OKW vs. BCV

[Disney Doll]

I would have to agree that with younger children, OKW might be better and easier to keep track of them at th epool. SAB @ the BCV covers a lot of area. The rooms at OKW are larger...not that the rooms at BCV aren't perfectly ample for a vacation condo, but the rooms at OKW are bigger.

I have no problem with the bus service at either resort. When I am on vacation, I am happy to relax at the bus stop & enjoy the weather, the landscaping, even watching those cute little lizards that are all over the place!!! If oyu have no desire to leave WDW property, a car is not a necessity. If you want to go from hotel to hotel and don't want to do the bus thing, just call a cab. The ride is usually pretty inexpensive, and sometimes, it's worth it.

The studio size is fine your family, although if you can see your way clear to get a 1BR, the full kitchen and the washer/dryer would be great...you could pack less clothing if you're willing to do a bit of laundry. That's what I do when we go...throw a load of laundry in in the morning, toss it in the dryer when we go back to the room in the afternoon, and it's nice not to have to schlep a bunch of luggage through the airport.

As far as which resort is which. OKW is more condo-style. Each building has a parking lot in front of it, so you can park pretty much in front of your unit. The units have entrances from the outside (as opposed to off of a hallway). BCV is more hotel or apartment building style. You enter a lobby and the units are off interior hallways.

 

[JimMIA]

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!

Sure, that's easy.

BWV, BCV, and VWL are all attached to luxury Disney hotels and have more of a hotel feel to them. They enjoy amenities like room service, etc., like the hotels. You will have closer access to restaurants, bars, etc. To most, these three resorts are more "in the middle of the action," BWV and BCV at Epcot/MGM, and VWL right next to MK.

SSR and OKW are more like condo complexes. They are more spread-out, have parking at your door instead of in the same county, but do not generally have the same amenities. Most of the comments you will hear about them are "laid back, relaxing..." Or, "Senior Citizen's Home," boring, etc." These two resorts are not inconvenient by any means, but they are not within walking distance to two parks like BWV/BCV.

All of the resorts are great, and some are greater than others for certain types of vacations. On a theme park rampage, for example, I would choose OKW for the tranquility. But for Food and Wine, especially without kids, I would choose BWV for the easy crawl home from Epcot late at night.

 

[spiceycat]

Deb and jksky4

OKW has the apartment atmosphere. It definitely feel more like a small community - some people love it others hate it.

BWV has the feel of a hotel in a big town - very busy.

BCV feels like a seaside place - but not really - hard to descriptive

VWL is like going to the mountain retreat.

BWV, BCV and VWL are more hotel style than condo. they have room service, valet parking and everything that goes with the resort.

OKW and SSR don't have either room service or valet parking. Don't need the valet parking. However I would still love OKW to get room service....oh well maybe one day!

BCV and VWL get to use all the stuff in the hotels - WL , BC/YC.

BWV and BWI were built together - they have always shared everything.

all have activities during the day.

BWV has the BW for activities at night. the BCV is close enough to walk over to the BW.

SSR has DD for night activities. OKW is close enough to walk to it - but I won't there aren't many lights on this path. SSR path is well lite.

decide which you like then rent points to stay in them. that is one sure bet that you won't be disappointed after you buy in to DVC.

 

[deba]

Thank you Jim and Spiceycat. Exactly the info I was looking for!

 

[PKS44]

BCV parking is pretty easy and close.

OKW studios are a slightly larger than BWV which are slightly larger than BCV.

I would say that with children of 5 and 7 it makes little difference whether they sleep in a real bed in an OKW studio or a pull out-even a full sized (BCV/BWV/VWl studio or 1BR) vs queen pull out (OKW 1 BR) ---the bed differences between these resorts for those ages should not be a big deal to kids that little...

SAB the pool at BCV stands for STORMALONG BAY not "Sail Away Bay"

For your plans with no car I would vote for VWL.

 

[JimMIA]

SAB the pool at BCV stands for STORMALONG BAY not "Sail Away Bay"

That's why I prefer the Old Folks Home at OKW! I can't keep up with all the details like I could when I was only 80!

