OKW or BCV - should we go for lowest price per point?

[jlbridg2]

I've been looking into DVC for a long time... and now DH and I are ready to take the plunge. We're looking at buying in the next couple of weeks and are having a dilemma about where to buy our points. We really like the EPCOT area resorts and love the BC, mostly for the pool. But are not sure if it is worth it to make BCV our home resort. We usually travel in the lighter seasons, May and September or early October, with an occasional trip in February for our anniversary. Also, we drive down so we don't have to rely Disney transportation all the time.

Any suggestions... we like the reviews we've read on OKW and would have no problem staying there if we couldn't get a ressie at BCV. Is it worth the extra money to buy in at BCV? Resale there is about $15 difference in price/point.

Thanks in advance for the help

 

[ericamcl]

We just bought at OKW - but even though it's our "home" I'm not sure how often we will stay there.

I would say go with your least expensive option right now, but others may disagree...

 

[TLSnell1981]

Buy where you want to stay. BCV is a small resort and will be more difficult to book at 7 months, especially during the Flower & Garden Festival (March-May) and Food & Wine (October-November). Check out the point charts. The seasons with lower points are usually very busy for DVC.

We also love EPCOT and chose BWV. We have no regrets.

 

[adminjedi]

Buy where you want to stay and crunch the numbers. Although BWV is selling for less overall than BCV on resale, the MFs are higher which neutralizes the amortized cost per point.

We sold a different contract for a loss (because we just didn't like staying there) to get our BCV pts.

 

[jekjones1558]

May, early September and February would be easier months than others to get BCV if you own OKW. While I usually agree with "buy where you want to stay," you say that you would be okay with staying at OKW if BCV is not available at 7 months. I think you could buy OKW and have a decent shot at staying at BCV in the months listed above. In addition you might even find a good resale deal on an OKW contract that expires in 2057, giving you 15 years longer than BCV. Good luck!

 

[Crystal_27]

For me, it would be worth it to buy into BCV. Good luck and hopefully we'll be welcoming you home soon.

 

[a742246]

Will you be able to make plans 7-11 months out? or less than 7 months?
Are you planing to have your own car for most of your vacations?
Are you looking for getting the biggest bang for your money?
Do you really care where you stay?
DO you plan on going to the theme parks all the time?

If you are planning trips less than 7 months out, bringing your own car, be happy wherever you stay, planning to have relaxing vacations sometimes(no theme parks), and getting the biggest valve for your dollar.
IMHO you should look into Saratoga Springs resort. To me it has the best health and fitness center, and its closeness to DTD (for nightlife) is a plus.
Not to mention its 2054 exp date with low maintence. PS Stay in the Congress park section.

However , if you are in love with BCV then you should buy there.

 

[JimMIA]

We had no problem booking BCV for May at 4 1/2 months. We liked the resort, but would not buy there -- and certainly not for the pool!

[ETA: If you want to be at BCV during F&W, however, that is a completely different story. I think it is pretty unrealistic to think you'd get BCV during F&W unless you were an owner. You might get lucky, but you certainly couldn't count on it.]

Another factor is the dues. BCV's dues are higher than OKW (currently $5.15 vs $4.87).

I also think, once you've tried both resorts, you will find yourself staying at OKW more. One reason is the MUCH larger villas. Another is the 40% cheaper points costs per night. With those two factors combined, you get much more for your points.

Third -- and this will surprise some -- the convenience of the OKW location. If you drive to WDW, you will quickly learn that you can get from your villa to any theme park in ten minutes. In the "good old days" when we had free valet parking, I could get from OKW to any park before a BCV guest could get in their car. OKW is also very convenient to DTD and offsite eating and shopping.

 

[sweetdana]

I actually think with the end dates SSR is actually cheaper than OKW. With the MF, and extra years. Maybe look at that if the extra years, and lower MF interest you at all.

If you would be okay staying at OKW (or SSR) I'd save the $$. It is so much more right now. Or like me you cannot usually plan 11 months it doesn't matter where you buy.

If you would be disappointed (AND can plan a year in advance) go with your gut.

 

[Brian Noble]

we like the reviews we've read on OKW and would have no problem staying there if we couldn't get a ressie at BCV. Is it worth the extra money to buy in at BCV?

You often hear "Buy where you want to stay." I'd put it a little differently: "Don't buy where you *don't* want to stay."

If OKW would be okay with you, then that's where I would buy. But, if you will end up resenting having to "setlle" for OKW, then maybe not.

And, as mentioned: if you can't plan for more than seven months in advance, just buy what's cheap, 'cause it doesn't matter.

 

[lats118]

We bought at BCV because we wanted the booking advantage for the F&W festival in Oct.. If you want to stay at the BCV in Oct. its almost a must that you own points there. The location (and SAB) is what convinced us to buy there. We don't regret buying where we wanted to stay even though it cost more.

That said, OKW is probably our next most favorite resort. If you're ok with staying at OKW in Oct., then you could save some money and buy at OKW. You'll have a better chance of booking BCV 7 months out in May and Sept. than you will in Oct. As other posters have said, BCV is a smaller resort and its very popular all year 'round.

 

[loveswdw]

I also think, once you've tried both resorts, you will find yourself staying at OKW more. One reason is the MUCH larger villas. Another is the 40% cheaper points costs per night. With those two factors combined, you get much more for your points.

