Pros/Cons of VWL/BWV/BCV

[WDW JKL]

My DW and I are trying to decide which resort to buy and would like to know your opinion on the advantages/disadvantages of each resort?

I don't want this to turn into a debate so please respond with your opinion based on personal experience.

thanks in advance

John

 

[Geyser Gazer]

As a VWL and BCV owner I can speak from some experience.

First of all only BCV is officially available from Disney, others via resale.

BCV and BWV advantages include being able to walk or boat to EPCOT and the Studio's. Dining options from these resorts are also numerous. BWV owners have a chance of securing standard views using less points while folks staying at BCV on points can enjoy Stormalong Bay. In short both these resorts strengths are due to their location and access to activity.

For me, VWL has a completely different feel which easily compensates for its more remote location. It is serene, majestic, and nestled amongst the woods on Bay Lake. When we stay here, the parks play second fiddle to the Lodge site itself. It does have boat transportation to MK, Monorail (via Contemporary), and all activities at Ft. Wilderness (also a nice 1 mile walk from VWL).

We really enjoyed our stay at BCV last week, but really look forward to our next stay at VWL. BCV/BWV/VWL are different but all wonderful ways of experiencing "the world".

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by WDW JKL
I don't want this to turn into a debate so please respond with your opinion based on personal experience.

John. John, John . Of course it will turn into a debate. At least you left OKW off the list!

Here are my personal experiences:

VWL: The WL is a first rate hotel and VWL is beautiful and relaxing. We stayed in a Studio there and found the villas to be quite intimate, you really feel like you are in the woods. Both pools are very nice and the villas pool is truely quiet. Some people think the interiors are a bit dark, but we didn't think so. There is a boat to the MK and you can walk to Camp Wilderness. All other access is by bus.

BWV: BWV is in the middle of everything. We stayed in the same Standard View 1 BR twice . The Boardwalk is always "jumping". There is always something to do and somewhere to eat. The SV point structure allows more frugal use of points, but you need to book early! The main pool is nice, but the giant clown can be scary (well, at least it is to me ). The slide is great. The halls at BWV are very long. Some posters have said the best SV rooms are at the end of the hallway, though. We were able to watch IllumiNations from our balcony. You can walk to Epoct and MGM.

BCV: We have yet to stay at BCV, but I toured the units and wandered the hallways. I prefer the decorating at BCV to that of BWV or VWL. It's ligher and airier. BCV also has a better layout for the dining area than BWV, IMO. The hallways are not as long as BWV but there are more of them. My feeling is there are more less desireable views at BCV than at the other 2 resorts. But, you also have Epcot views . The quiet pool looks nice and Stormalong Bay is awesome! You can walk to Epoct and MGM.

 

[dznymom1]

These are my opinions only

VWL - Pros: Spectacular resort- absolutely breathtaking. Good proximity to MK. The beach & bike paths offer plenty of space for the kids to run around and burn off steam. Good choices of boat rentals, and a family plan available. Electric Water Pageant. Awesome fried chicken from room service. Quiet and peaceful.

Cons: A bit isolated, and really requires a car unless you enjoy Disney Busses. Restaurant choices are limited - Artist Point not for most families, Whispering Canyon pretty much a once a trip stop, and Roaring Forks is typical low end Disney dining. Villas are a long walk from the parking area.

BCV - Pros: Stormalong Bay. Beaches and Cream. Proximity to EPCOT. Vast choices of restaurants within walking distance. Beautiful common areas (Breezeway).

Cons: Dreadful views and noise in a large number of villas for premium points. Boring villa pool area.

BWV - Pros: Proximity to EPCOT and the Studios. Great restaurants and the Bakery & Sweet Shop. Community Hall and activities for the kids. Fishing. Possibility of Boardwalk View. Standard views available. Fun on the Boardwalk. Dueling Pianos. Special events on the BW.

Cons: Could get BW noise. The evil Clown Pool

Remember, these are opinions only, and if I thought longer I could undoubtedly come up with more pros or cons at each resort.

 

[EROS]

Look, everyone has their own opinions.......and rightly so. We prefer BWV over all of the other DVC facilities because of its location, restaurants, "action" etc.; however, many enjoy OKW BECAUSE it's much more laid back.

