Looking for input - Beach Club Villa vs. Wilderness Villa

[speja01]

Hi Everyone,

We have finally narrowed down our resort choice to a Wilderness Villa or Beach Club Villa. Our group consists of 4 adults and 4 children (2 6yr old girls and 2 3yr old boys). We plan on going the week of Feb 4 thru 9 2013. From everything I read the early part of Feb usually has some of the lowest crowds of the year. We are leaning towards the Beach Club Villa because we feel it is centrally located and has relatively quick access to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and the Animal Kingdom. The one major drawback is from what I read the bus service to Magic Kingdom can be a real nightmare and I think we'll probably spend a great deal of our time at MK as well. Has anyone visited Walt Disney World in early Feb and experienced the bus service from the Beach Club up to Magic Kingdom? Do visitors typically take the bus to Epcot and then hop on the monorail up to Magic Kingdom or just take the bus all the way up? One would think lower crowds would equal better bus service...then again maybe not as many buses run due to the low attendance. The Wilderness provides quick access to the Magic Kingdom but would require us to take a bus or hop on the monorail to get down to the other parks whereas staying at the Beach Club would be walking distance to Epcot and possibly Hollywood Studios (but a bus or monorail up to Magic Kingdom). Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

 

[AJKMOM]

Personally, if I was going to spend most of my time at the Magic Kingdom, I would stay at Villas at Wilderness Lodge. Not sure how much swimming you will do, you never know until you get to FL what the weather will be like. usually it's in the 60's and 70's, last Feb. it was in the 80's and low 90's. Sometimes the Epcot resorts share busses, so that can be a pain, too.

I don't believe there is a bus to the front Epcot, from the BC, you either walk or take the boat to the International Gateway.

 

[mkoerner]

I think it all depends on where your group plans on spending more of their time. In my experience, the busses to MK, AK, and DTD from the EPCOT resorts was pretty bad, making it the biggest reason my family refuses to stay there again. But if you plan on being at EPCOT and HS most of the time, then it may not bother you. WL is lovely and so relaxing. The boat to MK is efficient and we found all of the busses going everywhere else to be reliable and not at all crowded when we stayed there in late January.None of the busses from either resort is direct though, meaning there will be stops at other resorts. Of course, the DTD busses are known for being miserable, no matter when you go.

 

[speja01]

Thanks mkoerner! You mentioned the DTD busses are always known to be miserable but also mentioned the buses going from WL to everywhere else to be reliable and not really crowded. Are there 2 different types of buses? Are the busses heading up from Epcot the DTD busses?

 

[Pakey]

I own at BCV and have stayed there many times. The bus service is not hideous. However, the bus will be shared with, at a minimum, YC and BC. YC picks up first so yes, many times the buses are already SRO to both MK and AK, even during slow times. This will not be the case if you are getting to the park after opening. However, if you are going for rope drop, yes the buses will be full. And at park closing, they are a nightmare, just like any other resort at WDW.

Epcot area bus to DTD is truly awful because it shares with all 5 Epcot resorts. They are crowded and it takes forever.

 

[jollygreengirl]

It's been my experience that off season bus transport takes longer. Less buses I guess.

I have stayed at both VWL and BCV. They are both great locations. If you will be at MK more (and with kids those ages you probably will), do VWL. If you think you'll be at DHS or Epcot more, do BCV. If this is a first time trip for you, I'd do VWL, since IMO the MK resorts are a little more special for first-timers. You'd have the water pageant at night and pulling up to MK on the boat is pretty special. We love riding the various boats to the parks. You'd also have a boat to Epcot Int'l Gateway (easier to walk from the Villas) and to DHS. At VWL, you'd be very convenient to lots of character dining choices (Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana, 1900 Fare, etc.), too.

The big sell on BCV, aside from the location, is the amazing pool, but at that time of year, it'll be a toss up whether it'll be warm enough to swim. It certainly may be, but keeping track of 4 little ones would be easier at WL. Stormalong is huge and IMO better suited to older kids. WL has a very nice pool area, plus the villa pool. We've been able to swim there in early March before.

From everything you've mentioned, I'd say VWL. You can always take the boat to MK, and then hop on the monorail for Epcot (change trains at TTC), if you are anti-bus. At WL, you'll share with either Ft. Wilderness or Grand Floridian. At BCV, you may have to share with all the other Epcot Resorts, which isn't THAT bad, but when you're tired after a long day, it can get on your nerves. I would just go ahead and expect that during that time of year, you'll be sharing a Epcot Resort bus at BCV.

 

[twinboysmom]

If you plan to spend a good deal of time in MK, I would choose VWL. They have boat service to MK but there is also bus service to MK. I haven't stayed at an Epcot area resort since I had the twins and will not until they are out of strollers. The reason being our bus service was terrible during a June stay a couple of years ago. We shared the MK bus with bw (where we stayed), swalphin, and BC/YC. Also, the AK bus was the same.

 

[bytheblood]

I have stayed at both and I prefer Wilderness Lodge Villas. The transportation is better, there are more food options and it is close to the MK. The bus service at the BC/YC/BWI/S&D is absolutely horrible! This is the main reason we will never stay there again.

