You will hear everything in the building. Yes, it is very noisy. It is so noisy I could hear men (or perhaps talented ladies) urinating in rooms around me. I wasn't terribly bothered because it was quiet at night. But if you're a day-napper, or if you have folks around you who come in late and aren't quiet in the halls, you'll hear everything. The walls are so thin you can hear everything they say so clearly you could be a stenographer. I am not exaggerating or anything. I never hear anything at Riviera unless a kid runs down the hall and the parent hollers to tell them to slow down or something. Not even a commode flushing in another room.
All this to say, request top floor and end of the hall to limit hall traffic around you and the number of rooms around you. Bring a noise machine and/or a fan and/or earplugs, especially if you're a light sleeper. I always travel with a fan, not just for the air circulation but also the white noise.
I will say that in my experience the VGF building is quieter but not as quiet as Riviera.
It's not just the fact that the building is old because I never hear anything at HHI. Maybe I just have considerate neighbors at HHI every time I stay there though. But it's not just about consideration, the BPK building has thin walls. Like I said you can hear men urinating clear as day. A little bit of rockwool would go a long way.
If I booked BPK and ended up getting a room near the elevator shaft or central atrium area and they couldn't move me, I would honestly forfeit the points paid and pay to stay at a Value resort instead.
Also the hallways are fairly narrow and even though the rooms are among the biggest studios on property, people leave their huge strollers and bariatric scooters in the hallways so you're constantly dodging them to get to your room. I know that isn't allowed on the cruise ships but either it is allowed on WDW property or nobody does anything about it.
All things considered I like the VGF building better but the Resort Studios are far better studios than the VGF Deluxe Studios. So I'm honestly kind of torn on the resort's rooms.
