Is SAB attractive enough to buy BCV?

[Grandbuddy]

I have four grandchildren who will be old enough in a couple of years to enjoy SAB. I've never seen it, but it sounds like a place kids could enjoy even without going to a park everyday. On the other hand, it also SOUNDS as if it is very hard to reserve BCV for popular (kids out of school time) weeks. I understand you can't "hop" to SAB if you weren't able to book BCV, even if you own there. Seems somewhat unfair, does it not? So I guess I'm wondering if it is worthwhile to consider a BCV resale, with a 2042 end date, mostly for SAB. Owners: can you usually get in when you want to?

 

[JimMIA]

We had no problem booking BCV for May 07 at about five months, but I haven't tried during the summer school vacation period.

As far as SAB, I certainly would not buy BCV for that reason. I'm sure other posters will have opposite views, but we were underwhelmed with SAB. As a matter of fact, when we went back there the second day, our DD5 asked if we could go to the pool with "the lighthouse and cool sandcastle slide" (OKW). She only stayed about an hour and announced, "Okay, I'm done."

To me, the main attraction of BCV is the proximity to Epcot. It's also a very pretty resort, with some great views at night especially. But SAB is not a biggie for us.

 

[Amgman]

I have four grandchildren who will be old enough in a couple of years to enjoy SAB. I've never seen it, but it sounds like a place kids could enjoy even without going to a park everyday. On the other hand, it also SOUNDS as if it is very hard to reserve BCV for popular (kids out of school time) weeks. I understand you can't "hop" to SAB if you weren't able to book BCV, even if you own there. Seems somewhat unfair, does it not? So I guess I'm wondering if it is worthwhile to consider a BCV resale, with a 2042 end date, mostly for SAB. Owners: can you usually get in when you want to?

What is SAB? Sorry for what probably is a simple question, but I am new to the abbreviations used about DVC

 

[Arthur27]

What is SAB? Sorry for what probably is a simple question, but I am new to the abbreviations used about DVC

Don't worry, you're not alone.

 

[PhilUK]

Storm Along Bay - The pool at Beach Club. Lovely Pool but for us we love the Food at Cape May !!

Phil

 

[DisDaydreamer]

What is SAB? Sorry for what probably is a simple question, but I am new to the abbreviations used about DVC

Storm Along Bay is a moving water pool that you can float around in a loop endlessly. They also have a sandy beach entry and sand bottom in a portion of it. It is pretty darn cool and has an awsome water slide. It is not for tiny tots to be alone in though.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Now for the Op. I think if you have 4 GC then you would likely get some quality time there with them for years to come. I have to say as an empty nester that we kind of found it to be a bit overwhelming with the high energy of all the kids and young parents moving aroung at hyperspeed up and down the halls and around the resort. Certainly, as an owner you would be on equal footing with anyone else as far as getting ressies. Personally, I might find myself booking DW and myself at BWV, and kids/grandkids in BCV. Though that would mean they would have to meet you at your pool for that QT. Wouldn't have to be every time though.... Soo much to think about. Good luck with your decision. Ok, just go ahead and do it. Work the rest out later. Have fun. And how else better can you spend your money? We don't have Grandkids yet so I am imagineering here.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Our DGC are now 3, 4 and 5. We bought 140 BCV points last year specifically to take them with their parents to stay at BCV. We want the dedicated 2 bedroom with the 2 queen beds. That's what we've booked for them and us for November family trip this year, and it's what I'll be booking for them for May '09 before our all family DCL cruise. I've booked other family members into BWV and hope to change them at 7 months.

As a couple, and when we brought DM, and DSis to WDW for a few years for Epcot's Flower and Garden, we were always able to get 2 studios for a 3 -4 night stay at BCV, so getting something at BCV isn't impossible. However, we specifically want the villa that I am more certain I can get at 11 months.

So, we bought BCV, for the specific accomodations and SAB. I like the SAB and even without having DGC, if the time came that we couldn't book a night or two a year there at 7 months, I would have bought points there, to cover a short stay for DH and myself.

I'm going with a friend this September, and she's never stayed at BCV and wanted to, so at 7 months I was able to book the last 2 nights of our 5 night stay in a studio there. At 7 months, you can get in, and a studio doesn't seem hard to get that far out.

Bobbi

 

[BroganMc]

Just so everyone knows, this is Storm Along Bay:

It's very pretty to look at but I personally hate the pool. My reason is that I'm one of the few (or not so few) who can't use it due to disability. The only access they have are bump steps that don't work for a lot of us.