 

[jksky4]

Thanks. Now I just need to go on the Rent/Trade board to find points for February 2006.

 

[skelooch]

There are some very compelling arguments for both resorts, I'm probabally a little biased as you can tell from my sig.
But I'd like to chime in about the car, if you can swing it I would definately get it. I've done the buses with small ones your kids ages and it isn't any fun, especially with a strollers. If the buses are crowded it becomes even more of a drag. The only park I ever consider taking the bus to is MK because it drops you off close to the gate.
You mentioned you were going in Feb. that should mean the parks and the buses could be a little less crowded, but it might also mean less buses running meaning longer waits. The pool is a no brainer but again in Feb. you may not even get swimming weather.

I'll also be there in Feb. so I hope the weather is good.
But I will have a car!!!

 

[SoCalKDG]

There are some very compelling arguments for both resorts, I'm probabally a little biased as you can tell from my sig.
But I'd like to chime in about the car, if you can swing it I would definately get it. I've done the buses with small ones your kids ages and it isn't any fun, especially with a strollers. If the buses are crowded it becomes even more of a drag. The only park I ever consider taking the bus to is MK because it drops you off close to the gate.

This is the exact reason to not have a car and stay at BCV's. You can walk or take a boat(which you can roll your stroller into - no need to pack it up) to two parks(DS and Epcot), and as mentioned you want to bus to the MK anyways. You can then walk to 5-10 restaurants at night to eat.

 

[MiaSRN62]

OKW and SSR don't have either room service or valet parking. Don't need the valet parking. However I would still love OKW to get room service....oh well maybe one day!

Hey Pat and other OKW'ers,
It's not exactly room service, BUT, we have ordered from this restaurant before :
http://www.giordanos.com/ (they delivered right to our door !).
Also, I believe you can order pizza/beer/wine/wings from Port Orleans Riverside :
http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/men_sasp.htm

 

[jade1]

This is the exact reason to not have a car and stay at BCV's. You can walk or take a boat(which you can roll your stroller into - no need to pack it up) to two parks(DS and Epcot), and as mentioned you want to bus to the MK anyways. You can then walk to 5-10 restaurants at night to eat.

Could not agree more, especially after Fantasmic or Illuminations mad rush to the buses (you avoid that whole thing). The kids fall asleep and you dont have to even take them out of the stroller (or blind them 4 times with lights) and hold them and the stroller while you wait in line for a bus and then bounce around for 15 minutes. Then you get off at a bus stop at OKW, set up the stroller, put them back in, walk back to your room (no elevator), take them out of the stroller and carry them up the stairs to your room. AT BCV simply stroll (or boat) back to your room and lift them in bed. Cant beat it.

 

[Bexx]

But the OP has already said that they will be probably be visiting MK and AK more often than Epcot (and MGM?) - both of which require the bus ride from the BCVs.

OKW would probably offer less crowded buses, and you can always request first floor. Otherwise VWL is worth bearing in mind for the boat ride to MK.

Edited to add: I just seen your new thread, jksky4!! Looks like you've already decided where to stay - a very good choice.

 

[jksky4]

I think we have decided to go with OKW . Now the big debate is studio or one bedroom. My youngest will be 2 and I just don't know if we really need the one bedroom. The cost savings is pretty significant.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I think we have decided to go with OKW . Now the big debate is studio or one bedroom. My youngest will be 2 and I just don't know if we really need the one bedroom. The cost savings is pretty significant.

But the washer and dryer right in your room may be worth the difference, especially if your little one has the need to change clothing often.

The one bedroom is just SO FINE.

 

[jksky4]

I know but I just keep thinking of the money we would save. Plus , we were just going to stay at POR until we found out about renting. Hmm. It definately is something to think about.

 

[Beca]

I know you have already decided, but I just wanted to throw in my experiences. We took our dd (she's three) and her best friend and family to WDW in April. We splurged and got a 2 bdrm at OKW.

We were pretty close to Olivia's and the pool, but because there was a creek between us, it was a really long walk to get there. We ended up driving...even to run to the general store.

