BW vs. OKW....which do you prefer?

[PatricenPete]

We are currently booked for OKW for a week in October, but we are on the waiting list for BW. Our son will be 1 by the time we travel and this trip is a birthday trip to celebrate his first year!

Which resort do you prefer? Which is more kid friendly? Any pros and cons verses one or the other?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[johde]

I think they are both great resorts. I have stayed in both of them and love them both. OKW is a nice quiet resort. A great place to relax. BWV is right in the middle of the action. It is easy walking distance from Epcot and also a long walking distance to MGM. I think either one is a great choice. My current plans are booking to OKW (my home resort) and trying to swith to a standard view at BWV at seven months. I might not get it most of the time but that's OK because there both great.

 

[mickeymom629]

I agree with Johde! We love being at the BW because it's just so close to all the action. But we just returned from our 3rd stay at OKW and are going to stay there again in the summer. You can't beat the points you save and the space is so much bigger in the villas there. So, either way, you stay at a great place!

 

[carol1231]

When our kids were that age, we always stayed at OKW and loved it. If we fly we always rent a car. And it was great at OKW because the car was parked right outside. The stroller was easier to put in and out of the car than on the bus, so we would usually drive to the parks. In the evening we would walk around the resort. And the kids loved the pool and playground (and that was before the slide). Now that the kids are older we tend to stay at BW more often.

 

[KirstenB]

Carol, your experience is what I envision as our kids get older. Right now we have a 7 year old, and hopefully this summer, a little sister will be joining her. We've always stayed at OKW. It's an easy place to get around with an infant or little one. I love parking right outside our villa because there's always more gear with babies/toddlers. I'm guessing that as they get older they'll want to be in the center of the action, which is how I've always viewed BWV.

 

[CharlesTD]

We are a BWV family but we will stay just about anyplace on property but yes BWV by far over OKW.

 

[Daggett]

My DW and I really love OKW. True BWV are close to Epcot, but you cann't beat the staff at OKW. And the boat rides to Downtown are also a nice touch.

 

[Daitcher]

My vote clealry goes for the BWV. Much better pool IMO with playground right there. Our son who was 1 1/2 at the time loved going back and forth from the pool to the playground. The Boardwalk is so nice with the entertainment and dining options. Don't forget the great in room dining available at the BWV. You can order from Spoodles or Flying Fish. Very nice to have great food without having to endure a restless child in a restaurant. Walk around to the BC & YC and let the little one dig in the sand at the beach. Walk or boat to both Epcot and MGM. Free valet parking and great bellman make it a resort like experience rather than the do it yourself experience of OKW. OKW has the nicer (and larger) rooms but that is where it ends. Either way any day at WDW is better than one at home.


DAVE

 

[DebbieB]

I own at BWV but stay at both, OKW in May, BWV in early December. OKW is good for May because that trip is more "laid back". It's nice to have the car right outside the room if we want to go shopping or out to eat. The larger rooms are nice to spread out in. BWV is good for early December because we are right in the middle of the action for the Epcot & MGM Christmas activities.

 

[IndianaDVCMember]

There is no clear cut answer to the question. We own at BWV and love it because of the location and the Boardwalk activities. Choosing between these two resorts depends on what you want. The OKW has more spacious accommodations , while BWV has a wonderful location and great dining options. Either way, you will not be disappointed.

 

[SB in KY]

We are OKW people for 10 years now....our daughters have "grown up" there....we love so many things about it.....that said I think a lot depends on what type of unit you are staying in....if you are in a studio I would go for BWV....you have a couch and sitting area and a better (IMHO) kitchen set up than at OKW.... although they aren't really any bigger if as big as the OKW studios they have more useable space. The OKW studios have 2 queen beds (but they are so high I was afraid to put my kids in them until they were 5 or 6 years old!!) and a very small table with 2 chairs and that's it....no real place to sit and relax, less room for the portacrib or whatever you will be using.

However if you will be in a 1BR, then I would say definately OKW....MUCH larger, better laundry room, parking by the door (which was VERY handy with little ones), room to run and best of all... birds and ducks to feed from the balcony. To this day (and they are teens now) my girls always make sure I get cheerios to feed the ducks!! and your little one might find that the most entertaining part of the trip.

The OKW 1BR have almost as many squre feet of space as the BW 2BR's. They are spacious by any standards.

 

[spiceycat]

you got 38 years to try all the dvc resorts.

go with the one that feels right for you.

 

[yasuern]

I LOVE THEM BOTH!


I have stayed at both and love them equally for different reasons

OKW
larger units patio/balcony,
drive to your door
quiet peaceful surroundings


BWV
can walk to Epcot and MGM
lots of shops restuarants right there
lots to do right there
and if I am lucky I get a view of my favorite ride THE TOWER OF TERROR!

Either one you will not be disappointed - both are in my opinion the 2 best DVC properties. However if you wish to be closest to the Magic Kingdom - you should consider staying at VWL - which is BEAUTIFUL and has its own charm - but because of all the tall pines surrounding the villas - it reminds me of my backyard and so I prefer not to stay there. BUT IT IS GREAT!.

Sue

 

[GGjertsen]

I have to vote for BWV. I have a 2 and a 3 year old and I avoid the buses at all costs. Since you can walk to 2 out of the 4 parks I believe it to be the best location for little kids. I hate folding that stroller and then trying to get down that isle of the bus.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think you should go with how YOU feel, not how the rest of us feel. I love OKW because I don't particularily like the hotel feeling of the other DVC resorts. I also don't happen to think there is an advantage to doing Epcot or MGM from BWV if you are a morning person. If you are wanting to do WS, then Yes, it is easier, but if you want to do FW early in the day, it's a LONG hike! It is about the same hike to MGM, but you CAN take the boat if you don't mind spending the time it takes to do that. Walking is definitely faster than the boat.

I love the quiet, vacation home feel, parking outside your door, terrific bus service, huge units, great restaurant and magnificent water/golf course views at OKW. If yo are planning on having a car, it is MUCH easier for the access to that, since there is no need to be so far away from a parking lot or to use valet parking.

I think the activities of the Boardwalk are great for young couples who are chiildless, or older couples who want the night life. For you with a toddller, I would definitely think OKW is the better choice for this trip.

 

[Tramp68]

We spend so little time in Epcot and MGM- Usually only 1 day or less each so I don't find the walk there an advantage to staying at BW. I find the extra points and the smaller rooms a negative though. The best part about boardwalk is the daycare on site (Age 4+ and potty trained) and the shopping/dining that is right there. The trip is not complete without a Tapas plate with a pitcher of Sangria at Spoodles

I do always stay at OKW though for the bigger rooms, Jacuzzi for two (or 3 or 4 with small kids) and the quiet laid back atmosphere. The fact that you can save a few points vs a standard view room at BW is nice too.

The important thing to remember is to read what everyone says, see what is most like you and try it out...Or better yet, split your stay and see which is better..you can then go there next trip!

 

[rocketriter]

Although I like the Epcot location better (BCV and BWV), I'd take a one-year-old child to OKW where you'll have more quiet and more room. Later, when your kid wants to spend hours in the parks, you'll first get interested in VWL (for easy access to MK) and later in BCV and BWV (for easy access to Epcot and MGM).

 

[OneMoreTry]

Depends on your mood and what you want for the trip. If you're undecided otherwise, I would choose OKW due to lower # of points needed.