Can't decide BWV or OKW in August

[moreisgood]

We're planning a trip August 2015. After 4 days at VB, we're headed to WDW for 4 days and we plan to hit both waterparks with our kids. We usually get a 2 BR villa.

BWV standard view and OKW are about the same cost in points. I can't decide where we should stay. We will have a car.

Please help me decide.

 

[Dean]

We're planning a trip August 2015. After 4 days at VB, we're headed to WDW for 4 days and we plan to hit both waterparks with our kids. We usually get a 2 BR villa.

BWV standard view and OKW are about the same cost in points. I can't decide where we should stay. We will have a car.

Please help me decide.

I would do BWV standard if you can get it and OKW otherwise. Unless you own BWV you likely won't be able to get the standard so you should plan accordingly. You could always book OKW and WL the standard if you wanted.

 

[Bbbethei]

We haven't stayed at BWV, so I can't really compare. However, we stayed at OKW recently and REALLY liked taking the boat to DTD. We had a rental car and still really enjoyed the boat ride, very relaxing!

 

[Deb & Bill]

You'll probably need BWV points to book a BWV standard view villa. At seven months, you probably won't be able to get one.

 

[moreisgood]

I do have BWV points, but I'm saving them for F&W. I was hoping to hear some great things about OKW, other than size. I like hearing about the good boat ride to DTD. Do the boats run pretty often?

 

[TinkandGoofy'sMom]

My husband and I enjoyed a 5 night stay at OKW without our kids a couple of years ago. It is a lovely resort with terrific bus service and the boat to Downtown. We stayed in building 13 I think, right across from the Hospitality House...very convenient. I think the resort would be enjoyable for kids as well, the pool was great. Our dinner at Olivia was very good. I am hoping to stay there again, especially since it is lower points!

 

[DMKEDM]

I've stayed at both BWV and OKW multiple times. I've gotten BWV SV villas (studios and 1-BRs) at 6-7 months out, multiple times--including in August.

I love OKW...I love strolling the grounds; love the pools (feature and neighborhood)...great gift shop...counter service is decent food, but not great for "sitting and eating"...Olivia's (sit-down restaurant) is wonderful. The boat rides, as someone else noted, are wonderful, too...The CMs at OKW have been unfailingly friendly and helpful...it's great to be able to walk to Downtown Disney, or over to Saratoga Springs...and OKW's central location makes bus rides to any of the parks relatively short.

BWV is my least favorite DVC resort (keep in mind I love them all...just love the others more than BWV)...I've encountered unfriendly, non-helpful CMs at BWV more than any other Disney resort...that leaves a bit of a 'bad taste' for it...but there are still more friendly/helpful than unfriendly/unhelpful CMs at BWV...it's a nice resort, w/great grounds and entertainment options all around it...and it's sure nice to be able to walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios! Their boat rides are nice, too...

As for the villas themselves--OKW's "win" on that score, hands-down--so much roomier and private-feeling! But generally, I find most DVC villas "feel" the same (w/different colors/patterns, depending on resort), w/the exception of OKW which is significantly bigger/different-feeling...

Either will make for an altogether grand vacation...if it were me doing the choosing, I'd base the decision (assuming availability) on the amount of time I think I'd be spending at Epcot/HS vs Downtown Disney...

Have fun!

 

[undchefreak]

For the boats at OKW, I never waited more than about 10 minutes, but I think it's a 20 minute schedule.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would want the convenience of BWV's location. Just spent 4 nights there and loved how we could decide if we wanted to see Illuminations that night just 20 minutes before it began!

The end of August and this past week in September had a fair number of rainy evenings. Not just the afternoon rains, but rains that continued past 10 PM.

Bobbi

 

[tb1972]

I love both OKW and BW. OKW is our home - love the resort feel with beautiful grounds, quick bus service and boat to DTD. The BW definitely has it's advantages too, but the bus service to MK is never good for us there. Many stops to Dolphin and Swan and the buses were packed.