Why BWV Grand Villa So High

[JohnG]

Rich............

You're right, maybe 90% of the reasons we all reply to each other on this thread (that has gone on in so many forms - but always with the same overall tone - for the five years I've been part of DVC, and I'm sure started before that) is the pure fun of it.

As we've always known, difference of opinion and taste is what makes the world go 'round - and more to the point - what makes DVC in all its forms so successful.

If you're worried about the drawer space, then I'm surprised, since you always do such large accomodations. The walk-in closets in the 1 and 2 BR and (your fave) the GVs make the drawer space pretty irrelevant, wouldn't you say??

And I will take you to task on the car thing. Emergencies? That IS the all-time stretch. If I have a family emergency I can think of a dozen things that I can do to get proper care for whomever needs it without renting a car for 15-25 days per year!

And no, its not the money it costs. We have Atlantis pick us up, take us to the food store and drop us off at BW on day one, take us back on the last one. Normally in a stretch limo, even though we are usually only two to four in our party. The reason we don't want a car is that we don't WANT a car.

 

[DeeP]

Richyams,
You are patting yourself on the back for your own quote????

Michelemouse,
I respect your decision on where you chose to buy your DVC membership, however the same can be said about purchasing a BWV membership. I looked into DVC when OKW first opened and did not purchase because I did not like the location of OKW at all, did not like the bus only transport (yes, we do at times rent a car but do not use it on WDW property only when we go off site and as surprising as it is even as a BWV owner I can afford it!!!), did not like the fact that there was only 1 restaurant, did not like the lack of nighttime entertainment without going to DD or PI (my children were small at the time so PI was out and I am not much of a shopper so 1 visit per trip is enough of DD for me) I thought the main pool/pool bar was very lacking and overall just felt like I was in a condo development, a nice condo development but still a condo development. After initially looking into OKW and knowing it did not appeal to me I thought a DVC membership was not meant to be. But..... when they opened BWV, I fell in love with this Resort and purchased my membership faster than a NY minute! BWV was/is my idea of a vacation resort timeshare that I was willing to spend money on.

Different people like different things but a lot of people must like the Resort type DVC properties vs the Condo type DVC property since the last 2 DVC properties that have been built at WDW are Resort DVC properties while the building of another condo/golf DVC seems to have been put on the back burner indefinitely. As far as Disney's plans for DI becoming a DVC property (which will also be a condo development DVC), I think Disney has DI already there which has been a huge failure so they want to recoup some of their losses and thought why not DVC? They couldn't even rent the units, so this way if they sell them as DVC the problem is solved. I think it should be very interesting to see how this all works out.

Whenever we go on vacation I like to stay in a Resort that has a lot of amenities. This includes room service, valet parking, bell services to bring my packages and groceries to my room, elevators to my room vs walking up flights of stairs toting packages and groceries, a variety of restaurants, nighttime entertainment, a pool nicer than what I can find in my neighborhood backyard, a variety of stores and also very important convenience of location. I have paid very highly for these conveniences at resorts in other places outside of WDW, so to me BWV, which gives me all these amenities and more is quite a bargain! If I wanted a secluded, out of the way place,a place I have to drive everywhere to and from, a place that rolls up the sidewalks at 9:00 PM while I'm on vacation, I might as well stay home or rent one of the many condo/villa/home properties which are available all around WDW for a lot less money and much bigger units (4 BR, private pool, 3.5 baths, etc.) than OKW.

BTW, if we ever had an emergency requiring a trip to the ER while at WDW I could either drive my rental car (if we had one that trip), call a family member that lives in the area, call a cab, call an ambulance, or it has been stated by others that Disney is very accomendating in providing transportation to their guests in unfortunate situations like this. I am sure I would find a way to get to the ER!

Also, the 1 BR and even the studio have always had ample space for us to put our clothing for 3 people. Do the words CLOSETS & HANGERS mean anything to you?

I agree with others who have stated is gets very tiresome how some people are constantly bashing BWV and then brush it off as friendly rivalry. The other DVC properties other than OKW also get their share of bashing but BWV seems to be a big bone of contention for some OKW owners. Could it possibly be jealousy? Or is it like the Napoleon complex in reverse where as OKW has size but needs to overcompensate for all else that is lacking??? Only a little friendly rivalry!

 

[DVCNuts]

I think this is a very funny thread. We bought 230 points originally at OKW back in '92. Back then it was called Disney Vacation Club. And that's what we still call it.

Since then, we added on 100, then 200 more points at OWK-- while BWV and WLV were for sale. It never even occured to us that we should buy elsewhere. I imagine I like OKW for a lot of the same reasons the OKW loyalists have already stated. But I guess I would have to say our top reasons: park outside your door (since we always drive to WDW), peace and quiet, and lots more space. Different strokes for different folks...

