Likes/Dislikes about BCV

[Disneywedding2010]

I plan on booking a week in a studio at BCV for April 25 - May 2nd. We are celebrating my late husband's birthday, my fiance's birthday, and his late mother's birthday all in that week.

What do you like/dislike about the resort? This will be my first time there. I can't walk long distances due to a blood clot in my leg so is there any specific area I should request?

Thanks!

 

[skelooch]

I have stayed at BCV 29 times, just returned from 29 yesterday. Obviously I like everything about it, and can't think of anything I don't like.

If you have trouble walking I would request something near main elevators. Also you might want to consider renting an ECV from one of the local rental companies, it's a lot cheaper than renting from Disney each day at the parks, plus you'll have use of it outside the parks. It will definitely make the trip more enjoyable for yourself and everyone else in your party as well.

Hope you have a great trip.

 

[Disneywedding2010]

I have stayed at BCV 29 times, just returned from 29 yesterday. Obviously I like everything about it, and can't think of anything I don't like.

If you have trouble walking I would request something near main elevators. Also you might want to consider renting an ECV from one of the local rental companies, it's a lot cheaper than renting from Disney each day at the parks, plus you'll have use of it outside the parks. It will definitely make the trip more enjoyable for yourself and everyone else in your party as well.

Hope you have a great trip.

The wheelchair part is taken care of. I have one from home that I am bringing with me. I do not see any sense in renting one when I have one at home for travel (the only time it gets used).

29 times?!?!? WOW...

 

[PHILCT]

Love BCV

1) Great Location, close to all of Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin, right on top of EPCOT World Showcase via International Gate.

Beaches N Creme, Boardwalk Bakery, Marketplace, PICABU Cafeteria (Swan and Dolphin opened 24 hours)

2) Easiest places to refill your refillable mug of all the DVC places.

3) StormAlong Bay, so exclusive you get a wrist band to swim there.

4) Boat ride to HS is nice, EPCOT if your in the mood for a boat ride as well.

5) I'm back in my room quickly after Illuminations ends.
That is the best feeling !

Cons:

Buses to MK, AK, Downtown Disney are shared among too many resorts along the Boardwalk.

 

[TisBit]

We stayed there for the first time this summer.

Pros

Close to Epcot, relatively close to Hollywood Studios.

Big Pool

Nice Resort

Cons:

You can be a pretty decent distance away from the main resort area (which throws in the face of most convenient refillable mugs...LOL)

The theme'd pool is not near the DVC villas, so you have to walk through the main hotel and around front to get there.

The pool is popular, therefore very crowded and can be hard to find chairs, etc. This goes for Beaches and Cream as well.

If you do park opening at Epcot, it is a little inconvenient to get to rope drop (you have to get moving to make it for the rope drop ceremony, because they don't open the International Gateway entrance early enough IMHO).

Buses are shared by too many resorts, so outside of Epcot/HS it is a bit annoying to get to parks/DTD


I would definitely request near the main elevators, it will alleviate some of the Cons, but don't think you are right on top of everything unless you are near the main elevators and even then you do have to make your way through the main lobby/hotel area to get to SAB, boats, Epcot, etc. Boardwalk is relatively close and you can get there pretty easily with a short walk. Overall, my impression was that it was over hyped, similar to how a lot of people feel about Le Cellier. I would stay there again, but I am not dying to go back.

 

[n2mm]

We like the BCV and stay here often. The only negative I can say about this resort is the lack of CS choices.

BTW -- Do you have a backup choice if this resort is not available. I noticed you are planning to book the week after Easter, which is a very busy time of year (just like the week before). I just want you to be prepared in case you can't get in, or be prepared to waitlist. I'm guessing you plan to call on September 25th for the 7 month window. Good luck.

 

[Disneywedding2010]

We decided to move our trip back to May 14 - 22nd.

 

[CT_Pats_Fan]

The thing we like the most about BCV is the proximity to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. We are walkers - and I'm not really being sure what a long walk is for you. Quite a few of the best Epcot Restuarants are very close to the International Gateway. The Boardwalk street performers and that atmosphere is right across the lake. You could take a boat there if the walking is too much. I wouldn't even suggest the walking we do to Hollywood Studios...

