questions about BCV and BWV and BLT

[TALB]

We are considering buying DVC but can't decide between the BLT, BCV, and BWV. Can anyone tell me the pros/cons of these 3 resorts?

We do like the location of BWV & BCV since they are so close to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. One question, though: are those two resorts also on the monorail route? I know that BLT is on the monorail but I can't remember where the monorail stops in relation to BCV and BWV.

Also, I'm assuming that all three of these resorts would be difficult to book at 7 months. Are any of these 3 resorts more difficult to book than the others? I'm thinking that we'd be happy at any of these resorts and should pick as our home resort the one that would be toughest to book at 7 months. We normally vacation in October-November or January-February.

Lastly, I know that BCV and BWV are older resorts. Does anyone know whether the rooms have been updated? I've seen some pictures on-line and the rooms at BCV and BWV looks somewhat dated. JMHO.

Thanks!

 

[erionm]

To access the Monorail from BCV & BWV you would have to walk through Epcot to the front of the park. Theme park admission would be required to do this.

 

[mla1977]

I just bought at BLT and would love to own at BCV too. I know people love BWV, but of the 3 that would be my lowest ranked. Just personal preference.

One of the pros for BLT is that you have ownership until 2060! BCV is only until 2042. I'm not sure about BWV. At some point in time, I may buy into BCV, but probably only after the extend the ownership.

Also, for BLT, in addition to being on the monorail, it is an easy 5-10 minute walk to the entrance of MK. Can't beat that!

 

[BCV2002]

Just to forewarn, this will be a bit long, but I want to answer your question right:

BCV pros - location, best pool at WDW, location, laid back
cons - no monorail

BWV pros - location (even more central than BCV), recently updated, lots to do, good restaurants
cons - can be loud, esp. at night, no monorail

BLT pros - proximity to MK (can walk there in 5-10 minutes!), best place to go for watersports, monorail to MK and EPCOT, some of the best restaurants at WDW
cons - far from any other park besides MK, studios have a weird layout


Also, when we were there @ NYE this year, I was talking to a CM and she asked my DH and I what our home resort was. We told her BCV, and she said she was jealous b/c that is BY FAR the most difficult resort to get ressies at. I know that was one of your major concerns, so I hope that answers your question about that.

 

[Sandisw]

We bought in at BLT because of its proximity to MK, our favorite park. We are trying BCV this summer to see how we like that. We did BWV last year and it was okay, but didn't like the food options there.

It is very easy to get over to the CR for food, etc. CS meals are important to us and we love the food at Contempo Cafe. We also liked having the option to take the boat to VWL to eat there, or hop on the monorail and eat at the Poly or GF.

In addition, BLT expires in 2060, 18 years after BCV or BWV, and has lower MF's than the other two.

Of course, depending on when you travel, it may cost you more points to stay there than the others. For us, it is not as we travel in Magic Season and the point difference is minimal.

Good luck!!!
Good luck!!!

 

[rlovew]

In October it will be hard to get reservations at BCV or BWV without owning due to the food and wine festival- before Thanksgiving in Novemeber after end of F&W it shouldn't be as bad. January/February after marathon and not during main holidays shouldn't be as bad.

BLT- it depends on what view you want- standards are almost impossible at 7 months, MK views are rare anytime at 7 months, lake views have still been available but it already sounds hard to get rooms in Dec this year and it hasn't even hit 7 months yet- these are owners having trouble before 7 months.

 

[robertdangelo]

BCV was updated last year... flat screen TV's, Ihome in BR, etc. I suggest buying BCV and/or BWV via resale. You can always add-on at BLT through Disney once you're a member. Depending on your travel plans... you could own 50-100 points each, at two or three resorts, through banking/borrowing could have 11 month "Home" booking advantage at multiple resorts.(alternating from year to year) Keep in mind, if you did purchase through resale... have same Use year in all contracts. Disney will do that with an Add On.

Good Luck!

 

[Anal Annie]

Out of those 3 we've only stayed at BCV so far. BWV is on our short list to try...it was a toss up for us last summer between BCV and BWV but we ultimately chose BCV because they have THE best pool on site - Storm Along Bay (SAB). DS and DH absolutely LOVED it. We spent one whole day just hanging out at the pool & taking it easy. First, SAB is HOOGE. Second, it has a sand bottom which is really neat. Third, there is a lazy river. Fourth, they have awesome activities & games for the kids at the pool, Fifth, a BIG slide. Sixth, we also found we really liked walking to Epcot to the "back" entrance. That was awesome. Our unit was in great shape. Well maintained. The whole property looked great. We will try BWV on another trip. I have heard there is no coffee table in the BWV studios & we like having that to use to eat on so that is 1 negative for us for BWV...but that's a small detail I guess.

