trying decide between BCV or Boardwalk

[crowder0731]

Help me understand the Pro's and Con's to each of these two resorts.. thanks for all the help so far. It is really helping me make my decision. I will normally just staying in a studio or one bedroom. Its just my wife and son and I.. so studio makes sense .. since he is only 2.

 

[Disney Doll]

BCV has Stormalong Bay, Boardwalk doesn't.

Other than that, they are pretty similar. Decorating is different, but they essentially offer the same amenities and essentially same location in terms of walking to Epcot. BWVs are a little closer to MGM, by about 10 minutes.

 

[BillPA]

If you can plan 10-11 ahead, BWV standard view rooms will use about 20% less points than BCV. i.e a studio during summer BCV 14/32=134 7 nts, BWV Std 11/28=111 7 nts the 23 points saved will allow you to stay for 2 extra (free) nights. But to get a standard view you need to book early in the 11 month window or get lucky at 7 months. On the 'flip side' BCV room are much more difficult to reserve, mainly because there are far less units.

Each resorts is WORLD CLASS and you can't go wrong with either.

Good luck!!!

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

Each resorts is WORLD CLASS and you can't go wrong with either.

That's the way I see it, too. We just bought at BWV. I figure that we'll always book at BWV then if we want to, try to switch to BCV at 7 months out from the trip. If we get in at BCV, great. If we don't, still great.

 

[debbiepump]

I've owned at both (sold BWV). Just my husband and myself-kids grown, no grandkids.
BCV has parking close to the villas, BWV doesn't. BWV has a choice of 'views', BCV really doesn't. BCV has the Marketplace with great sandwiches and gelatto, BWV may have loads of places to eat, but we like the Marketplace for a quick bite to eat. BCV much, much smaller. BCV has many 'social' areas to sit and eat, kick back, whatever.
BWV has their main lobby. BWV has alot more 'action' as far as the boardwalk activity.
BCV is just steps away from World Showcase, Boardwalk has a few more steps involved. BWV is a closer walk to MGM on the walkway. To us, even with the huge draw of Stormalong Bay, we found the Villas at BCV 'quieter' than BWV. Sure I missed alot of stuff, but just our 'observations'.

 

[Viki]

We solved the problem of owning between them by owning both!

(OK, with a small preference for BCV because of stormalong bay!)

 

[veenstra56]

I see both resorts as equals in most respects (same area, same room layouts generally, basically the same distance to each park with same modes of transportation to everything); BCV has Storm Along Bay, which is a definite plus. But when it came right down to it, we felt that there was more value in going with BWV for one reason-- the ability to book standard view rooms. I view points as currency, and standard view rooms are alot 'cheaper' than BCV rooms (which, in turn, means more trips and/or larger accomodations over time). And if we want, we can book preferred view rooms at BWV and get spectacular views.

In my opinion, I really don't see much of a distinction between the two, other than standard view option with BWV and SAB with BCV. And I can't imagine that you would be unhappy with either.
Good luck with your decision!

 

[corpcomp]

Personally I think your 2 year old will have a better time at the sand castle beach at SAB.

 

[Pluto 2]

bcv has sab you cannot pool hop to bcv

bcv is quieter than bwv

bcv has better parking if you do not want to use valet

bwv has standard view rooms that you probaly wont get at the 7 month window

if you buy resale bwv will be a little cheaper

both are great resorts

 

[browniemtb]

What about the clown at BWV. My kids absolutely love that slide.....I think there are + and - to each....whatever you decide there will be a smile on your face and your kids face, thats what matters most.
Brownie

 

[lisareniff]

I agree with many of the pro's and con's already stated. Here are two that haven't been mentioned yet...

BCV has dedicated 2 bedroom with 2 queens in the second bedroom (only 25 units) that reserve quickly. BWV has no dedicated 2 bedroom units.

BWV has not only the std. view but the Boardwalk View AND Grand Villas that all reserve quickly. BCV's does not have all of those options.

Personally, I think having a kitchen, seperate sleeping area and washer dryer is MORE important when you have young children. You end up spending more time in the room, you and your wife will not need to go to sleep when he does, etc. Go with the 1 bedroom, you won't regret it!

 

[Beca]

Two other differences, although subtle, but significant for us are:

1) BWV has no access to a "beach" area. One of our favorite activities is going to the beach with a glass of wine, sitting in a lounge chair while dd plays in the sand or feeds the ducks, and watching sunset. BWV only has the elevated boardwalk area, and no beach access. It seems like a small thing, but to us it makes a big difference.

2) BWV has only a VERY small gift shop in the lobby. Everything else (and there actually is a LOT of stuff at BWV), is outside the hotel. This can make things a bit difficult in inclement weather, and not as convenient to "run down" and get something.

The BCV also seems so much more "relaxing" to us. BCV has a great character b'fast in the hotel. The pool is PERFECT for little ones. My dd loved to sit in the shallow areas of the pool and try and build sand castles. There is also a little known kiddie pool and kiddie slide on the pirate ship itself. This is another great area because it has park benches where you get million dollar views of Crescent lake. We also love getting food from Hurricane Hannas and eating it around SAB. The Marketplace is AWESOME...great gelato, yummy gourmet desserts, and really good "made to order" salads. Also, as others have noted...parking is RIGHT next to the villas, and VERY convenient when you are trying to carry little ones, strollers and all the accompanying "stuff" to the hotel.

I do not mean to speak ill of BWV at all....it is an amazing resort, and our second choice (although we love VWL as well). And, certainly...the standard views are a wonderful ownership perk at BWV. However, we just cannot get past our "love" of BCV, and this is amplified because our dd took to this resort like no other as well. I do love the Clown Slide at BWV, but we felt that we could pool hop to BWV if we wanted to slide on it, but we cannot pool hop to SAB. And, for us...dh's vacation time is so scarce, that we realized early on, BCV would always be our first choice of resorts. I think with DVC, each person has to figure out what is most important for them on their vacation. For some, where they stay has little or no impact on their vacation. For others, where they stay can make or break their vacation. We are at a point where, having been to WDW MANY times, the resort we stay at is as much a part of our vacation as visiting any of the parks. We choose to go to WDW year after year as one of our vacations for the comfort and familiarity of it all....it is predictable, and relaxing...and that is one of the things we really love. For us, "relaxing" means sitting on the beach with a glass of wine and watching the sunset, or finding ourselves surrounded and immersed by all the waterfall sounds at SAB...WDW just wouldn't be the same without staying at BCV. Now, you just need to decide what will work best for your family.

Good luck!!!
Beca

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

We love both resorts. Our kids are a little older (11 and 13). a big plus for BWV is the Community Hall right beside the quiet pool. We spent the afternoon lounging at the pool while the kids participated in activities and craft sessions in the Hall. They could swim for a bit....go in the Hall and play ping pong....swim a bit....rent bikes and ride around.....swim a bit.....make a backpack.... you get the idea. We were always nearby (but not too close) which gave them some independence to enjoy themselves together.

Lots of good comments in this thread. Keep in mind the pros and cons will change as families get older and change. Make your decision for the 'long haul'.