Distance to pool at each DVC resort

[Beca]

I'm going to bet that is hardly more than the equivalent of 1 city block. If that distance takes 10-15 minutes, something is VERY wrong! We were in building 29 one trip, and often walked to HH in less than 5 minutes.

Maybe, but I just looked at the ariel maps from this site, and it did remind me just how long that walk looked (which is why we didn't go with them). I doubt it was one city block (unless we have a different definition of city block)...maybe it was two. But, looking at those aerial maps....even in the bldg we were in, we were a lot further than any room at BCV. I'm not sure how people can even say those distances are close. Not to mention, at OKW we would be carrying the stroller down the stairs (thank goodness we got a 1st floor last trip) some of the time. Anyway you slice it...OKW is big....a lot bigger than BCV (or, even the BC complex).

I'm not sure why people are trying to minimize the walking distances at OKW. To me, it looks like even WDW sees it is not a resort that is designed to be "walked". Isn't that why they have an internal bus? I can't imagine them having a bus at BCV for internal traffic...that would be silly!!! And yet, I have read posts saying that the farthest rooms at BCV are as far from SAB as any rooms at OKW are from the main pool. If that's not a silly comment...I want my internal bus at BCV!!!

Beca

 

[Beca]

I found stormalong bay................. WOW!

Now you know what all the fuss is about!!



Beca

 

[bpmorley]

Maybe, but I just looked at the ariel maps from this site, and it did remind me just how long that walk looked (which is why we didn't go with them). I doubt it was one city block (unless we have a different definition of city block)...maybe it was two. But, looking at those aerial maps....even in the bldg we were in, we were a lot further than any room at BCV. I'm not sure how people can even say those distances are close. Not to mention, at OKW we would be carrying the stroller down the stairs (thank goodness we got a 1st floor last trip) some of the time. Anyway you slice it...OKW is big....a lot bigger than BCV (or, even the BC complex).

I'm not sure why people are trying to minimize the walking distances at OKW. To me, it looks like even WDW sees it is not a resort that is designed to be "walked". Isn't that why they have an internal bus? I can't imagine them having a bus at BCV for internal traffic...that would be silly!!! And yet, I have read posts saying that the farthest rooms at BCV are as far from SAB as any rooms at OKW are from the main pool. If that's not a silly comment...I want my internal bus at BCV!!!

Beca

I'll give you that, the walk does look long. I'm not sure who you are talking about when you say that people are minimizing the walk. People who don't mind walking don't count every minute they're on their feet. Maybe the walk from SSR to OKW was 30 minutes, but it felt like 10. We got to see the old tree house and then the boats. Someone may take the same walk and say it took an hour. It's up to the individual

 

[bpmorley]

Did anyone notice how old those aerial photos were? That doesn't look like Saratogo Springs accross from DTD. Looks like the old Intstitute. If you look at OKW, the main pool doesn't have the slide. It's pretty cool to see anyway. It's the same aerial photo on Google Earth.

PS. The Birds eye view shows SSR. it doesn't look the same in aerial view

 

[Beca]

I'll give you that, the walk does look long. I'm not sure who you are talking about when you say that people are minimizing the walk.

Here's a quote from someone on this thread:

I don't know ? According to this map, the furthest BCV rooms look very similar in distance to the furthest OKW rooms from their main pools ?
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/bcvmap.jpg (I am looking at the direction of those BCV rooms back towards the parking lot---they look very similar in distance as the OKW bldgs, say # 55)
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/okwmap.jpg

I don't see those distances as similar at all.



Beca

 

[bpmorley]

That because they're not. I stayed in room 276 at BCV. That is the second room in from the parking lot. it was probably a 2-3 minute walk to the elevator at the main villas entrance or we could down the stairs right next to our room and come out where the parking lot meet the villas pool. either way were in the Beach Club main entrance in 5 mins. then a couple more minutes to Stormalong Bay. It had to be at least double to the main pool at OKW from bldg 35.

 

[Beca]

That because they're not. I stayed in room 276 at BCV. That is the second room in from the parking lot. it was probably a 2-3 minute walk to the elevator at the main villas entrance or we could down the stairs right next to our room and come out where the parking lot meet the villas pool. either way were in the Beach Club main entrance in 5 mins. then a couple more minutes to Stormalong Bay. It had to be at least double to the main pool at OKW from bldg 35.

And.....that's what I meant by "minimizing" distances at OKW.



