OKW - More than just cheap points?

[rutgers1]

I am a new DVC owner. Actually, have owned for a year but won't be taking my first trip until August. Like many of you, I have read this board religiously since buying and peer at the blue book frequently.

When I look through the book at the various resorts, my first thought is, "They ALL look great!" From there, I start thinking about what makes each one special. For most, they are really close to something that would be considered a "destination." Even the much maligned SSR has the spa, golf course, and is a walk to Downtown Disney. So, with that said, what does OKW offer that the others do not? It is the one resort that I am not penciling in for a future visit, unless I am short on points. The other one is Wilderness Lodge, which I didn't enjoy all that much when I stayed as a regular guest.

[Chuck S]

OKWs rooms are the largest in the DVC system, and the studios have 2 queen beds, instead of a bed & sleeper sofa.

You can walk to DtD, there is a path from building 55, it is about 9/10ths of a mile. There is a lovely boat ride to DtD, and the tropical ambiance that just screams "FLORIDA." And the balconies of the 1 bedroom and larger units have a table and 4 chairs, so you can actually enjoy dining on your balcony.

The reason it has lower points is that OKW was the first DVC resort, and once the total number of points were set for the resort, they couldn't be changed. OKW was an experiment for Disney. If it hadn't been a financial success, we wouldn't have the DVC we have today.

Did you know the name of the resort changed, prior to being OKW, it was The Disney Vacation Club Resort, and is still listed that way in legal documents and deeds.

[bookwormde]

OKW has a feel and a look all its own. By far the most “relaxing” and has that Florida island feel. Some do not like the “spread out” feel but for me that is a big part of the charm. Don’t get me wrong I like the other DVC resort and am doing AKV before and BCV after my OKW stay but OKW is still special.

And yes the deeds do say Disney Vacation Club, but then again my membership card say member since 1994 (not).

bookwormde

[wdwnut]

Each resort has its own appeal. Old Key West has a very relaxing,laid-back atmosphere. The pace seems to be a bit slower. It can be a nice break away from all the hustle and bustle of the parks and some of the other resorts. While I love to be in the middle of things (I own at BWV), I also enjoy OKW. We just split our 5/6-5/12 stay between OKW and BCV.

[iloveokw]

All of the above and after a long hot day in the parks you pull up to your unit and walk in (might have some stairs), but no loooonnnnggg hallways. It is also so easy to take in your luggage and groceries. The porches for the one bedroom and larger are wonderful to have breakfast on or just to relax. They also have the best castmembers in Hanks Rent and Return. Wouldn't stay anywhere else (except Vero and HH where we also belong).

:banana:

PS I probably should haven't have said all of the above because I don't want it to get too popular LOL

[Deb & Bill]

Plus, the refrigerator in the one bedroom or larger is the only one with an ice maker in the freezer compartment. The washer and dryer are full sized and not stackable like the others and located in a real laundry room not a closet. The jacuzzi tub will fit two adults if you are so inclined. You can park right outside your villa instead of in a parking lot near or not so near by. The living room has not only a sleeper sofa (queen sized like all the one bedrooms and larger) but a love seat and a chair for extra seating.

The kitchen is large and has an island and is not just a galley style kitchen with little room for walking around. In addition, the shower is pretty much bigger than all the others, too.

But there are only three buildings with elevators and they are pretty much reserved for those needing an elevator for medical reasons.

[DVC Mike]

Old Key West has a very relaxing,laid-back atmosphere. The pace seems to be a bit slower. It can be a nice break away from all the hustle and bustle of the parks and some of the other resorts.

It looks relaxing to me.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee26/DVC_Mike/20090310_0187.jpg

[hockeyprincess]

I love OKW and probably would be pretty hard pressed to try any other DVC resort. I have tried, and come oh-so-close to reserving at another resort, but I absolutely LOVE it so much I just can't imagine staying anywhere else. All of the reasons stated above and more are the reasons, and the lower points are just a big bonus in my book. When I look at BCV/BLT/AKV heck anywhere besides OKW and the points it would take....I just can't make the reservation.

