Why BWV Grand Villa So High

[PamOKW]

so why no GV's at VWL or BCV?

These two resorts are much smaller than BWV or OKW. The majority of people want a studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom so they built them to be flexible. Most, if not all, of the rooms can convert to any of the above. A GV would be a dedicated use of the space.

 

[mikesmom]

... and OKW is wide open? Because of the Food & Wine Fest, of course!! Everyone wants to be able to walk (or stumble) back to their rooms. Even Rich stays at BWV in November!

 

[Kick it up a notch!]

I don't understand this war thing everyone has. I own at BWV and thought that I would never want to stay at another DVC resort because BWV was awesome. I mean, come on, who would really want to stay at OKW. The place is really not near anything, you have to drive, take a bus or a boat to get to do anything. The place looks boring, but the rooms are bigger. I guess you could use the extra room to play tiddly winks. I even bought points at OKW, just so I could trade them out in the future, so I could spend one week at BWV and another doing something else. That makes sense financially because the dues are cheaper, right?

Then the strangest thing happened, we had some friends join us for a trip. Since we didn't have enough points at BWV to get another room, we booked them at OKW. Besides, why should we waste our good points and not use our not so good points. So we'll stick our friends at OKW, where the rooms are bigger and cheaper (point wise) and they will just be happy because they are in Disney, right?

We got them a two bedroom at OKW, and it wasn't even that many points (considering we are used to the BWV point chart). I went over to visit them and I had this feeling come over me, kinda like the Grinch when he discovered that Christmas wasn't so bad after all. I mean, I really thought the place was not going to be for us because BWV is the only resort right?

Well, I guess that feeling started to growand my heart was no longer two sizes too small, and I tried to convince my wife, "Hey honey, let's stay at OKW and see what it is like." No, she said. I said well I invited my parents and we can't afford a GV at BWV and we should consider OKW. Being the practical woman that she is, she immediately saw this made sense, and said O.K. (can you say, manipulation?) Since she already said O.K., I figured maybe we should go and check the place out for ourselves and stay for a couple of nights, just to know where everything is and see if we like it. So I booked a trip, just for the weekend, just to see. Well, now neither of our hearts ar two sizes too small, and we both can't wait to go back in September, and really relax. For those of you who think like I thought, think this, if you haven't tried it, you shouldn't say you don't like it. For those that don't want to or have and still prefer BWV, cool, stay there. Then I won't have trouble getting my reservations at OKW!!!

 

[ncligs]

Kick it up a notch,

Well said!!!!!!!!

 

[CM Tinkerbell]

I cannot say I favor any of the DVC resorts over the other. They all offer something different and that makes it fun.

OKW is a quiet resort, but it is sooo relaxing. I love waking up early and walking the shell strewn sidewalks up to the main area to get some fresh pastry for the morning and listening to the sound of the "key west" music. Then eating breakfast out on the balcony (no tiddly winks invloved) and enjoying the lush landscaping and the birds. I wish I were there right now!

BWV does have a GREAT location. When we stay here, we are in "action" mode. Taking advantage of the closeness to Epcot and MGM and just having "fun". This is a wonderful spot to be for easy park touring and lots of fun. It can't be beat.

WLV just brings you someplace else. The theming there really transports you and it almost makes you feel like you are not in Florida. But, the theming is SO Disney that you really feel yourself surrounded by the Disney magic. When we are there, we like to spend a lot of time at the resort, the pools, the watermice! and we love taking the path over to Fort Wilderness with the kids to enjoy what is offered over there. I love sitting in that incredible lobby. It's amazing.

So, I don't have a favorite, but would love to stay at any of them for what they offer. There is so much more that I could add about what I love about each of these resorts. We've often times split the trip between two of them so that we can experience the differnces that we really appreciate in these resorts.

But seriously, we're not all going to like the same things. That's fine. I can totally understand why someone would prefer one resort over another and that's okay.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Having finally stayed there the only incentive I have for ever staying at Boardwalk again is the Food & Wine festival. I suspect that's because I'm from New Jersey and the place just plain doesn't give me the same vacation feel as VWL & OKW...too many seagulls & too urban a feel to it. It feels like a much nicer Seaside Heights...a place I would never voluntarily stay on vacation.

So keep your restaurants, your big pool, your Seagulls on their bombing runs...I'll settle for the ducks of VWL, the luscious pine scent, the dirt running trails so easy on my legs, the tiny quiet pool with nobody in it and the feeling that I am actually away from home.

 

[MdmMim]

We're fortunate to have such different resorts to choose from with DVC. I own at the BWV and just love it there. But the VWL are a different story for me--because I live in the woods with the pine trees, the deer, and the quiet, so I enjoy the lively Boardwalk when I vacation. Each resort has its merits, and each appeals to some and not to others. That's part of the beauty of DVC.

 

[DeeP]

I live at the Jersey shore 15 minutes from Atlantic City's boardwalk and about 10 minutes from Ocean City's boardwalk with Wildwood, Cape May etc about 45 minutes away and I LOVE BWV!!!! It is the best WDW resort on property for me.
Of course it could not possibly be on par with OKW, because we all know and have been told on more than one occasion that the only "true" DVC resort is OKW. However, given how quickly the BWVs & VWLs sold out and how quickly they are booked up, I guess a lot of people must like the "fake" DVC resorts.
I like the 1 BR units at OKW very much but other than that OKW holds very little interest for me. I have stayed there when I could not get into BWV and will most likely stay there again if I can not get a reservation at BWV, VWL, or BCV but OKW will never be my first choice. When I am on vacation I like to stay in a Resort not a condo development.

drusba,
Your post was a classic!!

