okw or bcv or vwl?

[go cowboys]

We have decided to take the plunge. We have four children and are planning on going every year late Nov or early Dec. We are used to the Grand Floridian, but have now outgrown the rooms. We are wanting luxury, cleanliness and small crowds. We put a downpayment on pts at SSR but now are reconsidering. Thanks for all your expertise! :

2005 WL
2004 GF concierge
2004 GF
2003 GF
2003 GF, WL, DL
2002 DL
2001 Peabody
2000 WL

 

[rocketriter]

Visit them all, then follow your heart. There's no bad choice among them.

 

[LVSWL]

We own at VWL and the BCV so we love both locations, but based on the time of year you want to go I would say buy at VWL. That is such a small property and so popular that time of the year because of the decorations for Christmas which are incredible that you will definitely want it to be your home resort so that you can book at the ll month window. If for any reason you decide to go to the beach club you can always change over at the 7 month, but you will have your VWL already in place. OKW is a wonderful property, the first vacation club property that we ever stayed at and still one of our favorites, because it is so quiet and the rooms are so large, but I guess I look at it like as long as I have my VWL and BCV points then I really can stay at OKW any time I want, and I don't think that the reverse is true. Good luck!

 

[mom2alix]

They're all great, but with four children do you think grand villa stays might be in your future as they get bigger and need more space (and bathrooms)? If so, you'd definitely want OKW as neither VWL nor BCV have GVs and they can be hard to get at the 7 month window. SSR does have GVs, so you could also consider staying with that. If you think a 2 bedroom would always work for your family, then VWL or BCV are both wonderful properties, although we're obvious big VWL fans (DH won't even consider trying one of the other properties).

 

[Kadorto]

You might want to check with Greenban and take a poll...I'd vote for VWL

 

[Disney Fanatic]

We too are in the same place you are.

The only consideration I would not forget is the extra years at SSR.

I keep looking at those great resales with all the banked points at much less per point but I keep going back to those extra years.

Right now we are planning to keep DVC for the life of the contract and think the extra years are important for our little guy who will be the one taking the trips. I sure wish my parents had bought into DVC so all I would be having to pay were the maintenance fees now!

Even considering resale, if you plan to keep for 15-20 years, what will be a better resort to sell?

Lastly consider the MF's on all properties over the life of the agreement or however long you plan to keep it? It adds up.

I agree that VWL is a great property, but just something to consider.

I am torn as well.

 

[Doctor P]

Luxury and small crowds? I think OKW's laid back atmosphere might be a great choice. You won't have room service or feel like you are in a 5 star hotel, but you will have large well-appointed villas that are very peaceful. Because the resort is a little spread out, the feeling of crowds will not be there.

 

[GGOOFY1]

OKW would be my vote, but if you are used to GF you might prefer VWL. Just for the easy access to MK. We like the laid back feeling of OKW. In the past 12 years that we have been members, we have gone all times of the year including Xmas and Easter, the resort has never felt crowded. Good luck in making your decision.

 

[dianeschlicht]

OKW for the space and luxury, VWL for having an 11 month booking window for early December.

 

[go cowboys]

I have heard that OKW is run down. Obviously it is older but does anyone feel like it is old and dirty? My wife read on another board that there was mold on walls and leaky A/C units.

 

[kathleena]

I would not say that OKW is run down at all! I think there can be mold and leaky AC anywhere - Florida is very humid so mold is a problem everywhere and those ACs get a lot of work. Besides the AC units are huge and are on the ground, not in a unit so I'm not sure what they are talking about?

I was thinking OKW for your family because of the two queen beds in the 2nd bedroom - kids won't have to fight over who gets the bed vs the sofa. Well OK, maybe the one boy will get stuck in the LR! The atmosphere will be totally different than the GF and WL though, they do not have the same amenities there (not to say OKW isn't on par with a deluxe - it just has fewer amenities!)

I think you can get the small crowds at any of the DVC resorts - it just depends on where you go in the resort!

And I see you have favored the WL - maybe you just want to try for a VWL resale!

