We stayed at a 2 Bedroom Villa in September 2014. We are not DVC members, just a large family (7) with a pin code. The Resort itself is awesome and really gets 10 stars for location and recreation. Stormalong Bay is as good as advertised and our kids (ages 1,2,4,&6) had a great time. The restaurants and counter service options are plentiful and the food was above average. The marketplace could offer more in terms of meal choices, but it is on par with other Deluxe resorts. Having the walkway/boats to Epcot and Hollywood really made our trip magical. We had 4 little kids and a double stroller to take into the parks, and to not have to cram into buses for 2 of the parks really helped to keep the vacation relaxing and fun. The bus service to Animal Kingdom/Blizzard Beach was fine, but the bus to the Magic Kingdom wasn't great. That bus shares stops with the Yacht Club and wait times were long and we often had to stand in the buses the trip from our resort to the Magic Kingdom. I believe the Beach Club to Magic Kingdom is a longer trip than most, so this may account for some of the waiting. Our room was nice and spacious, but really needed updating. We had a dripping shower, loose doorknobs, and a large tear in the curtains in front of one of the balcony doors. The theming of the room was great for a deluxe resort- it really feels like a cottage in the northeast. The bathrooms were fine, but not as luxurious as other deluxe resorts such as AKV or GF. Our room had a courtyard view to one side and a view of the front entrance/luggage area on the other. We could glimpse a few of the fireworks from illuminations from our balcony but it wasn't really a theme park view. The location of our room (201) was very close to the marketplace and bus stops which was very nice. Even the farthest rooms at BCV are not too far from the main building and are much closer than other Villas (such as Animal Kingdom or Boardwalk). I'd definitely recommend this resort to anyone, but it is especially good for families with little children. I would not pay full price for a Villa though, until a refurbishment is completed in the rooms.
Stayed in a studio in late October 2012. Was the room a little dated? Sure but it was clean, convenient to two parks, had a great pool, excellent dining options. So for all of that I can deal with the rooms being a little dated. I have a 3 year old daughter and Stormalong Bay was a little overwhelming for her so it was nice to be able to walk to the quiet pool at the Villas in a minute and relax there with her. Plus the free laundry in the villas is great as well!
Went there in June 2010 We stayed in a studio apaprtment . The room was clean and comfortable and roomy The complex is excellent with friendly staff The restauarnts and facilitys are all excellent My only gripes were the plastic cutlery and paper plates and not very deep private pool ( deepest was 4ft 9inch )
Wow, an amazing resort indeed. I stayed here for the first time in 2009 and loved it and am staying again in 2010. I am a big park goer at Disney and being in walking distance to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios(two of my favorite parks) was an absolute plus. The two are also short boat rides away. The rooms are beautiful with bright colors and different beachy artwork and objects around the room. I had a two bedroom villa so my family and I had a lot of space. The villas are very quiet which is a nice thing to come back to after a long day in the parks. The villa pool is also nice as it is right next to a river and small beach area. The real pool that belongs to the regular Beach Club resort though is the real "grabber" at the resort. This is a huge sand bottom pool full with a lazy river, whirl pool, and pirate ship mast slide. The restaurants are also nice in the area at either the Beach Club or Yacht Club or even a short walk across is the Boardwalk which has tons of food and activities to do. This was the best hotel I have stayed at and I cannot wait til I do it again in 2010!!
The location is the best of any wdw hotel, next to epcot-walk or take a boat to the studios, and has it's own mini water park