Comparison of BCV and OKW

[kraymer]

Hello everyone. I'm fairly new to this board and also to DVC (I bought last May). We make our first trip in a couple of months and are considering taking a couple more people with us (which is one of the GREAT things about DVC - sharing the magic with others). Right now we are booked at our HR, the BCV. If we do a 2 BR, we will most likely have to stay at OKW due to availability. We really want to stay at BCV (since this is where we bought) but we think OKW is probably pretty nice too. The only three downsides I see at OKW is that we lose the closeness to Epcot, we lose the great pool, and that the DT situation seems a little more complex (taking the resort bus to the front in order to catch DT). What are your thoughts for those who have stayed both places?

Thanks!

 

[stacy6552]

unless something has changed recently, there is not resort bus to the lobby to catch the parks busses. each parks bus makes a loop around the resort and then on to the parks, so you only hop on one bus and then youre there.

the biggest difference to me is the feeling of being in or out of the action. OKW definatley feels quieter and a more relaxing part of your trip. the BC is more in the middle of the action.

The pool has less bells and whistles, yes. I'd say unless you are going with kids, you wont miss it too much. Then again arent kids happy with any kind of pool?

Go for your home resort, but OKW is wonderful and I wouldnt sweat it too much if you are going to stay there.

 

[Dean]

If you do OKW, you really would be better off with a car. Of course you could book OKW then waitlist for BCV. Good luck.

 

[BWVDee]

BCV is like staying in a very nice apt in a wonderful, exciting city. OKW is like staying in a very nice condo development in a upperline suburb of the wonderful, exciting city.
I agree with Dean, OKW is much easier if you have a car. Same thing again...think city and suburb. People that live in the city can manage very well without a car, people in the suburbs can manage without a car but it is much more convenient to have a car.
Have a wonderful trip!

 

[littlestar]

If you have your heart set on a 2 bedroom at BCV and you can't get it, why not see if Boardwalk is available? BWV has almost double the units over BCV (more chance to get in at late notice) and you're still in the middle of the action. We own at BCV and VWL, but I like BCV and BWV pretty much even. Storm-a-long Bay pool at BCV may edge it out a little for our kids, but Community Hall at BWV brings them both back up pretty much even. The main pool at BWV is a lot of fun.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree with Dee (yes you read that correctly ) that

BCV is like staying in a very nice apt in a wonderful, exciting city. OKW is like staying in a very nice condo development in a upperline suburb of the wonderful, exciting city.

, but I disagree about the car. We always have a car at OKW, but almost never use it. The only time we use it other than to get back and forth from the airport, is to go to another resort (like Poly, BW, AKL, etc for dinner. For parks we always find the bus much more efficient and even faster in most cases. Bus service has been greatly improved at OKW the past couple of years. We were just there this week, and only used our car once.

 

[Simba's Mom]

OKW and BCV are the 2 resorts I stay at-OKW in the summer, and BCV in the winter. OKW has a larger balcony with a fan, nice for those hot summer evenings. And the 2 BRs are huge! BCV is right behind Epcot-at Christmas time that's where so much is happening, the CP, Christmas Tree lighting, etc. Since I'm not a swimmer, the pools at the 2 places aren't too big an issue. However, at BCV, I love to sit at the kiddie pool area and poke my bare feet in the sand. Feels so nice and peaceful-I don't think summertime would be peaceful there! At OKW, I'm happy to lie in a lounge chair by a quiet pool.