Spoiled by OKW - Will BWV "do" for F&W?

[melomouse]

Day 9 of our 14 nite stay and hating Fay but loving our 1BR at OKW for our 1st trip home. We'll be trying SSR for our last 4 nites.
This is my dilemma - I am planning an adults only 4 nite trip for DBF & I was lucky enough to get BWV. Now reading all the reports about the conditions of the villas & the corridor walks, I am reconsidering switching resorts.
The BWV "draw" is the proximity to Epcot - no WAY is it a 5-minute walk to IG if we're in the furthest back section! And tho we will be at Epcot everyday -DBF is big on music/concerts/yes, even David Cassidy! - we'll be trying to squeeze in everything because he hasn't been here in years! Spectro, Fantasmic, Wishes, etc.I am actually waitlisted for the 4th nite because I realized we just ouldn't get it all in.
I want this trip to be special for us - would BC be better/newer/nicer?Should I take OKW and just trade space for bus rides?
Let me hear fom you Dvc'er's who have lots more experience than I do!! Thanks so much!!

 

[wdwlver]

Just got back on 8/16 from BWV studio, room 5060. Very close to elevator, pool view, room in great condition. Conditions in the hallways were fine, I thought the resort looked great, it's one of my favorites. You'll love it!!!

 

[Anthony1971]

I am not a BW/BC fan but the location is great for IG and what is on that side of EPCOT. If your plans are to not vist world showcase much then it is not convient as it is a lot of walking. It seems that you will be mostly on the WS side so you will like the location. The BW is nice at night but the activity dies down early but being there will be no more pleasure island shortly it is a good alternative but there is still a lot going on in DTD later than the BW.
If you like the atmosphere at OKW then stay there but it will take much longer to get back to at night if you are at EPCOT WS. I am young and like OKW/SSR as I live and work in NY so I like it quite when I go away and the theming of BW/BC... I live near what they were partly modeled after so......
However they are nice resorts and you may like them better then OKW. I would keep your reservation being you never stayed there.

 

[wdw1972]

I love OKW too, but for my Food & Wine trips I'll only stay at BCV or BWV. You cannot imagine how nice it is to walk "home" rather than dealing with the buses! I'd save OKW for trips when you won't be ending most nights at Epcot.

 

[spiceycat]

can you do steps?

while BWV only has one elevators - there are staircases all over the place.

do you have teens - just tell them to go find the fastest way to the parks?

or ask the bell services when he brings you = your luggage.

 

[Dancind]

I agree, the Epcot resorts are the only way to go during F&W. If you are talking about this fall, switching to BCV is not going to be an option. I have been on the waitlist for four nights at BCV or BWV in early October for almost four months now. There just aren't any rooms left.

 

[LUVMICKEY]

Just like the op have said, BWV is a great place to be during the F&W Festival. I have stayed there a few times and I have never had a problem with any of the rooms.

 

[JSTX]

We were there the end of July and thought everything was in great condition (room, halls, etc). I was actually surprised when we got back and read the complaints about the conditions.

I think you will be very happy with BWV. It is one of our favorites.

 

[jekjones1558]

We own at both BWV and OKW and love them both for different reasons. If you walk into your BWV room and immediately compare size, if you compare self-parking convenience, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. If you go into this with the mindset that you will enjoy the walk home from Epcot rather than the crush to the front gate, if you relish the convenience of taking in the entertainment on the BW at night and then just walking to your room, then you will have a great time. Hope your change-of-pace vacation at the BWV is magical!

 

[DebbieB]

I don't think you will have a choice, it will be hard to switch to BCV or even OKW at this point.

 

[jackmac]

As someone mentioned, there are stairways on every corridor with numerous ways into and out of BWV. I usually request a ground floor room and have the convience of walking in and out without a wait for the elevator. I have been going to food and wine for the past 5 or 6 years and will only stay at BCV or BWV. The ability to walk in and out of Epcot is invaluable. It is very difficult to get reservations for F&W at BWV or BCV for just this reason.

One thing to remember when reading the boards is that people are much more likely to complain than to praise. I have owned at BWV since 99 and usually go there at least twice each year. There is a constant upgrade going on at all of the DVC resorts. I've never had a bad time there or not had any problem quickly resolved. I've found the staff to be friendly and responsive and also quite helpful. Have a great time.

 

[DebbieB]

I've also been a BWV member since 1999 and have never had a bad stay. I'm going in mid October, I wouldn't change it for anything (well, maybe the castle room )

 

[Paul in CT]

Switch to OKW??? Our home resort is OKW, but we love BWV, too. We have six nights at BWV in October, but are still waitlisted for our last night (Saturday). If it doesn't come through, we will be at OKW the last night. You won't be disappointed with BWV. You are close to two parks and several very good dining (and drinking) venues.

