Which WDW DVC resort has the best 2 bedroom units and why?

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

We're going to stay in a DVC resort for a "test drive" and I'd really like to try a two bedroom unit as that would be what we'd aim for if buying points. Although I think VWL would probably appeal most to DH, I'd like to hear your opinions. Can anyone tell me the sq footage of each? I tried doing a search but I seem to be search challenged by the min 4 character thing and always getting that search disabled msg.

I should say that young children, 6 and under, would be staying in the 2nd bedroom.

Thanks a lot!

 

[MikeJ]

Rich?? Oh, Rich???

- Mike

 

[BillM]

OKW has over 1300 Sq ft vs a 1000+ for other on site DVC. That said, a case could be made with the age of your children for VWL and the boat to MK. The smaller 2 BR will not be a factor with the small kiddos. In fact a 1 Br might do just fine.
There is a considerable diff in points for the 2 BR at OKW and the other on site resorts(except for standard view at BWV.

 

[DVC1996]

I know that OKW has the largest square footage ( 1322 feet for a 2 BR) if you are looking strictly at size. However, location is an equally determining factor too. My favorite 2 BR is usually where I'm vacationing at a certain time. It changes with the mood I'm in. If I want to concentrate primarily on the Epcot area on a certain vacation, then I would prefer BWV or BCV. If I'm in the mood for something that reminds of the national park lodges ( I love the historic park lodges out west) then I stay at VWL. I think you'll just have to look at the different resort or try them all, and then decide for yourself

 

[Granny]

LOL MikeJ.....my thoughts exactly when I saw the title of the thread!

LadyTrampScamp&Angel....I'd sample the place where you think you would want to buy. There is quite a difference in theming, location and ambience to all the various DVC resorts. If you are planning on buying a WDW DVC resort from Disney, then BCV is your only option. So I would recommend "sampling" BCV in that scenario.

If you are open to purchasing resales, then you can choose whereever you like (except BCV realistically). But since the place where you buy your points is important ("Buy where you want to stay the most"), you should decide what kind of "home" you would like the best.

All the 2BR's are way beyond adequate for a family of four....I wouldn't let the square footage of the various resorts drive your decision unless that's absolutely the most important factor in deciding where you want to stay. Just my opinion.

 

[KathyR]

If the unit is all you are worried about, then OKW wins hands down! I love the kitchen/living area layout along w/the HUGE porches with a full size table and 4 chairs!!!

That being said, I LOVE BWV!!! We bought most our points at BWV with an add on at VWL for a few reasons... OKW is a huge resort and therefore it is MUCH easier to make ressies at the 7 month window there. We knew/know we want to stay at these 3 resorts primarily, so it made sense to us to buy BWV/VWL for booking purposes only! We honestly cannot pick a favorite out of them. We love each for different reasons! Plus, the BWV has the standard point structure making it point wise nearly (within a point or 2/night) the same as OKW. You almost always need to book those Standard views at the 11 month window, so having points there is important to us for when we want to conserve points and go w/a standard view over the prefferred.

Best of luck to you w/your resort choice! Take into consideration location and theme when choosing your home resort. Where can you see yourself staying the most often? Also, is a themed pool w/a slide important to your family (OKW lacks that)? While I have not had any problems at any of the DVC resorts, how about transportation to the parks? Each resort has different transportation with the exception of BWV/BCV they share transportation. All of these things need to be considered I don't think you can go wrong unless you aboslutely hate one of the themes! Luckily, we happen to love them all, so that is not a factor for us

 

[OKWKirt]

There was a thread just recently discussing the dedicated two bedrooms. If you are going to have young children in the second bedroom you will want a dedicated two bedroom, without the second entrance.

I agree, decide which DVC theme you like the best and try that one, but take a look at the others.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Sq. footage isn't really a determining factor, I was just curious. I was pretty sure that OKW would be larger than the others, sheesh, in fact the 2 bedroom at OKW is slightly larger than the first house I ever bought!

We're open to a resale or buying from Disney, just am trying to decide which resort would appeal to us the most. Thing is DH would probably like the rustic theme of VWL and I love being close to Epcot so don't know what to do about that . Being that DH is the one that needs convincing, and from replies on an earlier thread that I posted about which resort would probably impress him the most, I'd planned on staying at VWL. Then deciding that we'd want to try out a 2 bedroom I thought I'd ask if there would be anything that might be a determining factor, one resort over another, with regard to that type of unit.

Honestly I was REALLY interested in the Villas at Eagle Pines (I think that was what they were called) even though we'd have to wait but haven't seen much about that lately. Also willing to look into Disney Institute area but not sure I like that location . . . So many choices!

Thanks again.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

KathyR and OKWKirt, I read your posts after I last posted, thanks for the ideas. I will look for the thread on the dedicated two bedrooms - with small kids that does interest me.

Huge porches sounds wonderful at OKW but I do have to admit a pool that's nicely themed for kids is a big plus. My DS loves to hang out at the pool and he seems to go down the slides a million times. That's one thing that is a shame for us about OKW.

Thanks again.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I would reccomend you ask about touring all the DVC on-site properties. Your guide can arrange that if you want to spend the time. There are a whole lot more differences than location and size. VWL, BWV, and BCV are all hotel type settings with great themed pools and easy access to one or more parks. OKW, on the other hand is more of a townhome type accommodation that is laid back and "homey", where you can park right outside your door. While the pools are nothing special, the smaller neighborhood ones are really nice for supervising smaller children, and there are attached playgrounds. That is why I think you should stay at one, but be sure to see them all before you decide.

 

[Sammie]

I find the 2 bedrooms at OKW to be more spacious but mainly the difference is noticed in the living areas of the living room, dining room and kitchen and laundry room.

