OKW or POR?

[shaycamp21]

Debating whether to rent points and stay at OKW (in a studio which I know has 2 queen beds) for our March trip or whether to stay at POR. We are a family of 5 (3 dds ages 15, 14 and 2) and I know POR has the pull down Murphy bed but our youngest dd will most likely still use a pack n play. We don't plan on spending huge amounts of time in the room but do plan on a day or two of just hanging out at the resort. The cost of staying at OKW renting points actually comes out to almost $150 less for the week than POR but it seems the dining options at OKW are limited. Haven't stayed at either so I am on the fence (though did stayed once at POFQ which we really enjoyed). Where would you stay and why?
Thanks for the input.

 

[chs27]

Olivia's at OKW has wonderful food. There is a boat to DTD, for more variety. My DH wants to stay only at OKW while visiting Disney.

 

[Amy&Dan]

If you want much in the way of counter service options at your resort, the food court at POR is hands down better. For table service, Olivia's wins. It serves all three meals (vs dinner only at Boatwrights). Olivia's is also a nicer atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor seating

OKW, will give you a balcony, mini kitchen, hot tubs at all the pools, free laundry rooms.

POR will give you daily maid service and a bit more of a hotel vs condo feel.

If you have a car, being able to park right outside your bldg . at OKW is very nice.

I have stayed at both several times each and they are tied for my favorite WDW resorts!

OKW has very few elevators. I think only four bldgs have them. If you get a room on the third floor, that can be a pain, especially if you have a stroller. At POR, the trundle rooms are also in bldgs without elevators, but they are all two story I believe. So with either choice, be aware you may want to request a first floor room.

I lean towards OKW simply because once your two year old is three, you will need a one bedroom which is twice the cost of the studio. So maybe go while you can fit into the studio!

 

[stacy6552]

There is really no competition. OKW is the better choice all the way. It is a deluxe resort. You will have a kitchenette, larger room, and larger beds. Additionally, the layout makes it feel far more relaxing to come home to after a busy day in the parks. OKW all the way.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Having stayed at both resorts with younger kids I would without a doubt recommend OKW. There is so much for kids to do- play areas are better, sand, outdoor movies, Olivia's was awesome, and there is a community hall- forgot the name- that has crafts for kids daily, you can check out DVDs (free if staying through DVC points), basketball court, tennis courts- we love OKW and can't wait to get back there in October!

We didn't have a car- wasn't a problem at all. Buses were great!

Both have laid back atmosphere which is nice.

At OKW we could see fireworks from our balcony.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you have a car, you can always drive over to POR from OKW to dine in the food court. We do that sometimes because it is so nice.

The bathroom at OKW is much larger than the bathroom area at POR. The sink, toilet and tub are all in one large room at OKW, while the toilet and tub are in one tiny room with the sink outside at POR.

 

[DreamerWDW]

I would absolutely pick OKW. It's a deluxe resort and you will have a balcony. Olivia's is great! Plus, it's less money.

Have a great trip!

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've stayed at OKW, POR and POFQ....

OKW, as far as we are concerned, was a mistake..we were a group of 3 related families and wanted 3 separate rooms at our normal digs, WL, fully booked, tried POFQ....same deal there, no 3 rooms available ....Disney offered us a 2 bedroom villa at OKW for a ridiculous price and we took it...

Never stayed there before, just to remind, buildings away from the main have no elevators, hauling stuff up 2 flights is not fun... Long walks or bus ride to main pool, food area, lounge and drink refills... Not fun... Scratch OKW for us... Worse stay ever at WDW...

POR, too huge for our taste, 4 bus stops....

POFQ, compact, small well appointed resort... great food court and decent pool...

Sisters to POR, walking distance for pool use, TS dining .... Better of both worlds... Forget the price, after a day of trudging the parks, we want a good, compact resort... multiple choice food court and pleasing atmosphere...POFQ has that .

 

[darkwing818]

There is really no competition. OKW is the better choice all the way. It is a deluxe resort. You will have a kitchenette, larger room, and larger beds. Additionally, the layout makes it feel far more relaxing to come home to after a busy day in the parks. OKW all the way.

Absolutely agree.
Although we always find time to drive over to POFQ for beignets.

 

[sjs314]

I would go with OKW

More Space
Kitchenette
Balcony
Boat to DTD
Quieter and very relaxing
CS options at Marina
Olivia's
Buses transportation is good
Main Pool is very nice as are quiet pools
If you have a car, you can park right outside your building

 

[Karabee]

OKW all the way. Having a much more relaxed feel and less of a motel feel for less money is a no brainer OKW is beautiful and both Olivia's and the small CS place are good. The main pool is wonderful as well with a great water slide and there is an area with real sand. The boat to DTD is great as well. Overall this is one of my favorite resorts to really get away from the craziness of the parks.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Just want to mention, POR also has queen beds in all their rooms. It also has the boat to DTD.

