Please help me choose! Studio at AKL, OKW or BWV?

[nilseks]

We have always stayed on property at hotels, and are thinking of stretching our dollar and renting DVC this time. Pretty sure that's the way I want to go, but can't decide which DVC property!

Our situation: family of 4, 2 sons will be ages 8 and 10 at time of trip. They are both thin but tall for their ages (I mention this for sleeping considerations).

I am somewhat drawn to OKW, *only* because of the 2 queen beds. That would make sleeping arrangements easiest. I'm worried about the double sleeper sofa at most other properties being too small for both of my sons to sleep on? But the theming at OKW is probably not something that would really appeal to my kids, which of course, is part of the fun of it.

Location wise, I would prefer BWV. Close to everything, and we like the restaurants on the Boardwalk. Would the sleeper sofa be big enough for my sons to share?

As far as theming, I would chose AKL. But I'm afraid of the bus situation, because everyone says you spend forever waiting for/riding on the buses.

Sooo...
Can anyone give me some insights to sway me in a certain direction? All comments appreciated!

 

[nolanboys]

My boys love OKW. Great pool and they had fun playing basketball and tennis which is right by the main pool. We stayed at AKV and BWV this past October. Never had an issue with busses. Loved the theming! BWV were nice as well and it was great to be able to walk to Epcot and HS. Did have a bus issue returning from MK. I don't think your boys will have an issue sleeping on the sofa bed. The studio at OKW is larger though and you will have more room. I'm sure you'll have a great time at any of the resorts.

 

[dianeschlicht]

First of all, I would probably suggest a 1 bedroom over a studio so you can all have a bit of privacy. If, however, you are set on a studio, I would definitely suggest OKW. The two "real" beds makes it a no brainer with your situation.

As mentioned above, the pools, slide, and "fun" things to do are great, and the resort has some of the best bus service in all of WDW.

If you think location near the Magic Kingdom is more important to you than sleeping arrangements, then I would probably suggest VWL. Bear in mind that the boys will be sharing a double size sofa sleeper instead of queen bed, but you will be closer to the MK, and you will have more room than you will at BLT.

Oops, just noticed it was Epcot you preferred. In that case, either BWV or BCV will be about equal ini the accommodations of the room. Both will have a sleep sofa and be similar in size, BUT.. Yes, it's a bit BUT...BCV will have the added benefit of Stormalong Bay for a fantastic pool experience for the boys.

 

[DenLo]

Are you thinking of studios or 1BRs? All of the DVC studios have a queen bed and full sized pull out couch except for OKW (two queen beds). I know the ones at AKV easily sleep adults that are 6' 1" based on posts here on the DISboard. I would think the BWVs are same length. If you decide on a 1 BR the AKV 1BRs have a sleeper chair in the living in addition to the sleeper couch (so do OKW and BLT). AKV, Kidani's 1BRs also have an extra bathroom off of the living room (ditto for BLT). That might matter when the boys are older.

I wouldn't worry about the buses at AKV. We've stayed there and really have not had any problems with the buses. Sure we couldn't walk to a park, but it was a 5 minute bus ride to AK and about 15 to 20 minutes everywhere else. Even BWV doesn't have the perfect bus service. It took us an hour to return from DTD to BWV last October for a ride that should have been 30 minutes at the most with all the stops. But I think any delays are not the norm, just some bad luck as we rarely have encountered delays on any buses from any resort or DTD.

Enjoy planning your first DVC stay.

Congratulations to you and your family.

 

[a742246]

I would stay where you really want to stay. If you are worried bring a sleeping bag, one of them could camp out on the deck or on the floor.

 

[dianeschlicht]

FYI, AKL has great bus service too. Granted it is a bit farther out, so you will be on the bus a little longer, but we have never had issues with waiting very long for buses at AKL. That being said, I don't find the studios there to be large enough or comfortable enough for 4 people, no matter how small the youngsters might be.

I also wanted to say that OKW DOES have a theme, and in my eyes a very good one, since it is supposed to mirror Key West around the turn of the Century. As for fun things to do there....LOTS of that. I would suggest a fishing expedition.

Now, as I said in an earlier post, if sleeping arrangements are not the major importance for you, then I think AKL would be an excellent choice, since there is just so much for the kids to do there, and the water play area is fun for both kids and adults. And that isn't even counting the wonderful views of the animals!

 

[saintstickets]

We have always stayed on property at hotels, and are thinking of stretching our dollar and renting DVC this time. Pretty sure that's the way I want to go, but can't decide which DVC property!

Our situation: family of 4, 2 sons will be ages 8 and 10 at time of trip (December). They are both thin but tall for their ages (I mention this for sleeping considerations).

I am somewhat drawn to OKW, *only* because of the 2 queen beds. That would make sleeping arrangements easiest. I'm worried about the double sleeper sofa at most other properties being too small for both of my sons to sleep on? But the theming at OKW is probably not something that would really appeal to my kids, which of course, is part of the fun of it.

Location wise, I would prefer BWV. Close to everything, and we like the restaurants on the Boardwalk. Would the sleeper sofa be big enough for my sons to share?

As far as theming, I would chose AKL. But I'm afraid of the bus situation, because everyone says you spend forever waiting for/riding on the buses.

Sooo...
Can anyone give me some insights to sway me in a certain direction? All comments appreciated!

