opinions please: BWV vs. VWL in early Dec

[ellenmiele]

I know that I'm the only one who can really make this decision but I just wanted opinions to see if there were things I hadn't thought about. So...

We have ressie for 2 br BWV Dec. 4th-9th, preferred view but waitlist standard view. We have stayed at both WL and BW before and love them both. I hope to get the standard view if I can because it's less points but if I can't then I was thinking maybe I'd try to change ressie to VWL becuase of what I've read here about holiday decorations, fireplace, etc. Is that reason alone? Would you try for VWL ot stay with BWV? I also love the walking factor for BWV to Epcot and MGM and we will probably be spending I day at each of the 4 parks plus one night more at MK for MVMCP? This will be our first holiday trip and we will probably go around to all the resorts anyway to see the decorations.

Oh...it's just so hard to decide sometimes.......

Thanks to everyone for any opinions!

 

[CarolMN]

I wouldn't change just because of the decorations. But that's because it's easy to bop over and see them. I think the decorations at the BWV are pretty special, too - and you are in walking distance of the BC, YC, Swan & Dolphin decorations, too. And you have all the nighttime activity on the Boardwalk.

FWIW, if EPCOT does the "Holiday Tag" on the end of IllumiNations again, you'll be glad to have an easy chance to see it more than once. It is awesome! I'm hoping that it becomes a tradition, and if it does, no way is anyone dragging me away from BWV for my early December trip ever - even if the VWL suddenly becomes available for free!

Sounds to me like you will be happy no matter where you stay. Why not just let fate decide? If you can get VWL, stay there. If not, know that the PV at BWV will make for a great stay, too. You can still keep the standard view waitlist at BWV even if you switch your PV "back up" to VWL.

Best wishes -

 

[dianeschlicht]

Since I usually take Disney transportation to the parks, I'm not too anxious to walk into Epcot or MGM, so I would go for the embiance of VWL. We usually stay at OKW, but I always go to WL for at least a look see, and often dinner at Artist Point at least once a trip.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Hi, no help here, we own at both. Last year it was BWV and this year VWL! I know that the BWV offered holiday entertainment right outside the building, there was a Santa for the children to visit in the lobby at certain times. There was plenty to do and we had a great time. Walking to/from the CP and Osborn lights was wonderful.

We are bringing friends who have never been to WDW. Over the years we have talked about the WL area, and because of the fewer points at BWV, we offered them an extra day at BWV because we truly would have been happy there, we could have gotten SV. They chose VWL, so that's how our destination was picked. Because of points, next year it will be back to BWV for us. We are going to do VWL during June next year.

If you stay at VWL, it's a tad easier to get to the GF to see their wonderful decorations. That's another "must see" for our friends. We are happy booking studios for everyone, because of the common area in the villas and the Iron Spike room. At BWV, we would have gotten a 2 bedroom and a studio for our group, we have 6 adults this year. There doesn't seem to be a quiet common area to visit with friends at BWV.

Bobbi

 

[Muushka]

I was thinking maybe I'd try to change ressie to VWL becuase of what I've read here about holiday decorations, fireplace, etc. Is that reason alone?

Um.... YES !!

The holiday decorations, fireplace, etc. is the reason we plunked a lot of $$ into that resort! But, I am biased...

Seriously, if all that I read is true that the more points that get sold at SSR, the more difficult it will be to get into the smaller resorts. This may be the last "easy" year to get into resorts at early Dec that are not your home.


We booked at the 7 month mark for BCV last week.
We don't know how difficult that may be next year,(we are staying at VWL also, of course ) so we figured we would at least try.

 

[goofyforlife]

We stayed at both BWV and VWL for one night last Dec. Both were great and had their own appeal. (We stayed at BWV to be close to boardwalk activities; The night we stayed at VWL we went to MVMCP so getting to/from was a snap)

My DH and I were alone that trip but this time were taking family and I thought it would be a great holiday event to exchange gifts in front of the fireplace and tree in the WLV. (even if it is 2 weeks before actual x-mas.)

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We love the BWV. It is our favorite but have points at the VWL so we can spend some time there during the holiday season. It is that good.

HBC

 

[thelobstershanty]

This a hard choice because both are special in their own way for the holidays. BWV is decorated beautifully and is very close to all the special events at Epcot for the holidays. VWL is very close to the MK holdiay events and is also beautifully decorated. If the decision is based only on the holiday decorations and atmiosphere, we would pick WVL. BWV is beautiful but VWL is even better.

 

[ellenmiele]

Thanks to everyone for all the input -- I'm leaning toward BWV but I think dh might want to try for the switch to VWL (and it's a split vote with the kids!). I guess we'll be talking about it all weekend -- I'll come back and post again when we make the final decision.

THANKS