Which resort is better...BWV or BCV?

[bangzoom6877]

DH and I are looking into buying DVC resale. We want the Epcot resort area so it would be either BWV or BCV, though we lean more toward BWV. I think there is maybe more to do in the Boardwalk area? Although, BCV is just a walk or boat ride away. It is also possible to stay for fewer points if booking a standard view one-bedroom at BWV than it is at BCV for a one-bedroom.

So, what exactly is there to do in the Boardwalk area besides the dance club? We are looking into buying so that our first DVC trip would be in summer 2010, with 2 little kids who will be 3 and 5 when we go on that first trip. We would like to stay 10 nights, and enjoy the resort more (which is why we want to do this...so we can enjoy a deluxe resort and still afford it!). Do you think we would enjoy Boardwalk more or Beach Club?

Also, I like the choice of restaurants in the Boardwalk, Beach Club and Yacht Club. Could you walk between all resorts within a reasonable amount of time, or is the boat a must? Also, I know BWV is about a 5-10 min walk to Epcot Int'l Gateway. Can you get into Epcot through this entrance first thing in the morning (before rope drop) and still go to rides like Soarin', even though the World Showcase opens later in the morning? And, how long a walk is it to DHS from BWV? Thanks!

 

[mgilmer]

Your question evokes very subjective opinions. We have stayed at both and both have their charms. We chose to own at the BCV because of the closer parking.

 

[gingermouse17]

I love both resorts but if you are thinking about saving on points then I would choose BWV

 

[bangzoom6877]

I love both resorts but if you are thinking about saving on points then I would choose BWV

Okay this is what we were thinking. We could stay in a one-bedroom over the summer (when we always take our big vacation) for 222 points for a week. So I did the math and we could stay for 10 nights for just under 300 points. So we figure...if we buy 150 points for BWV through a resale, and go every other year, we could afford to do this!!

 

[spruce]

We own at both. I like BWV better because the lake view is my favorite. BCV has the spaceship earth view, which we've had but it's not as good.
BWV is also 1 big hotel, BCV is apart from BC/YC. Now, of course, stomalong bay cannot be beat anywhere on Disney property. That's the only reasean we own both. OKW is great too and was our 1st contract but you didn't ask that.

 

[anonymousegirl]

Yes, you can go through the International Gateway first thing in the morning. A CM or two will point the way to Future World and you will not be able to stay in the unopened World Showcase.

 

[MinnieLee]

We own at VWL and BCV. My DH is partial to BCV and me to BWV. We used to alternate every year between the two where I would book BCV for the F&W at 11 month and wait list at the 7 month for BWV but last year and so far this year have been unable to get my wait list. Both are great resorts. With two little ones they may like the activity at the BW at night with the carnival type games and the little shows. THe bakery at BW is great. But at BCV you have Beaches and Cream, Cape May with a character breakfast and they were showing Disney movies at the beach at night. I love getting up in the morning and walking around from one resort to another. Not a bad walk at all. Storm a long pool is fantastic but there is also a quiet pool right by the Villas entrance at BC. BW has an assortment of restaurants like Spoodles, ESPN, Big River micro brewery/restaurant, Atlantic Dance Hall and Jellyrolls but you still can take advantage of both resorts by a 10 minute walk. Either one you can't go wrong.

 

[bangzoom6877]

We own at both. I like BWV better because the lake view is my favorite. BCV has the spaceship earth view, which we've had but it's not as good.
BWV is also 1 big hotel, BCV is apart from BC/YC. Now, of course, stomalong bay cannot be beat anywhere on Disney property. That's the only reasean we own both. OKW is great too and was our 1st contract but you didn't ask that.

I did not ask about OKW or any other DVC resorts because we would have our home resort in the Epcot area. This is the area we would prefer to stay in, we think the location is very central. We saw the Beach Club and Boardwalk area briefly when we were there in July (walked there from the Int'l Gateway), and it was so beautiful, and we were very impressed at being able to walk or boat to two of the four theme parks. Plus, it is not a far drive or bus ride to MK or AK from there either. Very central.

