Trying OKW for first time, how does it compare to BWV ?

Debs Hill

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May 27, 2000
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We have always stayed at our home resort BWV, but decided that this time we would like to split our stay and try OKW too. How does it compare? I have to convince my husband as he loves BW and is reluctant to leave it!!!

We are travelling in Jan and we were going to book the whole trip at BWV 11 months out and then change a week to OKW at 7 months, can I do that? Any penalty? Will I have a problem getting a 1 bed in Jan?
 
You will see several threads here debating the relative values of OKW and BWV. We own at both. Both are fantastic in their own way. BWV rooms are a little smaller than OKW, but BWV is within walking distance of the restaurants and bars of the Boardwalk while OKW only has one restaurant. BWV has the convenience of a boat that will take you to EPCOT, YC, BC, Swan, Dolphin or MGM. OKW has a boat that takes you to DD. OKW is very convenient for golf on the LBV course. The OKW main pool is simple, no slides. Althought the resort is bigger, you are never far from a quiet pool. BWV has the Luna Park pool with a water slide and a quiet pool as well.
When we want to be closer to the action, we do BWV. When we feel like we want more seclusion, quiet and being laid-back, we do OKW, although we are never more than a bus ride from the rest of the World action.

It sounds like you will be going for two weeks. The change of pace should be fun if you stay at both, and you should not have a problem booking a 1 BR at OKW for January. (No penalties!)
 
There is a shoe for every foot, and having the luxury of trying other resorts are what makes DVC so special. I would not split your whole two weeks between the two. Give OKW a few nights since your dh is so keen on BWV. If you find you like it as much, then this is good info for *next* time. My home is BWV, we also wanted to try OKW, so we did the first two nights there and moved on to BWV. I personally did not enjoy my stay at OKW, but each of us has our reasons for liking and disliking something. My reasons were these... the lack of restaurants and feeling so far removed from activities. And that, again, is the beauty of DVC. Having the freedom to choose where we want to stay and also having this forum to give each other insight. :)
 
We own at OKW but have stayed at BWV many times. We love them both for different reasons. When we want quiet or to stay in a GV we chose OKW. The GV are less points at OKW. When we want close excitement and don't mine the extra points we go to BWV. We like the room service at BWV because we have a handicapped brother and sometimes we just don't want to go out to get food. It is nice to have several places to eat on site. I know you will like them both. They are so different and both just great. Have a great trip.
Merilyn
 

I spent a night at OKW about 2 years ago with DS and wasn't crazy about it. It was in the month of January and that particular January it was way too cold to swim. I felt really removed and the teenager wasn't too happy, either.

Fast forward to this summer, and four of us stayed for several nights(split the trip with BWV). On this trip it was warm weather and there were 4 of us in a 2 bdrm - myself, DH, DS and a buddy. We loved it! DH and I were both tired and stressed from work issues and DS had just finished his 1st year of college. The relaxed, laid back environment was just fabulous for all of us. We all spent plenty of time at the resort (all that space!) and even the boys spent one day just hanging around the pool. Truly a wonderful trip.
 
We own at OKW and stayed at the Boardwalk last year. I love both. I don't think I would say I would not want to stay at any of the DVC resorts as they are all first class. Having said that, I know many people have very strong feelings about one resort over another. I myself will gladly take whatever has availability for the timeframe I wish to go.

In your situation, I would suggest staying at OKW first and then moving to BWV for the last part of the trip. If he does not like OKW, he will have BWV to look forward to. If he likes OKW then it will be an added bonus. Also, if you pick OKW and get there and he just doesn't like it at all, you could see if you could move to BWV instead. When we stayed at BWV, we were scheduled for OKW and I simply asked at the front desk at BWV if we could stay there instead. Granted we only needed a studio and we were there in October, but we were given a boardwalk view with no problems--just used 6 extra points for our stay and it was all handled at the BWV front desk.
 
I agree with almost everything that has been said. We own at both OKW and BWV. We like them both for different reasons. If you want some time to kick back, sit on your porch, or take a walk – OKW is your spot. You will need to take the boat, bus or your car to go anywhere. We always feel more relaxed at OKW. If you want to be in the center of it all – BWV is the place to be.
I have split a couple of vacations between both sites and found that it was like having two vacations in one. The Bell staff made the move fairly painless and the change was good for the soul.
 
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I agree with what others have said, both are very nice resorts but yet very different. OKW is more laid back, quiet and away from everything with large 1 BR villas, 1 restaurant and a condo type atmosphere. BWV is in the middle of the action, with many restaurants, parks close by but much smaller 1 BR and a deluxe hotel resort atmosphere. We have stayed at both but we prefer BWV because we like all the conveniences BWV offers. The first time I stayed at OKW, I was there for 10 days and that was way too long for me, 3 days would have been much better, but now I know. I would book the majority of nights at BWV and few nights at OKW (as another poster suggested) just to try it out and see if DH likes this resort. If you enjoy this resort then you could book at OKW for a longer stay the next trip. Enjoy your trip!
 
OKW would be fun to try. But if your husband likes BWV, the idea of OWK first and BWV 2nd sounds like a good one. It wouldn't be as much fun to be dissappointed in your accomodations. There's lots to do at BWV that won't be available at OKW.
 
I think that when your husband walks into the OKW unit, at first he will be agog. Then a misty look will come to his face as he drops to his knees. It may be embarrassing, but he could start balling like a baby when he realizes that he could have bought at OKW.

Many consider OKW to be the only 'true' DVC resort.

