OKW or BCV for Dec 2013??

[Minniekins]

Hmmm, interesting... enjoy reading people's opinions! So, we are planning to rent dvc points to stay at either of the places. At the Beach Club, the dvc studios are only available in the BCV's, right? So it if we are planning to stay dvc, our only choice for studio rooms is in the BCV wing, is that how it works there?

Thanks again for replies, guys, appreciate it! And thanks for the good wishes for a great trip - Hoping to choose the right place for a magical Christmas vacation!

[Minniekins]

Also wondering a couple other things. Don't all the BCV rooms, including studios, have balconies? I know all the ones at BC do not have full balconies.

Are there really only two elevators in the BCV building? I was looking at a map of the place and looks like there are only two for all of the 282 room there. And it sure looks like a long walk to the bus from those rooms.

And, we are late to bed / late risers - no rope drop for us, lol! So how are the rooms at either place for brightness? Are either of them very bright early in the morning making it more difficult to sleep in very well? I know some places we've been have more room darkening curtains than others and too bright of rooms too early can make getting that needed sleep a bit more difficult!

Thanks again!

[Pakey]

Originally Posted by Minniekins

Also wondering a couple other things. Don't all the BCV rooms, including studios, have balconies? I know all the ones at BC do not have full balconies.

Are there really only two elevators in the BCV building? I was looking at a map of the place and looks like there are only two for all of the 282 room there. And it sure looks like a long walk to the bus from those rooms.

And, we are late to bed / late risers - no rope drop for us, lol! So how are the rooms at either place for brightness? Are either of them very bright early in the morning making it more difficult to sleep in very well? I know some places we've been have more room darkening curtains than others and too bright of rooms too early can make getting that needed sleep a bit more difficult!

Thanks again!

Yes only 2 elevators. We've had a 2 bedroom all the way down on the end and didnt think the walk was bad. The resort is small by Disney standards.

We don't get up early either and the curtains make the room plenty dark. The noise level from people in the halls may bother you. I find OKW to be quieter because there are no hallways.

[Wood Nymph]

Originally Posted by Minniekins

Also wondering a couple other things. Don't all the BCV rooms, including studios, have balconies? I know all the ones at BC do not have full balconies.

Are there really only two elevators in the BCV building? I was looking at a map of the place and looks like there are only two for all of the 282 room there. And it sure looks like a long walk to the bus from those rooms.

And, we are late to bed / late risers - no rope drop for us, lol! So how are the rooms at either place for brightness? Are either of them very bright early in the morning making it more difficult to sleep in very well? I know some places we've been have more room darkening curtains than others and too bright of rooms too early can make getting that needed sleep a bit more difficult!

Thanks again!

Yes, all the studios have balconies. The BCV's are fairly small, so there doesn't seem to be a long walk to an elevator. There are some well-place exit doors there, too, which will bring you out close to the walking paths.

I think the bus stop is closer to the villas than it is to the main resort. Here is a map. You will see that the bus stop is on the other side of the waterway. There is a sidewalk between that waterway and the parking lot that will take you right to the bus stop.



You can find out a lot of information on the Beach and Yacht Club thread.

[Wood Nymph]

And here is a picture of the BCV's overlooking the quiet pool. If you look at the combination of balconies and windows, the rooms without a balcony are the master bedrooms of the 1 br villa. The studios and the living room have balconies.



The woods side gets morning sun. I've only had the woods side.

[Deb & Bill]

Originally Posted by Wood Nymph

We stayed at BCV's back when they first opened and we had two queen beds in the studio. The second time we went there we were surprised to see that the suite had a queen and a sleeper. Maybe it was just that one room.

But anyway, the regular BC rooms are nicer than the BCV suites.

Nope, they never had two queen beds. Ever. I think you are mistaken. They couldn't fit two queen beds in those studios. That's why the double sleeper sofa in most of the studios. They can't fit a queen sized sleeper sofa in the room and they can't fit two queen beds.

Originally Posted by Minniekins

Are there really only two elevators in the BCV building? I was looking at a map of the place and looks like there are only two for all of the 282 room there. And it sure looks like a long walk to the bus from those rooms. ...
So it if we are planning to stay dvc, our only choice for studio rooms is in the BCV wing, is that how it works there?

There are two elevator banks. Meaning three elevators in one of the banks and two in the other (or maybe only one, not sure). BWV only has one elevator bank with three elevators.

