VWL or BWV??? July 2012

[carolinesc7]

Hello! Need some opinions here.....We will be visiting in July. Our home is BLT, which we stayed in last summer. In December we stayed at VWL, and loved it, especially for Christmas. Right now, since I have waited relatively late to book, VWL is available (and we would be happy to stay again) and BWV garden and pool views are available, but not Boardwalk View. (1 BR Villa). We park hop to all the parks, so I don't know that we are necessarily going to spend a lot of time in one particular park. I want to be in a CLEAN room (and I have read some questionable reviews (and good ones) on BWV. Also, we rely on Disney Transportation while we are there. We have two girls, ages 5 and 8. Any input or advice to help us decide would be welcomed!!!

Thanks!!!

 

[herb102211]

I would pick BWV. It’s conveniently located to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. You could either walk or take the friendship boats over. Since you park hop, you could also take the monorail over to MK, so you would only have to worry about busses to AK, the waterparks or DTD. We loved the Boardwalk atmosphere and really liked the pool. You could also hang out at the beach by the Beach Club. We've found the BWV to be clean.

 

[Brian Noble]

Either would be good. VWL is really only convenient to MK, but with the ages of your kids, you might be spending more time there anyway than in EP and DS, which are the most convenient to BWV.

If it were me, I would pick the one that "sounds like vacation". BWV is in the middle of the action. VWL is more of a relaxing retreat. Having been to both, my bias would be to VWL for a family vacation with younger kids, but that's just a personal preference, not necessarily advice.

Since you park hop, you could also take the monorail over to MK

It's a long walk from BWV, to and through Epcot, and to the monorail station. Then, you have to transfer at the TTC. You can't make rope drop that way, nor take that return after EP closes.

 

[LSchrow]

we stay at the BWVs 2-3x a year, and never had an unclean room. there always are, and always will be, some complaints about every resort, DVC and not, on the boards of course, there will be the occassional mousekeeper that decides to do half their job one day, but there is no way to foresee which resort or which day that will be.

obviously, we do love the BWVs.....there is just to much to do/see, or you can just relax in one of the many, many quiet areas.
the strolls to DHS and EPCOT are beautiful, plus there is a community hall for fun and games, yummy bakery, multiple eateries, street performers, carny games, surrey bikes, adult nightlife, campfire, great pools, and the list goes on and on.
a few complain about the parking lot being far, but we don't find less than a 4-5 minute walk at the most very difficult (or you could valet, or have one person get the car while the others wait), plus we prefer not seeing, hearing, or smelling cars while on vacation (the downside of parking outside your room).

some of the rooms are far from the single bank of elevators, but there are multiple stairwells that guests are free to use (and we often do).
you might want to request close to elevators if with stroller or wheelchair, or lower floor for easier uphill stair walking. note that higher rooms tend to have better views, however.
and one more note.: you might wish to waitlist for the amazing BW view - it is the same amt of points as P/G.
have fun

 

[MikeyNS]

Just back from a split stay (with a cruise inbetween) of BWV and VWL. Haven't been to the lodge since 2006ish, but have had multiple stays at the Boardwalk. Enjoyed our stay at the VWL much better than at the Boardwalk. Liked the atmosphere and felt more vacation-y to us. We wondered why we took so long to come back.
..but again, to each their own. You're at WDW.

 

[zeph317]

we have stayed multiple times at both, with children, and we're checking out of BWV tomorrow. Here's our opinion, including my kids':
BWV: great slide, right outside Epcot, walk to Hollywood studios if you want, very nice Community Center - a quiet pool, movies to rent for free, air hockey, crafts, coloring
the Boardwalk is fun at night (entertainers start at 7-ish, I think and kids LOVE them)
cons: the only negative on this trip is the unit is a little run-down, but it's very clean.

VWL: very nice pools, a smaller but nice slide, the lobby is fantastic, Roaring Forks & Whispering Canyon restaurants are great for families. They don't have a Community Center. My kids prefer BWV over VWL.

The atmosphere is different at both: BWV has a carnival feel to it. I like both, actually!

I hope this is helpful.