Back from OKW - My thoughts

[Pootle]

... Fine opinion and I respect that, but BCV has almost doubled in value in 4 years, hmm.......

And your point is? Many long time members like me will have taken a look at the other resorts as they were offered to us, and decided against them. Just because BCV's value has risen sharply does not make me want it! I didn't want it when they were selling it, and I don't want it now. In case Beca is reading this, I think it's a lovely resort, just not my choice

You can say that about Carribean Beach or Bonnet Creek for that matter, whats your point?

Caribbean Beach is not a DVC resort with all that entails and I know nothing about Bonnet Creek but I presume it isn't Disney with Disney transportation? So they may well be oases of calm but your comment has no relevance to Dwilliams' post IMHO.

 

[Dwilliams]

And your point is? Many long time members like me will have taken a look at the other resorts as they were offered to us, and decided against them. Just because BCV's value has risen sharply does not make me want it! I didn't want it when they were selling it, and I don't want it now. In case Beca is reading this, I think it's a lovely resort, just not my choice



Caribbean Beach is not a DVC resort with all that entails and I know nothing about Bonnet Creek but I presume it isn't Disney with Disney transportation? So they may well be oases of calm but your comment has no relevance to Dwilliams' post IMHO.

Thanks Pootle. I'm not sure why Jade1 and underdesea took such offense to my post. It wasn't intended as a knock on those that choose to stay in studios. I simply wouldn't have bought into DVC to stay in a studio which is nothing more than a hotel room with a small fridge & microwave.

Nothing wrong with them we just like the extra space, the washer and dryer, jacuzzi tub plus full kitchen. Those rooms, one bedroom and larger are DVC IMO. Studios are just hotel rooms and meant for a couple. Actually I booked a studio once for my wife and I and she told me never again. I think her comment was " We bought into DVC for this?" I guess she had a point.

Also, now that we are DVC members we spend far less time in the parks. We have slowed it down a lot and really enjoy those resort days. Having the one or 2 bedroom unit makes it seem more like we are living there and less like we are stuck in a hotel. We like to stretch our legs a bit.

To the OP, I feel you will change your tune on OKW after the 2 bedroom trip you have coming up. I hope you have a great trip.

Sorry to have offended. It wasn't my intent, just stating how we view our DVC.


Dave

 

[Cinderpals]

Thanks Pootle. I'm not sure why Jade1 and underdesea took such offense to my post. It wasn't intended as a knock on those that choose to stay in studios. I simply wouldn't have bought into DVC to stay in a studio which is nothing more than a hotel room with a small fridge & microwave.

Nothing wrong with them we just like the extra space, the washer and dryer, jacuzzi tub plus full kitchen. Those rooms, one bedroom and larger are DVC IMO. Studios are just hotel rooms and meant for a couple. Actually I booked a studio once for my wife and I and she told me never again. I think her comment was " We bought into DVC for this?" I guess she had a point.

Also, now that we are DVC members we spend far less time in the parks. We have slowed it down a lot and really enjoy those resort days. Having the one or 2 bedroom unit makes it seem more like we are living there and less like we are stuck in a hotel. We like to stretch our legs a bit.

To the OP, I feel you will change your tune on OKW after the 2 bedroom trip you have coming up. I hope you have a great trip.

Sorry to have offended. It wasn't my intent, just stating how we view our DVC.


Dave

Dave, thanks for sharing this. I'm a BCV and BWV owner. I have yet to stay at the OKW. I will be staying there next month for a short 2N stay at the end of my mega-trip with my daughter. It was either there, or the Nickelodeon!! I'm eager to check out the pool area and Olivia's. Plus, we usually choose to spend our last days hanging out at Downtown Disney--so close to OKW. My husband always wants to stay in a 1 bedroom-- minimum which eats up a lot of points. I don't always book ahead to secure a 1bdrm standard at the Boardwalk, another option that I plan to use in the future. I'm looking forward to booking a stay in a 1bdrm at the OKW for later this year. My husband really likes the space of the BCV and BWV 1 bdrm units, and I've read that the OKW units are even bigger. BCVs will always be my first choice for most of my DVC stays, but it helps to have great options to fall back on.

 

[Sammie]

Wow, I've been busy and not had time to check back to this thread but I appreciate all the healthy debate!

I probably should've mentioned I am not a DVC owner. The DVC owners are my SO's parents, who we shared the studio with. They plan on taking many a trip where they are inviting large groups from their family so those are taking up most of the points for 1-2 bedrooms, etc..

I do believe we are staying in a 2 bedroom for our October trip at OWK. I had hoped for VWL, but beggars can't be choosers!

Thanks again all!

