OKW, BCV or WLV???

[IndyClown]

Hi folks. I am renting some points for a Disney vaca in 09 and have narrowed it down to these three resorts. I have never stayed at any of them and they all look great for different reasons. I have a 6 and a 5 year old which plays into my decision as well. We will be renting a 1 BR villa at either of them. These are my takeaways from researching.

Beach Club Villas
Pros: Close to EPCOT & Studios, Stormalong Bay, beach movies at night along with adjacent Boardwalk.

Cons: not great counter service for breakfast, looks noisy, smaller rooms.

Wilderness Lodge Villas
Pros: Beautiful Lodge, adjacent to FW for campfire movies and Hoop Dee Doo, boat rentals on the lake, electric light parade on lake.

Cons: No direct bus access to MK, smaller rooms, older, have to shuttle everywhere

Old Key West
Pros: Laid back atmosphere, quieter, bigger rooms

Cons: older, not really close to anything of interest


If you have stayed at any or all of these resorts, I would love to hear your opinions. Also, do all of them have places to buy groceries, should we decide to eat in sometimes?

TIA

 

[disneystick]

Your one con to staying at BVC is the lack of fast food service...yes, you still have the store that sells snacks, sandwiches, wraps, etc...but you are so close to Broadwalk and Epcot...so to me, that is not a con but a pro.

The rooms at BCV are about the same size as WVL so it is up to you if you prefer the beach theme vs. woodland. OKW does have larger rooms and plus, they do have 2 beds, vs. BCV and WVL have one bed and sleeper sofa.

And SAB is considered the BEST swim area out of all of Disney's resort. My 6 yr. old niece loved it so much...that every afternoon...she wanted to go swimming there instead of staying at the theme park.

So I think it is up to your preference. You cannot go wrong with any of the resorts, that you pick. However, BCV will always win as far as my family is concern.

 

[spiceycat]

with a 6 and 5 year old - you are going to MK mainly.

so might just go with VWL.

the CR has movies you can go see.

OKW even has movies these days at the main pool.

okw has a cute slide that I think will appeal to them - it is a sand castle with mickey's face on it (entrance and exit)

OKW has a boat ride to DD.

the bcv movies are at the bc - along the lagoon - so not really all that close.

might just go with VWL.

getting to the MK from BC can be a problem. most of the time, this bus only shares with the YC. but it can during the day share with all the epcot resorts.

so getting them back for naptime might take longer than you planned.

would go with VWL or OKW (okw for the more room) - and wait until they are older for BCV.

now later in 2009 when BLT opens - when most of the trip will be at the MK - it will win...

 

[MatterhornMiss]

When I stayed at the VWL in Sept, there WAS direct bus service to MK. I liked VWL better than BCV (never stayed at OKW) because it was smaller and more "homey." My 12 year old cousin liked BCV best because of SAB. VWL was actually noisier than BCV (though neither were particularly noisy), but that may have been room location. At BCV we were at the dead end of the longest corridor. We were at the end of the hallway at VWL as well, but the hallways weren't near as long. I agree that BCV and VWL rooms were about the same size (we stayed in a dedicated 2BR at both). If you are interested in the campfire movies, you could take a bus from the VWL to Ft. Wilderness for the campfire sing-a-long there. The movies at BC were on the beach right next to the big slide at SAB. Ft. Wilderness movies have Chip and Dale there, but I don't think any of the other resorts (throughout the year I know one of the All Stars and Port Orleans also has movies) have characters.

 

[CraftyMouse]

with a 6 and 5 year old - you are going to MK mainly.

Maybe not. When my kids were that age their favorite park was EPCOT (still is DD16s favorite), and the MK wasn't even their second choice (that would be the AK).

OP - I don't think you can go wrong with any of your choices. All three properties are great and each offers great villas and resort amenities. Personally, I'd go with the one who's theming you prefer. If the laid-back Florida Keys theme appeals to you, go with OKW. If you prefer a woodsy, National Park Lodge theme, go with the VWL. And if you like the idea of a New England beach-style resort then go with BCV. Personally, I'd go with VWL or OKW and leave BCV for another trip when your kids are a bit older and can fully enjoy Stormalong Bay, but you really can't go wrong with any of your options.

Have a great trip!

