Old Key West or Boardwalk Villas

[DiznEeyore]

Originally posted by robinb
We also recently stayed at VWL in a studio and really liked it. It's a combination of BWV & OKW, IMO. It's relaxing, yet a full service hotel. It's away from it all and very quiet, yet a short boat ride to the MK.

That's a great way of putting it, Robin.

 

[Disney Doll]

I think it really depends on the type of vacation you want.

OKW has bigger units. They have 4 pools. None of the pools have the themeing of the BWV pool. The pace at OKW is more relaxed, but it is also more out of the way, "off the beaten path" so to speak.

BWV has smaller units. It is in the thick of the action, with the BW,EPCOT, and MGM within walking/boating distance. The pool has a great theme, anf if you are looking to be in the middle of the action, it's the place to be.

I have stayed at, and enjoyed, both. Again, it depends on the type of vacation oyu want. When DH and I want to be a little more laid back, we do OKW. If we feel like we want to be more in the thick of things, we do BWV.

 

[mistermouse]

Choose for any number of reasons, but do be aware there are MANY positives about both resorts. Avoid the one sided comments you may get from some posters, such as:

The inside of 1 BR villas at OKW are larger and I do like the size better than BWV but other than that, there is no comparsion

Pay attention to what is best for your family and what is available on the resale market and decide accordingly. We currently own at VWL and BCV and love all of the DVC resorts. With the waiting list and planning you can generally get what you need outside of peak times at ANY resort (except for the very limited "standard" view rooms at BWV). Good Luck in your decision and a premature "Welcome Home" to you.

 

[WDWorld]

I want to thank you all for all these answers to my question. I can tell you that everyone's experience and advice is just a GREAT ressource when it comes to make that kind of decision!!!

I still read all your comments and I now know much better the points that I should consider when buying a DVC resale.

Thanks again to you all !!!

 

[PKK/MJK]

WDWorld

Several posters have commented on how much easier it is to get ressies at OKW--which is true. One even made a rather snide comment about "that says something in itself." Just so you understand, there is nothing wrong with OKW!!! The reason it is easier to get ressies at OKW is because OKW is much bigger than BWV--there are many more units--so of course, your chances of getting a room there go up. OKW is a wonderful DVC resort!!!! Frankly, we own at OKW and BWV and our family prefers OKW. The one and two bedroom units are much bigger there. We almost always vacation as a group of 8 adults, and we have more than enough room in a two-bedroom at OKW. We would never dream of having 8 adults stay in the BWV two-bedroom--at least not for more than a night or two.

The best advice I can give you--which others have mentioned--is to buy where you think you'd like to stay most of the time. Think of your particular family. Would they prefer more room, parking by the door and a more relaxing environment--or would they be happier in a smaller room but an excellent, very active environment.

Also, several people mentioned that the points for the standard rooms at BWV are not much higher than the rooms at OKW. Don't buy into BWV thinking that you will always stay in a standard room. Be aware, that there are more preferred rooms than standard ones and, from what I've read here on the Boards, freqently it is very difficult to get the standard rooms.

Both resorts are great!! We are so lucky that Disney tries to makes resorts which cater to the differing tastes of individuals. Since you'd have to buy points for either of these resorts on the resale market, maybe you'd be happier if you visited them first--looked inside the units at both places and see which appeals to you more. good luck!!

 

[CaptainMidnight]

One even made a rather snide comment about "that says something in itself."

Oops, sorry if you thought that comment was snide. As an owner in both resorts, your certainly in a good position to offer comments about the benefits of each. Your advice to stay at the resorts and see form themselves is also very good advice, check it out and see which you like better. The beauty of DVC is options for different tastes.

Good luck with the decision, it's a fun one to make.

 

[EROS]

I enjoy watching the GRASS grow at OKW ......

 

[wdwsos]

I'm an OKW/BCV owner and have stayed at the BWV twice. I've also stayed in the Epcot area (Swolphin, discounted room) at least 6 times in the past 3 years.

