Pros and Cons of BCV and BWV

[deerh]

Debating whether to add on to BWV which we own now, or add on to BCV for a "new" venue to look at. Need help with pros and cons.
The way I see it:

BCV-SAB
BWV-community hall
BWV-less pts than BCV
BCV-newer property
BCV-closer to Epcot
BWV-closer or equal distance from Epcot and MGM
BCV-has childcare fac, BWV does not now!
BWV-Closer to the action at B walk!!
Need help with others!
Thanks
deerh

 

[mmmcq]

I think your list is exactly what I came up with independently. I can't add too much to your list since we've only stayed once at BWV and last year at the Yacht Club. There have been recent threads, however, that have covered the same topic and if you go back a bit you may find them.

The only thing I would add, and it's a subtle difference, but BWV's restaurants are out on the BoardWalk itself, while there are several restaurants in or adjacent to BCV. It was nice to have Beaches N'Cream so close in proximity to SAB rather than having to haul the kids out onto the BoardWalk when we were at BWV. But we did, however, love the Spoodles and ESPN. When we were at the Yacht Club last year, however, we never crossed over to that side of the Board Walk!

We were in the same position you were in until this month. Last year we stayed on "holding pts" at the Yacht Club because of a cancelled post 9/11 trip. After savoring our time at SAB and being so close to Epcot by foot, we decided to buy points at BCV, but we also added a small number of points at BWV. We now have an even number at each resort and enough to reserve a 2BR every other year at each resort. We think that will work for us. We'll be borrowing frequently for the next couple of years....but in a few years things will be so hectic with two kids in HS and related activities, that we'll probably miss a year or two at WDW and will have many banked points available to book a GV or take a cruise.

It took us 9 mos to commit! The extra points available in May at BWV made us do the math and finally make a decision. Best of luck with your decision.

 

[DeeP]

Debating whether to add on to BWV which we own now, or add on to BCV for a "new" venue to look at. Need help with pros and cons.

I had the same dilemma a couple of months ago but in the end I decided to go with BWV again, ONLY because it makes my life easier to have all my pts at one resort. Although I know many people own at mutliple resorts and do not have any problems, I am not the type of person that has spreadsheets with my pts/usuage etc tabulated, heck I only have a rough idea of how many pts are available at any given time, until I call MS. So for me, having all my pts at one resort is much safer and easier. And I can book BCV at 7 mos to enjoy that wonderful resort also.
IMO there are no 2 DVC resorts as much a like as BWV and BCV are, so if you like one you will most definitely like the other, they are both top shelf, you can't go wrong with either one.

 

[mickeyc]

We have contracts at both BWV and BCV. It is nice having two home resorts for booking purposes. Also, since pool hopping is no longer available at SAB you may want to consider the BCV.

We like BWV best; and BWV have more activities. Frankly, I don't think there is too much of difference because both resorts are so close to each other. Although when we added on last year BWV was not available I probably would have choose BCV in order to have two home resorts for booking purposes. Either resort is a good choice. Enjoy!!

 

[timC]

IMO is boils down to:

BCV=SAB;
vs
BWV=less pts than BCV, and BWV=same as existing contract.

Based on the above, I'd go with the BWV. It's easier to get into BCV at the 7month window (so you can use SAB) than it would be to get a STD view room at BWV at 7month window.

Everyone has a different situation, so make sure you think about whether 2 contracts will work for you. We have 2 (smaller) contracts at different resorts. Personally, I find this a little cumbersome to manage, and combine when necessary. With a young family, we're always booking in the 11month window, because we're have to go during peek season. Having 2 smaller contracts, when you want to book a big vacation does not help.

 

[Lexxiefern]

I would buy at BCV. We own at both BCV and BWV, even amounts. I just read on another post that once SSR starts selling it may be more important to have that 11 month window. BCV is smaller than BWV and OKW (not sure about VWL). So once more people buy in -via SSR- there will most likely be more people booking at BCV and everywhere else.

I don't know, it made sense to me. I am extremely happy that we bought at both BCV and BWV. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Dean]

One size does not fit all in this situation. Factors I'd consider include:

1. How many points you own
2. How many points you're looking to add.
3. Do you have smaller children.
4. How well you like BW.
5. Whether you generally use preferred or standard view points.
6. Your favorite park.
7. Do you have plans for a Grand Villa and if so, can you swing it with you're current points?
   [/list=1] And a host of other factors. If you're good with keeping up with your points. If you have a fair number of BWV points now. If you will be buying enough BCV points to function independently. If you have small children. If you will use the child care facilities. I would add on at BCV. If the above are not accurate. If you will need the extra points to get a GV. If you have preteens or teens. If you tend to use the standard view option. I would think BW would fit your situation better.
   
