1st OKW Stay

[TerriBelle]

Well we didn't book early enough this year and all that was available for a quick trip 11/3 - 11/7 was a 2BR at OKW. Every place else was booked. Our past DW DVC visits have always been at BWV or BCV. We LOVE the convience of walking to Epcot and MGM but with the food & wine festival, everything was booked. So here are our comments -

1) Rooms - The rooms are bigger. We do not spend much time in the room so this is not a big deal for us. We did prefer the type of sofabed that they had. In Jan. we were at the BCV and the sofabed was a MESS! The kids rolled into the middle and did not sleep well. We also like the dedicated 2 BR with two beds.

2) Resort - We were very lucky with our building location. We were able to walk to the main area. I do not think that we would have liked being really far away. This allowed my teenager and her friend to walk to the pool and store. It was also nice because we could grab the bus from two locations.

3) CMs - We thought that the CMs were much freindlier at OKW. It reminded us of our HH stays. The lifeguards were playing with the kids in the pools. I think part of this is that their is no hotel/conference center attached to OKW. It is all DVC.

We had a great vacation and I would stay at OKW again but our first choice is still to stay at BW or BC.

I would be glad to answer any questions.

 

[Mickeygolf]

I'm glad you had a nice trip and good experience at OKW. Now you can see how the other half really lives.

Seriously, we love OKW. We do enjoy the fact the rooms are quite a bit larger. Since they've added the slide, this is one of the best places to stay for our family.

 

[Duchie]

Thanks for your review! We have also found that the CM's at OKW seem to be just a bit friendlier.

Glad you had a great trip!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm glad you had a nice time. I also like the 2Q's in the second bedroom. When did you book...last month or way before that?

Bobbi

 

[spiceycat]

you stayed at OKW and still prefer BCV or BWV - with their higher costs...

well everyone has different taste.

 

[dumbo71]

I'm glad you enjoyed your stay at OKW. I think the original DVC Resort is still the best. Largest rooms, low points to stay and beautiful grounds. Location isn't the best but it still a great place. Removed from the hustle and bustle but still so close. Weird because BCV/BWV are our second favorites yet so different.

 

[MiaSRN62]

and all that was available for a quick trip 11/3 - 11/7 was a 2BR at OKW

Well I think you were very lucky in getting a stay at OKW---it's an awesome resort

I also like the 2Q's in the second bedroom. When did you book...last month or way before that?

We prefer the 2 queens as well.
I'd be really suprised if the OP reserved Sept or Oct and got a 2 bedroom at OKW (now that would be luck !). I've been on a waitlist for that exact same week at OKW two previous times (and this was 3-4 months in advance) and nothing ever came through. I guess anything can happen, but with F&W & Jersey week, this is a popular time----even at the larger OKW from what the CM's had told me. I'm glad OKW was available for her.

I am glad you had a nice stay Terribelle. We love the larger rooms and larger balcony at OKW. It's actually a deal-breaker for my dh. While we have stayed at BWV and enjoyed it......we spend the majority of our family vacations at OKW. I am glad u got one of the newer sofa beds Terribelle. In Aug, we were in #34 and it still had the old sofa bed. I was suprised because trips in '04 and '05, we had the new ones. I informed the management that it needed replacing & hope they carried through with that.

I do not think that we would have liked being really far away. This allowed my teenager and her friend to walk to the pool and store. It was also nice because we could grab the bus from two locations.

Sounds like you may have been near the elevator bldgs ? It was nice to be close to 2 different stops. We stayed in #34 this summer and even though it was not as close as when we stayed in #62, my kids had no problem walking to the main pool (maybe a 7 min walk---we timed it). I think there's walking involved at every resort. We felt like we walked much more at BWV because of the Epcot visits (and we walked once to MGM and found it to be a long 20-25 min in 95 degree heat and then still having to walk MGM park itself). True, it's considered convenient, but it does involve alot of walking nonetheless. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes at each resort. We did like the boat that went to MGM from BWV, but the walk was tough in summer heat.

I am glad u were able to secure a stay at OKW and it's good to hear you all had a nice time.

 

[byoung]

After BWV, OKW is my favorite.

 

[jncvh]

I returned from a 8 night stay in a 2 bedroom in October with my family of 5 with relatives popping in an out for a few nights and I have to say that OKW exceeded my expectations. I was in buiding 56 and it seemed that the resort was dead even though they were at 98% occupancy. The main pool did get a little busy but the warmth of the water and the size of the area really helped. The room provided more space than I expected and loved the decor of the room. My wife and myself brought our rollerblades and every morning we rollerbladed over to DTD which took about 8 minutes to get there, that was pushing my two year old in a jogging stroller. Every night we went on the boat trip from OKW to SSR to DTD and found it very relaxing.

I found trying to do the parks everyday made the OKW lifestyle way to busy and would prefer to just hang around the resort and relax. The bussing was great and never had problems, housekeeping was great, and all the pools were clean.

I currently own at SSR and after this trip I am planning on purchasing additional points to book studio weekend getaways to OKW with no parks. Now I see why so many OKW owners are trying to keep OKW a secret!!

 

[Lenc324]

I was just at OKW 2 weeks ago and it was very nice. I had no idea how big the resort was. I would like to stay at each resort. Maybe next time WL

 

[LUV DVC]

As far as location, BCV and BWV are hands down the best places to stay. The sandy bottom pool that people can't pool hop to puts BCV on top. The only drawback is the amount of points to stay there. We own there but always seem to stay at OKW. OKW is the classic original resort. With its large rooms, condo style layout and newly enhanced main pool area, its truely a relaxed atmisphere. Sarasota will one day have a similar atmisphere once it is complete and the lanscaping has a chance to mature. Have'nt had a chance to stay at VB, VWL, HHI or BWV yet, but can't wait untill we can. It always seems like we don't have enough points.

 

[TerriBelle]

One of the other things that we like about the Epcot resorts (BWV & BCV) is more eating options. I know we have a kitchen but when we are on vacation we don't cook! We did have bagels for breakfast but that is about it. I know you can get to DTD, but it just didn't seem like we had as many choices.