About halfway through our trip, or dd said, "Mom, next time we go to Disneyworld, can we actually stay at Disneyworld?" I tried to explain to her that "Old Key West Watertower" (she thinks that is the name of the hotel) IS at WDW, but she didn't quite buy it. She said, "but I want to stay at Disneyworld where we don't have to drive to it everyday."

There is a big difference between the feelings of the resorts. We actually owned points at OKW (we have since sold them), but it just felt too remote for us. There was nothing in walking distance to our room. I really missed not being able to run down to the store, or just to take dd "to the action" when she got stir crazy.

However, I am going to echo spiceycat. I would really look into VWL if I were you. My dd LOVES being able to take the boat places, and it sounds to me like you will be doing MK more than the other parks. You are SOOO close to MK at VWL, and it is so nice to be able to roll your stroller onto the boats instead of folding it up for the buses. My dd loves the stream going thru the lobby, and the geyser. You might even try to be a "flag family" and get to go on the roof in the morning when they raise the flag. Also, remember Fort Wilderness has pony rides, a petting zoo, and "sing along" nights. There is "Whispering Canyon" which is a really fun dinner atmosphere for the kids, and the pool is BEAUTIFUL.

I LOVE BCV, and would want to stay there anytime....but, I think VWL really might be the best choice for you.

But, I would reconsider OKW with three small kids. Personally, I would not do OKW without a car, and I would think getting 3 kids strapped into car seats/booster seats to run to the pool or store would be more trouble than it is worth. I would try to find the more unique forms of WDW transportation (boat or monorail) instead of just buses. My dd thinks riding a boat is as cools as riding a ride....she'd be happy if we just rode the boats all day. Plus, there is something magical about loading the boat at night after a long day at MK (providing that the line is not too long)...it just seems truly "resort-ish" to take a boat back to your hotel. It doesn't hurt that ducks sometimes come by and want to be fed while you are waiting...that keeps our dd occupied, too. One night at MGM, we let several buses "pass us by" while dd fed the ducks (cost us a pretty penny in duck food at those machines)...it was her favorite part of MGM.

I would also suggest you look into the cabins at Fort Wilderness. They would be "in the middle" between a resort like VWL and one like OKW. They have a full kitchen (but, no washer and dryer) can sleep 6 and are beautiful. If you choose to rent a car, you drive right up to your front door, and there is a covered patio with a BBQ grill. Sometimes, you can get really good rates on the cabins. I LOVE them.

Whatever you decide, I hope it is the right choice for you. Ambience is SOOO important at WDW. I always want to make sure the "Disney magic" extends to my hotel room as well. I hope you find the place that makes magic for your family.



Beca

 

[jksky4]

You made alot of good points. I guess I still have time to think about it.

 

[WOW]

Well I must say that both resorts are great, but BWV bus transportation is very annoying with the multiple stops. We only stayed there once and always stay at OKW now. Have been members since 1993 and have always had great bus servic at OKW. That is not to say that on occassion something goes wrong.......maybe only 3 times in the 25 times we have been there.

The new pool at OKW is really great and all the young children there really seemed to enjoy it. As someone else said, if your could swing a 1 bedroom you would really enjoy it!!!!!!! Also, you have the option of getting takeout from Goods which comes from Olivia's...which is nice!!!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

 

[off to neverland]

Hi Jksky4,

In the past year, we have stayed at OKW, BCV and VWL with our kids, ages 2 and 5.

Our first choice for this age group would be Wilderness Lodge, because of the proximity and great boat ride to Magic Kingdom, and the pool area is easy to watch kids.

OUr second choice would be BCV and the thrid would be Old Key WEst.

We love all three, but I'm basing this on having kids ages 2 and 5.

We found we needed a car for Old Key West for sure with kids this age. A car at BCV would have been nice, but wasn't essential, and we didn't need one at all at Wilderness Lodge.

Hope that helps........ You can't go wrong with any of the three. They are all wonderful.

 

[off to neverland]

I forgot to mention that my first trip report is about our stay at OKW with our two year old and five year old last January. If you are interested in how it went, you can click on the link to the COMPLETED TRIP REPORT under my signature. I think I start talking about OKW in the fifth installment (the first four are just getting there!)..............