Buy OKW for the GV Window!

[tvwalsh]

My advice to all would be to buy your points at OKW!

Why? Because the Grand Villa at OKW is about half the points of those at the other DVC resorts (as low as 36 points per night); is bigger than any other Grand Villas; and is totally unable to be rented for points without the 11 month window.

Feel free to comment!

 

[yyzgurl]

I've booked a GV for two vacations this year. One for July and one for September. Had no problems booking them within 7 month window for Sun-Fri stays.

I'm sure they are impossible to get during peak times but I've had good luck up to this point.

 

[Daitcher]

My advice to all would be to buy your points at OKW!

Why? Because the Grand Villa at OKW is about half the points of those at the other DVC resorts (as low as 36 points per night); is bigger than any other Grand Villas; and is totally unable to be rented for points without the 11 month window.

Feel free to comment!

I don't agree with your point about only being able to book GV at 11 months. That may be true during peak times but certainly not during many other times of the year. People told me I'd never get a BC at Vero at 7 months either. Guess what I just did for the 1st week (7 nights) of October. OKW has the lowest points and the lowest ocupancy rates of any DVC Resort. I know the peole who love it are fanatical but believe me this resort is not for everyone. Gorgeous GV or not it isn't for our family.

DAVE

 

[gopherit]

I've booked a GV for two vacations this year. One for July and one for September. Had no problems booking them within 7 month window for Sun-Fri stays.

I'm sure they are impossible to get during peak times but I've had good luck up to this point.

My sister owns at OKW and has twice tried to get a GV for Peak" times (once at xmas, another time at T-giving). No dice, either time.

On the other hand, yyzgurl reports being able to secure one for a 5 nt stay in July and Sept.

Our pts are at BWV, and I admit it -- I have never even TRIED to get the OKW GV using my BWV pts. (and I am wondering now -- why not? We had a 2 br last time and my sister got a 1 br -- between us, a OKW GV would have been great! I ahve also read of folks being able to get the GV on cash, too -- so I can't really say it's a hard and fast rule that GVs are impossible to get -- except at certain "popular" times of the year (holidays and January), at which times, even being an OKW member doesn't guarantee anything, based on my sister's results!!

I would be curious to see a poll of DVCers to find out which is more prevalent -- folks who wanted a cheap pts stay and were looking for a studio but they were all booked out versus folks who wanted the GV and it was booked out. Granted -- there's a LOT fewer GVs to be had, but I also think the clientele that can (a) use the size of a GV and (b) afford the pts of a GV -- even by OKW low pts scale -- are also far fewer in number.

 

[dianeschlicht]

See if you can think of a way to word that poll. It does sound like an interesting idea!

 

[Cyndy]

We've tried a few times to get the GV and this is exactly my "logic" in selling the purchase of a 100- 150 pt contract to DH. He is very frustrated with the 7 month window not working for us and it would make a great compliment to our BWV and BCV contracts....one can never have 2 many points

 

[Cruelladeville]

I have tried for four years to get a grand villa in July at the 7 month window, and I have never been successful!! DH said that we didn't need points at OKW, we had enough at BWV and could use those. After 4 years of trying, we finally gave up and bought OKW, so now we will be staying in a grand villa for 6 nights this summer. We are so excited!

 

[Cyndy]

I'm using your post to give DH that little nudge he needs! lol

 

[dallastxcpa]

Yes, but I believe that OKW does not have surround sound like the SSR GV. Think of the Super Bowl party you could have........

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Or you could find a friend, who owns at OKW, and have her reserve a GV for you, then transfer your points to her!

 

[rsschneck]

We purchased at OKW for the 11 month window and low points. We are very happy with OKW. We have our first GV stay in about 6 weeks! We own at SSR as well and did tour the GV there in December. I will be interested to see the difference. We don't have a need for a GV every stay but it is nice to be able to book one when you want!

We will also be staying @ BWV and BCV in studios. Another first for us! We will see how we like the locations and how we like the studios.

So, far we have been 1 and 2 bedroom users @ HHI, OKW and SSR. We like them all!

 

[married@wdw]

Our only other choice when we bought was BWV (wanted on WDW property), but we bought at OKW for the GV and 11-month window as well. We love it there and still think it's the best choice, especially when coming down with the whole family.

