2bdr or 3brd...Need help deciding

[Gabby&Liv's Mommy]

It will be me, DH, DD2, DD4, my mom & dad (both 60yrs old) for 8 days. I like the available space of a 3 bedroom but SSR, BWV or OKW are not my 1st pick (or 2nd, or 3rd). We like BCV or VWL. Will we be too cramped in a 2bdr? Should we go for the 3bdr? If so, which resort? We will be going in fall 07.
Thanks!

 

[sleepydog25]

If it were me, I'd go for the 3BR grand villa. . .then again, I like lots of space. I suppose it depends upon your preferences. The 2BRs have lots of space, but you'll have to make choice between these options:
Option A: You let your mom and dad take the MBR with the whirlpool tub. You and hubby get the fold out couch in the living area and the kids get the second BR.
Option B: You switch with your mom and dad.
Option C: The kids get the fold out couch in the middle of the suite while you/DH and your folks flip a coin for the two bedrooms.

As far as pure room, there is plenty given you have an actual dining area, separate TVs in each sleeping area, and a second bathroom. However, someone will have to sleep in the living area or share one of the beds in the second bedroom while the kids sleep in the other. For sheer comfort, there is always. . .
Option D: You get a bedroom, your folks get a bedroom, and the kids get a bedroom. . .the grand villa option! For what it's worth (I've never stayed there), DVCers say that OKW has bigger rooms. Good luck with your decision.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you were in a 2 bedroom with two queen beds, you will be fine, because you and DH and the kids could have the studio portion of the villa and give your parents the master. That means either SSR, BCV, or OKW though, because I don't believe VWL or BWV has any units with 3 real beds in two bedrooms. Also, BCV has a very limited number of 2 bedroom units with 2 queens in the second bedroom (They are called dedicated 2 bedrooms). Neither BCV or VWL have 3 bedroom villas at all.

 

[Gabby&Liv's Mommy]

Never been to OKW, BWV, or SSR? Which would you recommend for a trip with little kids?

 

[Susieab]

For our last trip our kids were about yours kiddos ages. DS3, DD4. We stayed at OKW and they had a great time. We really like OKW bc it is so laid back and quiet. We had a 1 BR and put the kids in the LR on the couch. When they wanted to swim we went to the main pool and they enjoyed it. We did pool hop one day to BWV to their pool with a slide but my kids are not great swimmers yet so they didn't like it too much.

At OKW they also have the 4 person bikes for rent. We did that one day and road it around the resort. The kids loved that!

 

[DebbieB]

Which resort do you own at? For GV's, you pretty much have to book at 11 months. GV's at BWV are very expensive points wise and they only have 7.

 

[klaubaugh]

We had a similiar size group at Christmas at BCV. We were in a dedicated 2BR but it had a queen and a pullout sofa in the studio side. My parents slept in the Master BR, we slept on the queen and our DD's (9 & 6) rotated between the pullout in the BR and the aerobed we put in the studio side as well. We don't like using the pullout sofa in the living room because then you have issues with bedtimes and morning times. We prefer that just be a common area that you can stay up later in, or get up and have breakfast in without worrying about someone sleeping.

Your DD's are young enough they can probably combine on the pullout in the studio side.

As for resorts - those with zero-entry pools are great for little ones. BCV has a super pool area for little kids with sandy areas and such. SSR also has zero-entry and I think VWL does over at the main pool.

 

[Sammy]

We just stayed in a 2BR at OKW for the first time this past February. I was amazed at the amount of room we had. There were 5 of us (2 adults; 3 kids), and we had plenty of space to stretch out. The second bedroom had the 2 queen beds, so if you stayed there, you, hubby and the 2 kids could have that bedroom (it has its own bathroom), and your parents could have the master.

My kids love OKW....the new pool slide is awesome (although your kids might be too little), and they have a very nice "child" pool in back of the giant sandcastle. There's also a great playground. We find OKW to be very laid-back and relaxing and love to stay there.

 

[Gabby&Liv's Mommy]

Thank you very much for the feedback. Is OKW outdated? We have not stayed there, but all of the pictures make it look a little outdated. Is it in good shape?

 

[sleepydog25]

That means either SSR, BCV, or OKW though, because I don't believe VWL or BWV has any units with 3 real beds in two bedrooms.

Actually, VWL does have three real beds in some of its 2BR units but they may be few in number. They certainly don't have 3BR grand villas, however.

 

[Granny]

Thank you very much for the feedback. Is OKW outdated? We have not stayed there, but all of the pictures make it look a little outdated. Is it in good shape?

It's not outdated at all. It is themed to resemble Key West, FL and is faithful to that theme. It's a gorgeous resort in very good shape...at least that's our experience after spending two weeks there last year.

