Need advice, OKW GV or BWV GV?

[jade1]

IS BWV GV WORTH TWICE AS MANY POINTS? Kind of a once in a lifetime trip. Inviting a niece and nephew and grandparents. Total is 4 adults and 4 kids. We banked this years points so we will have 500 points and 250 to borrow next summer 2004. We are driving from MN so we will arrive Sun and leave friday. We have stayed at VWL, OKW and BWV and had a 2BR on the BW which was hands down the best room we have ever had (location and view) but all have been great. Wonder what most opinions here are? Grandparents went to WDW about 20 years ago and loved EPCOT-like to walk also. Niece and nephew have never been to WDW so I think staying anywhere would be great. Leaning towards OKW for size and half the points and lets face it-its preference that makes on picked over the other. We will cook about 1/2 the time, love SAB and BW pool, and will hit 3 or 4 days of parks. Opinions appreciated, Thanks.

 

[CarolMN]

Where is your home resort? It might boil down to which one you can actually reserve. Weeknights in GVs are among the most difficult to reserve, and generally require the 11 month window.

All of the BWV GV units overlook the BW, so if you choose the BWV, you can be assured of the view that you said was the best you ever had. Is the location worth the extra points to you? It would be for me! (But all that extra room at OKW would be a temptation)!

Good luck with your decision.

 

[zulaya]

Also, since BCVs opened I don't think SAB is open to pool hopping at all anymore. So you may have to factor that into your decision.

Carol's right, it really will depend on your home resort and possibly time of year.I'd guess if you are going over the 4th of July, that might be harder to get than others, but summer in general is pretty busy.

Hey, just noticed it's an all-MN thread so far. Cool.

 

[mbhoxsie]

I'll have to break up the MN thread..

I was debating this myself in January... My DW and I are taking down 8 people, and this is their first time to WDW in more than 20 years...

My home resort is BWV...

A couple things I considered...

1) How important was it to be near the Boardwalk, and within walking distance to Epcot and the Studios..

2) Would my family prefer the activity and traffic at BWV, or would they like the laid back atmosphere of OKW?

3) Was I going to drive to WDW? Or do alot of driving once we got down to WDW? (I've heard that parking right outside of the villas at OKW was a nice advantage.)

4) Was the drastic difference in point costs important to me?? Am I going to use those points next year?

5) How much time are we spending at the parks? From what I understand transportation can be easier from BWV than it can from OKW...

6) Is anyone going to want to use the Waterslide at BWV?

Anyways... To make a long story short... We ended up just settling on getting a 2BR Standard and a Studio Standard at BWV... Points were cheaper than getting the villa at OKW, and we are able to be close to the Boardwalk...

 

[Lisa F]

I personally would choose the GV at BWV. I wouldn't let the "size difference" enter into the equation at all as the GV's at BWV are 2142 sq ft while at OKW they are 2265 sq ft (hardly a difference worth even considering). As it was mentioned before, you're guaranteed a fabulous view with a GV at the BW because of the location of all of the GV.

I have to say that your situation seems like the ideal time for a splurge. You are already planning a sunday - friday trip so you don't have to "compromise" and cut a day off of an already planned stay to "afford" it. You already have the points banked, might as well use them! The 5 days will be 540 points so you won't even have to borrow that many. You say it's a "once in a lifetime" thing... I can't say I'd see myself staying in a GV at BWV ALL the time because of the expense, but how often are you ever going to get to stay in accommocations that cost $2,000 per night?

That's just what I would do in your situation, but the location of OKW makes it feel "offsite" to me and a disney trip for me isn't "made" unless I am staying in the middle of the action.

Lisa

 

[Dean]

BWV will be much tougher to get. Your only chance at BWV is to have it as a home resort and call day by day at 9 am. For OKW it could still be tough be there are more units to chose from so your chances are somewhat better. Good luck.

 

[Merilyn]

I have stayed in a GV at both OKW and BWV. They are both beautiful and hugh. It really depends on your home resort. You really need to book it at 11 months if you want to get one. I think all the GV at BWV are on the boardwalk. The GV are all over OKW. I am staying in a GV at OKW in Sept only because I didn't want to spend the points. I could change at 7 months but chose not to. I would rather use the points for another trip somewhere. It is like others have said, do you want a busy or a quiet place to stay. I would check as soon as you have your plans set. They are hard to get.

 

[jade1]

Thanks for the replies-we own at BCV so it sounds like we may be in a 2BR and studio there. This may be best because we like SAB and the location. We will try at 7 months in case. I didnt realize they would be that hard to get in the summer, but we never have considered them before either.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You might try to exchange your 2 bedroom plus studio ressie at the 7 month window. We love the OKW GV's, but I understand some folks think it is in another time zone. It really isn't. We find the buses to be no problem at all, and we prefer the down and outs to the long halls at the other resorts. Can't beat BWV and BCV for access to Epcot though!

 

[Pa@okw95]

Attendance is falling off at WDW and could get worse, don't give up on the GV but it will still be difficult. Have you given any thought to going in January, May, or September when the demand is low? I know this not what you want to do but there are plenty of nice condos to rent off property in the Orlando area also.