Questions re: our possible DVC purchase

[TwoAtDisney]

I know this sounds silly, I assume, but DH wanted me to ask - those staying at DVC using their DVC points - do they qualify for "free" Disney dining? I don't see how, since the whole idea is to fill Disney resorts during slow seasons.

Can the points be traded to a Disney resort & then get the "free" dining? Still doesn't put new resort dollars in Disney's pocket, so wouldn't seem so to me.

We are thinking about buying enough points for 1 week in a standard studio at Boardwalk Villas - resale. We travel to WDW in Nov after Thanksgiving & in Dec before Christmas. We would use our points only for WDW, not trade. We bought OKW the first year it opened, always used it for OKW, & then sold it about 10 years ago. However, we don't want there; want the BWV walk-around location.

Do resale buyers get the AP discount? I know about the other benefits being stripped from resale buyers.

Re: BWV -
1. Are there better tv channels than in the resorts?
2. Is the internet charge $10 nite like in the resorts?
3. Are there self service laundry facilities? Is there a charge?
4. What user month should we buy for the Nov/Dec visits? I've forgotten all about the reserving part/user month, etc.!
5. As compared to the other DVC lodgings, any negatives about Boardwalk that we should know about? i.e., are the units in good shape, dues don't rise any faster than others (I looked at the historical data & they don't appear to do so), building interior issues - such as not convenient to elevators or whatever, rooms too small or not as nicely arranged, any reasons folks don't like them, anything?

The location is what we like, so we considered BCV against BWV & choose BWV because the point usage for standard view is so low & therefore = lot less purchase & dues cost. We don't care about the parking lot view.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Julie

 

[chalee94]

I know this sounds silly, I assume, but DH wanted me to ask - those staying at DVC using their DVC points - do they qualify for "free" Disney dining? I don't see how, since the whole idea is to fill Disney resorts during slow seasons.

Can the points be traded to a Disney resort & then get the "free" dining? Still doesn't put new resort dollars in Disney's pocket, so wouldn't seem so to me.

you are correct. no free dining on points stays. not ever.

Do resale buyers get the AP discount? I know about the other benefits being stripped from resale buyers.

resale buyers currently get all benefits except those related to trading out. resale buyers can still trade through RCI but not for disney cruises, hotels or ABD.

Re: BWV -
1. Are there better tv channels than in the resorts?
2. Is the internet charge $10 nite like in the resorts?
3. Are there self service laundry facilities? Is there a charge?
4. What user month should we buy for the Nov/Dec visits? I've forgotten all about the reserving part/user month, etc.!
5. As compared to the other DVC lodgings, any negatives about Boardwalk that we should know about? i.e., are the units in good shape, dues don't rise any faster than others (I looked at the historical data & they don't appear to do so), building interior issues - such as not convenient to elevators or whatever, rooms too small or not as nicely arranged, any reasons folks don't like them, anything?

1. same.
2. internet is currently free for DVC members staying on pts
3. laundry for studio dwellers is free (access the laundry room with KTTW card.) 1BRs and up include a W/D in the villa.
4. oct is great - you want a UY that starts right before you travel.
5. long hallways and limited CS options in the resort (you'd have to go out on the BW if it is raining) are all i've heard, but BWV owners will probably pipe up.

The location is what we like, so we considered BCV against BWV & choose BWV because the point usage for standard view is so low & therefore = lot less purchase & dues cost. We don't care about the parking lot view.

yep - just be sure to book 10-11 months in advance to get the lower standard view villas. sometimes they book up quickly.

 

[Sandisw]

No, free dining is a promotional discount for purchasing a Magic Your Way package through Disney.

A DVC points reservation is completely different. If you want to be able to take advantage of free dining, you can certainly rent a reservation to someone else using your DVC points and then taking the cash and buying that type of package.

Yes, at this time, all DVC members receive the AP discount. Just remember, though, this is a perk and can go away at any time. I would not use that in your decision.

Currently, DVC members also get free internet when staying on points--but again, it is a perk that can go away at any time.

There is a free laundry center down near the fitness of BWV. Last time we were there, it had 2 washers and 2 dryers.

