A fun question for the OKWers from the early days

[jimmytammy]

We know some folks who own at OKW since the pioneer days of DVC. They have never stayed at any other DVC resorts at WDW other than OKW. Im not knocking it cause they love it at their home resort and they can stay for a lot less pts.

So my question is, how many of the OKWers, lets say the ones in the first 5 years of DVC, have never stayed at another DVC resort at WDW and why.

I hope this leads to some fun and informative discussion. We own 2 contracts at WLV but I have told DW that if we ever bought another contract I would seriously look into OKW as the place I would purchase.

 

[Connears]

I have been a DVC member since 1994 and first strayed from OKW in 2001 for a BWV stay(will never return..not my atmosphere!)and just returned from BCV on sunday(loved it although you do miss the space in the 1 bdroom). Saying all this, we have had 11 OKW visits and still find it the DVC experience we enjoy the most. 2/13 isn't bad.
Connears

 

[Caskbill]

Well, we bought in '93, but the beauty of DVC is to have so much flexibility.

We've stayed in all 6 DVC resorts and enjoy each one for it's special place. We prefer OKW and have stayed there most often, being approximately 65% of the time. (out of 42 DVC stays in 10 years).

 

[slc224]

We joined DVC in Jan. '94 and have only stayed at OKW at WDW. We have loved our stays there so much we have not had any desire to stay at any of the other resorts (besides VB which is wonderfl!). I am a creature of habit. I am afraid if I stay elsewhere I may not enjoy it as much.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I joined in 92 and have stayed once at VB ( I was bored to tears, beautiful resort, nice people, but, not my cup of tea) and the rest of the time at OKW. I just like it there.

 

[sgtdisney]

We joined in 1992 and in over 10 years of visits I have never stayed at any of the other DVC resorts at WDW.. Every year we talk about it.. "Hey maybe we should try VWL." Then we talk about it some more and it just never ends up appealing to us enough to try it. Why, well we love OKW first and foremost. Also I can't get past the long trip to the car. I love parking close to the unit for a variety of reasons not the least is that we always rent a car and go everywhere in it. Then there is the point difference. We can't justify using more points for smaller units with less features (IMHO) The other resorts look lovely, but why trade in the size and convenience.

Being close to the parks is not a plus for us, we often do many non-Disney things and drive off property frequently. Plus , I have been going to WDW almost annually since 1976 when there were only 3 hotels and always stayed in the Villas by DTD so we are used to the remote solitude and actually look forward to that. I can't say for certain if we would have bought into the DVC if it were any other resort but OKW..

 

[DisneyBB]

We stayed at OKW until 2000 to get the free passes. We then tried different resorts, but only for a few nights at the beginning of the holiday. When we transfered to OKW, we felt like we had come home. We really like the other resorts, but it has a different feel to it and it is great parking the car outside our villa. We like all the open space and peace that OKW has. We are have tried WLV and BCV, this year we are staying the first 6 nights at BWV then move onto OKW for 13 nights.

 

[fkj2]

BWV are noisy although I would visit there again. I stayed at VWL in May and like it quite well. OKW is a spoiler in regards to room size and parking and that boat ride to DTD. Just so relaxing.

 

[beccasmom]

We are DVC'ers since '92 and OKW is definitely our preferred resort. We have stayed twice at BCV (once a studio, once a one-bedroom) and it was very nice, but I really love OKW. We've tried to get to Vero Beach, but it has never worked out. I'm sure we'll get there eventually.

OKW suits us perfectly and has just the right pace for our lifestyle. We fell in love with it from the start and still feel that way. It was the best decision we've ever made. No regrets!

 

[dianeschlicht]

We are OKW members and have not stayed at any other DVC resorts, but have stayed at some of those resorts in non-DVC units. I wouldn't say we would NEVER stay anywhere but OKW, but we just love the feel of the villas there, and especially the private entrance. I prefer that to a hotel setting. We also like all the nature around OKW. We visit the other DVC resorts each trip and then still decide to stay at OKW again. Even our lovely room at AKL last year for one night didn't convert us. We LOVE OKW. IT just feels like HOME!

 

[geffric]

We have owned at OKW since '93 and have never stayed anywhere else. We love the feel of the resort. It's so peaceful in the midst of all of the WDW excitment. We think about staying at other resorts but never have because we love OKW. We drive to WDW so parking close is important to us. As well as the rooms, laundry etc, We love the openness and quietness of the resort. It feels like home. We have visited for 2+ weeks every year since we purchased.. only last year did we stay anywhere else - we went to Disneyland instead of WDW. But during our DL trip, the whole family was missing various things about OKW. Especially the size of the rooms.

We have so many memories at OKW too. My oldest child was 2 year and the other was 4 months when we purchase. They, in a sense, have grown up at OKW.

 

[Richyams]

We spent four nights once and two long weekends in one bedrooms at BWV. I only do that if its just the three of us. Its just too cramped for any more than that. The walks after a long day, the walk to your car, etc are just too much for me. I prefer the layout and style of OKW by a longshot.