Tropical, relaxed, lush landscaping, great pool, love the balconies, big kitchen, jacuzzi tub, did I mention the balconies? And Buffett music on the busses on the way back home, from anywhere. Just doesn't get any better than that to me, unless you're actually IN Key West! :thumbsup2

That being said, I'm pretty much the vacation planner extraordinare in our house, so my husband gets on the plane when I tell him and we arrive and he knows where we're going.....BUT he's a "hotel" feel kinda guy. He likes to wander the halls (since they are inside) in the wee hours of the morning and see what "treasures" he can find to show me and the kids the next day. He needs very little sleep and usually is up way past me and the children. So OKW is a little spread out for him but I absolutely love it, and the no-halls-non-hotel feel of it.

[La2kw]

OKW is the original, and as mentioned has the largest rooms, the largest balconies, the largest appliances, the largest spa tub, and so on. It doesn't have a spa, but you can still get a massage and have a decent workout. It's not within walking distance of a park like BCV is to World Showcase, or BLT will be to MK, but it has some of the best bus service around. When they say "Welcome Home" at OKW, it actually makes sense since the resort looks like a neighborhood. Driving up to a hotel like the BC and hearing "Welcome Home" just doesn't have the same effect on me. We love visiting Key West, and OKW has a definite Key West theme going on.

[kaffinito]

It looks relaxing to me.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee26/DVC_Mike/20090310_0187.jpg

Best photo I have ever seen of OKW! Looks absolutely gorgeous. (I'm really going to have to add on there)

[KeepSwimmingDory]

Beautiful photo DVCMike!

[Silver Queen]

We just stayed at OKW last month for the first time. Our home resort is Saratoga and we love that too. We are not big hotel type resort people, but we will be trying all of the other resorts in the future (Kidani is August and VWL in October). I think we like to save our big hotel experiences for when we are traveling in cities and it's really not important for us to be right next to a park. I guess the bottom line is there are different choices to suit different tastes. We hope to enjoy and appreciate all of them.

[dianeschlicht]

No matter which other resort we have stayed at, we always end up saying "but it's no OKW"! We LOVE OKW! Love that we can park right outside our door, love the size of the units....love the views...love the intimate feel... What's NOT to love about OKW?

Also, it's the ONLY DVC with full sized appliances in both the kitchen and the laundry room. No little apartment sized stuff here!

[rutgers1]

Can you rent those mini speed boats like at some of the resorts?

[dudelydude]

Let me preface the following by saying that OKW is in my top 2 or 3 favorites, but someone really opened my eyes to something that I didn't think about. After years of vacationing in hotel-style "common corridor accomodations" (say that 10x quickly), I have had to re-think the idea of owning at a townhome style DVC. I know that most of the pp's would say I am crazy, but part of vacationing is actually feeling like you are on vacation and if you have lived in a townhome all your life, it may feel like you never left home. You cannot get speed boats there, but the canal boat trips are fabulous.

[dianeschlicht]

Can you rent those mini speed boats like at some of the resorts?

Yes, and pontoons and surrey bikes, regular bikes, etc etc. and you can fish.

[dianeschlicht]

And...you can have views like this!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dianeschlicht/Disney.jpg

...and this
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dianeschlicht/ThanksgivingDisneytrip148.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dianeschlicht/ThanksgivingDisneytrip149.jpg

[Coach81]

OKW was our first visit as owners (own at SSR), the one bedroom was HUGE, and it absolutely won us over and helped us realize what a great investment we'd made in our family with our DVC. We love OKW!!!

[jodifla]

Hmm...what does OKW have?

Big balconies that you can sit out on and have a meal! Or several drinks.

Huge room sizes...relaxing color scheme.

Easy to park right by your unit.

A great pool slide.

[VG9493]

We have been DVC members since 1992 when OKW was the only DVC resort. It is by far my favorite. The atmosphere is like no other, so relaxing. The rooms are by far the biggest offered. We stay in a Grand Villa there every year (there are 7 of us) and everyone loves having their own space. When we are using our points on Disney property OKW is always our first choice.

[Simba's Mom]

Since I also LOVE OKW, and don't want it to get too very popular, let me point out a couple things it doesn't have, just so you know. It doesn't have valet parking or room service. I could also point out that you'll have to use more than one paper towel to clean the unit and that you can't get a beer from the refrigerator while you're watching TV without getting up, but only Richyams could point out all those problems so well.
But that balcony size has really spoiled me. It's just such a great feeling for the whole family to be able to sit outside eating and chatting.