If you travel in Nov/Dec, I would try for a fall UY--Sept or Oct. You want to travel near the beginning of a UY to allow for the most flexibility if you had to cancel or change a trip. You can always call 11 months prior to your travel at your home resort (7 months at the others).

We are actually in the process of adding on points at BWV because we too like its location to Epcot and the SV point structure. Our plan is to stay a few nights at the beginning of our summer trips before heading over to BLT for the rest of the time as well as use it for our F & W trips every year.

The only drawback that I see with BWV is that the CS locations are few and far between at the resort. You have the BW bakery and that is about it. However, you are a short walk from Epcot, so IMO, lots of options if you don't mind having to get there.

Good luck!

 

[drusba]

I know this sounds silly, I assume, but DH wanted me to ask - those staying at DVC using their DVC points - do they qualify for "free" Disney dining? I don't see how, since the whole idea is to fill Disney resorts during slow seasons.

Can the points be traded to a Disney resort & then get the "free" dining? Still doesn't put new resort dollars in Disney's pocket, so wouldn't seem so to me.

We are thinking about buying enough points for 1 week in a standard studio at Boardwalk Villas - resale. We travel to WDW in Nov after Thanksgiving & in Dec before Christmas. We would use our points only for WDW, not trade. We bought OKW the first year it opened, always used it for OKW, & then sold it about 10 years ago. However, we don't want there; want the BWV walk-around location.

Do resale buyers get the AP discount? I know about the other benefits being stripped from resale buyers.

Re: BWV -
1. Are there better tv channels than in the resorts?
2. Is the internet charge $10 nite like in the resorts?
3. Are there self service laundry facilities? Is there a charge?
4. What user month should we buy for the Nov/Dec visits? I've forgotten all about the reserving part/user month, etc.!
5. As compared to the other DVC lodgings, any negatives about Boardwalk that we should know about? i.e., are the units in good shape, dues don't rise any faster than others (I looked at the historical data & they don't appear to do so), building interior issues - such as not convenient to elevators or whatever, rooms too small or not as nicely arranged, any reasons folks don't like them, anything?

The location is what we like, so we considered BCV against BWV & choose BWV because the point usage for standard view is so low & therefore = lot less purchase & dues cost. We don't care about the parking lot view.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Julie

No free dining for DVC members whether using DVC resorts or trading out (moreover those who buy resale now cannot trade out to Disney hotels)

All DVC members, including resale, are currently able to buy the discounted AP. It is a perk that DVD could end at any time.

The same TV channels are in all the WDW resorts, DVC and otherwise. You turn it on and that same shreiking woman with a voice that is a fingernail on a balckboard shows up no matter where you are.

Internet is free to DVC members staying at a DVC resort.

There are no-charge self serve laundry facilities; also 1BRs and above have their w/d

If you usually go Nov/Dec, Oct would be ideal use year month but any June through Oct would be fine.

BWV rooms were renovated in 2009-10. Rooms are fine. Some don't like them, many do. That is true everywhere. Room sizes are in same range as SSR, VWL and BCV. OKW has the largest rooms, followed by AKV and then BLT

Has only one set of elevators near lobby and thus if you want to exit in room far away form lobby must use stairs or walk to elevator. Some complain of long walk from lobby to end rooms. However, AKV Kidani now wins that complaint hands down since walk there is about 3 times further than any walk at BWV.

BWV dues are higher than average and likely will remain so since it is a high activity resort (boardwalk is a nightly entertainment destination) and maintenance costs are higher than others. However, they have generally tracked the same percentage increases as other resorts over years although BWV has sometimes even been lower percentage rise than average.

 

[LisaS]

those staying at DVC using their DVC points - do they qualify for "free" Disney dining? I don't see how, since the whole idea is to fill Disney resorts during slow seasons.

You are correct that Disney uses free dining to entice people to book a room at full rack rate during slow times like hurricane season so it doesn't apply to DVC.

For DVC, the points vary by season so you can get a "discount" by going at times when the points are lowest, like end of January or early December (Adventure Season), or October up to pre-Thanksgiving in November and pre-Christmas in December (Choice Season). And the good thing is, you don't have to wait for them to announce anything -- it's already baked into the points charts.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Thanks a lot. So much great info.

