DVC resale...OKW or BWV?

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

We're very seriously looking now (yippee!) and we thought we were pretty confident that OKW was the place for us. But I've been reading about BWV and I'm hoping someone out there can give me their perspective on the pros and cons of each resort.

Many thanks!

K

 

[lah3hh]

I am going to supply my viewpoint but it may be the obvious points you already know but since you asked...

BWV Pros
1.) The closeness to EPCOT and being able to walk right to it and no other transportation required.
2.) The ability to walk (if you desire) to Hollywood Studios
3.) The hussle and bussle and fun activities happening on the Boardwalk every night.
4.) Being close to so many other resorts for dining enjoyment (Swan, Dolphin, Beach & Yacht Clubs) not to even mention all the dining options at EPCOT & Hollywood Studios.

OKW Pros
1.) Feeling like you are in your own neighborhood and away from all the fast pace 'Disney World".
2.) If you drive you are able to park your car right outside your villa. Very nice for carrying items into your villa...including those little ones who fall asleep in the car!
3.) A wonderful campus type environment where you can walk around (burn a few of those WDW calories!) and truly enjoy the beautifu landscaping and Florida weather.
4.) I personally like the main pool at OKW over the more 'crazy' pool at BWV.

That is all I can think of off the top of my head but the last suggestion is...buy where you want to stay! It will give you the 11 month home resort booking option and that my friend can be priceless!!! Good luck on your decision and will await the official...I am a member annoucement

 

[DVC Mike]

I personally prefer BWV over OKW.

OKW (1991)
• Offers the largest rooms of all DVC resorts! Feels like home
• Condo/townhouse style setup; standalone, not attached to a hotel
• Quiet, relaxed, lushly landscaped setting
• Point-saving rooms (including GV)
• Studios have 2 queen beds
• Has very convenient self parking directly in front of units
• Large, very spread out resort (distance of rooms from dining and services)
• Oldest DVC resort
• Boat service and walkway to DTD
• Most rooms have good views: golf course, water/canal, woods
• Four swimming pools
• Limited onsite dining (Olivia’s café)
• No room service (just pizza delivery)
• Outdoor hallways
• Community hall
• Most buildings lack an elevator

0 Dedicated Studios - 0 Dedicated 1-BR - 274 Dedicated 2-BR - 230 Lockoffs - 27 Grand Villas = 531 Units / 761 Max. Available Rooms

BWV (1996)
• Attached to a deluxe resort hotel (BWI)
• Lively atmosphere: ¼-mile Atlantic city Boardwalk midway
• Well-themed pool (Luna Park) with 200-ft Keister Coaster water slide
• Boardwalk location (lots of activity - street performers, games, nightlife)
• Standard View rooms are low on points!
• Boardwalk view rooms offer great view of Crescent lake
• Ten-minute walk to Epcot; 15-minute walk to DHS
• Boat launch to DHS and Epcot
• Room service and valet parking
• Great restaurants (Flying Fish Café and Spoodles)
• Community Hall with lots of activities for children
• No food court / counter service inside the resort
• Long hallways from lobby to room

97 Dedicated Studios - 130 Dedicated 1-BR - 0 Dedicated 2-BR - 149 2-BR Lockoffs - 7 Grand Villas = 383 Units / 532 Max. Available Rooms

 

[popgfd]

DW and i own 1600 points split between OKW and BWV. Previous analysis is valid to a point.
OKW is condo style with parking in front of your building. With the much larger rooms and patio it is ideal for families with kids but I believe it to be more for adults who like shopping and dining at DTD or golfing and fishing and have limited interest in the parks like just a couple of hours at a park like EPCOT and late lunch while there. so we're talking younger adults thru to older farts like me [but mostly without kids who want to go to MK each day] would do better at OKW IMO.
BWV is closer to parks and is much more vibrant with a lot of activities. Adult activities like Jelly Roll etc are a lot of fun but the boardwalk has many activities for youngsters. So families with kids that like to spend time at the parks and then a pleasant stroll after dinner with early entertainment makes a truly wonderful experience.
my last observaton is the choice is mistake-proof as you will have a wonderful time at either choice.