Beca

 

[bpmorley]

I think I got it now. Anyway, I may do that by accident all the time. I walk alot. So sometimes I say to people that it's only a couple minutes away. When it's really 45. I just never give it any notice

 

[MiaSRN62]

Here's a quote from someone on this thread:

That was my quote.....and respectfully Beca.....I did recant that once Crisi brought up the fact that the map was not to scale. I was basing my remark on my experience at BWV where we were in #4131 (all the way at the end of the hall, as far away from the main lobby as one coud get and had about a 4-5 min walk to the main pool. When I looked at all the maps (BWV/BCV/OKW) they all looked similar. I was speaking from first-hand experience with BWV and OKW. But I already admitted I was mistaken about BCV Beca so I don't think we need to quote me anymore on that .
I still will never agree with some of the long walks some claim from OKW having done them personally many times (and actually timing them). Daitcher said I was giving the wrong "impression" (which I did not feel I was since I was going on my personal experience), but it seemed ok when others give the wrong "impression" about the walk taking half a day, and needing to pack a lunch for the journey, taking along survival gear, etc...... And I'm saying this light heartedly guys. Because the more I think about this, the more I realize this debate could go on forever. The OP made their decision and the resort is their preference based on what kind of vacation they like to have---I don't necessarily agree with their analogy about the ocean front property but that's ok. People like different things when they're on vacation and I respect that. I've since read some threads where some DVC properties are considered offsite by some people. So anything goes around here
So I'll apologize a second time about the BCV map and it not being on scale as I mistook it for. I just want it to go down on the record as such this time. Thanks for listening.

 

[bpmorley]

So I'll apologize a second time about the BCV map and it not being on scale as I mistook it for. I just want it to go down on the record as such this time. Thanks for listening.

There is no need to apologize. These are open forums.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thanks bpmorely

 

[Beca]

Sorry, Mia. I must've missed that post. Truly, I didn't mean to make you, or anyone else feel bad....that's why I didn't quote you directly. IMHO, it's not who says what...it is reality vs. perception, or probably most accurately, perception vs. perception.

My point is this...OKW was designed to be a "spread out" relaxing sort of resort...there is no positive or negative assigned to that statement...it's just a fact. The rooms are big, and I imagine that's why DVC made sure to put the parking right next to your door. And, for those that do not have a car, there is an intra-resort bus that can take you from point to point.

BCV (and the other hotel-style resorts) are designed to be as compact as possible...a "one-stop shopping" kind of thing. They were designed to minimize walking as much as possible. That's why the parking lots are more remote, and there is no intra-resort bus....first, there is no space, and secondly, there is no need.

OKW is a beautiful, big resort!! That does mean that walking times are longer (maybe not 15 min. like my friends said....but, maybe with a 4 yr old it really DID take them 15 minutes. Maybe the 4yr old had to stop and point out the ducks, the flowers, etc. What was a leisurely walk thru pretty grounds for her, became a LONG walk for my friends who wanted some wine!! ).

I don't know!! All I know is that every resort has some "give and take". OKW has big, beautiful rooms that are very spread out. Each building is surrounded by lush greeniery and there is a river running thru the resort...but, the flip side of that is that the resort is big. Walking can take several minutes (depending on your speed and ability), and you might have to walk a pretty good distance to find a bridge over the river.

I'm really not trying to "bash" anyone's resort. It's just that OKW and BCV are two different fruits. If someone posted that "BCV's 1 & 2 bdrms are almost as big as OKW's"....I'd be the first one to jump in and ask them what room number they were staying in....'cause I want it!!! And, if someone wrote that OKW's pool was "almost as big as SAB"...I'd probably jump right on that one, too.

I just think we ought to call apples...apples, and oranges...oranges...that's all.



Beca

 

[bpmorley]

I just think we ought to call apples...apples, and oranges...oranges...that's all.



Beca

You really nailed a good point. they were made different for a reason. And they really shouldn't be compared. Different styles for different people. by the end of May this year, I will have been to 4 different DVC resorts. I've found things I liked about them and things that weren't for me. Although it's more about the things I liked. It was a little inconvenient staying on the 3rd floor at OKW with not elevator. But that bldg was also a half minute walk to a bus stop. "give and take" I know that I'll stay there again. BCV was convenient for the walk to EPCOT, MGM and BW. But we were a decent walk to the bus stop and the buses to BC make other stops before they get there so the few buses we took were pretty crowded. Again "give & take". I know that I'll also stay there again some day. I'd like to know if the small things that people don't like at a resort ruin their vacations or is this just venting once they get home?

 

[MiaSRN62]

Sorry, Mia. I must've missed that post.

No prob Beca.....that's why I figured I'd clarily my statement again. I did agree...way back in post #3, that the OP would probably be happier at BCV/VWL or BWV considering the things that they stated were important to them .