I absolutely love the Epcot area (especially for eating!), but also miss the OKW if I'm away for too long. I'll be there in 7 days (at the OKW by choice) and again in August (at the BCV). I love the serenity of the OKW, the spacious rooms, and the pontoon boat to DD is my favorite "attraction" in all of WDW. ;-) I don't feel that I'm far away from anything, even without a car. It may be a bit more of an inconvenience to hit MGM and Epcot, but I'm on vacation - I'm in no hurry. My park commando days ended when we purchased our points.

That said, it *is* hard to book the BWV if you don't have the 11 month window. The times I've stayed there, it's only been by calling day by day at the 7 month mark. According to one of our public offering statements (2000 maybe?), the OKW has 531 units and the BWV has 383. That's quite a difference. If you're looking to purchase, then the BWV may be a better way to go if this is where you'd usually want to stay.

However...if you book last minute (last minute being even 4 months before your trip), I don't think it will matter which is your home resort. And if you have a need for a Grand Villa at the OKW, you may want to have this as your home resort.

This probably doesn't add much to what's already been said - just figured I'd throw in my 2 cents.

Dotti

 

[DeeP]

Choose for any number of reasons, but do be aware there are MANY positives about both resorts. Avoid the one sided comments you may get from some posters, such as:
The inside of 1 BR villas at OKW are larger and I do like the size better than BWV but other than that, there is no comparsion

Since the original post was asking for opinions regarding which resort each person prefers, I do not think the pharse one sided comments is appropriate. But since the above comment was classified this way all of the other one sided comments should also be avoided such as:

OKW wins hands down

and

BWV has....welll....uhhhhh, yeah, that's right, location. You can walk to Epcot......its just about the same distance from the lobby as many of the rooms.

As far as a snide comment about BWV booking fast and it speaking for itself, it is the truth. Yes there are 148 more units at OKW but according to a CM I spoke to at OKW there are many nights when more than 100+ units at OKW remain empty. She said this is why many times OKW units are offered at discounts through CRO while hardly ever are BWV units offered at discounted rates through CRO because they are all booked up. I am just repeating what a CM told me regarding the OKW units, no snide comment intended.

All the DVC resorts are wonderful resorts but the orginial questions was which do you prefer OKW or BWV and why.

 

[ceejay13]

We love both of them for different reasons as has been stated previously. We own at BWV and BCV but if I could have found a small resale for OKW when we were looking, we would have purchased it. Our first visit, we could not get into BWV so we had a 2 bdr at OKW. We were a little concerned before we arrived, but when we opened that door for the first time we were astounded, it was incredible. The size, the peacefulness, the view of the canal and golf course were all wonderful. True, the BWVs are smaller but magical in different ways. Last October we had a BW view and watching all the hustle and bustle in the evening is great and of course we had a great view of Illuminations from our balconies, as well. It was great to walk or take the boat to MGM or Epcot. This October we will be in a 2 bdr at the BWV with a 16 yo, 12 yo and 9 yo. They will have tons of things to do without being with us every second. The variety of options are what make DVC great!

 

[CaptainMidnight]

... according to a CM I spoke to at OKW there are many nights when more than 100+ units at OKW remain empty. She said this is why many times OKW units are offered at discounts through CRO while hardly ever are BWV units offered at discounted rates through CRO because they are all booked up....

Interesting, I didn't know this.

I guess some of us tend to get defensive about our investments in DVC and home resort choices, I know I do not appreciate repetative, many times off-topic Vero Beach bashing. OKW owners have every right to be defensive and supportinve of thier home resort as well. There are many advantages to OKW stated very well above. One of those advantages appears to be increased availability within the 7 month window. It is nice to know that you can get accomodations at OKW when the other DVC resorts aren't available. You certainly will still have very nice accomodations, even if OKW isn't your first choice.

It does come down to a matter of individual preference. You'll just need to pick and choose between the pros and cons made above and determine which are more important to you.

Good luck with your decision.