I'm surprised at how much more we liked BCV over BWV!

[chris4disney]

We just returned from 8 day trip at WDW. We did a split stay between BCV and BWV. We had stayed at BCV before and loved it, but thought we better try staying at BWV too before deciding which to make our home resort when we buy into DVC. (hopefully soon!!) DH and I were very surprised at how much more we liked BCV over BWV. I'm sure everyone has their own tastes and preferences, which is why DVC is so great that it gives you different resort options. I just wasn't expecting to be so unexcited about our BWV stay. I knew the hallways were long and I expected that... no biggie. But comparing our stay with the BCV, here is what our issues were...

1.) It seemed like at the BWV there was always a wait to get on an elevator. In fact the first time I waited for an elevator to go up to our room, two elevators filled up before we can get on one. Never had that problem at BCV.

2.) We bought the refillable mugs at BC Marketplace and it was so easy to stop by the Marketplace to fill them up ourselves. At BWV it was a hike to go out on the Boardwalk and fill them up. The pool wasn't as far away to go, but I thought it was a real waste that at all three places to get refills that you couldn't refill them yourself. The CM had to give you a new cup of your beverage choice and you then poured it into your refillable mug.

3.) Ease of a quick breakfast... the BC Marketplace hardly ever had a line. Even if it did, it always moved quickly. The Boardwalk Bakery always had a line and it never moved quickly...

4.) Atmosphere... while we enjoy walking on the Boardwalk for an evening stroll and get a slice of pizza, we love the relaxing feel of the YC/BC. Sitting on the beach at night watching a movie, walking thru the sand, and yes... enjoying the lights of the Boardwalk from a distance.

5.) I will say that I liked the actual room size of the BWV over the BCV. We stayed in studio's at both places and the BWV studio seemed a little bigger in the vanity and entrance area. We had our DD2 and DS5 with us, so our DS slept on the sofa bed, while our DD slept in the pack-n-play. At BWV the pack-n-play fit easily by the front door without having to move it around to get out. At BCV we had to put it in front of the vanity sink during the night and then move it out of the way in the morning while getting ready. BUT, since this was probably the last time we'll need to use a pack-n-play, that doesn't really affect our choice between the two resorts.

6.) It never rained the entire 8 days we were there but if we did have days of rain, at the BCV we could walk everywhere within the resort under cover. Not the case at BWV.

I know everyone has their own personal reasons why they like or dislike certain resorts, and that's fine! I'm just so glad that we tried out the BWV before choosing it as a home resort. Because apparenlty our hearts are at BCV. Now if this economy would just get stable again so that we can feel confident about purchasing DVC we'll be happy DVC owners!!.

 

[disneynutz]

That is why I continue to say:
Rent where you like to stay and Buy where you love to rent.

 

[ChickieToo]

chris4disney, what you said!

Ditto for disneynutz: Buy where you want to stay!

 

[ktbugsmom]

I was just down for a long weekend (ran the Tower of Terror 13K and did my first MNSSHP!) with my daughter (8 years old - Disney veteran) and my SIL and nephew - their first trip to Disney.

We stayed at BWI (could not get BWV 3 months out - imagine that?! but got a nice "race rate" at BWI). Anyway, we took the boat over to Beach Club so I could show my SIL and we could walk around a bit. Well - her 2.5 year old started playing in the sand (not the pool!). We grabbed a beverage at Hurricane Hanna's, found a chair on the beach - and my SIL declared - "I want to stay here next time!"

So - it is definitely wonderful. I have stayed at both - and I still prefer BWV - but like that I have options! We try to switch it up every couple years. I am a wild woman!

 

[eliza61]

No, No, No. You're not done yet. You now have to stay at the AKL & WLV's to be absolutely sure. And I think you need to do the BCV/BWV stay again (switching order of course just in case).
I like ktbugs idea, must be a "wild women" and check them all out.

 

[a Really Bad Egg]

No, No, No. You're not done yet. You now have to stay at the AKL & WLV's to be absolutely sure.