 

[sadler]

Our home resort is BWV but we have stayed at OKW once and several times at VWL. I would choose VWL over OKW and BCV. First, VWL is not really old as it opened in November 2000 and BCV opened only 18 months later in July 2002. OKW was the first vacation club resort and is much older. We have stayed at VWL three times and there has always been a direct bus to the MK and the bus ride is about 5 minutes. We really like the proximity of the Villas to the main lodge building and that the WL is relatively small when compared to our home resort BWV. Our son (now 13) really enjoyed VWL at age 10-12 as we were willing to give him more freedom to roam to snack bar and game room since the resort was smaller. The pool at WL is not as grand or as large as SAB at BCV but at least for us it was more than big enough. We also really like Artist Point restaurant at WL. There are also many positives for BCV particularly Stormalong Bay. OKW would be our last choice. Don't get me wrong -- any Disney family vaction is great. But we didn't like how spread out OKW is and relatively far from the parks. Also many of the units don't have elevators and walking up to the third floor gets tired after awhile. On the other hand, many of the posters are big fans of OKW and it clearly comes down to your personal prioriies and preferences.

 

[IndyClown]

Thanks for all the great responses!

For those that have stayed at VWL, does anyone remember how long of a walk it was to Fort Wilderness?

 

[CraftyMouse]

Thanks for all the great responses!

For those that have stayed at VWL, does anyone remember how long of a walk it was to Fort Wilderness?

It's a bit of a hike, but a nice walk if you have the time. I would guess it would take you 20 minutes or so to walk the path. We always rent bikes and head over there for a while.

FYI...There are also buses and boats that go from the WL to Fort Wilderness.

 

[Granny]

Thanks for all the great responses!

For those that have stayed at VWL, does anyone remember how long of a walk it was to Fort Wilderness?

It's about a mile. So the 20 minutes is about right at a good walking pace. With a 6 & 5 year old, it is probably more of a half hour walk.

However, you can also just jump on the Bay Lake boat that runs from WL-FW-CR and that will get you there easily too.

 

[alldiz]

OP....I would pick WLV....I am here now...and let me tell you it is my absolute favorite.

Best Counter Service of the 3 you listed....WLV is small...so you can get everywhere quick....great pool...absolutely beautiful setting.

IMO Stormalong Bay is too spread out.....to get to the slide you have to LEAVE the pool area....with the ages of your kids....I think it will be stressful if you want any relaxing chair time.

OKW nice but spread out.

IMO WLV wins out. Small resort so everything is close...and you can get everywhere inside. Kids club with craft hour every day. Pool parties, cookie decorating....You will not be disapointed.
Happy planning
EDIT...there is direct bus service to M.K and direct boat service. They also have a boat to take you to Fort Wilderness and the contemporary. Nice if you want to hop on the monorail.
Kerri
Kerri

 

[IndyClown]

OP....I would pick WLV....I am here now...and let me tell you it is my absolute favorite.

Best Counter Service of the 3 you listed....WLV is small...so you can get everywhere quick....great pool...absolutely beautiful setting.

IMO Stormalong Bay is too spread out.....to get to the slide you have to LEAVE the pool area....with the ages of your kids....I think it will be stressful if you want any relaxing chair time.

OKW nice but spread out.

IMO WLV wins out. Small resort so everything is close...and you can get everywhere inside. Kids club with craft hour every day. Pool parties, cookie decorating....You will not be disapointed.
Happy planning
EDIT...there is direct bus service to M.K and direct boat service. They also have a boat to take you to Fort Wilderness and the contemporary. Nice if you want to hop on the monorail.
Kerri
Kerri

Thanks! I was previously leaning towards BCV but my girls are just learning how to swim and SAB may be a little much for them. Now I think we will book VWL. Easy access to MK, beach, movies, pretty scenery and it will be an easy commute to Ft. Wilderness from where I have a lot of great childhood memories. I would like to share those with them....afterall isn't that what Disney is all about?

 

[CraftyMouse]

Thanks! I was previously leaning towards BCV but my girls are just learning how to swim and SAB may be a little much for them. Now I think we will book VWL. Easy access to MK, beach, movies, pretty scenery and it will be an easy commute to Ft. Wilderness from where I have a lot of great childhood memories. I would like to share those with them....afterall isn't that what Disney is all about?

We love Fort Wilderness too. The Wilderness Lodge will be right up your alley. It's got the same feel as Fort Wilderness, but in a hotel form.

They still do the campfire program every night at Fort Wilderness, with smores, a sing-along, a visit from Chip & Dale and then a movie. You'll want to get off at the Meadow stop at FW for the campfire.

 

[WDWjen]

We stayed at WLV last January and loved it.. cannot wait to return! They DO have bus service to the MK plus the boat. We also took the boat to the campground for the trails end buffet. My kids (3,5,7) loved the pool and the lobby the best! I would highly recommend. I havent done the OKW or the BCV , but we've done the Boardwalk and Saratoga... but after staying at WLV it will always be my first choice. Enjoy!

 

[Caskbill]

Just for clarification, the correct term is VWL (Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge), not WLV (Wilderness Lodge Villas)