Best Home Resort: BWV vs BCV vs WL vs OKW

[John P]

Hi -

We just returned from a 2 week vacation and are very seriouly considering buying 200 or so points. My question is what is everyones opinion on best home resort. We took the Open House tour at the Boardwalk and really liked the location and amenities. We realize that it is only available through a reseller and that is OK with us (willing to save a few bucks) but were wondering on the advantages of the other resorts such as the BCV. One of the reasons we liked the BWV is the way they split the resort into 2 rates for the view so if we want to save points we can opt for a Standard view. The BCV doesn't offer this but does have SAB which looked great.
Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated. THANKS

 

[StevieD]

Here was our thought process regarding home resort:

1. We wanted a WDW resort as our home resort since we expect to go there more often than we would the beach. Also, we can easily find alternative beach resorts to stay at - but the benefits of an "on property" resort cannot be replicated in Orlando without staying "on property" (in our opinion). This ruled out VB and HHI.

2. We had stayed at the Swan/Dolphin in the past, and really loved the Epcot Resort location. Quick access to Epcot and MGM, and it provides additional activities to do in the evenings (i.e. the Boardwalk). In addition, we felt that access from VWL was not great (having pool hopped here we experienced this first hand - although we love the resort and will probably stay here a time or two), and access to restaurants from VWL was downright poor. Finally, we were concerned about access from OKW, and we wanted to be more "in the action" with regard to location. So....we eliminated OKW and VWL.

3. This left BWV and BCV...we liked the fact that BWV had options for views, and we could get a contract through resale and save a few $$$. But we were concerned about (1) some indications that noise at BWV can occasionally be a problem given its proximity to the Boardwalk activities (and depending on room location); and (2) Luna Park, while nice, did not seem quite as good a fit for us with our 5 yr old (yes, I know that she won't be 5 forever, but it did factor in to our decision). Ultimately, we loved SAB, the quietness of the location, and all the other positives listed above.. and this was enough for us to spend the extra money (not much extra given the total amount, and we got in on the pre-April 30 incentives) and buy 270 points at BCV.

Sorry this was long, but just wanted to give your our thought process...remember, the opinions above are just ours, and we are not looking to start a debate.

 

[ncligs]

John P.,

Welcome to the DIS!! All the DVC resorts are beautifull and 1st class accomodations. Each resort has its own flavor. It all depends what you are looking for.BWV's has the night life,restraunts close by. OKW has the laid back feel to it, larger rooms, less pts for stays. VWL has the private location feel to it. No matter what resort you pick you can't go wrong , including the new BCV's. That is one of the advantages of DVC, you can stay at them all!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DeeP]

All the DVC resorts are very nice and yet each are very different in their atmosphere, location, etc. OKW has the largest rooms, parking lots in front of each villa, lower pts, and a very quiet atmosphere. VWL is very convenient to MK with direct boat transportation, has 2 sitdown restaurants, a food court, snack bars,has a beautiful themed pool w/slide, is right next to FW that has many family activities, VWL has a beautiful woodsy atmosphere. BWV is within walking distance to Epcot & MGM, has many restaurants & shops within walking distance, has a very nice themed pool w/slide, has all sorts of nighttime entertainment on the boardwalk and also has 2 clulbs and ESPN within walking distance, BWV has the nice option of a standard view villa for using less pts., BWV has a seashore atmosphere. BCV is similiar to BWV in having all of the same things within walking distance but of course to get to the things located on the boardwalk the walk is a little longer, BCV will most likely be more secluded/quiet due to the fact it is not on the boardwalk, it has the BEST pool on WDW property and has a beach atmosphere.
BWV, VWL & BCV also offer the amenities of valet parking, room service and elevators and are also very conveniently located to 1 (VWL) 2 (BWV, BCV) Major parks.
We chose BWV for our home resort because we wanted the superior location and the added amenitites that this resort offers. When we bought our membership there was only OKW and BWV had just been built. If I was to purchase now I would still want the superior location and the amenitites so I would buy either BWV or BCV, but that is just our preference.

 

[DebbieB]

I liked both OKW & BWV but bought at BWV because I wanted to stay there the first or second week of December and knew it would be difficult to get at the 7 month mark. I have no problem getting OKW for May at 7 months. I only have 250 points and stretch 12 nights in a 1 bedroom each year out of it by using standard view at BWV (6 at OKW in May and 6 at BWV in Dec).

 

[John P]

Thanks for all the info. StevieD, I wish we had gotten in on earlier on the BCV, the offer now is $75 a pt or $70 a pt but you don't get your first allocation until 2003. If they had kept the previous deal that you got in on it wouldn't have been much of a savings to go through a reseller. I do like the BCV pool but I understand that pool hopping at that pool is no longer an option. I know it you can trade into any resort so I am probably worrying too much about this. I guess you can't go wrong with any of the resorts, so we'll probably go with the BWV since we'll save around $1250 for the same points over the BCV. I'm very excited and can't wait to go!!! Thanks again everyone for the info.

 

[spruce]

There is a mountain 1/2 a mile from our house so VWL was out. We love Florida and a tropical atmosphere so OKW was a good fit and we bought.
Atlantic City is 2-1/2 hours away but BWV's location is pretty good and OKW was sold out, so we added-on.
BCV has SAB so we added-on there too.
All of the DVC Resorts are excellent, top notch resorts. We havn't been to HH yet but did do Vero which is also superb.
If you have a preferrance as to what type of atmosphere you want to surround yourself with while on vacation then buy at that resort. None are better or worse then the others, it's what you like.
Remember though, you are buying Florida property at a WDW themed resort location which are terrific resorts but the real mountains, the real Atlantic City, and the real tropics are someplace else. Mickey Mouse on the other hand, is not...spruce

 

[Deb & Bill]

We bought OKW in 97 because the rooms were bigger and we like the laid back atmosphere. BWV were just coming available, but we weren't into the action there. We added on two more times at OKW. Then when VWL was built, we decided to add on there because we used to live in Montana and went to Yellowstone a lot. Then we added on at BCV because my husband likes the BC/YC and SAB. So now we have three homes and 500 points.