   Simply take the differences that fit your situation, put them with your personal preferences and add in your aptitude for points accounting and the answer should be pretty obvious to you.

 

[ryley26]

i agre with dean our desicion was based on sab and we figured the walk to the parks was a small difference and we could walk to the boardwalk

 

[dvcdudes]

Being you already own at BWV, if you have enough points at BWV now to handle a reservation to suit your needs and can handle keeping track of the points, I'd buy at BCV (diversification is good). You can even bank and borrow to go every other year to each resort if your point needs increase. While we own at BWV and love it there, it bums me out that we can't use SAB (unless we stay at BCV).
As far as "once SSR starts selling it may be more important to have that 11 month window" quoted from Lexxiefern. I don't agree. I think that would only apply if it were an off site hotel. I think you'll have DVCers from BCV trying out SSR or VWL and BWVers trying BCV and OKWers trying SSR and ... You get the idea. As long as SSR has a theme to appeal to a group of people (like VWL), people will love it and be loyal to it just like they are to OKW, and VWL. For every person who owns SSR and wants to book at BCV there will be someone who used to book at BCV and will now book at SSR or VWL for a change. There are also a lot of people (OKWers and BWVers) who love the lower points and will never book BCV for the higher points.
I know I said I'm bumed that we can't use SAB. I will make ressies from time to time at BCV for this reason, but I will also make ressies at SSR in the future and VWL some time and OKW when I really need to conserve points or something. This opens up a SV room at BWV (because thats what I always book). I think there are enough rooms to go around (not everyone is looking to stay at BCV).

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Well, here's my comparison of 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.
Nice access to parking lot for villas, closer than valet for many units. Just go in the back door or walk along the canal to the middle elevator
Second elevator available in the middle of the resort for pool, parking access.
BCVs has access to a marina along with the YC and BC. WLV and OKW also has a marina. BWV does not.
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.


BCV has 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, lessstorage 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.

So, we went with BCV. We like it better, especially the beach front and internal spaces. Good luck.

 

[deerh]

Thanks for all the input, Now I am more confused than ever!! LOL
Not really,Dean your input sounds like good advice. Our kids are 9/14, so BWV seems to be better for them, and it is easier for us to have all pts at BWV, we have 190 now, add 100, making it 290, so a 2 bedroom every year is now possible, with every OTHER year a GV!! So, if I only have 100pts at BCV, and borrow, that is 200 pts, or only enough for a 1 br every OTHER year for 5 nights in the summer!
QUESTION: What are the chances of getting a 1 bedroom/2bedroom at BCV at 7 mos out? That way the best of both worlds, 1 year BWV, next BCV.
I am looking at prime summer as to not take the kids out of school.
After all, I am a school teacher, and I know that missing school is a pain to make up, for me and my kids!!
Thanks for all your help....
Now leaning toward BWV add on of 100 pts....
About 60-40 for BWV...
deerh

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by deerh
QUESTION: What are the chances of getting a 1 bedroom/2bedroom at BCV at 7 mos out? That way the best of both worlds, 1 year BWV, next BCV.

I'd say pretty good if you try exactly at the 7 month window. And you're chances are a lot better than getting a standard view or GV at BWV at the 7 month window.

 

[KNWVIKING]

***"It's easier to get into BCV at the 7month window (so you can use SAB) than it would be to get a STD view room at BWV at 7month window." ***

Will this be true though once BCV sells out ? How about when SSR starts to sell and those people want to get into resorts with great locations ? I don't think I'd base my decision against BCV because it MIGHT be easier to get into.

As for me, I'd pick BCV over BWV. From a strictly materialistic view, I think SAB is a great asset, especially now that the only way to use it is to actually stay at Y&B or BCV. But more importantly for us is the "secluded in the middle of the action" feel the place has. It's had to explain unless you've stayed there but it's incredibly quite when you consider all that is just right around the corner.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
***"It's easier to get into BCV at the 7month window (so you can use SAB) than it would be to get a STD view room at BWV at 7month window." ***

Will this be true though once BCV sells out ? How about when SSR starts to sell and those people want to get into resorts with great locations ? I don't think I'd base my decision against BCV because it MIGHT be easier to get into.

As for me, I'd pick BCV over BWV. From a strictly materialistic view, I think SAB is a great asset, especially now that the only way to use it is to actually stay at Y&B or BCV. But more importantly for us is the "secluded in the middle of the action" feel the place has. It's had to explain unless you've stayed there but it's incredibly quite when you consider all that is just right around the corner.