Completely agree. Each different DVC resort we stay at seems to have a special feel and I'm still not sure which one we like best.

Maybe several more visits needed....

 

[ktbugsmom]

The wild woman that I am... we are staying at AKV for 4 days and then 4 days at BWV in January.

I have yet to try SSR - so that needs to be next. I have stayed at WL - but not the villas. So - must add that to the list. Of course, then there is BLT... that should be fun!

And just today I was trying to see if somehow we could visit Vero Beach or Hilton Head in 2009!

 

[KAMLEM]

2.) We bought the refillable mugs at BC Marketplace and it was so easy to stop by the Marketplace to fill them up ourselves.

Where is the BC Marketplace, is it new?

 

[Tara]

Where is the BC Marketplace, is it new?

It's in the Beach Club gift/sundries shop - I don't know how long it's been there overall, but it's been there since at least August 2007.

ETA... I assume the food service inside the gift shop is newer than the gift shop itself...

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Very well presented. I think you hit the nail on the head with everything. We are BWV owners and really have only stayed there 3 or 4 times since 98. VB and HHI have stolen our hearts.

We did stay in BCV once about 4 years ago... and for us (empty nesters) we found BCV to be a bit to wild with kids. And this alone will tip us to BWV when staying at a WDW resort, but I am an SAB lover. Just an amazing attraction. Still we like the more adult feel to BWV.

Thanks for your take on the resorts. Again... I think you nailed it. I Agree on everything

 

[wideeyes]

we are staying a BCV in May, glad I choice it over BWI as never new about the refill mugs. Would prefer to fill them up myself. decided on BCV as it looked more fun for my DD, she will love the sand.

We will be staying at AKV in October and hoping to also try WL too, as it also looks fun for kids.

 

[Anal Annie]

We want to try all of the different DVC resorts over time...but next summer we want to take some extended family (including my parents) and we haven't decided where we want to go yet. I really want wherever we stay to leave a nice impression. We own at SSR and haven't stayed there yet - but I am concerned about how spread out it may be (too much walking for my parents). Thought about trying for the THV's but am afraid they will be too far from dining and pools at SSR too.

That brings me to the idea of choosing between BCV and BWV. We tried OKW on our first ever DVC trip and were extremely disappointed in the overall condition of our unit and we would've been mortified to have brought guests. So now I am hesitant about the overall condition and upkeep of both BCV and BWV since we've never stayed there I don't know what to expect. Anyone who has stayed at both recently - how do you think they compare? Has one resort been kept up better than the other? i.e. does one resort show more wear & tear over the other? This nagging memory of OKW is making me wonder if we should return to one of the resorts we've already tried and are happy with like AKV or VWL. I am afraid to get there and be disappointed in the condition of the units. Even though it's more spread out and not as convenient would we be better off going to SSR or the THV's because they're newer?

I guess what I'm wondering is if there's a chance we would be disappointed in either BCV or BWV because of upkeep & maintenance and the age of the resorts? OP - did you notice anything like that on your split stay? How would you decide where to go if you were taking guests?

 

[snowbunny]

I guess what I'm wondering is if there's a chance we would be disappointed in either BCV or BWV because of upkeep & maintenance and the age of the resorts?

It really depends on what is important to you. I have no interest in refillable mugs for example, but the beauty of the public space is really important to me. The lobby of the Boardwalk is one of the most lovely in WDW in my opinion. And (this is purely an anecdotal observation) in the convention resorts (BW is one), the public spaces tend to be kept up very well. I've never stayed at BCV but having been over there to check it out, for me it just doesn't have the *wow* factor that BWV has.

If you want the snazziest unit - that will be at AKV. Stayed there this past summer and they are new and fabulous.

 

[chris4disney]

I guess what I'm wondering is if there's a chance we would be disappointed in either BCV or BWV because of upkeep & maintenance and the age of the resorts? OP - did you notice anything like that on your split stay? How would you decide where to go if you were taking guests?

