Choosing my resort tough this time. Help.UPDATE GOT THE ONE BR AT OKW!!!

[quandrea]

We are booked for a last minute Christmas trip. Originally booked art of Animation cars suite. That hasn't sat well and I've been searching for something else.

I could book a rental at ssr in a two bedroom for $3346. Cancellation insurance would add $400.

Today I booked the last six nights in a two bedroom at okw for $3503. We stay at art of Animation night one for $292.50.

Original booking for seven nights art of Animation $1925. AP rate.

Which one to pick? We like to cook in the villa breakfast and one meal a day. Love the washer. Five of us. Parents and kids, 6, 6, 11.

Sorry to talk money so crassly but wanted to give complete picture.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

So we just did a one night AoA in the Lion King suite then 5 nights at OKW. (We own at SSR.). While we appreciated AoA as an improved hotel experience, it was a hotel to us. When we moved to OKW we were dazzled by the space and so appreciated the "home" environment. I would go with either DVC. Having said that, we like SSR better than OKW because we bought where we like to stay. If you have no home resort preference, I would go with OKW.

 

[quandrea]

So we just did a one night AoA in the Lion King suite then 5 nights at OKW. (We own at SSR.). While we appreciated AoA as an improved hotel experience, it was a hotel to us. When we moved to OKW we were dazzled by the space and so appreciated the "home" environment. I would go with either DVC. Having said that, we like SSR better than OKW because we bought where we like to stay. If you have no home resort preference, I would go with OKW.

Thanks for the reply. Why OKW if you prefer SSR? Because it's with Disney and not a rental?

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

So OKW was huge to us as a resort -- we don't rent a car. And while SSR is also large, we felt the walking paths, amenities and distance(s) made it seem more compact. OKW has lovely theming, the rooms are huge, the great room common area are open and airy, and I loved the full-sized washer/dryer. But SSR is more to our taste.
My recommendation of OKW to you is based on logic and the size of your party, not the emotion of liking one resort, more than another. If you have no preference, OKW gives you more space and flexibility. If you like access to DTD/DS and subtle theming with many pools, walking paths, and both quality quick service and sit down restaurants with slightly smaller accommodations, then SSR is your place.

 

[Turn the Page]

We just got back from a split stay at okw in a studio and a 2 bring at ssr. Okw was alright. It seemed very dated to me and the lack of food options was apparent. We absolutely loved ssr. We booked there originally because it was cheaper than other options and while I didn't expect to dislike it I didn't expect to be wild about it either. I expected to be indifferent but we all loved it. I can't wait to go again.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Why not look at a one bedroom at OKW? Save some money versus a two bedroom but still have kitchen. Put the two six year olds on the sleeper sofa and the 11 yo on the sleeper chair.

 

[bobbiwoz]

For the price difference, I would go with AOA!

No washer, and I have only visited AOA, never stayed there, but have eaten in the food court. With children I would give it a try.

Bobbi

 

[quandrea]

For the price difference, I would go with AOA!

No washer, and I have only visited AOA, never stayed there, but have eaten in the food court. With children I would give it a try.

Bobbi

I think that is what may end up happening. I'm watching availability daily. The okw one bedroom was available this morning but gone by the time I got through with member services. Something keeps me from firming up the rental--paying in advance, dealing with strangers? I don't know. I
Going to keep my art of Animation reservation in tact for now and my six nights at okw. Will firm up at the last minute.

 

[robinb]

We are booked for a last minute Christmas trip. Originally booked art of Animation cars suite. That hasn't sat well and I've been searching for something else.

I could book a rental at ssr in a two bedroom for $3346. Cancellation insurance would add $400.

Today I booked the last six nights in a two bedroom at okw for $3503. We stay at art of Animation night one for $292.50.

Original booking for seven nights art of Animation $1925. AP rate.

Which one to pick? We like to cook in the villa breakfast and one meal a day. Love the washer. Five of us. Parents and kids, 6, 6, 11.

Sorry to talk money so crassly but wanted to give complete picture.

What don't you like about AoA? That's a HUGE increase for a little bit of comfort and a washer/dryer in the room.

 

[quandrea]

What don't you like about AoA? That's a HUGE increase for a little bit of comfort and a washer/dryer in the room.

I'm worried about the noise and chaos at art of animation. Not thrilled about the bed situation. I'll spend the week on that table double bed with my son. Not being able to cook and having to eat out twice daily does not appeal. No washer dryer. No water slide. No community hall. But you may be right.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I'm worried about the noise and chaos at art of animation. Not thrilled about the bed situation. I'll spend the week on that table double bed with my son. Not being able to cook and having to eat out twice daily does not appeal. No washer dryer. No water slide. No community hall. But you may be right.

