Would you do Beach Club or VWL (Boulder Ridge) for this visit?

[ElizabethCB]

We are taking our first DVC trip to WDW in January 2018 -- woohoo! Our home resort is Boulder Ridge/VWL, and I have a 2BR booked there already. But I am considering moving it to BCV if it's available at the 7 month mark. Obviously we love Wilderness Lodge but have never stayed at Beach Club. Please share your thoughts!

We (me, my husband, and 6 and 12 year old) are bringing my sister and her family (husband plus 4 and 6 year old) along for our trip over MLK weekend -- January 11 through 16 and staying in a 2BR.

- a true 2BR, not lock-off, with 2 queens in 2nd BR
- fitness center
- child care option for one date night
- great restaurant for one date night (this is one big thing making me lean toward BCV since we'd have a wider selection)
- great pool experience -- our kids tend to spend half the day in the pool

We will probably do 2 days in MK and 1 day in each of the others. Our kids typically want to leave after lunch and hang out at the pool -- again pushing me towards BCV.

Would love to know what you think! Thanks!

 

[disneynutz]

I would skip VWL for another year until all work is done, landscaping fills in, CM's are trained, and the schedules are worked out.

Bill

 

[ElizabethCB]

I would skip VWL for another year until all work is done, landscaping fills in, CM's are trained, and the schedules are worked out.

Bill

Good points. Thank you, Bill!

 

[bashuck]

We are taking our first DVC trip to WDW in January 2018 -- woohoo! Our home resort is Boulder Ridge/VWL, and I have a 2BR booked there already. But I am considering moving it to BCV if it's available at the 7 month mark. Obviously we love Wilderness Lodge but have never stayed at Beach Club. Please share your thoughts!

We (me, my husband, and 6 and 12 year old) are bringing my sister and her family (husband plus 4 and 6 year old) along for our trip over MLK weekend -- January 11 through 16 and staying in a 2BR.

- a true 2BR, not lock-off, with 2 queens in 2nd BR
- fitness center
- child care option for one date night
- great restaurant for one date night (this is one big thing making me lean toward BCV since we'd have a wider selection)
- great pool experience -- our kids tend to spend half the day in the pool

We will probably do 2 days in MK and 1 day in each of the others. Our kids typically want to leave after lunch and hang out at the pool -- again pushing me towards BCV.

Would love to know what you think! Thanks!

My recollection of the VWL 2 bedroom not lock-off reservation was that it had 2 queen beds (I was in the other BR). I love both resorts and believe both meet all of those requirements. Better pool is at BC but VWL is solid and about to be better. While there are more dining option within walking distance of BC, if you are only doing it once Artist Point is held in high regard. If all the adults like that selection you are set otherwise there is a boat to CR for California Grill. I'd base it more on where are you going multiple times. If spending most of your time at MK I'd suggest VWL. If split equally BC could make more sense. Great either way.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would not necessarily expect to use SAB in January. I prefer VWL over BCV for my January trips.

As far as restaurants, I love Artist Point, and I would take the boat over to Contemporary for the Wave, also to visit TTOTW lounge to enjoy the fireworks.

 

[com_op_2000]

Over MLK weekend, you might not have the availability at BCV 2-BDRM without it being a lock-off. Is that acceptable?
You are looking at going the last weekend of the very heavy booking dates for DVC. This past year at BCV, I never found a Studio or 1-BDRM available that weekend to switch into.
Have you thought about switching to AKL?
The animals right outside your room and the big wet play area at Kidani is a big hit with our DGS (5).

 

[ElizabethCB]

Over MLK weekend, you might not have the availability at BCV 2-BDRM without it being a lock-off. Is that acceptable?
You are looking at going the last weekend of the very heavy booking dates for DVC. This past year at BCV, I never found a Studio or 1-BDRM available that weekend to switch into.
Have you thought about switching to AKL?
The animals right outside your room and the big wet play area at Kidani is a big hit with our DGS (5).

I know, it might not even be an option...we really don't want the lock off because of all the kids. I'd rather not hassle with the sleeper sofas.

I will have to think about AKL. We stayed there on our last visit, so I wanted to mix it up a little bit. Also, the long bus rides everywhere were a bummer. But it is a really good option. Thanks!

 

[CarolMN]

Just saw some recent pictures of the WL resort complex - mostly about the new Geyser Point restaurant. Everything looks just lovely and very themed. I would think by 2018 that pretty much all of the construction would be done and sales of Copper Creek well underway. If I could get in at that time, I'd jump on it! This is the first time I've ever been tempted to stay at VWL, as it is so hard for me to forego a stay at BWV.

I'm sure you'll have a good time at BCV, but as Bobbi says, swimming in January is definitely a hit or miss proposition. Murphy's Law says that the best days for swimming will be the days you've planned to spend in the parks, complete with hard to get FP+ and ADRs.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

First DVC visit? I'd go the home resort. I wouldn't be thinking there would be much pool time in mid January. And with the holiday it is a bit unlikely that BCV would even be available for the entire stay.

There are lots of restaurant options available for the date night between WL and other resorts close by.

