Booking a Grand Villa at OKW?

[Mickeygolf]

I am getting close to the time I need to make a reservation for our first trip "home" next May. I have read many posts on the board stating that Grand Villas are usually first to go. We hope to reserve a GV for our first trip home and was wondering should I call in day by day for a May reservation? We plan on being there the week prior to Memorial weekend with check-out on Saturday of Memorial weekend.

I hate to wait until our check-out date to call and find that there are no GV's during part of our stay...We are planning on staying at our Home Resort, OKW...Can't hardly wait!!!

How difficult is it to get your reservation all linked together? Since there are fewer GV's then any other room types, is it difficult to have your room requests granted? Where would GV's be located close to the HH and main pool area? My FIL has a medical condition and with 5 kids in our group I'm sure we will be spending quite a bit of time at the main pool. I'd hate for him to have to walk any great distance.

All your help is appreciated!!!

 

[Beth]

May is not a terribly busy time, but, given that you're trying to get a GV, the most common advice given on these boards is that, when you're trying to book something that's in high demand, call the first day you can and ask the MS rep how the availability is for the rest of your stay. They can usually give you a pretty good idea. But - there's no problem for them to link the days together if you call day by day - just let the rep know of your intentions, so they can hold the confirmation letter 'til the end.

As far as locations, maybe someone can post the link to Doc's "room location" report - it's a wonderful guide to the OKW resort - I printed it out and keep it with my guidebook!

Have a great trip - we've stayed in a GV at OKW 3 times now - they are truly wonderful!!

 

[ncligs]

Mickeygolf,

Youwill have no problem getting a GV at the 11 month window , to be on the safe side I would call day by day, and MS will let you know if you should keep calling day by day. Also here is some usefull info for OKW GV's below including a resort map

Keep this for future reference when booking GV"s at OKW. Resort map is at the end,

GV's are found in Buildings 15,16,19,22,25,28,29,43,49,51,53 and 63.
Smoking Optional buildings are 12,19,21,25,41,43 and 50.

OKW GV Nonsmoking buildings are....

15/16/22/28/29/49/57-53-63

63 is an elevator building....
There is a GV in building 48 with a ground floor access. Building 63 has elevator access to the GV's.

All other GV's have the entrance on the 2nd level with only stair access
Resort map below......

http://www.wdwig.com/okwmap.jpg

 

[Mickeygolf]

ncligs - thanks for the map and the information about the GV room locations. That was the information I was looking for. What is your experience with room requests?

I would really like to be close to the action and it appears only buildings 63, 16, and 25 would be within decent walking distance to the HH and main pool area. Guess I'm sounding like I want my cake and eat it to, but this is going to be a fun family trip and I, like everyone else, want it to be just right...

 

[ncligs]

Mickeygolf,

I would request building 63 first, then 16. You will be as close as you can get to the HH. It is only a 3-5 minute walk to the main pool and HH from these bldgs. Also you have to remember that to get those Gv's , it has to be available on the day that you are checking in. My sister just had bldg 63 in early May, she said it was very nice with the elevator. Either way make sure you call at the 11 month window for ressies, and give 2-3 GV location requests.

 

[Richyams]

and MS will let you know if you should keep calling day by day

I get the GV every year, this is exactly right. Usually the only time it is always needed is the first two weeks of December and slightly less so during the food and wine festival.

 

[Richnj]

Mickeygolf

You are not asking for a lot, you want everyone including the 5 kids to have a great
time.
We stayed at the GV in OKW in November with my in laws the place is beautiful.
enough of room for everyone....

Have fun!

 

[Joe T.]

Last year we called at around the 11 month time and were able to get 2 GVs at OKW for July. It was our first stay in a GV, and the first time we had seen one since our presentation in 1994. It is certainly the best 3-bedroom TS we have seen. A separate bathroom for each bedroom plus a small one for the sofa bed. Prior to moving in we stayed at a Marriott 3-bedroom with a total of two bathrooms and floor space not much bigger than the first floor of the OKW GV.