Which one-bedroom villa?

[Dopey Sharon]

I can't decide where to stay! My friend is giving us a one bedroom villa, for a really good price, but I can't make up my mind! It is just DH and I...no kids...no CAR(will be relying on buses for all transportation)...will be going to all parks, MK the most. We currently have our reservations at OKW, but can change that on May 5. (We may not have a choice, since this is a busy time for DVCers, there may not be availability anywhere else). We've never stayed in a villa before, so this is a big deal to us. Can you guys please help me decide??? Thanks!

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

Hi, I voted for VWL because you are going to spend the most time at MK. I would recomend getting on the waitlist day by day starting with the first day that you can. VWL is the most popular of the DVC resorts during the first two weeks of Dec ( which is when I think you are going since your 7 month window is May 5th).

Good Luck!!! AND: be pre warned, this is the most wonderful room I have ever stayed in (DVC 1BR) alone with my hubby and you may want to buy a DVC membership of your own once you stay!!

 

[Granny]

I don't know if this matters or not, but if you switch from OKW, you will be costing your friend to use more points (and I assume cost you a little more).

OKW has the lowest points per night for 1BR. BCV, VWL and BWV (preferred view) are all the same and all higher than OKW for the same type of accomodations.

All the DVC resorts are extremely nice, so you can't go wrong.

I voted VWL, but many people here knew I'd do that!

Good luck to you.

 

[Dizzy4Dizney]

Since it's just you and the DH, you might like the Epcot resorts better. BCV & BWV have pretty good night life.

 

[Michelemouse]

Normally I would pick OKW, but this time I chose WLV. I assumed that you change date of May 5 means that you will be at WDW in early December and nothing beats the decorations at the WL!

Have fun, wherever you decide to stay.

 

[DebbieB]

I voted for BWV (my home resort), BCV would be a close second. Since it's only the 2 of you, room size isn't a big issue. Since you will not have a rental car, BWV or BCV are within walking distance of both Epcot and MGM. You can also use the boat transportation, which we like better than busses. Early May is the height of the Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot. The Epcot Resort area has so many restaurants available.

 

[RoutemanDan]

Normally,for a first time visit ,I would have chosen OKW for the size of the villas.But,being that you plan on being at the MK a lot and the time you are going,I chose VWL.

 

[Nanajo1]

Because this an adults only trip I voted for BWV. When it is just DH and I we like the ease of walking to EPCOT and MGM and the choice of restaurants within walking distance at YC and BC. Wherever you end up you'll have a great trip.

 

[Tagrel]

That is a tough choice. It boils down to what you personally find most important.

While VWL is only a boatride away from the MK, everywhere else needs a bus. And during our stay last August I was less than impressed with the buses there. It is a beautiful resort and we can't wait to get back - but next time we will have a rental car.

We also own at BCV. For an adults only trip, I know I would pick either BCV or BWV. There is SO much within walking distance, and you are even much closer to Downtown Disney than you are at VWL. We found the buses to MK from there to be pretty good. Not overcrowded (we got on at BCV) - BWV was the last stop, so they were a bit more crowded by then.

It is great to walk to Epcot and the boat ride to MGM is very enjoyable. The option to take the 20 minute walk back from MGM (as opposed to taking the crowded boat after Fantasmic is nice too).

You will find picture tours of one bedroom units for both BCV and VWL on my site linked below in my signature. Use the DVC popup menu on the left side of the page.

Good luck in your decision. Where ever you stay, I'm sure you will have a fantastic time.

 

[DaisyDebbie]

BWV, you can get around without having to use the buses. The only bus you would have to take would be to the MK and AK.

 

[JimC]

Tough choice. I gather you are going in December. Because of that I voted for BCV. It is an easy walk to Epcot (Candlelight Processional is the top holiday attraction) and MGM (Osborne Spectacle of Lights). There are many fine restaurants within walking distance.

The OKW is the least expensive resort in the DVC properties and if you switch, it will require more points. But don't worry, you will enjoy any of the resorts.

Go to this link:

http://www.wdwig.com/h_decor.htm

It has a great holiday review.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Zurg]

Beachclub - it is closest to the rose& crown

 

[JKLLady]

Another vote for BWV! Since it's "adults only", BWV gives you the nightlife on the Boardwalk after the parks close & a great selection of restaurants to choose from at all the Epcot resorts & the WS. The transportation is great, walk or boat to Epcot & Studios, and we've never had a problem w/the bus transportation to MK or AK from Boardwalk. I believe in crowded times, the BW is the only Epcot resort that has a "dedicated" bus(check w/Tyler on the transportation board). You can always visit the WL on a day you're at MK & have a meal at Artist Point.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Originally posted by Granny
I don't know if this matters or not, but if you switch from OKW, you will be costing your friend to use more points (and I assume cost you a little more).

I am paying $600 no matter which resort we stay at. OKW is 80 points the others are 112, but we agreed on the price of a room at WL, if the discounts come out, which last year was $119 a night. I had originally booked a room at WL, then she offered me this, so that's how this all came about.

Thanks to everyone for their input! It's really a tough decision. I know I should be grateful that I can stay at any DVC resort, but since we probably won't ever get this opportunity again, I want it to be the best!

We are going the first week in December, so I may not have the choice to change, anyway, I just wanted some input from the "experts" who know their stuff!


Thanks, guys!

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I just looked at the results...it's a four way tie! No wonder I'm having trouble deciding where to stay...they all are nice!

