A Boardwalk Gal's view of OKW

[WDWLVR]

Well DH (MarkRG) has given you his view of OKW so i thought I would give you mine.

This isn't meant to start a debate as to which resort is better. I know that everyone has their favorite and that is how it should be. We own at Boardwalk and that by far is my favorite, but we love to try new things as well and hope to stay at all WDW resorts at some point (only have about 5 to go for that). With that being said we decided to give OKW a try for our Member Homecoming trip.

Following are my thoughts on how OKW compares to my Boardwalk home.

Living Room - I love the layout of the living room at OKW and the fact that it has both a sofa and a love seat. The extra room is nice so OKw comes on top here.

Kitchen - I like the open feel of the OKW kitchen, but it honestly didn't seem to have as much storage space as Boardwalk. I know there are the two large cabinets off by the dining room table, but to me they don't make good kitchen storage. Here I think Boardwalk has the edge.

Bedroom - I'm sorry but this is the one thing I didn't like at OKW - the bed was way too high for me. I prefer the king size bed at Boardwalk.

Bathroom - Again I think Boardwalk has the edge. We are in one of the older buildings (14) and to get to the bathroom from the living room you have to walk down the hall, into the bedroom, through the jacuzzi room and then into the bathroom. I know they did a second opening in the new models and I think that is smart.

Laundry room - OKW has full size machines which I think work great for families. A plus to OKW there. The one thing that gives Boardwalk a plus is that we got a laundry basket there and didn't at OKW.

View/Balcony - Love the large size porch at OKW with the table and 4 chairs. Also love the fact that it has a light and ceiling fan. We had a water/tree/golf view which in my mind wasn't the best, but it was quiet.

Location - Hands down to me is Boardwalk. I just love being able to walk to Epcot or MGM.

So I can honestly say I'm very happy that we own at Boardwalk. I really have enjoyed my OKW stay but it just isn't for us. I can see where OKW really appeals to families and especially to those who like more relaxing than parks. That's great for them, but I love the parks, I love people watching, and I love Boardwalk.

Like I said in the begining this isn't mean to start a debate. More just to give one persons opinion on the two resorts so that maybe it will help someone who hasn't stayed at both yet.

 

[PamOKW]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. (A laundry basket should be in the room -- you can request one if you need it.)

I'm curious about this kitchen storage problem. The BWV kitchens don't appear to have more cabinets than OKW and both units should have the same amount of glassware, pots, china, etc. What is it that makes these items take up less space at BWV? (I think Mark mentioned storage racks-- Do they have these at BWV?) Where do you put your supplies at BWV?

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Hmmm... second person to comment that OKW kitchen seems to have LESS cabinet space then BWV!! Must be excluding the dining/buffet area storage, of course.

Wow! This calls for investigation! Wonder if DH will buy the line, "we need to start planning trips to OKW and BWV so that I can check out and compare the kitchen cabinet storage spaces!!!" Lol!!!

I know that there is the shallow "buffet" area for storage located under the counter between the stove and the dishwasher at BWV.

I think that there is actually MORE storage space and cabinets at OKW but the BWV utilizes the cabinets and storage much better.

At BWV, all the dishware fit snuggly into the cabinets. There was obviously some thought into the height and width spacing of the shelves. I remember looking everywhere for some pots and pans before finding them under the stove in the drawer which houses my broiler at home.

I can't remember where the pots and pans are located at OKW. But I remember the other dishware was spread out all over the place. I think a few pieces of plasticware and glass bakeware took up a whole cabinet. I think I usually move stuff around or over to use the space.

Breakfast breads, cereals, and stuff usually go on the dining/buffet area counter at OKW and on the kitchen ledge separating the kichen from the dining counter top at the other DVC resorts.

Whoa... You guys are making me think about the DVC kitchens and how to better utilize the existing space when I should be thinking and planning out my kitchen AT HOME!!!!

I'd rather be cooking on vacation than cooking at home!!!

 

[pmcpmc]

and its nice to see someone else's opinion of Okw .
To each his own, the beauty of owning at DVC.

