Trying new villas this year ... OKW or BC?

[celtchic]

I have searched for comparisons elsewhere to no avail and thought I would ask, I apologize if there is a similar thread ...
Our family goes every year in Feb. and has been staying at Kidani (LOVE it!). This year we are meeting up with other family that does not like AK !!!
So, we are going to try either OKW or BC. I'm leaning towards OKW for size of rooms and cost but DH thinks it looks a bit "ol fuddy duddy". Does it have a strong "Disney" feel though? We definitely go to DW for the coasters and thrill rides. Our kids are in their 20's. Son wants BC so he can walk to Epcot to eat anytime he wants
Please, please help us decide!
Thanks

 

[spiceycat]

you can generally get OKW easily.

so would try for BCV - or even BWV - you will love walking to Epcot and boating or walking to Studios.

especially if they want the RRC.

 

[celtchic]

Thanks Pat ... the thought of being able to walk to Epcot is sooooo cool!

 

[disney1474]

We just returned from our first stay at the BCV and loved it!! The 5 minute walk to Epcot is so convenient. A nice stroll over to the boardwalk is another plus. Haven't stayed at OKW yet. My vote goes to BCV. Have a great time

 

[nolanboys]

I would actually pick OKW in February because you more than likely won't be able to take advantage of SAB. And although you have to bus it to OKW, it is an very short bus ride. I fully admit that I am a point miser! Both are great options. I asked my boys today about spring break and they all said OKW - they love the size of the living room and kitchen - and this coming from 4 boys! I've trained them well.

 

[celtchic]

Thanks you guys!
Hmmm, short walk to Epcot (love mission space!) and Hollywood (R n R coaster!!) vs. large kitchen and living room for the fam (according to well trained boys ) The price difference equals one plane ticket for us too (Portland, OR)

... I may end up flipping a coin !!!

 

[Tinkmom]

You pretty much nailed the pros and cons of this comparison. I have stayed at each resort multiple times, and truly feel that you can't go wrong either way, IMHO.

 

[LSchrow]

with kids in their 20's, i would pick BWV over either.

comparable walk to EPCOT and DHS, but the BC/BCV are geared more toward little ones (character meals, higher noise/activity level, etc).
the BW has a dueling piano bar (Jellyrolls), ESPN, carny games & street performers (magicians, etc), belle vue lounge, etc, but the resort itself is quieter.
as said, OKW has larger villas, but one cannot just walk to a park on a whim.
at an EPCOT resort, the boys can walk to EPCOT just to ride mission space while you have your morning coffee the flexibility, especially with a group of adults/older children is priceless.

if you plan on spending a lot of time in the villa, OKW would be best - the 1bdrms are 942 square feet vs 712 at the BCV/BWV. at OKW you would have a laundry room with separate full size washer and dryer. BCV/BWV have stacked washer/dryers (large capacity) in a closet-type unit.
all have a full kitchen (OKW has a dining table, BCV/BWV has a kitchen nook with chairs - only a very few BWV 1 bdrms have a dining table). all have a king bed in the bdrm, plus a queen-size sleeper sofa; OKW also has a sleeper chair - which might be beneficial with two boys.

i would probably go with an EPCOT resort while the boys are with you, and stay at OKW next time, when you might stay in the villa more

 

[rocketriter]

Regarding a stay at BCV while walking straight into Epcot is cool, walking straight OUT of Epcot is very, very cool. You can have a nice meal and watch the fireworks. Then, while everyone is waiting in long lines for buses or the monorail, you saunter back to your room with a smug smile.

 

[butsy113]

Regarding a stay at BCV while walking straight into Epcot is cool, walking straight OUT of Epcot is very, very cool. You can have a nice meal and watch the fireworks. Then, while everyone is waiting in long lines for buses or the monorail, you saunter back to your room with a smug smile.

I have not stayed at Boardwalk, but have spent time there. With the ages of the kids I too would recommend it.

 

[MinnieLee]

We love BC. Relaxing atmosphere, great restaurants not only at BC/YC but at BW and S&D. Sandy beach. Best is that it is only a 5-10 minute walk to Epcot. Boat ride to DHS. It is smaller than other resorts so if you can get in, go for it.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

No comparison for me! I love BC not only for the atmosphere but also for the ease of getting to Epcot and DHS. I also like being near so many restaurant choices and I would definately have to stop in for a No Way Jose sundae at Beaches and Cream!