Also, as you can see in the middle of the picture, the pool is separated by a bridge with steps. In order for me to get from the lazy river/water slide area to the sandy beach/Beaches n Cream area, I need to actually leave the pool and go out to the main walkway. That is assuming the gates to get back in are not chained shut like they were last Oct. (I believe I can also get there by going inside the Yacht Club.)

Now owning BCV so you can reserve the dedicated two-bedroom or be closest to EPCOT during the festivals is a good thing. It is one of the smallest resorts at Disney and has high demand, so you may find your renting/trading power more worthwhile. Is that enough to balance out the fewer contract years for grandchildren...?

FWIW, I think there are far better pools for kids coming into the system now. I'm not a waterslider but when I ask people for reviews, SSR's water slide gets higher marks than SAB. (I'm told there are more fun twists there.) AKV will have a large pool area with slides. And KTR's plans call for a pool area that seems to rival both. And all three of these pools are due to be the most generational and kid-friendly having zero entry, bump steps and in SSR's case a pool lift (I'm told Disney's piloting the lift there and adding more to other pools later).

So if its a matter of buying BCV solely for SAB rights, I wouldn't do it. Far better to invest in the newer resorts, perhaps even wait for KTR in a year. I mean, how cool would it be to take the grandkids to a pool within walking distance of Magic Kingdom?

 

[Grandbuddy]

I'm thinking maybe since it will be old people's money buying in, there may be nothing wrong with thinking more in terms of the fitness center, spa, and sauna at SSR - especially if there's a good slide there, anyway.

 

[fn2bfree]

I know everyone has their own opinnion but I honestly cannot see how anyone can argue with the fact that SAB is the best pool at any Disney resort.

It is not impossible to book BCV at the 7 month window. We bought SSR two years ago and we have already stayed twice at BCV and will be returning again this August.

 

[BCV23]

If it's possible for you, I'd recommend trying out both resorts before deciding. We love SAB as well as many other things about BCV. The proximity to two parks as well as the many restaurants in the Epcot resort area are important to us. So is the availability of room service. There is a fitness center as well as a salon at Y&BC. No salon at SSR.

Both are lovely resorts but quite different IMO. Happy planning.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I know everyone has their own opinnion but I honestly cannot see how anyone can argue with the fact that SAB is the best pool at any Disney resort.

It is not impossible to book BCV at the 7 month window. We bought SSR two years ago and we have already stayed twice at BCV and will be returning again this August.

I'll take that argument. I'm with BroganMc. I personally hate SAB. It gets too deep to quickly, current is very swift, it can be a nightmare to watch your younger or non-swimming children and it gets horribly crowded. And I find it a place that I do not care to visit. My husband and son both like it, but I avoid it like the plague.

I personally think it is one of the worst pools on the property. I prefer TL for water park. I like the Dig Site. I like the GF leisure pool. OKW turtle pond pool is nice.

 

[BroganMc]

I'm thinking maybe since it will be old people's money buying in, there may be nothing wrong with thinking more in terms of the fitness center, spa, and sauna at SSR - especially if there's a good slide there, anyway.

It really is up to you. And BCV23's advice about studying each resort before buying is good advice. You may find that for "old people's money" being so close to EPCOT during Food & Wine trumps SSR's fitness center and spa.

Next trip, take half a day or so to spend time at each resort. Usually I plan a meal at the resort restaurant then walk off the food with long walks around the resort. I like to see the pool areas, sit in the lobbies, check out the resort shops, even pop into the Community Halls and talk to the CMs and guests. And I always check out the advantages of the area. So visits to BWV and BCV include trips across the International Gateway to EPCOT or Fantasia golf. Visits to AKV include long interludes at the Savannah overlooks and a day trip to Animal Kingdom. Visits to SSR include trips to DTD for shopping and dining. I've scoped out Contemporary with breakfast at Chef Mickeys, shopping along the concourse and then either a monorail or walk over to Magic Kingdom. (One day I did the monorail to EPCOT instead.)

The room decor is on display at SSR, but BCV you mostly have to rely on photos on the general decor of the resort. Sometimes you can walk down the hall and peak as the housekeepers are cleaning out a room. They are pretty much identical in layout though do differ in style. BCV feels very light and airy; SSR a bit more New Englandy refined. AKV has a darker African feel. (Those rooms are on display by appointment at SSR Sales Center.)

 

[dwelty]

It really is up to you. And BCV23's advice about studying each resort before buying is good advice. You may find that for "old people's money" being so close to EPCOT during Food & Wine trumps SSR's fitness center and spa.

