BWV Owner Just Back from OKW GV Stay

[Goofy Fan]

After spending 4 nights (7/3 to 7/7) in a 2BDR at BWV with 8 people, we spent the last 5 nights (7/7 to 7/12) in a GV at OKW. This was our first stay at OKW, and we both (DW and I) had our mothers, my sister and BIL, and our 2 kids along for the trip. Upon entering the GV at OKW, the only words spoken for the first 5 minutes by everyone were "Oh My God!". Looking at pictures that were posted of the GV's were one thing, but being there in person just blows you away. The GV is as large or larger than most 2 level 3BDR townhomes I have been in. The master BDR is "enormous", especially with the master bath area. I was very impressed with the GV, as were the rest of the family. As for OKW itself, we enjoyed the peaceful setting and quiet that OKW provides, and thoroughly enjoyed dinner at Olivia's one night. And who can forget "Cat" at the front gate every time we drove in from a day at the parks. She always had this big smile on her face and never once failed to say "Welcome Home" before waving us through. I was very fortunate to get the GV after spending a couple of months on the waiting list. If you have not stayed in a GV and have an opportunity to do so, I highly recommend that you give it a try. As an aside, having 8 people (6 adults and 2 kids (13 and 8) in a 2 BDR at BWV was a bit on the crowded side in my opinion. If I had to do it over again, I would probably put my sister and BIL in a separate studio.

As BWV and VWL owners, my wife and I have now stayed at these 3 DVC resorts. It is very hard to say which one we prefer the most. Each of the 3 have something very special in its own way that make them all a favorite for us. We do know that we want to try the 1BDR and 2BDR at OKW in order for us to form a complete comparison between all 3 resorts.

As far as the trip itself, we had a great time. The weather was actually not bad. We escaped the torrential rains that were going on and got more into a pattern of brief thunderstorms each day. Parks were crowded but manageable. Saw all afternoon parades except the one at AK. The MK Share a Dream parade, although a great parade to watch, seemed a bit short in that in only had about 5 or 6 floats. Previous MK parades seemed to have more content. Did notice a significant cutback on AC while at the parks. You could always count on cooling off as you stepped indoors at attractions or shops. This time you could feel the difference. Was also a bit disappointed with the "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks at MGM on July 4. It seemed as if everyone was expecting something special with this show (they cut out the early Fantasmic show), but I left feeling as if they should have just left the early Fantasmic show in place. Would be curious if other people who were there on the 4th felt the same. We did head straight back to EPCOT and caught the July 4 Illuminations show there as well. They had a special display of fireworks after the normal showing of Illuminations. Avoided MK on July 4th, and later found out that they closed the parking lot at TTC at 2:30, and then only allowed resort guests in due to the crowd.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Great report, thanks for posting. One of these days, I will get to try the GV at OKW. Just trying to figure out who I would take with me. Not sure there are enough family members I wish to spend that much time with.

 

[CarolMN]

As an aside, having 8 people (6 adults and 2 kids (13 and 8) in a 2 BDR at BWV was a bit on the crowded side in my opinion. If I had to do it over again, I would probably put my sister and BIL in a separate studio.

I couldn't agree more! For us, it's very important to have the living room / kitchen area available for those who get up early or stay up late. That means no one should be using the living room sofa as a bed! IMHO, 8 is way too many for a 2 bedroom, no matter which resort it is! JMHO, I know many will not agree.

Glad you enjoyed your stay and thanks for the detailed report! Nice to hear that you were able to get a GV at the 7 month mark.

 

[SINK]

Originally posted by CarolMN


I couldn't agree more! For us, it's very important to have the living room / kitchen area available for those who get up early or stay up late. That means no one should be using the living room sofa as a bed! IMHO, 8 is way too many for a 2 bedroom, no matter which resort it is! JMHO, I know many will not agree.

Me too, I think 8 is too crowded for two BR. It actually takes the "luxury" out of having the living room if people are using the sofa bed. I would love to get a GV ressie, still on the wait list for the week after Thanksgiving. So, if anyone wants to cancel their GV ressie, our family would greatly appreciate it.

 

[RobDoc]

The master BDR is "enormous", especially with the master bath area.

Thanks for the report! Glad you enjoyed the resort.

FYI, the Master Bedroom and bath area is the same size in the 1 and 2BR villas at OKW, so I suspect you'll enjoy those as well.

Enjoy!

 

[baileybrad]

your post points out why it is so crazy for folks to engage in DVC resort bashing. EVERY DVC resort offers something that the others do not. They are each unique in many ways. Their similarities are a commitment to providing a classy place to stay while enjoying family and/or friends on vacation. Hopefully, someday all DVC members will figure this out.