Forget what others here have to say. Try to look at the resorts personally and even book some time in them if you're uncertain.

Good Luck,

 

[Dean]

They are all great resorts including OKW. I'm sure Saratoga Springs and if it happens Eagle Pines will be great as well. What's best for you might not be what's best for another. In many ways the resorts you named are very similar. They all have essentially the same unit sizes and layouts with minor variations. The points costs are all identical with the exception of the standard view units at BWV. What you want to do and the ages of any children might be the determining factor. If your kids are small and you want to do mostly MK, I'd say go with WLV. If your kids are older and/or you like more action, BCV and BWV will be more to your liking. If you will not have a car, go with BCV or BWV. As for choosing between the 2, it's a very subtle personal preference. If you are looking to buy through DVC, chose BCV or possibley WLV. If you are going resale, you will find the most contracts and available options with OKW followed by BWV, at least for on property resorts. OKW will also be the lowest point costs, enough so to pay for a rental car. BWV will be the next cheapest in terms of both resale costs and points per stay due to the standard view options. The views overall will be better with BWV than BCV but BCV has Stormalong bay and is newer.

Other factors that might influence your choices might include some of the following. Only BWV and OKW have Grand Villas and BW only has a few. The 1 and 2 BR units at OKW are larger with a kitchen setup to handle the full occupancy of the unit while the other resorts have a more compact kitchen that is not setup to handle 8 people but works fine for 4. All of the dedicated units at WLV have 2 queen beds in the second BR while the lockoff's have a queen and pullout full. BWV only has the queen plus pullout full in the second BR. BCV is like WLV in this regard except some of the dedicated units have the pull out and others have (or will have) the 2 queen beds. Fees are highest at BWV with WLV and BCV being very close. Fees are lowest at OKW. If you need financing, you may be stuck going through DVC directly.

 

[spruce]

Rather then speak to advantages or disadvantages, consider this...... We live 1/2 mile away from mountains here in Pennsylvania and also own a timeshare resort in the mtns. VWL is out for us because we have that experience nearby. Our big contract is at OKW, we really like the tropical feel of this resort and with a car, it's minutes away from the action. We have a second contract at BWV, it's nice and in a great location but we are 2-1/2 hours away from the real boardwalks in New Jersey. Our third contract is at BCV. Its location is also great but we really bought for Stormalong Bay.
You need to think about the surroundings/resort experience you want rather then advantages or disadvantages of the different resorts. They are all world class resorts, any one of them is an excellant choice, alas thou, a personal choice depending upon what type of experience you wish to have.......spruce

 

[KNWVIKING]

We've stayed at all the DVC resorts and own at OKW,VWL and BCV. We sorta matched resorts to when we vacation. We always go for a week between Thanksgiving & Christmas and love the way VWL & WL decorate,the Lodge lobby is incredible.

We also go for the F&W fest and you can't get closer to Epcot then BCV. SAB is just a bonus as is the entire BW complex.

We go in May for 1-2 weeks.This is when we do most of our off property day trips. Being able to park our van right outside our room is great.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

There is much good advice here in this thread.
It is not practical to stay at each DVC resort before you purchase, but you really should go and walk through and around each DVC. You will then have a better idea of which you prefer.

Good luck...

 

[Sharper]

But a factor which is very significant to my husband (maybe not as much to everyone else) is that you park outside your door at OKW. While for the most part we used Disney's transportation, it was very nice to be able to get into our own auto within a moment. Also was nice with unloading and loading our luggage, in that we didn't have to wait on bell services (saving both time and tip expense!) My husband really disliked our stay at the Boardwalk when he felt that he had to "turn over" his vehicle and it was a hassle to retrieve.

We love all the DVC resorts but each has its special appeal based on whose primary wishes we are accommodating and which area of the World we anticipate spending the most time. For instance, our last trip was to OKW in October and it was wonderful -- so spacious, that wonderful boatride to DD, dedicated bus service and so forth. After a quick non-DVC Christmas trip we will be at BCV in May. Incredible convenience and the fun of the boardwalk, as well as Stormalong Bay. BWV is similar in appeal. Our next trip will likely be at VWL and we will explore the Fort Wilderness area in more depth.

I would be hard-pressed to pick my favorite resort because there are too many every-changing factors. They are all wonderful.