Where would you choose: BWV or BCV?

[Pooh Pal]

I am looking for some opinions. I have decided that I would like to become a DVC member at either BWV or BCV, but I'm not sure which to choose.

My wife and I have stayed at BWV three times (and loved it), but never at BCV. Now we have a 3 month old and hopefully one more to come, and thought maybe the pools at BCV might be worth owning there instead of BWV.

Any suggestions?

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you think staying at BCV will be important to you in the future, that is where you should own, because it is small and has the least availability because of its size.

 

[CarolMN]

Both have approximately the same great location.

In my mind, the major advantage of BCV is the wonderful pool complex. You cannot use the pool at the BC/YC/BCV resort unless you are staying there.

The major advantages of BWV are the lower point cost option of the standard view, the guaranteed Boardwalk view option and Community Hall. If you buy anywhere else, the chances of getting either a standard view or a Boardwalk view are very slim to none. Community Hall is a great resource for those who have children and don't want to spend all of their time at the parks.

Have fun deciding -

 

[shelbyjosh]

I would choose neither! My choice would be OKW. You did ask, didn't you?

 

[RAD]

We're BWV owners but we did stay at BVC 4 weeks ago. From strictly an adult point of view the party of 4 adults prefer BWV over BCV. While SAB is a good reason for BCV it didn't out weight some of the other downsides, the major one we felt was lack of a view to match the views at BWV. We also like the night life on the Boardwalk more then what's happening over a BCV. Now with kids in the picture the SAB feature might be enough to tip the decision, that's a hard one.

One thing to look into is the costs, I'm assuming that you're talking about a resale. Looking at the Timeshare stores posts on contracts it looks like BWV is in the mid to upper $70 range where BCV is the mid $80's. Of course it's all going to depend on the particular sale being offered.

 

[sixcats]

We've stayed at all the DVC WDW resorts except Saratoga Springs. BWVs is still the family favorite. The kiddie pool at BCVs is the best in WDW-but now that my youngest is 6 it has lost its appeal. With three children the pool at Y&B is just too big for us to keep everyone in sight at the same time.

My kids really enjoy the community hall at BWVs also. We have been able to stay at BCVs with our BW and WL points although you can't always count on availability.

 

[Beach_Bound9]

Gotta go with BCV and that wondeful sandy bottom pool for the little ones. For me, the only draw to BWV is the ability to book a three bedroom unit in the future. BCV doesn't have any 3 bedroom units, and you need the 11 month advantage. There's the BWV community hall advantage and ..... I'm stuck for another BWV advantage.....wait......I thought of it and it's a big one, the views. You will not get any kind of view compared to the outstanding views you can get at BWV. BCV has nicer interior spaces (IMO) and closer parking (IMO) and I prefer the decor. The dedicated BCV pool is nice as well. Good luck.

 

[robinb]

I had the same choice a couple of years ago. We could buy into BCV when it was new, or a BWV resale. We went with BWV because it has just about the same location as BCV and we are able to book a Standard View unit for fewer points than the same unit at BCV. Just because you don't own at BCV doesn't mean you can't stay there! We will be there in August for the third time.

If you think you will usually be vactioning at the really busy times (Food and Wine, Spring Break, Christmas) and Storm-along Bay is a deal-breaker for you, then you should buy at BCV. Otherwise, I think you'll be perfectly happy at BWV.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I would choose BCV, DS (21 yo) would choose BWV. But I did split my stay between these two resorts once, before I bought, specifically so I could decide. Some of the advantages of BWV: Bellevue Lounge is a great place for an evening cocktail, even split distance between Epcot and MGM, most awesome view I've ever had was that BW view 1 BR. Some disadvantages (to me): when the elevator doors open, it's not as pretty a view-instant lobby hubbub, not as close to Epcot, no sand under my toes, further from B&C. BCV-sand under my toes (need I say more?), and closer to Epcot are the 2 big advantages. However the views at BCV can't compare to BWV. Oh, yes-one other advantage to BCV I noticed on this last trip-maybe it's just my luck, but the elevators at BCV are almost always available or just a few seconds away. At BWV, I found myself having to wait much longer for elevators. If it's possible, I'd recommend staying at BCV (you say you've already stayed at BWV) before deciding so you can decide what's best for you. As our family indicates, one person's choice may not be another's. Oh, DH's choice? Like a previous poster-neither! Gotta be OKW!

 

[tigger002]

I think it will come down to your taste and maybe you should stay at Beach Club once before making up your mind.

I finally have bought into both BWV and BC because we love both for diff. reasons. My oldest, 17 yr old male, still likes the rec center with the activities. We love playing friesbie on the grass in front of BWV during the night and watching everyone. My other two 15 yr old male and 11 yr old daughter seem to think Stormalong Bay may have a slight edge. It was perfect for us was when we were allowed to pool hop to Stormalong and stay at BWV but no more. I think they will vote for BWV during the cooler months of the year because of the rec center as it gets too cold to stay in the pools for long periods of time. Remember we have been to Disney over 15 times so hanging around the hotel (and it activities) are important to us.

