Booking OKW in early December at 7 months

[DVCProPlan]

We are new to DVC and bought at BLT. We have been going to Disney World at least once every year since 2001, and finally bought into the DVC. I know what took so long. We love OKW for its laid back feeling, and the Gurgling Suitcase is one of my favorite watering holes. We would have preferred to have OKW as our home resort but it was not available when we bought in.

Now the problem. Our favorite time of year is the first week in December because it is slower and is decorated for Christmas. We are currently booked for BLT for the week in a 1 bedroom, but would really prefer a 2 bedroom in OKW.

And the question. We have been told by Member Services it should be no problem to change at the 7 month window because OKW is usually available because of its size. But is this true?

--Scott

 

[bakenatj]

You might get it, you might not. You just have to try. Call right away in the morning at 7 months and your chances will be better. OKW isn't to hard to get into so you might be alright.

I just booked from 11/12 - 11/19 and got near the HH.

If you wanted OKW why didn't you buy it on the resale market? You could have saved a lot of money.

 

[DVCProPlan]

You might get it, you might not. You just have to try. Call right away in the morning at 7 months and your chances will be better. OKW isn't to hard to get into so you might be alright.

I just booked from 11/12 - 11/19 and got near the HH.

If you wanted OKW why didn't you buy it on the resale market? You could have saved a lot of money.

There seemed to be some downsides to the resale market, and we wanted to tread carefully. And we are saving money. We have been cash customers at least once a year since 2001, so we will be saving close to $3000 per year with the DVC. We have already lost close to $30,000 by my thinking. Besides, although we prefer OKW, perhaps we will find BLT better as the kids quit tagging along and it is just me and the wife.

I was told OKW was the "last resort" people booked because of its age, so we would have no problems. Just wanted some different perspectives.

--Scott

 

[5forDiz]

There seemed to be some downsides to the resale market, and we wanted to tread carefully. And we are saving money. We have been cash customers at least once a year since 2001, so we will be saving close to $3000 per year with the DVC. We have already lost close to $30,000 by my thinking. Besides, although we prefer OKW, perhaps we will find BLT better as the kids quit tagging along and it is just me and the wife.

I was told OKW was the "last resort" people booked because of its age, so we would have no problems. Just wanted some different perspectives.

--Scott

Well us OKW owners like to think of 'last resort, aged OKW' as one of DVC's best kept secrets but don't believe what you've been told because it has become harder to book into OKW as time has gone on and the secret really isn't much of a secret anymore because once you stay you understand why it's very desirable ( overall atmosphere, villa size, balcony size, lower points AND villa remodel is nearly complete etc ) We couldn't book consecutive nights in 2bedroom during 3rd week of August last year calling at just under 7 months so do call MS opening time on day your 7 month booking window opens !

Good luck, hope it all works out

 

[bakenatj]

I would think more than likely you will be fine, so don't get to worried. You just might not be near the HH. OKW is done with their refurbishment so rooms should look new!

You will enjoy BLT, very nice resort. We stayed there last October and liked it very much. Watching the fireworks from our balcony was cool, unless you are trying to sleep, then not so cool.

 

[utahkennedys]

Just as a note for others, you CAN buy OKW directly through Disney...they just would rather you don't because they push the new resorts. However, buying resale especially now would save a fortune over DVC's price on the existing resorts.

 

[BLTLDZ]

Pardon my ignorance, but what does HH stand for ? (Hospitality house)?
And also, is OKW walking distance to DTD?
I don't believe it is, but just checking!

 

[DVCProPlan]

I would think more than likely you will be fine, so don't get to worried. You just might not be near the HH. OKW is done with their refurbishment so rooms should look new!

You will enjoy BLT, very nice resort. We stayed there last October and liked it very much. Watching the fireworks from our balcony was cool, unless you are trying to sleep, then not so cool.

Not to concerned about being close to the HH. Last time we stayed, December 9-15 2010, we were in a 2nd floor 2 bedroom on the corner of the "canal" where the boats turn to go to DTD. It must have been one of the remodeled rooms with the lament floors in the living room. Not sure of the room number off hand, but this was by far the best place we have stayed. Quite, and the view was awesome.

We have been on the golf course and they use a grass direr or something that disturbs my much need beauty sleep, or the sleep I need after an all day marathon in EPCOT.

--Scott

 

[Plutofan]

I would think you would not have a problem unless you request the Hospitality section.

 

[bakenatj]

Pardon my ignorance, but what does HH stand for ? (Hospitality house)?
And also, is OKW walking distance to DTD?
I don't believe it is, but just checking!

