OKW vs BWV

[David]

<IMG SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused"> I've narrowed it down to these two. Please help me decide. As I understand, BW is close to things but noisy and crowded and not really for young kids and our family of 5. OKW is great for our size but not as convenient since we have to rent a car or do buses. The best value is at OKW. Should I buy there and use points at BWV? Here are my stats...family of 5, kids are 8,6,4. We would only come during "adventure" time periods.

 

[nuthut]

I would buy where ever you intend to stay. If you are satisfied with OKW as a backup to the BWV then I would buy OKW and save some money. If you only want Boardwalk and never want to stay at OKW then buy the BWV. You will usaully only get your home resort for those hot times like Christmas and Newyears.

 

[Jenn]

I'm not sure what you mean by OKW is the best size for your family. You would need a 2 BR based on your family size. The 2 BR at OKW is slightly larger than the 2 BR at BWV, maybe that is what you mean? Your points go a bit farther at OKW than they do a BWV.

Both are great - both have stuff for the kids. We own at BWV but just got back from a stay at OKW and we loved it. You will need a car for OKW. You can walk or take a boat to MGM/Epcot from BWV but you still need to take a bus to MK or AK. In a previous post you mentioned loving monorail access. BWV comes close with the quick access to Epcot and MGM.

I guess it depends on what your family likes. OKW looks just like Key West. It is relaxing, laid back, truly a lovely resort. The resort is spread out and in our case we needed a car to get to the main building/main pool area. Boardwalk is more in the action I guess you could say, but that doesn't mean you can't relax there. If you don't want a BW view with the hustle/bustle, don't get one. You can be in a quiet area there too.

Jenn

 

[drusba]

I believe after everyone posts you will still be undecided because both resorts have their advocates. I will give the pitch for BWV:

It is a misconception that it is noisy and not kid friendly. There is noise on the boardwalk at night, but only 20% of the rooms are there and even then the rooms are quiet when the balcony doors are closed. You can, if you desire, get almost absolute quiet by staying in the "quiet" pool area because few people ever hang out in that area. The main ("Luna") pool is very good, themed as an amusement park, with a long (but not with huge drop) slide. There is a kiddie pool and an excellent playground right next to the main pool. The activities on the walk include those both for kids and adults--games, street performers, portraits, sometimes a DJ, surrey bikes; you can buy pizza on the walk, there is a candy store (salt water taffy and that disgustingly good fudge that you can get at seashore resorts), a bakery, 4 restaurants (one in the ESPN Club), a night club and dance hall, stores, exercise room).

You can walk to Epcot and MGM and walk to about 30 restaurants (in those parks and at the Epcot resorts that also include YC/BC and Swan/Dolphin). It is a "lively" place that is ideally located (best location in WDW)and great for adults and kids. Also, if you buy remember that you will be going for many years and your kids as teens (I know this now) are going to be awfully glad you bought there rather than elsewhere, particularly the couple of nights a week they have DJ's on the walk and lots of teens dancing and getting to know each other.

Another key to BWV is that it is a lot harder to get with the 7 month reservation window than OKW; in fact, OKW is rather easy to get with the 7 month window, thus if you want to stay at OKW once in a while, you will have little problem, but if you buy at OKW you are likely to find it difficult getting into BWV many times of year.

 

[J.P.]

I going to make pitch for OKW, we have been members since 92 at OKW. WE have had some great times st OKW swimmimg at turtle pond and the big pool located at the front of the resort. It's nice and quiet, the rooms are great, we have stayed in studio, 1brm, 2brm. My kids love the two bedroom because the have their own bathroom and tv to watch. The places are very roomy. We have never had a problem getting to and from the parks with a car. It's centrally located for the disney village and typhoon lagoon. My kids are 10 and 12 now, the started staying at OKW when one was three years old and 18 months. It was great to sit and relax on the patio or the living room while the kids took naps or played in their rooms.
I hope this help you make a decision. JP

 

[dhudson1]

My Daughter (8 years old, but 6 when we first stayed at OKW and BWV) prefers BWV, but like OKW. She likes the slide at the BWV pool and like to walk on the boardwalk with us.

My 17 yr old son doesn't car for OKW, not enough happening. Keep in mind that kids don't stay real youg forever.

Frankly, you can't loose either way. I own at
BWV, but would love to purchase an OKW resale.

