Opinions/Info on Studio Differences, Please

[TwoAtDisney]

Hubby & I are considering buying (resale)! We are interested in OKW, WL, BC, or BW. We would stay in a studio. Have stayed in the OKW studios, but not the others.
How do the others compare?
Do all have refrigerators & microwaves?
Is parking a problem at any of them and/or a long distance from the units?
Are there photos anywhere?
Is there a difference in the room noise due to construction, especially between walls/ceilings?
Except for OKW, do the others have elevators?

Appreciate any comments about preferences & why between the 4 resorts & the studios.

We selected those 4 because:
OKW is cheaper to purchase & maint fees,

WL is within a bike ride of the campground (we love to bike thru there), the boat ride to MK is nice, on colder days we enjoy reading the newspaper in front of the WL fireplaces .

BC & BW are in great locations between the 2 parks (love to enter Epcot via the back entrance).

Thanks, Julie

 

[dianeschlicht]

All the studios you mentioned with the exception of OKW will have a queen bed plus a pull out double sofa sleeper and a kitchenette. The bathrooms are significantly different from OKW. I especially dislike the bathroom layouts of the non-OKW studios. They seem to be just a bunch of doors that are always in the way...closet, bathroom. No easy way for two people to use the sink area at the same time. At least at OKW, the bathroom is huge and has a large vanity. I also feel the balcony is a bit better at OKW....room for the small table as well as the chairs.

Parking seems far away to me at BWV, and VWL.

 

[Friendofpluto]

The studio at BCV and BWV are brighter while WL is a darker wood type decor. We actually liked the 1B at WL better than the studio when we toured recently due to this. Loved our studio at BCV- elevators in building, bright, fresh, roomy.

 

[Sammie]

There are photos here on the DIS under resorts.

Also you can google and find plenty of photos and even video.

I like the OKW studios the best.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Thanks everyone. Sammy, if you come back, why do you like the OKW studios the best?

dianeschlicht, do you know what size bedding OKW studios have?

friendofpluto, what did you think of the BCV overall - such as, parking, ease of use of resort & area, crowds/noise vs. say a more "tucked away" location such as OKW, noise level in the room from adjoining rooms/hallways, size of studio, etc.

Julie

 

[marycoajou]

We have stayed in Saratoga and BLT, both were great. I love BLT because of the location and easy transportation.
MRC

 

[hakepb]

For a family usage, I would highly recommend OKW studios for size and having 2 queens. (No pull-out)

For a couple's use, I would recommend anywhere else, because others have one queen bed and a couch to sit on.

For studio only use, OKW is large and there is usually availability, I might consider buying your next option because the likelihood of anyone getting into OKW is high, but getting BCV,VWL or BWV with OKW points will be more difficult. But you may appreciate owning OKW for the HH booking priority.

Another consideration is dining. OKW can be much farther from the main area than the others.

 

[hakepb]

On another note, I believe VWL has the distinction of having (2) studios with no balcony, but the majority of VWL studios do have a balcony.

 

[drusba]

OKW studio is about 380 sq ft, VWL, BWV and BCV are in the 360 range. Two queens in OKW, one queen and one-full size (not queen) pull-out couch in others. All have half-fridge and microwave. OKW has most convenient parking by your unit, the other three have a main parking lot from which you walk to the building and walk can be somewhat long (BCV is probably shortest of three); also BWV can sometimes have issue of finding parking because lot also serves those going to the boardwalk from elsewhere. All DVC's except OKW have elevators (and some units at OKW do; original OKW was built before certain rules and regs resulting from the Americans with Disabilities ACT went into effect and thus before elevators were required). There is not really any noise difference because of construction methods. At BWV you can hear some noise if over boardwalk (boardwalk view which is one of if not the best view in WDW).

BWV and BCV have the location advantage with ability to walk to both studios and Epcot. BWV has nightlife (easily accessible from BCV also).

All the ones you are considering have one major disadvantage -- the expiration date is January 2042 (unless you find an OKW unit that has the extension to 2057 which you seldom find in resale). If that is an issue, you should also consider resales for AKV (2057 end date) or SSR (2054) which would still be in the same approximate price ranges as you are looking at for ones you are considering. AKV has advantages to consider such as the savannas, good restaurants, and a good bus system (only two internal stops and no sharing with other resorts).

