Beach Club or Old Key West??? Summer trip!!

[edk35]

Just wondering how we would like Beach Club? We tried BWV last summer for 3 nights and thought it was nice but we loved SSR. I want to try somewhere different this summer. We want to do a split stay....ending our trip at Vero for 3 nights so I am trying to decide between Beach Club and OKW. We are going to in late July/early Aug. Thanks

 

[Granny]

Well, you know about the location advantages of BCV and the great SAB pool there.

And I'm sure you know about the much larger rooms at OKW, especially if booking a 1BR or larger villa.

If you tell us why you liked SSR more than BWV, we could probably tell you which resort might appeal more to you. My guess is, based on you preferring SSR to BWV, is that you will like OKW better since resort location doesn't seem very critical to you, and OKW is like SSR in that it is more of a drive-up condo style unit vs the hotel style villas at BWV & BCV.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I read your thread and thought to myself that I would always pick BCV over OKW, but gave it some thought, and lo and behold, one June we went from a studio at BCV to a 1 bedroom at OKW, just for the experience of trying both resorts. We both loved the 1 bedroom, and for that trip, OKW trumped SAB.

I do not do steps very well, so we have to ask for a first floor or elevator building, and we have always gotten that request at OKW. If having steps is a consideration, that is something to think about.

Bobbi

 

[edk35]

to me there are pros and cons to all the DVC resorts. WHen we first to to BWV last summer we thought we had died and gone to heaven. LOL We thought it was awesome. We were in a 2 bedroom and we had a 2 bedroom at SSR too. Well we really thought that the BWV area would have more to offer I guess. The kids weren't impressed with the pool at all. I have to say that our room did take us a while to get to but we had a BW view which was nice. We did like the fact that you could walk to EC but it does have more of the HOTEL FEEL vs. SSR. BCV looks like a place the kids would enjoy more than BWV and the pool is a big plus but BWV does cost more points too. I guess I just want to try them all and trying to figure it out makes me 2nd guess myself. LOL I am sure it would not be a ruined vacation no matter where we stay. I do like the DTD location to SSR so OKW would be nice for that too. I am sure this is of no help.

 

[spiceycat]

what the trip for - to go the WDW parks - or to relax.

if relaxing - OKW

if going to the parks and you relax while the kids are swimming - BCV - but remember that SAB is BIG and I mean BIG. no way you can kept up with your kids. if they are in the water and you are not. even with both in the water - kids have a habit of going off.

so depending upon the ages of your kids - you might want a place where the kids could easily be found.

to me BWV and BCV are not alike. both are in hotels not communities like OKW and SSR. but BCV is more relaxed. guess BWV being on the BW is more action.

 

[edk35]

what the trip for - to go the WDW parks - or to relax.

if relaxing - OKW

if going to the parks and you relax while the kids are swimming - BCV - but remember that SAB is BIG and I mean BIG. no way you can kept up with your kids. if they are in the water and you are not. even with both in the water - kids have a habit of going off.

so depending upon the ages of your kids - you might want a place where the kids could easily be found.

to me BWV and BCV are not alike. both are in hotels not communities like OKW and SSR. but BCV is more relaxed. guess BWV being on the BW is more action.

Kids are 17, 4 and 9. What all is there at SAB? We ate at Cape May's and we saw a Pirate ship and pool. Did we miss something??

 

[snyderla]

The "pool" you saw by the pirate ship has a sand bottom, many different areas to it, the pirate ship is a slide, and there is a very deep lazy river through it. For myself, I wouldn't stay at BCV for the pool, although many, many, MANY people do! Lot's of folks just love it! My little grandkids (ages 4 & 6) loved the kiddie part with the sand bottom. They also liked the small slide on the other side of the ship. What I like about BCV is it's closeness to Epcot. I love Epcot and love being able to walk there. If you are getting a studio and using Disney transportation, I would choose BCV. If you will have a car and will need a 1BR or larger I would go for OKW. We stay at OKW most of the time because we like the laid back feel of it, and the fact that we frequently have the quiet pool to ourselves, and it's very convenient for us to step outside the door and get into our car and drive to where ever we need to go. And my husband likes the slide at OKW better than the one at BCV...although the BCV slide is much faster!
My 2 cents...
Lori

 

[spiceycat]

Kids are 17, 4 and 9. What all is there at SAB? We ate at Cape May's and we saw a Pirate ship and pool. Did we miss something??

here you go
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_sab.htm

 

[bzzelady]

...although the BCV slide is much faster!
Lori

Oh my...wasn't prepared for exactly how fast that slide was!

 

[BigMama]

Go For The Beach Club Your Kids Will Love It There!the Pool Is Amazing!

 

[eliza61]

Now these are the types of quandries I love to have.
I'm going for OKW on this one because of the time of year your going. We too travel in August and the great thing we loved about OKW is that it is Laid back. In the heat/humidity of summer time in Florida, OKW always seemed "refreshing" (for lack of a better word) to come back to in the middle of the day. Also even though SAB is a fantastic pool, it can get crowded and noisy during the summer. Ditto for the lobby of the Beach club.
Since OKW has the seperate buildings its much quieter. We loved returning to this "home" after a long hot day in the parks.
I will say we had a car the 2X's we stayed there so transportation was not an issue with us. BCV's as you know has the best location.

 

[Granny]

to me there are pros and cons to all the DVC resorts. WHen we first to to BWV last summer we thought we had died and gone to heaven. LOL We thought it was awesome. We were in a 2 bedroom and we had a 2 bedroom at SSR too. Well we really thought that the BWV area would have more to offer I guess. The kids weren't impressed with the pool at all. I have to say that our room did take us a while to get to but we had a BW view which was nice. We did like the fact that you could walk to EC but it does have more of the HOTEL FEEL vs. SSR. BCV looks like a place the kids would enjoy more than BWV and the pool is a big plus but BWV does cost more points too. I guess I just want to try them all and trying to figure it out makes me 2nd guess myself. LOL I am sure it would not be a ruined vacation no matter where we stay. I do like the DTD location to SSR so OKW would be nice for that too. I am sure this is of no help.

I think I'd advise trying OKW for this trip. If you don't like the "hotel feel" as much, I think you will really enjoy OKW with the larger accommodations and beautiful landscaping.

SAB is a great pool, and if that's the critical aspect then you really can't go wrong with BCV. Here's a great site with in depth photos of SAB. SAB Photo Tour

 

[edk35]

Thanks everyone!!!!!