3 rooms at CSR or 2-bd villa at OKW?

[RedRuby]

It's just as the subject line says: CSR or OKW? The catch is that CSR would be individual rooms, OWK would be one 2-bedroom villa.

Assuming availability at OKW, by my calculations, our three rooms at CSR in Value season with free meal deal, are about the same price or more expensive than as one 2-bd villa at OKW, rack rate, with free meal deal (dining for 6 adults and 1 child). The Grand Villas, even if available, would be waaaayyy out of our price range, collectively, unless we recruited another couple or family
(/me waves at juptonrd!)
and even still I'm not sure how that would break down....

Anyone care to comment on the suitability of a 2-bd rm villa at OKW for three couples, one child age 4 and two toddlers (both age 2)? Technically our head count would be 7 people, since the two little ones are under age 3.

Anyone know the types of beds in each room? Is it one King, two doubles and one pull-out double in the sitting area? If so, we'd put the couple with one child on the King (they'd share it fine, bigger than sharing at home!), one couple with the toddlers in the double-double room, and the grandparents on the couch (for night one, anyway), and see what everyone likes best.

If it's a double-double in *each* room, then we'd be even better off.

Thoughts?

My specific questions... How spread out is OKW? What are the buses for the parks like (frequent? packed or empty, etc?) Is OKW close enough to (reasonably) walk to the international Gateway side of Epcot? (if so, how long a walk)? How long a walk to Beach Club? We've got friends staying there...thoughts on these?

 

[KIMHELMS99]

In the 2br villa that we stayed in there was a King size bed in the master bedroom, two queen beds in the second room and I believe it was a queen size sleeper sofa.

The resort is quite spread out but the buses seem to run frequently. We never used the buses to go to the parks as we have a car and like to drive ourselves.

Hope this helps.

 

[spiceycat]

my home resort is OKW - so I love it.

You also get a full kitchen, full size washer/dryer, a VCR or DVD in the TV in the livingroom, a big balcony/patio, whirlpool tub in the master plus a shower stall, combined bath in the second bedroom.

However - I would still stay at OKW just get 3 studios - no whirlpool tub, no laundry area - but all the quiet pool have the spa tub and a laundry area the washer/dryer here are free to guests staying at OKW.

the studios all have 2 queen beds.

I would suggest renting points from a DVC member - but since you are going for the dinning plan that won't work for you.

 

[DisFlan]

RedRuby - OKW 2-bd has a king bed in the master bedroom, two queens in the 2nd bedroom and a foldout couch in the living room. There's a Pak n' Play crib in one of the closets, and you can get another if needed. We stayed there last year with 6 adults and a 3 yo. We had no problem. But, as always, it depends on how well everyone gets along in closer quarters. If any of the couples in your group have a problem with this or "need their space", it might not be right for you. The foldout in the LR isn't private, by any means. It's an open plan with the kitchen/eating area - roomy but not private.

I'm not sure what type of rooms you've got at CSR, but 3 std rooms in Value season would be $447 (w/o tax) a night and OKW would be $490 (2005 rates). You can't really compare OKW and CSR rooms. OKW has a full kitchen, a big balcony, a full size W/D, 3 TVs, a DVD player, and 2 bathrooms, one with a Jacuzzi. And lots of space. They are VERY nice. The Washer and dryer are super handy if you have kids along.

There's only one sit-down restaurant (Olivia's) at OKW. There are also a couple of counter service/snack-type options available.

Yes, the OKW resort is spread out. The bus system can get you from one area to another, but a car is handy.

If you're considering OKW for this October, it might already be sold out. But you can check. The Food & Wine Festival is a big draw for DVCers.

DisFlan

 

[RedRuby]

RedRuby - OKW 2-bd has a king bed in the master bedroom, two queens in the 2nd bedroom and a foldout couch in the living room. There's a Pak n' Play crib in one of the closets, and you can get another if needed. We stayed there last year with 6 adults and a 3 yo. We had no problem. But, as always, it depends on how well everyone gets along in closer quarters.

Yes, we're all close family and have shared accomodations before so that's not a worry, thankfully.

If you're considering OKW for this October, it might already be sold out. But you can check. The Food & Wine Festival is a big draw for DVCers.

DisFlan

Yes I fear nothing will be available -- I should have thought of this two weeks ago, but I'll call my TA anyway. I thought we were settled on our resort!

 

[StrwLady]

my home resort is OKW - so I love it.
full size washer/dryer,

That would do it for me! If you are planning to wash, with 7 people, having a washer and dryer in the room would be a huge plus. I hate to bring a lot of clothes and usually wash once or twice. It would be so wonderful to put in a load overnight and not have to run down the laundry room and hope a washer is open.

Take Care
Jamie

 

[DisneyJen0504]

My only conern would be 3 couples and two bedrooms? For us, that wouldnt feel like much of a vacation so we would do the 3 rooms at CSR just for privacy and comfort. On that note, being able to do laundry and cook at the villa is a huge plus!

 

[kda]

To respond to some of your other questions:
It's not possible to walk from either CSR or OKW to Epcot. From either resort, take a bus to Epcot and walk through to the International Gateway and on to BC (just 5 minutes from the International Gateway) or take a bus to MGM and take the boat to BC. Either one of these would probably take over 30 - 45 minutes. It might be easiest to go to BC directly from a park. That would be the shortest route, with the least walking.