He will get over it, but don't be surprised when he demands OKW points also.
 
Both are great resorts but different. OKW is more laid back, one approach would be to do BW first and be busy then have the OKW time to rest and take it easy.
 
Deb, he may like Okw. I would have to ask him, what does he really like about the BW, and doesn't want to do without? He may like the large rooms, and find the okw's larger rooms better. If it's the dining, nightlife, and location to the parks, it might be a tough sell. We own at both, our family prefers Bw, but when we would stay at the Okw, we would stay there the first week, then to the Bw the second week to end on a high note. We can't sell it to our family anymore, but at least we tried it. I would suggest the same in case he doesn't like it. If you find that he does indeed like it, you might be able to cancel the Bw the second part of the trip and still get rooms at the okw for the second half. That's the great thing about the DVC, is you can sample some of the older resorts, along with some of the newer ones.

"Many consider OKW to be the only 'true' DVC resort."


There was that one sign at the Okw (some call it imaginery), About Okw the only true DVC resort, I think it was located in front of the second or third restaurant, not sure, I heard they were going to replace it with a sign, DVC BEFORE BW. Maybe I read it on the rumours board. :rolleyes:

Good Luck with your choice.
 
LOL, Rich!!! Too funny!

I love OKW, myself! I like the condo setting and the laid back atmosphere. I feel the setting is just lovely.

If your DH likes hustle and bustle and such and being able to get to Epcot in a heartbeat for a beavertail or a nice dinner at Le Cellier, then do most of the vacation at BWV!!! You may want to just do a few days at OKW to check it out! You may be surprised how much you both do like it and will include more of OKW in future vacations!
 
Man, you guys are too funny!

My own personal preference would be to take in the hustle and bustle of BWV and when you're nearing the saturation point (about 5 days) head over to OKW for some much needed unwinding. It is so relaxing. I've only been to BWV twice and OKW once, but WOW what a difference! Both are wonderful in their own ways. Going back to BWV in exactly 11 days from now - then taking the cruise to *unwind*. Your dh will be pleasantly surprised at OKW. I was!
 
OKW to be the only 'true' DVC resort.
Nobody but the one poster thinks its the only true resort, it's just some silly line they repeatedly post, they've never been able to explain it when asked. Let us know what your husband thinks and if he starts crying on his knees and has to try to add points on at OKW. He probably won't need OKW points to stay there unless you want a GV, there is more availability for OKW at the 7 month window than any other DVC resort. If he does want points, the resale prices are lower than for any other WDW onsite resort because of the reduced demand/desirability, the market pretty much tells the story. We were looking at OKW but didn't like how removed it was from everything, if your going to travel everywhere by bus (except DTD) and not have hotel like amenities, you might as well stay at an offsight timeshare and use thier bus transportation, there are some nice ones very near WDW, especially with some of the slow bus service at OKW that people have complained about in the past. There are some owners with OKW purchase regret, who wish they owned at another DVC resort instead of OKW, although if they got in early, they sure paid less, more power to them. And, there are many who love it, and have many nice things to say about it. To each his own. There are OKW members who wait for the 7 month window to get into BWV, which happens more requently than the other way around as demonstrated by the 7 month window availability.

You may not be aware, but there have been a few threads recently with banter back and forth regarding which resort is the best one, to the degree to which square footage was calculated and compared and disputed, and many folks have expressed why thier home resort is better than the ones other's have choosen, they are all wonderful places to stay, and I think your approach of trying each resort to see for yourself is a great idea, perhaps we should consider doing the same. We'd like to try WLV and BCV, they look like a great resorts, probably the best after BWV.

So tell us what your husband thinks after your trip if he's willing to let you talk about his open crying, it'll probably start a big discussion. I hope he doesn't get stuck whining for half of your trip about how he wishes he were at the BWV because both of you could just walk to a few restaraunts and Jellyrolls in the evening, he doesn't like to go down a nice slide at the pool, does he?

As long as we are getting a discussion going, you are going to have at least 5 or more in a one bedroom and your dogs and swipe towels from the pool areas, aren't you? :smooth: Kewl.
 
There was another poster, kind of like you, who would get all bent out of shape also. One of his tirades included something like: "This attitude that so many people have of OKW being the only true DVC resort really bothers me"

It was news to me that "so many people" considered DVC the only true DVC resort, I certainly Don't, I use it as a tribute to that poster.

You are probably going to give me my next quote that I can turn around......I'm watching......
 
At OKW, it's great that your car is parked right in front. It gives you something to do. Maybe you can wash it, admire it, wash it again, admire it again.
 
Both resorts are great. It's just a matter of personal taste. Book OKW for a couple of days to see if you like it, if you don't then don't go back. There are some who try to bash other resorts, so you just have to learn to ignore them and do what is best for you.
 
Originally posted by Desperado

To each his own. There are OKW members who wait for the 7 month window to get into BWV, which happens more requently than the other way around as demonstrated by the 7 month window availability.>

I have often found this point interesting when booking a stay. OKW always seems to have something available no matter the time of season, and just the opposite at BWV and VWL. Why do you think this is??? Where are the original OKW members all staying? Just curious without starting a huge debate.
 
Laura24,
There is more availability at OKW because there are more villas. Here is a list of the number of villas at each DVC resort according to the Deb Willis website and the AAA guide:
WLV -136
BCV - 205
BWV- 383
OKW - 704

Personally I find both resorts to be wonderful. If you stay at both it is like you are having 2 different vacations. I think that you will enjoy both of them. Happy Planning!
:cool:
 















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