Pop

 

[Belle & Ariel]

We narrowed our choices down to the same 2 resorts. I would agree with lah3hh's points. I would also add OKW uses less points and has bigger rooms--at least studios which have 2 queens instead of BWV's bed and sleeper sofa. The cost to buy OKW and mf's were less, 2 more votes in their favor.
We ended up buying BWV because we felt we could get into OKW within the 7 month window but at certain times of the year, we would need the home resort 11 month advantage to get into BWV.
We closed mid September and booked BWV for May. We are waitlisted for boardwalk or standard view but booked in preferred. We also wanted to go in Dec 08 and were able to get OKW but not BWV.
I think you will be happy with either choice, just buy where you will be excited to stay.

 

[kristenrice]

I completely agree with Belle&Ariel...

We were torn between AKV and OKW. Our kids are young (3 and 5) and so, for now, we don't *need* the larger rooms. We stayed in a 1BR this past January and the spaciousness encouraged all sorts of rambunctiousness...and the kids weren't so well-behaved either! While we love the atmosphere and serenity of OKW, we ultimately decided on AKV for 2 main reasons: 1) For the next 10-12 years or so, I think the kids will enjoy the AKV more, especially the new water play area opening up at Kidani; 2) If we want to stay in a value or concierge room, we will need the 11-month booking window. It is easier for us to get a studio or 1BR at OKW at the 7-month window than vice-versa. We can always stay at OKW, and plan to do so, but the AKV is more suited to my animaniac children!

Oh, I also remembered another advantage to AKV....the extra bathroom in the 1 and 2 BR's. Since the girls can have their own bathroom and they can utilize the sleeper chair and sofa, we might be able to stay in a 1BR a little longer before they insist on a 2BR .

 

[gray52]

We too were torn between OKW and BWV. We ultimately chose OKW mostly because of the relaxed atmosphere. We usually do 2 park days and then take a day off, so we usually have two "relaxed" days during our week long stay, so we definitely wanted OKW for that. Lower initial buy in, lower MF, lower points and bigger rooms (especially for those relaxed days). Also... we always travel January/February to get away from the Western PA winters, and are pretty flexible, so the 7-month window is not really a factor for us.
However, i will say that we plan to purchase either BC or BWV in the next 5 years. Our DS4 and DD1 will be at the ages then to enjoy more than just MK. Since we're new to the DVC, we'll be doing some more serious touring of all the DVC's just to be sure.

 

[dvc at last !]

We love, love and love OKW for all the above reasons -

we will be there tomorrow !

 

[newbydisney]

We are buying OKW and BCV. While we love BCV and will need to own for booking purposes (11 month window) we would like sometimes to have a larger room, 2 beds and a car. Basically OKW is for when there are 2 of us and BCV is great when I am solo. The small rooms and beds at BCV were a consideration for us but I love it there. Since we will own both we can alternate.

 

[nluvwithmickey]

We also just bought in to BWV and had the same dilemma.

I loved OKW's theming, it's closeness to DTD, and the larger rooms. The resale prices were very reasonable, the same goes for the annual dues. On the other hand, I didn't like the sheer size of it. Getting arund the resort seems a hassle especially if you don't have a car.

As for BWV, I love being connected to the BW, the size of the resort, the closeness to Epcot and HS, and also all the great dining choices available close by. The price, and annual dues are more though. We opted for BWV because it suited our lifestyle more. We love the hustle and bustle of the Boardwalk at night, and the theming of the resort is so beautiful.

Finally, having the 11 month reservation priority at BWv is a major factor. We want to be able to stay at this resort without having to worry or be waitlisted at the 7 month window. We definitely plan on tryng OKW in the future and don't worry much about getting a reservation at the 7 month window.

Good luck making your decision, it's tough but sooooo worth it!