Need help deciding between VWL and BCV

[Pooh Fan]

For the last several years we have happily stayed at BCV for our annual Christmas trips. Because we are there Christmas week, it is hard to get a reservation using points (we rent points from a friend each year)at the more popular resorts unless it is booked at the 11 month window.

If money were not an issue, we would buy BCV in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, our resources are not unlimited. We are trying to decide between buying BCV and VWL. Both resorts are beautiful and both are hard to get into at the 7 month window for our time frame. We have never stayed at VWL; however we think the resort is beautiful.

We can purchase on the resale market VWL cheaper than we can BCV. I am looking for pros and cons for buying at both resorts. The practical side of me is saying to go with the cheaper one and save some money, but I want to be sure that I am making the right decision.

We have always stayed in a studio and doubt we would need more than a one bedroom. While we love our family, I would prefer to be in a different room than them. Too much togetherness leads to conflict...

I know both resorts are great, I would just love input from others to help me make the final decision. Thanks!

 

[CarolMN]

I'll get it started.

IMHO, the biggest difference between VWL & BCV is location ( and thus transportation options). How important is it to be within walking distance of EPCOT? Within a boat ride of the MK?

Other differences -

*Pools - Although WL has a good pool complex, BCV has access to SAB.
*Theme - Totally personal preference
*Nature - VWL has that wonderful path to Ft Wilderness and feels more "remote" from the parks. Sometimes it's nice to just get away from all the activity.


It sounds like you really want BCV - if so, will the difference in cost spread out over the anticipated length of your membership really make a significant financial difference to you? The "I saved a few hundred dollars" feeling will soon fade - will you regret your decision every vacation if you are not at the BCV?

Good luck with your decision and remember most everyone who posts here will be very biased. They'll suggest you "drink the kool aid" asap.

 

[alldiz]

WLV is my favorite so for me it's easy.

WLV IMO is the best resort at Christmas....but you have to love it.

If you will be at WLV wishing you were at BCV....that thousand you saved won't seem so great.

The initial cost is not the issue....It is the dues that really adds up over the years.

Christmas is a very busy time...and if you won't be 100% happy there....don't buy there.
Happy planning
Kerri

 

[backyardponder]

Location, location, location. Can't emphasize that enough.

WLV: a quick boat ride to the MK
BCV: a nice walk to Epcot and DHS

WLV: quiet, relaxing in the evenings
BCV: a short walk or boat ride to the excitement of the Boardwalk in the evenings

Good Luck!

 

[DisneyWalker44]

You seem to really like BCV. If you want to justify buying there, consider that

- if you sell, there's a good chance you'll get back any premium you pay since resale price will be high

- if you don't sell, the extra cost is what - $0.30/point year? It's just not that much, especially considering the total cost of DVC - buy-in + annual maintenance fees.

 

[crisi]

What do you like about BCV? With the exception of SAB, Boardwalk Villas has a lot of similar features (walk to Epcot/DHS, beach feel, walking distance to Beaches and Cream and a lot of restaurants) and its resale price is very similar to VWL right now. And for the frugal minded, standard view rooms are a great value.

We own BWVs - and the walk in and out of Epcot has never made me regret it. But part of my heart is at WL.

 

[BillPA]

look for a smaller contract at each, use banking and borrowing to 'double' up on points at one resort.

 

[bobbiwoz]

If we had to chose one, it would be VWL, but in the end, after 3 years of membership, we began our add on accumulation of BCV, and so, we did what others have suggested, we chose both....and as crisi points out, we love BWV for the standard view point structure so we own there as well.

We are the DGP...we take our extended family with us often, so we felt we needed the home resort priority to get us all at the same resort for the trips. It's worked out for us. The next "all family trip" is in May, perfect weather, probably, for our BCV stay.

There's a new thread stating how difficult it was to get "home to VWL" from Epcot on NYE. I wouldn't have wanted to get into that traffic mess...for NYE at least, it will always be an Epcot resort as my first preference.

Bobbi

PS. We've added on at BCV very gradually and from DVC directly, so we have always gotten the current years points and that has worked out favorably for us.

 

[Pooh Fan]

If money were not an issue, both my husband and I would jump on BCV. We would need to finance the purchase for 5 years and would probably pay it off in 2.5 years. The monthly payment on the VWL purchase doesn't stretch the budget, but teh BCV cost would. I do not want to get into a situation in which we have to feel tight each month for the next few years.

We looked at a virtual tour of the rooms at VWL. We don't love the color combinations or the tiny tv's that they have in the studios. We are fine with the lodge look and feel otherwise. I think that the lobby is so beautiful at Christmas and it is a plus to be close to WCC which the family enjoys at least once a trip.

BCV feels like home--probably because we spent four of the last 5 Christmases there. I love the laid back beach atmosphere.

Decisions. Decisions...

 

[anbouk]

BUY where you think you would love to stay often! That is what we have done!!! and don't regret it one bit. Good luck in your decision

 

[cocowum]

We looked at a virtual tour of the rooms at VWL. We don't love the color combinations or the tiny tv's that they have in the studios. We are fine with the lodge look and feel otherwise.

