Moderate vs. OKW or BWV?? Thought please!

[tofubeast]

Ok this might be a no-brainer...but just curious about your thoughts and experiences!

I have stayd at POFQ before. For our upcoming Oct trip, we are currently booked at POP. I am waiting to see if there is a FL resident code that will give us a nice price for a moderate.

However, I started looking at the DVC renting forms here on the DIS, and was astonished that I could perhaps book a studio at OKW or BWV for slightly cheaper than a MOD...and if there is a good code that comes out (perhaps the same rate or just slightly higher.)

SO...the question is...assuming I might soon upgrade to a MOD....what makes OKW or BWV that much better? Is is like staying at a Deluxe? What are the perks? What would you do!?

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

 

[ElizabethB]

We love BWV. Haven't stayed at OKW. However, be warned that staying on points is only relatively cheap Monday through Thursday nights. The points required goes way up on weekends. So, I think alot of people move for the weekend to some place cheaper. We don't want to be bothered with that, so we book BWV through Disney reservations. With an AP rate or other discounts, it works out pretty good. And, by booking that way (rather than renting points), we get daily maid service and turndown service, which we like.

Staying at BWV is pretty much like staying deluxe, except that, as previously mentioned, you don't get daily maid service. Also, the room appointments (furniture, draperies, carpet, etc.) are of a lower quality than deluxe rooms. But, for us, nothing beats the space of a one-bedroom villa.

As for a studio, one of the main differences between a DVC studio and a deluxe room is that the deluxe room will have two queen beds and possibly a day bed for a fifth person. The DVC studio will have one queen bed and a sofa sleeper. I understand the sofa sleepers are comfortable, but I've never slept on one, so don't know.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are renting directly from Disney (CRO), you would get daily housekeeping. If you wanted the Dining Plan, you'll need to follow the same rules as any CRO rental (you need a package).

Sleeper sofas in studios are double sized. I have never noticed a lesser quality in furnishing between deluxe and DVC. I consider DVC to be deluxe, especially if you get a one bedroom or larger. And the one bedrooms and larger are more deluxe than the standard deluxe room.

Now, if you are renting from a member you will only get limited housekeeping. 7 nights or less, you will get your trash removed and towels replaced on day 4. 8 nights or more, you will get a full cleaning on day 4 and trash removed and towels replaced on day 8. Renting from a member requires a lot of trust on the part of the member and the non-member. You will not be able to confirm the reservation in any way until a few days before the start of your vacation and only by calling the resort directly. You won't be able to call Member Services for anything. The member fully controls the reservation until the moment you check in. They might not allow any cancellations or changes without a loss to you. They set the payment plan and might not accept Paypal.

Finally, when are you planning on going? There is very limited availability on points through about mid-January. Some members have reservations that are not going to use and have listed them for rent on the R/T Board. October is extremely limited, Nov and Dec the same.

Plus, if you are going during free dining time, you can't make a reservation on DVC points and get free dining. The only way to get free dining is through CRO.

 

[chalee94]

The DVC studio will have one queen bed and a sofa sleeper. I understand the sofa sleepers are comfortable, but I've never slept on one, so don't know.

just FYI, OKW studios are unique among DVC resorts as they have a second queen bed rather than a sofabed.

 

[ElizabethB]

Thanks for the info about studios at OKW. I do think two queen beds are nicer than the queen plus double sofa.

As for the appointments being nicer at deluxe hotels, we were unable to book the first night of our trip at BWV last year, so stayed the first night in a king room at BWI. We were very surprised at the difference in room furnishings between BWI and BWV. The draperies, bedspread, furniture, etc. were of a significantly higher quality and were much more luxurious at BWI.

 

[Cee]

If you can book a DVC resort for the same or less than a MOD, it's a no-brainer.

 

[beccasmom]

DVC gives you more space, of course, which is always a nice thing. It is great to be able to prepare simple meals in your room - light breakfasts, snacks, etc. All of the DVC resorts except for the studios have a Jacuzzi in the master suite, which is really, really nice! Also, except for the studios, the DVC resorts have a washer/dryer in each room and a laundry room is available for those staying in the studios. This really helps a lot, especially with the weight limitations on luggage these days! Personally, I would always opt for DVC over one of the other hotel resorts (and we've stayed in almost all of the WDW resorts over the years), because it is so nice to be able to spread out and have some privacy when you need it. We've become very spoiled in our 15 years of DVC ownership! We really love it and all the DVC resorts are very nice. I don't think you will be disappointed.