I thought both our rooms were fine when it came to showing the age of the resort. Our studio at BCV had a bulb out, no biggie. The sink in our BWV studio drained a little slow. Again, no biggie. The only place that I felt one of the resorts was showing it's age was the hallway carpets of the BWV. They looked a little worn, but not enough to affect my enjoyment of the place.

 

[dan and scott]

It really depends on what is important to you. I have no interest in refillable mugs for example, but the beauty of the public space is really important to me. The lobby of the Boardwalk is one of the most lovely in WDW in my opinion. And (this is purely an anecdotal observation) in the convention resorts (BW is one), the public spaces tend to be kept up very well. I've never stayed at BCV but having been over there to check it out, for me it just doesn't have the *wow* factor that BWV has.

If you want the snazziest unit - that will be at AKV. Stayed there this past summer and they are new and fabulous.

I agree as a BW owner the lobby has the most WOW factor as is the grand drive up to the porte cocher (spelling)! Even at christmas it has the most lovely decor. We stayed at AKL this past sept for one night and it was nice but the hallways were just as long as at BW. The BCV holds no interest for me as the resort is full of screaming kids as it is somewhat more kid friendly and probably has more young families as owners. --Just my opininion --I guess having no kids the BW is a more adult resort than the other DVC properties and thats why I love it so much.

Scott

 

[BWV Dreamin]

We want to try all of the different DVC resorts over time...but next summer we want to take some extended family (including my parents) and we haven't decided where we want to go yet. I really want wherever we stay to leave a nice impression. We own at SSR and haven't stayed there yet - but I am concerned about how spread out it may be (too much walking for my parents). Thought about trying for the THV's but am afraid they will be too far from dining and pools at SSR too.

That brings me to the idea of choosing between BCV and BWV. We tried OKW on our first ever DVC trip and were extremely disappointed in the overall condition of our unit and we would've been mortified to have brought guests. So now I am hesitant about the overall condition and upkeep of both BCV and BWV since we've never stayed there I don't know what to expect. Anyone who has stayed at both recently - how do you think they compare? Has one resort been kept up better than the other? i.e. does one resort show more wear & tear over the other? This nagging memory of OKW is making me wonder if we should return to one of the resorts we've already tried and are happy with like AKV or VWL. I am afraid to get there and be disappointed in the condition of the units. Even though it's more spread out and not as convenient would we be better off going to SSR or the THV's because they're newer?

I guess what I'm wondering is if there's a chance we would be disappointed in either BCV or BWV because of upkeep & maintenance and the age of the resorts? OP - did you notice anything like that on your split stay? How would you decide where to go if you were taking guests?

I must chime in as a BWV lover! Ok, keeping in mind you are taking your parents, I would choose BWV. If you could get a BW view, you would certainly WOW them. If you are looking to save points, try for the standard view, they are also shorter hallways. It is more of an adult type of area IMHO. We visited BCV, and because the pool is the main attraction, it was very, very, very busy with both adults and children, in and around the pool. There is wear and tear at both resorts. I know BWV is undergoing a rehab as we speak. You never know which room you are going to get regardless of resort. I think it is quieter at the BWV resort, but more activity at night on the boardwalk itself.

 

[WDWorld2003]

Although we own at BWV I have stayed at BCV and I was surprised how much I liked it. They are a tie for me.

BWV - Love being able to get a Boardwalk view or standard for less points. LOVE the lobby, Community Hall and overall atmosphere of the resort. Also, love the rose gardens on the BWI side.

Don't like the long walks for mug refills, no quick serve food options. Also, the walk to the rooms can be long. (A mug refill station in the pool area would be ideal).

BCV - Love the marketplace for mug refills and quick serve items, the easy walk into Epcot. Rooms seem to be in better condition overall. Able to get a 2 bdrm. with 2 queens.

The views are not as good as BWV (we are view people). Stormalong Bay has no draw for us as we would likely be at one of the quiet pools.


I'm happy at either resort with a slight edge toward BWV. You've made at great choice with BCV and I'm also hoping for better economic times for all of us!