It's hard to believe that Disney gives free internet & laundry - that amazes me - but then again I guess the member' dues are paying for it, not Disney!

I forgot to ask about parking. Is that a long hike also? That was one good thing about OKW; park right outside door.

Now we are reconsidering BCV. How do those compare to BWV for studio setup, long walks to elevators & parking, likes/dislikes (view doesn't matter to us)? I realize it has the same food counter service issues, but that is ok to sacrifice in order to be so close to Epcot & Studios & to have so much walk around entertainment.

I realize BCV costs more than BWV & the dues would be higher because we would need to own more points to make a 1 week stay. However, since we are only buying 1 week, the price wouldn't be that much more.

Anyone know the price that Disney usually exercises the ROFR? I've heard that is done for BCV because Disney can sell them easily.

How about connecting doors in BCV & BWV - high noise level sometimes? We had a connecting door at POFQ once & the noise level was horrible because we had "The Very Loud Family" on the other side of the door - worse yet, they were loud from midnight thru 3am! Not really anything security could take care of - just lots of people who spoke very loudly & kids who screamed & hollared a lot. The front desk did move us, thank goodness.

Thanks again. Julie

 

[hakepb]

I guess "free laundry". (You bring your own soap) is cheaper than daily mousekeeping. And once they paid for installing the internet wires and routers, the monthly bandwidth is relatively low cost..

Most studios are connected to 1BR units. BWV has more dedicated studios (97) than BCV (36), but dedicated studios are not guaranteed.
Although I've heard more mentions of the Friendship boat horns for BW view rooms than adjoining guests. (So far, Disney has not overloaded DVC resorts with large noisy teen groups, but DVC owners do encompass all types of people some well behaved, and some....)

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks a lot. So much great info.

It's hard to believe that Disney gives free internet & laundry - that amazes me - but then again I guess the member' dues are paying for it, not Disney!

I forgot to ask about parking. Is that a long hike also? That was one good thing about OKW; park right outside door.

Now we are reconsidering BCV. How do those compare to BWV for studio setup, long walks to elevators & parking, likes/dislikes (view doesn't matter to us)? I realize it has the same food counter service issues, but that is ok to sacrifice in order to be so close to Epcot & Studios & to have so much walk around entertainment.

I realize BCV costs more than BWV & the dues would be higher because we would need to own more points to make a 1 week stay. However, since we are only buying 1 week, the price wouldn't be that much more.

Anyone know the price that Disney usually exercises the ROFR? I've heard that is done for BCV because Disney can sell them easily.

How about connecting doors in BCV & BWV - high noise level sometimes? We had a connecting door at POFQ once & the noise level was horrible because we had "The Very Loud Family" on the other side of the door - worse yet, they were loud from midnight thru 3am! Not really anything security could take care of - just lots of people who spoke very loudly & kids who screamed & hollared a lot. The front desk did move us, thank goodness.

Thanks again. Julie

You've got it. The internet and the laundry are part of the MF's that we as owner's pay--its not Disney giving it to us.

BCV seems to be passing around that $85 mark, but, you never know. We have stayed in lock off rooms and in all of our DVC stays--been members since 2009--we have never had an issue. Of course, not sure if that is because we had quiet guests or they are better sound proofed.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We love the standard view option at BWV and use it especially for our NYE vacations!

We save our BCV points for times when we are more likely to be able to swim. We own at both.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Thanks.

Does a "dedicated" studio mean no connecting door? So can a "request" for a dedicated studio be made, realizing it is not guaranteed?

Actually our loud neighbors were a young family, no teenagers. And I don't think they were really breaking any rules, just stayed "active" from 12m to 3am. I would imagine they are just as loud at home - parents hollering at kids, kids screaming & crying, doors slamming, etc. If it had been during earlier hours we could have probably blocked them out with the tv or we would have been gone from the room anyway.

Mousekeeping - I forgot about that. Is it still provided without cost every 3 days?

Any one have any comments about the BCV studios, etc.?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks.

