OKW or BCV?

[Elvis1515]

Hi Everyone,

Family of 4 (2 adutls, kids - 4 & 1) are headed to Disney in January. We have BCV & VWL booked. We are wondering if we should chan ge BCV for OKW which would add 2 days to our trip for the same price. We love quick and hassle free meals along with kids crafts & resort activities. Not sure which resort would be better OKW or BCV?

Any suggestions?

Thanks Much,

Lisa

 

[dianeschlicht]

Well, both resorts have kids programs (OKW even has a real fishing trip), and both also have on site restaurants, although BWV has more selection there, you can also take a quick boat ride to DTD for more selection near OKW. If it was me, I'd probably opt for more time there!

 

[Granny]

Lisa....this is a question that is often asked: should I stay at OKW or SSR to get more nights out of my points? While that's a very valid consideration, I think it's more important to figure out where your family will have the best time.

For kids that age, they won't be very focused on resort theming, etc. BCV has the great pool and kids play area in the sand, so I'd probably give that the nod. Plus the resort amenities and restaurants are easy to get to, which is important when you're wheeling a little one in a stroller. At OKW you might have to take a bus to get to the main pool area. I'd advise staying at BCV and not moving to OKW.

Having said that, OKW has a Community Hall that your 4 year old would enjoy, and is a great resort. I just think that for what you describe as important, BCV probably works best. You can't go wrong either way.

 

[Elvis1515]

Thanks for the insight! We do love to be able to walk around the resort and check everything out. We adore the VWL because of the fact you never have to leave the resort. We are on a waiting list for the whole trip at VWL b/c packing in the middle of the trip is not fun.

LISA G

 

[G8RFAN]

If you do need to take a bus to the community hall at OKW, any bus will take you there and odds are you are not going to wait much at all. OKW is quickly becoming one of our favorite resorts once you figure out how to navagate and utilize the resort. IMO, we would gladly use the "extra" days over the convenience of an EPCOT resort, although BWV is still at the top of our list if points were not a factor. As much as we love MK, we have never "connected" with the VWL. We still haven't figured out why.

 

[disjest8]

Lisa,

We have stayed at both BCV and OKW with very young children and the decision never gets easier for me. Here are some additional factors to consider.

BCV Pros
1. Strollers and transportation. You can use the boat to get from BCV to Epcot or MGM. To me, the boat is much easier than the bus.
2. Storm Along Bay is awesome for small children. However, it can be quite cold in Orlando in January, so there is no way to know for sure that you will even be able to make use of it.

OKW Pros
1. If you are staying in a 1BR or larger, the square footage at OKW is so nice. It feels more like a home. It's a nice, relaxing way to finish off a Disney trip.
2. IMO the pull out couch at OKW is much more comfortable than the one at BCV.

For our upcoming trip in Nov/Dec, I have the first 4 nights booked at BCV and am hoping a waitlist will come thru for the last 3 nights at OKW. I hope I haven't confused you more. I'm sure you will enjoy either resort.

Have fun!

-Kristi

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi Lisa ~
Not sure what size room you have booked, but OKW 1 & 2 bedrooms are roomier than BCV. Aside from that, both have onsite restaurants and both have snack bar areas. If you prefer to push a stroller to Epcot or MGM, then BCV has the convenience here (but I'm assuming you were already aware of this) ? So it comes down to quick, easy meals and activities, both resorts have that. As someone pointed out, January may not necessarily be the best swimming weather so the pools may not be a deciding factor for you ?

We do love to be able to walk around the resort and check everything out.

When I read this statement from you, I'm leaning towards BCV for your trip because that resort is set up more like WL---the villas are attached to a main hotel. Most of your walking and exploring at OKW would be outside because there is no main hotel attached to the rooms.

Also not sure how long your current trip is planned for, but 2 extra days in WDW sound awesome to me and I think that would decide it for me personally.....but you know your family best. Have a great time whatever you decide.

 

[stacy6552]

IMHO, BCV is all about the pool, which is something to be enjoyed for a longer period of time (all morning, all day....). Jan is too cold to hang out by the pool soaking wet. I'd opt for OKW.

 

[byoung]

I would go for more time there.

 

[las3888]

We are just back from our 2nd stay at OKW. We also stayed at BCV just this past April. There are pro's and con's to each situation. I always struggle with the same ?'s you have over which resort we want to stay at for our next trips.

Anyways, what I like about OKW:

HUGE rooms. We have an 18 month old and at OKW it just seems we all have our space. In the other resorts, it just seems we are on top of each other more.