 

[wdwsos]

Originally posted by baileybrad
your post points out why it is so crazy for folks to engage in DVC resort bashing. EVERY DVC resort offers something that the others do not. They are each unique in many ways. Their similarities are a commitment to providing a classy place to stay while enjoying family and/or friends on vacation. Hopefully, someday all DVC members will figure this out.

A very wise DVC'er wrote to me recently, "Some people have bought into the DVC - others have bought into their home resort."

Dotti (very happy DVC owner who loves each and every resort)

 

[Candace]

My reaction was just like yours the first time we entered a GV at OKW! We have also stayed in a beach cottage at VB - their equivalent of a GV, and it is equally fabulous. I do wish they had at least a 1/2 bath in the upstairs living/dining area though. Hopefully we will get to try the GV at BWV sometime - if I bank and borrow my BW points! You were wise to avoid the MK on the 4th - been there and done that and NEVER again. YOu were lucky to get the "extra" show after Illuminations at Epcot; they didn't do that in 2001. Glad you had such a good trip!

 

[wdwsos]

Originally posted by Candace
YOu were lucky to get the "extra" show after Illuminations at Epcot; they didn't do that in 2001. Glad you had such a good trip!

I was at Epcot last year on the 4th. They did do an extra ten minutes or so at the end of Illuminations, with patriotic music and lots of red, white and blue fireworks.

I dream a lot about Disney, but I don't *think* I dreamed that.

Dotti

 

[ncligs]

Goofy Fan,

Glad you enjoyed the GV at OKW

 

[nydizfan]

My DW and I got married at disney in 1997. We had our rehearsal dinner at our GV. It was 60 new yorkers.. And they said it was the best ....We only have great memories.....we love dvc and the grand villas............dave

 

[PamOKW]

GoofyFan -- Glad you had a great time.

I have a question about the BWV 2-bedroom. Does this have the bed/sofa combo in the second bedroom? If so, how do you think that worked out versus having two beds (like in the other bedrooms when you switched to OKW)?

 

[Goofy Fan]

Pam,

The second bedroom at BWV had the queen bed and double sleeper sofa combination. It worked out OK, but both our mothers had this room along with our 8 year old DS and 13 year old DD. My wife and I had to reason as to which mom would get the queen bed and who got the sleeper sofa. After the first night we actually pulled our DS out of that room and put him on the floor in our room on the sofa cushions as he was sharing the double sleeper sofa. My sister and BIL had the queen sleeper sofa in the 1 BDR part. When we got to the GV at OKW, I was everybody's hero as all the adults had an actual bed to sleep on, their own bathroms, and a little more privacy. It was a good thing I had the GV during the last 5 nights of the trip with the first 4 nights at BWV. If I had it reversed, I think everyone would have felt a little letdown leaving the GV for BWV 2 BDR. ... OK, a huge letdown!

As I mentioned earlier, I would get a 2 BDR and a separate studio for 6 adults and 2 kids at BWV if I had to do it over again. Or perhaps the 2 BDR at OKW would work out better with the extra bed instead of double sleeper sofa, along with the extra room the units provide. I think the 2 BDR at BWV works out better if there are 4 adults and 4 kids. Since I had 6 adults and 2 kids, it made for interesting sleeping arrangements . Since this was the first trip to WDW for my sister and BIL, and also for both our mothers, they probably could have slept on the floor for 9 nights with no complaints as I've now hooked all 4 of them on why we love it so much at WDW and DVC. Looks like a second add-on is in the cards!

 

[PamOKW]

Sofa bed or not, you certainly gave the whole family the royal treatment at both resorts. You'll probably never be able to go alone again.

I agree about the studio idea. As much as we all love each other, some times it's nice to have a little privacy break.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I'm glad you had a terrific time.

 

[CK1]

I have to say, having stayed at OKW so many times, the square footage at the newer resorts is definitely depressing. A DVC reservations person once confided in me the loss in square footage in exact feet between a 2br at BWV versus OKW -- I can't recall the # now, but I know I was stunned at the time!

We actually are "BWV" on paper and have yet to stay there (that's just what was being sold at the time!) So LEAP OF FAITH -- we're going to VWL in just a few weeks! We too have 8 people: four adults, four kids (7,6,and two 2's). I am hoping it won't feel cramped -- I debated long and hard about 2 separate rooms, and we decided to stick together! At least half of our party is half-sized, though !! We asked for a dedicated w/ two queens in the 2nd room -- that's not an option at BWV, though, is it... I hope we enjoy VWL (and eventually BWV!) as much as we have OKW. Otherwise, I might just be waitin' in line for that OKW GV experience next time!!!

CIndy