Looking for comparisons of BCV and BWV-stayed at both?

[Simba's Mom]

Interested in comparisons between BCV and BWV-relative distances to Epcot, size, views (BCV vs. BWV standard, specifically). What I'm trying to do here is talk myself into trying BWV standard view because of the less points than BCV. Stayed at BCV last month and loved it-quiet, so close to Epcot, people so friendly, hear Epcot from my balcony. Part of me wants to try BWV standard, but part of me feels that BCV is so ideal, why mess with what I love. But talk me into at least trying BWV to compare. Or maybe I don't have any hope of getting BWV standard view studio for next November anyways? Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Granny]

SMom....I haven't stayed at BCV, but am pretty familiar with the location and resort.

BWV is also very close to Epcot.....just a couple of minutes more walk along the always fascinating Boardwalk to get there. And of course, BWV is much closer to MGM...making that walk a pretty nice one as well.

We had a room overlooking the quiet pool and I can honestly say that BWV was very quiet. For us, it was the best of both worlds....the room was quiet but we could just go downstairs and out the door and be on the bustling Boardwalk.

I think you'd enjoy either one very much. And if you can pull off the standard view studio (I don't know how hard that is in November at the 7 month window), you might want to give it a try. We feel that sampling the various DVC resorts is a big plus for DVC....each vacation feels a little different and keeps WDW fresh for us!

Good luck!

 

[Tiggery]

I may be wrong but i believe that BWV standard rooms number only 10% of there total number of rooms so unless you have the BW as your home resort I think you have a limited chance of getting them, sorry.

 

[Wes]

Originally posted by Tiggery
I may be wrong but i believe that BWV standard rooms number only 10% of there total number of rooms so unless you have the BW as your home resort I think you have a limited chance of getting them, sorry.

I think you must be confusing smoking rooms with standard rooms. The entire side of the villas that does not face the Boardwalk is, I believe, considered as standard view -- which means at least 50% of the rooms.

 

[ez]

I know that any pool view at bwv is also preferred view. Don't know what the% of standard views are, but it is nowhere near 50%. Probably more like 20.

 

[Granny]

All the views of the canal, Swan & Dolphin, Luna Pool, and quiet pool are all preferred views.

I believe the only standard views are those that are on the drive-up side of the villas overlooking the check-in/valet area. 10% of the rooms is probably about right...maybe even a little high?

 

[DebbieB]

I believe it is 20%. The standard views are along the front driveway, from the valet entrance to the pond and around to across from the tennis courts. The rest are preferred view, which includes Boardwalk views, Swan/Dolphin, Main Pool, Quiet Pool.
Boardwalk views are also about 20%, leaving the rest of the preferred views about 60%.

We had a standard view 1 bedroom earlier this month and had a great view of the fireworks from Illuminations. We could hear the music clearly. We could also hear Tapestry of Dreams and the Candlelight Processional (faintly). We were on the 4th floor across from the bus stop (4103). I booked day by day at 11 months. You could always book BCV at 11 months and waitlist for BWV standard if not available at 7 months. Standard view for our 6 nights was 121 points vs 155 for preferred.

I haven't stayed at BCV to compare, but we love the Boardwalk. The boat dock is right outside, so if you don't feel like walking you can catch the boat to Epcot or MGM. There are alot of restaurant choices plus we loved the Bakery and Seashore Sweets.

 

[WDWguruDH]

We have stayed at both and loved both. Accomodations are about the same. Pros for both below:
BWV
1) Can walk to Epcot and MGM
2) More activity, things to do, more restuarants
3) Standard view is as good as most at BCV

BCV
1) A little quieter, more removed
2) SAB - my nephews liked it, but not sure it was a must
3) Closer to Epcot - not a ton, but it is a few minutes closer

 

[Luv2Dream]

I stayed at both this year. We were in a 1BR standard view at BWV in June and a 1 BR at BCV in October. The only reason I would pick BCV over BWV is StormAlong Bay pool. Otherwise, I found BWV to be more convenient for choice of restaurants and activities. I actually found my 1BR at BWV to be quieter than my 1BR at BCV because the "quiet" pool at BCV wasn't so quiet on some nights and I was on the top floor! At BWV, we overlooked the front entryway and it was nice and quiet. We could see Epcot fireworks over the building on the opposite side of the L. Also, Luna pool does give SAB a run for its money with the slide and squirting elephants so I personally enjoy BWV, and I was expecting to enjoy BCV more. It surprised me, really.
Final comment: I booked this 1BR standard view at the 7 month window and I didn't even call day by day. Maybe I was just lucky, I don't know. We own at VWL.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks for the clear comparison WDWguruDH and Luv2Dream. I'll definitely try!

 

[EROS]

We much prefer the access to the Boardwalk from BWV as well as the short walk to MGM .......We ALWAYS book standard views at 11 months out to get more for our points. We're really only in our room when it's time to "crash" ....

 

[wilderness01]

We stayed at BWV in August in a studio, standard view. Booked 2 to 3 weeks out. Maybe we just got lucky to get the standard view.

 

[Claudia1]

We just returned 23 hours ago (***sigh***), and our choice is definitely BWV.

We have stayed at all DVC villas and this time we tried the new BCV with a 2-BR. The studio portion was essentially identical to the other resorts (we couldn't see any difference) but the 1-BR was decidedly smaller. No huge, walk-in closet; less under-the-sink cabinet space in the jacuzzi bathroom; less closet space then the 1-BR; we could hear the bathroom in the villa above us (running water, flushing, and the jacuzzi at 7am). The master bedroom closet did not have a light and was hard to see.

While it has a nice entry/foyer, it was wasted space for us. I would rather have extra closet space. It also had a desk in the master bedroom. My cousins are also DVC members and they visited us during our Christmas stay. Their opinion is the same.

The BWV's are quieter, larger, and only an extra 5-8 minutes away from Epcot. With the pool-hopping privilege, we have used Storm-a-long Bay often.

We actually enjoyed our stay at the BCV. It is a great place! I also liked the oval dining table with the bench seat. It just didn't suit us like the other DVC resorts.

This is just my personal opinion. We are a family of 5 (including a 4-month infant). If we had only had a 1-BR, we would not have had enough storage space and the playpen/bed would have had to be in the foyer or crowded into the master bedroom (the desk took up the free space). We can use a 1-BR at any other DVC property and have much more room. The walk-in closet can even be a nursery, if necessary. (Sometime you just have to isolate a baby from all noise and stimulation.)

PM or email me if you have any questions.

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by Claudia1
The BWV's are quieter, larger, and only an extra 5-8 minutes away from Epcot. With the pool-hopping privilege, we have used Storm-a-long Bay often.

If SAB is an important part of the decision, BCV is the only place you can stay. Pool hopping privileges to SAB from other DVC resorts has been cancelled with the opening of the BCV.

Good luck with your decision....it's nice to know that there really isn't a bad decision that could be made here!

 

[Claudia1]

Thanks for the correction, Granny! I'm really out of the loop and didn't realize that poolhopping to SAB was discontinued.

 

[JKLLady]

We were at BWV for 10 days in August & BCV for 5 days in November; we had a preferred studio plus @BWV & a dedicated 2 bdrm @ BCV. The whole family (DH 49, me 47, DD 16 & DS 5)discussed pros/cons & our vote is for BWV. The boat dock & bus stop are both closer than at BCV & even though DS loves Stormalong, we all also like Luna Park, and love having Community Hall & the kids activities! Also, we like being part of the hotel & sharing the lobby vs. being detached at BCV, and enjoy just hanging at the Boardwalk at night. We'll go back to BCV (did our add-on there), but it will be back to BWV first!