VWL vs BCV

[MamaCrush]

Okay-- don't mean this to be controversial and I know that personal preference plays a huge role, BUT--

Generally speaking, how would you veterans compare these 2 resorts. We are considering buying in and these two resorts are what we are considering. Currently, we have DS4 and DD2. The pool is important, but not the primary consideration. Although-- while BCV is considered as the premiere pool, personally I don't think VWL is that far behind.

Not looking for anything definitive, just your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[jel0511]

You asked for opinions, so here's mine.... VWL ROCKS!!! SAB doesnothing for me. It's too spread out, and VERY hard to keep track of kids. I don't want my kids to be out of my sight when around water (regardless of age due to a friends pool tragedy) and it's very hard tokeep an eye on them there. I also don't care for the location of BCV, as it's added on behind BC and you have to trek to the pool, whereas at VWL, the theme pool is just a few additional steps away from the quiet pool. I've stayed at both, and VWL is the winner for me. Now, my dislike for BCV might also have a lot to do with the fact my favorite Epcot DVC is BWV, now that place is GREAT, and is my favorite DVC resort. We own at both VWL and BWV, so it works out for us!! Depending on the number of points you're thinking of buying, you might be able to get two contracts, one at each resort. We own a week at both VWL and BWV, so we spend one week at VWL and then move to BWV for the second (or vice versa). It works out nicely, and we get to always stay at our favorite resorts and don't have to worry about the 7 month window!

 

[RuthnPaul]

VWL is much closer to the MK -- an easy boat ride away! With 2 little ones, I would imagine that the Magic Kingdom would be a popular destination! We stayed at BC last year and weren't all that enamored with SAB (except for the pirate ship slide)! Too spread out -- and we don't even have small children to keep track of!! Since the theming between the two resorts is totally different, does one appeal to you a bit more than the other? I would also have a bit of a concern about the number of negative BVC trip reports that have been posted over the last 6 months of so (although I'm sure there are many people who go there and never have major issues). HTH!!

 

[KNWVIKING]

If you haven't stayed or visited each, I recommend you do so.

The main lodge at WL has a WOW factor that is off the scale IMO. BC lobby is nice looking, but nothing special.

What is your favorite park. MK is easier to access with a nice boat ride, Epcot you walk right into and MGM is a boatride or 20 minute walk away.

SAB is the BEST pool on property.If you stay at BCV you can always hop over to WL and swim. You can't hop from VWL to SAB.

Want a quick bite to eat late at nite ? Roaring Forks at WL is better then Beaches & Cream at BC.

What time of the year do you visit ? I own at both because I MUST be at VWL during the Christmas season & BCV during F&W fest. If you're a summer time visitor, I'd give BCV the nod.

Have fun deciding.

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by MamaCrush
Okay-- don't mean this to be controversial and I know that personal preference plays a huge role, BUT--

Well, as an unbiased observer I'd have to say that VWL wins hands down!


Okay...I'm hardly unbiased. But I can add to the unbiased opinions you've already heard.


I think you would definitely be well served to visit each of the resorts before you buy if at all possible. VWL has a lot of Pacific Northwest Great Lodge theming which is wonderful if you like that, but not so good if you don't. It places a big emphasis on the woods, lake and wildlife theming. We happen to like that. Others find it too "woodsy" or the decor too dark.

BCV has a lighter, airier feel to it. Definitely a beach theme, and a great location with easy access to EPCOT and MGM.

I know your children are part of the decision, but realistically they will only be an influence on about 15 years or so of the next 37 years of DVC ownership. So I wouldn't make the decision based on their ages or their likes.

After all, you can get to all the parks from any resort.

We love VWL...it will always be the place that tugs at our emotions and makes us feel completely transported as soon as we enter the huge lobby doors.

They are both wonderful resorts. Look at the pictures, make yourself familiar with them, and then ask yourself what kind of theming/location etc you would prefer.

The good news is that they are pretty much identical in room size and have identical point schedules. So you don't have to throw those two things into the decision mix.

Good luck!

 

[littlestar]

We own at both.

With VWL you have the great Wilderness Lodge right next door and Bay Lake with all its recreation at your fingertips (not to mention the Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary hotel being a boat ride away).

With BCV you have Storm-A-Long Bay pool, a short walk to the international gateway at Epcot (location, location, location), Beaches and Cream soda shop, and the whole great Epcot/MGM area.