<font color="#FF0000"><font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="3"><center>Darryl</font>
<font size="1"><marquee>71 Offsite, 72 Offsite, 81 Offsite - Honeymoon, 83 Offsite, 84 FW Tent, 85 Poly, 90 Offsite, 91 Offsite, 92 Offsite, 93 CBR, 94 Offsite, 96 ASM, 98 CBR-Bought DVC @ BWV, 99 BWV & OKW, 00 OKW & FW Cabin, 01 BWV in July</marquee></font></font></font><IMG width="125" height="122" SRC="http://members.aol.com/robert1958/private/Disney.jpg"></center>

 

[WOW]

We are OKW members since 1995-----We love OKW, it is very laid back and very relaxing. The pools are great. We have stayed all over the place and were always able to walk to the Hospitality House.
We have almost never had a problem with the bus transportation. When we had to wait, we just enjoyed ourselves and didn't get crazy. We never rent a car because we don't like to drive on vacation. We stayed at BWV last summer and that is also very nice....the restaurant choices are much better and the access to Epcot is great. Also you can visit BC, YC, Swan and Dolphin. I like both, but OKW is my preference. Our kids actually like OKW better (believe it or not---and they are 21 and 22). Being DVC members we know that we will be there again, and that in itself allows us to be very carefree and relaxed. If we don't do something....Well, there is always the next trip. Either choice that you make will be a good one........Good Luck

 

[chris1gill]

OH MY....

BW is neither loud NOR crowded!!! Perhaps if your room was overlooking the BW or Luna pool it might be noisy... but anywhere else in the resort, and you will have quiet!!! We've been 4 times, and it's never appeared noisy to us. The first time we went it was just our son, DH & I... but now we have our daughter... They've both stayed at OKW & BWV's... My son is SO disappointed we are staying at OKW in December.. I know he'll warm up when he gets back there... but suffice it to say my kids and I love BW!! Close to everything, quiet, even peaceful depending where you are.... we've never met anyone on staff that wasn't pleasant with all of us!!

Good luck with your decision!

 

[AnnK]

BWV is our kids FAVORITE resort! ( Ours too!) We have 5 children ages 19,13,12,9, and 4. They LOVE BW! When we arrive they say "We're Home!" We have been going to the BW since our youngest was an infant.
It's NOT loud! It's very kid friendly! When we were there last April they had a swim up movie at the quiet pool, our kids thought this was NEAT! They have dancing and acts on the BW. Storm-a-Long Bay is right across the water, you can pool hop there for a few hours. The Community Hall has a computer, N64 games ping- pong, foosball, a few free arcade games and crafts. There is ESPN for food, and the parks are within walking distance. Luna pool has a slide and a small playground. It's great to have so much to do without ever having to leave your resort. BWV has a "hotel" atmosphere. You can get room service and all the regular amenities of a hotel. We like having food available to us after we return from the parks
It does cost more points and the dues are higher, but for us it's worth it! If you buy at BWV and make your ressies 11 months out you can get the "standard view" which is the same as OKW points per night.( in some instances it may be a point more per night.) It is also VERY quiet, (as long as you are not near the elevator.)If you like BW I suggest looking for a resale there. It has been difficult to get in BW even for members trying to reserve BEFORE the 7 month window opens it up for the other DVC resorts. OKW has had more availability than BWV.
Some people have complained that it's loud, but in all our stays that has not been a problem. Some people say how "busy" it is, but it doesn't HAVE to be busy, you can hang out by the "quiet"pool and the kids will LOVE the Community Hall. There are plenty of ways of relaxing at BW.
I, along with my family,prefer BWV, but I am certain that no matter which one you choose you will have the opportunity to enjoy them all, and you will not be sorry that you joined.

 

[Mary Ellen]

I'm not sure if I missed something, but you said that OKW would fit your family of 5 better. If you ever plan on staying in a studio, the only studios that will fit 5 are at BWV - at least until your shortest child outgrows the daybed.

We've stayed at both resorts as we own at 1 and my brother owns at the other and LOVE them both. This was the hardest part of our decision to buy into DVC - which resort???

At BWV we've always overlooked Luna pool and we've NEVER had any problems from pool noise. Now, the noise from inconsiderate people in the halls early in the morning is another matter....

We've noticed more children at BWV's Luna Pool than at OKW's main pool.

Which ever resort you decide on, it'll be great.

