Beach Club Villas vs. Wilderness Lodge Villas

[mwitkus]

Ok - This fall we will be taking my in laws to Disney for their first time ever! We were extremely fortunate to discover that their good friend owns a DVC membership and is kind enough to give us each a studio villa for the week! (for free! we are going to give her a gift of money anyway...) How cool is that?

Anyway - she originally said it would be at Wilderness Lodge Villas but then when she made the reservations she said she could only get us in the Beach Club villas and has put us on a waiting list for Wilderness Lodge villas...

Anyhoo - my point is, if our names do come up on the waiting list and we have the choice of the 2 locations - which should we choose?

We have only stayed onsite once before and it was at the Wilderness Lodge and we loved it there! We are definitely the rustic woodsy types... But, we are also from New England and love the coastal beach thing too...

Anyone have an opinion on which resort is better??

 

[DisneyPhD]

How fun. We are new DVC members. We own at VWL. After we bought there I really wished we had waited for BCV to open at Y&B is one of fav resorts and I just adore the theming. (We have yet to stay at either so far (as villas, we have stayed at YC in the past.)


When the time came to book our first DVC trip we booked at WLV and then changed over to BCV. We will be there in 29 days!!!!!!

What did it for us? The pool (SAB is great) and we thought our 2 year old would like it better. It is the newest one so far (DVD players in the room.) Close to 2 parks and boardwalk. Also when I go to FLA I like feeling like I am somewhere warm and southern, not camping. (we are from Michigan after all.)

But in genral you can go wrong with either. Beware, you might want to join DVC after your trip.

 

[mwitkus]

Originally posted by DisneyPhD
How fun. We are new DVC members. We own at VWL. After we bought there I really wished we had waited for BCV to open at Y&B is one of fav resorts and I just adore the theming. (We have yet to stay at either so far (as villas, we have stayed at YC in the past.)


When the time came to book our first DVC trip we booked at WLV and then changed over to BCV. We will be there in 29 days!!!!!!

What did it for us? The pool (SAB is great) and we thought our 2 year old would like it better. It is the newest one so far (DVD players in the room.) Close to 2 parks and boardwalk. Also when I go to FLA I like feeling like I am somewhere warm and southern, not camping. (we are from Michigan after all.)

But in genral you can go wrong with either. Beware, you might want to join DVC after your trip.

Thanks for the info! The pool isn't a real big factor for us since we don't have kids and have constant access to a pool at home.. (Hubby is the aquatics director for the YMCA.) but everything else makes sense... however, i actually don't get a big thrill out of the warm tropical type feeling and definitely prefer the big woods feel...

as for wanting to join DVC, trust me when I tell you i'm not far from that point... we have already started looking into it and haven't even stayed there yet!

have a great time in march!

 

[Pioneer Hall]

The Beach Club Villas looked very nice when we visited the Beach Club. The only dissadvantage about the resort (to me that is) is the fact that there is no food court or quick service food location.

 

[goofyman]

We are DVC owners at WL and also have stayed at BC. Both are great and Diff. Wl Close to MK and BC walking dist. to Epcot. Everyone has mad good points here and all I will say is Wl is one of my fav place to stay anyway!. They also have wonderfull place to eat..You won't go wrong where ever you stay!!! ENJOY!!!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Originally posted by mwitkus
Thanks for the info! The pool isn't a real big factor for us since we don't have kids and have constant access to a pool at home.. (Hubby is the aquatics director for the YMCA.) but everything else makes sense... however, i actually don't get a big thrill out of the warm tropical type feeling and definitely prefer the big woods feel...

as for wanting to join DVC, trust me when I tell you i'm not far from that point... we have already started looking into it and haven't even stayed there yet!

have a great time in march!

There is a lot to do for "adults only". Boardwalk has Atlantic Dance and we love going and taking swing dance lessons. (free for DVC members). Thre are also many good bars and restants at Boardwalk and easy acess to all the world showcase restrants.

Many of the restrants at Y&B are very good, and you can't bet beaches and Cream for fun and fast food. (one guide books says they have the best burgers in the "World" and I agree with them.) Walking to Epcot is great and you can see the fireworks at night in the right room.

Even if the pool isn't a draw, the 5 hot tubs are nice!!!!!!!! (nothing better then resting your feet and tired body in one after walking all day at the parks.)

Sounds like you are in a win/win situation.

 

[MinnieFan]

We are DVC members at BCV. We stayed there for the first time last December and loved it. I would consider it great luck that you were able to get in there. Since you are all adults, you can't beat the location. Like DisneyPhD mentioned, there is more adult things to do within walking distance.

The actual layout of the rooms are the same. While the themes are different, the location of the BCV is so much better.

Have fun:sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy:

 

[Mikey4WDW]

resort accommodations

Hello, I am sure that there may some time end up a resort that I don't like. I haven't found an onsite Disney Resort that I haven't liked yet. I guess we all have different ways of looking at accomodations, but My feeling is that I like to try different resorts each time, depending on my fiancial situation at that moment. Each resort has a different aura about it. not sure if this statement would actually help anyone, just a little tidbit of my thoughts from Mikey.

 

[RavenEd]

I depends on what you're after.

Being a DVC member, I've had the pleasure of staying at both Wilderness and Boardwalk (not quite Beach Club, but same general location)

Wilderness kind of takes you away from the hustle-bustle of WDW at the end of the day and can be really relaxing. The setup is just amazing.

The Beach Club/Boardwalk area however gives you more options as far as eating and entertainment. Also you can easily walk to Epcot and have a quick boat ride (or longer walk) to the Studios.

You can't go wrong with your pick.

 

[wdwguru]

We just came back from a 6 night stay at BCV with my inlaws. It was wonderful! We had a 2 BR villa, which was a lock off: a studio attached to a 1 BR. For the last night, we (just my family without in laws) just stayed in the studio. We were happy with both accommodations, however it was nice having the washer and dryer in the 1 BR.

While I own at WLV, I admit I have never stayed there, only at the Lodge it self. Transportation is a little funky with the Lodge, depending on where you want to spend you time. Since there are no children, BCV may be a better bet. Epcot and MGM are just a boat ride away, Epcot actually within walking distance. MK and AK are by bus, with MK the longest ride.

As far as fast food, there may not be anything as good as the Roaring Fork, but Beaches and Cream (ate there twice) does do limited take out as well table service. Also the studios at BCV have refrigerators, microwaves and toasters, with a general store on property with prices not so high to make you not buy there. They sell frozen dinners, staples like juice and milk, and a wide variety of breakfast items.

My inlaws loved the BCV, but did not like the long walk to the boat or to Epcot. We were closer to the parking lot and bus.

I think you won't go wrong with either one. Just don't stay at the Boardwalk. They have some major rehab going on over there.

Have fun!

 

[copper]

After staying at the Wilderness Lodge this past November; I would definately stay st the Beach Club. WL is remote and doesn't offer much of a night life or great restaurant choices. The entire Epcot resort area is excellent. I've stayed in BWV, The Dolphin and BC and loved them all!