 

[JohnG]

ncligs...........

Why in the world would I want a car at WDW if I'm staying at BW DVC? Boat or short walk to Epcot......boat or walk to MGM......... Monorail from Epcot to MK.........short Bus ride to AK. Endless choices of Restaurants on the BW, at Swan/Dolphin, BC/YK and, oh yeah, at EPCOT OR MGM!.

A car at WDW is so YESTERDAY.

Don't you OKW'ers get it? Even IF I have a 3-5 minute walk from the lot to the entrance door of BW..................I'm only going to do that one or twice per day (or maybe, per TRIP)!

Listen, OKW is a very nice place, enjoy the heck out of your ownership, but please don't go out of your way to knock mine.

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by MdmMim
We're fortunate to have such different resorts to choose from with DVC. I own at the BWV and just love it there. But the VWL are a different story for me--because I live in the woods with the pine trees, the deer, and the quiet, so I enjoy the lively Boardwalk when I vacation. Each resort has its merits, and each appeals to some and not to others. That's part of the beauty of DVC.

This is what we need to remember, we're lucky to have choices and thanks to DVC we will have even more choices in the future. I own at BWV, but also love OKW. We like OKW for our May trip, which is more relaxed, more come and go. We like BWV for our early December trip, we like to be in the middle of the action for the Christmas activities. I wouldn't want to stay at BWV in May and wouldn't want to stay at OKW in December, they wouldn't fit the kind of trip we want for those times. I don't think I would have bought DVC if it was restricted to staying at one resort.

By the way, we always rent a car, both at OKW & BWV. I like the freedom of having a car and I hate busses. We do use the boat at BWV, but use the car to AK, DD, offsite shopping & eating. MK sometimes we take the bus, sometimes we drive (usually take the bus when going at night when it's crowded).

 

[sparkspeak]

This thread is a unique recommendation for ownership!

 

[RWishbone]

The only reason that people even claim to like OLD Key West is because they purchased there before the BW opened. Now they desperately try to justify the purchase to themselves. If the BW opened first, OLD Key West would still not be sold out. The OKW rooms are slightly bigger but that is the beginning and end of the advantages. BW has a better location, better pools, better restaurants, better ambiance, more intelligent owners, etc...

 

[Richyams]

more intelligent owners

I am not sure of the evidence for this, but I would agree that they are healthier....the 1.2 mile walk to the room from anywhere is great exercise for the cardio-vascular system.

The rooms also offer some brain teaser exercise.....maybe that is where the false idea of "More intelligent owners" comes in. It takes some great skill trying to fit a week's worth of clothes for two people into the drawer space at BWV.

BTW, when OKW and BWV were both selling, OKW sold faster than BWV.

 

[ncligs]

Qoute from John G.....

Why in the world would I want a car at WDW if I'm staying at BW DVC? Boat or short walk to Epcot......boat or walk to MGM......... Monorail from Epcot to MK.........short Bus ride to AK.
A car at WDW is so YESTERDAY.....
-------------------------------------------
In case of an injury, sickness, accident,etc , I was wondering if the boat,monorail or busses will take you to the hospital??

Or since you are so used to "long walks", do you just walk to the emergency room??

 

[Richyams]

Emergencies are a consideration, but I wouldn't ever do WDW without a car. There are just too many reasons to have one. An off site dinner, a change of plans, stopping to pick up this or that for tomorrow. The general store has some things, but is not adequate for serious late night snacking or even morning omelette madness. There are just too many reasons to have a car.

If you are going to have a car, there is nothing better than having it parked right in front of your unit.

I am thinking that BWVers are forced to spend so much on points and dues that the rental car bill is a little too much to handle.

 

[ncligs]

Excellent points Rich, thats why we "always" have a car at WDW.

 

[Michelemouse]

RWishbone -

I have to disagree. We purchased our DVC membership in Dec. '97 when both OKW and BWV were available and we bought at OKW. In fact, we had originally been planning to buy in the future and were just taking a look at DVC. We ended up buying that day because OKW was so close to being sold out and we didn't want our points at BWV.

Now, that said, it doesn't mean we don't like BWV. We've stayed there a few times already. It's just that OKW is our preference. I can see all of the benefits to each place and do, truly, like each of the DVC resorts. OKW, however, just feels like home to us.

If everyone wanted the same thing out of DVC all of the DVC resorts would be carbon copies of each other. Disney was smart enough to realize that people have different preferences...none right or wrong, just different...and they offer something for everyone.

Michele <happy OKW & HH owner>

 

[Richyams]

Understand that a lot of what we do here is friendly rivalry, even I understand that there may be someone somewhere that actually prefer BWV to OKW. We still have fun taking jabs at eachother's resort.

I personally liked this one:

I am thinking that BWVers are forced to spend so much on points and dues that the rental car bill is a little too much to handle.

 

[DebbieB]

Rich,

I'm glad you liked your own quote!

 

[Dumbo]

Rich,

Face it. Old Key West members are getting a little tired of OKW. One of our most adament defenders of OKW just booked a hotel room for Animal Kingdom Lodge for 231 OKW points. He could have had a Grand Villa at Old Key West for 11 less points. But he chose a hotel room at a Disney hotel instead.

Benedict Arnold was hung for less!


Dumbo