 

[Lizziemom]

We looked at OKW and BWV over the years, but never bought. Neither fit us. We had stayed at the WL twice and when the Villas came available we purchased.

We both have stressful jobs and WDW is for relaxing. We are not park commandos, we dont care if it takes 10 minutes or 35 to get to Epcot. We go to the parks early, late or not at all.

We like quiet and the VWL was very quiet when we were there in April. We never heard anyone in the hall, out the window etc. The main pool is busy and fun, but if you want to read a book, head to the quiet pool for relaxation.

We love the pool, the HUGE jacuzzi at the villas (I swear it can hold 15 to 20 people!), the pool bar, the bikes, the walking path to Fort Wilderness, the water mice, and just sitting in the lobby and reading a book.

We like to visit the Boadwalk, but it is too busy for us. To get to the Boardwalk we take the MGM bus or the Epcot bus, whichever arrives first. Then we switch to the Boadwalk bus at the park. This works fine until park closing.

So you see, it is very important to us to enjoy the feel of the resort. These are the questions to ask yourself before purchasing.

We are going back in Sept for a long weekend and I asked DH if he wanted to try BCV, we thought about it but love VWL so much, we are going back there.

This is why it is so great that DVC has options for all of us.

Lizzie

 

[dougmatt]

I noticed you left off HH and VB.. I personally bought a base contract at BWV and done add on's for the others. If you think you might ever be interested in vacationing a HH or VB during a peak period (summer and Spring Break) then I HIGHLY recomend buying at on of the WDW resorts for 150 (pick the one that feels best for you. They are ALL wonderful!!) and then buy the other 50 at either VB or HH. You WILL need the 11 month booking there if you want to go during the times mentioned.

Home resort should be a place you will be happy staying NO MATTER WHAT, but don't think you will only stay there. In fact BWV is our 'primary' home resort, and we have yet to stay there . We often book at the last minute and BWV is full, so we take what we can get. I have stayed everywhere, but there. We are booked to stay at BWV for the first time in April 2003 (spring break) JUST BOOKED TODAY . I am even considering calling a the 7 month window to change to BCV since I can't ph to SAB anymore

Doug

 

[Terry S]

John P... You mentioned in your post that you like the pool at BCV, but can't pool hop there anymore. You do realize that if your home resort is BCV and you are staying there on points you will have access to Stormalong Bay. Stevie D points out some of the same reasons we chose BCV over BWV, but the other reason I haven't seen listed here is that BCV have dedicated 2 bedrooms, these 2 bedrooms have 2 queen beds in the second bedroom instead of a queen and pull out sofa. We have a boy and a girl and don't want them fighting over who sleeps on the bed and who sleeps on the pull-out.

All of the DVC resorts have wonderful qualities and I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. Good luck in your decision.

 

[jasmine206]

This may seem like a small issue to many, but the fact that we can park our (rental) car right at our villa and just have to walk in (with our tired DDs in tow) to be home was a big reason for buying a resale at OKW. Add that to the huge accomodations, beautiful grounds, and very quick drive time to the parks made it a no brainer for us. I'm sure as the girls get older we will probably try out BWV to be more in the action, but for the most part, we like to "be away from it all" when we leave the parks and go home. OKW is a great fit for us.

 

[EROS]

If you like to listen to crickets........and watch the grass grow.......I'd definitely buy at OKW

 

[PKS44]

Originally posted by Lizziemom
We like to visit the Boadwalk, but it is too busy for us. To get to the Boardwalk we take the MGM bus or the Epcot bus, whichever arrives first. Then we switch to the Boadwalk bus at the park. This works fine until park closing.

Just so nobody mistakenly tries this-(or buys at another resort thinking that the above is possible...this won't work "fine" for anyone...

If you take a bus to MGM you need to catch a boat to the Boardwalk (or walk about 15-20 minutes) There is no bus...

If you take a bus to Epcot- you have to walk through Epcot- there is no bus to the Boardwalk from here either..it is a long walk and you have to use some form of park admission media-which is a problem if you don't have an AP or LOS pass and were not planning to use a day off a Parkhopper.

perhaps the poster meant taking a bus from AK or MK.

 

[carone0318]

Our initial purchase was at Boardwalk, we like being in the middle of everything and the biggest perk is that to go to any of the 4 main parks I only have to fold my stroller to get to AK. I can walk or boat to MGM and Epcot and for MK, we like to walk through Epcot and take the monorail. Huge perk since now this trip we will have 2 strollers !

We also added on at HH, sight unseen! Haven't been there. Right now with little kids I like to go to Disney World, but I know we will get there soon enough. I can still book 7 months out on my HH points and take where ever I get. It will give me a chance to try the other resorts....

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Our first contract was at OKW, and we did it thru a Magical Beginnings where we gave them back our first year's points. It was not as bad as I thought it would be. We had already vacationed that first year and it was not a problem to wait for the next year to use points. Don't forget that you also have the borrowing option. Some borrow all they have, but I like to leave some available for last minute trips. If the Magical Beginnings is the only thing holding you back from BCV, you might want to re-think that. To me, the right Home Resort is more important than one year's worth of points. But I know many others think differently.