OKW vs. BCV

[jksky4]

Please help. WE are trying to decide between renting points for the BCV or the OKW in Feb 2006. We are leaning towards the OKW because my kids are ages 2, 5 and 7 and we want something a little more relaxed. However, I have read that the transportation isn't great. Any suggestions? Also, since my youngest is 2 we are even considering just a studio since we won't be in our room much. What are your thoughts?

 

[jade1]

BCV for sure. There was just a thread comparing studio stays at OKW to some of the moderates that seemed inconclusive to which was better. IMHO I would take an OKW studio over any moderate but not by a huge margin-certainly not transportation wise. I would however take a BCV studio even over a 1BR at OKW if that explains my postion for you.

 

[JimMIA]

Please help. WE are trying to decide between renting points for the BCV or the OKW in Feb 2006. We are leaning towards the OKW because my kids are ages 2, 5 and 7 and we want something a little more relaxed. However, I have read that the transportation isn't great.

The transportation is fine for either resort -- with OKW probably being a little better. The advantages for BCV would be the proximity (walk or boat) to Epcot and MGM, and the Sail Away Bay pool area, not the buses.

Regardless of which resort you choose, down time is going to be VERY important for kids that age. We pushed DD3goingon23 in commando mode last time, and we will never make that mistake again. We want not only to TAKE our kids to WDW, but also have them actually enjoy it! And down time, especially in the middle of the day is key for that.

Any suggestions?

If you will have a rental car anyway, I would probably choose OKW for the parking and tranquility and drive to the parks. Strollers are a pain in the neck on buses.

Also, since my youngest is 2 we are even considering just a studio since we won't be in our room much. What are your thoughts?

Depending on how long you are staying, I'd think about getting a one bedroom. Much more space, full kitchen, washer/dryer in the unit, and a lot of amenities. And did I mention MUCH more space?

I would also consider an OKW studio far superior to a BCV studio with kids your age. The OKW studio has two queen sized beds + a Pack N Play for the 2 year old. BCV will give you a queen, a pullout sleeper sofa, and a Pack N Play.

 

[JimMIA]

If you will have a rental car anyway, I would probably choose OKW for the parking and tranquility and drive to the parks.

As a matter of fact, now that I think about my own answer above, I would sure consider getting a rental car. You will find it so much easier to take that break during mid-day, and it's so easy to just pile the kids in the car late at night and drive them "home."

To ask the kids to theme park all afternoon, and then wait in line for buses to get home is really asking a lot, IMHO.

 

[JimMIA]

BCV for sure. There was just a thread comparing studio stays at OKW to some of the moderates that seemed inconclusive to which was better. IMHO I would take an OKW studio over any moderate but not by a huge margin-certainly not transportation wise. I would however take a BCV studio even over a 1BR at OKW if that explains my postion for you.

You will also find a lot of threads complaining about the buses from BWV/BCV because of the shared routes. Those resorts have their charms - no doubt about it - but the busing ain't one of them.

You'll find negative comments about all of the resorts, mostly from people who have never stayed in them. The truth is they're all great.

The real difference between BCV and OKW is hotel atmosphere vs. condo/apartment atmosphere. Both are great; it's just a matter of which fits your needs better.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Except it is a real pain to park for the MK. You still have to wait in line to take the monorail or boat over to the TTC. Then get in line for a tram to take you out to your car. The alternate? Hop the bus and go straight home to your resort.

With your family an OKW studio would be better because you have two real beds (both queensized) vs. one queen sized bed and one double sleeper sofa.
The OKW bathroom is all in one room, sink, tub, toilet and it is very large. At the other DVC resorts, the sink is outside the tub/toilet room.

I'd get the one bedroom for the clear benefit of having a washer and dryer in the room vs lugging the dirty laundry to a laundry room near the pool or on another floor. You can limit the number of clothes you have to bring and do a load or two each day. Plus go home with clean clothes.

The OKW one bedroom is giant with full sized kitchen and full sized washer and dryer. The BCV one bedroom is very nice with a galley style kitchen and stackable washer and dryer.

 

[spiceycat]

okay unless your kids are very nice and like to do new and different things.

I can see a melt down everytime you try to leave the MK.

especially with kids in those ages - have you consider VWL? it might meet your needs a little better.

OKW studio has 2 queen beds. All the other DVC resorts in a studio have 1 queen bed and a double sleeper sofa.

at night when I am tired out of my mind I certainly don't want to bother with that silly sleeper sofa.....

however I don't think with your kids you will be during any late nights.

a 1-bedroom might be better because you can put the kids in the 1-bedroom and have the livingroom area to yourself. the studio is definitely cheaper. all 1-bedroom has a king bed in the master and a queen sleeper sofa in the livingroom. OKW also has a love seat big enough for your 2 or 5 year old. It might be a little small for 7? the others don't.