But this all comes down to which you will like and I think you should stay at BC before buying.

Good luck.

 

[Bugeye]

If the pool is the controlling feature, go for BCV. Otherwise, read the boards and you'll find multiple and regular complaints about BCV. Go for BWV.

 

[Granny]

Personally, I wouldn't be driven by the child(ren). You are talking about 37 more years, only a portion of that will be with youngsters.

I'd go with the resort you feel more comfortable with. They each have quite a different "feel" to them, IMHO. Personally, we prefer BWV atmosphere, but everyone's tastes vary.

It's your call...what is the most important feature of a DVC home that you look for? Once you answer that, you'll have your answer as to which resort to buy.

 

[quentina]

I would choose neither! My choice would be OKW. You did ask, didn't you?

We agree....OKW or SSR!!

 

[OneMoreTry]

Pick the one where you'd want to spend the more popular times of year. If you want to do Xmas or Spg break at one or the other, buy at that one. You'll probably be able to get either one in late Sept.

I think your kids will get tired of SAB after a few visits. It's a great pool, but no comparison to TL or BB. My kids do more swimming at the BCV and BWV quiet pools than at the themed pools. They get tired of unruly crowds [see the OKW pool thread]. When we want "fun in the sun" we go to the water parks.

 

[mmmcq]

I don't need to rehash all of the above posts. They are all true. Why not look for small resale contracts at each? Or buy at one and then save for an add on later.

We bought at BWV in 1999 because we loved the location but when our third child arrived we needed more points. At the time BCV was getting close to a sellout and we struggled with where to add on. Our guide called to offer us more BWV points because we were on the waitlist.....and at the last minute we bought an add on at both, but a substantial one at BCV. We now have an even number of points at each and every other year make a week long reservation at either BWV or BCV. We get the 11 mo window for those resorts and have the luxury of extra points.

Last year it was BWV....next year would be BCV if we weren't going on a cruise.

Just a thought.

 

[Lora]

I would have to agree that the pool at BCV is a draw, but not enough to make me choose it over BWV. We've been to SAB a couple times for one afternoon of our trip. I would rather spend my pool time in the long run at the BWV pools. As someone else mentioned, it's easier to keep track of your kids at the BW pool. Also, the slide is great fun. If we ever want a change, we can always pool hop to another pool (not SAB). I always say I'd like to pool hop during our visit, but we haven't done it once since BCV was built.

The community hall is also great at BWV. We had a few rainy afternoons on our last couple visits and got good use of the games, movies, etc.

I think the best benefit of BWV is the standard view point choice. Being rather frugal, I almost always go with the standard view to make the most of my points.

 

[NMW]

We faced the same thing last year. We wanted an Epcot resort resale, just didn't know which one. We loved them both. In the end, we picked BWV because of the great views (boardwalk) and the standard points. Plus, we love the elegance of the BW lobby, especialy at Christmas time. Maybe I'm weird, but SAB while it's a very pretty pool, was just not enough to make us buy BCV. It's very spread out and hard to watch multiple children. I think DH and I also have that "pool water is pool water" mentality. My boys like the clown slide anyway. My boys (6 & 8) would never, never take either pool over a water park though-that's why we plan to always get the PAP's.

Ultimately, we would have been happy with either resort. However, we are glad we bought BWV over BCV. I don't think you can go wrong with either of them.

 

[lisareniff]

This is my list...

BCV Pros-

SAB
Self-Parking
Beach location
Muliple Elevators
Very close to Epcot
Dedicated 2 bedrooms (some with 2 queens)
Shorter hallways!!

BWV Pros-

Standard View Point Structure
Grand Villas
Community Hall
Boardwalk View
Boardwalk location
Midway between MGM & Epcot


I would have to flip a coin! We bought BCV because Disney was selling it and that was easy. I've been very happy but don't know which I would choose if purchase options were equal. I love the theme of BCV but BWV does have more options.

 

[TheBeast]

We bought at BCV last year sight unseen because we'd heard a lot of good things about it. Our first stay was at BWV though, and we loved it for all the things already mentioned above. This year we stayed at BCV and it was nice too - quieter, and maybe slightly closer to Epcot, which we love.

My 9 year olds liked SAB, but didn't love it as much as other's on the board. They spent more time at the quiet pool!

Having stayed only once at each place, I think I'd have done BWV if I had a choice to do over, but BCV is great too.

I think one of the biggest unexpected benefits would be our ability to sell BCV at the drop of a hat and for a significant premium (in only a year!), but that's obviously not a primary reason to buy and hopefully not one we'll ever use!

 

[Pooh Pal]

Thanks everybody for your opinions.

Based on what you've said and my own experience at BWV, I think we are going to try to get a resale at BWV!

I have typically not been a "pool person" but thought I might need to be having kids now. From what you all have said, the SAB is great, but it also has it's drawbacks (very big, hard to keep an eye on kids). I think the BWV pool would be just fine.

And you're right about the BWV views. They are just great. A very fun and lively atmosphere. Plus, you can stay in a studio cheaper. For all these reasons, I think BWV is for us.