Is BWV worth $350 more total than OKW for a 6 night stay?

[figmentfinesse]

We've stayed at OKW and BWV several times. BWV is better for the reasons already explained. (It's one of our Home Resorts.)

I'm not sure which room you are looking at but please be aware that the Boardwalk Standard View Studio is tough to get even for those who own there, with no availability at 11 months at the moment. (As @LSchrow mentions, it looks at if at least some of these rooms are already being walked for Spring Break.)

I'll assume 7 nights and the week of April 2-9 as an example of the cost differences:

OKW: 113 points X $16/point = $1808

BWV Standard: 113 X $19/point = $2147

BWV (anything else): 139 X $19/point = $2641

The point is, don't assume you're going to get a BWV Standard View even if you try to book it at 11 months.

But if you can, BWV is well worth the extra $350 for 7 nights.

Thank you to you and to many other for great information and how to really drive home JUST how difficult it is to get these rooms. I am starting to feel I will be out of luck if the reservation isn’t walked, but I’d never ask an owner to do that for me.

 

[robinb]

Thank you to you and to many other for great information and how to really drive home JUST how difficult it is to get these rooms. I am starting to feel I will be out of luck if the reservation isn’t walked, but I’d never ask an owner to do that for me.

Welp, that's what you'll have to do to get a Standard View studio. Right now for Standard Views and Boardwalk Views are being walked. There is no availability for a SV or a Boardwalk View at the 11 month window.

 

[KayKayJS]

I think so. OKW is not our style resort - its giant and secluded and not really walkable for most sections. If seclusion is your thing it's perfect.

 

[Heather07438]

I think BW rental is totally worth the increased point price. It’s very hard to get in a standard or even BW view studio and part of that’s because the point chart is much lower than any other near park resort. It’s conveniently in the middle of so much action.

It might help to have back up plans. See what other rooms interest you, look at the costs, consider working a split stay to open more options, etc.

Say you find only 4 or 5 days at BW, would AK or OKW be Ok for the others. Hope it goes well! We just rented BW DVC and psyched to stay our 1st time.

 

[iheartglaciers]

Thank you to you and to many other for great information and how to really drive home JUST how difficult it is to get these rooms. I am starting to feel I will be out of luck if the reservation isn’t walked, but I’d never ask an owner to do that for me.

If you want to stay in the Boardwalk area, take a look at Swan and Dolphin. The rates are usually lower than Boardwalk, so might be comparable to renting the standard DVC room. Just keep in mind that they have resort and parking fees when you’re comparing prices.

 

[figmentfinesse]

Welp, that's what you'll have to do to get a Standard View studio. Right now for Standard Views and Boardwalk Views are being walked. There is no availability for a SV or a Boardwalk View at the 11 month window.

I guess I’m just not quite sure HOW to ask the person with the points to do that, I suppose? I know lots of people have strong feelings on the practice.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I guess I’m just not quite sure HOW to ask the person with the points to do that, I suppose? I know lots of people have strong feelings on the practice.

Just ask. As mentioned, people are walking the standard studios. It may be too late to walk, and Pool/garden studio will cost more, but it would still be my choice for the time of year.

 

[figmentfinesse]

Just ask. As mentioned, people are walking the standard studios. It may be too late to walk, and Pool/garden studio will cost more, but it would still be my choice for the time of year.

So the day they can book is for me is May 16, does walking it mean they have to do it at 8am every day until then?

 

[bobbiwoz]

So the day they can book is for me is May 16, does walking it mean they have to do it at 8am every day until then?

No, first they have to get in the walk. Then they can book up to 7 days, or as few as 2. Two would mean they would need to do it every day, 7 means they would only need to do it every 6 days.

 

[robinb]

So the day they can book is for me is May 16, does walking it mean they have to do it at 8am every day until then?

No. Walking can be complicated. First of all, they need to book a reservation which can be difficult because there may not be availability for them when they go to make the initial reservation. Then they have to move the reservation every couple of days until the start date equals your check-in date. It does take some effort and luck.

 

[JWG]

At $19/pt. I would honestly book through a broker vs. a member direct. You get a lot more access to people with points, a more solid rental agreement, and a bit more confidence in the process. There are a few out there. We've used a couple even as owners to both rent our points and rent from others.

 

[JETSDAD]

At $19/pt. I would honestly book through a broker vs. a member direct. You get a lot more access to people with points, a more solid rental agreement, and a bit more confidence in the process. There are a few out there. We've used a couple even as owners to both rent our points and rent from others.