We just added on another 170 (for an even 700-- we're sickos, I know...) this time at Beach Club. The reason we did this: 1) no more points available at OKW (other than resale) and 2) BCV is DVC's answer to "What could we do to fix all the mistakes we made at the BWV?"

 

[DeeP]

BCV is DVC's answer to "What could we do to fix all the mistakes we made at the BWV?"

As a concerned consumer....what mistakes would that be that they fixed?

 

[Peterd]

I would think you would need a car at the Okw to drive to the main pool, or the main, I mean ONLY restaraunt, or to the only lounge. Has anyone ever measured how far it is to drive from a villa at the far end of Okw to the main pool area? As for the 1.2 mile walk in the BW hallways, that's a bit of a stretch isn't it? It seems some of us always think somethings are longer than they really are. The walk never seems THAT long to us, I would guess at the furthest, maybe 100 yards in air conditioned hallways, or a short walk up the steps by the tennis courts. Try walking from your room at the back of the okw resort to the main pool, that's if you can make it without getting creamed by a bus. That's another selling point. You can't feel safe having your kids walk by themselves to the pool because of the traffic. Yeah, I know there is an internal shuttle. That's funny, a shuttle to the pool.

How 'bout those great check-in days at the Okw having to lug strollers, groceries, and luggage up three flights of stairs. It's nice to have our bell-hops bring our luggage/groceries from our van right to the room.

"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."

Brilliant, and I counter with, ...... quoted from Billy Madison, " Mr. Madison, What you have just said is one of the stupidest most idiotic things I have ever heard. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may god have mercy on your soul."

 

[Richyams]

Ooooohhh, we have a new winning quote:

BCV is DVC's answer to "What could we do to fix all the mistakes we made at the BWV?"

LOL

 

[WOW]

Seems to be some competion between BWV and OKW out there. Why are we even doing this? We all have our preferences and they may change every time we go to WDW. We should all be happy that there is a DVC. We are OKW owners for 9 years and that is our favorite because we really want to relax on vacation and also do the parks, but leisurely. We do stay at BWV when we are more in the mood for doing things and it definately is a great location for Epcot. But, then again, we have no problem with the bus transportation from OKW either. Don't forget OKW is the flagship resort and they learn alot from the flagship as they go forward with their DVC----rates, size of units, activities, point structure and pricing.

 

[DebbieB]

BCV is DVC's answer to "What could we do to fix all the mistakes we made at the BWV?"

I don't understand this one either. People who love OKW point out 2 big problems at BWV - size of the rooms and distance to the parking lot. BCV has the same size rooms and probably the same distance to the parking lot (if not farther, haven't seen it yet). BWV has standard view rooms that are close points wise to OKW, BCV is all preferred level points. What mistakes were fixed?

 

[Richyams]

OK, how about this, I thought it was funny.....as it was obviously meant to be.

 

[DVCNuts]

Richyams is perceptive and good looking!

In other words, read my signature line.

 

[Peterd]

Mistakes? I really don't know of many. They corrected one early on. Maybe they shouldn't have given us the option of getting standard view rooms for about the same cost as Okw. I remember when Bw first opened, and some complained because of their views. They later changed the point system in our favor. I wonder if they will do that for the BCV and WLV also.
DVCnuts, I guess to each his own. Sorry you had an unpleasant experience at the BW.
I guess we're kind of opposite, we've added on 5 times now also. We have about the same amount of points at BW, but trying to sell our 150 okw, to put down on bCV, or another BW resale. I was wondering, does the BCV have Grand Villas? I know WLV didn't put them in, and wondered why? It would be great if the BWV GV points were cheaper though. Has anyone had any trouble lately at the 7 month window getting a GV at the BWV? We usually use the okw points for some of the days on the gv at the BW at the 7 month window, and was wondering if anyone has had problems getting the GV. with your other points. We have 3 two brs, 2 1 brs, and 4 studios SO FAR in Nov., but we're also looking to add a GV at the 7 month window. It's a lot of points, but definitely worth it.
Congrats on your' new purchase, hope to be doing the same soon.

 

[Caskbill]

Because this comes up a lot, I'll try to put some light on it.

As for the 1.2 mile walk in the BW hallways, that's a bit of a stretch isn't it? It seems some of us always think somethings are longer than they really are. The walk never seems THAT long to us, I would guess at the furthest, maybe 100 yards in air conditioned hallways,

In one of my pathways revealed threads, I measured the walk from MGM to the BWV's using my GPS receiver. From MGM it was .55 miles to the first entrance into BWV's, and it was .66 miles to the Luna park pool. Thus from the OUTSIDE, the furthest rooms at BWV to the pool are 0.11 miles, or about 200 yards. If you follow the twisting corrridors inside, it's probably 25% farther. If you walked all the way to the front desks, it's probably another 50 yards. So, in all probablility, the furthest rooms at BWV are probably around 300 yards to the front desk.