I'd buy at both! woo hoo

 

[ErinC]

We own at VWL, but have stayed at both places. They both have many perks, but I'd take VWL any day over BCV. The lodge is a great place to be whether you are doing the parks or not. There is so much to do,in and around the resort, and the proximity to MK with small children is great. I liked BCV okay. I grew up in Florida, so the beach theme to me is no big deal. The pool is huge and it is very difficult to keep an eye on children of different ages. One wants to play in the sand, one wants to be 300 ft. away, going down the slide. It is hard to enjoy with small children. If you can take the time to see both resorts I recommend it. It is just such a personal thing to decide your favorite. Things that others love, you may hate. Best of luck!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We own at both and enjoy them each very much (our favorite is the BWV where we also own). We stay at each, every other year. For the VWL we do primarily MK trip and for the BCV we do an EPCOT, MGM, SAB trip.

HBC

 

[HookdonWDW]

We own at both. I'll try to be somewhat impartial, and give you my opinions of both.

Resort:

I love both resorts, and like the theming of both.
- VWL is themed in a darker, rustic "mountain retreat" decor, while BCV is themed in a bright and light pastel-ly beach decor. Owning both is like having your mountain retreat and your beach retreat.
- Both have room service, and you have to walk outside to get to the main hotel from each of them.
- Both have onsite childcare, and it is about equi-distant.
- The health club is located on the ground floor of VWL, and you have to hike over to the area between the Yacht and Beach Club to get to the club at BCVs (oh well, you get your stretching done on the way over ).
- DS (10) says that the arcade has more in it at BCV, but he likes the one at VWL more.
- The quiet pools are about the same distance away at both resorts.
- It's a hike to SAB, and a much shorter walk to the main pool at VWL.
- The con on the shorter pool walk is that the VWL quiet pool is the only quiet pool at the resort, so when the main pool gets crowded, the quiet pool gets a ton of "spill over". The quiet pool at BCVs is usually pretty peaceful.
-When it's crowded, SAB can get busy, but because they check to make sure that only authorized people are swimming at SAB (and eliminated hopping), it's never been too crowded to swim at BCV. Because VWL has a smaller themed pool, we have found it too crowded to swim there on occassion.

Transportation:

- It's a short walk to Epcot and MGM from BCVs, but bus transportation to MK and AK can be a pain in the neck during busy periods. Since they've added the second set of busses for BW and the Swolphin, it seems to be somewhat better. We don't usually use the boats, because we prefer to walk (I know... freaks! )

- Short trip to MK, and the boats are nice change. I dislike having to go to FW on the boats though, because it doubles the trip. We don't really like the bus service from VWL. It tends to be decent or really bad, so we prefer to drive if we're not going to MK. It would be great if you could walk to MK, but you can't, so we don't ).

As you can see, I really think that each resort has its pros and cons. That's why we own both. They really compliment each other well. We like to spend a couple of days at VWL while exploring MK, and then switch over to BCV to do Epcot and MGM.

 

[goldilocks_63]

FYI, VWL is the smallest of the DVC resorts.

With all the new SSR members, I think both VWL and BCV will be harder to trade into...., and VWL almost impossible during December, unless you own there.

So, if money were no object, I'd get 2 contracts with the same UY, and bank and borrow to alternate stays.

At any rate, Would it be possible for you to visit the properties? Maybe rent ponts and try out a few days at each, so you could consider. I think a first had look would be worth it, considering the years of committment. Others have said they wished they had bought elsewhere, after the fact.

Goldi

 

[Beca]

Hearing all the WONDERFUL stuff about VWL (and with jel0511...the BWV), it really makes me happy I own primarily at those two resorts!! Since I have not had the pleasure of staying at either...it's nice to hear such wonderful things about them!!!



Beca

 

[WDWJWEB1]

Hello Mamacrush
We own at VWL and at SSR. We have stayed at the BCV (2003 or 2004 not sure) But we chose to stay there for the pool, My DS was 8. DD 7 at the time. We were there for 2 nights when the kids said "we want to go Home"(VWL) They both said that they liked the VWL pools better than BCV, and also that "they" felt more comfortable at the VWL. I was such a proud father that day as you see the VWL IS our Home away from HOME it works for us. as someone else posted you need to decide what works for you and yours as the children will be gone in a few years. What ever you decide I'm sure you'll be happy, but if your not just remember you can always buy both.

Good Luck on deciding

 

[westjones]

We love both of these resorts. They are our two favorite resorts and we are probably going to switch each year between these resorts when we visit WDW.

