Just got back from 3 nights at OKW in a studio and 7 nights at BLT MKV in a 1 bedroom.
OKW -
Checked in to OKW on 3/6. I was really looking forward to checking out the resort. Before purchasing DVC we always like the Poly and CBR and always thought that OKW would be the closest DVC to these. Unfortunately reality did not live up to my expectations.
Aftering checking in we ate at Olivia's for lunch which we all loved. My wife was so happy with the main building she was wishing we had purchased there at this point. We both loved the restaurant, pool area and main building. Loved hearing Bob Marley (named our dd2 Marley) and Jimmy Buffett music. The grounds seemed nice as well.
The resort is spread out but so is SSR and we like that resort very much. It did seem more spread out then SSR to us but maybe it was just where we were. We had a studio in 5125 which seemed like the very last building in the resort.
The room however left something to be desired. I know the rooms are getting a refrub. Not sure if it is all rooms or just some but ours needed one. The room had a "smell" to it that can best be described as the logs from Splash Mountain. Basically that stale water smell. While the main area was clean, there was a lot of dust around. Bathroom floor looked like it needed a good cleaning.
I am big into views. I knew going in that the studio's did not have good views but I guess was in denial. Our balcony overlooked shrubs which seemed only a few feet away. In our 3 day stay we never ventured out there.
Then there was the noisy. Having only stayed at SSR to this point I didn't have much of a comparison but it just seemed very noise. Housing cleaning was cleaning the 1 bedroom next to us when we checked in and we could hear every word of their conversation easily. Thought it was weird that the buses drive through the parking lot. Being that the building and rooms are so close the buses were very loud. Had to keep the air on to drown out the noise some what as we have young children. On 3/7 was the marathon and I am not sure where exactly it is held but it sounded like it was in our room. The PA system and music were extremely loud at 5am and woke us all up.
All in all, we loved the grounds and common area's of the resort but were not very happy with the rooms. Maybe we just got a bad room and I know we only had a studio so trying to take that into consideration. While I am not rushing back to the resort, I will try it again in the future but stay in a 1 bedroom. Really do want to like the resort.
BLT -
As for BLT, all I can say is WOW. We have stayed at SSR a few times and really liked it there but this blew it away.
Checked in on 3/9. While I have heard bad reviews of check in, we have never had better. A manager met us at the door and escorted us to the next available CM. Was very personable with us and the kids. After checking in he came back to see where we were located and wanted to know if there was anything else he could do for us. Made a BIG impression.
My wife always stayed at CR growing up so it has sentimental value to us. Loved having access to CR and all the restaurants, amenities, Monorail etc.
Upon getting our room, I couldn't have picked a better one. on the 11th floor with the Castle smack dab in the middle of the window. Felt like I could have touched SM. Could see Poly, GF, MK Monorail station, Splash Mountain, Castle, Fantasyland, TTA, SM, top of Toontown and train. Just WOW. Took many pictures of the view.
The room itself was beautiful. Extremely clean and very upscale. Loved having the 2nd bathroom. Also the size of the room was great. Much bigger than SSR.
Being a 5-10 minute walk to MK and monorail ride to Epcot was great. With a 5 year old and 5 month old it was awesome. Great not having to use the car to get to the park.
The pool was a little small but was very nice, as was community hall. Went to the Top of the World lounge and it was great. Realyl nice lounge. Could have sat there all night and had drinks. Just need some one to take the little ones so DW and I could enjoy ourselves!
All in all, BLT just seemed to me and DW what our "vision" of DVC was before purchasing. I know DVC is just pre-purchasing of a room and nothing more but always felt for the money it cost I wanted something really really nice. BLT just seemed to fit that. The place was beautiful and the staff was extremely helpful and friendly. We liked it so much in fact that we did another BLT add-on while we were there. While we still have our SSR contract, now the majority of our points are BLT. Would love some day to sell SSR and make all pts BLT. While we love SSR and will stay there again, just think we can always get it at 7 month window.