And sleepydog25 is right....VWL does have dedicated 2BR units which would have two queen beds in the second bedroom.

I would think that dianeschlicht has the right idea though. Given the ages of your daughters, I'd go with a 2BR and have the kids share the second bedroom with you. Even if they have a pullout sleeper bed, it should be just fine for kids that age. You might even find (as mine did) that they think a sleeper sofa is a pretty cool bed since it magically folds in and out of a couch!

 

[Gabby&Liv's Mommy]

Thank you all very much for your feedback. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed OKW. Maybe we will give that a try.

 

[dianeschlicht]

OKW outdated????!!! Hey, it's theme is early 20th century Key West... The colors and decor reflect that. OKW is updated just as often as the other WDW and DVC resorts. I have had less upkeep in many newer resorts than OKW. The size of OKW accommodations are so much better than the other DVC resorts, that I feel it is like comparing apples to oranges. OKW is the different one....better in my estimation, because of the unit size. I also like that it doesn't feel like a hotel, but feels more like a vacation villa.

 

[Gabby&Liv's Mommy]

This is all very helpful information. I really appreciate it. One last question. What is the service like at OKW? Enough food selection? I thought I read they didn't offer room service. Bus service sufficient?

Thanks so much!!!

Since we are bringing my parents I want to make sure everything is just right.

 

[bobbiwoz]

According to a recent thread here, VWL has 44 dedicated 2 BR villas and BCV has 78 of them. However, not all of the BCV's have the 2 Queen beds whereas all of the VWL do.

The only comment that I can make about OKW regarding your questions is that we have found the bus service to be fine, sufficient. We'll be staying there in June, in a 1 bedroom because we want to see for ourselves the "fuss" about "larger units!" Our DS has 3 little ones, and we may find that OKW has the better accomodations for us when we all go together as the DGC get older.

Bobbi

 

[DonnaL]

I don't believe OKW or SSR have any room service available......only the DVC's which are attached to the deluxes have room service. You could also get a separate studio for your parents. Just request they be nearby on the same floor. I know they won't guarantee that, but, chances are pretty good you would get it. Then get a 1 bedroom for you, DH and the children. That way, if the grandparents want to have a little "down" time, they can retreat to their own room. My DH and I are the gp's and we're planning a family vacation for 1/07. When we initially started planning, we were going to try for a grand villa (.....all those points!!!!) But, everyone wanted to stay at VWL (which is our "first" home resort) so no grand villa. We decided to request a 2 bdrm lock-off and a separate studio. Our kids are somewhat laid back and messy on vacation and this way DH and I can also have some quiet time if we so desire.......our two DS's (25 and 17) will stay in the separate studio, our DD, DGS, and DD's BF will stay in the studio portion of the 2 bdrm lockoff and DH and I will have the l bdrm portion of the lockoff (with the connecting door locked). We'll all still have meals together in the kitchen portion of the 1 bdrm and we'll be doing all the fun vacation things together, but, we'll all still have our space, too, which is important when a large group is on vacation together. And, everyone will have a frig for snacks, etc. AND........the points are less than a GV would have been......at the resort we want. Now, hopefully ......MS will be able to honor our request for a lockoff!!!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

What is the service like at OKW? Enough food selection? I thought I read they didn't offer room service. Bus service sufficient?

Bus service is fine....we rarely wait more than 10-15 min for any bus. Rarely we've waited 20 min or so, but we've experienced that at just about any resort we've stayed at.
As for room service...no, OKW does not offer resort room service except for : http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/men_sasp.htm

We also use this restaurant offsite, but they will deliver right to your door at OKW : Phone: 407-397-0044
Fax:407-397-0042 7866 W. IRLO BRONSON HWY. KISSIMMEE FL 34747
Their menu (offer soups, salads, sandwiches, pizza, desserts) :
http://www.giordanos.com/menu.php

In addition, for a full service restaurant option, Olivia's is located at OKW :
http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_okb.htm
http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_okl.htm
http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_okw.htm
http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_okk.htm

And for outdoor counter service at OKW :
http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_gtg.htm
http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_gtgb.htm

You are also a scenic boat ride away from DD and all the dining options there.
Hope this helps

 

[dianeschlicht]

No room service, but OKW does have a very good restaurant and is the only on-site DVC with full size kitchen appliances. Remember, DVC is a timeshare, and SSR and OKW are strictly timeshare resorts, while the others are extensions of WDW hotels.

 

[OneMoreTry]

Depending on time of year you may not be able to get a 3BR (aka Grand Villa) at 7 months .

 

[DonnaL]

We've stayed in 1 and 2 bdrms at VWL, BWV, and SSR and had full size kitchen appliances in all three. I seem to remember at VWL the stove wasn't a free standing stove....it was a countertop drop in with oven, but, it was full size.