 

[SimbaSue]

I am certainly no expert, never having stayed at OKW, but... We bought at BWV for the location! We have a May trip planned at OKW (we booked at 2 1/2 months out, which I think would be difficult at BWV) and will have a rental car. We do not plan to use the car once we get to WDW from Vero Beach. I hope that the transportation by bus won't be too bad. We hate driving and feel that leaving the car parked is integral to our Disney experience. We are young and can walk as much as necessary. Besides, since we are now members, I don't think we'll be in the typical Disney rush! Hope this helps at all!Sus

 

[ez]

As far as the noisy issue goes, I don't know if its so much where you stay as who you have in the suite next to you. We stayed ay bwv maybe 5 times with never a noise problem. We stayed in a studio lockoff at okw and the family next door kept us up all night. Now, last stay in bwv, heard a baby crying at 3 am. But that was a shrill, high pitched, penetrating sound as all moms know. Was just glad it wasn't my kid!

 

[ez]

One more thing I forgot to mention. I have ressies for the second week in Nov. at bwv. When I tried to change them I was told that there is already a waitlist for anything at that time. This was last month, nowhere near the 7th month window, which means there is already a waitlist among bwv owners. When they say bwv is hard to get into at the 7 month window, I believe them!

 

[Peggy Sue]

Just some things to keep in mind...

BWV has fewer units for rent than OKW. I personally have not had difficulty renting at OKW at the 11 or 7 month window. I've also had success at BWV at the 7 month window.

BWV just sold out a few months ago, it has been pointed out on these boards a couple of times that the difficulty reserving within the 11-7 month window this year may be due to the high sales last year that took advangtage of the MB program, which requires selling your points back to DVC. We'll have to see if this theory holds ture once a year has passed.

We own at both resorts. Love them both for different reasons.

We find BWV has more of a hotel feel, and we enjoy it for short trips.

OKW has more of a "home" feel, very laid back, VERY spacious. (We find the units at OKW MUCH larger than BWV units--can't compare studios..we've only stayed in 1 and 2 bedroom units at both resorts)

We love BWV for the location. Great access to MGM and Epcot. Also enjoy the dining options, not only on the BW, but the surrounding hotels and EPCOT are all within easy walking distance.

We love OKW for the laid back atmosphere. It is so relaxing and a great way to wind down, kick back and just enjoy! When you're at OKW the parks are a million miles!

Never noticed any noise problems when we stayed at the BWV's. Although we don't have kids, we certainly saw lots of families having a great time at the luna pool and along the boardwalk. I think both resorts are very kid friendly (after all, we are at WDW!) but I think BWV has more activities that appeal to a wide variety of age groups.

Good luck with your decision!

Have a wonderful day!

 

[Joeblack]

I own at BWV. We just fell in love with them when we bought them. Incredible themeing and location. I was biased towards it like most owners are with their home resort. 2 motnhs ago my wife and I had the chance to split a vacation. 4 days at BWV and 4 at OKW. Well, I gotta tell you OKW is also incredibly beautiful. There is still an edge to the BWV becasue of the location, but that advantage is offset by the size of the rooms at OKW. Whichever you choose you won't go wrong. Both are lovely.

 

[KathyR]

I have stayed at both OKW and BWV, and I absolutely LOVED both resorts. I purchased BWV mostly because there are far fewer rooms there than at OKW. So, I figure since I want to enjoy both the resorts that I will stand a better chance of getting ressies at the 7 month window at OKW just because of the size of the resort (that is my opinion). When we stayed at BWV in '98 our children were 3 and 15 months. I did not find the resort noisy or not geared toward kids at all. We had a ball. The BWV are VERY convenient with being able to walk to 2 parks. But, I have to say I did not find the buses at OKW bad at all. I know lots of people complain about them, but I did not have any problems. OKW has a wonderful atmosphere. It really feels like you are on vacation there. Not that it doesn't at BWV As you can tell, I really do love them both, and I can't say I LOVE one more than the other. If I had to pick one, it would be BWV. Mostly for its convenient location. I will, however, be very happy staying at both resorts for the next 41 years I will also be trying out the VWL this fall, and I am sure I will be equally happy with that location!

You will find strong arguements for both resorts. I will let you in on a secret that both sides don't know.... They are both right. Both resorts are wonderful.

I guess the bottom line is buy where you want to stay the most often. I know you are hearing that over and over, but it is the best advice. Best of luck to you with your decision

KathyR