BWV studio vs. OKW studio

[Doctor P]

OKW is not a hotel per se. Citing AAA ratings is ridiculous since they don't rate the villas as a separate entity and don't rate the amenities associated with traditional timeshares like OKW.

 

[DeeP]

OKW is not a hotel per se. Citing AAA ratings is ridiculous since they don't rate the villas as a separate entity and don't rate the amenities associated with traditional timeshares like OKW.

I have seen BWI and BWV rated as separate entities in AAA books and I have also seen OKW rated with amenities in AAA and Mobil travel books.

 

[Doctor P]

You obviously don't know about the AAA ratings and how they are done, so I will not waste any more time. I actually did considerable research on this when some ratings and advertisements didn't make sense to me. The ratings at WDW of these hotels are of marginal use given how the ratings are done.

 

[PKS44]

To be perfectly clear-as this degenerates into yet another my resort is better than your resort thread...the original post is titled BWV STUDIO vs OKW STUDIO ..numerous people mention the bigger rooms at OKW in their replies...This is essentially irrelevant when it comes to the studio comparisons...the difference in size is negligible and actually some find the rooms at BWV to "seem" bigger with the bed and couch instead of two beds. Do not choose OKW for the bigger sized room at this level...at the 1 and 2 bedroom level, yes, but for this thread it must come down to other factors already discussed.

Paul

 

[HorizonsFan]

You obviously don't know about the AAA ratings and how they are done, so I will not waste any more time.

If this information is pertinent to the discussion, why would it be a waste of time to share your knowledge?

 

[Dean]

While I agree that the various ratings are flawed, each in their own way, that does not make them wrong or inaccurate. They are far more accurate to this discussion of studio vs studio than to the overall resorts. The main problems are that they compare one resort to another in one area (one WDW resort to another) and that the divisions are not varied enough to separate out resorts. That means that OKW and Hampton Inn may both be 3 diamonds which does not give a fair comparison. And like any other location, once you know the hotels you may have different choices and feelings about a specific resort or group of resorts. Then the ratings may have little meaning or value to you personally.

 

[MiaSRN62]

OKW can not even begin to compare to what is available to the guests at BWV, BCV and VWL. In this respect, BWV, BCV and VWL are superior, it is not being harsh it is just the way it is. The rankings in the hotel/resort industry are not based on personal preferences, likes, dislikes, or on what one considers charming etc., they just are what they are based on what is offered to the resort guest.

Well, I know not all would agree on this DeeP.....but that's ok. This will be an eternal debate. I like all the DVC resorts as I stated in my earlier posts.

OKW is not a hotel per se. Citing AAA ratings is ridiculous since they don't rate the villas as a separate entity and don't rate the amenities associated with traditional timeshares like OKW.

Thank you Doctor P....I think you summed up best what I was trying to convey in my 2-3 posts on this thread. Comparing BWV, BCV, and VWL to OKW just isn't possible. They are totally different "types" of resorts. I think my way of trying to explain it, didn't come across too well to some.

To be perfectly clear-as this degenerates into yet another my resort is better than your resort thread

Just for the record, I never said any of the DVC resorts were better or superior to any other one. I simply stated that I liked them all for different reasons. I feel each one of them has their own pros and cons. I was merely trying to state the different appeals of BWV and OKW to the OP.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Meant to say "thanks" to Dean for the insight on the standard vs preferred views at BWV.

 

[DeeP]

The main problems are that they compare one resort to another in one area (one WDW resort to another) and that the divisions are not varied enough to separate out resorts. That means that OKW and Hampton Inn may both be 3 diamonds which does not give a fair comparison. And like any other location, once you know the hotels you

I wholeheartedly agree that there is no way OKW and Hampton Inn are a fair comparsion just for the very MAJOR fact alone that OKW is located on WDW property and is a WDW resort with all it's very many added benefits. But if you were to rank just WDW resorts actually located on WDW property by typical travel/hotel/resorts standards of what rates a resort higher than another; all the other WDW DVC resorts would still score much higher than OKW due to their locations and the amenities offered to their guests. In the travel/resort world things like location and amenities do definitely bump a resort up in ranking and therefore are considered a higher level/superior resort because it offers more to the guests.
Maybe because I have lived and worked in a major tourist/vacation area all my life, I can not understand what the big deal is about all this. The ratings are based on what each hotel/resort has available for their guests. If a resort has limited dining and entertainment options, larger rooms but is located 5 blocks from the beach compared to a resort that has many dining and entertainment options, smaller rooms but is located on the beach.......which resort do you think the rooms will have a substanially higher rating??
I am not saying that I think any of the WDW resorts are any less than great. All the WDW resorts are wonderful and I enjoy all of them but they do vary and some offer much more to their guests than others. We all have our special resorts with our likes and dislikes but when it comes to how a resort is rated by the travel industry it is almost always in tune with the rates charged. The better the location and the more amenities a resort offers and the higher the room rate is. This rule of thumb also holds true for WDW resorts for the vast majority of the time.