Yes, JimMIA is right. We are BCV owners. While we LOVE it, we find ourselves staying at OKW A LOT! The HUGE villas are wonderful and the points are so much cheaper per night. Just this morning I was comparing points charts for next year and I can stay at OKW for 6 nights in a 1BR for 147 points. Smaller 1BR at BCV is 178 points. Now, granted theme park proximity is a HUGE draw for BCV, we only have 150 points so I have to stretch those as much as possible!

 

[chalee94]

Is it worth the extra money to buy in at BCV?

yes...IF you absolutely have to be at BCV to be happy AND you can book at 11 months out.

if you prefer BCV but are just happy to be somewhere on property at wdw, buy at SSR or OKW. book your home resort at 11 months to be safe and then try to switch at 7 months out. if the switch works, great (and it probably often will, particularly if you're willing to ride the waitlist) - if not, you're still at wdw...

 

[nolanboys]

We just bought a resale contract this spring and choose SSR. We had ruled out all but OKW and SSR because of cost and MF's and our inability of booking before 7 mo most of the time. We were looking for more bang for our buck. Truthfully, I love OKW. We've stayed there twice before becoming members. But we couldn't find an extended contract, so DH was insistent on SSR. I really liked it when we went on our tour and was excited about the THV. We found a loaded SSR contract. Now DH and I are going alone in Oct and staying at AKV for 3 nights and then BWV for 2. I also have spring break planned. I booked a week at THV at about 10 mo out. I called last week and switched 3 of the nights to a 2 bdrm at BCV. We are very excited to try BCV, but when looking at my reservation, it did strike me that our 4 nights at THV cost 172 pts and 3 nights at BCV cost 158 pts. We want to try the different resorts, but I see us using SSR and OKW to save points (assuming will not be able to get standard views at other resorts to save points) and more specifically THV because with 4 boys the 3 bdrms are ideal for us. Anyways, sorry to ramble on and on, but just wanted to share why we choose to do it this way. Hope it helps!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Unless you think you would want the GV at OKW, I would buy at BCV. Among the things I don't particularly like about OKW are that only 3 buildings have elevators, some of the villas seem to be very close to the internal bus route and someone has to get those, the studios are without a sofa to sit on. I know about the one bedroom size and have enjoyed a 1 bedroom stay there, but that just isn't enough for me to want to buy points there. I don't need a huge apartment on my vacation, other 1 or 2 bedrooms have worked fine for me and my family!

I didn't buy into BCV until our trips expanded to include our DGC. I save our BCV points for use mostly when we have an all family warm weather trip to WDW and really want BCV for the pool and the dedicated 2 bedroom with 2 queens in the second bedroom.

Bobbi

 

[johnsonville5]

I have advised other on this issue and here is our experience. We have been members for 10 years and our home resort is BWV. Oddly enought, we have never stayed there. Your favorite resorts will change with time, ages of kids and new resorts. Never had a problem booking what we want with a little flexibilty at holidays. Other than holidays we have always been able to get what we want where we want at 7 months out. My advise - buy the least expensive points.

 

[PHILCT]

I love both OKW and BCV.

If I were buying now, I would pick BCV.

OKW is fairly easy to book at a 7 month's reservation window.
SSR seems even a bit easier.

BCV is NOT easy to book at any window, especially on popular time frames.

Since you have already stated that you like the EPCOT area, you should definitely go with BCV and consider yourself lucky to get the 11 month window for reservations.

I wish I could book BCV at the 11 month window, but I did not buy there.

When I get my pool wrist band at Storm Along Bay, I know every time how lucky I am to be there. No other Disney Pool puts a wrist band on you, they have to, in order to keep every one else from going there.

It is the easiest place to refill your refillable mug, between the Market Place, The Pool areas including Beaches N Creme, you can easily refill your mug many times a day. There are decent restaurant choices, including all of the Boardwalk as well as the Swan and Dolphin, where even PICABU Cafeteria is open 24 hours a day. And if you have an annual pass or hopper, you will want to go to EPCOT just for Dinner sometimes as well, or just to pop into see Illuminations. There is no easier place to walk back to after Illuminations than the BCV. Parking is easy there too.

Go with BCV.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'd say OKW.

If you really will be fine always staying at OKW then I'd say buy there. It's the same contract expiration date on the resale market although as was pointed out you should even be able to get an extended OKW contract for less than a BCV.

My reasons:

You say you'd still be happy staying at OKW.
The times you are looking at going (May/Sept especially) should give you an excellent chance of getting into BCV should you wish.
Lower purchase price per point.
Lower dues.

 

[lrichardson]

My home resort is BCV and I am glad that we got in when we did only reason we bought when we did is because they were almost sold out. But I do love OKW for its beautiful grounds and tranquility and low points to stay there. But still I am happy that I am at BCV for location and the fact that it is in high demand so I have the 11 month window to get in and get what I want. Right now you are booking on off months but that can change when you have a family and need to stay with their school schedule. Also, the resale on BCV is much better than OKW. You would never have a problem staying at OKW during the busiest months. BCV location is also a big plus so much going on. When you are OKW you need to take the car or bus to get to all the parks but with BCV you can actually walk or take the ferry to HS and Epcot. Good Luck. My vote is definitely for BCV.

 

[jekjones1558]

A PP mentioned that studios at OKW have 2 beds and no sofa. This might be a good point or a bad point depending on your preference, but if you are planning to mostly stay in studios it is an important consideration. Also, if you ever want to get an OKW GV (they are really a bargain!) then the 11 month window might be good to have there. BCV has no GVs.