 

[BWVDee]

Mary,
I feel excatly the same way about OKW vs BWV. All of the same things that you liked better about OKW are excatly the same things we like at OKW. We absolutely love the size of the lr and the large table/chairs and light & fan on the balcony. Very, very nice features. We also like the boat to Downtown Disney, a lot.
In the same vein, also all the things you prefer at BWV, are also our preferences. With the exception of the kitchen cabinet storage--on that I can't comment on because we never cook and keep a very minimal amount of groceries in our villa, so I have no idea which kitchen stores the most food! LOL!
The biggest plus for us at BWV, is without a doubt the superior location to parks, dining etc. Absolutely the most conveninently located, to the largest variety of WDW attractions, dining options, etc, is definitely an Epcot resort. To us, although we like the larger lr and porch, they are not worth the trade off for a much less convenient location.
We also do not like the lack of resort amenities like full room service, valet parking and full bell hop service. To some, these things are not important, but to those that use and enjoy these amenities very much, it is very important.
Thanks for the honest review. Glad to hear you had a good trip!!

 

[Sabor]

Thanks for your honest interpretation.
To Each His Own.
I Just do not understand the Kitchen Storage issue (2nd Poster)
to mention this. WE just stayed at BCV last trip and the kitchen storage does not come anywhere near the OKW Kitchen space.

WE use the top of the buffet for Cereal , Chips , Cookies , Popcorn,Bread etc. Plus all the space down below. WE had nowhere in BCV (BW trip was too long ago to remember) to store this stuff. Also the Refridgerator seemed to be 1/2 the size so there was alot of warm beverages laying around that we do not have at OKW.

I am not trying to put the other resorts down , I loved our last trip at BCV the location is Fab, I Just do not see how you can compare the storage in the BCV/BW Kitchens to that of OKW.

 

[mikmin]

I

I would have to agree, we stayed for the first time at OKW in a GV in January it was nice but did not care for the location of the resort. We also belong to BW and you just can't beat the location of the resorts. We are staying in a GV in December at BW and we can't waite. I guess it's all in what you like.


:

 

[Pa@okw95]

I love OKW for its rooms and have been a member there for sometime, I never noticed the lack of space in the kitchen, never tried to store there. Someone else did mention this also. The height of the bed never bothers me, it did one of the older people I had down there, they had a little trouble getting up to the queens in the second bedroom. the bathroom are is great for us, my wife has the jacuzzi and I the shower. Thanks for the report.

 

[WDWLVR]

Just to clear one thing up. The other person who posted about lack of storage was my DH MarkRG in his thread. I think it really is about how they are using the space. I could have as much free space as we seemed to have at BWV if I moved some of the items in the cabinets. Just didn't seem to be that big a deal.

I think location and layout are what I prefer about BW. We drove this time so it is nice to have he car outside our door, but to be honest we don't drive once we get here (except the first day to get to Church and shopping).

I like the fact that DVC offers so many options!

 

[PamOKW]

Mary -- thanks for reminding folks that it's a Mr. & Mrs. providing the comments about the kitchen. It's an interesting point and I agree with "Sleepy" that a kitchen measurement excursion sounds like it might be in order.

Just to keep folks who haven't visited OKW from getting confused -- there is bellhop service available at OKW. Anyone who arrives without a car will be transported with their luggage right to their unit. If you have your own car but would like to have assistance, that can also be arranged. The bell captain is right outside the HH (where you pull in to the entry porte cochere) and can make arrangements for whatever assistance you may need during your stay. He/she can also arrange for cabs either on the spot or to arrive at a pre-arranged time (such as going to the airport).

 

[hezzie]

Thanks for the comparison! We just returned from our first stay at OKW (which is our home) and we will be staying at BWV in December.

Our stay at OKW was great and we thought the place was beautiful and very peaceful. We are looking forward to trying out the BWV!!

I just wanted to comment on the height of the beds in OKW. I was amazed at how high they were. My kids needed a boost to get in them and I had to "jump" to get in myself. It wasn't a problem. It actually created for some funny moments watching the kids attempting to get in bed!!!

