've stayed at OKW a number of times, with the most recent visit being last week. We have never had a room that was below par in any significant way. We've had a couple of minor maintenance issues, but they were quickly solved with calls to housekeeping.

Here on the DIS, we have what some call the "Lumpy Pillow Rule." If there is any deficiency -- no matter how small -- someone will start an anguished thread about how horrible it was, and how it ruined their whole vacation, etc, etc, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Most of the time you find out it really wasn't important enough for them to tell anyone about it while they were at WDW! They just came home and started a "Look at me" thread. It's pretty hard to take those complaints seriously, no matter how loud they wail.

The short answer to many of your concerns is simply..."It's Disney."

 

[vascubaguy]

Remember, it's Disney we're talking about here. Do you really think they would let one of their resorts fall apart?

MG

Ahem.... how 'bout them Treehouse Villas!

However, I don't see it being an issue with DVC since we pay for the upkeep. Now, if I were chosing between BWV and BCV, I'd pick BWV. Just a personal preference. I enjoy the location and like the atmosphere and decor of the resort (except for the scary clown!). It also has some of the lowest points for std rooms. In my opinion, SAB is the only plus for BCV over BWV (but many would disagree).

And about refurbishment efforts, I'd imagine that DVD would have to spread them out based on the budget for the year and then proceed in phases to keep as many rooms useable as possible.

I was at OKW in October and the room was fine. A few little things but nothing major. Back in March we were at BWV and the loveseat was filthy... but was fine other than that. The rooms are subject to the wear and tear of the tenants... If there are some major damages or wear and tear that aren't covered under the budget... it might get pushed back to the next year when it is put in the budget. However, I don't think DVC members will allow DVD to let "our" homes going to crap.

 

[petbren]

]If SAB is important to you, BCV.

Boardwalk also has a community hall - something our kids really use when they are on vacation.

Thanks for the input. What do your kids do at community hall?
I have DS 11, DD 9. SAB sounds great for the kids now, and for a few more years, but Boardwalk may be more fun for them in a few years, and definately more fun for DH & I in the future.

 

[petbren]

if you think that when you buy DVC and are going to walk into the resort/ villa and look for everything that may be wrong, it is probably not be the timeshare for you.

I am not looking for things to be wrong, but like any purchase I make, I like to be as informed as possible before I commit.

As far as BWV vs BCV, if you have not stayed there, I would probably try to stay at each resort before buying there.

Unfortunatley no lottery winnings to cash in, so that isn't an option.

Good luck with your decision!

Thanks

 

[vascubaguy]

Unfortunatley no lottery winnings to cash in, so that isn't an option.

Actually for folks that aren't certain on where they want to buy, renting reservations from members can be a much less expensive option. Some actually prefer to rent rather than making the large upfront investment.

I can't say that either method is best, but if you have thought about all the options and narrowed it down to BCV and BWV, just consider the pros/cons of each.

BCV: Higher points for rooms, will pay more per point, but it has SAB.

BWV: Lower points for std. rooms, cheaper to purchase via resale.

What both have... location location location!!!

 

[petbren]

As for "shabby" OKW......Have you EVER stayed there???? I'd have a hard time calling any DVC resort "shabby" because Disney has a reputation to uphold, and that reputation is what SELLS DVC.

I certainly didn't mean to offend you, or anyone else with the "shabby" remark. I'm sure OKW is beautiful, and when our family situation changes, it will certainly be on our list to try.
I have seen a few threads about OKW needing to be freshed up a bit, that's all. I know when we stayed at POLY two years ago, I though the same about it. The following year, they did a major reno there.
I know a lot of people write about little irritations here, and turn them into big issues. However, I know myself it takes quite a lot for me to officially complain, but it doesn't mean that all small things should be over looked.
Thanks

 

[petbren]

Actually for folks that aren't certain on where they want to buy, renting reservations from members can be a much less expensive option. Some actually prefer to rent rather than making the large upfront.

I would love to, but just returning in Sept. from POP, I don't have the money in the budget until next Nov. and would like the next trip to be my first trip home.

BCV: Higher points for rooms, will pay more per point, but it has SAB.

BWV: Lower points for std. rooms, cheaper to purchase via resale.

I know you're right on these two difference, just finding it hard to pick. I think I'm leaning towards BWV now. Just wish I could get over the coulrophobia(fear of clowns)

 

[starbox]

Thanks for the input. What do your kids do at community hall?
I have DS 11, DD 9. SAB sounds great for the kids now, and for a few more years, but Boardwalk may be more fun for them in a few years, and definately more fun for DH & I in the future.

The Community Hall has planned recreational activities/craft classes as well as video games, board games, and other activities. Very Fun. DD8 has done things like made her own teddy bear, attended an unbirthday party, and participated in a Bingo tournament.

Community Hall activities are one of those things that make it feel more like a resort than a hotel to me. SAB is not a draw for us because it closes earlier & we tend to use resort pools in the evening for "midnight swims" (not actually at midnight - but before bedtime). During the day, we prefer to go to a park or waterpark.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Ahem.... how 'bout them Treehouse Villas!

Yes, but that is not an active resort where guests can stay. They certainly wouldn't be booking rooms in the shape they're in.

MG

 

[kimberh]

They are both great. If view is important, go with Boardwalk, I set on the Balcony for hours and watch the crowd on the Boardwalk and Epcot. It relaxes me at the end of the night. I know some like it for lower points rooms but I can't see staying there and looking at the parking lot.

I love BeachClub too. It is classy. Cape Mays is a wonderful restaurant. It is one of our favorites. If you want SAB then make that a must but the Pool at Boardwalk is pretty nice. It has a circus theme.

And like someone else said... Location location Location!!!

 

[byoung]

BWV much better views.