Which resort Beach Club or Boardwalk do you prefer and why?

[salvatorejrm]

We are planning a trip and want to stay at an Epcot resort. We have seen both resorts on the outside but really have never been inside. We are a family of six and would need a 2 bedroom unit. Thanks for your help.

 

[PKS44]

It depends-
The pool at BCV is better, but if you go in January that may be irrelevant.
The points for standard views are nice to save on points at the BWV.
The BCV rooms may be smaller-to some this is not noticeable-to me it was noticeable and not desireable.
The BCV has closer self-parking.
The BWV are in the middle of the ACTION at the Boardwalk--walk out and there are games, shops, restaurants, arcade, etc...
THE BCV is quietly tucked away in a serene spot behind the Yacht and Beach Club.
The walk to Epcot is slightly shorter from BCV than BWV..the walk to the boat dock from BCV is generally longer than the walk to the boat dock from the rooms at BWV. (although some of the BWV rooms could be pretty far down the long hallways.--if it were raining the walk from boat to covered area inside the same building as your room is definitely shorter at BWV...)

I am sure others may have other thoughts.

 

[erikthewise]

The truth is that they are very, very similar. The room sizes are very close, close enough that there have been posts claiming that each is larger than the other. The room configurations are not identical but it would take an expert to describe the differences -- same for the resort themes!

BCV advantages:
Stormalong Bay -- best resort pool complex in WDW
somewhat closer to Epcot than BWV
close & convenient self-parking

BWV advantages
availability of standard view rooms for fewer points (if you can get one, which is unlikely)
significantly shorter walk to MGM
Boardwalk is at your doorstep

I sense that you are not a DVC member. If not, I suggest that you not eliminate the Swan/Dolphin from consideration. If BWV and BCV don't work out because of availability or cost, 2 rooms at the Swan/Dolphin could work out well if you get a good discount. I believe each also has "junior suite" type rooms that sleep six. The pool complex at the Swan/Dolphin is underrated -- it is approximately the same size as Stormalong Bay. It is not as well themed but still lots of fun!

 

[slp87]

I'm not really going to help out either, because we love them both so much that we are now splitting our stays between the two. We love BCV for the pool and it's a little quieter around the grounds and the villa area is separated from the main hotel. BWV we love because you can always go out and be right in the action. As DVC members, we also enjoy going to Community Hall. I tend to lean more toward BWV, while my DD leans more toward BCV.

 

[lisareniff]

For us, last trip it came down to the parking! BCV has a very close self-parking lot. Now if it is down to the parking the difference can't be that different!!

The pool is the other big difference... It is great pool, but can be difficult with kids in the "can swim but have to be watched" (4-8yo) range, espically if the kids outnumber the adults!

 

[Greg K.]

We have points at both, but have a special fondness for the Board Walk. The resort is a little more elegant, a bit more whimsical, and the theming, to us, more complete. Some of the detailing in the lobby and lounge area is truly inspired and delightful. And in the early hours, when the lobby is flooded with light, it's very airy and pretty. We think of it as the Grand Floridian's less snooty cousin

Also, for the Beach Club, be prepared: the BC can be VERY noisy in the lobby area, especially around mealtimes. The character breakfast is VERY popular, and often mobbed in the morning, and it's located right off the entrance way. And then in the evenings, there's the also HUGELY popular Clambake. It can be like Grand Central Station.

On the plus side: the Villa area itself is a bit off the beaten path -- you can even avoid the lobby completely if you want -- and has a great quiet pool. The solarium is a pretty respite, too. And yeah: that self-parking is GREAT!!

 

[DemoBri1]

If you're going in an "iffy" time for swimming (i.e. mid/late Dec until March), then it is really a toss-up. If you're planning on doing a bunch of swimming in between park visits then you cannot beat BCV.

