OKW - does that 246 foot extra make a lot of difference?

[Cinderella]

I'm planning a large family trip for next October - a week at WDW and a week on DCL for two adults and five children. It's very exciting as my 3 step children have never been to Disney before. They know I'm planning a trip, but they have no idea that they're also going on the cruise!

I think we'll be fine in a two bedroom. Anything bigger and they're going to feel squashed in two cabins on the cruise. But, I noticed OKW two bedrooms are about 246 foot bigger than at Saratoga.

It's years since I stayed at Old Key West and that was in a one bed. Can you notice the size difference a lot in two bed compared to Saratoga or VWL.

Also - how difficult would it be to get a two bed OKW for the last week of October for one week at the seven month mark?

[lisaviolet]

I'm planning a large family trip for next October - a week at WDW and a week on DCL for two adults and five children. It's very exciting as my 3 step children have never been to Disney before. They know I'm planning a trip, but they have no idea that they're also going on the cruise!

I think we'll be fine in a two bedroom. Anything bigger and they're going to feel squashed in two cabins on the cruise. But, I noticed OKW two bedrooms are about 246 foot bigger than at Saratoga.

It's years since I stayed at Old Key West and that was in a one bed. Can you notice the size difference a lot in two bed compared to Saratoga or VWL.

Also - how difficult would it be to get a two bed OKW for the last week of October for one week at the seven month mark?

My thoughts are yes. In the living area (And balcony which isn't counted...love that balcony). We had a one bedroom for the two of us when we had family of 13 at WDW. Thirteen of us had breakfast in our suite, at OKW, no issues. Very comfortable for all. And the balcony is huge in comparison to SSR.

Only nine of us had a meal in a SSR two bedroom during that trip. And if felt more squashed for sure.

I realize that you are only seven. But it's so much more spacious in the living area.

[lisaviolet]

And I don't know if any of the children are teenagers...

One could prepare something to eat in a OKW kitchen and seem like you're a mile away from another person. Not the same feeling in the SSR b/c of the shape.

I also love that area in the OKW dining area with the extra counter.

[Deb & Bill]

We've had four in a SSR one bedroom and four in an OKW one bedroom. OKW was more spacious. We have also had 8 in an OKW two bedroom and had plenty of room.

[Granny]

It's years since I stayed at Old Key West and that was in a one bed. Can you notice the size difference a lot in two bed compared to Saratoga or VWL.

I can say that yes it is very apparent that OKW is significantly bigger than the other resorts for the 1BR & 2BR villas. You can not only visually notice the difference but it is very real as far as usable space and "hanging out" room. The living room is the biggest difference with most of the additional space there.


As for booking at that time...well, WDW in general is getting harder and harder for DVC bookings in October due to the F&W festival. But I think you should be good at OKW if you call right at the 7 month mark.

For 7 people of any size in a 2BR, I would definitely recommend OKW. :)

[jjj623]

Yes - the extra space is very noticeable. We stayed in a 2 bedroom at OKW last year and had lots of space to spread out. We just returned from Beachclub in a 2 bedroom - it was the perfect location and perfect pool for us, but my 5-year old asked "where's the rest of it?"

Jeff

[OlderMan]

I agree about the extra space.

We have owned OKW for over 10 years and have only stayed there with the execption of a stay at SSR about two years ago.

When we walked into our 1 BR at SSR, I was disappointed by how small it was compared to a 1 BR at OKW.

SSR was very nice, but our unit was just smaller than I was used to and/or expected.

[vandy]

It is a VERY big difference in the living area. At OKW you will have a round table with chairs and room to walk around, not a rectangle with a bench and two chairs against the wall. You will also have the sleeper sofa and chair, but you will also have a loveseat. You will also have an extra cabinet area by the dining table that is great for storing everything. And if you need to pull chairs from the balcony inside, there is plenty of room for them. Don't get me wrong, we love SSR, but we also love the extra space you get at OKW.

[dznymom1]

The space difference is very significant between SSV & OKW. Another consideration is that in SSV your washer/dryer are stacked and in a closet off the living room. I find them to be very loud from either the master bedroom or the living room. At OKW you have a separate laundry room. I imagine with 5 kids plus 2 adults you will be doing some serious laundry, and OKW is much better for that! And the OKW porch is just wonderful :)

[Cinderella]

Thanks everyone - I thought as much. I'm keeping this trip a secret from the kids now - and I want it to be brilliant for them. Especially my step children who have never been to WDW yet. As I mentioned they know they will be going to WDW some time next year but they have no idea they will also be doing the cruise. I don't know how long i should wait to tell them.

I took my husband to look round OKW on our last trip and he loved it.

I seem to remember a huge balcony when I stayed there. Am I right in thinking that i should request a dedicated room for this, and you would get two smaller balconies with a lock off?

[Deb & Bill]

At OKW, they usually give the people with a two bedroom a dedicate two bedroom. If you get a lock off, then there is a smaller balcony off the second bedroom, but the balcony off the living room is still the same. The dedicated two bedroom has a large closet where the the entrance to the studio would be. And an extra sink where the kitchenette would be.

[Buckeye Fan]

I have to say ditto. We have stayed at OKW the last 3 visits. This past vacation, we stayed at BWV. Don't get me wrong, we had a phonomenal time at BW. However, when we walked in, my hubby and I both looked at each other and said, "Wow. This is significantly smaller." At OKW, the master's the same, the living room is noticably bigger, the 2nd BR has 2 queen beds and there's a HUGE difference between the balconies. I think I noticed this because the balcony space is almost added room at OKW. My daughter loves going out there and playing and we had breakfast out there many times.

I love BW and SSR, but if you're looking for space, your best bet is OKW. Hope you get your ressie and have a wonderful vacation!!! :goodvibes

[dianeschlicht]

Yes, it makes a BIG difference. Think of it this way. That extra 246 feet is almost as big as a regular hotel room, so you are adding the size of a standard hotel room onto the OKW 2 bedroom compared to the others.

[Deb & Bill]

Nope, you won't notice the difference at all. It's all in the hallways and the laundry room. ;)

[Granny]

Nope, you won't notice the difference at all. It's all in the hallways and the laundry room. ;)
Oh Deb, that's baaaad! :laughing:

[Cinderella]

Deb - that is terrible. But I had to laugh when I read Jeff's post:

it was the perfect location and perfect pool for us, but my 5-year old asked "where's the rest of it?"

Jeff's five year old is Richyams reincarnated for sure.

[OKW Mom]

Got the shock of our life when we checked into HHI 2/01 for the first time. 4 of us (16 and 13 yr old kids). We thought the 1BR would be OK....we were bumping into each other in the LR/TV and eating areas.
After all the trips to OKW there was no comparison!

OKW has the large foyer for strollers, etc.

Access to LR from Master BR.

Ceiling fans and lights on patios.

Better laid out kitchens, Ice makers in the freezers.

PARKING in front/near your unit!

I did see the Washers listed as Stack style on the DVC website last month, ours were full size monster size HD W/D in May 2007.

Before the DDP required all guests to be on the plan for the entire reservation we'd gather as many as 8 adults and 3 little ones in the 2BR at OKW without tripping over each other.

Spent time at BCV for the pool in 9/07 and headed back to OKW 3/08.