We have never stayed at the VWL for the reasons you stated above. Well last month (Dec) we went over to visit the VWL and we were in love. Pictures do not do it justice. We have been to the main lobby many times but had not gone down to the villas. I'm so glad we did. I think it's something you have to experience before you decide.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Personally, I would purchase a smaller contract at BCV through resale (one that fits within your budget), and do small add-ons as money becomes available. I would be afraid that while VWL is beautiful (it's one of my very favorites), you would be sitting there at Christmas thinking, "Why didn't we buy at BCV?"

I know some people fall in love with resorts, and that's where they want to stay most visits. If that were the case with us, I would buy where I wanted to stay. We're definitely not made of money either, so I truly understand your struggle between the logical and the emotional. When we toured SSR, we went through the same debate. OKW was cheaper, and felt familiar because we had stayed there several times. However, when we toured SSR, we just fell in love. We liked the extra years, lower maintenance fees, and the decor. We also liked being within walking distance of DTD. So, in the end, we went with SSR.

I'm sure you've seen a ton of pics of VWL, but here are some from our trip back in August - http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn320/simmerb/Wilderness Lodge/. This is a 1-BR, and honest to goodness, the pictures don't do it justice. I fell in love with the resort, and if I were to add on, I'd probably add on there. DH would probably choose an Epcot location. You may find that you and your DH don't agree on your favorites, like we don't!

Best of luck with your decision! As a PP said, I'm definitely recommending that you drink the cool-aid! LOL!

 

[jamstew]

I fell in love with WL the first time I stayed there, and it was the first DVC contract I bought. After renting points to stay at BCV, I bought there, too. I was able to go in early December to see all the decorations, specifically WL because I had heard o much about how gorgeous it is. It was gorgeous, but I'd still rather be at an Epcot resort, at Christmas or any other time, because I prefer the location.

I agree with the previous posters who suggest buying a small contract at one or the other (or both) and adding on as finances permit. After I got "in the door", I added on 25 points at a time through Disney so I could pay cash. I usually travel solo and stay in a studio, so I don't need a lot of points.

 

[lisareniff]

You know I didn't really think I would like VWL that much from looking at the interior photos ...but... after staying there the charm of the resort really touched me and I am yearning to purchase another add-on at VWL (totally unjustified).

But... if you really love BCV, buy there. VWL and BCV are the two smallest resorts with only 4% and 6% of the total DVC rooms and it is often difficult to reserve at 7 months, so make your choice wisely.

 

[Sheribo]

If you typically go at Christmas or New Years and spend time at Epcot or HS, I would say BCV. It's tough to get in there for the 7 month window for the holidays. Also, the transportation is a nightmare out of the parks, especially at New Years Eve. The only people who seemed happy with their choice to spend it at Epcot were the ones who could walk out the International Gateway and be back at their resort in just a few minutes. Others waited up to 2 hours for buses, boats and in the parking lot.

Buy where you want to stay!

 

[crisi]

If you typically go at Christmas or New Years and spend time at Epcot or HS, I would say BCV. It's tough to get in there for the 7 month window for the holidays. Also, the transportation is a nightmare out of the parks, especially at New Years Eve. The only people who seemed happy with their choice to spend it at Epcot were the ones who could walk out the International Gateway and be back at their resort in just a few minutes. Others waited up to 2 hours for buses, boats and in the parking lot.

Buy where you want to stay!

Although there are other ways to play the game. For instance, watch the NYE fireworks, then go out the IG. Have a drink at the Bellevue room or the Yacht Club or over at the Swophin. Take a cab back to your resort. You can do this for a lot of NYEs for the purchase price difference between BCV and VWL.

The thing about Disney is that transportation is seldom ideal...making it back to the Epcot resorts after MVMCP isn't a picnic either. Knowing how to work the system, and planning around "the bus system is going to be impossible" can make it far more pleasant.

 

[Pooh Fan]

After a long hard struggle this weekend over my decision. About 11:30 this morning I called the resaler and made an offer for BCV. It will cost me $45 more a month for the next 5 years--I hope to pay it off sooner though.

It finally came down to whether or not I would be happy spending Christmas year after year at VWL instead of BCV. Because BCV feels right to me I was not sure that I would be ok with never spending another Christmas there.

I told my husband that I would give up my manicures for a while and my morning trips to Starbucks to make up the difference in price. Who knows, maybe I will lose a few pounds by laying off the Starbucks too.

 

[bobbiwoz]

After a long hard struggle this weekend over my decision. About 11:30 this morning I called the resaler and made an offer for BCV. It will cost me $45 more a month for the next 5 years--I hope to pay it off sooner though.

It finally came down to whether or not I would be happy spending Christmas year after year at VWL instead of BCV. Because BCV feels right to me I was not sure that I would be ok with never spending another Christmas there.

I told my husband that I would give up my manicures for a while and my morning trips to Starbucks to make up the difference in price. Who knows, maybe I will lose a few pounds by laying off the Starbucks too.

Congratulations on your decision!...Pixie dust that your contract has smooth sailing toward your membership!

Bobbi

 

[Pooh Fan]

Thanks! I sure hope all goes well. It is getting close to time for me to book my Christmas trip. I am so nervous that I won't contact the person I usually rent from and then not be able to get into BCV this year.

 

[kimberh]

After reading this Thread, I think you have made the right decision! Good luck with all your future trips!