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We are still mulling over where to stay for our next trip.. We have been thinking if we can't get AK maybe BWV would be nice because it's right next to our favorite place EPCOT We would love to hear about it & also the difference between preferred view compared to standard.. Thanks!
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You are going to find people who love BW, and people like me.
I always wanted to stay at the BW, and I am happy to say we did have a chance to stay there. I say ignore my post, lol and go for it. You might kick yourself in the butt for not staying there. With that said:
We stayed at BWV last year for our honeymoon, because of the same reason, EPCOT!
It was great staying so close to EPCOT, but we did not truly care for BWV. There was no WOW factor for us. Maybe because we've stayed in AKL and SS, but I also stayed at values that were better with decor. The only thing that did WOW me was seeing Rockaway, NY Playland postcards on the wall inside. I was raised in Rockaway, NY.
, The rooms looked great. Our view was of the pool. The bed was super comfy. We had a one bedroom villa but all the way on the other side of the building. So if you do stay there, ask for something close to the lobby or with exit to the walkway.
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I always find it hard to answer this question because BWV is my home resort and usually my resort-of-choice as well. Things I LOVE about it: Short walk to Epcot and easy walk to DHS as well (especially if you go the "back way" and cut through the quiet pool area), Flying Fish!, Belle Vue Lounge for light breakfast, Spoodles for full breakfast, Ice Cream Shoppe, fun family-friendly entertainment along the BW at night, views across the lake, sometimes seeing either Fantasmic! fireworks or Illuminations from my balcony, peaceful hot-tub at the quiet pool, very comfy beds and room lay-out, Pizza window at Spoodles for a quick dinner, the boat dock is very close for service to the parks. Things I DON'T like: Often a very long walk to your room, room decor isn't my taste, not a lot of quick-service choices for lunch. If Beach Club Villas had been built first I'd probably have bought there and been very happy. Beach Club has the amazing pool, Beaches and Cream, the quick-service food options seem to get better every year, and the room decor's more appealing to me. Downside for BCV is that it's a longer walk to DHS. I also feel (and I know this is important to you as well) that the accessibility of the BW is a bit easier. There are two elevators you can take from the BW level to the lobby level (one on the Flying Fish side and one on the Clown pool side), the public doors at all entrances now have push-button opening. At the Beach Club to get, for instance, from the lobby to Beaches & Cream is a real pain-- many dead ends if you go the wrong way and you can exit through a push-button door only to find steps are your only option once outside! I'm sure if I stayed there more I'd figure out the best way to get around, but it irritates me that these quirks exist.
I usually get the Standard View Studio-- which often has a view of Illuminations, but also can be just the parking lot and bus area. The only view I'm not thrilled with is the pool view, just because the clown creeps me out a bit! Boardwalk view is wonderful, especially looking across the lake in the morning, and when the balcony doors are closed you really don't hear the late-night noise from the boardwalk.
Well, that was long, but I don't know if it helped much!
LOL!I always think the same thing! I wouldn't want a view with the creepy clown staring at me all of the time!
You know what's even worse? I once had a room all the way down the hallway and ended up directly across from the Swan. That giant Swan stared straight at me malevolently every time I looked out the window! Like a Hitchcock movie!
You know what's even worse? I once had a room all the way down the hallway and ended up directly across from the Swan. That giant Swan stared straight at me malevolently every time I looked out the window! Like a Hitchcock movie!
the room at the end of the hallway we were the second to the last did not like it at all !!
We've stayed at the BoardWalk once and enjoyed it. We went for a preferred view and had a view towards Epcot, which was cool, as we got to see the fireworks. I have to say though, it doesn't even compare for us to the Beach Club, but then again, that's our home resort and we absolutely adore the theming and the location of the place, so we are truly biased on that!
I love the BWV..it's my home resort....We bought into it as soon as we toured it...It was love at first sight for us. We have stayed at all view locations, but I usually choose the boardwalk view. I love just being out on the patio early morning (before it "wakes-up") and watching it come to life......and then evenings when it's full of life. I love going to the Boardwalk Bakery early in the morning and getting breakfast (usually coffee and a cheese danish...delish) and eating out on the boardwalk. We've never had a problem with sleeping at night, once we close the doors, we didn't hear a thing.,,I think most of my pictures at WDW are of the views at and around BWV. We always request a room close to the elevator.......now due to mobility issues (arthritis) I request a handicapped accessible room. I like the decor...I find it light and airy...I don't like AKVs at all....to dark for my taste... I know I'm odd but I don't like AK at all.....I don't even go to that park anymore.... to each is own. We spend most of our time at EPCOT, so this resort area is easiest for us. It's just a walk or boat ride to EPCOT or HS...not as remote as AKV. That is why there are so many choices to consider. On my last 2 visits there we stayed right above the general store....amazing views of the lake...."friendships " on the lake...Epcot fireworks (the high ones) and even some from MK in the distance. We were thrilled when we got the same room again. Good luck with your choice and have a wonderful time at WDW.