4 adults in any studio would be enough to make me dislike any resort.

I do hope you have the opportunity to experience the larger villas, it truly is another world.

 

[Sammie]

I'm staying at a 2 BDR in OKW next week. I couldn't remember where OKW was located, and I'm told it's pretty far out from the parks. Since parentals live in FL, we will have a car. Would it make more sense to drive to the parks or to take the buses? (they have free parking with their passes)

OKW is located on Bonnet Creek Drive which is also home to Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter.

Very close to Epcot, not far at all to the Magic Kingdom, a short bus ride to MGM and AK. OKW is actually very centrally located to all the parks.

I find the buses to very efficient and certainly no one resort has the market on the best bus transportation or even other types of transportation. At any time it can all be a pain and crowded.

 

[mommacat56]

This is a general reply to those in this thread referring to the increase in value of the Beach Club...I'm an old-timer (my contract number is in the 600's). I've been a DVC member since December of 1991 and originally purchased OKW at $51 per point. I didn't buy it for the investment potential, although even OLD OKW has seen an increase. I bought it because of the program's flexibility and the promise of a Disney vacation one or more times a year! My family has had great vacations every year since 1991 and I wouldn't sell my membership even if I could get the high dollar value per point in the resale market as the Beach Club.

 

[Disney Doll]

When we have a car there, we will drive to the parks, except for the MK. We take the bus to the MK, because you get dropped off right in front, instead of having to take a boat or the monorail once you have taken the tram from the parking lot.

As far as liking it or not...that's why there are so many different choices. I would agree that the studios aren't anything too great, basically a glorified hotel room with a kitchenette...but the 1BR and larger are awesome. But then again, I think all the DVC resorts are awesome!!!

 

[rigsby25]

OKW has always been a respite from the hectiness of the parks and DTD. It is an oasis of calm and feels like I'm on vacation as opposed to being at WDW.

Oasis sounds like a good word. I have such wonderful memories of sitting on the bench outside the Hospitality House waiting for the bus with the breeze blowing and the sound of island music playing. Tropical might be another good word.

 

[jade1]

And your point is? Many long time members like me will have taken a look at the other resorts as they were offered to us, and decided against them. Just because BCV's value has risen sharply does not make me want it! I didn't want it when they were selling it, and I don't want it now. In case Beca is reading this, I think it's a lovely resort, just not my choice



Caribbean Beach is not a DVC resort with all that entails and I know nothing about Bonnet Creek but I presume it isn't Disney with Disney transportation? So they may well be oases of calm but your comment has no relevance to Dwilliams' post IMHO.

My point is if something is that successfull (financially and occupany), there is at least a small argument to be made that moving away from the OKW model was not a failure, maybe-just maybe even a success-of course its hard to argue with someones "opinion" over facts. Didn't say anyone needed to "want" BCV, enough do already (supported by the resale value and waitlists).

"getting away from the hectiness of WDW to an oasis of calm?" That is what I was comparing, not if CBR or BC are in the DVC club. CBR is very similar as far as a "retreat" from WDW (we actually travel to the middle of Fl to stay at WDW-silly us). Bus to every park, 4 or so stops in the resort, no room service, park next to your room, long walk to the main pool and food area, even the buildings look similar, and OP stayed at a studio so the the rooms are about the same also. Bonnet Creek looks like a great retreat (I mean escape from the hectiness of WDW to an oasis of calm) as well but not sure how the bus service is.

 

[Pootle]

..... even the buildings look similar, and OP stayed at a studio so the the rooms are about the same also.....

This must be a joke right - comparing OKW with CBR

All the Disney Values and moderates are cheap Days Inn/Comfort Inn motel-type construction distinguished only by wonderful landscaping and theming for the most part. Smallish, no dual-aspect view, no balcony and no kitchenette for starters.

Like the OP, we can assume that jade1 prefers being next to a theme park and that's understandably a very popular option with many. But not with all - and yet this truth is so often ignored on these boards as time after time we see non-too-subtle bashing of OKW and SSR (the latter especially).

It makes me smile when on the UK Disboards, every so often we read a post extolling the virtues of staying on property and this could be CBR or PO. You just know that very soon someone will come along and post of an 'overdose of Disney' and stating why their preference for staying in a private villa with pool (very popular with Brits) is far superior. What some would see as an overdose of Disney is seen by others as an oasis of tranquility

Horses for courses, plain and simple.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I may not like OKW's studios the best, because I/we like having a sofa to sit on to watch TV, but I think they are far better than any hotel room. I love to sit out on the balcony, whatever view there is. We've only been an OKW studio for a 2 night stay and even for that short a stay, I used the balcony to read, relax and meditate.

