Home Resort - OKW or BWV???

[disney88]

I want to buy a DVC resale and trying to decide between OKW and BWV as the home resort.

Here is my situation:
- I will likely be travelling mostly during Adventure and Choice Season and possibly during Dream Season
- I want the OKW home resort b/c I could get a contract that has the extra years and I like the fact that the villas at OKW are larger (and I'm willing to wait until I find a resale with the extra years)
- I think I would want to stay in BWV most of the time b/c of the proximity to Epcot
- But I like that OKW I can get a grand villa for less points than at BWV and I think we might need a grand villa at least once every 4 - 5 years
- I really would prefer to get the longer years on the contract for all my points purchased, otherwise I guess I could purchase points at both resorts...as my last resort

Here are my questions:
1) How difficult will it be to book BWV 7 months out during Adventure, Choice or Dream seaon?
2) What are the benefits of OKW or BWV that I might not have already mentioned/thought of
3) How is the transportions from OKW to the parks?
4) Will Disney ever offer extra years to add on to the BWV contracts?
5) If needed, I could potentially get a 1BR and a 2BR instead of a grand villa, right?

Thanks!

 

[twinboysmom]

Buy where you want to stay. DVC times tend to be busier when the points are lower. The first 2 weeks of Dec are very difficult in particular to book and during food and wine during Oct (I think, somebody will correct me if I am wrong) is another very difficult time to book. Grand villas are very difficult to book but I wouldn't pick a resort because you want to stay at a grand villa every 4 or 5 years. I would imagine that all DVC resorts will add an extension option at some point. DVC likes to make money. Yes, you can always get a 2 bdrm and studio or 2 bdrm and. Bdrm instead of a GV. I stayed in OKW once and had good bus service but their are a lot of people on these boards who know more about OKW than me. If you really want to ataxy at BWV, buy there.

 

[jekjones1558]

We own most of our points at BWV because it is where we want to stay most of the time and especially in Oct. and Dec. when a BW view is hard to get. We do own points at OKW also so we can get a GV occasionally. I also agree that contract extensions at BWV may well be offered in the future but, if not, I would not buy at BWV if the extra years are really critical for you. We have found transportation at both resorts to be acceptable but we do rent a car and drive to parks often.
Whatever you decide, your thinking is right on target. Other than GVs, OKW is relatively easy to book at 7 months. Pool/garden view at BWV is also relatively easy but BW view and standard view are not. I guess that your bottom line will be to prioritize for yourself whether the extra years at OKW and GV booking window are more important than being able to book BWV at busy times. Only your can answer that. Good luck!

 

[drusba]

1. At 7 months out almost any time of year it can be difficult to get BWV standard view or preferred boardwalk view; preferred pool and garden view is often available but of seasons you mention October and anytime after Thanksgiving through December can be difficult for anything.

2. You probably have already read enough to know the benfits of both. Biggest advantage at OKW is size of room; 1BRs and thus 2BRs are huge. Biggest advantage of BWV is location.

3. Transportation at OKW is adequate, but busses make multiple stops. You can walk to two parks at BW but be aware that its bus treansportation to MK and AKV isn't any better than and really worse than OKW. It shares with S/D (two stops) and sometimes also with YC/BC (two more).

4. Unknown whether Disney will ever add extra years. I would say likely but it is a matter of when and I think DVD was really stung by the OKW extension and is probably thinking now don't do it again until we get closer to end date. Personal view is that having the extra years at OKW is a major factor to consider particularly if you are a fairly young family.

5. You can always choose to get more than one room such as an extra 1BR or 2BR rather than a GV. What you cannot guarantee is that the rooms would actually be close to each other since proximity of rooms is a request that is not guaranteed.

 

[n2mm]

I would choose BWV. You can almost always get into OKW at the 7 month window, but you can't always get into BWV at the 7 month window. I own several resorts, but choose BWV because I like getting the standard view for longer stays and it's getting more and more difficult to get a standard view at the 7 month window now, so have to use my 11 month window for the standard stays.

 

[disneynutz]

The reality is that few members will keep their contracts for fifty years and not get tired of Disney. In addition, who knows what the DVC will be like in even 10 years. Will Disney sell the DVC to another company and how will that change our memberships?

Bill

 

[Disney93]

I can just about say without any doubt that you will NEVER get a grand villa at the BW 7 months out. We tried for years to book one and the BW is our home resort. We did finally get one last trip but I had to book it one day at a time. This was calling 11 months in advance. Every morning at 6 am sharp, I'd call. I live on the west coast. By 6:15 they were all gone, remember there aren't many Grand Villas to be reserved. With this said, the BWV's are so centrally located and the boardwalk activities at night are well worth buying.

 

[paults]

buy your main contract at BWV and get a small add-on at OKW. With banking and borrowing for OKW pts (example 70 pts) you would 3 years of pts or 210 pts to use for a GV at OKW

 

[dvcbrad]

I guess I would suggest trying to purchase about an equal number of points at both. We did that a long time ago and it has worked out real well for us. Between banking and borrowing, we're able to reserve at either resort at the 11 month window and then be able to do the other and the next 11 month window. That way you have the option of either at the times you want to go. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Goofy DVC]

If you buy resale, OKW is cheaper and MFs will be less each year. However, if your heart is set on staying at BW most of the time buy there. I also like the feedback of buying at both.

 

[AirGoofy]

- I want the OKW home resort b/c I could get a contract that has the extra years
- I think I would want to stay in BWV most of the time b/c of the proximity to Epcot
- But I like that OKW I can get a grand villa for less points than at BWV and I think we might need a grand villa at least once every 4 - 5 years

So, you will stay at BWV most of the time and only use the grand villa every 4 to 5 years. From those, I would pick the one you do most often. So, do you want 30 years of vacations or 47 years? How old are you? I will be 80 when my DVC contract runs out. I'm good to go with that.

 

[NewDCLGuy]

If you think you will want to stay at BWV most of the time, buy at BWV. While you will probaby be able to stay there with points from other resorts, it's nice *knowing* you will be able to stay there with your 11 month window. Also, owning at BWV will allow you to book the hard-to-get standard view rooms. The savings from using those offsets a lot of BWV's extra cost.

On the other hand, if you will end up staying at all the different resorts, it does make sense to consider "cheaper" options. Though I'd only consider OKW if you absolutely knew you were going to be frequently booking GV's. Otherwise, I'd look at SSR via resale, or BLT direct.

 

[DenLo]

Buy where you want to stay on a regular basis, then you won't be disappointed. And based on your post, it sounds like BWV. At a later date you could always do an add on at OKW if you find it difficult to get a GV.

Good luck on getting the UY you want. And if you should go with OKW, the UY and the contract extension.