 

[melomouse]

We own at both BWV and OKW and love them both for different reasons. If you walk into your BWV room and immediately compare size, if you compare self-parking convenience, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. If you go into this with the mindset that you will enjoy the walk home from Epcot rather than the crush to the front gate, if you relish the convenience of taking in the entertainment on the BW at night and then just walking to your room, then you will have a great time. Hope your change-of-pace vacation at the BWV is magical!

Thank you, thank you - this is exactly what I needed to hear! I think for the first time I am waaaay too caught in "perfect" - and I do think I oughta stick with the original plan . It's just... ...lol.
Everyone has been sooo helpful - I will try to request a room nearer the elevators and relax, enjoy the planning and hope Wednesday Nov 5 comes thru on waitlist!
Tons of pixiedust for those who are still waiting...

 

[Caskbill]

..... The BWV "draw" is the proximity to Epcot - no WAY is it a 5-minute walk to IG if we're in the furthest back section!

It's more than 5-minutes even if you're in the closest villa to the front entrance.

Years ago (2001) I measured the distance and did a report as seen HERE.

It's 0.36 mile from the front porch of BWV and at a steady walk of 2.5 mph it would take 8 minutes, 38 seconds. At 2.0 mph it will take almost 11 minutes.

During another trip I measured the distance from the farthest room at BWV up to the lobby. It was something like 830 feet, or not quite the length of 3 football fields. At 2.5mph it would be 3 minutes 46 seconds just to get to the lobby. If you walk at 2.0 mph and are in that back room, 4 minutes, 43 seconds to get to the lobby.

At a leisurely walk, from the last room to the IG would take between 12.5 and 16 minutes.

I've found over the years that people tend to underestimate walking times. Mainly because they're talking and not paying attention to a clock. Times will seem shorter when you do that.

 

[melomouse]

wow, Caskbill - Thank You!!!

Exactly as I had suspected - couldn't for the life of my figure why/how folks kept saying "5 minutes".

DBF is gonna love the results of your "study"! - and even though the walk IS more than 5 minutes, I'm sure we'll enjoy it!!

 

[CarolMN]

It's more than 5-minutes even if you're in the closest villa to the front entrance.

Years ago (2001) I measured the distance and did a report as seen HERE.

It's 0.36 mile from the front porch of BWV and at a steady walk of 2.5 mph it would take 8 minutes, 38 seconds. At 2.0 mph it will take almost 11 minutes.

During another trip I measured the distance from the farthest room at BWV up to the lobby. It was something like 830 feet, or not quite the length of 3 football fields. At 2.5mph it would be 3 minutes 46 seconds just to get to the lobby. If you walk at 2.0 mph and are in that back room, 4 minutes, 43 seconds to get to the lobby.

At a leisurely walk, from the last room to the IG would take between 12.5 and 16 minutes.

I've found over the years that people tend to underestimate walking times. Mainly because they're talking and not paying attention to a clock. Times will seem shorter when you do that.

But that last room is a a LOT closer to DHS than the rooms close to to lobby (if you can do stairs). Since we like both EPCOT and DHS, we like the ability to walk to both.

I may be one who underestimates the time to walk. However, when we walk, we don't have to wait for a bus or a boat.

Moving (for me) is just better than standing, LOL). It is so nice (even when I am really, really tired) to be able to walk home from Fantasmic. Ever seen the mob of people waiting for the boats at that time? We're back in our room long before most of them even get on a boat! And I know we're back in our room after IllumiNations before most even make it to the bus stop, even though we "stroll leisurely" back along the canal. ( I think it is about the same distance from World Showcase to the bus stop as it is to the BWV lobby).

I agree 100% with Jean - don't compare, just enjoy!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

The DIS makes it sound like everybody walks to Epcot and DHS.

The boats are convenient. Use them.

For Epcot, we try to get a good feel for where the boat is when we get to the boat dock. If its pulling away...we walk. If there are a lot of people waiting for the boat. We wait.

We have always taken the boat to DHS.

 

[melomouse]

I'm hoping the weather by November will yield a comfortable stroll - but yes..boats are good!
I hafta remember, guys, that today is the first ray of solid sunshine in many many Fay days. Comfortably ensconced at SSR right now, I will adjust to a different room size! It's very different - but now I am derailing my own thread!!!

 

[wdwfan1]

BWV are great. We have stayed there several times and never had any issues with the rooms. Enjoy your stay.