A big "Thank You" and more questions...

[rmaiers]

Hello everybody -

I made an offer on an OKW interest today....

For those of you who have been helping me, just to let you know, we choose OKW because we can get the greatest use of our points for the money (we will always require a Two BR Unit, and a Two BR Unit at OKW requires the fewest points) and purchased via resale to save additional money - we are "cash" buyers, so no need to hunt for financing and we are in no hurry to get downthere as we still have a child in diapers. (We have a "no diapers" rule in our family for vacations!) Finally, in 5 years, we will re-evaluate and if the DVC is still working for us, we will purchase a second interest so we have enough points for 2 BR Units during high season - currently, we don't have children in school and can travel any time of the year. The contract I bid on today will provide us with 2 BR units up until high season. Also, if DVC isn't for us, it seems to be easier to sell smaller sized contracts versus larger ones.

Thanks for everybody's help! Seriously, this board was invaluable to us....

I'm sure we will be happy there, but it's difficult to tell because I have never seen OKW before - only in photos. (Kinda crazy to spend serious money on something you have never seen before, heh?!?) I've read both glowing reviews on the resort, and some less flattering... The biggest complaint is (1) location to the parks mandates the use of bus transportation and (2) the bus transportation is frequently crowded.

I have to shake the feeling that we are "locked" into OKW (in the event we don't like it) and will be at a severe disadvantage if we try to stay at one of the other resorts. (BTW - the only resort I have seen is the Boardwalk on my tour over a year ago)

I'm concerned that we won't be able to book elsewhere due to the 11-month and 7-month window rules.... Which leads me to my question:

Can somebody provide me with info or a link on how these windows work?

I assume the windows do not coincide with your Use Year.

As I will be using my OKW interest primarily over Spring Break (which I'm aware is VERY busy), say for example the first week of April, can somebody proved me an example as to when the earliest I could book a room would be via both the 11-month and 7-month windows?

Again, thanks to everybody at this board who answered my questions... I'll let you know if we pass ROFR!


Bob and Shelly

 

[jarestel]

Congratulations on your OKW resale!

The booking windows have nothing to do with use years, they only refer to making reservations either 7 or 11 months from your check-out date.

 

[CarolMN]

FWIW, I do not think you will have a hard time booking a resort at the 7 month window during Spring Break. The only exception to that might be the week before and the week after Easter. Even then, the waitlist has a good chance of working for you.

Also, as already posted, use year has nothing to do with when you can call to make a reservation. Use year is just the time you get your points every year and is also the determining factor for banking deadlines.

For your home resort the earliest you can call to make a reservation is 11 months prior to your desired check out date. For non-home resorts, you may call 7 months ahead of your desireed check out date.

Congratulations on your purchase and welcome home - just a bit early, but hopefully you will hear that you pased ROFR very soon!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

say for example the first week of April, can somebody proved me an example as to when the earliest I could book a room would be via both the 11-month and 7-month windows?

For April 7 check out, you could make the reservation May 7 of the previous year for the 11 month window and September 7 of the previous year for the 7 month window.

As has been said already, notice that neither have anything to do with your use year.

HBC

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

Bob and Shelly,

We made an offer on points at OKW yesterday and heard back less than 20 minutes later that our offer was accepted. Signed the contract and mailed it off with the deposit today. Now we too have to wait on the ROFR. We stayed at OKW in July 2003. Loved it. We had never heard of DVC at that point. We were booked at POFQ and then a cruise. When POFQ closed they offered us POR and I said no as I have stayed there twice before. I wanted something new. We picked OKW and paid a bit more but once we got there we loved it. We purchased on that trip at BCV 150 points but found out we needed more. We too will need a 2BD shortly because of our kids. Researched resales and decided to go that route. We loved OKW so if we alternate between the two we are fine. I know you will love OKW too and remember you have the 7 mo to book at other locations.

Sending Pixie Dust your way!

 

[Disney Doll]

The 7 and 11 month windows are figured from the check out date of your trip.

DH and I own 2 contracts at OKW...one purchased in 1997 and the other purchased in 2002.

We like the resort for many reasons.
1. Large units
2. "Laid back" feel
3. Cute little boat to DD
4. Parking close by your unit
5. Generally good views from every unit(no worry about the dreaded "dumpster view")
6. Always get a "welcome home" at the security gate
7. Casual, beachy decor....love the pastels!!
8. Mickey heads carved into the railings

We have also been able to stay in pretty much every other DVC resort on WDW property without any huge problem. The only one we haven't styaed in is VWL. We had booked there last year, but then y father needed eye surgery, so we ended up having to cancel.

I douby you'll ever be "stuck" at OKW, but if you are, there are certainly worse places to be "stuck" in!!!!!

You've made a good choice.