 

[jksky4]

Great info. However, I really don't want to rent a car. Are you saying its really necessary if staying at OKW? During downtown, the baby will be napping and the older 2 will either be swimming or doing other things. And for dinner we will either stay at the resort or go to dd or even eat at the park. I don't see venturing outside of WDW. And as far as the atmosphere, from the looks of it, OKW looks much quieter and much more relaxing however still having things to do. With my childrens ages, EPCOT isn't as important as MK or AK. THanks so mcuh.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You can get by without a car at OKW. Just take the buses like you do at other resorts. The buses at OKW are great.

 

[zoomsharedisney]

I would stay at Old Key West over Beach Club. The studios are the biggest that any Disney Vacation Club resort at WDW has to offer. The pool is basically brand new and its' easier to keep track of your children at this pool. The pool at BCV is amazing but extremely large for young children. They will probably want to go in different directions so a smaller pool will probably be much much better.

 

[spiceycat]

another reason to consider VWL.

you can easily walk to their restuarants.

OKW only has Olivia in the HH building. It is fine if you are close to it - but otherwise it is a bus ride or a walk. with 3 kids in toe I don't think you want to be bothered.

you might also consider getting your groceries thru

www.wegoshop.com

nice people and good service. then you don't have to go out when the kids are tired or even in a bad mood - WDW can be an overload.

 

[rocketriter]

Both resorts are lovely, so you really won't go wrong at either one. However, as much as I love BCV (and own there), I'd recommend OKW for your situation. The studio is larger and, for young children, swimming at the pool is easier to supervise than at BCV's spread-out SAB. Buses from either location have their strengths and weaknesses but are adequate.

Definitely follow the advice to take a swim/nap break in the middle of each day. The transportation back and forth might seem like a waste of time, but your family will come home with happier memories overall.

 

[lisareniff]

If you could swing it I would go with a 1 bedroom instead of a studio. With young kids you end up spending much more time in the room then with adults. They still need umpteen hours of sleep every night and some down time through the trip. I found the kitchen and washer/dryer invaluable. I didn't do any cooking but being able to feed the girls a normal breakfast when they woke up was wonderful and snacks/drinks throughout the day. (which you could do in a studio but easier with the full kitchen) The washer/dryer allowed me to relax and let kids be kids and if they spilled again on their only clean shirt, it was OK!! You will have more space and bigger beds. Instead of a Queen/full pullout (OKW 2 Queens), you will have a King/queen pullout in two rooms. It's so nice to not have to sit in a dark room while the little ones go to sleep.

I don't really have an opinion as far as which resort. We have only stayed at BCV so far. I might consider VWL for it's closeness to MK.

 

[JimMIA]

Great info. However, I really don't want to rent a car. Are you saying its really necessary if staying at OKW?

No, not at all. I just said it was something to consider.

I usually figure about an hour for each bus ride - a few minutes to walk to the bus stop, usually a 10-20 minute wait for the bus, a 20 minute ride. If I make it in less than an hour, I feel like I got away with something. But I rarely make a bus trip of less than 45 minutes from start to finish.

If I'm planning an early morning at a park, back to the resort for lunch/swim/nap, and then back to a park in the late afternoon/evening, that's four trips -- which translates into 3-4 hours of busing. With a 3 year-old, that's more time than I want to spend fighting the stroller, etc.

For us, driving seems to cut our travel time in half - especially if we are at OKW with the car right outside our door. But, I have to add that we drive up from Miami and have a car anyway.

We almost always find we can park close enough that we can walk into a park quicker than tramming. We can make an adventure out of the monorail/boat rides, but it's hard to do that with the tram/bus. Entering the park, Girlie is full of excitement and enjoys the short stroller ride. Leaving the park, she's asleep before we are halfway to the car.

OTOH, both of my adult daughters just visited recently (June). They both had cars anyway too, but they both bused everywhere. They were staying at OKW and SSR, and each has two small children. They did fine with the buses.

 

[jimmar6419]

The pool at BCV kept my kids so entertained, that is all they wanted to do. My three year old loved being able to walk so far out in the water. She played in the sand for so long, then took such a good nap. I vote BCV!

 

[NCRedding]

I would definitely go with OKW, especially if you want to go with a studio. There is much more room for a crib, and the children will probably sleep better in a bed than a sofa bed.

I thought the transportation was better at OKW than at BCV. I enjoyed going around the complex and then to the parks. The buses were rarely overcrowded, standing room only at OKW, but I found they were frequently packed at BCV.

 

[deba]

Quoted from JimMIA:
"The real difference between BCV and OKW is hotel atmosphere vs. condo/apartment atmosphere. Both are great; it's just a matter of which fits your needs better."

I'm just curious...could you explain which one is which, in your opinion? I am looking into choosing a "home" through resale and would like you to elaborate, if you would. Thanks!

 

[Beach_Bound9]

To rent points, both are wonderful resorts and you won't go wrong in either resort.

To purchase points, one is hand's now better than the other in my opinion, and I'd have a definite recommentation.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[jksky4]

Just curious. What would your recommendation be concerning which resort? And which has the "apartment" atmosphere.

 

[Jaybrad]

We like OKW better because of the room size. Then again, BCV is by far the better location. You can't go wrong staying at either one.