Brokers will be more expensive and much less likely to actually get a BWV standard studio. The owner has no incentive or reason to bother walking a reservation or trying for anything hard to get.

 

[robinb]

Brokers will be more expensive and much less likely to actually get a BWV standard studio. The owner has no incentive or reason to bother walking a reservation or trying for anything hard to get.

I agree. You're less likely to find an owner who will walk a reservation through a broker. It's best to establish a personal relationship with someone. OP, just make sure that you understand and agree to cancelation policies. A lot can happen in 11 months.

 

[JWG]

It's $1 more per point through a broker. We've never had an issue through them (including getting a standard view grand villa at Aulani). To each their own.

 

[leebee]

Let me throw a monkey wrench in here: Would you consider SSR if you can't get BWV? The point value is usually comparable to OKW, and you can walk (or hopefully take a boat) to Disney Springs for dinner and evenings out. I've stayed in both OKW and BWV, and BWV was amazing, but OKW felt like every other Florida timeshare place we've ever rented. We are staying at SSR next week so I'll have a better opinion then, but their rooms have just been refurbished, so that's a benefit, too. Anyhow, just a suggestion! (although AKL/Jambo is my very favorite DVC resort!)

 

[Marionnette]

I've recently discovered renting DVC points, and have completed stays at Poly and Riviera. I've also got a BLT/CCV stay in a few months. I'm now planning April 2022 over Spring Break, so I know it's important to book right at the 11 month mark. I've got someone selling BWV @ 19pp and OKW @ 16pp. Same points values for the stay. I know typically people prefer BWV, was looking for some input from the experts.

Thanks!

IMO, yes BWV is worth the extra $350 for 6 nights. As long as you understand the bed situation (which you should since you stayed at Poly) and go with the knowledge that BWV studios are already showing their age with a few years to go before they are refurbished again. And as has already been pointed out a few times, a standard view studio at BWV is difficult to get and may not happen for you.

There's not much need to book OKW right at 11 months unless you want near HH. Studios will be available well into the 11-7 month booking window. I say shoot for BWV and if it doesn't work out, then you can go with OKW as Plan B.

 

[figmentfinesse]

Let me throw a monkey wrench in here: Would you consider SSR if you can't get BWV? The point value is usually comparable to OKW, and you can walk (or hopefully take a boat) to Disney Springs for dinner and evenings out. I've stayed in both OKW and BWV, and BWV was amazing, but OKW felt like every other Florida timeshare place we've ever rented. We are staying at SSR next week so I'll have a better opinion then, but their rooms have just been refurbished, so that's a benefit, too. Anyhow, just a suggestion! (although AKL/Jambo is my very favorite DVC resort!)

IMO, yes BWV is worth the extra $350 for 6 nights. As long as you understand the bed situation (which you should since you stayed at Poly) and go with the knowledge that BWV studios are already showing their age with a few years to go before they are refurbished again. And as has already been pointed out a few times, a standard view studio at BWV is difficult to get and may not happen for you.

There's not much need to book OKW right at 11 months unless you want near HH. Studios will be available well into the 11-7 month booking window. I say shoot for BWV and if it doesn't work out, then you can go with OKW as Plan B.

So much good advice here, thank you both!!

SSR and AKL are definitely both backups for me. I can’t decide if it’s worth it to stay AKL though w/o a Savannah view though.

 

[Shamus]

Another vote for BWV here.

Don't be afraid to ask an owner to try. It may be to late to start walking but it is highly likely that at least a few of those walkers are planning their trip for the week prior to yours. As such some rooms will likely start opening up on the 11 month mark if not a day or 2 before.

Also agree that $19pp is a bargain given what's required of the owner.

Good Luck!

 

[robinb]

Let me throw a monkey wrench in here: Would you consider SSR if you can't get BWV? The point value is usually comparable to OKW, and you can walk (or hopefully take a boat) to Disney Springs for dinner and evenings out. I've stayed in both OKW and BWV, and BWV was amazing, but OKW felt like every other Florida timeshare place we've ever rented. We are staying at SSR next week so I'll have a better opinion then, but their rooms have just been refurbished, so that's a benefit, too. Anyhow, just a suggestion! (although AKL/Jambo is my very favorite DVC resort!)

I would suggest a preferred view at SSR over the standard view. They are closer to the walkway to Disney Springs and they are all recently refurbished. As far as I know, they are still working on the standard views.

 

[Buzzsgramma]

BWV owner for 21 years......you familiar with the term Location, Location, Location....that's all I'll say...