 

[mtmbyck]

it was my understanding that International Gateway opens at the same time as main gate?

 

[helenk]

Cons:

Buses to MK, AK, Downtown Disney are shared among too many resorts along the Boardwalk.

I don't know if I was just lucky, but I just returned from a great stay at the BCV, and going to and from the AK and the MK the only resort we shared buses with was the YC. Except for one night, coming back from the MK, it was well after the park closing. I had stayed behind and had a snack at the bakery so the crowds were cleared out. There were a few of us at the bus stop for the YC/BC and a few people at the stop for the Swan,Dolphin and BWI a bus came for the Swan et al and the bus driver called to us to get on that bus and we all went on the one bus. That was the only time we shared with multiple resorts.
I can not speak to going to and from DTD as I did not make it over there this trip.

 

[helenk]

I plan on booking a week in a studio at BCV for April 25 - May 2nd. We are celebrating my late husband's birthday, my fiance's birthday, and his late mother's birthday all in that week.

What do you like/dislike about the resort? This will be my first time there. I can't walk long distances due to a blood clot in my leg so is there any specific area I should request?

Thanks!

I would request a room in the the section that is as close as possible to the main lobby. I was surprised that the resort was so spread out, but I really enjoyed my stay there last week. I felt that the resort had a very relaxed feel to it. I went to storm-along bay only once, and it was around 5:00 so it was not crowded at all. I did enjoy the quiet pool, it was easy to get to and there was a hot tub right there as well.
I enjoyed walking to EPCOT and DHS, which I realize is not for you, but the boat ride to both of these parks is a nice perk.
I personally was not impressed with the food selections in the fridge and freezer section at the MarketPlace, but the store over at the BWI had a good selection and I got a few things there.

 

[CT_Pats_Fan]

it was my understanding that International Gateway opens at the same time as main gate?

Yes. They have cast members directing you through England and Canada to get into the front of the park, since the world showcase doesn't open until later. It is usually a very easy entrance into the park. Nothing like the other parks at opening time.

 

[crisi]

I was surprised by how far away from everything we were as well. We own BWV - so I'm used to "long hallways" and a larger resort, but we were farther from almost everything than we've been at BWVs. SAB in particular was a long walk. I didn't like cutting through the lobby in my swimsuit coverup and flipflops to get to the pool.

Honestly, I know a lot of people love it, but it was sort of disappointing. The room was very far away - but we really had a room on the back end. Marketplace was too small, not enough of anything - as a big counter service restaurant or a big shop it would have been fine - fitting souviniers, groceries and counterservice in that space did none of above justice. B&C had a 40+ minute wait every time we tried to get in (4 times, and never at a "prime meal time"). After two days, my kids wanted the BWV pool - they didn't like the BC slide at all - they did like the "swirling waters." The walk to Epcot was a lot shorter, but the "shortcut" that took me past the patio doors of people with their drapes open and their beds unmade was not a comfortable walk - worse when they were trying to enjoy their patio.

The public areas are beautiful though. And plentiful and fairly unused. Very nice spaces. The community pool was very pleasant. The room was very clean and well maintained. We had good bus transportation all week and seldom shared a bus with anyone.

 

[TisBit]

Yes. They have cast members directing you through England and Canada to get into the front of the park, since the world showcase doesn't open until later. It is usually a very easy entrance into the park. Nothing like the other parks at opening time.

Yes, they open at the same time, but what we found to be the big difference was that at the main entrance you go through security, are staged in line, the turnstiles open and you are only 2-3 minutes from the rope for the ceremony.

On the International Gateway side there is no way for them to do the security check before the turnstiles, so when they open the gates, you have to do security, then turnstiles, then you are 5-6 minutes away. We were one of the first through and made it to the rope with only a couple minutes to spare....the only saving grace is that there are less people on that side of the park. I just wish they would open International Gateway a few minutes earlier, the 10-15 minutes just cuts it close if you are a die hard rope dropper.