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We've stayed there twice (the only DVC we've stayed). We had a standard room that faced the clown pool on the 1st floor. Great location for getting everywhere, but the room was a bit in disrepair at the time (before refurb). Our next stay was in a BW view room on the 2nd floor (lobby level) over the General Store. LOVED it. People watching and the view over the lake were great. We loved staying in the Epcot/DHS area.
We've really enjoyed our stays at BWV. Usually we get a two bedroom, preferred pool view, and mostly the view has been of the quiet pool and community hall. The two bedroom is a lock-off there, which isn't so bad. The last time we were there we had a verrrry loooong walk from the elevator; we were practically at the end of the hall,but I got used to it. The view was very pretty and we were on an upper floor. We took short cuts through the pool area. I love staying here because you're so close to EPCOT and excellent dining options. Our kids love it here because of the Boardwalk entertainers. They've even gone down in jammies to watch them at the end of long days at the parks. They also enjoy the Community Hall. We used the boat transportation to HS, and learned to get off at the Swan/Dolphin and walk back to our room. This was much quicker for us. My only complaint is the sharing of the bus between Y&BC and Swan/Dolphin. It always seems to take forever to get somewhere. You definitely need to factor that time in if you're using Disney transportation.
We've been fortunate to start our trips here and end them at Kidani, which is a very relaxing, quieter resort.
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Disney Trips: BLT & Poly Bungalow 2016, VGF 2015, Fantasy 2015, Saratoga Springs Resort 2014, Grand Villa at VGF 2013, Fantasy 2013, BWV and Kidani Village 2011, BWV and Kidani Village 2010, BWV and Saratoga Springs Resort 2008,Beach Club Villas 2008,Villas at Wilderness Lodge 2006, BWV 2006, BCV 2005, HHI 2004,Polynesian 2003,Grand Floridian 2000/concierge, Honeymoon at Polynesian 1994,Polynesian 1980,Polynesian 1978
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Sue
BoardWalk is one of our Home resorts and we've always enjoyed staying there. Never been a fan of the Beach Club. The close proximity to Epcot for BC is nice but it's too far from Hollywood Studios. BoardWalk is centrally located to both. Also don't care for the room locations / views at BC. Some of the rooms overlook Epcot--if you consider looking at the back of Soarin' a "view"--but there's also a main road which runs right past the villa wing.
The room layouts are identical and honestly I probably couldn't tell the difference between interior photos of BCV and BWV--they both have a predominately white seaside feel to them.
Many people like Stormalong Bay at BC but I'm pretty indifferent. They all have water and slides. We have a pool at home so I don't go to WDW to spend a lot of time lounging on a chair.
BWV isn't my favorite hotel but it will do when BCV is full. We stayed there last year in a one bedroom standard view and were very pleased with the room and view based on the number of points we used. The standard view is a parking lot view but we were able to see some of Illuminations from our balcony. We are staying at BWV again this December but in a prefered view room. I would rather save the points and have a standard view but none were available. I do have BCV on waitlist because it is our favorite hotel for when we have AP. The hallways of the BWV remind me of the movie the Shining which is part of the reason the hotel isn't one of my favorites. A silly reason.
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We would love to hear about it & also the difference between preferred view compared to standard.. Thanks!
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There was no WOW factor for us. Maybe because we've stayed in AKL and SS, but I also stayed at values that were better with decor. The only thing that did WOW me was seeing Rockaway, NY Playland postcards on the wall inside. I was raised in Rockaway, NY. 
I agree, looking at the pictures the rooms don't do a lot for me.. 
I always think the same thing! I wouldn't want a view with the creepy clown staring at me all of the time!
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I have to say though, it doesn't even compare for us to the Beach Club, but then again, that's our home resort and we absolutely adore the theming and the location of the place, so we are truly biased on that! 
We have a pool at home so I don't go to WDW to spend a lot of time lounging on a chair.
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