Tips for staying at Beach Club Villas

[Chris and Pooh]

Hello,

On April 28th we will staying for a week at the BCV in a studio. As this is our first time at this resort we would appreciate any tips or advice from seasoned visitors etc.
Given the choice, which are the best rooms, I have heard that some rooms allow for views of the Epcot fireworks and laser displays?
What restaurants are the the best for snacks, lunch, or dinner?
In fact any tips you can give would be gratefully received.

Also as we are transferring to SSR for our second week, can anyone who has stayed at multiple resorts state the ease of transfer. Do Disney staff move your luggage etc from one to the other? As you are normally expected to vacate your room by 10 and not guaranteed to get access to your room til 4 what normally happens in the interim or does this not apply when changing resorts?

Thank you in advance for your comments

Chris and Bev SSR members since Sep 2003

Oct 1996
Nov 1997
Oct 1999
Oct 2001
Sep 2003
Oct 2004

 

[DebbieB]

Which view do you have reserved at BWV?

 

[Paul in CT]

My DW and I used Disney luggage transfer in December from POR to BWV. We called the POR bellstand just before we checked out at 11:00 to pick up our bags for transfer. Someone picked them up before we left at 11:00 and we claimed them at BWV when we checked in. We had to wait until about 4:30 for our room, but we didn't return from the park until it was ready. When we got to the room we called the bellstand and the bags were brought up within 15 minutes. Unlike with Magical Express, I don't think that they will put the bags in the room unless you are there.

 

[Chris and Pooh]

Which view do you have reserved at BWV?

I have looked at the reservation, other than non smoking there is no other info apparent

 

[DebbieB]

You are using points, correct? It should say standard, preferred or boardwalk view. My boardwalk view reservation reads "vacation home type: 1-BEDRM BOARDWALK VIEW".

 

[Chris and Pooh]

My apologies, I should have said BEACH CLUB VILLAS , I had forgotten we had changed our booking from BOARDWALK VILLAS and have edited the Post accordingly. Thank you

 

[Disney Doll]

My personal preference for a view at the BCV is the pool or wooded view. The Epcot view gives you a slight view of some of the higher fireworks over the tops of the trees, and it is also a view of the road. It is not the best overall view. It's nice to be able to see the fireworks for the 20 minutes at night that they are on, but I prefer a view that I can enjoy all the time. The pool is a pretty view and interesting to watch people. The wooded view is peaceful.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I like pool view better then Epcot (or road in our case.)

I think the 4th floor has the washer and dryer on it, good to know if you are in a sudio.

Beaches and cream is great, but I hear they have more food in the gift shop now (it was closed when we stayed at BCV last March 2005.) There is also a lot of food at BW.

We like the Yatht club gally for food. Good and you don't normally need PS (unless it is a holiday week.)

Cape May has a fun charater breastfast.

It is faster to walk from BCV then take the boat to Epcot. There is a path way around the back of the resort that sometimes can be faster depending on where you are staying.
We love BCV. We will be at SSR May 6th to 9th (then over to VB for the rest of the week.) Will you be there then?

 

[Beca]

First of all...try not to worry about the view too much. BCV is not the best resort at meeting "requests". But, if you want an Epcot view, I was told by BCV management to request "Service road view" (What a really sad request!!).

Hurricane Hanna's now offers the same food (minus the famous ice cream) as Beaches 'n Cream. So, if the lines are crazy at B&C, just go sit poolside and get food from HH....it is wonderfully relaxing.

The laundry is on the 4th floor, but so are ALL the smoking rooms, so if you get assigned a 4th floor room, double check to make sure it is not smoking.



Beca

 

[edenlee]

We are also Brits who own at BCV and love it. We try to get a wood or water view. The "Epot" views are not worth the hasstle you really can't see anything much. The best thing is being abe to walk to Epcot (International Gateway) and Boardwalk and MGM. It makes you feel so much more part of the whole experience.

I would say ask for a large balcony - otherwise you may only get a "postage stamp".

We eat at Cape May Cafe a lot - the food is good breakfast or evening. Of course BEaches and Cream has to be seem to be believed and another tip is buy your groceries oFF-Site - much cheaper.

 

[lisareniff]

For a map of BCV and some pics of different views go to the wonderful web page DisZip made.

 

[AreWeThereYet]

We have stayed at BCV twice. The first year we were on the top floor with an "Epcot view". The view was fine but you really do only see the high fireworks - we could also see the "ball" and other structures so that was fun. The other time we had a pool view on the 4th floor and really enjoyed that because we could watch the kids in the pool and not have to be down there if we didn't want to be there.

For eating:

Beaches & Cream is a must
Cape May Cafe character b-fast
Boardwalk Bakery - just a short walk
Spoodles
Flying Fish Cafe

many others....

 

[Paul in CT]

Be sure to try the gelato at the BCV shop. It's delicious!!

The store also has some great looking pastries that we plan to try next time we are at the BWV. They looked even better than those at the BW Bakery, but I will have to check to be sure on our next visit. They also sell large salads and sandwiches for take-out. I know because on our last visit my DW and I had to wait for about 10 minutes for our gelato while the CM made four chicken Caesar salads for the person in front of us, but they were worth the wait. There are some outside tables just opposite the entrance where you can enjoy your selection.

Enjoy!!

 

[Hillbilly]

"Given the choice, which are the best rooms, I have heard that some rooms allow for views of the Epcot fireworks and laser displays?"

We liked the pool view the best but I don't believe any are worth fretting over if you don't get what you want. We asked to stay 1st floor closest to the lobby. This gave us easy access to everything but the laundry on the 4th floor.

"What restaurants are the the best for snacks, lunch, or dinner?"

BVC is a great place to be close to good eating places. We loved the Cape May Cafe Clam bake buffet. Beaches in Cream doesn't give you a ton of food choices, but the food is good, and of course the ice cream is even better. Hurricane Hannas is a great place to eat a light lunch if your by the pool. And don't forget your 5 min. of walking distance away from the world shocase at EPCOT. If your still looking for variety you could simply walk over to the boardwalk. We ate at Spoodles and ESPN before and they are good...A little salty in price but most things are at Disney.

"Also as we are transferring to SSR for our second week, can anyone who has stayed at multiple resorts state the ease of transfer. Do Disney staff move your luggage etc from one to the other? As you are normally expected to vacate your room by 10 and not guaranteed to get access to your room til 4 what normally happens in the interim or does this not apply when changing resorts?"

We did this earlier this month and it went very smooth. We simply called the front desk and had the luggage picked up, they transfered it from the VWL to the BCV and told us it would be there between 1 and 3 PM. The only thing they ask is that you be there in your room when the bell hops pick up your luggage. After we spent the day at Animal KIngdom we checked in at BVC and went to our room. We called the front desk to have them bring our luggage. It was that easy. No wasted time what so ever.


Have a great time!!! Hope this helps.

 

[Chris and Pooh]

I would like to say a big cheers to everone who participated what sound information !!!
I will definately follow up on them making fo a better holiday.

 

[amybethchristiansen]

How much does it cost to have Disney transfer your luggage? We will be staying at BWV and then moving to a value or moderate for the weekend to save on points. I thought we would have to take a taxi, but it would be easier to have the luggage picked up, go to the parks, then go back to the new resort.

 

[Paul in CT]

There is no charge, but a tip at each end would be a good idea.