 

[Anal Annie]

TOUGH decision as you've picked our 2 most fav. resorts of all time. They are both beautiful. I don't remember the transportation being bad at either resort (and of course we walked to Epcot from BCV). For a summer trip no question, Beach Club. The pool is worth a whole day in of itself. In Feb. you may or may not have pool weather. But so for a winter trip, no other resort compares to Wilderness. The wood...the fireplaces...the theme...the colors....the coziness. PERFECT for a Dec-Feb trip. It's warm & inviting & if the weather is inclement there are a TON of Hidden Mickeys to find and lots of exploring to do inside. Whispering Canyon is also a fun restaurant to take the kids to. It's not the best food on property but kids love it and it's worth a try at least once. Have fun!!

 

[fla4fun]

I have stayed at both.

Personally, I prefer to stay at the Epcot resorts in cooler weather, because it's more conducive to walking to the parks (since you have two within walking distance). I have never had any problems with transportation at either VWL or BCV - but that could be related to the time of year and time of day. Neither one has great views - VWL looks at trees and BCV is either trees or the quiet pool (although there are a few upper rooms with a partial Epcot view where you can see some of the fireworks). The villas at BCV feel slightly larger (not sure of the exact measurements though). VWL is a smaller resort, so you don't have any long walks to get to your room (sometimes the BCV halls seem endless - worse to me than the BWV halls). Parking (if you have a car) is closer to BCV than VWL. I like having the recreational facilities at FW within walking distance of VWL (and the wildlife on the walking trail).

You really can't go wrong with either choice.

 

[peacelover]

I agree with most who say the WL is good for a cooler weather trip, along with fast access to MK. another factor is the ages of your children. The bus stop from BCV is quite a walk, while from the VWL it is practically outside your door from the villas. Also it's just a fun atmosphere at the WL for the kids, lots of recreation options. The 6 yr olds will get a kick out of Whispering Canyon.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I wouldn't say transportation from the WL/VWL is necessarily better or worse than YC/BC. We've had issue with late buses and/or full buses at both places. WL shares with other resorts sometimes too. Actually we've had issues at pretty much every single WDW resort. Sometimes you just have to wait longer than you want, sometimes buses come to your resort already full, sometimes they can't load every single person waiting and you have to wait for another bus, sometimes they have to unload and load a wheelchair person and it takes an extra 20 minutes, we have seen it all. My best advice is if you choose to stay at BCV, and you are on a tight schedule to get to MK, then walk down to the YC and get on the bus. It's not far, and you'll have a much better chance of getting a seat if it's really important to you.

I guess we've never really worried much about it, trips to WDW usually entail waiting for things, rather it be waiting for buses, waiting in line for rides, waiting to be seated in restaurants, waiting for parades to start, waiting for character autographs, etc, etc, your kids will have to get use to waiting for things pretty much all day long. I suggest bringing things they can look at or play with to help the time pass.

 

[goofy4tink]

Have stayed at both. I prefer BCV. I thought I was going to love the VWL...and I loved the main areas, and walking around outside. BUT..I hated our villa. It was dark and gloomy. And yes, I knew it wasn't going to be bright and cheery going in. But we had a villa at the very end of the hallway, on the ground floor. Just wasn't my cup of tea. BUT I still love the WL/VWL.
As far as buses go?? Those at the BC are not terrible. Everyone is always making comments about how they share with other resorts. Well, so do the buses at WL!! 6 of one, half dozen of another.
Go with whichever theme appeals to you most. They both are wonderful resorts, with lots of pros and a few cons.

 

[LynnTH]

Thanks OP for asking this. I was just going to ask the same thing. Although, we are going next May/June. Staying at Bonnet Creek for 4 nights then switching to a DVC Resort. Have rented DVC points before at BWV and AKV and loved both put really liked walking to Epcot and the boat to DHS.

So, My DH knows someone who will rent us points and probably give us a really good deal. He owns at VWL. So, was intially thinking to just have him book us in there and then when the 7th month mark opens up switch to BCV if they have any openings. I really like the theming and convenience of BCV. But, I keep hearing good things about VWL also but have to say I haven't really considered this resort before as being from MN we have lodges all over the place. So, just not sure what to do... will be following this thread to see what others have to say.

 

[peacelover]

Thanks OP for asking this. I was just going to ask the same thing. Although, we are going next May/June. Staying at Bonnet Creek for 4 nights then switching to a DVC Resort. Have rented DVC points before at BWV and AKV and loved both put really liked walking to Epcot and the boat to DHS.

So, My DH knows someone who will rent us points and probably give us a really good deal. He owns at VWL. So, was intially thinking to just have him book us in there and then when the 7th month mark opens up switch to BCV if they have any openings. I really like the theming and convenience of BCV. But, I keep hearing good things about VWL also but have to say I haven't really considered this resort before as being from MN we have lodges all over the place. So, just not sure what to do... will be following this thread to see what others have to say.

Not to confuse you, But in the spring, I really prefer the BCV. Lighter and brighter, and I seem to like to do a lot more walking in the spring than in the winter.