IF we had known about resells at the time we bought, we probably would have gone with VWL. We bought in when they were selling BCVs (preconstruction). We fell in love with BCVs after our first stay. We also loved VWL after we stayed there. The family has given BCVs a little bit higher rating because of the pool (my kids are 11 yo twins--so when your kids get older, they will love the pool there), and for DH it was the walk to Epcot (he is already talking about when the kids are grown and it is just the two of us and how nice it will be to just walk over to Epcot for dinner at night). The Boardwalk is just a short walk away too, and it is a fun place at night to see street entertainers.

So NOW we are very happy that we just happen to buy into BCVs. If we could have at the time, we would have bought VWL, but now we wouldn't trade our BCVs for any other resort.

DJ

 

[OneMoreTry]

I have not stayed at VWL but here are my comments.

I agree that VWL has an awesome lobby. BCV has a much lighter atmosphere and sense of openness.

Comments have been made about little kids and pools and safety. Remember kids grow fast. SAB has a lifeguard every few feet. They are VERY strict about safety. I can never keep track of all the rules and have been scolded a couple of times.

I would pick BCV because Epcot is our favorite park. If MK is your favorite and you think it will always be, then maybe you should choose VWL.

I wonder if either one is easier to trade for II resorts?

I guess, when it comes down to it, I think you should visit both if possible before deciding. You'll probably fall in love with one and then it will be easy. (Or fall in love with both and buy 2 contracts.)

 

[mb168]

I turned down buying VWL on my first tour ($75/point I think) and bought BCV a year later. I've been very happy with the decision because we have DD9, DS7, DD6, DD1 and SAB was a factor in buying there verses resale, even though I did get a 70pt OKW contract resale. I figured that down the road, it would be easier, and more valuable, to sell BCV because of SAB. Whether you use it now or not your kids will. I've always been able to get VWl at 7 months when needed including last Thanksgiving.

We tend to stay at BCV in summer and fall, because of FW is the only reason in fall, and VWL in winter so time of year may help you decide. I'd rather be walking around the lobby in WL in Dec than at BC but its nice to be in the bright, open areas there in the summer.

Also at this age you probably aren't pushing the stroller over to EPCOT very often to baby swap at Test Track while they can ride every ride in Fantasy land.

It just really depends on the way you use Disney.

 

[BillPA]

All I will say is GOOD LUCK!!!
Both are great, we started with OKW in '93 then after staying at BCV and VWL we added on at each.

Mainly for the reason everyone has mentioned, if you want to stay at VWL when the Christmas decorations are up, and we do, you almost have to own there. Although we did stay there several times before we owned there, but had to wait list for the rooms.

The same is true for BCV, during the summer months, the Flower Show and Food and Wine, it is difficult to get a unit. Not imposible but you will need to wait list most of the time.

VWL has the smallest number of units, and does fill quickly.

Both are quiet and relaxing, the plus goes to BCV for parking close to your unit, but with the free valet parking that really doesn't matter unless you use your car often, those tips do add up if you are in and out 2-3 times a day.

With a 2 and 4 YO, you will probably be going to MK most for a few more years. I would buy at VWL and start looking for a smallish add on at BCV for a few years down the road.

Which ever you pick, you will be happy, both are great, all the DVC resorts are great. It's a can't loose choice.

 

[d-r]

We are fortunate to own at both. Here's the thing. One time, go stay at wilderness lodge. Spend most of your park time at MK. Go over to ft. wilderness. Really get the feel of the lodge. Eat all of your meals at the magic kingdom resorts. Next time, go stay at beach club. SPend a lot of time at storm along bay. Spend most of your park time at epcot and mgm, and only eat at the epcot or epcot resort area /boardwalk restaurants. Just take both trips slow and enjoy where you are staying at and the things close at hand that make both great places to stay.

 

[DaveO]

I just got back from WLV yesterday. Own at BWV and Vero. Have stayed at both plus OKW and HH.

BWV is on the bottom of my list. The layout of the 1BR seems to make the rooms smaller. A lot of the rooms have a 'road' view which takes away from the theme. It definately has a 'afterthought' feel to it as it was squeezed into the existing foortprint of the resort (at least for me).

My order of WDW preference

BWV
WLV
OKW
BCV

Dave O.

 

[Beca]

Originally posted by DaveO
I just got back from WLV yesterday. Own at BWV and Vero. Have stayed at both plus OKW and HH.

BWV is on the bottom of my list. The layout of the 1BR seems to make the rooms smaller. A lot of the rooms have a 'road' view which takes away from the theme. It definately has a 'afterthought' feel to it as it was squeezed into the existing foortprint of the resort (at least for me).

My order of WDW preference

BWV
WLV
OKW
BCV

Dave O.

Did you mean BCV was on the bottom of your list?



Beca