VWL vs BWV with little ones

[Lynne1]

Okay, need your help...we are going in March, booked a 2 BR at VWL. We have stayed there every time (probably around 10 times or so). LOVE IT!!
But...we have never stayed at any other place. The BWV are available and I am tempted to switch. Here's my question...is BWV just as good as VWL with 2 little ones...(1 and 4)? We just love hopping the boat to the MK from VWL, however, the proximity to Epcot from BWV is very appealing.
Please help me decide. I am the most horrible decision maker on the face of the earth, thank goodness I actually made the decision to buy DVC at all!!

 

[Granny]

We own at VWL and love it.

We stayed at BWV and enjoyed it so much that we bought a contract there as well. Your kids will undoubtedly like the Boardwalk itself, with the magicians and jugglers and such. And you can still enjoy the boat rides to EPCOT or MGM so you don't have to give up boat riding.

And the Community Hall at BWV is a plus that VWL doesn't have. Your kids will enjoy that I'm sure!

We found that staying at BWV was almost like going to a completely new destination. Yes, the parks are the same (though you come in through the "back door" of EPCOT ) but it is a very different experience than VWL, and one we thoroughly enjoyed.

I'd go ahead and give it a whirl...it's a great resort!


One thing though that may or may not make a difference to you. There are no dedicated 2BR villas at BWV...all 2BR's are lock-offs. So if your older one is staying in the second bedroom, it will have a door with access to the hallway (since it's a studio). Others have indicated some unease with that...you can make up your own mind. It hasn't ever been an issue with us, but we didn't own DVC until our children were a bit older. You can always push an armchair up against the door to block it if you think your child might be inclined to wander.

Good luck with your decision. You can't go wrong with either location!

 

[Beca]

My dd is 4 (almost 5), and we have been staying at DVC since she was 2. While she thought VWL was really pretty (she loves the "wildlife" there), she loved BWV, and adores BCV!!!

She absolutely loves being able to walk to Epcot, and she still gets to take her boat ride to MGM. Plus, there truly is so much to do and see in the BWV/BCV area.

The BWV pool is really cute (my dd loves the elephants), and the activity on the boardwalk is really nice. Community hall is a lot of fun for the little ones (and, I got my air hockey fix). There is a candy store (okay, maybe not a bonus ), a bakery, a pizza place, a few restaurants, the ESPN club, a corn dog/hot dog kiosk, and now I heard...a funnel cake stand!!! I have seen the BW as a really "happening" place, and I have seen it completely dead....it's nice either way.

And then, about a 5 minute walk away is BCV. There is a character bfast for the little ones at Cape May. There is also a clambake buffet dinner. And, your little ones would LOVE eating at Beaches 'n Cream...it's really cute. My dd can't seem to get enough of that place!!

There is certainly a charm about VWL that is undeniable, and the access to MK is wonderful. If you think you would miss it too much....keep your ressie there. It makes for a much "calmer" vacation. However, to say that the Epcot area resorts are not "fun, fun, fun" would be wrong. I love it there!!! I feel the same way about BCV that you do about VWL. Every December we say, "Well, we will just stay a couple of nights at VWL." (We really like it there, too.) And, then....we always just seem to stay at BCV.

There were many times when our dd seemed to have a hard time going to sleep in the room (just too different, and she was overstimulated). We would put her in the stroller and take her for a walk...she'd be out in no time, and then dh and I would enjoy a nice stroll.

Whatever you decide, you will have a blast. Just make sure you won't feel "cheated" if you don't get to stay where your heart calls "home".

 

[Lynne1]

Thank you guys for your advice. The good news is, anywhere you stay in Disney is great! I really appreciate the feedback!!

 

[happymommy]

I've only stayed at the BWV twice - in a 1BR both times. First time DD was 2.5 and DS was 4.5 (close to 5). We brought a toddler size aero bed (raised sides so she couldn't roll off) and she slept in the bedroom next to us and DS took the queen size pull out sofa. It was lots of room - so first thing you may decide to consider is saving points and just having the 1BR (that's personal preference I know - even this upcoming trip I have a 1BR booked at SSR). The previous person mentioned the fact that they would otherwise have a door to the hallway. I'll eventually convince DH to spring for 2br - but I also want to convince him to buy DVC.

Love the Boardwalk with little kids - the pool is smallish but cute. I say go for it - it's so fun to try other resorts! The area is so nice - and very different from the WL. You'll love it!

The only downside (although you'll have a kitchen) is no food court. With little ones, sometimes I like to get a simple meal carried back to the room. Instead, we enjoy a lot of the counter service places in the World Showcase at Epcot. Plus, the little ones can just stay in the stroller all the way back to the villa. There is also a really nice hot dog cart on the Boardwalk though - plus pizza slices to carry out. Just no traditional food court.

 

[canwegosoon]

Think VWL is great...you are close to MK, the boats, Eletric Water Pagent, close to getting the monorail(to get to 1900 parkfare), the pools are fantastic for younger ones. The lobby, the roaring forks for snacks. I love the landscaping there etc. If you kids were 3-4 years older I would say BWV...but I think VWL is great for little ones. While BWV is a fantastic resort...I just don't see little kids being thrilled to go there. Little kids I know love: Chef Mickey, 1900 park Fare, Monorail, boats, geyser, Wispering Canynon, WL lobby, and being close to WDW.

 

[MinnieGi]

Go for a change!! I like checking out all the resorts! We have little ones 6 & 2 who have stayed at VWL, BWV & OKW. They have loved them all. They adore the BWV! They love to walk around on the boardwalk in the evenings and watch the jugglers and other acts. They enjoy taking the boats to TWO parks. For the young ones taking the boat is a ride! Our past visit to BWV we had a boardwalk view that put us in a wonderful spot to see the Illuminations fireworks everynight from our balcony. That was a cool bedtime send-off for the kids everynight!

Being so close to Epcot for WS dinners is wonderful. Its so nice to just walk or boat over to WS. You really get alot of variety of dinner options being in the BWV/Epcot area.

 

[I Love DVC]

I would say VWL. You are a boat ride away from MK. VWL also seems more child friendly. I think the clown pool at BWV might scare kids!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We're picking VWL again for our next all family trip. We got to the 1900 Park Fare character by bus. Some of the busses from VWL stop at the GF to pick up guests, so we just got on one of those. Very quick!

The Whispering Canyon and Roaring Forks and the mercantile offered enough variety for us with the little ones. Most of the adults enjoyed a delicious meal at Artist Point as well, so we didn't need more choices.

Our children mostly went to the MK, so at this time, and probably for awhile yet, VWL fills the bill for us.

Also, none of the 2 bedrooms at BWV have 2 Q's in the second bedroom, and we want a unit that has them.

Bobbi