[BEASLYBOO]

Before purchasing DVC I stayed at OKW several time using points from friends. OKW is what convinced me to take another look at timeshares. I purchased an OKW resale and even though I've tried most of the other resorts, it's the one I always come back to.

OKW is my "Welcome Home" resort. After OKW, Disney figured out what a money making gem of an idea they had and they proceeded to make the next resorts smaller to maximize the amount of units per allowable inch.

There is nothing like OKW, we love it!

[JasonDVC]

It looks relaxing to me.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee26/DVC_Mike/20090310_0187.jpg

Great picture Mike! To the right where the tables are, is there a CS there so someone could eat outside by the water? That is just the kind of thing I like and will strongly consider visting OKW in the future if that is the case.

[Chuck S]

Great picture Mike! To the right where the tables are, is there a CS there so someone could eat outside by the water? That is just the kind of thing I like and will strongly consider visting OKW in the future if that is the case.

Yes, looking at the photo, the snack bar is located between the 3rd and 4th umbrella from the left. Gurgling Suitcase (the resort bar) is located just to the left of the snack bar.

[Disneymom2266]

Can anyone tell me if there is a balcony on the studios? Also, if anyone has a picture of the studios, I would appreciate it. I am trying to book a girlfriends week there. I have stayed at OKW before, but usually with my family in a one bedroom. I am wondering how the studios are.

Thanks,
Carol

[Chuck S]

All OKW studios have 2 queen beds, no sleeper sofa. They all have a small balcony, just big enough for 2 people to enjoy coffee or a light breakfast, however, as studios are generally on the ends of the buildings, they often overlook the buildings' A/C units.

[Disneymom2266]

All OKW studios have 2 queen beds, no sleeper sofa. They all have a small balcony, just big enough for 2 people to enjoy coffee or a light breakfast, however, as studios are generally on the ends of the buildings, they often overlook the buildings' A/C units.

Thanks, Chuck. Do you know if any are near the HH?

[Chuck S]

Thanks, Chuck. Do you know if any are near the HH?

Every OKW building has some studios. Remember that "near HH" is now a booking category at OKW, like Boardwalk View at BWV. Same amount of points as the rest of the resort. The category includes bldgs 11 to 14 and 23 to 26. If near HH isn't available at time of booking, an alternative would be to request bldgs 15, 16, 27 to 29, 62 to 64. But 62 to 64 are the only buildings with elevators, and are often held for those with mobility issues.

[Disneymom2266]

Every OKW building has some studios. Remember that "near HH" is now a booking category at OKW, like Boardwalk View at BWV. Same amount of points as the rest of the resort. The category includes bldgs 11 to 14 and 23 to 26. If near HH isn't available at time of booking, an alternative would be to request bldgs 15, 16, 27 to 29, 62 to 64. But 62 to 64 are the only buildings with elevators, and are often held for those with mobility issues.

Looking at Sept. Points chart says 8 points per night. Is it more to stay near HH? Thanks for your info!

[Chuck S]

Looking at Sept. Points chart says 8 points per night. Is it more to stay near HH? Thanks for your info!

No, same points, but it needs to be booked.

[Mississippian]

I think most people prefer walking-distance resorts (I'm one of them), but with that said many people would pay EXTRA to stay at OKW. So there is more involved that just a cheaper point chart.'

However, the cheaper point chart does make a difference. I like to center my trip around EPCOT, and for that reason OKW reallly doesn't work well for me, but for someone who didn't like EPCOT all that much I would say OKW would be a great choice. (By the same token, if your dinner plans are the California Grill, Narcosees, Albert & Victorias and Citricos, maybe you ought to be staying at BLT instead of BWV).

It's kind of funny to see the different mentality of different resort owners. A lot of OKW owners cite the advantage of being able to park right at the door of their unit. Most walking-distance owners will not see their car for their entire vacation, so this doesn't seem like much of an advantage. With that said, I'm glad people can get what they want.

[loveswdw]

We actually own at BCV. While we love BCV, we tend to stay more at OKW (see my signature). We LOVE the cheaper points as we can squeeze more trips out of our measly 150 points. But we also love staying on the golf course, the large 1BRs, the separate laundry room (we do our laundry when we go to bed--shut the door and noise is gone--can't do that at BCV), we love the feel of the resort. Ask my DH, "Where would you like to stay this trip?" 9 out of 10 his answer will be "OKW".

