Saratoga or BW?

[Partridge4ever]

We're booked at Saratoga Springs. I could change to Boardwalk for 8 extra points, but I'd have to borrow points and I've already borrowed over half of our next use year. Should I stick w/SS or change? The proximity to Epcot and HS is tempting. But then again the bus from BW to everywhere else is infuriating because it stops at so many other resorts. We plan to do both water parks and DQ, DD Marketplace, AK, and MK (twice). Thanks for any opinions! I also posted on the regular resort board, but I knew I'd get plenty of DVC specific opinions here.

 

[holidaygirl]

We have stayed at both places and much prefer Saratoga.

 

[LSchrow]

have you stayed at both already? if not, i would pick the one you haven't been to.

btw, SSR buses do stop frequently to load passengers also, at all the busstops within the resort. we love both resorts, but definately have to give the advantage to the BWVs - there is just such a plethora to do and see, or you could just relax in the many quiet areas within the resort - its the best of all worlds, in our opinion

 

[BLTSam]

We just had a similar decision to make, and chose BWV over SSR. While we have heard great things about SSR, we love the idea of walking to Epcot, and the whole Boardwalk area.

 

[arthur06]

I would go with BWV but that is just me. I find that we are usually in a constant state of borrowing!

 

[Checkers]

I would go with BWV but that is just me. I find that we are usually in a constant state of borrowing!

We are BWV owners and I am right with you on borrowing points!

 

[kathleendsm]

Another option is to rent the points directly from Disney, right? I think it's like $15 per point, so that would only be $120 total. I love BWV, but as an owner, I am biased.

 

[culli]

We plan to do both water parks and DQ, DD Marketplace, AK, and MK (twice).

I don't see EPCOT or DHS on your list and walking there are the only reasons I would pick it over SSR. I find SSR to be bar none the most beautiful resort and we like it the best..........just wish I could move it over by the EPCOT area. I love being able to stroll over to DD every night and well just love SSR.

 

[IggyLans]

We are SSR owners, but would choose BWV over SSR everytime! We just love BW!

 

[LSchrow]

I love BWV, but as an owner, I am biased.

we own at BWVs, SSR, and BCVs, and love BWVs more than any other resort (DVC or non).
SSR is a definate runner-up, though, for its beauty and serenity. BCVs are just too 24/7 noisy for our tastes.

 

[lmshaggard]

we own at BWVs, SSR, and BCVs, and love BWVs more than any other resort (DVC or non).
SSR is a definate runner-up, though, for its beauty and serenity. BCVs are just too 24/7 noisy for our tastes.

I have never found BC to be loud - in fact, I think they are some of the quietest. Always funny how people view things differently

That said - we have stayed at SSR a lot (always a problem experience) and had an incredible experience the 2 times we stayed at BWV. We are also people who don't mind walking so we LOVE the location!!!! I agree with the poster who said pick somewhere you haven't stayed - you never know when you will find your favorite resort

 

[adminjedi]

I would switch in a heartbeat no matter how many more points.

Saratoga may be a beautiful resort, but it is very inconvenient. If you end up in one of the outlying buildings, you have to walk a mile to refill your mug or get a bite to eat. The buses are notoriously time consuming. The pool and food options are disappointing.

Whether BCV or BWV, it is all about the location. Not just to the parks, but also to the most restaurants! All the nearby hotels, resorts, the Boardwalk, and world showcase!

 

[culli]

I would switch in a heartbeat no matter how many more points.

Saratoga may be a beautiful resort, but it is very inconvenient How so???. If you end up in one of the outlying buildings, you have to walk a mile to refill your mug or get a bite to eat BWV doesn't have a quick service and BCV is a long walk just to get to civilization. The buses are notoriously time consuming no worse than anywhere else, BWV and BCV I have had the worse bus service especially to MK - so much that I now walk through EPCOT and take monorail to MK - THIS HAS been faster then waiting for MK bus. We took bus to DD and that was even worse. The pool and food options are disappointing SSR has some of the nicest pools much nicer that BWV pool, and what food does BWV have that is worth going to? SSR has an easy walk to DD with more options plus a quick serve restaurant.

Whether BCV or BWV, it is all about the location. Not just to the parks, but also to the most restaurants EPCOT maybe but other than that not really! All the nearby hotels, resorts, the Boardwalk, and world showcase!

I love BCV and BWV do to the proximity to EPCOT and DHS and that is it, other than that and maybe stormalong bay SSR is much nicer IMO. Plus the golf course at SSR is nice. People just love to take generalizations about SSR and beat on it. We love to walk and love EPCOT/DHS so yes we do prefer BCV/BWV for location to those parks. SSR is our favorite stand alone resort. Of all the resorts for our experience BCV has the worst bus service waited 45min for MK, AK and DD - and close to that long to get back from DD. Why don't you hear much about that? Like I said people just take shots at SSR. I remember people having threads on how cool it would be to one day stay at the Treehouses, so DVC rehabs them and now it is part of SSR you would think they were slums.

Hey I understand people don't like the remote of SSR, but so is OKW, AK and DWL. But to say the pools are disapointing? How so they have zero depth place for the kids and are building a new pool with a quick service area. Yeah what a dump

 

[LSchrow]

I have never found BC to be loud - in fact, I think they are some of the quietest. Always funny how people view things differently

in a few stays there, both happy screams and yelling as well as continual cries of frustration and overtiredness in the lobby was incessant, as was the yelling, crying, and screaming in the hallways (the noise ended around midnight, and started again around 6am).

i understand that many, especially those with little ones, may consider it a kind of "background noise", and i appreciate that all do not view those sounds the same (btw, i like happy sounds, nonstop crying and screeching not so much)....we just prefer a bit of serenity. even our kids (including mine and my nephews, ages 6 through 16), asked not to stay there again.

different strokes

 

[Partridge4ever]

I guess my post wasn't too clear. We ARE doing Epcot and DHS, but only 1 day each, so I was trying to decide if the convenience for just those two parks was worth the additional cost. And we have premium APs so that's why we're doing both water parks and DQ before they expire. We're squeezing a lot into 5 full days, but only doing "greatest hits" in the parks since it'll be so hot.

Thanks for everyone's thoughts. I'm still unsure but now leaning toward sticking w/SS and hoping OKW becomes available. OKW is "home." Isn't funny how everyone seems to prefer their home resort even though (when we bought anyway) most of the others didn't exist. We like the 2 actual beds in the studio at OKW. DVC was my 30th birthday gift to myself. I am lobbying heavily for BLT points for my 40th in a couple of months.

 

[Inkmahm]

in a few stays there, both happy screams and yelling as well as continual cries of frustration and overtiredness in the lobby was incessant, as was the yelling, crying, and screaming in the hallways (the noise ended around midnight, and started again around 6am).

i understand that many, especially those with little ones, may consider it a kind of "background noise", and i appreciate that all do not view those sounds the same (btw, i like happy sounds, nonstop crying and screeching not so much)....we just prefer a bit of serenity. even our kids (including mine and my nephews, ages 6 through 16), asked not to stay there again.

different strokes

Wow, I've never noticed such noise at BC either. We've stayed there 3 times in the last year and each has been a quiet visit.

 

[Boardwalkin]

I would definitely pick BW, but that is just me. It all depends on what you prefer. Being close to two parks can't be beat. SSR is close to Downtown Disney which is a big plus as well. In the long run you are going to be on a Disney vacation. You can't go wrong with either choice!

 

[bobbiwoz]

The BWV busses don't always make the rounds of all of the Epcot resorts. Sometimes it's only BWV, Swan and Dolphin.

I would borrow the points and go with BWV.

Bobbi