Bobbi

 

[Cricket2]

All rooms are great. I'm glad we have choices so everybody can be happy.

That being said, OKW still rules!

 

[wdw4life]

Like the OP, we can assume that jade1 prefers being next to a theme park and that's understandably a very popular option with many. But not with all - and yet this truth is so often ignored on these boards as time after time we see non-too-subtle bashing of OKW and SSR (the latter especially).

I don't have a burning desire to stay next to the theme parks. When I am on vacation I like to be able to relax in a peaceful and calm setting at least part of the time. That is just one of many reasons I love SSR and anticipate enjoying OKW when I eventually stay there.

 

[Muushka]

I don't have a burning desire to stay next to the theme parks. When I am on vacation I like to be able to relax in a peaceful and calm setting at least part of the time. That is just one of many reasons I love SSR and anticipate enjoying OKW when I eventually stay there.

We could not agree with you more. That is why we love VWL. It is very much removed from the hustle and bustle. I don't like too much stimulation and being able to relax at a resort is very important to me/us.

 

[DrTomorrow]

We have spent 2 nights in an OKW studio, and it certainly was a bit bigger than the SSR studios. If we were trying to stretch points, I'd pick an OKW studio over others.

rigsby25: as you see from the size posting, a SSR/BCV/BWV/VWL 1BR isn't even 1/3 less in size than an OKW 1BR - must be a perception thing. For MrsT and I, as a couple, we find the SSR 1BR to be more than enough room to be luxurious - we didn't even use all the space we had. I'm not sure what benefit the extra space at OKW would be good for - it's not like we're bringing a ping-pong table with us!

 

[kathleena]

While it's true that VWL, BCV and BWV have WOW lobbies, they're also the lobbies for the main resorts too. Those respective resorts had DVCs added on to them and the original lobbies were created with deluxe-style, paying-high-room-rate guests in mind. SSR does not have a WOW lobby either, which is fine for me because I'm not staying there for the lobby.

Just a clarification - BWVs were not "added-on" to BWI - the entire resort was built together. If you notice - the Main Pool is on the BWV side, as is the registration desk and the main lobby. If it was just "added-on", then they would be on the BWI side.

 

[rigsby25]

We have spent 2 nights in an OKW studio, and it certainly was a bit bigger than the SSR studios. If we were trying to stretch points, I'd pick an OKW studio over others.

rigsby25: as you see from the size posting, a SSR/BCV/BWV/VWL 1BR isn't even 1/3 less in size than an OKW 1BR - must be a perception thing. For MrsT and I, as a couple, we find the SSR 1BR to be more than enough room to be luxurious - we didn't even use all the space we had. I'm not sure what benefit the extra space at OKW would be good for - it's not like we're bringing a ping-pong table with us!

Yes - I noticed that when I first saw the square footage posting. It could be the placement of the furniture, etc. also. I remember we sat at a table for 4 off the kitchen at OKW and still had lots of room to walk around. The table at SSR is squished up against the wall, and it seems like you're constantly moving for something or somebody. It seemed like when we walked into OKW, there was a room next to the living room. When the couch folds out, there is still room. It seemed to me like the fold out bed in SSR was pressed up against the table to the side of the kitchen. Thank goodness I didn't need to fold out that pack and play. I can't imagine where it would go. I just loved that 1 BR at OKW. And I appreciate it more after having been to SSR. Although I can't say I didn't like the 1BR at SSR. I'm glad I experienced SSR, and I would love to stay at all the villas in each size room. Lot's to look forward to! Did you and Mrs. T go alone? Then I would agree its just right for two people. We had two 16 year olds with us. My son and his friend. I don't think a 1BR should be designed only to fit a couple comfortably. The studio should take care of that.

 

[Candace]

Just got back from 9 nights in a studio at OKW today. I will admit that the studio is my least favorite room there, but I go solo each year when school is out, so I just don't need the space. I could have stayed at one of the other resorts that have the bed/couch setup, and it would have been fine. I actually did that during spring break and enjoyed my studio at the BC. However, when my school year is over and I am as tired and stressed as I can be, I just want to be at OKW. I was there from 05/30 - 06/08, and I really didn't find it crowded at all at the resort. I guess I was there at the same time at the beginning as the OP was, and the only thing I heard was some nighttime music/bass from the parties at PI. Gayweek started on 05/30 also, so it might have been crowded from that. After the weekend, I heard no more late night music or such. There was nobody in the 1BR portion on the other side of my studio the entire time which was *wonderful*, and the parking lot outside my building (Bldg 33) was pretty much empty. To each his own (and I also own at BW), but I really appreciate the pace and "feel" of OKW.