New membership in BCV or buy a resell in BWV

[debbiebones]

Now that we think we're going to join....we're trying to decide...do we want to buy a new membership in BCV or buy a resell in BWV (because obviously that's the only way to get BWV).

What are the thoughts on one place vs. the other? Are they both comparably nice or does anyone find one more desirable than the other?

I know there are pros and cons to buying new or resales as well. Any thoughts?

We actually just returned from a Disney Cruise so we wouldn't be using our points until probably sometime next winter anyway.

Thanks,

Deb

 

[kem330]

Both resorts are beautiful and both have a great location. It probably comes down to a couple of things:
BWV: ability to book lower cost standard view rooms
Boardwalk/carnival theme
Better closet space
Grand Villas
BCV: Beach theme
Quieter
Stormalong Bay pool complex

We have been Beach Club Inn fans since it opened. The pool is amazing. We didn't even consider DVC till we saw them break ground. We were so impatient we bought Boardwalk resale. I thought we would not like it as much, but other than the pool, we really liked it. I thought we might sell the BWV contract since we bought at a good price and just have points at BCV but I really like the idea of getting a GV someday and we are content to alternate our stays. Do Resale if pool is not important to you, and you can get a good price on resale ($65-$66 /point with all points available). That would save you about $6-$7/point after closing costs. A resale for $70 is hardly worth the extra effort. I highly recommend calling a resale agent as many listings never make it on their internet sites. We used Jaki @ atimeshare.com she was great.

 

[Terry S]

Hi Debbie! I am also from Michigan.

The biggiest advice you will hear on these boards is to buy where you plan to stay the most. Some people will buy at the cheapest resort with the intent of staying at another one, but that doesn't always work depending on the time of year you plan on going.

With that said, it really comes down to personal preference. Both BCV and BWV are great resorts in a wonderful location. They are within walking distance to each other about a 5 - 7 minute walk. I prefer the Beach theme of BCV, I really love the atomosphere and themeing of this resort. I feel it is a bit more quiet then BWV, but still within a walking distance to the Boardwalk if you want to go over there in the evening. I really enjoy sitting on the Beach at the BC in the eveinings and looking out at the lights of the Boardwalk accross the lake. There is no Beach at the Boardwalk.

I was faced with the same decision as you when we bought, we could have saved a bit of money going with a BWV re-sale but we really preferred the BCV. I was lucky enough to have stayed at both the BW and BC before I bought so I knew the areas of both. Good luck with your decision.

 

[debbiebones]

Thanks both of you...I was leaning more toward the BCV because of its atmosphere but I really wanted to hear what others thought.

You've helped me to confirm my choice!

Deb

 

[erikthewise]

One advantage to buying from Disney is that you can make a reservation as soon as you make a deposit (which can be done by credit card over the phone). Buying a resale, you have to wait for closing before you can make a reservation. Being able to get the reservation you want for your first stay is important and you may consider it worth several dollars per point.

You don't say when next winter -- December is a popular time and already inside the 11 month window. You'll probably be OK at BWV as long as you can reservations before the 7 month window, but perhaps some BWV owners can give you a better idea what to expect. I'd say at BCV you'd almost certainly be OK if you buy in the next couple months.

We bought BCV last June 6 months out and were able to get an immediate OKW reservation, and get waitlisted at BCV. The waitlist eventually came through (one or two days at a time), and we had a wonderful stay there. But if we'd bought a resale it may have been too late to get what we wanted by the time our closing took place.

 

[missyndda]

I agree with everything in kem330's post. The two main drawbacks to resale are: length of time to close (45-60 days generally) and less financing options.

DH and I bought resale 350 pts. at BWV because it saved us $4,000, even taking MB at BCV into consideration. We bid $62/pt., but made it look like $65 on paper to get through ROFR (Jaki @ aTimeshare is a genius--made it look like seller was paying closing costs and not getting reimbursed for unused points).

Also, I was concerned about the size of BCV and being able to get in at peak times since BCV is 208 rooms vs. 383 at BWV.

Both resorts are gorgeous, so best of luck on your decision!