We do miss being able to walk from BCV to Epcot easily but for the point differences, its not that important to us. Plus, I love being able to get into OKW at less than 11 months out. Sometimes, its just hard for us to be able to plan that far ahead. I love that I can usually get into OKW whenever. Definitely can't say that about BCV.

Last trip we stayed near the HH. We decided we'll probably try to do that on future trips too. Really convenient for DS1 and I to go get a bite to eat when DH and DS5 went to the ballpark. If I didn't have a car, I would definitely try to get a villa near the HH.

[tjl1388]

Amazing place to stay. The restaurant is great for breakfast and like everyone before me said. The views are amazing and it is by FAR the most relaxing resort.

This is the early morning view.

http://www.pbase.com/tjl1388/image/61646774.jpg

[Deb & Bill]

Amazing place to stay. The restaurant is great for breakfast and like everyone before me said. The views are amazing and it is by FAR the most relaxing resort.

This is the early morning view.

http://www.pbase.com/tjl1388/image/61646774.jpg

Oooh, nice photo.

[La2kw]

I think most people prefer walking-distance resorts (I'm one of them), but with that said many people would pay EXTRA to stay at OKW. So there is more involved that just a cheaper point chart.'

However, the cheaper point chart does make a difference. I like to center my trip around EPCOT, and for that reason OKW reallly doesn't work well for me, but for someone who didn't like EPCOT all that much I would say OKW would be a great choice. (By the same token, if your dinner plans are the California Grill, Narcosees, Albert & Victorias and Citricos, maybe you ought to be staying at BLT instead of BWV).

It's kind of funny to see the different mentality of different resort owners. A lot of OKW owners cite the advantage of being able to park right at the door of their unit. Most walking-distance owners will not see their car for their entire vacation, so this doesn't seem like much of an advantage. With that said, I'm glad people can get what they want.


I love Epcot, but usually stay at OKW. It's a quick bus ride from OKW to Epcot's front entrance. Sure, it's nice to be able to walk to World Showcase from BCV or BWV, but anywhere else is not as convenient. I really don't consider those resorts convenient to the Studios when the walk is a good 15-20 minutes in the hot Florida sun. Everywhere else is by bus, just like at OKW or by a frustratingly slow boat. BLT will be very convenient to MK by foot and Epcot by monorail. I find that more desirable than the Epcot resort area.

I also enjoy the peace and quiet at OKW. When I leave the park, I am not still surrounded by the crowds like the Epcot resort area. There's a whole lot of people in those 7 resorts that surround Crescent Lake. I enjoy BCV, but not for long stays.

[dianeschlicht]

Might as well post one more view! ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dianeschlicht/Disneytrip5-09005.jpg

[BEASLYBOO]

Might as well post one more view! ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Dianeschlicht/Disneytrip5-09005.jpg

Diane, is that a view from your favorite building? # 45 ?

[dianeschlicht]

Diane, is that a view from your favorite building? # 45 ?

It's building 46...4621 to be exact. We have had this unit the last two trips in a row! That was a total surprise too!

[detroitdad]

It's kind of funny to see the different mentality of different resort owners. A lot of OKW owners cite the advantage of being able to park right at the door of their unit. Most walking-distance owners will not see their car for their entire vacation, so this doesn't seem like much of an advantage. With that said, I'm glad people can get what they want.

I think the set up overall is an advantage, regardless of whether or not you're using your car. It usually takes about a minute for us to get off the bus and walk into the villa (as opposed to the long corrider walk at most of the other DVC properties. At the end of a long day, that would be a drag.) Even when we didn't get our preferred building by the bus stop, it was only a 5 minute walk. We love Epcot and would like to see if we could get into BW at 7 months for a couple nights, but I don't think our vacation would be complete without staying at our OKW home as well. We really enjoy the quiet of OKW at the end of the day, but I am willing to try the more festive BW atmosphere to be able to walk to Epcot & MGM one of these trips.

[MamaCrush]

Do you need ADR's to eat at Olivias??? T :flower3:hanks!

[Chuck S]

Do you need ADR's to eat at Olivias??? T :flower3:hanks!
Perhaps in really busy seasons, or for large groups, but we've never had to wait too long for a seating.