Villa Advice Please

[TXTink]

We have decided to stay in one of the 1 bedroom villas this June (for 7 nights). We have never stayed in a villa, so would appreciate any advice! We have narrowed it down to Beach Club Villas, BoardWalk Villas or Wilderness Lodge Villas. We are a family of 4, which includes 2 teenage girls ages 17 & 19.

Thanks for any advice you can share!

 

[robinb]

I would recommend BWV or BCV for your family because of the age of your daughters. There's a lot to do around the resorts and they can walk/boat to MGM and Epcot on their own. If they like waterparks, I would pick BCV over BWV for Stormalong Bay. I'm more than twice their age and I love the slide .

 

[sharoncity]

I too would suggest BWV or BCV because of the ages of your DDs. There is a bunch of things for them to do on the Boardwalk, they can walk or boat to EPCOT or MGM, all the great restaurants on the Boardwalk and in the countries of EPCOT.....

 

[Danauk]

I would also go for the BCV due to the location. There will be loads to do for all the people in your group. I would choose the BCV over the BWV due to stormalong bay, the best pool on site. I stayed in a 2 bedroomed villa at the BCV this past August and loved it. There were 4 of us in our group as well and we had loads of space. I can't wait to stay at the BCV again.

 

[kweaver]

Don't forget...the new Saratoga Springs Resort will be open by June as well. Easy access to everything that Downtown Disney has to offer...which your teenage girls might be interested in. Their pool and slide is supposed to be great.

 

[MinnieGi]

Another big vote for BCV or BWV! You will all aprreciate the location so close to Epcot and MGM. The Boardwalk has lots of great restaurants to try. I would probably also nod more in favor of BCV only b/c of SAB.

 

[TXTink]

Wow! Thanks to you all! It sounds like BCV as a first pick and BWV a close second. I will call a family planning meeting to share all of your input, then ask for a vote. But I think either of these 2 places will be a hit. There is a lot to do around the Boarwalk that will make my teens feel a little grown up.

We have stayed in Beach Club before, so maybe we will vote on a different resort and go with BWV.....hummm.

Can you tell me where the BWV are located in relation to the rest of the resort? Is it on the Epcot side?

Thanks again!

 

[wdwphanatic]

... and I really prefer BCV. The reason is that the pool is much better there vs. the BWV pool (Luna Park). If your dd's like to swim, BCV is MUCH better.

Both BWV and BCV are Epcot resorts and directly across the lake from each other, with BCV a tad closer to Epcot than BWV (BWV might be a bit closer to MGM Studios, however). There are several restaurants and some nightlife over on the Boardwalk side, and the Swan/Dolphin are also within walking distance. Of all the Vacation Club resorts, I believe BCV offers the most. It is closest to Epcot, a short walk or boat ride from MGM, across the lake from all the nightlife at Boardwalk without being on top of it (!) and it also has the best pool of ALL the Disney resorts... Needless to say, I would not eliminate from your list!!!!

As far as the other DVC resorts, I also enjoyed WLV. For older kids, however, it just doesn't offer the excitement of being so close to two of the parks and all the nightlife available over in the Epcot area.

If you have any additional questions, let me know!!

Happy planning,
Sarah

 

[Hopefully]

Another vote for the BCV for both the location and the pool. Although I have never stayed at the BWV, I think they would be great also. BUT, plan your request - at the time of booking - carefully. Some of these units are LONG walks from the elevators.
Also, on a different note, I would advise a 1 bedroom vs. a Studio for your family. The extra room will make all the difference in the world to your vacation! Do you plan on cooking much? If so, be sure to do some grocery shopping before you arrive on property. Disney will store (even perishables) for you until your Villa is available! Even if you don't plan on cooking meals, the full kitchen allows you to have all the cold drinks and snacks you desire, readily available - a great plus!!! One last thought, since any Villa larger than a studio includes a washer and dryer - you can pack less "stuff" (If you can!) Again a great plus! We have stayed at the BCV twice, both in a 1 bedroom - but once just my DH and I and the second time with DS (27 y.o.). Any questions - just ask. Bottom line - enjoy your trip

 

[jaguar9748]

TX - haven't stayed at BCV or BWV, but the location is quite excellent - you will enjoy. WLV are wonderful too - a more quiet stay. If you're looking for a quiet resort that's just around the corner from MK, this is the resort for you. My kids (20 and 19) love the WLV and the bus service takes them wherever they want to go.

I also second the vote for a 1-bedroom. You and hubby will have the privacy of a bedroom while the girls can share the sofa bed (and there's room for a twin blow up bed too. The benefit of a kitchen is marvelous! Eat as many meals in your villa as you want - cheaper, quieter and relaxing.