 

[Anal Annie]

I haven't really been keeping up with the BRV/VWL construction - do we think the new villas may be open by September? Or do we think the obvious resort construction will be winding down by then? We've finally settled on dates to shoot for on our F&W trip - DH would like to snag something at BWV but not sure it will still be available in 8 more days when we can finally book. Just looking at the current availability and what may or may not be alternative options...right now BRV/VWL is still open too - of course I know that could drop off the list too between now & then but I was wondering if the current construction might be what's keeping it still open?!

 

[bobbiwoz]

First DVC visit? I'd go the home resort. I wouldn't be thinking there would be much pool time in mid January. And with the holiday it is a bit unlikely that BCV would even be available for the entire stay.

There are lots of restaurant options available for the date night between WL and other resorts close by.

I booked my first "post beginning of construction" visit to VWL for December. We ate in Artist Point and enjoyed sitting by the fireplaces in both the lodge and DVC building this past December and I cannot bear to stay away much longer.

Also, yes, when we bought, we bought BWV and VWL, our first stay was VWL, we changed air tickets after a cruise just to stay there. I will always remember the trip, December 19, 2003! Oh yes, we had a grandson born that day, maybe that's why we remember the date?

 

[Shellyred8]

Have you considered a split stay between the two? We l9ve doing split stay because it gives you more variety during the stay. It's super easy to switch too. On the day you move you just pack up your bags and drop them off with bell services and ask them to transfer them to your new resort. Then go off to the park for the day and play. When you are done at the park just head back to you new resort and check in and pick up your bags from bell services. Easy Peasy.

 

[jimmytammy]

VWL would be my choice. That time of year, the pool at BCV want be a draw, but the fireplaces at VWL/WL will. Plus, being your home resort, I would want that to be my 1st stay. And, as others mentioned, many great eats a boat ride away. AP is a great choice, and The Wave, Trails End, Cal. Grill and Kona to name a few are within reach.

 

[ElizabethCB]

Just saw some recent pictures of the WL resort complex - mostly about the new Geyser Point restaurant. Everything looks just lovely and very themed. I would think by 2018 that pretty much all of the construction would be done and sales of Copper Creek well underway. If I could get in at that time, I'd jump on it! This is the first time I've ever been tempted to stay at VWL, as it is so hard for me to forego a stay at BWV.

I'm sure you'll have a good time at BCV, but as Bobbi says, swimming in January is definitely a hit or miss proposition. Murphy's Law says that the best days for swimming will be the days you've planned to spend in the parks, complete with hard to get FP+ and ADRs.

You're so right...and if I book at BCV, then Murphy's law says there will be no pool time at all!

I need to look up Geyser Point. I haven't seen anything about it in detail. Thank you!

 

[ElizabethCB]

I haven't really been keeping up with the BRV/VWL construction - do we think the new villas may be open by September? Or do we think the obvious resort construction will be winding down by then? We've finally settled on dates to shoot for on our F&W trip - DH would like to snag something at BWV but not sure it will still be available in 8 more days when we can finally book. Just looking at the current availability and what may or may not be alternative options...right now BRV/VWL is still open too - of course I know that could drop off the list too between now & then but I was wondering if the current construction might be what's keeping it still open?!

If they stay on schedule, the construction will be finished by then -- or at least the big stuff.

Good luck with your F&W trip! And yes, I think BRV is probably still open because of the construction. We were there over Thanksgiving and it was a pretty big mess; hard to say how it would be in the fall. Should be a lot better by then.

 

[ElizabethCB]

I booked my first "post beginning of construction" visit to VWL for December. We ate in Artist Point and enjoyed sitting by the fireplaces in both the lodge and DVC building this past December and I cannot bear to stay away much longer.

Also, yes, when we bought, we bought BWV and VWL, our first stay was VWL, we changed air tickets after a cruise just to stay there. I will always remember the trip, December 19, 2003! Oh yes, we had a grandson born that day, maybe that's why we remember the date?

What a great memory!

 

[ElizabethCB]

Have you considered a split stay between the two? We l9ve doing split stay because it gives you more variety during the stay. It's super easy to switch too. On the day you move you just pack up your bags and drop them off with bell services and ask them to transfer them to your new resort. Then go off to the park for the day and play. When you are done at the park just head back to you new resort and check in and pick up your bags from bell services. Easy Peasy.

I would be up for this, but I don't think my sister would. She is not a light packer, and with her kids being younger than mine, I think it could be disruptive. Otherwise, I like the idea! Thanks!

 

[ElizabethCB]

VWL would be my choice. That time of year, the pool at BCV want be a draw, but the fireplaces at VWL/WL will. Plus, being your home resort, I would want that to be my 1st stay. And, as others mentioned, many great eats a boat ride away. AP is a great choice, and The Wave, Trails End, Cal. Grill and Kona to name a few are within reach.

Good point re: the fireplaces! I think you're right...since it's our first stay, we really should stay close to home. Thank you!

 

[jade1]

BCV is our favorite-by far, esp getting out of winter. So I would attempt BCV, if not your WL will also not disappoint. Esp if the kids are indeed more into MK.

 

[CarolMN]

Check this out - it's what I saw that impressed me so much -

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2017/02/photo...ervice-meets-lounge-disneys-wilderness-lodge/

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