I was surprised by how far away from everything we were as well. We own BWV - so I'm used to "long hallways" and a larger resort, but we were farther from almost everything than we've been at BWVs. SAB in particular was a long walk. I didn't like cutting through the lobby in my swimsuit coverup and flipflops to get to the pool.

Honestly, I know a lot of people love it, but it was sort of disappointing. The room was very far away - but we really had a room on the back end. Marketplace was too small, not enough of anything - as a big counter service restaurant or a big shop it would have been fine - fitting souviniers, groceries and counterservice in that space did none of above justice. B&C had a 40+ minute wait every time we tried to get in (4 times, and never at a "prime meal time"). After two days, my kids wanted the BWV pool - they didn't like the BC slide at all - they did like the "swirling waters." The walk to Epcot was a lot shorter, but the "shortcut" that took me past the patio doors of people with their drapes open and their beds unmade was not a comfortable walk - worse when they were trying to enjoy their patio.

The public areas are beautiful though. And plentiful and fairly unused. Very nice spaces. The community pool was very pleasant. The room was very clean and well maintained. We had good bus transportation all week and seldom shared a bus with anyone.

That was definitely my impression as well. Not many people want to hear anything negative about BCV...but it was definitely spread out and no easy way out of the villas. I didn't hate it, just didn't expect it.

 

[princessbride6205]

We were also disappointed. We had expected to love BCV and had been thinking of adding on there. After a 5-day stay in January, we decided not to add there. Would we stay there again? Yes, because we like the pool and Epcot is our favorite park.

Pros:
Location
Pool
Next to Yacht Club (where my parents always stay on their trips with us)

Cons:
Bus service
Room felt a little shabby (IMHO, looks like it hadn't been updated in many years, plus large stain on couch)
Views/Point Value (We had a view of a maintenance vehicle road, for the same number of points as a savanna view at AKV)

 

[bytheblood]

I have stayed only once, so my comments are based upon a single experience.

Likes:
Beautiful resort - inside and out
Proximity to EPCOT
Ability to walk to EPCOT
Room view was awesome
CMs were all nice and very helpful

Dislikes:
Bus Service is horrible
Boat Service to and from DHS is horrible
Food options are truly limited unless you want TS

 

[Simba's Mom]

Yes. They have cast members directing you through England and Canada to get into the front of the park, since the world showcase doesn't open until later. It is usually a very easy entrance into the park. Nothing like the other parks at opening time.

I just want to clarify that although you'll see CMs, and there's a rope at the bridge preventing you from heading towards France, no one rushes you toward FW. If you're not in a hurry some morning, take a seat in front of R&C and you might get to see this-

and listen to the sweet tones of A Belk's clarinet playing "Stranger on the Shore" (or for you fellow Mr. Holland's Opus fan's, "playing the sunset"). This is no doubt my favorite time in WS and one reason I love staying at BCV.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I can't think of anything that I don't like about BCV. We've stayed many times, and have a few stays booked. We usually book there only when we have swimming in the plans.

We all love the 2 meals at Cape May Cafe. Breakfast with the characters is very tasty with lots of character interaction, and they do have lox/bagels in the buffet! DH and I try to eat at the Clambake at least 2 times a year, and even our DDiL who is not a fish/shrimp lover enjoys the food.

Bobbi

 

[crisi]

By the way, I wouldn't let my disappointment dissuade you. I think you'll have a lovely trip - its just good to go into a situation with realistic expectations. I hadn't EXPECTED our room to be so far back, so far from the pool - being that the Villas are a small resort. I hadn't really expected the Marketplace to be so limited, given that so many people rave about it. I'd expected to be able to fit in a trip for a sundae at B&C once during the trip with a ten minute wait in the middle of the day. Had I expected those things, I wouldn't have been disappointed (and I'd have requested a room close to the lobby.)

 

[edk35]

We have stayed at BCV two times and we loved our stays very much. No complaints here!!!