Need to add on - BWV or BCV?

[cbnsoul]

Ok, this is serious - I need you to focus for me... We are planning to add on at either BWV or BCV and are having a heck of a time deciding which to choose. As you can see by my signature, we had planed on BCV but now are wavering a bit.

BCV:
Pros: better pool, better lobby, Beaches & Cream
Cons: no views

BWV:
Pros: great view (plan to book BWV most of the time, assuming it's available)
Cons: pool (compared to sab), lobby ok (we like to hang out and people watch)

Any thoughts would be helpful. I am leaning a bit toward BWV right now because of the views. We really like sitting on our balcony at night and in the morning (although we had a "closed" balcony last time making that difficult). We definitely like the atmosphere at BCV better, though. Not an easy decision....

 

[spiceycat]

BWV has standard views (cheaper points) and it is now cheaper moneywise than BCV.

that say LOVE BCV - had a reservation there for Oct - but do to money problem had to rent it.

oh well there is always next year

 

[DizGirl20]

Here's a different way of looking at it: which one would you hate to give up?

I am totally a BCV person. Can't put my finger on it, but as much as I like to visit and hang out around the Boardwalk area I much prefer to stay at BCV. It's just one of those gut feelings. That being said we don't own points @ BCV (YET!). We just recently closed on a VWL resale because the price was right (and truthfully I wouldn't mind staying there). I know the price is a bit better a BWV.

I know, I'm probably not helping much am I???

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I own BCV. I think there are a couple of other "pros"

1. Smaller building... yes folks I have had the room at the end of the hall at BWV and it's a LONG LONG way!
2. Closer to Epcot.

 

[BUDDYBEAR]

I HAVE BCV AND BWV SO WHAT CAN I SAY BOTH ARE GREAT

 

[Granny]

We definitely like the atmosphere at BCV better, though.

This clinched it in my opinion. If you have a better emotional connection to BCV, then I'd go ahead and buy there. You want your home resort to be one that you always have that "Ah, I'm home" feeling when you walk through the entry doors.

I'd buy at BCV if that is the place you like best, and try for BWV Boardwalk Views at 7 months from time to time.

And just so you know this is truly an unbiased opinion, we are BWV owners. No regrets, prefer it to BCV for several reasons. But it really does sound like BCV "speaks to your heart", and IMHO that should be a requisite of any home resort.

 

[Dynaguy]

This clinched it in my opinion. If you have a better emotional connection to BCV, then I'd go ahead and buy there. You want your home resort to be one that you always have that "Ah, I'm home" feeling when you walk through the entry doors.

I'd buy at BCV if that is the place you like best, and try for BWV Boardwalk Views at 7 months from time to time.

And just so you know this is truly an unbiased opinion, we are BWV owners. No regrets, prefer it to BCV for several reasons. But it really does sound like BCV "speaks to your heart", and IMHO that should be a requisite of any home resort.

What Granny said.


We wouldn't consider DVC for years because Animal Kingdom Lodge felt like our home away from home. Eventually we bought at Boardwalk on the resale market. Then we bought Wilderness. We love them dearly, but would get "homesick". When Kidani was announced, we knew we had to be charter members, too. Somewhere along the way we added points at the first two.


We honeymooned at Yachtclub, rarely visit the world without dinner at the Yachtsman Steakhouse, and have stayed at the Beachclub at least three times. I really love the Beachclub when I'm walking home from EPCOT.


You can always visit the actual boardwalk. You can't visit the sand pool, you have to stay there.

I could debate the merits, and I'd favor Boardwalk.

BUT- my advice is to go with your/ your family's emotional connection . Every resort has a flavor and feel of it's own. Something for everyone- it's part of the beauty of the The World.

 

[Corinne]

Our very first onsite stay was at the YC in 1995. It will always hold a special place in my heart. Once the BCV were announced we knew we wanted to buy there, but, at the time I was a CM at TDS and one of the perks was a discount on the purchase of DVC. We decided to buy in 2001, before BCV were available to purchase.

We love the VWL, and BWV but the BCV are always our first choice~however, it can be hard to get a room at certain times. I honestly love the Epcot resort area, and do not think you can go wrong with either resort, but if I had the choice between the two, I would choose BCV hands down. Good luck with your decision!!