Correct, HH is Hospitality House. I guess it is within walking distance. Deb said it's just under a mile walk. Not bad at all.

 

[DVCProPlan]

I would think you would not have a problem unless you request the Hospitality section.

December is still a long way off, but I am getting excited just to use my points. Just to be sure, we are now also book in BLT in February 2012!

Now the cool part, IMHO. We are saving money by buying an annual pass since both trips are so close! First time for an AP, and I really feel part of the Magic. We have not used any points yet but the DVC is the best thing we have done since going to Disney. WOOT!

--Scott

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are one of the people who say OKW is just too big and you have to have a car to stay there, you won't be able to walk to DTD.

But if you are like most of us owners at OKW, you'll find it's a nice little stroll over there on the path that starts over by the South Point pool. It's a little under a mile. About the distance from the elevator at BWV to the last room over the Dance Club.

The path isn't lit at night.

 

[DVCProPlan]

If you are one of the people who say OKW is just too big and you have to have a car to stay there, you won't be able to walk to DTD.

But if you are like most of us owners at OKW, you'll find it's a nice little stroll over there on the path that starts over by the South Point pool. It's a little under a mile. About the distance from the elevator at BWV to the last room over the Dance Club.

The path isn't lit at night.

We always rent a car at the airport and stop by the grocery store before getting to the resort to stock up on snacks and breakfast foods. Oh and Diet Mountain Dew. When is Pepsi going to buy out that contract?

As a funny side note, we always get people asking where to buy Mountain Dew, or where we bought it. I carry it at my waist in my Mickey bottle clip so it is always visible to people without. We have even had people offer to buy our stock for $5 a bottle.

I wonder what Disney would think about me bringing in a wagon full of Mountain Dew and subsidizing my trip.

--Scott

 

[bumbershoot]

We got exactly what we wanted for early December last year, booking OKW at 7 months.

It's a little under a mile. About the distance from the elevator at BWV to the last room over the Dance Club.

Good one. (and for the DLR people out there, it's about the same distance from the hotel room we got at the Grand Californian to the lobby!)

 

[DVCProPlan]

We got exactly what we wanted for early December last year, booking OKW at 7 months.

So was that you at the Gurgling Suitcase? We were at the same time.

--Scott

 

[bakenatj]

If you are one of the people who say OKW is just too big and you have to have a car to stay there, you won't be able to walk to DTD.

But if you are like most of us owners at OKW, you'll find it's a nice little stroll over there on the path that starts over by the South Point pool. It's a little under a mile. About the distance from the elevator at BWV to the last room over the Dance Club.

The path isn't lit at night.

Is that all it is? That is nothing, a warm up. Good to know Deb/Bill. It would be interesting to put a poll up to see what people consider a LONG walk is. I guess when you run 20+ miles a week, just under a mile is nothing.

 

[spiceycat]

If you are one of the people who say OKW is just too big and you have to have a car to stay there, you won't be able to walk to DTD.

But if you are like most of us owners at OKW, you'll find it's a nice little stroll over there on the path that starts over by the South Point pool. It's a little under a mile. About the distance from the elevator at BWV to the last room over the Dance Club.

The path isn't lit at night.

so you can walk to DD from OKW - you end up on the West side of DD - not the marketplace. You can get to the marketplace but it takes alot longer.

 

[wildernessDad]

OKW is a nice resort with spacious accommodations. It's a winner. If you wanted to stay at OKW, my advice is to buy at OKW. But it's too late for that now. You could have bought OKW through Disney if you were worried about the benefits being different for resale purchase. You'd have paid more, but would have those benefits if you thought they were important.

 

[DVCProPlan]

OKW is a nice resort with spacious accommodations. It's a winner. If you wanted to stay at OKW, my advice is to buy at OKW. But it's too late for that now. You could have bought OKW through Disney if you were worried about the benefits being different for resale purchase. You'd have paid more, but would have those benefits if you thought they were important.

I know I know. But after bugging my wife for a couple of years she finally relented and I just wanted to get in. Our guide said there were no points available through Disney at that time.

We will just have to add OKW points to our membership!

--Scott

 

[spiceycat]

I know I know. But after bugging my wife for a couple of years she finally relented and I just wanted to get in. Our guide said there were no points available through Disney at that time.

We will just have to add OKW points to our membership!

--Scott

I had OKW points and sold them for BLT - since my DB's family actually prefer OKW to any of the other DVC resorts. might be looking at resale myself in a few years.