if you are planning on spending most of your time at epcot and the boardwalk establishments, then i'd stay bwv, but if you want a good relaxing trip and plan to go to all parks equally, i'd do okw. The extra space, beautiful grounds and vacation home feel over a hotel feel make okw our destination of choice. I don't care much for having to walk so far to all the parks. I'd rather take a bus and get dropped off at the front instead. We find we actually do the least amount of walking when we stay at okw. Love the beautiful landscaping there as well. The 1 bedroom units at okw are huge, and that big dining balcony/porch is our favorite. Request a water view, and you wont be disappointed!
I'm glad you asked this question! I'm having the exact same debate with myself. I'm taking my elderly parents in January and actually started making a comparison pros/cons list. (Pretty anal, huh?) I'm wondering if there are other differences that are less obvious.
Thank you! That's the kind of thing I was looking for.
My parents are 86. This will be their 6th trip to WDW after they became "old." I WILL be requesting 1st floor due to medical reasons (or bldgs 62 or 63)...they don't do well with steps.
We will have a car...as they can't do buses. They have a Handicapped parking placard, so at BWV we'd be doing valet parking. I also know that parking at OKW is outside the unit except for bldg 64 and maybe a couple others.
I've stayed at BWV with my hubby, so I know what those rooms are like. We didn't have to go to the end of the endless hallway, though. This past January my parents and I stayed at BLT on the FAR end, and I have to say that I think the distance from that room to the Monorail was LONGER than the endless hallway at BWV.
We have yet to use ECVs, but that day may be coming. So far we've been walking VERY slowly, so OKW would minimize that.
Diane...you may be DEFINITELY talking me into OKW.
I bolded that area, because we feel exactly the opposite. We find we do FAR less walking at OKW than anywhere else. BWV and AKV are where we feel we do too much walking. DH has bad (need to be replaced) knees too, and we also visit the parks every day. OKW is so easy, since every bus stops at HH, so you are never more than a bus stop away. At BWV and AKV, it can take me 10 minutes just to get to the lobby and that's walking all the way. At least at OKW, I only have a couple of minutes to walk to the bus stop.my parents are in their mid 80's, and havive mobilty issues (replaced knees for mom, desperately needing to be replaced knees for dad).
we rent a scooter (have heard great things about randy's - check the disabilities board for more info), and charge it in the room every night.
they both thought OKW was pretty, but didn't care for the condo look (at the BWVs, our views are never of cars, buses, or parking lots), and the that "it feels like a nursing home" (their words). in many of the buidlings, doing anything other than sitting in the room required driving or a very long walk - swimming at the main pool, getting a bite to eat, etc.
also, we tend to spend our time mostly at the parks and enjoying the resort itself - which is probably why we all prefer the BWV where there is always something to do and/or see. the bellevue lounge, BW entertainers, jellyrolls, carny games, community hall, shopping and dining are all right there. none of us have ever had a problem with the "long hallways" some speak of, and we've been staying at the BW since it opened - before we even owned DVC.
if you do stay in the room a lot, OKW definately has larger accomadations. if we were going on a no park, sleeping in trip, it is prob the resort we would choose - it is a very pretty resort, just a little too far from everything for our tastes.
hth