Why are you stuck on the double with your son? A Cars suite has the queen in the BR, then the double table and the double sleeper. Who's bumping you?

 

[robinb]

I'm worried about the noise and chaos at art of animation. Not thrilled about the bed situation. I'll spend the week on that table double bed with my son. Not being able to cook and having to eat out twice daily does not appeal. No washer dryer. No water slide. No community hall. But you may be right.

Don't the suites have a kitchenette with a microwave and toaster? You could still make breakfast there. Even when we have 1-2 BRs at DVC resorts we rarely eat meals other than breakfast and even then the stove is almost never used. Give me a microwave for oatmeal, a toaster for bagels and english muffins, coffee maker and a fridge for my OJ and cream and I'm a happy camper.

Have you been to WDW over Christmas? Everyplace will be chaotic, but do I understand your concern about the food court. I know that my DD at that age would miss the pool slide, but not the community hall. I have no clue how comfortable the take double bed might be. I'm sure there are reviews here on the DIS. The good news about staying at AoA is that the Value resort buses are usually more numerous than the DVC busses.

So ... if you were to change to a DVC resort I would go with the 2-BR at OKW. It is absolutely ginormous.

 

[quandrea]

Why not look at a one bedroom at OKW? Save some money versus a two bedroom but still have kitchen. Put the two six year olds on the sleeper sofa

Why are you stuck on the double with your son? A Cars suite has the queen in the BR, then the double table and the double sleeper. Who's bumping you?

My husband and I are both well over six feet. We don't do well in a queen bed together. That's why I'd end up with my son. We really are better suited to the king.

Don't the suites have a kitchenette with a microwave and toaster? You could still make breakfast there. Even when we have 1-2 BRs at DVC resorts we rarely eat meals other than breakfast and even then the stove is almost never used. Give me a microwave for oatmeal, a toaster for bagels and english muffins, coffee maker and a fridge for my OJ and cream and I'm a happy camper.

Have you been to WDW over Christmas? Everyplace will be chaotic, but do I understand your concern about the food court. I know that my DD at that age would miss the pool slide, but not the community hall. I have no clue how comfortable the take double bed might be. I'm sure there are reviews here on the DIS. The good news about staying at AoA is that the Value resort buses are usually more numerous than the DVC busses.

So ... if you were to change to a DVC resort I would go with the 2-BR at OKW. It is absolutely ginormous.

We will definitely do breakfast. When we stay in our dvc we cook at least breakfast and one meal every day. I even bake. The kitchen gets heavy use. Community Hall is also used daily.

I think I just have to settle myself. If I can't find a better rate with dvc we will probably end up at art of Animation. This will just be a different sort of trip. Not as homey but good all the same.

 

[quandrea]

Something odd happened above. My replies are also in blue. Thanks everyone.

 

[DenLo]

I would save money and stay AoA. They have great pools for the kids and decent food court. The bus service is great.

And next WDW vacation, consider renting DVC points, it would be less cost than booking direct with Disney. The problem is for a December trip you would need to book early at 11 month out or at a least by 8 months out as it is the most popular month for DVC members to book.

 

[Pirate Granny]

Why is OKW a higher price than SSR? That doesn't make sense, if the same 2 bedroom? It should be lower...that's a lot of additional money for a stove, washer and dryer....I like the one bedroom idea at OKW ...put the kiddies to bed in the living room and hang out in the bedroom....lots of space and cheaper than the two bedroom. Careful not all one bedrooms have a sleeper chair. Time is running out. Snag when you see it, or put in a wait list, but if you are renting points, you probably can't waitlist

 

[quandrea]

Okw is more money because it's direct with Disney--member discounted cash. SSR is a rental option--taking over another member's reservation. This is a last minute trip that's why we aren't using our points--no availability.

I think SSR is off the table. Dh and I just don't feel comfortable renting and prepaying.

I'm checking every day for the okw one bedroom. If I don't get any movement on inventory I think we will end up at art of animation. This is just a little extra trip. Dvc will be there next time. Man I'll miss it though. Shows how much dvc has spoiled us.

 

[quandrea]

Got the one bedroom at OKW. Now I just have to keep checking back for a dvc discount or an AP rate. Very pleased.

 

[robinb]

Awesome! I'm glad it came through for you .

 

[jimmytammy]

Great news! We love the 1 beds at OKW, very roomy