Great points. I agree. The quiet feel given the location is wonderful.

 

[mmmcq]

Thanks Captain Midnight for posting on this thread. It was your post on a previous thread that I was referring to in my original reply....I was just too tired to go find it.

This is a hard call for you DeerH, I can tell. You're just going to have to go with your gut (after you make a spreadsheet of all the pros and cons!

As for the difficulty in getting a 1BR at BCV at 7 mos....I think you'd either get it right away or definitely get it via the waitlist. A 2BR might be harder or not available at all. I added on at BCV in April and made a reservation for July (3 mos out) and was able to get 2 of 5 nights in a 1BR. The rest came thru via the waitlist in less than 2 weeks. I'm still waitlisted for a 2BR, but that isn't going to happen.

We bought points at both BWV and now BCV because we love both resorts and their amenities. You can't really go wrong.

 

[deerh]

This is a hard call for you DeerH, I can tell. You're just going to have to go with your gut (after you make a spreadsheet of all the pros and cons!

YES, it is a hard call. But still leaning toward BWV because of my kid's ages, and SURELY (stop calling me surley from Airplane the movie), I can get into BCV or my kids can sometime in the next 39 years. I am looking WAY ahead as my kids will have kids someday and they would like SAB better than BWV, but I also think the kids for the next several years will like the happenings on the BWalk, as my 14 year old is 15,16,17,18,etc he might like the "action" better. Then my 9 yr old at 10,11,12,13,14,etc will as well.
Another question, IF I decide BWV, and add 100 pts, can I split that into another contract, and why or would that be wise? That way I would have 3 contracts-190 at BWV, 100 at BWV, 85 at HHI.
Is this a smart or dumb move?
Thanks
deerh

 

[deerh]

As an additional note, those of you with April use years at BWV, there are 1600 or 2000 pts left. Depending on who you talk to Sales wise at DVC. Just FYI.
deerh

 

[deerh]

Judy at DVC sales told me they just sold 5000 pts on the most recent cruise!! WOW, that is a lot. Still deciding........
BWV-60
BCV-40 so far.........
deerh

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by deerh
YES, it is a hard call. But still leaning toward BWV because of my kid's ages, and SURELY (stop calling me surley from Airplane the movie), I can get into BCV or my kids can sometime in the next 39 years. I am looking WAY ahead as my kids will have kids someday and they would like SAB better than BWV, but I also think the kids for the next several years will like the happenings on the BWalk, as my 14 year old is 15,16,17,18,etc he might like the "action" better. Then my 9 yr old at 10,11,12,13,14,etc will as well.
Another question, IF I decide BWV, and add 100 pts, can I split that into another contract, and why or would that be wise? That way I would have 3 contracts-190 at BWV, 100 at BWV, 85 at HHI.
Is this a smart or dumb move?
Thanks
deerh

FWIW, I personally think SAB is overrated. On good weather days, it's always crowded - way more than Luna Park. I prefer a less crowded pool, but that's just me. (I'm a BWV owner, could you tell? ).

As far as your last question goes, you'd really only have two contracts to manage if the two for the BWV have the same use year. MS would treat them as one. If not, then you will definitely have to do some extra work to keep track of your points. Some people do not like to have to keep track of the different banking deadlines and points from different contracts. They sometimes have trouble working with MS to be sure that each reservation is made with the "correct" points from the appropriate contract.

It is certainly easier to manage your points if they are from the same resort and have the same use year. However, the advantages of multiple contracts are:

*having the 11 month booking window at more than one resort,
*smaller contracts are easier to resell than one large contract according to some and possibly
*getting a better price by buying resale.

Only you can decide if the advanatges outweigh the point management "hassle".

Have fun making the decision and try not to "over think" it. IMHO, you really can't go wrong with any of the DVC resorts!

 

[mmmcq]

Honestly, deerh...I'm not trying to make this harder for you. My girls are 14, 12 and 3 and my older two love the slide at SAB, the tube pool and the fact that they can get burgers, fries and shakes at Beaches N'Cream MORE than they like the pool at BWV and/or getting their hair braided on the BW or riding the bikes. When they get a little older I believe they will appreciate BWV more. Then a little further down the road they'll want to be at BCV with their kids. But that's way too out to plan with any certainty. Right now your kids, our kids have fun where ever they are at WDW. I've never heard my kids complain that they wish they were at a different resort!!!!

But given your current points and where they are....I think you are better off putting them in one pot to maximize their use for a BWV 2BR or a GV (if that option appeals to you). The add-on you're considering at BCV is probably not enough to do what you want at the 11 mo window. If you want the BWV points....you'd better make the call soon before they disappear into someone else's account!