I was wondering, does the BCV have Grand Villas?

There are no GV's at the BCV's.

Just trying to present facts as best as possible.

Personally, we've stayed at all 5 of the currently open resorts and are staying at BCV's this Fall. I like them all. I PREFER OKW because of the room and the parking (We like a lot of places off site, including USF/IoA and SW, as well as malls, restaurants etc.). I LIKE BWV's because of location, location, location.

But mainly we like VARIETY, and that's what I LOVE about DVC.

 

[Dean]

As I've said many times before, the DVC resorts are all great in their own way. Most of us have a preference and some may actually not like certain resorts for whatever reason. I prefer OKW for the unit size, laid back feel and parking arrangements. If I didn't have a car, I'd be reluctant to stay at OKW and possibly WL as well unless MK was my main destination. The one flaw I see with the new resorts and it's especially true for BCV compared to BWV is that the views are mostly standard view type for preferred costs. To me, this makes BCV more expensive. Since it's the new selling resort and there's the possibility that SAB will drop from pool hopping, it will still be the best choice for many.

Still a bad day at the "worst" DVC resort beats most days at work anytime.

 

[PamOKW]

The one flaw I see with the new resorts and it's especially true for BCV compared to BWV is that the views are mostly standard view type for preferred costs

The point schedule for these resorts is equal to the first one that came out for BWV. I would consider this the "standard" DVC point schedule. The outcry about the rooms that look out over the front forced DVC's hand to offer the lower rate for some rooms. I don't think it would have flown if they called them Standard and Sub-Standard. Really, the rooms aren't "Preferred" it's just some of them are below standard.

I hate to see resort bashing. They are all deluxe resorts in every way. It's just some features at each appeal more to some folks.

 

[ILuvDVC]

Just curious if any knows why the Grand Villas at BWV require so many more points than OKW?

Problem to keep us 75 point owners from booking it up....just kidding.

 

[ILuvDVC]

Problem to keep us 75 point owners from booking it up....just kidding.

oops, meant probably

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by PamOKW


The point schedule for these resorts is equal to the first one that came out for BWV. I would consider this the "standard" DVC point schedule. The outcry about the rooms that look out over the front forced DVC's hand to offer the lower rate for some rooms. I don't think it would have flown if they called them Standard and Sub-Standard. Really, the rooms aren't "Preferred" it's just some of them are below standard.

Pam, since the views at BWV are overall better than BCV and the points are overall higher because of the abscense of standard views, I look at BCV as higher in points costs than BWV. The fact that the points costs were decreased because of the introduction of the standard views is water under the bridge. Besides they made that change for a reason. I also look at WLV as higher in points cost for similar reasons plus the fact that the hotel is not as expensive or upscale as BW or BC. I don't consider that bashing personally, just stating my take on it. I'll still likely stay at BCV and WLV as both are/will be great resorts in their own right.

 

[Bennet]

I have been all the way at the end of the standard views at BWV a few times.

I don't find it all that far and the view is fine. We got to see NASA shoot up an atlas from our living room last week. I kind of prefered that.

I don't mind stairs and they put you just that much closer to MGM or you car in you know your way around.

 

[Richyams]

I agree completely with Dean.

I have been saying for a long time that the newer resorts don't return as much value for a point spent at them.

I wrote a long dissertation a while back.

OKW and BWV can be said to return the same value for a point spent in most circumstances. A point spent at BCV or VWL returns less value.

I think the two new resorts, VDI and EPV have an interesting dilema. If the rooms at these resorts are smaller than OKW, they will have to be less points per night. If the rooms are the same size, they will have to be the same point schedule. Unless either of the resorts offers something incredible, they will have to do this or they will be very seriously offer less value for a point spent.

 

[JohnG]

Richyams said:

"OKW and BWV can be said to return the same value for a point spent in most circumstances. "

Wow.........who'd-a-thunk those words would ever cross his lips?

Rich - you finally did it! Reason has risen to the top of your psyche!

OK - now that we've established that, can we talk about the comment someone made about "BCV will fix all the mistakes made at BWDVC"?

I'm trying to figure out the mix, but it appears to me that most of the rooms there will overlook the pool - and therefore the parking lots across the canal? I wonder how they will handle the difference between the Epcot and Crescent Lake views and the "other" view? Seems to me like they may have an issue popping up here. I own at BW (obviously) and plan to buy an add-on at BCV, so don't get me wrong, I like the option of having another property in that locale, and fully expect I'll need to stay there to be able to use SAB in the near future, but can't see how the set-up will be any nicer than BW's. Does anyone else see something I don't on this topic?