 

[dan and scott]

I thought both our rooms were fine when it came to showing the age of the resort. Our studio at BCV had a bulb out, no biggie. The sink in our BWV studio drained a little slow. Again, no biggie. The only place that I felt one of the resorts was showing it's age was the hallway carpets of the BWV. They looked a little worn, but not enough to affect my enjoyment of the place.

Again this is my only big "stickler" about my resort!! Those carpets are ALWAYS worn even when they were new--hate the pattern and wish they would go back to the original boardwalk wood pattern when the BW was built.
They show wear and grime and even if you cleaned carpet it is very bad "show" on Disney's behalf.

Scott

 

[crisi]

Its one of those "different people find different things important." Also, sometimes people have different experiences - in what is now half a dozen BWV stays, I've never waited for an elevator, that one seems odd to me. But then, if there are easy stairs, we often take them as its frequently a shorter walk to catch the stairs. We never buy refillable mugs. We have breakfast in our room every day. Not that BCV isn't a great resort - just that the things that annoyed you about BWVs have never been issues for us. (In six trips, we've NEVER had the rain issue either - we've been really lucky in that - and it would be annoying if it happened).

The thing I don't like about BWV - its noisy - this last trip was particularly noisy with our BWV room - we were right over Big River and at 1:00am there were still loud tables sitting out on the Boardwalk that we could hear from inside our room (doors were closed). We had my parents with us who loved watching Illuminations from the balcony - normally we don't bother with the BW View. (I'm also not terribly fond of the decor, but I don't dislike it, just don't really like it either).

But we finally stayed at the resort I've always said my heart was at - VWL - and nothing I experienced there changed my mind. There are two things I'd miss from the Boardwalk staying at VWL - the theme pool is far away (and the slide isn't great) and walking to and from Epcot.

1.) It seemed like at the BWV there was always a wait to get on an elevator. In fact the first time I waited for an elevator to go up to our room, two elevators filled up before we can get on one. Never had that problem at BCV.

2.) We bought the refillable mugs at BC Marketplace and it was so easy to stop by the Marketplace to fill them up ourselves. At BWV it was a hike to go out on the Boardwalk and fill them up. The pool wasn't as far away to go, but I thought it was a real waste that at all three places to get refills that you couldn't refill them yourself. The CM had to give you a new cup of your beverage choice and you then poured it into your refillable mug.

3.) Ease of a quick breakfast... the BC Marketplace hardly ever had a line. Even if it did, it always moved quickly. The Boardwalk Bakery always had a line and it never moved quickly...

4.) Atmosphere... while we enjoy walking on the Boardwalk for an evening stroll and get a slice of pizza, we love the relaxing feel of the YC/BC. Sitting on the beach at night watching a movie, walking thru the sand, and yes... enjoying the lights of the Boardwalk from a distance.

5.) I will say that I liked the actual room size of the BWV over the BCV. We stayed in studio's at both places and the BWV studio seemed a little bigger in the vanity and entrance area. We had our DD2 and DS5 with us, so our DS slept on the sofa bed, while our DD slept in the pack-n-play. At BWV the pack-n-play fit easily by the front door without having to move it around to get out. At BCV we had to put it in front of the vanity sink during the night and then move it out of the way in the morning while getting ready. BUT, since this was probably the last time we'll need to use a pack-n-play, that doesn't really affect our choice between the two resorts.

6.) It never rained the entire 8 days we were there but if we did have days of rain, at the BCV we could walk everywhere within the resort under cover. Not the case at BWV.

I know everyone has their own personal reasons why they like or dislike certain resorts, and that's fine! I'm just so glad that we tried out the BWV before choosing it as a home resort. Because apparenlty our hearts are at BCV. Now if this economy would just get stable again so that we can feel confident about purchasing DVC we'll be happy DVC owners!!.

 

[DVC Mike]

Anyone who has stayed at both recently - how do you think they compare? Has one resort been kept up better than the other? i.e. does one resort show more wear & tear over the other?

During our Oct stay, I would say our BCV room had less wear and tear than our BWV room.