That said, I'd love a small add-on at BWV or BCV to be close to International Gateway for Food & Wine Fest!

 

[ArRzrbk]

I was able to book a GV at OKW within the seven month window - well within actually. I had it for next week - was hoping a lot of family would be able to go with us to celebrate DS's 3rd birthday. Ended up letting it go and got dedicated 2 bedroom at the BCV, again, well within the seven month window.

I do know the eleven month booking advantage can be important at certain times of the year, but I think it has taken on a life of it's own on these boards. People chant that mantra, but I hear about and have experienced for myself that it is possible to get those "special" rooms (i.e. BCVs, GVs, Standard Views) without the advantage. And waitlists do work.

Just my two cents. And might I add, I do think those GV at OKW are marvelous, and if I had lots of money, I'd own at all the resorts - just to be safe.

 

[robinb]

Or you could find a friend, who owns at OKW, and have her reserve a GV for you, then transfer your points to her!

That's what we do. We go to WDW with DVC friends for NYE every year. Two years ago we stayed in a GV at OKW. Each couple got their own bedroom and the 3 girls shared a bedroom. Last year we were feeling cheap and stayed in Studios. This year we're back to the GV. It takes fewer points than two Premium View 1 BRs over at BWV (356 points v/s 400) for a week. I did book it day-by-day at the 11 month window since it's for a busy time. After my friends get their 2006 allotment of points, they will transfer half the "cost" into my BWV account.

If you get a resale just for OKW, make sure you have enough points to bank/borrow for the Grand Villa. Adventure season is 356 points per week, Choice 372, Dream 439, Magic 501, and Premier 654.

 

[Tramp68]

When you transfer points, whose home resort are the points going to be?

 

[tedhowe]

I was able to book a GV at OKW within the seven month window - well within actually. I had it for next week - was hoping a lot of family would be able to go with us to celebrate DS's 3rd birthday. Ended up letting it go and got dedicated 2 bedroom at the BCV, again, well within the seven month window.

When was the reservation for and when did you cancel it?

We own as HH, and planned a trip to OKW relatively late in the game - we made an initial reservation for our 2BR unit in January.

On a whim, in the first week in february, I called member services and asked if there were any GVs available for our dates (Saturday to Saturday 4/9 to 4/15).

There was one available! I immediately grabbed it - an OKW GV only about 65 days out. I figured that someone must have just canceled it.

 

[robinb]

When you transfer points, whose home resort are the points going to be?

Is this question for me? The transferred points retain the home resort from which they were transferred. In my case, my friends own at BWV and I have them transferred into my BWV account.

 

[ArRzrbk]

Ted, I can't remember exactly when I let our GV go, but it was for that week. Regardless, I think we've both proven the point that it is not impossible to get GVs, and it is certainly possible if you can be flexible with your travel dates

Anyway, glad your GV worked out for you. Let me know how you like it. I'm glad we ended up at the BCV for our first trip home, but I know the family is gona get on board with this DVC thing soon, and we'll be reserving GVs left and right! We may have to beat them off with a stick! Careful what you wish for

 

[MiaSRN62]

OKW has the lowest points and the lowest ocupancy rates of any DVC Resort. I know the peole who love it are fanatical but believe me this resort is not for everyone. Gorgeous GV or not it isn't for our family.

Fanatical ? Not for everyone ? I think you can say each DVC home resort has their passionate fans. as well as people who feel different resorts aren't for them. You say OKW is not for everyone---well I feel that can be said about each of the DVC resorts as well.
When I mention how much we love it there, I don't consider myself "fanatical" though . That word means "filled with mistaken enthusiasm" in the Webster's dictionary.

As for the lowest occupancy---I think a good portion of that is attributable to the size of OKW vs the other resorts (SSR is not complete yet). OKW has alot more rooms available to fill. And even the smaller resorts of BWV and BCV I've been able to book in under the 7 month window (and under the 90 and 60 day window as well) during the summer season. I can say from experience, that all DVC resorts were booked to capacity this past early November. I think there are certain times during the year when certain resorts/villa sizes are very difficult to book.
Just had to post for all the OKW fanatics out there