We want to try BLT sometime but we stay in studios and after touring the models really don't care for the studio layout with the bathroom sink being in the kitchenette area. It's just weird. They're also very small so we'd hate it for more than just a long weekend kind of trip. Finally, since BLT is SOOOO point intensive we're saving it for an off-season trip because we may try to upgrade to a 1 bedroom unit since we really don't like the studio layout. Essentially, it will take you more points to stay there than anywhere else so you will need to buy more points.

We chose Kidani for our spring break trip this year over BWV because it offered us the lowest points for the "premier" season so we could stay longer. But out of your 3 choices I would go for BCV. Fantastic resort, GREAT location, GREAT pool and reasonable point structure.

 

[drusba]

Becoming a major con of BCV and BWV particularly if fairly young family: the end date is 2042. BLT is 2060, AKV 2057.

At 7 months BCV can be difficult at many times of year due to being one of the smaller resorts as to number of rooms, BWV standard and preferred boardwalk view very difficult, and BLT MK and standard view extremely difficult. However, BLT lake view and BWV preferred pool/garden view are very often available.

 

[CandyMandy]

To access the Monorail from BCV & BWV you would have to walk through Epcot to the front of the park. Theme park admission would be required to do this.

That, or a take a $6-7 cab ride from either of those resorts to the Epcot main entrance and just hop on the monorial there. We've done that numerous times.

Per drusba's point about ownership expiration dates, even a family with infants now who buys at BWV/BVC is looking at over three decades of time at those resorts (ergo, the whole childhood period and way beyond). Add in the very high "user-friendliness" of the park access of these properties (which why we continually see so many "can I get BWV/BCV at 7 months" posts on these boards) and it appears the "con" of the shorter ownership period shrinks somewhat.

 

[spiceycat]

blt and bcv sell out before bwv.

that say really expect bcv to be the winner - after the new wears off blt.
love blt it is my home resort.

the monrail allows it to have 2 theme parks - MK and Epcot - my favorites.

that say BCV is a 5 minute walk to Epcot - not a 20 min monrail ride plus a 5 minute walk.

love Cape May Cafe. now do like Chef Mickeys - but not in love with it.
like the counter service at BLT better. It has nothing like beaches/cream however.

that say BLT does have the monrail - so for me - it is worth it.

 

[LSchrow]

btw, bcv's are undergoing a renovation, and bwv's should be almost done (we stayed in a bwv renovated room last october - beautiful!). our preferences would be 1 BWV, 2 BLT, and last BCV

so, imho.....
BLT:
pros: walk to mk, low maint fees, longer contact, MK view available
cons: ppl complain about studio layout, high point structure, higher initial cost

BCV:
pros: walk to epcot/dhs, pool - SAB (tho some consider this a con as it gets very crowded), can be difficult to book for F&WF if you don't own there, significantly lower initial cost via resale than new resorts
cons: points are same as BW view at the BWVs but BCV views are of the quiet pool or a glimpse of EPCOT thru trees/with a road below, can be very noisy (both in and outdoors), contract ends in 2042

BWV:
pros: walk to epcot/dhs, standard view is great point value, BW view is amazing , great restaurants/jellyrolls/atlantic dance hall, busker shows on BW, can be difficult to book for F&WF if you don't own there, community hall with ping-pong, video gamescrafts, etc, significantly lower initial cost via resale than new resorts
cons: some say BW view can be noisy (we stay in BW view 2-3x a year, & never had any problem tho ), limited counter service options (tho the bakery's goodies are delicious!!!), contract ends in 2042

we will most likely be selling our BCV contract, and would only consider more BWV points or BLT instead. both are excellent options

 

[CandyMandy]

Re: the "BWV can be loud" comments - most of the reports of this come from people who stayed in lower floor BW view villas, particularly towards the Jellyrollls/Atlantic Dance end and often have to do with noisy late-night revelers. If you try to avoid that area you are generally O.K. In fact, our favorite request is for a top floor BW view at that end. The height makes a big difference (the Boardwalk sound diminishes significantly) and the incredible views of Illuminations from that area are priceless.