OKW or BWV

[superminnie]

I need help in choosing between OKW and BWV. I have never stayed at either one and one appreciate opinions on both, Thanks.

 

[Scraper]

Well you can not beat the BCV or the BW for Location. Just a short walk to the back gate of Epcot. boat rides to MGM. Best pool at Disney is Storm along bay at BCV. We are DVC members and stay at OKW in Dec. for the low points but we love the BCV in the warm weather.

 

[superminnie]

Thanks I appreciate the help

 

[DebbieB]

When my mom was alive, we did May at OKW and early December at BWV (1 bedrooms). It gave us 2 different types of vacations. The May at OKW as more laid back and relaxing. The December at BWV was more "middle of the action", going to see the Christmas activities. It worked great for us. When I travel solo, I prefer BWV, it feels more secure.

 

[ccigliano]

Rooms at OKW are more spacious, however, BW has a great location right outside EP and quick boat ride to MGM. I'd love to walk in to EPCOT, go to France and get some pastries and back to my room in 15 mins. Maybe it's best to stay at OKW afterall . Might be better for the waistline. Good Luck!!

 

[jdvm]

It's Old Key West for us. hands down
J

 

[weluvslinkydog]

It's Old Key West for us. hands down
J

just curious about why you feel that way--I am deciding between the two also, and wondering the "pros" of OKW vs. the obvious location benefit of BW and BCV? we'd be staying in a studio, and I've heard the balconies are quite small at OKW? ....or maybe the same size as BW and BCV? thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

only OKW has 2 queen beds in the studio - the others have a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa.

I though the balcony was small - but on my last trip (first time in a while on a second floor) it was quiet large.... more than enough for 2 people to relax.

the first floor just seem smaller. might be all the shurbs growing around it.

now the 1-bedroom and up have a very, very large one. but the studio is just fine for 2 people.

Now if the points are the same for OKW and BWV - which can happen with standard view - then go with BWV. but otherwise OKW is very, very nice and relaxing.

I definitely like swimming better at OKW than BWV.

 

[dwelty]

I say OKW, but I'm afraid of clowns.

 

[jdvm]

OK, weluv.....

Here are my personal views. Goodness knows others will disagree. We've been members of Old Key West since 1992 and in many ways our kids grew up there. We've stayed in all of the other DVC resorts--except Hilton Head and strongly prefer OKW. Here are a few of our reasons:

-you can park right outside your door. A trip to the car is short and free. At the resorts attached to hotels (Boardwalk, Beach Club and Wilderness Lodge) you either have to walk a long way to your car or tip the valet guys in and out every time you want your car. We tip $3 in and $3 out and that can get a bit expensive--especially if you're going to another resort for dinner and pay $6 in tips there as well. I'm also not fond of waiting for the valets to bring the car up. I just want to get into my car with zero hassle.

-I like the quiet and remoteness of Old Key West. All of the other resorts are very attractive but we like the laid back feel of old key West. it may sound silly, but it's easier for us to chill out on the balcony watching birds and trees than watching the buzz of the Boardwalk.

-Old Key West is lush and tropical. We like looking at lots of palm trees and OKW has 'em. Saratoga Springs just looks sterile to us.

-I like an outside door. May sound silly but if you walk out of your unit and you're outside, it feel like home. If you walk out into a hall, it feels like a hotel.

-Old Key West is a dedicated DVC resort so it's easier to get to know to the cast members who work there. This was a VERY big deal to our kids when they were growing up. We thought nothing of letting our kids eat lunch alone at Olivia's because everyone there--and at the bell stand and the general store knew them! I think they were charter members of hanks!

-Let's face it. the rooms are bigger and have more architectural details. And they have a strong, substantial feel. Old Key West is built like a rock. we were there during hurricane Charley and felt VERY safe.

Sorry this is so long. Hope it helps.
John

 

[weluvslinkydog]

Thanks so much John for the thoughtful response! ...I couldn't agree with you more about SSR...my husband was particularly disappointed with the feel of that resort, but we chalked it up to our being form the NE, and well, we look at Oaks and Birch trees everyday--when we're in Florida we definitely want to look at Palm trees!

anyway, thnaks so much for taking the time for such a detailed response...you convinced me to go for the relaxed and tropical choice!...one last question, since you have so much exprerience here...does it feel very spread out like SSR does? and I was thining of requesting the Turtle Pond area, as I liked the idea of the pool bar/snacks, but thought it might be less crowded than the main hub pool....what are your thoughts on best location for this resort? Thanks again! Jen

 

[jdvm]

oooooooooooooooh, Jen, now you're drawing me into dangerous territory. About 99 out of 100 Old Key West owners will have a different opinion on this one. But, here's mine. We like building 11. It's really isolated and when you're on your balcony, you feel like you could be in a cabin in the woods. We really like that. It's also tucked away from traffic. It's at a dead end and the busses don't come there and other traffic is going very slowly. It's right across from the hospitality house and our kids could walk from the room to the pool/Hanks without ever crossing a street. You sorta need a map to appreciate this. Even when the girls were old enough to cross streets we still tried to get in building 11 just out of tradition. The last reason I'd cite is that it is nice to have the hospitality house bus stop so close...it's the last stop before the busses leave the resort. (Having said that, coming back to the resort, we'd usually get off at Miller Road and walk back to the room instead of riding all the way around the resort. We've stayed in lots of other areas--and I must say I'm also a big fan of South Point. The setting is probably prettier than building 11 but not as convenient to the main pool. Turtle pond is nice as well, but we've had some bad luck in finding snacks available when we want them
To answer your other question, Old Key West CAN be very spread out.
Glad to help
John