 

[bighoo93]

I have searched for comparisons elsewhere to no avail and thought I would ask, I apologize if there is a similar thread ...
Our family goes every year in Feb. and has been staying at Kidani (LOVE it!). This year we are meeting up with other family that does not like AK !!!
So, we are going to try either OKW or BC. I'm leaning towards OKW for size of rooms and cost but DH thinks it looks a bit "ol fuddy duddy". Does it have a strong "Disney" feel though? We definitely go to DW for the coasters and thrill rides. Our kids are in their 20's. Son wants BC so he can walk to Epcot to eat anytime he wants
Please, please help us decide!
Thanks

Our family of 6 stayed in a 2BR at OKW in September and absolutely loved it. The rooms are so big you kind of need to see them to appreciate it. Much larger than was necessary for the six of us (kids ranged from age 10 to 2). For the life of me I do not understand any description of it as "ol' fuddy duddy." It was great for the kids, we loved the resort. I do wish there were more food options on site, and it would have been nice to be able to walk to Epcot, but not a big deal because it was a quick drive to Epcot and we could park close. In fact, if you will have a vehicle there, I would say that is another plus in OKW's column, because you park right in front of your villa, whereas it is not nearly as convenient at Beach Club. OKW has a more relaxed atmosphere and decor than Beach Club, IMO. In fact, if I had to pick one that was more "fuddy duddy", I would have said Beach Club (though I do not think either one is accurately described that way). I don't think either one has more of a "Disney" feel than the other. You'll know you are at Disney, but it isn't like there are characters prancing around everywhere or Mickey-themed bed linens. That isn't DVC.

I think the Beach Club pool looks great, my wife and I would love to be able to stroll around the boardwalk, Beaches and Cream was a fun trip for us, and the food options are vast. Someday we'd like to stay there, so I am not putting it down in any way. But our kids at this point are not Epcot fans at all, and OKW suited us better at this point. I can definitely understand why others might have different preferences, and we might too under different circumstances. But I would not dismiss OKW out of hand. We thought it was great.

 

[wiigirl]

My preference would be BC.

 

[AmyB2006]

with kids in their 20's, i would pick BWV over either.

100% agree. Comparable walking distance, although a little further than BC. Same in points (for the most part) as OKW.

We stay at BWV a lot, and we're BCV owners. I like it there. Love the atmosphere there and the ease of traveling.

 

[celtchic]

You guys are amazing ... thank you for all the info . I discussed this with the family and now we are looking at OKW and BWV! Since we are not big pool people BW definitely wins out over BC. Nolanboys you have a good point about Feb and the pool as well. And LSchrow loved your list of things to do at BW. And rocketriter the walking OUT of Epcot made me literally LOL … I had a flash back of waiting for the bus to Kidani! Bighoo93 thanks for the bus info … it did look pretty close to Epcot and DHS. Oh, and that fuddy duddy description … I think my husband’s aunt lives in a retirement village in CA that looks very similar to the pics we have seen at OKW. The Disney feel is hard to describe, I believe it’s just feeling like you ARE at Disney and not just at any Orlando resort (no characters needed lol). Honestly, I think he loves Kidani so much he doesn't want to switch, but he’s doing it for me so we can spend time with my “east coast” family that will be there at the same time and they are considering OKW.

 

[awilliams4]

We are BCV owners and have stayed there 5 times. We are doing OKW this year and are very much looking forward to it.

We got the PAP this year so we are doing more DTD, Typhoon and Blizzard so OKW's location is better for us this trip. So you goals for your trip may help dictate which resort would work best as well.

 

[tb1972]

We just did a split stay OKW and BC. If you have children in their 20's, they may appreciate the DTD boat from OKW. There's a lot at DTD for that age group and we think they have the best restaurants at Disney. Better food than Epcot options in our opinion.

 

[bman388]

Another option you could do is sit down with the family this weekend and do youtube searches on different resorts. Just search the resort name and room type and there are a ton of great room tours. We did that last weekend for all of the DVC resorts and it was great info!

 

[sweetdana]

I'd go with bwv 1st SSR. 2 nd Blt 3 rd and Okw 4 th. based on what you have said so far. Bc is only fun with little kids, and fullllllll of little kids . ... Perfect if you are 8... No so good at 20.

So between only Okw and bc, I'd go with Okw.