 

[CaptainMidnight]

My advice is to buy where you really want to stay the most. You don't want to be sitting looking out across Crescent lake wishing you would have invested in the other resort, or staying in the other resort. Pick the one you really like and invest. Here's some biased thoughts regarding BCV vs. BWV -

I like the BCV room layout better. Table seats 8 whereas BWV, WLV does not. Bathroom layout nice, Desk in bedroom in BCV.
BCV is newer.
Seemed slower and a little more quiet and relaxed than BC, YC and BWV, yet still close to activities.
Distance to the elevator is better.
Nice Quiet pool
Lots of nice internal spaces for when it's raining, drawing room, breezeway, solarium, BC lobby.
Sandcastle club availability
Outstanding location, boat to MGM, walk to Epcot, Baordwalk area activities closeby, swan and Dolphin restaraunts.
Love the Beach Theme
Great at access to Beach Club amenities, and restaraunts, Jellyrolls, stores, Beaches and Cream, Arcade, etc.
Prefer the sand beach along crescent lake instead of the boardswalk
SAB is nice
Nice Beach Club Workout facility.
Nice access to the parking lot
Bus service fine.
Hotel services available like in-room dining, valet services, front staff.
Nice entrance to the resort walking in BC entrance with large fresh flower arrangements, sometimes music in lobby (saw harpist) front door greetings.
Marina activites, can take boats to see illuminations.
BCVs has access to a marina along with the YC and BC. WLV and OKW also has a marina, BWV does not. Bike and boat plan is an option at the marinas.

No community Hall and Community Hall activities like BWV, Vero, others.
Uses all preferred view point structure, no advantage of standards view lower point structure like at BWV or lower points requirements like at OWK to stretch point value
Rooms smaller than OKW, less storage space - OKW, Vero and HH rooms are larger.
No three bedroom grand villas available (usually requires 11 month window at other resorts)
No outstanding crecent lake views like BWV
Villas in back are too close to roadway, some noise.

Hope these help. Good luck with your decision.

 

[debbiebones]

Wow, thanks CaptainMidnight for that rundown! It was nice of you to take the time to include all that info. for me!

Deb

 

[CaptainMidnight]

For us, the circus theme isn't as appealing as the beach theme, circuses don't have a good reputation for cleanliness or humane treatment towards animals, or the most friendly workers, but that's just us, and it might be minor compared to other things like the advantage of standard view points availability to stretch out vacations.

 

[DVCPAT]

It's true about the unfriendly workers. While I was swimming at the Boardwalk, I did see a lifeguard kick an elephant when it got to close to the pool !

 

[CaptainMidnight]

While I was swimming at the Boardwalk, I did see a lifeguard kick an elephant when it got to close to the pool !

See what I mean???

 

[SheriB]

Deb,

We were faced with the same decision before we bought last year. I would say we liked both locations equally, as well as the room layouts(we took the tour while there-but have never stayed at either resort) We looked into BWV resale and BCV through Disney. For us, it came down to financing. We didn't have enough on our home equity line, so we decided on BCV through Disney, and still got the tax deduction. And for our kids(DD16, DS12), they like the idea that they can stay at BCV and poolhop to BWV (but you can't stay at BWV and poolhop to BCV). The pro's here are definitely right about one thing: buy where you would want to stay the most. Good luck, whatever you decide. Let us all know when you do!

Sheri

 

[ronw]

" DH and I bought resale 350 pts. at BWV because it saved us $4,000, even taking MB at BCV into consideration. We bid $62/pt., but made it look like $65 on paper to get through ROFR (Jaki @ aTimeshare is a genius--made it look like seller was paying closing costs and not getting reimbursed for unused points). "

Wow - if Disney really is getting more aggressive with its ROFR this tactic could leave a seller in a nasty position!

 

[tiberius]

I just went through the same decision--and decided to try a BWV resale, primarily for two reasons: lower cost and lower points to use for standard view rooms(if you can get them). If the resale route does not come through, I would eventually buy direct.

Now if my resale offer can just get past the Disney people......