Close parking - not sure if you have a car or not though.

Great views. We opted for first floor just because it's easier. I would try for 2nd floor next time since there is alot of foliage near the windows of many of the OKW buildings on the first floor.

Laid-back, relaxing. We hardly ever go to the main pools at any of the resorts and opt to stick with the smaller pools. At OKW, the small pool we stayed by was SO warm...it was like bathwater. We were told the main pool at OKW was much much colder.

What I liked about BCV:

I love the Boardwalk location (we own at BWV). BCV is SOOOO close to EPCOT. We find that going to any park from OKW is pretty much the same...drive, shuttle, etc. But just breezing into the back of EPCOT is just GREAT! Plus we find the boat to MGM is pretty do-able.

We found the villas pool nice and convenient.

Parking - we were also able to park fairly close to our room (versus BWV).

It's a tough call...the answer will come to you somehow!!!!

 

[thelobstershanty]

Before answering your question, it would be helpful to know how many nights you are staying at each resort? And, what size villa are you staying in? Both of these answers would weigh in, on our opinion of which resort to pick.

 

[Elvis1515]

Thank you so much for the info. I can't wait to read more opinions.

We are staying for 14 nights currently w/ BCV & VWL. If we changed to OKW it would be 16 nights. Both resorts we will be in a studio.

We love to walk and do not like to drive if necessary. We will have our mini van with us if needed. But packing up 2 kids in a car is never fun.

We feel in love w/VWL b/c of the setting and never needed to leave the resort - nature trail, bikes, pony rides, outdoor movies, pool etc..

We have found that Disney's swimming pools are so well heated that the temp doesn't really matter. I think last year we were swimming in 65 degrees weather b/c the pool was so warm.

I would love to hear more ideas.

Thank you so much! Everyone is so nice on this board!

 

[alexandone]

IMHO, BCV is all about the pool, which is something to be enjoyed for a longer period of time (all morning, all day....). Jan is too cold to hang out by the pool soaking wet. I'd opt for OKW.

I couldn't agree more (BCV is about the pool).

 

[MiaSRN62]

We find that going to any park from OKW is pretty much the same...drive, shuttle, etc.

las3888,
Is there a reason you didn't use the disney busses at OKW ? We find them very convenient (they ran about every 15-20 min a couple weeks ago when we were there), and rarely, if ever, use our car to go to the parks. Just curious.

WOW Elvis1515 ! 14 nights ! That's awesome. I think you'll be very happy with the reservations you currently have. Enjoy your stay

 

[thelobstershanty]

Well, this is my 2 cents.........
Since you are staying in a studio and have 2 small children (1 young enough for a portacrib) you really do not need 2 beds. The baby can sleep in the portacrib and the 4 yo either in bed with you or on the sofa. Since you do not need 2 beds, I think a BCV studio would be better for you. Although technically the BCV studio is slightly smaller than an OKW studio, because the BCV studio has only 1 bed and more open floor space the studio feels much larger. You will also have more open space for the kids to play and to put the portacrib.
If you do not like to drive, the close parking at OKW will not be of any use to you. From OKW you will have to take a bus everywhere except DTD which has a boat. From BCV you can walk or boat to Epcot and MGM, bus to everywhere else. With little ones in a stroller it is much easier to walk or take a boat than getting on and off buses.
BCV's main pool SAB is absolutely amazing. Although it has some very deep spots it also has a very nice beach sand area and zero depth entry area that is perfect for your age kids. If you kids were older I would worry about them wandering off to a deep part of the pool, but at 1 & 4 they will be very content at the sand/beach area. OKW also has a nice main pool but it is not zero depth entry. BTW, kiddie meals at Hurricane Hannahs at SAB, come in a sand bucket with a shovel, so the kids will even have sand toys to play with!
You said you like VWL because there is so much to do right at the resort. BCV also has a lot to do right at the resort. You will have the boardwalk entertainment at night, you will be steps away from Epcot, restaurants and shops. BCV has the food court/store that is really nice for little ones.
Overall, I would recommend you keep your reservation as it is, and stay 7 nights at VWL and 7 nights at BCV. It is very tempting to have 2 extra nights, but 14 nights is a long trip and you may be very ready to come home after 2 weeks away. Also considering your traveling group and your preferences, I think BCV is better suited for you. Both resorts are very nice but BCV is a better fit, at this time, imo.
Have a great trip!