 

[HorizonsFan]

I can't believe we've done two pages here and haven't heard from Rich yet!
Is he at WDW or what?

 

[nezy]

Seashorebride-
Where do you plan on spending your time? At MK or Epcotor DD area (Pleasure Island, etc.)? If Epcot, definately go w/ BWV. If you just want a place where you won't even be going to the parks and want to lounge by a pool, either is good.
Boardwalk is my home resort-although I have never stayed there yet. Usuallly OKW, but we have 3 kids. Last yr. split our time btwn VWL (love it) and BCV (luv it too). When we were at VWL, we did MK activities, when in BCV, we did EPCOT activities. Any choice will be a great one as ALL of the resorts have something to offer.
Have a great time. Congratulations on your engagement. Can you register for DVC points on your Bridal Registry? (Only if!!)

 

[seashorebride]

Everyone's comments have been very helful. We have decided to stay at BWV b/c of its convenience to Epcot. We want to be able to walk 'home' and have lunch if we are in Epcot or MGM. We can't wait until our Honeymoon!

 

[Dean]

Have a great trip.

 

[MiaSRN62]

We have decided to stay at BWV b/c of its convenience to Epcot. We want to be able to walk 'home' and have lunch if we are in Epcot or MGM. We can't wait until our Honeymoon!

Good decision Seashorebride. The end of August is a nice time to visit WDW as far as the summertime goes also. Alot of the southern schools are back in session so it's not quite as crowded. Enjoy your time in the World

 

[mickeyc]

I think you made a good choice. We honeymooned at DVC a few months after it opened in early 1972. When we look at some of the movies we took back then it is amazing at all the changes and the way Disney has continued to expand. We didn't realize it in 1972; however, I think we started a family tradition. ( smile)

Last year our son worked as a CM at the Animal Kingdom and he will be working there part of the summer, until he starts dental school in August. I had no idea when we started to vacation many times at Disney my son would want to work there. Disney pay isn't great--he is having a great time.

Enjoy your trip to Disney and congratulations!!!

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by DeeP
I have seen BWI and BWV rated as separate entities in AAA books and I have also seen OKW rated with amenities in AAA and Mobil travel books.

While they may have been rated seperately the facilities mentioned are the ones that exisited before the villas were added on.

As stated you are comparing a hotel to a condo. Both are very good accomidations just different category of lodging.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Last year our son worked as a CM at the Animal Kingdom and he will be working there part of the summer, until he starts dental school in August. I had no idea when we started to vacation many times at Disney my son would want to work there. Disney pay isn't great--he is having a great time.

This sounds fun Mickeyc.....what does he do at AK ?

 

[MiaSRN62]

As stated you are comparing a hotel to a condo. Both are very good accomidations just different category of lodging.

Exactly Sammie. If you are a member of TUG (timeshare users group) you will see where hundreds of members stayed at the various resorts and rate them--along with giving a TR with pros and cons and objective viewpoints. All of the DVC resorts are rated high. BWV, BCV and OKW are all 9.5+ on the owners/exchangers rating scale (1-10). Can't go wrong with any of them....they are all superior accomodations

 

[mickeyc]

He is an animal presenter. When you walk into the Animal Kingdom entrance you will see CM showing various insects to guest. They explain the background of the insects to the visitors. Most of the presenters are biology majors at various school from around the world. The presenters also rotate throughout the park during the day giving brief presentation about the animals and dinosaurs.

Althought Disney doesn't pay alot the experience and friends he made was invaluable. It was not only great for him, during our visits we enjoyed meeting CM from all parts of the world and especially our country. The Disney College Program is a great opportunity for the students. I think he is going to be there two or three weeks in this June.

 

[MiaSRN62]

the experience and friends he made was invaluable. It was not only great for him, during our visits we enjoyed meeting CM from all parts of the world and especially our country. The Disney College Program is a great opportunity for the students. I think he is going to be there two or three weeks in this June.

I agree about the experience with Disney.....this will be a plus on his resume also. Good luck to him in dental school.