 

[OKW91]

I would go with OKW just for the size of the one bedroom unit.

 

[A1A1]

You mentioned a few things that helped us vote. Which is the most important to you? Prioritize them so that you will have an easier time deciding. Here is what I got from you:

Adult vacation - do you want it to be relaxing or closer to nightlife? If you stay at OKW, you are only a relaxing boatride from Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island. BWI or BCV have some nightlife as well, but not as much as is offered at Downtown Disney or Pleasure Island if you stay at OKW. If you would like an adult vacation that is quiet and relaxed unless you are in the parks, then go with OKW.

Magic Kingdom - Proximity to MK is closest from VWL. You will be taking a boat (or bus). At any of the others you could take a bus. If you were at BWV or BCV, you have the option of walking through EPCOT and taking two monorails to get to MK. Of course you would use a park day on a regular pass to do that. I have annual passes, so it doesn't matter.

Transportation - OKW is bus everywhere except to DTD, where you will take a boat. How much time will you spend there? If you think you would enjoy going there for meals or shopping or nightlife, Pick OKW. BWV and BCV you can walk to parks or take a bus, or in the case of MK, you can walk and then take two monorails (which I mentioned above).

Size of accommodations - OKW wins this hands down. The resort is really beautiful and relaxing. The one bedroom villas are huge! I really wasn't expecting it. Some have amazing views of the golf course. You can't get the picture of how big these villas are until you have been in one. Will you be spending a good deal of time in the room? Does size really matter? (sorry.) I spend a lot of time in the room, and always request a preferred view in my home resort BWV. The resort is very important to me. I am one of those people who cannot stay at a budget hotel - not because I am loaded either. I just would rather spend the money to feel really comfortable, which is why I am a DVC member/owner.

I voted for VWL because you mentioned your desire to visit MK frequently, I think. I would vote OKW second for its relaxation quotient, and for its proximity to DTD and PI. I think the transportation issue may not be as big of a factor, as most people who visit WDW utilize the transportation system, and are just resolved to spend some time on buses and boats.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Thank you to all who voted and replied. It looks like OKW is the winner, but not by much....which tells me no matter where we stay we will enjoy it very much! To answer A1A1's questions...

We want to be near nightlife, but we aren't party animals! (We're 43 & 45...not into the club scene. Although, I would like to go to Jellyrolls this trip) We won't be going to PI, one day for DD. We went to the Boardwalk last year and liked that.

I guess the most important thing to us is being close to the parks, since that is where we will be spending most of our time. We will probably spend two days at each park (except AK) and three at MK.

From different pictures I've seen of each villa...OKW wins hands down. It looks so much bigger (and my friend says they are a lot bigger than the others). I think I'm leaning more towards BCV because of the pool (but don't know how much we will be able to use it in early December!), it's newer, and it's close to BW. I also am leaning towards VWL because of it's close to MK, where we will going the most, and my DH has always wanted to stay at the lodge.

I think I'm stressing too much about this! lol My DH doesn't care where we stay (typical man! lol) but I want this vacation to be great. Like I said before...all this worrying and I probably won't be able to change it anyway!

So, thanks, again, to all who have been putting up with me....we have a long time to go yet! LOL




edited to add....another thing that is swaying me to change is...I am paying my friend $600 no matter which resort we stay in. OKW is only 80 points, the others are 112. If I were to go again, and have to rent points from someone on these boards, I'm going to pay about $10 a point. I would rather save OKW for that trip and stay at a more expensive resort now.

 

[A1A1]

Okay---another consideration. I don't know if you are into Christmas decorations, but I hear WL has an amazing Christmas feel. Many people stay only there during Christmas season because of the decorations and holiday spirit.

Sounds like the nightlife and DTD are the things you only plan to do once during your trip. This may not be high on the priority list then. Not for consideration. Sounds like you wouldn't choose your resort based on nightlife. Take a cab or a bus to these places.

Don't plan on using the pool in December. I went last December. Had to buy gloves, pants, hats, jackets, and blankets. One of the days during the 14 day trip it reached 80, but there was still a breeze and people had their sweatshirts and pants on. It will be a fluke if you get to spend a lot of time at the pool, or any time at all. Don't use this as a criterion for your selection.


I like to stay in the BW area because I can walk to two parks. I also like to stay at newer resorts. I stayed at AKL a month after it opened to get that special feeling. It was wonderful. It might bve neat for you to stay at BCV for that reason. Everything will be new and neat and clean. It will have that "new car scent".

Do you have Annual Passes? That makes three options for getting to MK. As I said, you can walk through Epcot to take two monorails to get to MK. Probably takes longer than just taking the bus.

It's down to OKW, BCV, and VWL. Sounds like you want to take advantage of the reasonable price your friend is giving you and stay at a higher point resort. Will your friend be mad if you do that? I probably would be, but wouldn't say anything. You don't want to lose a friend over a few points or a few extra dollars.

If it is not a consideration, and neither is the size of the room, then remove OKW from the running. I did love this resort. Only stayed there once, but was shocked at the size of the place. It is really nice. I don't think many people know how nice it really is. They just think it is out of the way. Seems like your proximity to parks is more important to you.

What do you think of all of this?

 

[A1A1]

Forgot to say that all of this for BCV or VWL is moot if you are going the week before or after Christmas. No chance for Christmas holiday with 7 month window. There is already a waiting list for people with home resort priority.