Recent BCV stay

[JR]

Just returned from 5 night stay at BCV. We are owners at both OKW and BCV so I think I can be somewhat objective. We had also stayed at OKW and BCV in late August last year. All stays were in either a one or two bedrooom unit and were very enjoyable.
Just some comments and my opinions on the two resorts:

Greatest advantage of BCV - location, location, location. Also, Stormalong Bay.
We walked to World Showcase/Epcot several times and to MGM Studios.

Greatest advantage of OKW - Room/porch size and proximity of parking.

I know there are many other reasons to prefer one over the other but these are the main ones for us.

Comment of interest from the front desk at BCV. I noticed a couple of minor items I thought were missing from the unit so I called the front desk and asked them if there shouldn't be a inventory list in the room(I know we had one at OKW). After checking with management she told me that everything that was supposed to be in the room was there as housekeeping always checks the inventory at room turn over. At that point I figured she had connected me to Fantasy Land so ended the conversation.

Question: OKW is first and foremost a Disney Vacation Club Resort. BCV is a Disney Hotel sharing its cast members(employees) with a DVC facility. Does this make a difference?

JR

 

[DVCGirl49]

That is funny! Sometimes I do get strange answers too and feel that I've been inadvertently transfered to Fantasyland! Glad you enjoyed your stay!

 

[Granny]

JR...thanks for your comments and comparisons on the resorts.

Interesting thought about OKW being a "dedicated" DVC location vs shared personnel and services with a WDW resort. I'm not sure how that would affect CM attitude or performance...we haven't really run into any CM problems yet.

For those that have stayed at OKW and another WDW DVC "home"....do you think there is a difference in the performance levels of the CM's at OKW vs other places?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I find a difference, not just in their friendliness perhaps, but their training to deal with DVC issues.

 

[Disney Doll]

I think it may make a bit of a difference. I think the housekeeping staff probably does not like to do the DVC units,as they are larger and entail more than a regular hotel room.

We were just at BCV and did like it overall though. It is a nice resort, and as you said, you can't beat the location.

 

[PamOKW]

As far as CM knowledge/friendliness, you have to consider that some CMs have been with OKW since the beginning. They saw the place "grow up" and have ownership feelings in how they helped DVC grow. They've also been at it for 10 years and have even made friends with some members. I'm betting that the same thing will happen with CMs who stay on at the other DVC resorts.

That said....I have had great CMs at OKW and some not so great. The same can be said for every other WDW resort. Vero is the one resort where I haven't met a bad CM yet.

 

[westjones]

I knew we were going to be able to walk to Epcot, but I hadn't heard that we could walk to MGM too! Is this true????? I would love that, I just hate waiting for transportation! I would rather just go! How long did it take? Is there a marked path to follow?

Thanks,
DJ

 

[Candace]

JR - I agree with you totally on the main two advantages of each resort. We just got back last week from my first stay at BCV. I am always excited about trying a new resort - esp. a new DVC resort. The location is fabulous, but I missed parking right outside, and I also missed the ice maker in fridge like we have at OKW! Not that we use a ton of ice, but going to the ice machine down the hall is just not the same. The CM's were very pleasant, but I did notice there were no "Welcome Home's" - not one my whole stay. That's not a big deal either; just something I noticed.

 

[Debby7]

Yes ,you can walk to MGM! It will take 15-20 minutes. There is a lighted sidewalk connecting the Boardwalk area to MGM along the the same waterway used by the boats.

 

[Claudia1]

Ditto on your comments about each property...... and also about OKW CM's being more in the know about all things DVC.

Just curious.... what did you feel was missing from the inventory?