buy at BCV or BWV? Can't decide... or how about OKW?

[chris4disney]

DH and I have been on the fence for several years now about buying into DVC. But as you can see by my signature we've been there once every year for the past 5 years, so we probably should have joined DVC a long time ago. Oh well... what's done is done. So now we are seriously looking into buying resale, but can't decide where to make our Home Resort. The only DVC resort that we've stayed in is BCV. LOVED IT and the Boardwalk area. So I'm thinking that buying at BWV to get a shot at the Standard View rooms might be a smarter way to go.

We have never stayed at BWV, like I said only BCV. Is there much difference between the two that would make me like BWV less or more than BCV that would sway are decision? Besides the obvious that BCV has SAB, I feel that the two resorts are so close to each other that you can easily enjoy the amenties that both offer. Am I wrong?

Two help make our decision we thought we would try to rent points at BWV for late October. I know this is a busy time for these two resorts because of the F & W Festival so I'm concerned about the likelihood of there even being a room available. (I've got a post on Rent/Trade board now about renting... just waiting and hoping for someone to respond.) So I guess my question is, if we know we loved the Epcot resort area, do we necessarily need to stay at a BWV once to confirm our choice there over BCV?

My other thought is to buy a resale at OKW. It's less money per point, lower point charts, bigger rooms, lower maintenance fees, and now you can get the extension on your contract. But will I like the location of OKW? Obviously walking to two parks is a plus at BWV/BCV. How is the bus service at OKW? Or are you better off renting a car when staying at OKW since you can park right outside your room? Since we know we like the Epcot resort area already, maybe we should stay at OKW to see if that's where we want to buy?!

HELP!!!!! I'm driving myself crazy with all these decisions!

 

[spiceycat]

Love BCV, but only like BWV.

BCV and OKW have something in common - relaxed, lay back atmosphere, beautiful resort. then BCV has some things that OKW does not. - room service!

BWV is more like living in a city with the street under your windows (BW). some people love it. Others feel like they are on display - and I think most are in the middle. that say if you are only going with standard view - these are nice units.

now comparing to the two.

BCV has a covered walkway to the BC - so even if raining you can get something to eat and do.

BWV does not. all the eating places are along the BW. even the community hall you will get wet visiting in the rain.

that say still use BWV for the standard view. 9 vs 12 - always wins for me.

OKW is pretty nice. bus service can be wonderful - during the food & wine festavial it is excellent. but other times it just varies. my friends went last year during summer break and it was great for them.

would definitely stay at BWV - just to be sure - but would visit OKW. OKW might be too quiet for you.

 

[disney junky]

Obviously we own at BW. Wouldn't change it. I think the previous poster's description is accurate. We have stayed at BC. I felt it was comparable. I have stayed at OKW. I felt it had a much different, secluded feel, much more than SSR. We used to stay at Dixie Landings and loved it, and that's how OKW felt to me. I can't argue with the rain description though I never had given it much thought.
BTW, I used to try and get the standard view at BW to save points, but now I don't bother. I love the BW view.

 

[tammymacb]

I'm a BWV owner and love the location. I'm hoping to add points this spring and my choices are more BWV, BCV and I too am considering OKW.

We're in the same boat..

I'll probably stick to the Epcot area, though, I just love the location..

 

[disney dumbo]

I love spending other people's money!

I'd buy where you know you love! Since you've been sitting on the fence for awhile... jump in! Get your points... be able to make your own reservations! When you can, use the 11month mark. If you want to try another resort... try to rebook at 7months. If you buy at BCV you can use amenities at BWV... but if you buy at BWV... you cannot pool hop to SAB.

Other people know more of the comparison of those resorts. But I say don't wait... don't rent! Start with smaller amount of points... if you decide BWV is right... add-on! I think the resale market for either of these two is really good.

Good luck!

 

[robinb]

I own at BWV, but I would suggest BCV for you since you like it so much.

 

[bobbiwoz]

They were only selling OKW when we heard about DVC and we thought "How can anyone stay so far away and be considered on site." Many years later, we bought into in DVC, we have 5 "home resorts" , we've stayed at OKW, had a great time, loved the accomodations of the 1 bedroom, truly an apartment. It's still the location that turns us off, well that and the buildings except for 3 of them, do not have elevators. I would love to be higher up than the first floor.

If it's the Boardwalk area that you most love about BCV then the Boardwalk has a "chance" to win you over. If it's SAB, primarily, then I would go with BCV. We own at both, more at BWV.

