Where to Stay?

[hlizard]

Hello Everyone,
My family and I are DVC members and do an annual trip to the World. This year we are going Oct 24 through the 30th. We own at Animal Kingdom but would like to venture else where. We have stayed at Saratoga Springs, Animal Kingdom, and Wilderness Lodge. I was hoping to stay at maybe beach club or boardwalk but we cannot come to an agreement and was hoping you could help me with what you think is best! Thank you in advance for any replies!

 

[bwvBound]

Given the Food & Wine Festival during those dates -- I'd take either based on "whatever you can snag"!

 

[Simba's Mom]

And if you can snag BCV, that'd be my vote. That's where we'll be the week before that.

 

[Pig Pen]

I prefer BWV if I can get a boardwalk view.

Otherwise, BCV pool is better, BCV has a small food court (BWV has none), and BCV is closer to the Epcot entrance.

 

[AnnaS]

We will be at BCV close to your days - so that would be my vote - F & W - here we come!

 

[MinnieLee]

We love BCV especially that time of year. You may want to be ready at the 7 month mark since it is a smaller resort and harder to get into but you absolutely cannot go wrong with BW. BCV is 10 minute walk, BW about 15 minutes and you are right at the International Gateway by United Kingdom - right at the F&W. Better off walking from BC than taking the boat but you can pick up the Friendship boat at BW. Either one would be great.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Given the Food & Wine Festival during those dates -- I'd take either based on "whatever you can snag"!

You need it to get either at 7 months during F & W time, but it does happen! Best wishes!!!

 

[Kidanifan08]

We have never stayed at BCV (but plan to soon!), but it would be great during that time of the year. We loved staying at BWV! I would think either would be perfect for F&W.

It is always a good idea to book at your home resort, especially for a 7 night stay during F&W. As mentioned, you will need to get online or call exactly at the 7 month mark to get into BWV or BCV during that time of the year. Studios will be tough to get as will boardwalk or standard view rooms at BWV. You may need to WL at the 7 month mark. Although, a 7-day WL for an Epcot resort during F&W has a low chance of coming through.

I would probably watch the availability every AM starting around 3/17/13; if the room type I was interested in came available at one of those two resorts in the few days before my anticipated arrival, I would probably book it and "walk" it.

Good luck!!

 

[drusba]

At seven months out that time of year for this year, there were slim pickings for the close to park resorts. You could possibly get BLT lake view but even BWV pool/garden view had nights already filled during that week.

 

[MinnieGi]

As others have said, whichever you can get at that time of year!!! But I don't think you'd be disappointed with either one. That is a great area to be in especially during food and wine. BWV is so fun with a boardwalk view and SAB is such a great pool complex. We love staying in that area to boat/walk to Epcot and DHS. Plus lots of restaurants right there.

 

[PoohsFan1]

We love BCV so if you are able to book that, that is what I would go with. We haven't stayed at BWV...yet, but when we do I would love to book a BW view. The Epcot resorts are great because of the nice walk to Epcot and the ferry to DHS.

 

[Chellymouse]

We stayed at BWV (BW view) 5/2011 and really were not impressed. The hallways are awful and our living room wall was right next to Jellyrolls and the staff at BW did not want to hear our complaints about the noise either so we had to gut it out for 9 nights. We are booked for BCV on our upcoming May trip and we've heard more good about BCV than BWV. However, either one is going to be difficult during F&W.

 

[spiceycat]

BCV - the f/w is fun. but actually enjoy the flower/garden march 6- may 19,2013. It is not as popular.

 

[codysmom1990]

Beach Club!!! It is simply the best hotel. There is no need to go to waterparks because they have the best pool with the sand at the bottom, and no pool hopping is allowed there so only the people staying there can use the pool. Also you have Beaches and Cream, I think that is what is is called, you can have a lunch and ice cream there! The hot fudge brownie sundae is the best!!!! And also for breakfast, they have the character breakfast so you can get all this without leaving the hotel!!!

 

[myxdvz]

Can't help you since we haven't stayed in either one but wanted to post that I had the same dilemma so we booked both!

I don't mind split stays so we're doing BCV for the first 4 nights then 3 nights at BVW. Not F&W so I was able to snag both easily (even BWV Std!) at 7 months.

 

[bakerworld]

Saving Pts = BWV standard view

DH loves BCV - DD loves BWV - I'm kinda split decision
BCV seems closer to both Epcot and the walkway to DHS to me
BWV - any room has a view where BCV has many views of the roadway

Everyone's always saying BWV doesn't have as many food options which I don't agree with because it has the whole boardwalk. From the same conversations I get the impression BWV doesn't have a refill station either. My biggest problem with BWV is the pools always down for maintenance so when we take the preferred garden view we're often staring at white fencing.

 

[El&Asmom]

We prefer BW, but love both. The main reason we like BW better is the walk to Stormalong Bay is a haul from the villas. Granted the last time we stayed there we had a 5m old, 3.5 and 5.5 year old, so that may have skewed my perception. The rooms are also bigger at BW.

Both are great. I say take whatever you can get at the 7m window during F&W. BW is more likely to be available since its a bigger resort.

 

[Halle]

BW Villas have better views, if you spend time in the room or on the balcony that may be a consideration. BC has better parking and pool.

 

[LSchrow]

if you have little ones (pre-pre-teen) and don't mind higher noise levels and constant activity, BCVs.
if you are adults and/or have kids over 8yo, prefer non-stuffy elegance, quieter interiors with a huge array of activities (street performers, carny games, jellyrolls, community hall, etc) at your fingertips (but not in your face), then BWV.

BCV has a huge pool complex that many love, akin to a small water park. room views are just okay.

BWV has BW view (gorgeous) as well lower point standard view villas. main pool is carny themed with a twisting slide that shoots ppl out of a clown's mouth (not good if you've a clown phobbia). BWVs also have a Community hall with ping-pong, board and video games, DVD rental (free for DVC), bike rentals, crafts, etc.
both are easy walks to EPCOT and DHS.

we own at both (we prefer BWVs for the lower crowd and noise levels inside, and loads of activities right outside).
hth

 

[hlizard]

Wow. Thank you everyone who responded! It sounds like we cannot go wrong with either resort and should try for both and which ever we can get into, if one at all , is the one we will stay at.