 

[Regina]

We joined in '91, and we stayed exclusively at OKW until we added on at VWL in 2001. DH and I stayed in a one bedroom there, and we've also stayed in a BCV studio.

Our family does consider OKW "home", but there's an extra dose of excitement for our upcoming VWL stay. This is our "baby's" HS graduation trip. It's the first time that any of our kids has stayed at a DVC resort other than OKW.

I'll let you know what she thinks of our "third home."

 

[Chuck S]

We bought in 1992, and have only stayed OKW - 2 or 3 trips per year, since then. We have visited all the other DVC resorts, except HH for lunch/dinner. WE toured the models of DCV, BWV last month (the SSR models aren't finished yet). The "newer" resorts are nice, but we prefer the quiet atmosphere of OKW - while I can understand how folks with kids would like the "action and excitement" of Stormalong Bay or the boardwalk - and the country atmosphere of VWL, we like the laid back relaxed atmoshere - and larger rooms - of OKW. BTW, I think VB is a beautiful resort, and would be great for a beach vacation - but back to the saying "Buy where you want to stay the most."

 

[tvwalsh]

I often explain to myself why I have never stayed at any other resort except OKW. I tell myself I like the low points needed, parking by the door, bigger rooms, peace and quiet, etc,

In truth it is mostly about memories and history. This resort was the only DVC resort in WDW for so long that it had time to become home to many of us. I bought in in 1992 and for years I had no decisions to make. This was my Disney home. I was proud of it and proud of my purchase.

I would feel like I had not gone "home" if I stayed anywhere else. Perhaps, some day, I will stay at another resort in WDW, but only for part of my stay. I will always need to go "home".

 

[Pa@okw95]

I have been a member since 95, 15 trips and 76 days I stayed at OKW and never, never, never have I been woke up by noise from the hallway because there is none. I sleep great at OKW. Also OKW does not share the check in with another hotel like the others at WDW. Check in is a very big thing to me and very important. There is the boat ride to DD that is only open to OKW guest which I call the best attraction at WDW. I like it because it is out of the way, and they just brought back the old music which is a big plus with me. It is very laid back. It does not have a pool with a slide that I suppose helps some to keep the noise level down but there are still problems with kids jumping in the pools-we may need life guards someday to stop the jumping into the pools. Driving to your front door is a very big thing for me. I drive everywhere at WDW because of the poor bus service that is not only at OKW but all the DVC resorts. I find this very handy to get in and out just like I do at home. The car is almost as close to my front door as it is at home. The parks have lost their luster for us so not being able to walk to them is no big deal. I might give a one bedroom at VWL a 5 day stay this January just for a change of pace, but so far 15 trips and I have not stayed at any other DVC reosrt.

 

[spiceycat]

I love OKW - that say I have tried other resorts - but generally just for a day or two -

I points for BWV and VWL - the BWV are generally used at OKW - VWL - well I do love this place - especially around Christmas - but at other times - OKW is just home.

we stayed one year at the Polyn (all the DVC resorts were full) - it was a lovely view - the lagoon in front of the Castle - but we both missed OKW the whole time....

 

[BillPA]

Joined in '93, exclusive to OKW until that little perk of free passes ran out. Then tried all the other DVCs on site and VB. When it's just my DW and I, we like to stay at BCV or VWL. When the 'gang' comes along we head back home to OKW. We enjoy the different resorts, each has it's plusses and even a minus or two, but all are great in their own way. "Variety is the spice of life", I suggest every DVCer should try each resort, that is part of the beauty of DVC. I'm sure everyone has a favorite HOME, OKW is ours, but we find all the resorts beat the H... out of a plain old hotel room.

 

[Margie J]

I am a "pioneer" who forged the trail back in 1994 when OKW was known as the "Disney Vacation Club Resort". It made me feel special that I belonged to an exclusive Resort.

Only until the pass program ended did I venture away. I have now spent one week in each of the other DVC Resorts except for BCV. Those stays have been in studios. When I want a one bedroom or larger my choice is always OKW. When I want a longer vacation my choice is OKW.

The other Resorts have their good points but OKW just feels comfortable to me. It really has become my Florida "home" and it is where I entertain friends and family when in the area.

 

[JudithM]

We have been OKW owners for about ten years & have only used our points elsewhere twice - five nights in 1998 at BWV & one night last year at Hilton Head.

BWV was fine; OKW was not available for the nights we wanted. We did have a long walk to the room, but the view was wonderful - I think we were above the brewery place. We liked the arrangement of the studio - bed & couch; sink outside bathroom, etc. The proximity to EPCOT & the Studios was nice.

Hilton Head was an unexpected pleasure . We were driving to WDW in a casual mode & found ourselves at Hilton Head one afternoon. We had points & they had availability. The atmosphere was very pleasant & relaxing.

I stopped by Vero Beach one day several years ago just to kook around, but I didn't get the usual warm Disney feeling. Plus the ocean is not my idea of a good time, so I probably won't be back any time soon.

OKW is special to us for many reasons & feels like "home." We like to be able to park right outside & use the car whenever we want. The OKW units definitely have more room - we toured the BCVs in May - they are nice, but smaller than OKW.