December 2013 - 7 Month Move

[CindyPaigeDesi]

Hi all! I've read these boards a lot in making my first few DVC reservations and found so many helpful tips! Hoping for a little insight into some resorts we haven't stayed at yet!

Next week we'll be at our 7 month window to either switch resorts or waitlist for our December trip (current res is 2 bed at AKV Jambo House, December 8th - 15th).

I have my heart set to switch to BWV but I know its a long shot given the popularity. The other option that looks like it could work for an outright swap (and waitlist at BWV) to OKW. I know very little about OKW, just wondering if folks can share what they like about OKW, how the transportation is to parks from OKW (we love AKV but hate how long it takes to get anywhere but AKP), are there any downsides? Is it worth swapping to OKW, would we be happy there if we don't get our waitlists? Happier at AKV?

Also, we can have two waitlists at BWV right?

Any thoughts or advice is appreciated!

 

[AmyB2006]

I feel your pain. I had my heart set on moving too, but I don't think it's going to happen.

BLT, AKV, VWL, BWV... they're all booked so far this first week. My 7 month window opens next week, but I'm not holding out hope.

 

[com_op_2000]

I have gone every year since '93 the second week of Dec. In 95% of those trips we have changed resorts. Just be ready to do multiple checks per day for availability as others are looking to move also, so as their rooms open up you might be able to grab one. Also, waitlist your first choices.

 

[quinnc19]

I am hoping to switch out of BVW for a couple of nights at AKV, so somebody will be happy if I'm able to.

 

[drusba]

OKW is likely to be open for second week in Dec for other than GVs. Don't know what size room you are looking for but it has the largest rooms, although personally I would not make the switch if you are just going for a studio; it is the 1BRs and 2BRs that are huge, even significantly larger than those at Kidani. Thus, if going for a 2BR, as it sounds you may be, it is worth the try. Buses are usually adequate, they make multiple internal stops but time to parks is not overly long. You can take boat to DD. Your views are mainly golf course, woods, ponds and the like. You can have some distance to the main pool and restaurant

You should also be aware that moving from AKV to BWV, even if you could get it (not without waitlist) does not mean transportation gets better. The boat system and being able to walk to two parks is fine, However, for the buses that go to MK, AKV, and DD, you will be going smack into the absolute worst bus system at WDW. I own at both BWV and AKV and the AKV buses are like you have died and gone to heaven in comparison to BWV. They stop at three resorts, BWV, Swan and Dolphin, and sometimes also at YC and separately BC, making five not-real-close-to-each-other stops in a trip. Moreover, it seems to be more the rule than the exception that buses are delayed. I cannot go through a trip at BWV without at least all three of the following happening at least once and often twice: (a) you get to the bus stop at BW and wait forever for yours to come while 3 or 4 come for another park; (b) you leave a park and wait over 45 minutes and sometimes over an hour for a bus to come and when it arrives the driver will have no idea there was any delay; there have been times when the crowd waiting for a BWV bus runs almost back to the park and of course you stand there and watch three to four buses come for every other resort; (c) for absolutely no explainable reason, they pick you up at BWV and go to the Swan or Dolphion and then just sit there at the stop for five to ten minutes while no one is getting on the bus (I have always suspected they do that to assure I will have that hour wait at MK before a bus comes).

In other words if you are thinking you will actually get to MK faster from BWV than AKV, you have another think coming.

 

[tink'smom2B]

I totally agree with the above post! The BWV/BCV bus routes are the worst I've seen. We stayed at AKV last time and never noticed the wait. But last month we were always waiting for a bus and then had to wait again while they stopped at each and every resort. Plus, there were so many people from all those resorts, we found ourselves standing with our two girls almost every trip. If we stay there again, I will rent a car

 

[AmyB2006]

AKV buses stop at one of the water parks though. Talk about annoying. In December no less. LOL.

 

[CindyPaigeDesi]

Thanks for the thoughts! I know Disney transportation comes with its pros and cons at every resort, we just really perferred a resort with a shorter trip to most of the parks than AKV can often take, but its good to hear about the drawbacks of the transportation with BWV before we decide if a waitlist there is really worth it.

We are looking at a two bedroom, currently have a 2 bed at AKV, anymore thoughts on OKW, any other upsides besides the larger rooms? Starting to wonder if we should stay at AKV...

 

[LVSWL]

Thanks for the thoughts! I know Disney transportation comes with its pros and cons at every resort, we just really perferred a resort with a shorter trip to most of the parks than AKV can often take, but its good to hear about the drawbacks of the transportation with BWV before we decide if a waitlist there is really worth it.

We are looking at a two bedroom, currently have a 2 bed at AKV, anymore thoughts on OKW, any other upsides besides the larger rooms? Starting to wonder if we should stay at AKV...

I love OKW. That being said, to me they feel more like condos compared to AKV or VWL or even BCV or BWV. The villas are very separate from the main building, so if you are looking for that lobby/mercantile/restaurant type of resort then OKW might not be for you. They have all those things, just not on the grand scale as some of the other properties. Good luck!

 

[AmyB2006]

Just a tip... if you're staying BW... get off at the Swan/Dolphin busstop and walk over the bridge to Boardwalk. It's quicker. That's what we did last time.