While the other locations are beautiful in decor and location is great the living areas for spaciousness and usefullness just cant not match the units at OKW.

However if you are not going to use all that space then the other units are great, bedrooms and baths are very similar in decor and size.

You can not beat the location of BW and BC.

 

[Dancind]

We have only not stayed at WLV now, and my family likes OKW the best. We enjoy a variety, and will continue to stay at different resorts, but we just love spreading out in a OKW one bedroom. We usually have a car, so really like being able to park so close, much easier when you get groceries! And my early rising DH loves the balconies and the nice chairs with ottomans for reading and drinking coffee while the rest of us sleep. When we stay at OKW, we usually pool hop or go to a water park so my DD can get her fix. I like it because both my DH and I can get in the kitchen at the same time, so I don't have to cook and clean by myself! The full size washer and dryer is really nice too. And has anyone mentioned that the jacuzzi tub at OKW is plenty big enough for two? If you want your DH to be really impressed, OKW should do it! Diana

 

[PamOKW]

I thought I had the answer for you and then I saw you were intersted in VEP and now I'm not so sure....

Here goes.

The majority of DVC units are sized basically the same. Therefore, it might be best to tryout one of them....BWV, BCV or VWL. If VWL "calls to you" I'd try out that resort. I might consider trying out BCV, too. Since this is the newest, it will be set-up closest to what will appear in the next DVC units.

I think that overall the OKW 2-bedroom is hands-down more impressive than the others. However, I have to agree with Harriet and say that I "love the one that I'm staying at". I can't think of anything bad about any of the DVC resorts....just differences.

My problem now is your interest in VEP (and maybe DI). It might make sense for you to stay at OKW and get a feel for what it's like to stay in this area of WDW. To get a feel for mixing up the parks with relaxing on the golf course. Many people are reluctant to give up the walking access to MGM and Epcot and then are shocked by how much they really enjoy OKW.

In any case, I would be sure to take a look at all the resorts even though you can't stay in all of them on one trip!

Good luck with the research.

 

[drusba]

If you want to look at photos of the DVC resorts go to Deb's site:

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

 

[DeeP]

If you have not yet been to the various DVC resorts, definitely go visit them all because they are all very different and very unique. The 2 DVC resorts that are the most similiar are BCV and BWV and even they have their differences. What appeals to one person in regards to a DVC resort is many times the exact opposite to what appeals to another person.
As far as size, without a doubt, the 1 & 2 BR OKW units are the largest. The studios are basically the same(with the exception of the beds) and so are the GVs. Note only OKW and BWV have GVs.
OKW has size and a quiet laid back atmosphere going for it, the other WDW DVC resorts have super locations, additional amenities, themed pools, restaurants and convenience going for them. It all depends on what appeals to you and what you want while on vacation. They are all top shelf resorts with different strokes for different folks!

 

[ceejay13]

We are BWV and BCV owners but our very first stay as members was in a 2 bdr at OKW. I can still vividly recall our first reaction as we entered the room for the first time. WOW!! It was incredible. Having said that, I do agree that you should probably stay the first time where you think you might want to buy. All of our DVC stays have been very special and they all have their strengths and weaknesses. The flexibility is truly the beauty of the DVC.

 

[~Magical Princess~]

To address the original question: Which has the best 2br and why, in my opinion, it would be OKW. Hands down. Biggest accommodations, quiet and peaceful and beautiful resort. That's pretty much it!

However, if you start talking about "location" or "extras" - meaning like if you are at Boardwalk, you have the ESPN club, the closeness to Epcot and Mgm, the Dance Club etc., or if you are at Beach Club again you have closeness to Epcot, but also the chance to enjoy Stormalong Bay and then if you are at Wilderness Lodge, you get that total "lodge" feel, you are close to the Magic Kindgom ..... it's like you can find positives to all resorts!!

But when it comes to ACCOMMODATIONS, to me OKW wins hands down! It's the first DVC resort, so it's noticeably and definitely the largest. The balconies at the BW and BC and WL to me are a "joke" compared to the balconies at OKW. You can barely fit 2 people on those balconies at the other resorts and at OKW youc an have a party on your balcony!!

It's all relative though - how often will you actually "be" in the room? Some people alot - some hardly at all - so it's all subject to each individuals taste.

THe nice thing about these boards is you can find out everything - the good, the not so good and the downright yuk - which to everyone is different of course! And then you make your decisions from there!!!

Have an awesome trip

 

[Regina]

I'm not one to argue about which resort/room is better. I also don't like giving my opinion about a resort that I haven't personally stayed at. Each DVC property is unique, which is part of the magic of the program.

I've enjoyed countless vacations at OKW, mostly in two bedroom units. We've loved every single trip. It's a very relaxing resort.

I've also stayed at my "second home" VWL, in a one bedroom, and it was wonderful. We had a balcony overlooking the pool. From our vantage point, we could glimpse the Electric Water Pageant through the trees. It was one of those "Wow! This place is great!" moments.

In October, I'm looking forward to trying out BCV.

It's up to you, but, as others have said, it's smart to buy where you want to stay.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the replies. I almost don't know how to pick which we like best without experiencing them. I think on future trips we may have to stay at different DVC resorts when we can get them to try them out. I guess it's a good thing we aren't in a rush. I'm still interested in villas at eagle pines because the theme/design appealed to me and DH I think would like NOT being so close to parks so it almost seems like a separate vacation, and he's a golfer. I'm hoping that's not on indefinite hold. I have a reservation at VWL now so I guess we'll start there.

Thanks again for taking the time to answer.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Since being away from the hubub and liking golf are part of your reasons for thinking VEP, I guess I would do a resale at OKW now, and an add-on at VEP if and when that comes on line. OKW has the lowest maintanance fees and the lowest points, plus all the other things you want.