And if you want the same amenities as a deluxe - then you should really look at BCV and BWV. BWV has a great Community Hall and exercise room with lots of restaurants nearby. And the BC/YC have super amenities also.

I guess I wasn't much help - but I just wanted to point out that you need to know what you want and then match yourself to a resort. If you listed what your family likes - then found out what each resort was like - you would begin to see the matches.

Have fun!

 

[StormTigger]

Personally.. I would say stay w/ SSR (I own at BCV). It has GV's if that is a concern, the resort is beautiful even though it's not done yet (very relaxing feel), you own for more time (until 2052 vs 2042), and you can trade into the other resorts when you would like a change.

For me.. the "buy where you want to stay" doesn't apply cuz I'm just one of those happy to stay on Disney property.. plus w/ no kids we always travel during non peak season, but that is a big factor if you have kids and love a particular resort, that really should be a consideration that only you can make.

Whatever choice you make.. you'll love it I'm sure (or at least I sure hope so!)

 

[mjkaferle5]

We are looking to purchase points soon!! Probably go with SSR because of the extra years.

One question, really just out of curiousity...........Can you use your DVC points to stay at Disney resorts (CR, POR for example)? Or can you only move around between the Vacation Club resorts (SSR, OKW, VWL, etc.)?


My family once we are DVC members -

 

[dianeschlicht]

We are looking to purchase points soon!! Probably go with SSR because of the extra years.

One question, really just out of curiousity...........Can you use your DVC points to stay at Disney resorts (CR, POR for example)? Or can you only move around between the Vacation Club resorts (SSR, OKW, VWL, etc.)?


My family once we are DVC members -

You can use points at the other Disney resorts through an exchange program called the Disney Collection, but it will cost you many more points than a stay at a DVC resort. Points are used for reservation status and the "cost" is re-negotiated with the Disney resorts annually. That means that as the price of a stay in a WDW hotel goes up, so do the points for that hotel. The points for DVC stays don't change when you are staying at DVC resorts.

 

[mjkaferle5]

Thanks Diane. I guess you Twin fans aren't that bad after all!!!

Lifelong Tiger fan here. You guys want to trade teams!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have heard that OKW is run down. Obviously it is older but does anyone feel like it is old and dirty? My wife read on another board that there was mold on walls and leaky A/C units.

That could NOT be further from the truth! Last year alone, we had three trips to OKW, and all the rooms were very clean and fresh, and had new sofas and appliances and floors and blinds had been redone.
Here are some OKW photos.

 

[debloco]

We own at VWL and the BCV so we love both locations, but based on the time of year you want to go I would say buy at VWL. That is such a small property and so popular that time of the year because of the decorations for Christmas which are incredible that you will definitely want it to be your home resort so that you can book at the ll month window. If for any reason you decide to go to the beach club you can always change over at the 7 month, but you will have your VWL already in place. OKW is a wonderful property, the first vacation club property that we ever stayed at and still one of our favorites, because it is so quiet and the rooms are so large, but I guess I look at it like as long as I have my VWL and BCV points then I really can stay at OKW any time I want, and I don't think that the reverse is true. Good luck!

I would second VWL for all of the above reasons, plus the fact that you are used to staying in the MK resort area with the GF.

 

[dis-happy]

The rooms at OKW are huge. And the lesser points are nice. How do you define luxury though? To me, luxury is a hotel lobby and the amenties of a resort, along with some action we don't have to drive to. We found we liked BCV better than OKW, although BWV would fit the bill too. YMMV

 

[bobbiwoz]

Best wishes as you make your decision.

Diane, those are beautiful pictures of OKW! I'm nearer retirement age, but OKW's lack of elevators makes it the poor 5th choice for my WDW stay. I'm not talking about bell services, I'm talking about the possibility of having to walk up and down when we're on the 3rd floor. Requests are only requests. We were very fortunate our only, and wonderful, stay at OKW had us in a building with an elevator. I didn't know about the lack of elevators, and was lucky, lucky lucky, we even got a room at 10AM!

Bobbi