home away from home resorts?

[jiminy]

Hi all! We're planning a trip to WDW around Halloween of THIS year (yeah!) and we're thinking of staying at a home away from home resort this time (stayed at 2 bdr suite in GF last time)....we're going to have my husband, my mother (or a babysitter), and my 2 sons--ages 3 and almost 1 yo. My question is regarding the 2 bdr villas at these resorts---is there a big difference between the 2 bdr villas at OKW and at BWV? There is an almost $150 price difference between them but are BWV worth the extra $$? Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Well, actually, you picked exactly the right word-"big". I can't remember how much exactly, but the 2 bedrooms at OKW are considerably bigger (I think it's around 200 sq ft bigger?) Porches are bigger (have room for a table, not just chairs) and there's a full-size washer-dryer instead of apartment size. We're staying in a 2 bedroom at OKW in May, and when they gave us the tour (asked front desk to see a 2 BR), DH said (after he closed his mouth) THIS is where we're staying! You'll get more info on the DVC board, and maybe some opinions that disagree with mine.

 

[Chuck S]

For room size and comfort, stay at OKW. If location is more important, BWV is near EPCOT and the Studios.

 

[disneyfanforever]

We've stayed in a 2 BR and 1 BR at BWV and in a 1 BR in Old Key West. I definitely liked BWVs better no matter if they are smaller. Old Key West is definitely more spacious in terms of size of the rooms and really pretty but they were just too spread out for us. My boys are 5 and 20 months and when we stayed at OKW in October we just seemed far away from everything. Far from the bus stops, far from the restaurants, far from wherever we wanted to go. We stayed at BWV in May and last October and love it there. It is so convenient. Oh, and we even went trick-or-treating there when we were there for Halloween. It just seemed easier to get around with my 2 boys at BWV. It is also nice to walk to EPCOT and MGM. However, my parents are DVC members so I didn't have to pay so I don't know for sure what I would do if I was actually paying for it. But I definitely like boardwalk better. I'll be back there in May!

 

[ncligs]

I agree with Chuck S, but here is a link for you about OKW.

http://www.wdwig.com/g_okw.htm

 

[jcanary]

I will start off by saying I am partial since I have been going to OKW for 10 years now. We have stayed at the Boardwalk twice and really felt cramped. We have two daughters, one 22 and one 16. Yes they like the location of BWV but they love OKW. The love the larger rooms and privacy that they get at OKW. It is a pain with only one bed in the second bedroom at BWV and the pull out sofa. I don't like sleeping on a sofa sleeper for any length of time and i know my kids don't either. At OKW you have 2 queen size beds in the 2nd bedroom. The distance feeling is what you make it. We have never been further than 50 feet from a bus stop and a pool. Check the maps that are available and see what suits you. We love the Turtle Pond area and bldg 44 in particular. There are nice playgrounds for the kids as well as a picnic area with barbeques near each quiet pool. We are going for 2 weeks in July for my daughter's 16th birthday and it is I who is insisting that we stay one week at BCV, my daughter would prefer OKW. They don't mind the buses and we don't either. You do not have to wait for elevators or go down more that 1 flight of stairs. The time it may take to get to one of the parks may be longer, but I bet you make up the time by not having to wait for the elevators or the walk to the elevator at BWV. I am sure I will have a lot agruing with me, but I really love my vacations, they are not park oriented anymore. There are good reasons for each and every resorts. With a younger child you may want to consider WL since it is nearest to the Magic Kingdom. Good luck deciding but make sure you consider everything. When looking at OKW, check the maps and request a home near a bus stop or near the check-in.