Considering OKW..or not!?

[beunser]

My wife and I are considering buying in to the DVC. We are considering buying a resale into OKW since I understand the rooms are spacious and maint fees are the least (although OKW may not be our favorite location). We would also (naturally) like to stay in other resort locations. How difficult is is to book in the other resorts with just 7 months time? (BWV, Vero, Beach Villas, etc). We typically vacation in June, July, August as my wife has those months free.

Also, I understand buying a resale is exactly like buying from Disney. You get all the same benefits and features. Is that true?

I would appreciate any experienced opinion. Thanks.

 

[CarolMN]

Obviously, the process for buying a resale is different from that for buying directly from Disney. But as you say, once you are a member, there is absolutely no difference in benefits or rules.

The most oft repeated advice from experienced members is to "buy where you want to stay the most". If you really won't be happy at OKW most of the time, don't buy there. However, if you can't ever plan more than 7 months in advance anyway, and/or can be flexible with your travel dates, and/or really don't care which of the resorts you end up staying at, then it doesn't much matter which resort you choose as your "home".

From what I've gathered, getting the WDW resorts at 7 months isn't hard if you normally travel in the summer months. HHI is very difficult to get in the summer unless you have the 11 month booking advantage. I have no experience with getting VB in the summer at 7 months, but would assume that if you can be flexible with your travel dates, you will be able to reserve there as well.

That said, it can be very difficult at any time of the year to get a standard view at BWV or a Grand Villa/Beach Cottage anywhere. You pretty much need the 11 month window to ensure getting the dates you want for those room types/sizes.

Good luck with your decision. Hope to welcome you home in the near future.

 

[DeeP]

I agree with Carol in that, buy where you want to stay.
I have had a lot of trouble trying to get into BWV or WLV at the 7 mo mark or less in the summer months. There might be a day or two available here and there but not the whole continous stay without changing rooms or resorts. I have also not been very lucky with a wait list at the 7 mo mark.

 

[KLR-wlv]

To add to what has been said...

Unless you'll be wanting to book Grand Villas at OKW, there has always been availablity at OKW when I have called for reservations within 7 months. (they have the most units of any of the other resorts) Everywhere else has been consistently booked. This certainly may not be the case for everyone, but it's been that way for me when trying to book early December, early May and late October at around 6 months.

So what I'm saying is you may want to buy a resale at one of the other resorts you think you may want to go to, and chances are pretty good that when you want to go to OKW, you will have a better chance of that at 7 months than anywhere else. (Not taking the increased dues into account...)

Kristen

 

[Terry S]

I purchased through Disney only because the resort that I wanted as my home resort (Beach Club Villas) was currently being sold through Disney only. I would not be opposed to buying a resale to save money even though it is a bit more hassle if the resort I wanted was avaliable. If you get one thing from this thread it should be "buy where you plan to stay most often". Especially in your case where you know when you will be traveling, you can book at the 11th month window. Good luck with your decision!

 

[KNWVIKING]

If your objective is to stay at BCV,BWV or VWL and save money by buying OKW, then you will be disappointed. Don't let a few more $$$'s now interfer with yor next 40 years of vaation happiness.

 

[Richyams]

Buying where you intend to stay most is the only thing we all agree on.

Besides, OKW units are really too large to get that feeling of family togetherness that is so prevelant at BWV, at BWV its just about impossible to avoid getting closer to your loved ones.

 

[AnnK]

True Rich, but there is plenty of "family" togetherness to be found at OKW, spending all that quality time carting all your luggage and gear to your room,eating in your room because you already ate at the one and only restaurant, and my personal favorite, running together from the pool because you simply cannot stand another chorus of "Marco" "Polo"

 

[Peggy Sue]

I'll chime in and agree with the above posters...you're home resort should be where you will feel the most comfortable.

That said, I'll pass along my personal booking experience this year...

Called MS in February to book a the last week in April. WL, OKW AND BWV were all available. Went with OKW because we were bringing guests. For our tastes, we love OKW when we bring along guests.

Also in February, I booked the second week in December. I had the option of BWV Preferred view, or OKW. Went with OKW because we don't like to part with those extra points, and I always seem to get a pool view instead of a boardwalk view. I went on the waitlist for BWV standard view. Within 2 months, my waitlist at BWV, standard view was granted.

You will see lots of posts of late with folks getting their wait list wishes granted for BWV and VWL...Why? Because folks who had ressies here have switched over to BCV's to give them a try. I'm sure the same thing will happen a few years from now when BCV's are sold out and they announce the openning of the "Villa's at Down Town Disney" (The current Disney Institute building site)

If you like to plan in advance, and the 11 month window is important (which it is VERY important if you like to vacation during peak travel times) then you do really need to consider purchasing where you would like to vacation the most. However, as others have stated before me, if you don't make your plans until the 7 month, or later mark anyway..than it really doesn't matter, as all resorts are up for grabs at that point.

We own at OKW and BWV..we like both resorts, however for US, we get that true vacation feel from OKW. We love the resort, spacious units and the relaxed atmosphere. We do enjoy BWV, can't beat the location, and when checking out the food and wine festival, there's nothing like being able to "walk" back to your room after a few samples!! The beauty of DVC it they've built a variety of resorts to satisify all of our vacation styles...you've just got to make that difficult decision of picking which one will make you and your family the happiest!

Good luck!

 

[mikesmom]

Buy where you want to stay. While we've been very successful at practically last minute stays (within 2 months and last month, the day before) you have to be very flexible and you can't be sure.

For example, this year my family REALLY wanted a couple of days at Vero before we started our week at BWV. They got a taste last summer and loved the place. I started trying to book at 5 months out. I waitlisted us on both 1 bdrm and 2 bdrm. We were never able to get in. (It was pre-Memorial Day week). Luckily we were able to grab a couple of days at OKW so the trip was as long, but we never did get to the beach.

Sooo, buy where you want to stay if you want to be sure.

 

[Cris]

OKW is my home resort, I don't mind the units being to large. Sometimes I get to much family togetherness LOL