Grand Villa OKW or 2 Bedroom + Studio BWV

[chaoskids]

Hi! Lots of questions and hopefully lots of opinions!!
OK here we go---where are the GV at OKW located? Are they scattered all around the resort or in specific areas? What is the square footage of the GV. We currently have ressies for a two bedroom and a studio at BWV but found out late today there is one GV at OKW left for the same time frame. There will be five adults and 4 children. Should we trade the location of BWV for the size and grandeur of a GV at OKW.

P.S.We are fine all sharing one living space as long as three bedrooms are available.

 

[Candace]

I don't know exact locations, but I have heard that they ALL have boardwalk views. Some are all on one floor level, and some are two story. There are not that many at Boardwalk, and if y'all all get along well, I say go for the GV! It's not something you would do everytime or even be lucky enough to reserve that often considering the limit. Enjoy!

 

[spruce]

A GV at OKW would give you much more room then a 2br and studio at BWV. If you all intend to do any sit down meals together in your 2 br, you won't be able to do it because there isn't a table big enought to do that.
I don't remember the sqft of a GV but they are huge. I would think you would be much happier in one of these. They are spread throughout the resort and all of them enter on the 2nd floor.
We had one once and it was the nicest condo we have ever stayed in. Good luck....spruce

Offsite 87,92,97,00
CBR 95
DI 98
Vero 98
BWV 98,99,00
OKW 99x2,00,01
DCL 98,01

 

[PKK/MJK]

The Grand Villas are scattered around the OKW area. I don't know exact square footage, but the GV at OKW is absolutely huge--I am sure it is larger than the 2 bedroom plus studio at BWV!! You would have loads of room to enjoy your family gathering.Personally I would go for it if you have the points available and think you would enjoy the relaxing, laid-back atmosphere. We love OKW--it is our home resort since 1993. Of course, it is not as convenient at BWV. You either need to take the bus or a car to get to the parks. There is a boat available for transportation to DD--or you can walk (there is a path).Good luck with your decision and have a wonderful time.

Phil and Mary Jo

WDW--82,83,85,87,89,93,95,96, 97,98,99,00,01
DVC/OKW

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you look at the map of OKW, you will be able to see the different building shapes. The ones that appear to have a large straight area in the center are the buildings with GVs. They are scattered throught the resort, so each area has atleast 2 GVs. Not only is the kitchen/dining/living room area HUGE in the OKW GV, but the upstairs bedrooms are much roomier than the BWV ones, as are the bathrooms. If it were me, I would choose the GV.

Disneydiane

 

[Lisa F]

I love BWV and have only taken OKW when I had to (ie no rooms available at BWV!) but I would have to say that in this case, I'd take the Grand Villa at OKW. It sounds like BWV is your home resort and you have plenty of time to enjoy it for the next 42 years, but it might not be often that you have cause to try a GV AND one is available at OKW. Being the type of person that I am, I like to try everything just once and that includes a GV at either resort. They just seem so completely... the ultimate in luxury. Just make sure you rent a car

Lisa

"You employ stone, wood, and concrete, and with these materials you build house and palaces. That is construction. Ingenuity is at work. But suddenly, you touch my heart, you do me good. I am happy and I say 'This is beautiful.' That is architecture. Art enters in."
-Le Corbusier

 

[POLLY ANN]

The GV at OKW is approximately 2200sqft. We were in unit 6323 a few weeks ago and loved it! This was one that was a new unit and had an elevator. We had 11 people (4 & 3 upstairs) and my dh, me, and our 2 young kids in the MBR.

It's a TON of room and plenty for you to spread out in. I would definitely go for the GV.

Have a great time!

DVC Member since 1995

 

[jennybobenny]

chaoskids I was just talking about this very subject with my husband. We have a 2 bedroom and a studio reserved at BWV (our home resort) for a total of 7 or 8 members of my family. We were trying to decide if given the choice (and right now we don't even know that a GV at OKW would be available) which would we choose? BWV has location going for it but OKW has size. At BWV we wouldn't rent a car but at OKW I would want to. At BWV we'd need transfers from the airport, but at OKW we'd have a car. We settled on staying at BWV but after reading a few of these posts I'm wavering again.

One question, spruce what did you mean when you wrote they enter on the 2nd floor? The stairs would definately be a factor for my mother. I thought her and my dad could have the 1st floor bedroom so she wouldn't have to climb the stairs every night. If the entryway is on the 2nd floor then she in fact would need to climb up and down every day, maybe even several times per day. Can anyone explain in a little more detail? Thx. And chaoskids, good luck with your decision, it isn't an easy one.

<font face="Class Garmnd BT"><font color="ff69b4"><big>Jennybºoº benny</big></font>
<font color="9400d3">~~DVC Member~~
Onsite: Poly '76, Contemp '98, BWV '99, CBR '00, BWV '00, CBR '01
Offsite: '74 '80 '82 '88
Next trip: AKL/BWV~June '01, BWV~Nov '01</font>
<a href="http://people.ne.mediaone.net/jsmith12/jillian&kylecharacterpage.html">Jillian & Kyle's Disney Character Website</a></font>

 

[POLLY ANN]

jenny, we just posted at the same time!! The new units, 62- 64, have elevators. It was great to be able to roll the stroller onto the elevator and enter our room on the 2nd floor. I would ask if any of those are available.

DVC Member since 1995

 

[spiceycat]

the older building do not have elevators - the new ones (62-64) do - but all the GV in OKW start on the second floor.

The dinning room at the GV in OKW is surpose to be able to hold 8 to 10. Does it or not?

 

[Richyams]

The dining room has 6 chairs around a fairly large table. There are four more chairs around a round table in the living room area. You can add two of those chairs very easily to make it eight around the dining room table. You could squeeze the other two chairs in, but it wouldn't be the most comfortable.

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs", Karl Marx, pretty sick, huh?

 

[maureenmac]

We stayed in a GV a few years ago with our 2 sons and 2 nieces. The guys had 1 rm upstairs and the girls the other. They each had their own bathroom (THANK GOD). Because my husband and I were responsible for the teenage girls we wouldn't consider having them separate from us. I could of rented a 2 bdr and studio using the studio for our sons(22 and 25) but do not regret the fact that we were all together. They all had the best time at the parks and together in our villa. We almost felt as if we had too much room and should of brought more people.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We had 12 in a GV two years ago. We usually took two chairs in from the deck and used them at the dinng room table because they fit better than the ones from the game table in the living room. That also gave us 12 place settings. Believe it, we were NOT crowded with that many!

Disneydiane

 

[chaoskids]

Thanks everyone for the opinions and information. We have decided to go with the Grand Villa at Old Key West. We can't wait we are sooo excited!

As always the people that visit/post on this board are wonderful.

Terri