 

[Amy&Dan]

These are some of my favorite photos of POR, I cannot take credit for them but I have been hanging out on the POR photo thread. To me these show the beauty of the resort and how relaxing it is!

Not saying "POR is better" in fact I think I said in an earlier post to maybe go with OKW since once your little one is three, you can't stay in a studio anymore. Just want to give some love to POR because to me its very relaxing and laid back!

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[Deb & Bill]

I love POR. It really is beautiful to walk around the place. But I also love OKW because it is also very beautiful to walk around.

Really, except for a few differences that makes one better than the other, they both are wonderful resorts.

 

[TBLaube]

It is a tough call! Both resorts are beautiful and I love them. I really loved the pool at OKW and the rooms are a nice size with a kitchenette.
I wasn't thrilled with the counter service options, but it worked on our pool days. I think I have to agree with others and say OKW since next year you won't be able to get a studio. Plus it is a good deal being cheaper than POR.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I love POR. It really is beautiful to walk around the place. But I also love OKW because it is also very beautiful to walk around.

Really, except for a few differences that makes one better than the other, they both are wonderful resorts.

I so agree Deb. I actually rank these as tied for my two favorite resorts in all of WDW that I have tried. They actually have a lot of similarities: laid back, spread out, relaxing, boat to DTD.

Just different themes. But if I were OP, I'd go with OKW for the balcony, cheaper price and the fact its probably her last chance to stay in a studio. POR will be a no brainer money wise with three kids in the future so probably plenty of chances to stay there in the future!

 

[scottmel]

I have stayed at both. I love deluxe resorts and tend to stay at YC but do spend a night or two at a less expensive option before my YC leg. We stayed at OKW this past summer. First stay there in 8 years and we won't be back to OKW anytime soon. My disappointments with the place would echo how I feel about a moderate. To me it feels moderate - no balconies, no interior hallways. Very remote location. Room is a little bigger though nothing to write home about. But if you need a mini tiny kitchen this has that (microwave is nice). POR is my favorite moderate and at least it has a CS. I like the pools better at POR and the new remodeling is nice. Believe me, I love deluxe resorts but OKW to me is a moderate and therefore I put it along side POR with the benefit of a microwave. POR to me offers more and is more appealing.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I have stayed at both. I love deluxe resorts and tend to stay at YC but do spend a night or two at a less expensive option before my YC leg. We stayed at OKW this past summer. First stay there in 8 years and we won't be back to OKW anytime soon. My disappointments with the place would echo how I feel about a moderate. To me it feels moderate - no balconies, no interior hallways. Very remote location. Room is a little bigger though nothing to write home about. But if you need a mini tiny kitchen this has that (microwave is nice). POR is my favorite moderate and at least it has a CS. I like the pools better at POR and the new remodeling is nice. Believe me, I love deluxe resorts but OKW to me is a moderate and therefore I put it along side POR with the benefit of a microwave. POR to me offers more and is more appealing.

OKW has no balconies? Have they removed them since I stayed there two years ago? OKW has the best porches of all the resorts combined at WDW. And the studio room size is among the biggest of all the resorts.

I like the condo feel of OKW and SSR as opposed to the hotel feel of many of the other DVC resorts. They don't share a back wall with another room like most of the moderates.

The Polynesian and GF both have numerous buildings on the property so you can't just walk down a hallway from check in to get to your room.

 

[scottmel]

OKW has no balconies? Have they removed them since I stayed there two years ago? OKW has the best porches of all the resorts combined at WDW. And the studio room size is among the biggest of all the resorts.

I like the condo feel of OKW and SSR as opposed to the hotel feel of many of the other DVC resorts. They don't share a back wall with another room like most of the moderates.

The Polynesian and GF both have numerous buildings on the property so you can't just walk down a hallway from check in to get to your room.

LOL sorry meant interior hallways!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

OKW does definitely have balconies. And they are larger than most other deluxe's. In fact the one bedroom and larger units have enormous balconies with a table that seats four, plus a ceiling fan.

I do agree that OKW does not have the deluxe feel of most other WDW deluxe's, in part because it does have exterior doors and no room service. OKW and SSR are to me hard to classify as a deluxe. They are DVC resorts not tied to a hotel so sort of in a class all their own. Sort of like the cabins that are now classified as mods but to me are not a mod at all.

I agree with Deb, I actually prefer the set up of OKW, SSR and the mods vs the deluxe hotels. But that's just a personal preference and probably not the norm!