 

[Sammie]

Thanks everyone. Sammy, if you come back, why do you like the OKW studios the best?

dianeschlicht, do you know what size bedding OKW studios have?

friendofpluto, what did you think of the BCV overall - such as, parking, ease of use of resort & area, crowds/noise vs. say a more "tucked away" location such as OKW, noise level in the room from adjoining rooms/hallways, size of studio, etc.

Julie

Love the larger bathrooms, having two beds. Parking right at your door. Both beds at OKW are queen size.

Parking at BCV is not bad, but really bad at BWV.

I feel like hallways contribute to alot of noise, doors slamming etc. The way OKW is set up, there are just fewer doors near your door and the outside helps to free the noise.

My second favorite studio would be SSR, but what was not one of your choices. One of the quietest resort at Disney.

Of your choices BCV, would be the second choice, then VWL. If you want to stay at either of these resorts during peak time you will need to own there.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Thanks everyone for the great info. You've given us lots to think about. We are looking forward to checking them all out during our upcoming trip.

Julie

 

[spiceycat]

parking has gotten better - since most of the times the security guard will turn away non-bw guests - to the other parking lot.

not a ton - though - for some reason they still let in non-bw guests - you can still tell at 10 pm at night - the parking lot is pretty empty compared to say 5pm.

BWV does have the standard view rooms -- which to me is worth the walk.
It also has something (bad planning) the only elevators are near the lobby - otherwise it is steps. now to 2nd or 3rd floor not a big problem - but walking up steps to 4 or 5th floor - can really get to me.

BCV is very nice. but only some of the building are near the parking. Others are as far away as BW.

vwl is probably one of the worst (although love it) - the parking is in the main parking lot - which is far from the main building - much less VWL.

BLT (although not on your list) has some of the best parking, You park in front of the building - just like OKW.

now owned OKW for years and it will whole a special place - but unhappy with the new services - was treated fairly badly for 2 stays in a row. So sold OKW to buy BLT. BLT treats me wonderful.

 

[DebbieB]

Once difference with the bathrooms that I think can be an issue, especially with a mixed group (like a friends weekend). The bathroom at OKW, everything is in one room. At the others, the shower and toilet are separate from the sink. So one person could be getting ready at the sink while another is showering.

 

[walkdmc]

I don't understand the previous statement that buying at OKW will give priority at HH. What does that mean? I thought HH was a different contract altogether.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

I don't understand the previous statement that buying at OKW will give priority at HH. What does that mean? I thought HH was a different contract altogether.

They are talking about Hospitality House, which is a separate booking category of OKW. OKW has about 40 buildings and the HH ones are nearest the main pool, marina, community hall, and lobby area.
You do not just request this area, but if it is available your booking dates, you are guaranteed a room in those buildings. I would guess it is often gone before the 7 month bookings open.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

We own at BWV and love it. We appreciate the easy access to DHS and Epcot. It is great to walk back to BW after Illuminations and know we are home about the time we would be reaching the bus stop if staying elsewhere.
We have stayed at OKW and that is a very close second favorite. I would love to buy points there. It is very relaxing. You have the perks of being onsite at DW, but it is laid back, beautiful and more relaxing than you would think a Disney vacation could be. I loved sitting on the balcony before the family got up in the morning. Any other resort you mentioned has balconies next to each other along a flat building wall, but I could see no one from mine.
We chose BW over OKW because our agent told us we could easily get into OKW on BW points, but often not into the BW on OKW points.
Our kids are older and our resales agent suggested we would tire of the noise and many kids at Beach Club. I appreciated that insight because I agree but would not have thought of it.
I have not been to the WLV, but the lodge has an amazing lobby and we always say we will stay there sometime. It just does not offer me as much as the others.
I will also add that you will use less points at OKW and the standard view studios at the BW than VWL and BC. It seems we looked at a week and could stay at BW standard view for about 2 extra nights for the same points as a week at BC or VWL. OKW is pretty much in line with standard view BW.
Good luck with your decision.