VWL or BCV?

[beachwarmer]

I need some help choosing a DVC property to purchase. I am looking at resale and am interested in BCV and VWL. I am trying to base a decision between the two on not just our present travel but on the future as well. We have one toddler now so the lure of BCV is the great pool and walking distance to two parks. VWL is closer to MK and has a great theme for around Christmas when we most likely will be traveling. We will probably be visiting during the school vacation periods so I know the home resort will be important. How hard is it to book VWL or BCV in the 7 month window? Can some of you experts provide any additional information or points to consider when choosing a home resort. Thank you for any help you can give.

 

[AreWeThereYet]

We really like the decor and atmosphere of the Wilderness Lodge - it's very nice. However, for our trips we would choose BCV over VWL because of the location, the number of activities available at the Boardwalk, and the great Stormalong pool complex. Those just can't be beat, which is why we call BCV home.

 

[Rainman]

We have three boys, 7, 4 and 2. We stayed on rental points at VWL in Oct 05. We loved it. It is so close to MK. It is very quite and beautiful. We had been kicking around getting in DVC for a few years and this trip did for us. So we bought a resale at BCV and are going back in Oct 06.

So I can not really help you decide other than to say I understand the tough choice. We have not stayed at BCV yet but we bought there. Do a key word shearch there are other post out there on this very subject.

BCV has the great pool and great location. BCV has the higher demand resale price. We looked to the future and thought we would down the road want to be at BCV. However we really liked VWL and it would have been nice to pay a little less money to buy in. It was a very hard choice.

Have you stayed at either. Renting points for a stay is not a bad way to go. Maybe try and do a rental stay??

Good Luck. The upside is I dont think there is a bad choice as it is the Happiest Place on Earth!!!

 

[boatboatboat]

between bcv and vwl.................bcv, hands down will afford you more freedom over the years of your ownership.

If you don't own at bwv or bcv you will always find your self "wondering" if you will be able to stay there.

you can always get a room at a resort that doesn't have SAB or the boardwalk attractions......

bcv.............

 

[Maistre Gracey]

If I were you I would rent points and stay at both for a couple nights each.
This is a big decision, and you may kick yourself if you get it wrong.
If you don't stay there, at least go have lunch and take a good look around.

For us, the incredible theme/theming of VWL alone made our decision. Location, pools, and size were all secondary to theming.

MG

 

[boatboatboat]

good advice.

for mk fans vwl's location is a HUGE plus.

I wish my bwv was "on-site" to MK........

oh well........

buses aren't THAT bad. Who am I kidding?......... yes they are.

 

[littlestar]

We have points at VWL for the theming and close to the Magic Kingdom, Bay Lake (nice big lake), and we LOVE Disney's Wilderness Lodge resort.

We have points at BCV because I LOVE the location, the beach feel, and Storm-a-Long Bay pool.

We have points at BWV because of the location and the standard view points option.

So we spread our points out among three of our favorites.

P.S. VWL and BCV are the smallest DVC resorts. So at certain times of the year, you almost have to have points there to get in. Something you could do is buy a master contract say at 150 or 200 at BCV and then add on 60 to whatever at VWL to get a studio (at least for 5 nights) during the holidays. Just an idea to kick around. You could also bank and borrow on a small amount of points to stay at a resort every three years.

 

[iankh]

We have points at both VWL and now at BWV, but the lion's share is at VWL.

We love VWL, the theming is amazing, plus there are tons of other activities that people surprisingly don't refer to too often, among our favorites are, renting boats and going out on the lake and over the water bridge. It's fantastic to boat around CR, Poly and GF. We also love to rent bicycles and take the path through the woods over FW for lunch and of course a visit to the petting zoo. Love the boat over to CR for dinner at Chef Mickey's and over to FW for the campfire.

Then we have BWV, because we wanted something in the Epcot neighborhood. We enjoy being able to walk to Epcot and the short boat ride to MGM.

When we first bought resale, we obviously did not know that we would be adding on, so we went with our first love, VWL, because we had stayed so frequently at WL and because at 137 rooms, it is the smallest of the resorts. That was and still is minds a wise choice for us.

We have stayed at BCV and well, we weren't all that wowed by it. Not a least by the view we had from our balcony. It was nice enough resort and all that, but not really, well moving. SAB was attractive, but again not a real major point for us.

Would we have added on there? Not sure. I suppose so if it had been easier, we might have considered it. We ourselves preferred BWV, more for the theme, and the ability to get lower point standard view rooms.

If I had to pick just one resort? It would still be VWL, we love everything about it, but keep in mind that tastes are a very personal thing. What we love, the next person may hate.

Good luck with deciding. I was in the very same spot, 13 months ago.

 

[beachwarmer]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I knew the experts would have some great suggestions for what to do. All I need to do now is find a contract. (or two).