Next trip, take half a day or so to spend time at each resort. Usually I plan a meal at the resort restaurant then walk off the food with long walks around the resort. I like to see the pool areas, sit in the lobbies, check out the resort shops, even pop into the Community Halls and talk to the CMs and guests. And I always check out the advantages of the area. So visits to BWV and BCV include trips across the International Gateway to EPCOT or Fantasia golf. Visits to AKV include long interludes at the Savannah overlooks and a day trip to Animal Kingdom. Visits to SSR include trips to DTD for shopping and dining. I've scoped out Contemporary with breakfast at Chef Mickeys, shopping along the concourse and then either a monorail or walk over to Magic Kingdom. (One day I did the monorail to EPCOT instead.)

The room decor is on display at SSR, but BCV you mostly have to rely on photos on the general decor of the resort. Sometimes you can walk down the hall and peak as the housekeepers are cleaning out a room. They are pretty much identical in layout though do differ in style. BCV feels very light and airy; SSR a bit more New Englandy refined. AKV has a darker African feel. (Those rooms are on display by appointment at SSR Sales Center.)

BroganMC has a good point. Stay at BCV try out SAB and take a trip over to SSR and check out the pool there. I will say it will be easier for you to keep an eye on your children at SSR as the pool area is quite open, unlike SAB which has alot of twists and turns and visual obstcles. (I would hate to be a lifeguard there) If you will be taking your Grand kids by yourself I would Recommend SSR. (especially as you get older) If you will have your children there to help SAB will be no problem.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We purchased BCV points so that we would always have some access to SAB but here are a couple of points that are not often brought up.

It is crowded. There seems to never be chairs available. It's like a cruise ship. People park their stuff on chairs and they and/or their stuff stays there all day. If like us you like to go to a park and then go back to the pool in the afternoon, good luck finding a place to sit with your family.

The villas were built as an afterthought and their location is not conducive for using SAB. There is just no easy way to get to SAB from the villas and many people find walking through the BC lobby in their speedo to be awkward.

HBC

 

[corpcomp]

We purchased BCV with our DS 11 in mind. He loves it and we had stayed at a lot of other resorts before purchasing. If you are buying for the grandchildren, I would not concern myself over how crowded it is or what other adults view of the pool is - kids have a totally different view of what is fun. and even at Spring break we don't find it all that crowded - he loves it along with the water slide and the whirlpool.


Just remember SSR is not within walking distance of any park.

In a year they will start selling Kingdom Tower. You might waht to wait - ther are always resales in all the buildings that you can save money on.

 

[Reginak]

We bought SSR and BCV. We didn't even try SAB but it is a great pool, and there is also a quiet pool available.

We made our decision to buy SSR only because it had the 54 yr. contract but have really enjoyed our stays there.

We bought the BCV because we fell in love with it. It was very peaceful and the closeness to Epcot, DHS and the Boardwalk can't be beat. Having first dibs on rooms there during the Christmas season, the Food and Wine Festival, and the Flower and Garden Festival is priceless. Our son also loved playing in the sand on the beach that borders the lake.

OKW owners have been given a chance to extend their contract and I wouldn't be surprised is the owners at the other DVC resorts aren't eventually offered the extension too.

There is a lot to consider when choosing a resort but I don't think that you will be disappointed whatever decision you make.

Regina

 

[solgent]

I know everyone has their own opinnion but I honestly cannot see how anyone can argue with the fact that SAB is the best pool at any Disney resort.

It is not impossible to book BCV at the 7 month window. We bought SSR two years ago and we have already stayed twice at BCV and will be returning again this August.

wow, I could almost have written this myself. We bought SSR 3 years ago, have stayed at SSR once & BCV once & have reservations to return to BCV in Aug! SAB is awesome. We all LOVE it. My kids are strong swimmers and real waterbugs. however the planned facility at AKV looks good too.

However we also like SSR and would be content to stay there at any time. I personally would not buy a shorter contract because we are happy with the newer resorts and we have found that we can try out other resorts as well.

 

[2tink4u]

I feel the kids grow into BCV from tikes who play in the sand to older children who enjoy the floating around. As an older couple this is a great place to sneak off alone and enjoy EPCOT with ease. So many great things happen there that us older folks enjoy. I like your choice. Let's face it. If you want to try the other resorts you will. Having guaranteed to access to your favorite is a great thing. I'll be in my 90's in 50 years. Don't over think it. You will enjoy taking the kids to the different resorts in time. My son grew out of Magic Kingdom quickly. It's a once a trip adventure now. Otherwise, I would recommend The new Kingdom towers also. They will be close to Magic Kingdom and on the Monorail Line. I do feel the children like the other parks more as they get older. I'm not sure if we know anything about the pool there though. On a previous thread these lovely owners convinced me that SAB was indeed the best pool. If you get there early and are skipping the parks for the day seating won't be a problem. Happy Hopping!