 

[ACDSNY]

We stayed in a 2-bedroom villa in Oct 2003 with multiple generations ages 3 - 62, a total of eight people. Loved the peace and quiet, all the space, full kitchen, and washer/dryer. Buses ran well, never waited very long and the route isn't shared with any other resort. We're trying to go back this Oct and I might try Saratoga Springs since it's so close to DTD. I'll have 4 young adults this time with us.

 

[disneyholic family]

For 3 couples the 3 separate rooms at the moderate resort is much more appropriate.
The OKW, while huge will not give the 3rd couple any privacy and they will feel very uncomfortable. Plus there are only 2 bathrooms.

In the moderate, you will have 3 private rooms and 3 private bathrooms. Definitely the way to go.
Don't even give the 2 BR Villa at OKW another thought. You will not be happy there. At least the couple stuck in the living room will not be happy.

 

[robinb]

Anyone care to comment on the suitability of a 2-bd rm villa at OKW for three couples, one child age 4 and two toddlers (both age 2)? Technically our head count would be 7 people, since the two little ones are under age 3.

I think you would be more comfortable at CSR. I love the 2 BR at OKW and I even stuck my sister and her husband on the couch once, but they were staying for free on my DVC points. I would not want to be the couple who pay for a room and get stuck out in the common area.

 

[susy]

Doing laundry and cooking on vacation?If you get free dining, why cook? I think OKW sounds very roomy, but how would you decide who gets the master bedroom? I think CSR would be more practical-3 bathrooms....3 tv's and 6 beds-3 rooms that you can shut the door to.I remember reading about the PM not being included in the free dining. Is this true????

 

[robinb]

I remember reading about the PM not being included in the free dining. Is this true????

The Pepper Market is now included . I'm staying at CSR in August and I have 4-6 meals planned at the Pepper Market. That have a great dinner there!

 

[RedRuby]

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[RedRuby]

Update from the OP:

Thanks for everyone's input!
My TA called back, and gave us a quote: $4900 which is about $400 more total, than CSR. That works out to only $25 extra per family per night, so I will ask around in the family over the weekend. Given the health issues, proximity to DTD, my dad's appreciation for "breakfast on the terrace", and my mom's penchant for doing laundry , I think we'd make use of the amenities at the villa. (the kitchen, porch/balcony, washer/dryer)...

It really depends on what the rest of the family wants; we're fine with either. The sleeper sofa could well be reserved for whomever is last 'home' from the parks or DTD...arrangement will work very well for group babysitting

But, we could still do some sort of group babysitting in a connected room configuration at CSR so that's not a deal-breaker.

Incidentally, the square footage of both options are about the same, but the use of the space is different.

 

[robinb]

If you really want proximity to DTD, then you should choose SSR. The 2-BR will be a little smaller, but you will be able to walk to/from DTD.

Also ... what are your dates? As long as you are not getting the free dining plan, you can look into renting a 2BR from a DVC owner at about $10 per point. A 2-BR at OKW costs 24 points Sun-Thurs and 56 points on Fri/Sat. A week would be 232 points or $2320 before tickets. A 2-BR at SSR would be 29 points Sun-Thurs and 55 Fri/Sat for a total of 255 or $2550 before tickets. Note, since you are renting points from DVC members there are no additional taxes. There is also limited maid service.

 

[RedRuby]

If you really want proximity to DTD, then you should choose SSR. The 2-BR will be a little smaller, but you will be able to walk to/from DTD.

Also ... what are your dates? As long as you are not getting the free dining plan, you can look into renting a 2BR from a DVC owner at about $10 per point. A 2-BR at OKW costs 24 points Sun-Thurs and 56 points on Fri/Sat. A week would be 232 points or $2320 before tickets. A 2-BR at SSR would be 29 points Sun-Thurs and 55 Fri/Sat for a total of 255 or $2550 before tickets. Note, since you are renting points from DVC members there are no additional taxes. There is also limited maid service.

Yes, I did crunch the numbers for a DVC point rental, but it didn't work since we are getting free dining....worth $1320 for our group of 6 adults, 1 child for the six nights. That's within dollars of the quote from my agent and we figure the meal plan will be worth (in food purchased) more than the cost of the plan.

We;ll definitely consider renting for another trip though...

 

[RedRuby]

AN update and thanks...
Thanks to everyone for their opinions and suggestions! I enjoyed checking out SSR photos and pricing, and have put it in my thinking cap for a future onsite trip (particularly to do a point-rental if we don't need the meal deal). The group chose to stay in separate rooms at CSR, mostly for financial reasons (it's about $30 cheaper per couple, per night).

We'll do a DVC property another time.

the good news is that we added a day to our Coronado Springs resort stay! friends invited us for breakfast on the day we were going to arrive, so we'll do a "Disney or Bust!" drive the night before and check in for 8 nights (instead of stopping in Savanna or St. Augustine or somewhere at maingate on the way)!
Yay! Not sure if we'll arrivwithe before andthe parks close, or if we will be in any state for rides when we do, but we can upgrade the Park Hoppers upon arrival if we do. If not, we'll enjoy just staying put after a 21+ hour drive over 2 nights/3 days.