SAB is the big deciding factor for BCV in my mind, and the ability to utilize less points on a "standard" view room at BWV is the big deciding factor. If you like a bit more laid back atmosphere right outside your door then BCV is for you. If you want the hustle and bustle of the Boardwalk right outside your door then BWV is for you.

No matter which you choose, you're not going to lose out. So basically flip a coin and most of all ENJOY YOUR TRIP!!

Brian

 

[rocketriter]

There's a difference in ambience. BCV is more laid-back and barefoot, and the area where the villas are located is somewhat secluded. BWV is more active and energized, and the villas feel more integrated. We chose BCV for the carefree quality, while others prefer BWV for the bustle. Both are wonderful resorts.

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

I own at both resorts, so I tend to be biased about both.

But, this May we stayed at the BCV and the addition of the Beach Club Marketplace tops the BCV way over for me now. Having quick food choices and refillable mugs made this a much more appealing choice for me. I LOVED the clam chowder, would grab a bowl and take it back to the room each evening before retiring (oh, my poor waistline!)

I also have to say there is something "special" about the Boardwalk that I have never felt at BC, but maybe it is because BWV was my first "Home"

Good luck with your decision

 

[Beach_Bound9]

We are planning a trip and want to stay at an Epcot resort. We have seen both resorts on the outside but really have never been inside. We are a family of six and would need a 2 bedroom unit. Thanks for your help.

You can't go wrong for either for a vacation. If you were purchasing, it might be worth getting into greater detail. For a visit, either are wonderful.

 

[Pig Pen]

We have stayed at both and really liked each of them, but preferred BWV for the porch area overlooking the boardwalk. Every night we grabbed a rocking chair and watched the action. The BCV seemed a bit removed from the action.

We are not swimmers, but I did go down the clown slide at BWV!

 

[thelobstershanty]

We like them both very much. As someone else said the 2 resorts are very similiar. The big differences are the pool, the pt systems, the guaranteed bw views, and the more isolated location vs being right in the thick of things.
The main thing we prefer at BCV is the pool. We really enjoy SAB. We are disappointed in how far it is to SAB, the restaurants and the boat docks' from BCV. Location to Epcot is the closest at BCV. Closest location to MGM is BWV.
We like both resorts a lot but if we had to pick one it would be BWV. The main attraction for us at BCV is SAB. The location from BCV to SAB and the boats to MGM is not very convenient..
BWV has few villas with bad views as compared to BCV.
The lower points for standard views and the guaranteed BW view villas are a big advantage that only BWV has.
Both resorts are great you can not go wrong with either one. Enjoy.

 

[SoCalKDG]

If you can get a standard view(cheaper) or guaranteed Boardwalk view(same price as BCV, best view of all DVC's) then take BW, otherwise take BC.

 

[jcf]

To catch the train to MK, which resort is faster and how would you do it

Thanks

 

[slp87]

You would actually be catching the bus. The hotels are really about the same distance from MK and take about the same amount of time. Both have bus stops located out front. The BCV bus stop is probably a little closer and easier to reach since you don't have to go through the lobby.

 

[jcf]

I was thinking walking to Epcot and taking the train. I have never been to Epcot or BCV or BWV. I guess I want to know if taking the train is an option.
Thks

 

[slp87]

Sure! You can walk through Epcot to take the monorail to MK, but it will take a lot longer than catching the bus. The entrance to Epcot from both the BWV & BCV is through the International Gateway near the back of Epcot. You would need to walk to the front (quite a hike) and catch the monorail to the Ticket & Transportation Center, then switch to the MK monorail. If you weren't in a hurry, it would definitely be an option.

 

[jcf]

ok, my 4 year old son is not into hiking and that sounds far (more than 15 minutes). Does the wilderness lodge offer a way to get to the train (by boat?)

Thanks

 

[PKS44]

Wildernes Lodge has a boat to the main entrance of MK(shorter) or to the Contemporary which then has a monorail around if you really really want to ride the monorail...and it will take a lot longer...