OKW or BWV?

[disneyeveryyear]

We are going to our first trip "home" in November.

We bought at SSR, but decided to go to OKW for the larger rooms.

We will have our family of four, me, DH, DS11 and DD6, plus my mother. So, we thought the extra seating space in the 2 bedroom would be good.

So far, I made reservations at SSR, cancelled at 7 month window and booked at OKW.

Now I find out that BWV Standard view is low in points also, so I think, hey, wouldn't it be nice to be down "where the action is".

DH doesn't really care - would probably as soon stay at OKW, but did enjoy the location when we stayed at Dolphin in December.

Mom has no idea, I could show her picture on allearsnet, but still would just say "Wherever you kids want is fine with me." Not sure of weather in November, so the really cool pool might not matter for kids, if it is too cool to swim.

I called this a.m. Could get 3 out of 5 nights and could waitlist for others. Would probably get a Preferred view for 1st two and then waitlist, so we wouldn't have to move again (staying first night in value because it's a Saturday and arriving late afternoon).

What would you do?

Sorry it's so long.

 

[Galahad]

I vote for OKW but we've been owners there for 12 years and so I'm biased. They really are the best rooms/villas (though we are staying at SSR this summer and the pics of the rooms look great!).

 

[TerriBelle]

I vote for BWV but we've been owners there for 5 years and so I'm biased.

Everyone has their own favorite resort. We have 3 kids (DD 12, DS 7, DS7) and we like being where the action is. It is so nice to able to walk or boat to EPCOT & MGM. Our kids really enjoy hanging out at the BW at night. The entertainers are fun. There also are a lot of food choices in the EPCOT area.

When we want a relaxing trip, our family enjoys HH.

 

[dianeschlicht]

It really comes down a bit to sleeping arrangements. At OKW, you will have more room and one more real bed than you will have at BWV. The differences that make a difference to ME are hotel type noise (hallways) versus no interior halls. More space and beds, better transportation offerings and great new slide at OKW. I see no real advantage to the location unless you plan to walk to Epcot and MGM, and then it is much more walking to get into both of those than it is from the bus stops in to the parks from OKW.

 

[thelobstershanty]

My vote would be for BWV. Better location, close to great restaurants, lots of stuff to do at night, almost in the backyard of 2 parks, great views of Illuminations and some of Fantasmic, beautiful resort, particularly at night. You only need to take a bus to 1 park, since MK can also be reached from the monorail at Epcot. Very few villas with bad views. You do not feel removed from everything. We love to be able to see parts of Epcot from our villa. We also love to see parts of MK from our rooms when we stay in MK resorts. Epcot resorts are our favorite and the MK resorts are second. We are a family that really hopes they do build a DVC at the Contempory. We will definitely stay there, if they do.

 

[dianeschlicht]

OKW also has some pretty good views of Illuminations, but none of Fantasmic. Good views here too, since most are of water, golf course, or woods. As far as being "closer" to the parks...I'm not so sure I agree. I don NOT find walking to Epcot and all the way to the front of the park and through it to get to the monorail a necessarily easy trek. The boats to MGM and EPcot take longer than walking from BWV, and not everyone is willing to add that much additional walking to their day. I only say this to point out that which is best is really each individual's opinion. My opinion might be different from yours, so until you stay at each, you will not know for sure which is "best" for you.

 

[sheryl0521]

Early November may be tough for standard view points BWV beacuse of the Food & Wine Fest. Those tend to fill up the quickest and it is a popular time.

 

[thelobstershanty]

Early November may be tough for standard view points BWV beacuse of the Food & Wine Fest. Those tend to fill up the quickest and it is a popular time.

The Food and Wine Festival has become so popular that it keeps gettiing extended. In '05 the festival runs from Sept 30 to Nov 13. I agree, during this festival, BWV rooms book up vey fast. The Flower and Garden show, that runs for a month, is also another time BWV's are in high demand. The Christmas/New Years holidays are also very popular times because of the Candlelight Processionals and the many other holiday related special events that take place in Epcot. How convenient and close all the special Epcot events, held in WS are to the Epcot resorts, can not be bea! And, I am not even mentioning the, somewhat farther but still very close, location to MGM and all of their special events.
Taking a scenic boat ride or a walk on a very pretty pathway with views of Epcot/MGM, is more pleasant to us; than taking a bus, where the view is of a highway. When we do take a bus or drive to a park, the walk from the parking lot or bus stop seems a lot longer. We have never measured it, maybe it just seems that way because, to us, it feels like more of a mass exodus then a pleasant walk in very pretty surroundings.

 

[Disney Doll]

Well, you need to think about what things are most important to your family for this vacation. If room size is important, then OKW wins over BWV. Not that BWV are not perfectly ample size units for a vacation condo, but OKW units are bigger. OKW is a bit more "off the beaten path" than BWV. From OKW, you bus everywhere, except DTD, where you can take the cute little boat, or walk (but it's a bit of a long walk, but do-able). Obviously, as far as location, BWV wins hands down if you like to be in the center of the action, with access to numerous great restaurants and some good shopping. You can walk or boat to MGM & Epcot from BWV. You bus to AK. You can bus or take the monorail to MK, but as another poster pointed out, taking the monorail means walking from the "bacK" (World Showcase) to the "front" (near the big ball) of Epcot...not nesessarily a short trek, but again, do-able. Pool-wise, the main pool at BWV is fun, as is the main pool at OKW, especially since they recently added a new slide. IMHO, the main pools at these 2 resorts are generally comparable at this point. I would venture a guess that the quiet pools in each resort are comparable also.

Having stayed at both, I can't say I like one more than the other...they are different resorts but equally as nice. It really depends on what aspects are more important. Sometimes I like OKW for the laid-back feel, sometimes I like BWV for the "in the action" feel.

We are going in October for the F&W Fest. We actually have a reservation for OKW for the 1st 4 days and BWV for the last 3, so we get the best of both worlds!!!!