Old Key Vs. Boardwalk

[alwechsler]

I have an opportunity to get either one of these resorts at the same price per point. Old Key Westhas 48 points banked and Boardwalk does not. I don't really know which one I wanted to stay in long term. Should I make price be king here? Which resort is more likely to be worth more down the line? I have been told it doesn't matter or I have been told that Boardwalk is and will be more valuable. I really have to make a decision right away...I have been considering both but that might be tough financially.
Could I lose by owning too many points? Any insights would be very helpful. I am being told that the prices on both of these per point is amazingly good(but above the right of refusal number)

 

[Richyams]

Personally, I prefer OKW to stay in. Their are many that prefer BWV. Also, many agree with me.

But, for now, and this could change, OKW is easier to get into at the seven month window then BWV. OKW GV is nearly 1/2 the points of BWV GV. BWV dues are 20% higher, BWV points are 25% - 100% higher then OKW, BWV units are considerably smaller then OKW units. OKW is best enjoyed with a car. A car in not needed at BWV. You park in front of your unit at OKW, you hike to your room at BWV.

There are many pluses and minuses to both.

Too many points will not be a problem. You will always find something to do with them.

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs", Karl Marx, pretty sick, huh?

 

[dvcdudes]

What do you prefer? Hustle & Bustle right in the mix of things or peace and quiet relaxation. I have only stayed at BWV and at that only once (just got back). We loved being in the middle of everything. the BW is a happening place at night especially. On our way out of the World we passed by OKW and saw that it is a beautiful resort but it was obvious it is MUCH more laid back than BWV.
One other thing is transportation. If you like to take your car to various places (parks, other resorts, etc.) then OKW is better for this because your car is parked right outside but if you like to take Disney transportation places then BWV is better. We had valet park our car when we arrived and didn't pick it up until we checked out. I think getting around is a bit easier from BWV and you have more options (boat, bus, walk).
Where would you like to stay? That is the question you should ask.

DVCDUDES
Owner BWV Feb 2000

 

[Peggy Sue]

It never hurts to own points at both properties. You would have the 11 month window booking advantage at both properties.

From a personal point of view I do not look at our membership in DVC as having any future value in terms of selling our membership, however the value of the vacations we can take over the next 42 years grows in "value" each year we are members. For us, that's what makes DVC a good investment in our future.

richyams and dvcdudes did a good job giving you the pluses of each resort. I agree that where you purchase needs to fit your vacation style. You should purchase where you believe you want to spend the majority of your vacation time, because the 11 month booking window is very important if you plan to travel during peak vacation periods.

We own at both OKW and BWV. The majority of our points are with OKW, because that is where we like to spend our longer vacations at WDW, however, we also enjoy BWV..you can't beat the location of BWV..you can't beat the peace, beauty and large rooms at OKW. However, these are my opinions based upon how we like to travel.

Good luck with your decision!

Have a wonderful day!

 

[dianeschlicht]

You don't say how big each contract is. If they are each 150 points or at least both smaller contracts, I would do both. That would give you an 11 month window at both resorts. If they are larger contracts, I would choose the one by where you like to be. BWV near two parks with lots of activity and a hotel atmosphere or OKW with a slower quieter pace and a townhome atmosphere.

Disneydiane

 

[Lisa F]

If you want to stay at BWV half your time or more, I would buy at BWV over OKW. At the moment, it is much easier to get into OKW than BWV and if you are at all picky about what you want, when you want it and wanting to stay at BWV then you will need the 11 month window. We have never had problem finding any type of unit at OKW, even at the last minute (less than a month away), but BWV is all booked up and the waitlist closed for the same times.

If you don't really care about which resort you stay at and could just as easily stay at OKW or VWL as BWV then I would go for the OKW points simply because dues are less there. You will still be able to stay at the BWV occasionally (especially if you are flexible), though chances slim that you will be able to get a standard view (though not impossible!) Also if you intend to book OKW grand villas, that would be another reason to go for OKW.

Of course, this opinion is based on the dynamics of DVC now. Who knows how easy or difficult it will be to get into OKW vs. BWV once the Beach Club Villas come online... I also think that we are not yet feeling the effects of VWL. It is currently way too easy to book time at VWL and I am sure that is going to change as more people discover it (in the meantime I am taking the opportunity to try it out before it becomes impossible to book).

Lisa

"You employ stone, wood, and concrete, and with these materials you build house and palaces. That is construction. Ingenuity is at work. But suddenly, you touch my heart, you do me good. I am happy and I say 'This is beautiful.' That is architecture. Art enters in."
-Le Corbusier

 

[LauraS]

To me it really depends on where you'd like to spend the majority of your time. BWV is much more difficult if you don't have the 11 month window. OKW is relatively easy to get right now at the 7 month window.

OKW has larger units and has more of a condo feel to it. It also has a laid-back and relaxing feel to it. You park in front of your unit. There is no room service and one restaurant within walking distance. You need to drive or take Disney transportation everywhere.

BWV is much more like a hotel with the amenities that go along with it. BWV has room service and valet parking. You are within walking distance to MGM, Epcot, many restaurants, and night life. BWV also has more of a theme to its pool.

As far as retaining value. Both resorts seem to be doing fairly well in not only retaining their value, but creeping upward. I wouldn't buy based on that fact though. DVC is a sort of pre-paid vacation plan. As BWV owners though, we are happy that resale BWV points are going for more than we paid through Disney.

Laura

 

[AnnK]

You are indeed getting a good deal if they are offering you BWV for the same price as OKW. Prices being the same ( and even if they weren't)
I would buy at BWV's. Right now BWV's are selling for more, and they are the most difficult to get rooms. As an owner in BWV's I seem to get everything I want by calling at the 11 month window.
I am curious as to the size of the contracts, and the price per point. Are you buying privately or through a company? I myself am interested in buying more points, but I only want BWV, so I know that mine would have to be a resale. The only other option I see is for me to wait until BCV, see what price they are offered at, and what the deal will be with them. It seems to me that with only 40 or less years left, for the original DVC, I am wondering if they are going to add them to ours, or start something new, but compatible with ours. That could possibly be one of the reasons the guides are being told to hold off talking about BCV's, maybe it will not be DVC as WE KNOW it.