BCV vs. OKW for expectant mom

[loveswdw]

During our Oct. trip we currently have reservations at OKW. We are also waitlisted for BCV or BWV. All this resort talk has gotten me to thinking that maybe OKW is the way to go for this trip.

You see, I will be 7 months pregnant. We plan on doing the F&W Fest for 2 days-- 3 days at the most. I doubt very seriously we will be walking to Epcot from BCV or BWV just because I will be pregnant and will have to walk a lot anyway. I've heard the bus service is not very good from these resorts. I've heard that BCV sometimes is a long haul to the room. I've also heard that the parking lot haul can be LLOONNGG.

We really would like to try BCV because its our home resort and we haven't stayed there. But OKW is sounding promising due to dedicated bus service and parking at the door. (We are renting a car this trip). Plus since walking to Epcot will probably not be an option-- there is boat service though to Epcot from BCV? How is that?

We tend to spend a lot of time at DTD too. Close proximity to this is a plus for us. But, we LOVE the Boardwalk area.

Any suggestions on which would be a better choice for us?

Thanks!
loveswdw

 

[spiceycat]

you can walk to the International Gateway quicker from BCV than you can walk to the boat launch (it is over at the YC)

especially if you are during the F&W festavial - you are coming out between Great Britian and France - so you can't get much closer.

the F & W festavial happens in WS not FW - the Epcot parking lot is in front of FW - this is also where the buses come and go.

so you are much better off staying at BCV if you only want to go to Epcot.

you can walk over to BW easier than you could walk to the Epcot parking lot - it is much closer to BCV.

now going to DD - if you still have the energy to go to DD - then yes the bus service is not that great - but DD bus service is pretty bad at all WDW resorts.

OKW has a boat ride to DD that is GREAT - and a walking path that is wonderful - but not a great idea at night.

you will be very happy with your purchase if you stay to see Illiuinations - you will be back in your room before most WDW guest are even on their buses!

Try it!

forgot - when you are so tired that you can't walk alot further - you will love the short walk back to BCV - especially when your feet are hurting.

 

[loveswdw]

Thanks spiceycat-- you've given me some food for thought! I didn't realize the boat launch was so far from BCV. That would probably be a pretty good piece to walk.

You have pointed out some pretty good stuff about BCV that I really hadn't thought much about.

Thanks!

 

[gmboy95]

Also free valet parking for DVC members at DVC resorts, so you wouldn't have to walk that far to the hotel......(it'll just cost you a buck or two in tips).

 

[loveswdw]

Another good point for BCV! Thanks!!

 

[Dean]

If you will have a car, you may be far better off at OKW, otherwise, I'd go with BCV or BWV.

 

[DeeP]

If your main focus is to enjoy F&W at Epcot, you are MUCH closer to it from BCV then you would be from the Epcot parking lot if you were to stay at OKW and drive. The boat to Epcot from BCV is very nice and it only makes 1 stop after YC/BC at the BW before going to Epcot and on the way back YC/BC is the first stop. It is a little bit of a walk to the boat dock from BCV but it is a pleasant walk especially at night, it is beautiful.
Something else to keep in mind, only a handful of OKW buildings have elevators and those steps can be a haul at the end of a long, hot day when you are not 7 mo pregnant, let alone when you are! If you decide to stay at OKW, I would request either a 1st fl villa or a building w/elevator.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You can park relatively close to the BCV and your room if you self park. We did that and came in the back door most of the time when we stayed at BCV in June. Very handy. I love OKW, but sometimes you still have to park a distance from your room (not nearly as bad as BWV, but a little distance). If you don't stay in Bldg 62, 63 or 64, you will have to take the stairs.

Rooms are bigger at OKW, bigger balconies at OKW. You can take the boat to DTD from OKW. If you are not close to the Hospitality House, you can ride the bus from one of the other stops since the last stop is the HH.

The jacuzzi tub in the OKW one bedroom is larger than the tub in the BCV one bedroom. Bigger bathroom at OKW.

Either one would be my pick. I like the both a lot better the BWV. We're doing VWL in January, our first time there, so I can't really report on that one.

 

[BounceyOne]

Having stayed at both and also expecting, I would go with BCV. If there is a walk to the room involved at BCV the walk would be indoors with the AC on. Everything you want is closer to you staying at BCV. When you are ready to hit DTD your car will be available for you.
I will also be 7 months in october, due 12/16. We will be at BCV in august, with the heat

 

[Snowgod]

If you end up at OKW, I would suggest taking the bus to MGM and then take the boat to Epcot. this will be the shortest walk.

 

[loveswdw]

Thanks for all the input!

Just tell let everybody know, I called this morning and changed our waitlist to a BCV studio only and doing day-by-day. We are keeping the OKW until we find out about our BCV waitlist. If nothing comes up at BCV we'll be fine. We may split our stay if we can get 3 days together at BCV for either end or beginning of our stay-- but if we can't get at least 3 days blocked at either end we'll probably stay at OKW. I can't see moving for one night in the middle of the stay.

Thanks again!

loveswdw

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by loveswdw
Thanks for all the input!

Just tell let everybody know, I called this morning and changed our waitlist to a BCV studio only and doing day-by-day. We are keeping the OKW until we find out about our BCV waitlist. If nothing comes up at BCV we'll be fine. We may split our stay if we can get 3 days together at BCV for either end or beginning of our stay-- but if we can't get at least 3 days blocked at either end we'll probably stay at OKW. I can't see moving for one night in the middle of the stay.

Thanks again!

loveswdw

Good luck, I hope it works out.

 

[DeeP]

Just tell let everybody know, I called this morning and changed our waitlist to a BCV studio only and doing day-by-day. We are keeping the OKW until we find out about our BCV waitlist. If nothing comes up at BCV we'll be fine. We may split our stay if we can get 3 days together at BCV for either end or beginning of our stay-- but if we can't get at least 3 days blocked at either end we'll probably stay at OKW. I can't see moving for one night in the middle of the stay.

Just curious, but why take yourself off of a BWV wait list? You can be on as many wait lists as possible and it does not affect your chances on any other wait list. You never know what could come up and if BWV came up you would still be in essentially the same location to the FW festival etc. If you desire this location, it is 6 of one and 1/2 dozen of another between staying in one resort over the other. It just seems to me, you just lessened your chances of staying in this location.
Now if you have decided that the OKW is a better fit for your group and don't wish to stay in the Epcot resort area, that is a different story. But if you are interested in staying in the Epcot resort area for all or part of your trip, it seems like you are shooting yourself in the foot, to get taken off a wait list for BWV.

 

[loveswdw]

Since we switched to day by day I thought it would be easier to just be on one waitlist. I'm still new to how all of this works. I wouldn't want to have to confirm and cancel days at 3 different resorts plus we only have enough points to cover reservations at OKW and BCV if both came in. The OKW is 61 pts. and BCV is 80? something--- we only have 150 pts. MS stressed that we needed points to cover both reservations in case they both came through. Is this not right?

Just thought it would be easier. Plus, BCV is our "home" and we would really like to stay there first.
Though I can't wait to stay at BWV too since that is where we first thought about buying DVC almost 4 years ago. My DH absolutely loved it!!

Thanks for the advice!

loveswdw