More Fact Gathering: BWV Balconies

[Pluto1976]

Well the DW and I (ok just me at this point ) are kicking the tires of DVC again and thinking if we should buy-in to the program. I am coming to the realization that is just does not make sense for us not to buy into DVC given the frequency of our visits and the tendency for us always to go back to WDW after looking at other options.

Here goes the first question for this round of fact gathering: How are the balconies at BWV?

Why do I ask? Well we just got back from the BC in May and one of the things I noticed about the BC and BCV were the varying size of balconies and the smallness of allot of them. Not to mention the fact the BCV rooms seem like you could easily get a not so great view from the room and quite a small balcony to enjoy it on. We are "big relax on the balcony people" so that's why this is a bit of an issue.

Now we had walked over to the BWV during our stay and I saw the majority of them had what seemed like nice size balconies. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[5forDiz]

Varying sizes at BWV too. Best balcony we've had there was on our last visit, we had 1 bedroom standard villa which had a long balcony that stretched the entire length from living room to master bedroom with 4 chairs and 2 small low round tables; it wasn't very wide however ( like if you had chair nearly up against door it was not wide enough for tall person to stretch legs out completely). We've also had the smaller balconies that you can hardly move on with 2 chairs & small table; on those we usually end up bringing table into villa.

If balcony size is big consideration then jmho OKW wins hands down. Even studio balconies are roomier than most you will find at other DVC resorts. Its 1 and 2 bedroom villa balconies are amazing!

 

[disneynutz]

BWV is currently our favorite resort. There are a few rooms that have horrible balconies. We had one a couple of months ago with a Boardwalk View. The rail is a solid 2 foot thick wall. It blocks your view looking out and it is so thick that you can't look down.

Bill

 

[jekjones1558]

I would agree that balconies at OKW are the best on property. The 1 and 2 bedrooms have a ceiling fan and round picnic table with chairs. I don't agree that the studio ones are that great. They are small, more square than oblong. We don't stay in studios anymore but when we did we never had a big balcony or patio at any DVC at WDW.
Some of the OKW balconies also have nice views of ponds, the river to DTD or the golf course. Very nice. But our favorite views, hands down, are the BW view balconies. Early morning we watch the joggers and wait for the first Friendship boats to arrive. Afternoon we watch all of the people coming and going. Evening we watch people, the street performers, the arcade games and the fireworks at EPCOT and MK. Over the years visiting the parks has become less and less a priority but we continue to love the WDW atmosphere that we are able to soak up on our BW view balcony. When we book too late to get a BW view, we have also enjoyed pool view and canal view. Once we got one of the famous x123 standard view rooms. That balcony was beyond belief, but it is total luck if you get one of those 3 rooms.
Now if your idea of sitting on the balcony is watching nature, then BWV would NOT be a good choice. Good luck to you in your decision making. Here are some photos from BW balconies:

Luna (main) pool view:

Standard view from room 4123:

BW view at night:

BW view on a cloudy day:

 

[DebbieB]

The best balcony I ever had was 3123, as Jean mentioned above. The worst was 5051. It is on the corner of the Village Green and I got it as a boardwalk view 1 bedroom. There was only a small balcony off the living room and no balcony off the bedroom, just windows. Other times I have had 1 long balcony or 2 smaller ones for a 1 bedroom. I did have the walled balcony that Bill had a couple of times. Really don't spend alot of time out there, mostly just when Illuminations is showing and I stood up to watch. One time I had it like that in a standard view and was glad to have it because we had periods of heavy rain and it gave some protection to sit out.

 

[Pluto1976]

Those pictures are awesome! Thanks for posting!!

I appreciate the feedbackup about OKW. Unfortunately, I don't think this resort is going to make our list of potentials although we might need to do a tour to see.

So what I am gathering is that BWV balconies are similiar to the kind for BCV. Hmmmm this makes it interesting.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Our favorite balconies have been:
1) OKW 2BR (or 1BR). We spent more time on that balcony than any other. Heaven!

2) AKV Jambo House 1BR - really like the long balconies there. This was concierge level so it had the roof overhang.

3) BWV solid wall BWV balcony. We could stand up and watch when we wished to or sit and have privacy if we chose to. This also was a long balcony with two tables and 4 chairs and was wider than most. We didn't have any problem seeing over it though like Bill described.

4) BLT. Only stayed in a studio but they seem to be slightly larger than other studio balconies. I believe those are going to be the most consistent for size.

At BCV we've had the worst balconies. And VB also. Solid wall and very, very narrow. DH and I were not comfortable out there together. I wasn't even that comfortable out there alone.

VWL's Balconies are fine. Nothing large but are useable.

 

[drusba]

AKV balconies are larger than others except for OKW and generally the same size and design throughout the resort. Having savanna view there is one of its big selling points.

Most BWV rooms have the rail balconies which are outside of each room including living room and most times you will likely get one of those and they are okay (not much space between door and rail). The ones with the wooden balconies mentioned above are actually ones I like because the balcony is larger than others. There are a small number of rooms where you get no balcony outside part of the one bedroom (either living room or bedroom).

BLT, if you are considering there, generally has okay rail type balconies (with not much space between door and railing but more than BWV) outside the studios and the bedroom of the 1BR but no balcony outside living room of 1BR (you can enter bedroom balcony from living room).