We stayed at a studio in AKV & BWV the week after Thanksgiving 2010. Here are some pics of the two....
AKV

And BWV

We stayed in a studio at OKW in 2007 (sorry, no pics) and there is much more room than either of these two -especially if you open the sleeper sofa at AKV or BWV. We took a single air mattress for our trip at OKW and there was enough room in the studio to use it and you had the two queen size beds. We would just lean the air mattress up against the wall to get it out of the way when we weren't bedded down for the night.

Of course all that is moot if you want easy access to EPCOT or a view of animals. There are pics of all three resorts at the two trip report links below if you want to see more.

 

[DebbieB]

I've stayed at AKV twice and was pleasantly surprised with the bus service. Especially Kidani since park busses stop there first.

One disadvantage to the OKW studio is the bathroom sink and counter is inside the bathroom, where BWV and BCV the sink and counter is separate.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

If you are renting points a 1 bedroom is actually quite afordable. OKW units are the largest. If your boys are anything like mine were at that age they are in and out of the bathroom as quickley as possible. They are 22 and 24. OKW is still there 1st choice. Now my DD who is 15 needs the extra time in the bathroom to do hair and makeup, so we need a second bathroom. But that is a different story. We usually get a 2 bedroom though. AKV, OKW and BLT all have a sleeper chair in the 1 bedrooms so they sleep 5. As to weather the the sleeper sofas are big enought it all depends on if 1 or both moves alot in their sleep. I prefer the larger accomodations but that is just me. AKV does not have a marina but all the others do. Not all the resorts have a full basketball court. OKW is one of the few that do.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...One disadvantage to the OKW studio is the bathroom sink and counter is inside the bathroom, where BWV and BCV the sink and counter is separate.

Gee, I look at that as an advantage. You can get ready without waking anyone else up. And that OKW bathroom is much larger than the other studio bathrooms.

 

[jekjones1558]

For the age of your boys, I think the choice may come down to whether they would more enjoy the activities on the BW or viewing the animals at AKV. If they really love animals, go for AKV. If they would love the street performers, community hall and games on the BW, then stay there. I would only choose OKW for the 2 queen beds, but really I think the sleep sofa at AKV or BWV would work out okay for the boys.

 

[Deb & Bill]

For the age of your boys, I think the choice may come down to whether they would more enjoy the activities on the BW or viewing the animals at AKV. If they really love animals, go for AKV. If they would love the street performers, community hall and games on the BW, then stay there. I would only choose OKW for the 2 queen beds, but really I think the sleep sofa at AKV or BWV would work out okay for the boys.

Community Hall has lots of things going on at OKW, too.

 

[alldiz]

While OKW is not my favorite....I like more "hotel style"....indoor corridors.

I think OKW is great and the pool "town" area is much better than I expected. Olivia's is a great restaurant.....fun pool....fast pool slide. Playground and Activities around pool.

I don't rent a car so for me I would want to be in the Hospitality House section for a guaranteed short walk to "town"
Kerri

 

[nilseks]

I am loving all the responses! Now more confused than ever, lol, but loving the input nonetheless! I'm glad to hear some good feedback about the buses at AKL.

Due to budget constraints, we willd definitely do a studio. We are finding ourselves traveling to Disney every year from WI, so we sacrifice on the room. We spend very little time there anyway. On our last trip in October we stayed at Pop with 2 double beds and we had a refurb-related nightmare trip, so at this point anything is an improvement!

I guess maybe the best thing to do is have my boys look at photos of the pools and whatnot. My older son is already a fan of Boardwalk because he likes to go to ESPN Club with dad and watch football, but of course, that is only a small fraction of our trip. If I have my way, very small!

Any further feedback would be great. We are so used to staying on property at the hotels, we had that down-pat, but this is a whole new world. While it's fun to switch things up, my head is swimming with all the details!

 

[jekjones1558]

It looks like you are planning on going in December, which is very popular for DVC folks. So whatever you decide it would be good to do your rental soon.
One other comment: December is sometimes pretty cold (our recent december trip did not have one day that was really warm) and your boys may not be spending as much time in the pool as they might like, so I wouldn't have the pool be the top priority in choosing.

 

[nilseks]

Very good point, Jean! Yes we are planning first week of December or MAYBE last week of November. Perhaps just wishful thinking that they will get to swim, but at that time you never know. We were there this year in October during the heat wave the last week of the monthl--never would have thought is would be 94 and set a heat record!

 

[ToddyLu]

I am sitting here thinking....nilseks has no idea how nice it is going to be staying at a DVC resort....it will change the way they "do" Disney every year. I so hope it does.....DVC changes a trip to Disney, like a Corvette changes your drive to work. ahhhhhh !!

 

[ToddyLu]

We were there during that heatwave. I thought I was going to combust during MNSSHP on 10/29.

 

[DisneyHotDog]

I would get a one bedroom at BWV. The size is prefer to accomodate 2 adults and 2 kids. The location is action packed and makes both EPCOT and MGM very easy to walk to or take a boat to. BWV is also a little less expensive that Beach Club too. Also there is often a little more action at night on the boardwalk to see.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...BWV is also a little less expensive that Beach Club too. ....

Only if you get the standard view and those go quickly to BWV owners from 7 to 11 months out.