We have absolutely loved our villas stays - there is no better way to stay in WDW!!

 

[TXTink]

I am getting so excited about the advice you all have shared! I think we will try for the BCV as a first pick. We decided on the 1 bedroom for sure.

I was thinking about bringing mostly breakfast foods, snacks and sodas. That is great advice about being close to an elevator.

Is there a specific room or location that you all suggest at BCV and/or BWV?

Thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

BCV you can see alot of EPcot!!!!

BCV - up high as possible on the side facing Epcot - I like the area around Spaceship Earth.

BWV - depends - you want to be close to the elevators - then a main pool view - you want a great view then BW but expect a long walk.

BCV has several elevators located through their resorts.

BWV has 3 elevators right next to each other and these can be a very long walk from different sections of the resort. However if you and your girls are not above walking steps there are excellent short cuts - these can be used for getting where you want - coming back - these places can be locked and they won't let you in .......(fire doors) - but try it sometimes- some will let you in with a key others want let you in period.....

 

[jcanary]

BCV is great for kids. We had 4 16 year old girls down with us this past July and they loved and the freedom they could have there. I believe we were in room 552, I would have to check but that was a dedicted 2 bedroom witha a spectular view. It was near the back elevator so it was great getting places. We did spend a large amount of time at WLV because we were on the family plan for renting boats and the girls and DH would be out for two to three hours every day on the boats. The girls would go to a park in the morning and then hop on a bus to WLV and do the boats for a while. It was really great. I will admit that the girls did not use the pool very much, yea, even in the middle of July.
so I would also recommend WLV because of the activities there. My kids would rather be on the boats then in the pool.
good luck choosing. You will not be disappointed.

 

[wdwphanatic]

As far as room location, I would definitely specify near an elevator if you do go with BWV... The walk can be verrrrrrryyyyyy long if you're not near one -- it sure was for my aunt and uncle when we all stayed there a couple of Februarys ago! BCV is much smaller, so the chances of getting a room far away from everything is less likely. I have stayed in rooms that overlook Epcot and the quiet pool. I really enjoyed both. The only negative about requesting an Epcot view -- even on a high floor -- is that they may put you in a room that overlooks the busy access road that runs between Epcot and BCV. We were assigned a room on (I believe) the 4th floor that overlooked that road and I quickly requested a new room assignment, as I'd heard many negative reports on these boards about it. They wound up reassigning us to a room that still looked out towards Epcot but was farther from the road and overlooked some folliage... Not sure what they'd call this view, but it was a million times better!!

As I said before, WLV is also a great choice. The pools aren't as exciting, but the atmosphere is fabulous (if you like a Grand Teton-lodge type hotel, which I do!). The proximity to MK is great, and taking the boat to the CR is a nice bonus as well. If you were to stay there, I'd definitely request a quiet pool view with a room on a higher floor. I think we also requested a room close to WL. They assigned us a perfect room -- it was on the 4th floor overlooking the quiet pool and a quick walk to WL... You could even see the electrical water pageant at night!!

Again, happy planning! If you have more questions, let us know!!

Take care,
Sarah

 

[paults]

Lot of people talk about long walk to the rooms at BWV.(we own there ). Just so you know the check-in desk at BCV is in the main lobby of the BC so you have a considerable walk to BCV also. Then you have a longer walk over to the boardwalk , where the action is.
Walking is what we do at WDW.
Now if your DD like to use the pool they might just love SAB at BC. I say might because not everyone is the same and BWV has a very nice pool and slide too. Here a good site to check oufor BCV

http://tagrel.com/Tours/DVC/SAB2003/SABSlideShow.htm


PS: don't get hung up on a special view and you won't be disappointed. Have fun

 

[erikthewise]

We own at BCV and love it! Having not stayed at BWV I can't really compare.
A clarification on location: BCV is slightly closer to Epcot, depending on room locations, but BWV is much closer to MGM! (Roughly half a mile closer.) If the ability to walk to both parks is important to you, that edge goes to BWV. If you don't have a rental car, that could be meaningful as there is no bus service to MGM from Epcot resorts; it's either the boat (often slow) or hoof it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Actually, any of the villas will be wonderful. We stay at OKW, BCV and have our next trip to VWL. Saratoga Springs will be opening this spring, and it's right next to the Marketplace, so that might be something your teens would be interested.

Personally, Stormalong Bay does absolutely nothing for me. But my son and husband love it, so we like to stay at BCV in the summer.

OKW has room galore since it is the original Vacation Club resort. After it was completed they changed the layout to save space and sell more. BWV, VWL, BCV and SSR have nearly the same layout.