BCV is not a wing of the BC. It is a separate building connected only by a covered walkway. It has no real good view other than maybe a pool view (but the parking lot is just beyond that). The BC Resort building is separate (and even painted a different color than the BCV) from the BCV.

[michelleiada]

We LOVE LOVE LOVE BCV! We are DVC owners and this is our home resort. There are so many things we love about it! The location can't be beat. You can walk to two parks and the dining options are endless. Love being able to walk into World Showcase at night to dine or have a drink. The Boardwalk is also a huge plus. We love the atmosphere and theming. I have always had a wonderful experience at BCV and have not found the rooms to be dirty. I would not go back if the rooms were dirty either! We just love it!

[Minniekins]

Hmmm, seeing more BCV love! Thanks, Wood Nymph, for the map and pic! Some studios there look quite a long way from the bus stop, unless you can get a studio on that close wing.

Okay, I see what you mean with the elevators, not just one elevator making the trips, but 3 or 2 per side. That's a bit better, i was thinking it could get a bit slow and crowded trying to take the elevators, lol.

Is the woods view better or the quiet pool?

Thanks again for the replies, enjoy taking in all the opinions!

[River Country]

This is not as easy as you would Think buttttttttt i love BCV and as a DVC member that does not own at BCV i can tell you it is a tough reservation to snag especially in December.

I have satyed at OKW as well and it is the biggest studio in all of DVC resorts the layout is wonderful and there is of course Olivia's which is in my opinion WDW's best kept secret for a TS meal.

With that said because of the location alone i would choose BCV. The proximity to EPCOT and Boardwalk is only 10 minutes and maybe 15-20 minute walk to Hollywood Studios, there is also the Friendship Water Taxi's, as well as the great Restaurants at the Swan and DOlphin and the Yacht Club. ONLY 1 Drawback is if you are taking buses to the other area's the ride back is long you will stop at Swan then Dolphin Then Yacht Club then Beach Club so after a long day its a long ride but better than the worst day at work LOL

[blackacex2]

Old key west is basically the disney retirement community. Skip the nursing home vibe and stay at the beach club!

[Minniekins]

Thanks again for all the replies!

So, if i were to try to get a studio ressie, through a DVC owner(not sure, it's called renting points, right? i just did this in Dec at AKL, but having a mind blank, lol), at either of these places for second week Dec 2013, is this something I'd have a hard time getting? Should i be able to expect to secure a reservation, or is it more likely going to be very difficult to get and I'll be disappointed?

[Missyrose]

Originally Posted by Minniekins

Thanks again for all the replies!

So, if i were to try to get a studio ressie, through a DVC owner(not sure, it's called renting points, right? i just did this in Dec at AKL, but having a mind blank, lol), at either of these places for second week Dec 2013, is this something I'd have a hard time getting? Should i be able to expect to secure a reservation, or is it more likely going to be very difficult to get and I'll be disappointed?

Early to mid-December is easily one of the busiest times for DVC. The point requirements for this time are much lower than later in the month, yet you still get to enjoy all the Christmas festivities in WDW.

People have been able to book that time period for a month now, so you may find availability a problem at BCV (it's such a small resort, so it books up quickly at the busiest times.)

If you want to go the BCV route, I'd find a BCV owner to rent points from very quickly and get your reservation secured. Good luck!

[momof2minnies]

Originally Posted by blackacex2

Old key west is basically the disney retirement community. Skip the nursing home vibe and stay at the beach club!

WHAT???????? Sign me up for that nursing home now! That's not true

[Minniekins]

I have seen lots of families with kids seem to love OKW!

Hmmm, I see the points cost does go up a few days before Christmas. Hopefully there will still be some availabliity! Yikes, just back from our last trip and gotta pay for the next one? Ahhh! lol, gotta do what you gotta do I guess!

[Tonka's Skipper]

Originally Posted by Minniekins

I have seen lots of families with kids seem to love OKW!

Hmmm, I see the points cost does go up a few days before Christmas. Hopefully there will still be some availabliity! Yikes, just back from our last trip and gotta pay for the next one? Ahhh! lol, gotta do what you gotta do I guess!

OKW is our home resort, having joined in 1993..it is a busy family resort.....lots of kids and activities for kids.

Yet is is layout wide and is a bit more qiuet then the Box Resorts, which is a big drawing point.

What ever you do........have a wonderful vacation.

AKK