OKW also has exterior corridors, from what I have been told, and so does SSR, correct? We prefer interior corridors. That was what I did not like about a Value, and also the fact that it had a double bed and not a queen. At BWV, DH and I can stay in a King and the kids in the queen pullout!

 

[jekjones1558]

If Stormalong Bay pool is really important to you, then I would buy at BCV. If the ability to book BW view or standard view rooms (a real bargain) is important to you, I would buy BWV. We own at BWV because we are the minority who aren't that crazy about keeping track of kids at SAB pool. Many families adore SAB. We also tend to spend more time in our room than some folks, so the BW view balcony is more important to us than most people. I like to walk to DHS and Epcot and BWV is a better option for walking to DHS. Good luck with your decision.

 

[LisaS]

DH and I went through the same decision process when we bought in three years ago. We had stayed at YC a couple of times so we were partial to staying on that side of the lake. But one of the things we really enjoyed was staying in a room with a view of the lake and since BCV is behind the BC, you can't see the lake from the BCV.

So in the end it came down to whether to buy BCV for the theme, the restaurants at YC/BC and the big pool or BWV for the boardwalk view rooms and the option to stay in a Standard View to conserve points. We opted for BWV and we're very happy with our decision. We still eat some meals on the YC/BC side of the lake (YC Galley or Cape May for breakfast, Beaches and Cream for lunch and ice cream) but we enjoy the walk around the lake to get there. It takes about 10 minutes to stroll around to the other side.

 

[psu4glory]

DW and i bought resale in late 2005 and walked through this same decision process as well...and just about all of the relevent points have already been made by previous posters.

we decided to go w/BWV primarily b/c of the STD View point values. in the spirit of full disclosure, however, i will say that we're not big pool people - so SAB was not a consideration in our decision, but it is for many.

bottom line is that epcot and DHS, as well as all of the restaraunts and entertainment around the lake, are all within reasonable walking distance of either resort...you can't go wrong either way. it all depends on what's most important to you...

 

[kim_d]

We bought at BCV in early 2002 (when they first became available). We really love Beach Club- we love the atmosphere, the location and the pool. We have stayed at BWV as well- it is my parent's home resort. We are staying there in January. Actually, my 3yo and 5yo prefer BWV b/c they are able to go down the slide there by themselves- whereas SAB has the slide across the way and eitehr DH or I have to go with them.

We live having places to eat in the resort as opposed to the Boardwalk where everything is outside (albeit very close).

 

[mouse]

We own at BCV, but when we bought there, we didn't even realize what would turn out to be the biggest plus for us. If we have a car, parking is just outside the BCV building. In all of the times we have stayed at BCV, the parking lot has never been full, and we have always been able to find a space near the villas. No need to ever use valet parking, or even bell services for your luggage. We often walk over to the Boardwalk for dining and entertainment, but also love sitting on the beach at the Beach Club. We also prefer the proximity to the International Gateway entrance to EPCOT. We can walk to a restaurant in the World Showcase or Illuminations in a matter of minutes. Also, you do not have to go outside for dining/food in inclement weather, as there is a covered walkway to the Beach Club Resort.

 

[jbthi]

I love both of these resorts. We bought at BWV about 10 years ago and then did an add-on at BCV. We did BCV so the grandkids would have SAB. Turns out they much preferred BWV. They love all the activities on the boardwalk.

The last time we were at BCV they were 7, 13 and 15. The two oldest didn't care at all about SAB and the 7 year old loves any pool. So we ended up selling BCV about a year ago.

The main advantage with BCV to me is parking closer to the unit.

BWV has a much better view (we usually get Boardwalk view). A couple of years ago I had a serious foot problem and walking was difficult. We stayed at BCV and then at BWV. It was much easier to get on the boat at BWV to go to Epcot. At BCV you have to walk about as far to the boat as you do to Epcot itself. In most instances that wouldn't matter.

 

[pickles]

with little kids, I would vote bcv..the pool is it and you can always walk or take the boat to the boardwalk, but if you stay at bwv you cant use the BCV pool!!
I also suspect bcv has a better resale value