How "Preferred" is "Preferred"?

[CampTKRAJ]

I am in the process of evaluating a trip "home" to the Boardwalk Villas and wanted members input on the "Preferred View" v "Standard View" with regards to staying at the Boardwalk (that is, is the "Preferred View" worth the extra points required to stay in such accomodations and if so, why?). Also, how does the BWV compare to OKW?
Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[DebbieB]

Preferred views are the boardwalk, the canal looking over towards the Swan/Dolphin, main pool, quiet pool. Standard view is along the driveway from the entrance down to the tennis courts. The rooms at BWV are the same regardless of the view. I prefer saving points and get standard view, most upper floor rooms have a view of the fireworks from Illuminations, you can even hear the music. It can be difficult to get standard view, they are only about 20% of the total rooms and are booked early. I book my early December trip right at 11 months in January. BWV's room are smaller than OKW, especially the 1 & 2 bedrooms. The tradeoff is the great location, you can walk from both Epcot & MGM (or catch the boat). I love the Boardwalk area, especially at night. I like OKW too, when you are looking for a more quiet vacation it's great, it has bigger rooms and you can park right outside your room.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Which resort do you own? OKW or BWV?

 

[zurgswife]

We own at BWV and every trip home we have gotten a standard view room...our favorite has been...4th floor overlooking the tennis courts and pond....it is at the end of the hallway but we don't mind the walk.....

I prefer saving the points over the view...had the boardwalk view once and it was just ok...

 

[Granny]

This is one of those very difficult questions to answer since it depends so heavily on personal tastes.

Is a "view" important to you at all? Or is the room some place to sleep and hang out without regard to view?

We had a preferred room overlooking the quiet pool and Community Hall last summer. For us, it was worth the extra points because we spend a fair amount of time on our balcony, and we really enjoyed listening to the Fantasmic music each night.

Others would prefer a Luna Pool or Swan/canal view. And many, many people would prefer a Boardwalk view.

I think there are some who say "If we can't get a Boardwalk view, then we'd just as soon save the points for a standard view". But there are so few Boardwalk view rooms that no one really knows what they will get when they reserve.


And OKW vs BWV? Well, OKW is laid back with drive-up parking next to your villa and large 1BR and 2 BR accommodations. BWV is located within an easy walk to Epcot and MGM. Plus the Boardwalk itself is busy with restaurants, clubs and the "street" entertainers! They are very different, each wonderful according to the preference of the visitor.

It's really all about priorities...what's important to you?

 

[Cruelladeville]

Nice job, Granny!

 

[nezy]

I am so glad you asked this question. I was wondering the same thing myself.
Our "home" reort is BWV, but I have yet to stay there. Usually I book BW at 11 months and then at 7 months call and switch to OKW, if available, which it usually is.

 

[Dean]

Both are great resorts. Many have been disappointed in the "preferred view" issue when they didn't get the actual Boardwalk view. If you look at it as parking lot and non parking lot view or standard and non standard view, you will have a better understanding of what you are getting. Preferred does not mean great view and if you know that up front, you're less likely to be disappointed.

 

[Nanajo1]

We bought first at OKW which we love for our big family trips. We bought at BWV to get the 11 month window for our smaller trips to get the standard view. We had PV two times once Luna pool, once Boardwalk. We would have enjoyed Luna view except when you sat on the balconey you couldn't see over the railing so you felt closed in. The Boardwalk view was nice but we were close to the clubs and the two o'clock patrons leaving woke us. So we don't feel PV worth the extra points. One SV was 3rd floor overlooking the entrance. That was fun, watching people arrive.

 

[pgjam]

We stayed at BWV over Pres wkend w/ a preferred view of the quiet pool. I think I would save my points & get a standard view. The view is like any pool view so I don't think it was worth the extra points. I have stayed there overlooking the Boardwalk & that is worth the extra points. When we stay at OKW my husband always asks for a golf course view because he is a golf fanatic. Doesn't make a difference to me.

 

[wdwnut]

hi: we own at bwv. we stayed in pv and sv . we've never gotten the elusive bw view, even when booking at the 11 month mark. personally, we'd rather save the points and have a sv room. that being said, we've never had a bad room/view. it is like granny said-it depends on your personal preferences and expectations. we'd never let a room/location make or break the vacation. the rooms are quite a bit smaller when comparing the 1 & 2 br units with okw. the location is the primary reason we are there.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We own at the BWV and I belive that the only preferred view rooms that are worth the differnce in points are first floor preferred view rooms on the quiet pool. We have four kids and it gives them quick and easy access to the pool and the Community Hall.

HBC

 

[CampTKRAJ]

Thanks to everyone for the input. I did not mean to leave out the fact that we own at OKW. The trip we are planning is a long "adults-only" week-end with some friends and thought we might try a resort other than OKW. It certainly does not sound like I need to worry too much about what is described as the "Preferred" view...in fact for the points it sounds like the "Standard" view should be fine. Based on the great input from all of you I believe we should give the BWV a try (being within walking/boat distance to EPCOT/MGM, having more dining options and room service available and what sounds like more lively surroundings certainly appeals). Part of the adventure we call life is trying different experiences!!! Again, thanks for the input...your advice has made the difference.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by CampTKRAJ
...(snip)...It certainly does not sound like I need to worry too much about what is described as the "Preferred" view...in fact for the points it sounds like the "Standard" view should be fine. ...(snip)....

In fact, so many of us BWV owners actually "prefer" the standard view rooms, it is generally next to impossible to get a standard view room at the 7 month mark! (Not saying it doesn't happen, just that you shouldn't plan on it).

Enjoy your trip!

 

[spiceycat]

I got the real preferred view once of the BW - this was a great view - the next 4 times (despite making reservations at 11 months and asking for the BW view) I was given the main pool view - I don't like it - if you open your doors the noise is pretty loud or it was for me - I don't need that at a vacation - so I get the standard view - saves on points and the walk to the car is far quicker. You can sometimes see the Epcot fireworks (the high ones) from these views if you are up high.

I also asked for the quiet pool once - but again I was send to the main pool - I really learned to hate that view!

How about the BCV - you can have a great view of Epcot (okay you get the street too) - get a high room (5th floor) - you have all the closeness of BWV with some of the quiet (okay Epcot can be loud) of OKW.

I would not count of getting standard points either - that is why I gave up and brought points at BWV (for my December stays).