That's why the parking lots are more remote, and there is no intra-resort bus....first, there is no space, and secondly, there is no need.

You're so right. The rooms are inside the hotel. OKW is like a neighborhood vs a hotel. I've been involved with threads in the past that put down OKW for not having valet service.....well, as you stated above, there's no need for that there. I doubt the poor valet guys would get any tips at OKW because noone would be using them. Same as BWV/BCV---no need for a close parking spot because they have valet.

All I know is that every resort has some "give and take".

Agreed. I had only been trying to clarify, that while there is some walking from some OKW buildings, it's not as long as some people make out. Maybe they "perceive" it that way, but having actually timed walks at a leisurely pace (hey...I'm on vacation ) the walk times are really not bad at all.....but may seem that way when compared to some other resorts. Some don't want to walk at all. We actually request and hope to be placed in Southpoint when we stay at OKW because it's so lovely overlooking the river. But then the "give" on that, is that I will have a little bit of a walk compared to when we stayed in the Miller's Rd area and could get to the main pool in 30 seconds.

 

[bpmorley]

If was just looking at the aerial view of WDW. They could put a walking path from OKW to TL. It looks closer than SSR and I've made that walk. Or even a boat. The walkway would have to go over or under a highway.

 

[Hillbilly]

Here's my 2 pennies. I would suggest along with the other posters that you check each one out for yourself. Different strokes for different folks!! What we did is stay at VWL and BVC to get a feel of what we liked.
We own at BCV and stayed there this year. SAB isn't really far away and is really nice. The only drawback is it was pretty crowded when we went in April, I could only imagine what it would be like in June. The quiet pool is really nice also. There are a lot of other pro's and con's to the resort that you might find just as important as the distance to the pools. BCV is really close to EPCOT, and if you want to take in the Boardwalk it's very close also. The solarium room is really nice to sit and have your morning cofee and breakfast. Seen other enjoy the room to play cards as well. I think the Cape May Cafe is one of my favorite restaurants that resides right by the lobby. Beaches and Cream is a great place to get a Sundae or a burger.

We also walked from downtown disney to SSR and checked out the rooms. We then walked over to OKW and asked if we could see the rooms. Since they had both a studio and a 1 bedroom available they let us take a look. Grand Villas were not available to look at. My wife didn't care for SSR at all, but like I said some peole love it. I like it because it's so close the Lake Buena Vista golf course. I could play there everyday if the wife would allow. The only thing that I didn't care for is that the resort is huge and even though they have carts to shuttle people from place to place if needed, this seemed to be an inconvenience. OKW seemed extremely peaceful, the rooms are much bigger than the other DVC places and they had a lot of shade. For me this was a nice contrast to BVC where we own. They have boat rentals, tennis courts, a shuttle boat over to DDD. We are going to stay there next year to try it out.

At VWL it was a little more peaceful and quiet than BCV. If you like to work out, Sturdy Branches is right there on the 1st floor. The pools are very close and the water fall is breathtaking. Boat rides to the campground and magic kingdom, even though it took a long time to get there. Guess we should of left earlier since we were in a hurry. Whispering Canyon Cafe is a great place to eat. Bus transportation is right there at the villas, hardly any walking distance. They have a nice nature trail to walk.

I only got to visit BWV when we looked into buying at SSR two years ago. The only thing I personally don't think I'd like is the crowds and noise right there where I'm staying. They do have bike rentals right there and DW and DD were begging to rent one.

What you like and what I like can be totally different. I would not cheat yourself out of visiting all of them and seeing what you like the best. If your definately going to purchase then, you'll spend several vacations at Disney so the time you spend checking the places out will be well worth it. Good Luck in whatever place you decide on.

 

[PKS44]

If you look at OKW, the main pool doesn't have the slide. It's pretty cool to see anyway.

PS. The Birds eye view shows SSR. it doesn't look the same in aerial view

also the Bird's Eye View of OKW does indeed show the new slide--if you rotate the direction you are looking at it the Hidden Mickey exit of the slide is shown very clearly....

 

[bpmorley]

also the Bird's Eye View of OKW does indeed show the new slide--if you rotate the direction you are looking at it the Hidden Mickey exit of the slide is shown very clearly....

I meant the aerial view doesn't show the slide. The aerial view makes SSR look like the old institute, but the Birds eye is great.

 

[YoMickey]

A few have mentioned boat rides.

Which resorts have boats/ferries and to what parks do they offer transportation?

Yo

 

[MiaSRN62]

VWL : boat to the MK
BCV/BWV: boat to Epcot/MGM
OKW/SSR : boat to DD
Hope this helps