I guess that is the beauty of DVC. There is something for everyone. For us it is BLT!
OKW -
Checked in to OKW on 3/6. I was really looking forward to checking out the resort. Before purchasing DVC we always like the Poly and CBR and always thought that OKW would be the closest DVC to these. Unfortunately reality did not live up to my expectations.
Aftering checking in we ate at Olivia's for lunch which we all loved. My wife was so happy with the main building she was wishing we had purchased there at this point. We both loved the restaurant, pool area and main building. Loved hearing Bob Marley (named our dd2 Marley) and Jimmy Buffett music. The grounds seemed nice as well.
The resort is spread out but so is SSR and we like that resort very much. It did seem more spread out then SSR to us but maybe it was just where we were. We had a studio in 5125 which seemed like the very last building in the resort.
The room however left something to be desired. I know the rooms are getting a refrub. Not sure if it is all rooms or just some but ours needed one. The room had a "smell" to it that can best be described as the logs from Splash Mountain. Basically that stale water smell. While the main area was clean, there was a lot of dust around. Bathroom floor looked like it needed a good cleaning.
I am big into views. I knew going in that the studio's did not have good views but I guess was in denial. Our balcony overlooked shrubs which seemed only a few feet away. In our 3 day stay we never ventured out there.
Then there was the noisy. Having only stayed at SSR to this point I didn't have much of a comparison but it just seemed very noise. Housing cleaning was cleaning the 1 bedroom next to us when we checked in and we could hear every word of their conversation easily. Thought it was weird that the buses drive through the parking lot. Being that the building and rooms are so close the buses were very loud. Had to keep the air on to drown out the noise some what as we have young children. On 3/7 was the marathon and I am not sure where exactly it is held but it sounded like it was in our room. The PA system and music were extremely loud at 5am and woke us all up.
All in all, we loved the grounds and common area's of the resort but were not very happy with the rooms. Maybe we just got a bad room and I know we only had a studio so trying to take that into consideration. While I am not rushing back to the resort, I will try it again in the future but stay in a 1 bedroom. Really do want to like the resort.
BLT -
As for BLT, all I can say is WOW. We have stayed at SSR a few times and really liked it there but this blew it away.
Checked in on 3/9. While I have heard bad reviews of check in, we have never had better. A manager met us at the door and escorted us to the next available CM. Was very personable with us and the kids. After checking in he came back to see where we were located and wanted to know if there was anything else he could do for us. Made a BIG impression.
My wife always stayed at CR growing up so it has sentimental value to us. Loved having access to CR and all the restaurants, amenities, Monorail etc.
Upon getting our room, I couldn't have picked a better one. on the 11th floor with the Castle smack dab in the middle of the window. Felt like I could have touched SM. Could see Poly, GF, MK Monorail station, Splash Mountain, Castle, Fantasyland, TTA, SM, top of Toontown and train. Just WOW. Took many pictures of the view.
The room itself was beautiful. Extremely clean and very upscale. Loved having the 2nd bathroom. Also the size of the room was great. Much bigger than SSR.
Being a 5-10 minute walk to MK and monorail ride to Epcot was great. With a 5 year old and 5 month old it was awesome. Great not having to use the car to get to the park.
The pool was a little small but was very nice, as was community hall. Went to the Top of the World lounge and it was great. Realyl nice lounge. Could have sat there all night and had drinks. Just need some one to take the little ones so DW and I could enjoy ourselves!
All in all, BLT just seemed to me and DW what our "vision" of DVC was before purchasing. I know DVC is just pre-purchasing of a room and nothing more but always felt for the money it cost I wanted something really really nice. BLT just seemed to fit that. The place was beautiful and the staff was extremely helpful and friendly. We liked it so much in fact that we did another BLT add-on while we were there. While we still have our SSR contract, now the majority of our points are BLT. Would love some day to sell SSR and make all pts BLT. While we love SSR and will stay there again, just think we can always get it at 7 month window.
I guess that is the beauty of DVC. There is something for everyone. For us it is BLT!