 

[n2mm]

I was like that too. I couldn't decide which to add on additional points, but moved to BWV mostly for the price. I already own at BWV and wanted BCV, but since the price of resale for BCV is the same as it was before the 3/20 change, I can't bring myself to buy there now. If I was willing to pay that price, then I would've bought before 3/20. On the other hand, it's hard to beat the price BWV is being sold for recently. Though the dues are higher at BWV, I do like stretching my points by booking standard views. I put in an offer recently, but havn't heard anything, so I don't have a good feeling about my first ever resale offer. Good luck....the bottom line for me is the cost. If BCV and BWV were both the same for resale I would be buying at BCV.

 

[LSchrow]

we own at both, and found that we just don't care for the noisiness and chaotic atmosphere at the BC/BCV. SAB is just too shoulder-to-shoulder crowded and busy for our tastes (we prefer a more tranquil "tropical retreat" atmosphere).
there is excitement at the BW, but it's outside, where one can access it at one's own will. add in the most amazing view in all of WDW (in our opinion), elegant decor, a plethora of activities at your fingertips, tons of quiet nooks and crannies, etc, and the BWVs is our absolute favorite (btw, we've been offered BCV when BWVs were booked solid, and actually changed our vaca dates to get BWV).
find which is the one that makes you happiest, and buy there

 

[dan and scott]

Personally I'm very biased to the BW.
Although you might think your not going to use a grand villa ever-someday you probably will---BC doen't have any!!
No community hall for the kidos at BC.
Standard views at BW which are probably just as good or better than the road/tree views at BC on less point usage.
Your kids are not little forever so will they want to hop in the screaming loud overcrowded SAB--The BW has more of a thrill slide.
The more adult feel of the BW resort.
BW has a more Grand WOW!! factor entrance to the resort itself plus a WOW!! lobby--I find the BC's lobby dark and you almost need a flashlight.
BW entertainment itself.
Actually its closer to both parks closer to DHS by footpath and Epcot is not any further away than BC
As for the halls of BW --not any longer than some at Kidani which you almost need an expedition team to lead you to and from your villa to the lobby.

Scott

 

[ttepsich]

Just my 2 cents......BCV is our home. We have been staying at that property since it was built. (Beach Club / Yacht club that is) We love, love love the BC Villas far better than BWV. Last summer we booked late and had to do a split stay since we couldnt get all of our days at the Beach Club. The first 3 days were at the BW and it was just OK. The quiet pool had very warm water and not refreshing AT ALL. The main pool was tiny as compared to SAB and wall to wall people. Dont know when you travel but SAB is not usually crowed at all during October and November when we usually go. As far as the Beach Club lobby goes, it is bright and airy. There really isn't a lobby per se in the villa building. I think the previous poster was referring to the Yacht Club lobby on the other side of the resort.(unless he was there during a blackout) We do love to "visit" the Boardwalk ....ESPN Zone and Flying Fish and nightly entertainment but as Dorthy would say...."There's no place like home" There again, it's all a personal preference. Good luck with your decision
Tina

 

[ajf1007]

This clinched it in my opinion. If you have a better emotional connection to BCV, then I'd go ahead and buy there. You want your home resort to be one that you always have that "Ah, I'm home" feeling when you walk through the entry doors.

I'd buy at BCV if that is the place you like best, and try for BWV Boardwalk Views at 7 months from time to time.

And just so you know this is truly an unbiased opinion, we are BWV owners. No regrets, prefer it to BCV for several reasons. But it really does sound like BCV "speaks to your heart", and IMHO that should be a requisite of any home resort.

 

[cbnsoul]

Thanks for everyone's input. I really appreciate it. I think we are leaning (again) toward BCV. It just "feels right." The main thing that prompted the thought of BWV is that we are trying to buy BCV direct and have been on the wait list for over 5 weeks. (I know, I know, we can save money buying resale - I have my reasons - leave me be! )

I am in no way a patient person and the wait is absolutely killing me. Making things more difficult is that we are almost two weeks past our 11 month booking window for next summer and I want to use these points for that trip. Of course, BWV points are available, hence the thought we might want to buy there. Long before we joined DVC, the two places I longed to stay were the Contemporary and Boardwalk. Well, we own at BLT but once we discovered BCV, we just felt like it was for us. I was trying to rationalize BWV because it really has almost everything we are looking for except the feel of home. <sigh> Soooo, I guess we'll wait (and I'll keep checking my dvcmember.com account, e-mail and answering machine like 5 times a day hoping the points came through!)