Rank Please: AKV, BWV, BCV, OKW

[mousescrapper]

We are in the early stages of planning out a trip in Summer of 2013 and trying to come up w/ a ranked list of DVC choices:

Here are the basic trip details:

thinking Sun to Sun, up to 8 people (3-4 adults and 4 kids (3 girls 1 boy ranging 14-6 1/2) will most likely hit all 4 parks (MK/EP the most) and a WP

Looking at these details (in no particular order):

room space (will need 2 BR want dedicated) as in size and bathrooms

counter service availablity and possible mug refilling ease

transportation ease especially concerning the buses (FYI our home resort is BLT just don't have pt spread this time)

overall size of resort: ie ease around to various ammenties

resort pool(s)

how easy to book (avialibity) at 7 months out

I have my own thoughts on each but need more INFO and my DH has a few thoughts too...I want to hear the honest truth about each one and how you would rank them overall and based on the above critera. ***Sorry I did the poll wrong so you can only choose your favorite of the 4, but feel free to post your ranking

Thanks in Advance!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

The poll doesn't work, it only allows you to choose one so that you can't rank them.

For me Best to Worse: OKW, BWV, AKV, BCV, why?

OKW, love the space, the lush landscaping, parking in front of my villa, that wonderful huge patio/balcony (wonderful place for coktails and coffee) and the whole white washed Key West ambiance. BWV, my son loves the Boardwalk vibe and I agree. If you're doing Epcot BWV is the best place to stay. AKV, every once in a while it's nice to do a couple of days w/ a Savana view, but I stay there very little, it's too dark for me. BCV, I've never cared for, SAB is not an attraction and the rooms have no view whatsoever. I like to sit out on the balcony and seeing folks directly across from me doesn't work!

I've booked all of these resorts at the 7 month mark without difficulty! Transportation to and from the parks have not been an issue. We usually book 2 bedrooms and travel in a group of 6, so really even though OKW has a lot more space, the other resorts have been fine too!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

My preference would be OKW. Rooms are huge compared to other resorts, you'll have two queen beds in the 2nd bedroom guaranteed, you have a ton of dining options and activities that are a boat ride away, and you can request a room near Turtle Pond, which has its own fast service restaurant and mug refills by the quiet pool. If you have a car, both OKW and SSR are really close to dining, shopping and grocery stores. And lastly, OKW is so peaceful and nice to come back to given your busy agenda.

Downsides, you'll lose 1 bathroom if you stay there over AKV. Some people don't like to walk from their room to the hospitality house, but with the ages of the kids, that shouldn't be an issue. Plus you can catch a bus if you want to go up there. We don't always have a need to go up there, though.

Given your choices and my own personal preferences, here would be my rank ordering:
OKW (for reasons mentioned above, plus point savings)
BCV (love resort, great pool, smaller rooms - may get pullout bed in 2nd bedroom, hate bus route there, higher points)
BWV (great pool, smaller rooms - may get pullout bed in 2nd bedroom, try for standard view - lower points)
AKV (love resort, animals are amazing, extra bathroom a big plus, great pool, kids and DH hate food options there, feel resort is too far away from other things)

Good luck planning your trip! I enjoy planning almost as much as going!

 

[skelooch]

My preferences would be OKW, BCV, BWV, AKV

 

[mousescrapper]

The poll doesn't work, it only allows you to choose one so that you can't rank them.

sorry about that...whoops but thank you for your ranking and comments and to those of you have voted too!

Good luck planning your trip! I enjoy planning almost as much as going!

Yes I love this part too...DH thinks its crazy, but he amuses me thank you for all the comments

My preferences would be OKW, BCV, BWV, AKV

thanks


Please keep the votes/ranks/comments coming I have only stayed at AKV (adults only w/ friends) so I really appreciate the opinions, advice and honesty of where you'd chose!

 

[dianeschlicht]

1- okw

2- akv

3- bcv

4- vwl

5- ssr

6- bwv

7- blt

 

[Finally DVC]

Eight people is alot to put in a 2 BR, so I would vote for OKW (space) or AKV (extra bathroom).

You mention you're already going to a water park, so SAB at BCV wouldn't be a "must do". I don't think there are any dedicated 2 BR's at BWV, so depending on how important that is to you, BWV may be out.

 

[TisBit]

My ranking is:

AKV
OKW
BWV
BCV

Transportation is a bit of a pain from both BWV and BCV when you are doing all four parks and a water park. Their bus service is not great and they can use their proximity to Epcot and DHS to not really address it. I ranked BWV a little higher than BCV's only because I enjoyed the BWV's better for our family. Really, they are probably about even for your trip IMO...the BWV's have more restaurants and things to do, but BCV has the bigger more themed pool that the kids would enjoy.

Same thing with AKV and OKW, very even IMO, one has bigger rooms, the other has the extra bathroom and a more centralized area. I gave AKV the edge because you have both Kidani and Jambo pools.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Because of the extra bathroom, for you, I would rank the resorts in this order.

Dedicated 2 bedroom at AKV
OKW
Dedicated 2 bedroom at BCV
BWV (doesn't have any dedicated 2 bedrooms)

Personal preference for me with a group like yours, and your list of resorts:
AKV
BCV
BWV
OKW

Bobbi

 

[melk]

I like OKW the best of the four. I love the decor and the fact you can park right at your door. I haven't stayed at AKL yet, but I think I would like that rather well. The only appeal of BCV to me, is the pool, which is awesome. And BWV isn't my favorite, but I do love the proximity to Epcot.

I guess it all depends on what you are looking for in a resort. For room size, definitely OKW.

 

[dan and scott]

1-BWV
2-BLT
3-OKW-tie
3-AKV-tie
4-VWL
5-BCV


...SSR--never ever again!!

 

[Anal Annie]

I would vote BCV, AKV, BWV and OKW.

BCV has the BEST pool for kiddos and can keep them entertained for hours AND it is within walking distance to the back entrance of Epcot. BWV would also be within walking distance to Epcot. We also love AKV (Jambo House, Kidani not so much)...who can go wrong with dinner at Boma?! YUMMMM!! And the THEMING is incredible. THEN there's the reasonable point charts...

(Note that I have not actually had a chance to STAY at BWV yet but I like the location and I am sure that I would rank it above OKW just because I really wasn't impressed with OKW and thus far it is my least fav. DVC resort).