We love DVC b/c of all the different options available and just by changing resorts, you can change the whole pace of your vacation. We were only at OKW for 3 nights and it was really a very relaxing vacation even though we were in the parks morning, noon and night.

 

[BWVDee]

Originally posted by PamOKW

SNIP
Just to keep folks who haven't visited OKW from getting confused -- there is bellhop service available at OKW. Anyone who arrives without a car will be transported with their luggage right to their unit. If you have your own car but would like to have assistance, that can also be arranged.

Pam is correct there is bellhop service at OKW to get your luggage to/from your rooms upon arrival/departure. However OKW does not provide "full" bellhop service. This is why I stated "full" bellhop service in my post. A resort with full bellhop service has bell hops on duty at all times when you pull your car up to the front entrance, which will assist you with taking any packages or groceries, etc to your villa. This is wonderful when you return from grocery shopping, outlet shopping etc. I did ALL my holiday shopping while staying at BWV last fall and those bellhops were a God send after an exhausting day hitting the numerous outlet malls, let me tell you! LOL! Also when my kids are along we always have a case of water and sports drinks to get to our villa, and the bellhop just loads everything up on the cart and away he goes. Well worth the tip, imo.

 

[jaysue]

Thanks for posting your trip and comparison

We have stayed at both OKW and BWV and would stay at both again - we let our type of trip guide us as to where to stay

We do find the storage at BCV and BWV to be a downer in the kitchen as we cook in a fair amount and find the kitchen at OKW to be a significant plus in weighing out the plusses of where to stay on our trips

We have yet to stay at SSR and VWL

thanks
jaysue

 

[snoopyandpooh]

Thanks for your post. I just put a deposit on OKW last month, never visited any of the resorts myself and had always wonder they are like inside. Now I have some ideas. But I think I will still try them all myself, just to experience them.

 

[PamOKW]

Hey Mary,

You're up early after your busy night! Sounds like MH is really living a WDW dream. Can't wait to hear more about the festivities. DVC really came through on this one -- hope they have something similar before 2042.

 

[TwingleMum]

Its always nice to hear about the DVC resorts from someone else's view. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Crissup]

Originally posted by WDWLVR
For us and the way we travel BWV is right for us.

Those are my feelings also Mary. All the resorts are nice, but are designed to appeal to different people. Many of the things that people point out is great about OKW is the very thing I point out as not so great. And many of the things people point out as bad abotu BWV are the very things I love about BWV. It's simply different tastes.

Of course, I'll be staying in OKW over thanksgiving and it'll still be a great trip!

 

[jbthi]

Interesting to hear the pros and cons of different resorts. We own at BWV and BCV but have stayed at all the resorts except HH and love them all.

I like parking in front of unit at OKW but I also like the "easier" bell services at BWV and BCV.

I could not believe the large unit first time we stayed in a 2BR at OKW. It was wonderful. On the other hand, I do not like the studios at OKW.

We did an add-on at BCV mainly so our GC could use SAB. They do like it but I think they like BWV more because they love the Boardwalk itself. Even though it's a very short walk, when Grandma is in charge, I don't like them to walk over to BWV from BCV by themselves.

Epcot is my favorite park, especially during the Food & Wine Festival, and I do love that short walk from the resorts.

 

[PKK/MJK]

My family LOVES the high beds!! We're able to easily store all of our suitcases underneath. Sometimes we stick our souvenir bags there too. It makes the room look much neater (of course, I'm a bit of a 'neat freak') and leaves more room in the closets. When we stayed at BWV and BCV --which are smaller to begin with--I went nuts trying to figure out the best place for storing the suitcases. I can see where the high bed might be a problem for an older person though.

 

[Disney Doll]

I ove that about the DVC...there's soemthing for everyone. When I feel like staying "in the thick of the action" I usually opt for BWV or BCV. If it's meant to be a more "laid-back" vacation, then I go to OKW or VWL.