Bobbi

 

[iloveokw]

Just my two cents - we've stayed at BWV and will never again. Those long hallways about did us in! We love the atmosphere of OKW and the fact you can park right outside of your room. The one bedroom is larger than our first home and it really spoils you. We own at OKW (as you can tell), Vero and Hilton Head - we didn't not buy any of these without staying there first. Then buy where you want to stay, not to save $$ because over the long run it will be a wash and you will be happier. IT is the best investment we've ever made bar none.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

DH and I have been on the fence for several years now about buying into DVC. But as you can see by my signature we've been there once every year for the past 5 years, so we probably should have joined DVC a long time ago. Oh well... what's done is done. So now we are seriously looking into buying resale, but can't decide where to make our Home Resort. The only DVC resort that we've stayed in is BCV. LOVED IT and the Boardwalk area. So I'm thinking that buying at BWV to get a shot at the Standard View rooms might be a smarter way to go.

We have never stayed at BWV, like I said only BCV. Is there much difference between the two that would make me like BWV less or more than BCV that would sway are decision? Besides the obvious that BCV has SAB, I feel that the two resorts are so close to each other that you can easily enjoy the amenties that both offer. Am I wrong?

Two help make our decision we thought we would try to rent points at BWV for late October. I know this is a busy time for these two resorts because of the F & W Festival so I'm concerned about the likelihood of there even being a room available. (I've got a post on Rent/Trade board now about renting... just waiting and hoping for someone to respond.) So I guess my question is, if we know we loved the Epcot resort area, do we necessarily need to stay at a BWV once to confirm our choice there over BCV?

My other thought is to buy a resale at OKW. It's less money per point, lower point charts, bigger rooms, lower maintenance fees, and now you can get the extension on your contract. But will I like the location of OKW? Obviously walking to two parks is a plus at BWV/BCV. How is the bus service at OKW? Or are you better off renting a car when staying at OKW since you can park right outside your room? Since we know we like the Epcot resort area already, maybe we should stay at OKW to see if that's where we want to buy?!

HELP!!!!! I'm driving myself crazy with all these decisions!

I was in the same perdicament a month ago. Here is what I did. I realy wanted BWV or BCV. But I bought at AKV. Why? I got great incentives for buying at the "NEW" resort. ($10 off per point and 100 developer points that I used for a free vacation). Plus I own my membership 9 years longer at AKV than at BWV or BCV. Three days after the purchase, I picked up the phone and made a reservation (inside 7 months) at BCV. I got the discount, free points, 9 years longer on my contract, and I am staying at the beach club where I originaly wanted to stay. At the worst senerio, I would have made the reservation at AKV and put my name on a wait list for BCV.

 

[lisareniff]

We own at BCV but stayed for the first time at BWV last spring.

First, they are very similar. I think if you like one you will most likely like the other. They are so close together that you feel like the restaurants are shared amongst the Epcot resorts. The rooms are the same size and not too much different in overall theme.

BWV has a bigger, busier feel to it while BCV is smaller and calmer. Now the busier and calmer is not only in the location, activity level but also the theming. BWV has lots of different colors/patterns in the interior. Also, BWV is right on the path and canal between Epcot and DHS and has the added action of the boardwalk. Many of the rooms also view the business of the main pool. BCV is tucked behind the BC (yes, I know it was an afterthought) with quiet pool views and the calming beachy theme.

Now the more objective advantages of BCV...
close parking
Ded. 2bdrm (~25 with 2 queens)
convient quick service (Marketplace/Hurricane Hannah's)
SAB of course!

BWV...
Std. View booking
Boardwalk view booking
GV
Community Hall

I really like them both and would be hard pressed to make that decision (Disney was selling BCV when I purchased). Even though I love BCV, I think I might go with BWV for those booking catagories (although SAB is great... )

HTH

 

[utahkennedys]

We picked OKW resale but only AFTER visiting all of the resorts I was interested in. For some reason I loved OKW...it felt tropical, relaxed, lush, pretty -- but still inside Disney. Having said that, if we add on we may add on at BWV or BCV simply because those are harder to book. My heart is at OKW though, but I only know that from visiting. I also visited SSR because Disney was offering great incentives at the time and I knew right away it wasn't for me because I grew up in the east and it wasn't "vacation-y" enough for me. Others love it. So, visit each, stay at one or two if possible, then decide. There is no rush...