Does a "dedicated" studio mean no connecting door? So can a "request" for a dedicated studio be made, realizing it is not guaranteed?

...
Mousekeeping - I forgot about that. Is it still provided without cost every 3 days?

Any one have any comments about the BCV studios, etc.?

If you stay 8 nights, you will get the complete cleaning on day 4 (?) and trash and towel on day 7. If you stay 5 - 7 nights, you get the trash and towel day on day 4.

Yes, a dedicated studio would have no connecting doors. Not all of the DVC's have dedicated studios, but BCV and BWV do. Are they the only ones you are interested in?

BCV studios are great IMHO! The connecting door to the one bedroom is in the little hallway as you enter the room. At BWV, the connecting door is more in the living area. That's a consideration regarding noise. We have noticed noise from neighbors at VWL studio where the connecting door is also in the living area of the studio.

Bobbi

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Thanks.

Yes, BCV & BWV are the only ones we are interested in. Love the location between the 2 parks, love all of the walking area with things to see, & with the 5 hotels & 2 parks we love all of the places to get a bite to eat. So much for us without ever getting into our car.

I really prefer BCV vs BWV - closer to Epcot back door; nice beach; great pool area; & then of course there is Beaches & Cream!. And from what you said, sounds like BCV lock-off door is in a better location.

When I first posted, we had decided on BWV because we were thinking about buying 3 weeks & BWV would be a lot cheaper. Now we are thinking of 1 week. So, with such little price difference, we might as well buy the one we prefer = BCV.

But, how do we find so few points for sale? Do/can the sellers break up their package?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks.

...
But, how do we find so few points for sale? Do/can the sellers break up their package?

Sellers cannot break up their package. Sometimes that's the reason people buy direct from Disney, they get tired of waiting for just the right resale. Best wishes that you find what you're looking for!

Bobbi

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Does Disney have a minimum purchase? If so, do you know what it is?

Thanks, Bobbi, for your help & best wishes.

Julie

 

[hakepb]

As a direct, new purchase, Disney has mandated points minimums from 100 - 250. I think 150 was common in BWV. (100 is a more recent option @ SSR and AKV, but usually they say 160 for new buyers because using most of the "500 worldwide options" start @ 160)

Once you own DVC, you can add-on points in any amount starting at 25 points, that's why you see smaller contracts on the resale market. (Contracts are never combined or separated)

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Thanks for the info. Looks like I have all of the info I need!

 

[LSchrow]

if you don't care about views, then BCV might be the more appropriate option - BWV standard views are comparable to many BCV views, BW view rooms at the BWVs are amazing (like many others, it only took us one BW view trip to find nothing else compares ).

as you did ask about noise: we own both resorts, and find the noise level at the BCVs just too high for our tastes (in lobby, all hours in the hallways, and by the pool - we prefer a more relaxed, quieter atmosphere). the BWVs also have community hall, with table tennis, books/crafts/games, free DVDs for DVC members to rents, etc, fun nightly entertainment, lots to do and see.
walks to two parks are comparable.

good luck in your decision!

 

[drusba]

You asked about parking. At BCV, the parking lot comes quite close to the building and you can usually find a place not far away.

BWV has issues. It has two lots. The main lot is itself somewhat of a walk even to its nearest spots and a long walk to the ones at the end of the lot. The second lot is across the street, open to the public and a long walk away. BWV main lot is supposed to be limited to those staying at BWV but that is not always enforced. Because it is an evening recreation area anyone can get through the main gate at that time by just telling the guard that they are going to valet park and then many don't but instead use the self-park area. The result can be that if you come back at night, you may be stuck with places in the main lot that are far away or even worse find nothing and end up in the second lot.

To valet park at BWV is $12 a day. That used to be free to DVC members but Jim Lewis killed that one. Of all the DVC resorts that have valet parking, the loss of free valet at BWV had the biggest impact.

 

[erikawolf2004]

We are one of those families that got tired of waiting for the perfect small contract and bought direct in June @ BCV with on 80 points and we started with only wanting 50 and they were going to let us do that, so the minimum right now seems to be 50. Good luck.

Erika