But I agree, all resorts have their ups and downs as far as transportation. There isn't one close to all the parks, obviously.

 

[CindyPaigeDesi]

Just a tip... if you're staying BW... get off at the Swan/Dolphin busstop and walk over the bridge to Boardwalk. It's quicker. That's what we did last time.

But I agree, all resorts have their ups and downs as far as transportation. There isn't one close to all the parks, obviously.

Great advice! Thanks!

 

[JaimeA]

Just a tip... if you're staying BW... get off at the Swan/Dolphin busstop and walk over the bridge to Boardwalk. It's quicker. That's what we did last time.

But I agree, all resorts have their ups and downs as far as transportation. There isn't one close to all the parks, obviously.

This is exactly what we do. It works perfect!

 

[MrsH42608]

First I wanted to wish everyone luck trying to get the resort they want! Right now we're booked at SSR but I think I'm going to try to move us to Kidani next wk at the 7 month mark.....I just finally did a tour of SSR last week and think our little guys will LOVE all the water play options, but Kidani is bigger (rooms) and also has a pretty cool water play area. And while we LOVE AKV, sometimes I want to be somewhere more bright and cheery..... Also, if we wanted to stay at OKW & they have availability we have enough points for a 2bdrm & a studio- there are 9 of us 6 adults, 3 toddlers. I'm know we may just have to stay at SSR if all else is booked but I may want to set up a wait list.....hmmmm decisions decisions!!

If anyone has any tips/thoughts/things to consider I would appreciate any help Thanks!

 

[DebbieB]

The last few times I've stayed at BWV, the MK bus went BW > Swan > Dolphin. It wasn't that bad. I drove to AK and DTD so I can't comment about those.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Today, still within the owners booking time by 2 weeks, I was able to add 2 nights in a standard studio at BWV to our December trip. You may be able to get BWV for a December trip right at 7 months.

I just stayed 5 nights at BWV and have no complaints about the busses.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Good luck!

I will be trying the same towards the end of the month for our New Years trip. I was able to book two studios at BCV and one night in a 2bedroom, but didn't have enough points to book our two bedroom for the entire time. I snagged NYE because we plan to see the fireworks at Epcot, and decided at least we would be able to stay that one night rather than wait hours for a bus or hours in traffic leaving. So used our SSR points to book a Treehouse.

So I will be either trying to switch the SSR res over to BCV for the week or waitlisting. I would even be happy with BWV, just so we are all in the same general area.
We are taking a big group of family for this trip.

 

[DebbieB]

Good luck!

I will be trying the same towards the end of the month for our New Years trip. I was able to book two studios at BCV and one night in a 2bedroom, but didn't have enough points to book our two bedroom for the entire time. I snagged NYE because we plan to see the fireworks at Epcot, and decided at least we would be able to stay that one night rather than wait hours for a bus or hours in traffic leaving. So used our SSR points to book a Treehouse.

So I will be either trying to switch the SSR res over to BCV for the week or waitlisting. I would even be happy with BWV, just so we are all in the same general area. We are taking a big group of family for this trip.

BWV is completely soldout for NYE. 2 bedrooms are also soldout for Jan 1, 2. You might be able to get a 1 bedroom pool view for Jan 1 and forward.

 

[nyck]

Good luck!

I will be trying the same towards the end of the month for our New Years trip. I was able to book two studios at BCV and one night in a 2bedroom, but didn't have enough points to book our two bedroom for the entire time. I snagged NYE because we plan to see the fireworks at Epcot, and decided at least we would be able to stay that one night rather than wait hours for a bus or hours in traffic leaving. So used our SSR points to book a Treehouse.

So I will be either trying to switch the SSR res over to BCV for the week or waitlisting. I would even be happy with BWV, just so we are all in the same general area.
We are taking a big group of family for this trip.

BCV is sold out for NYE and a few days before in all categories. I am staying in a studio at BCV Dec 30-Jan 2 and I booked at 11 months

 

[Chim Chiminy]

BCV is sold out for NYE and a few days before in all categories. I am staying in a studio at BCV Dec 30-Jan 2 and I booked at 11 months

It's been that way for a few weeks now, I check frequently. I am hoping when the 7 month window opens, there will be people switching BCV for a different resort..........though I can't imagine why. Maybe trying to switch BC for BLT or BWV, that would make sense to me.

Otherwise I will waitlist, and be happy I at least have the two studios booked for the week, and the 2 bed for NYE. That will save us from having to trek back to SSR after the festivities at least.

If it comes down to it, we will still enjoy our time in the Treehouse, it will just mean driving back and forth more than we would like between BC and SSR to get all our family together. We don't plan to do parks except for on NYE at this stage in planning.
And it will make it a bit harder to just hang out in the evenings as we are wont to do. We like just hanging around the firepits drinking wine and chatting.

 

[Cbowman]

Next week we'll be at our 7 month window to either switch resorts or waitlist for our December trip (current res is 2 bed at AKV Jambo House, December 8th - 15th).

Good luck and fingers crossed for you. We are trying to book for the exact same dates and our window opened up last night. Yesterday, there was a lot of availability, today there is nothing.

This is our first time going to WDW, our home resorts are the Grand Californian and SSR. We were warned months ago that the only thing left would be SSR and OKW.

Wait listing might be the only option.