CSR or OKW, for the same price?

[colleen costello]

OKW is very quiet and peaceful. The grounds are beautiful and the whole resort is green and lush. What I like most is that it never feels crowded. We feel that is a PLUS when we are in the World!

OKW studios are much bigger in square footage than the Moderates, I believe. There are two queen beds and a lovely, LARGE bathroom. The kitchenettes have a microwave, toaster, coffee maker, sink and supplies -- wonderful. I enjoy the Mods and we stay there often but the teeny weeny bathrooms are bad! OKW studios have a large closet and the beds are high up enough that you can easily fit suitcases under them. For a family of 4 the roominess of the studios is a real plus.

I think Coronado Springs is a lovely property but OKW rooms are much bigger and nicer than any Moderate. There are two snack bars plus a sit-down restaurant and a great gift and supply shop. There are four beautiful pools, and the main pool now has a very nifty slide! The bus service is great and I have never had to stand on a bus.. or wait longer than 10 minutes for a bus! We love OKW!

 

[Gymbomom]

My daughter (8 yr old) has stayed everywhere on Disney property. She LOVES okw. If we ever made a trip and didn't stay there at least a night she would be heartbroken.

 

[Keith]

How did you get OKW for such a good price????

I don't know for sure if I can get that rate, but when I spoke to my friend (who happens to be a TA and a DVC owner) she said she should be able to get me a lower rate than the $107.00. I'm thinking maybe for the weekdays, but not sure about Fri. & Sat. nights. I'm just waiting to hear back from her on the total price for sure.

I'll keep checking back here for any more info. you guys have for me. We're still kind of torn. I told my wife that if we could get that rate at any of the deluxe resorts, we'd jump on it. But for some reason there seems to be some indecision here. Maybe we're just crazy I think I'm leaning toward OKW. I'm just not sure how much the kids will like the pool area. We probably picked CSR over POR/POFQ for that reason. Are the Mercury Mice for on the river, or is there a lake on the property?

I also kept hearing how big and spread out CSR was, but is OKW worse (maybe without the shuttles like at CSR)? I keep thinking the boat to DTD would be nice. Also, will we miss the food court that much? We have 4 day hoppers, but will be there for 7 nights so we'll be spending 3 full days lounging at resort and going to DTD, boardwalk, etc..

What's the big diffence in rack rate ($254.00 OKW studio vs. $134.00 CSR standard)? Is it the kitchenette? We really don't need the kitchenette, but the extra space and 2 Queen beds would be great. I just think for the same price we'd be crazy not to go for it.

I went to a vacation ownership property (not DVC) in Las Vegas and the rooms seemed pretty nice, but it just seemed boring there. I know it's not a fair comparison, though. I just keep picturing a OKW as being kind of boring and not fun enough.

 

[susy]

NO housekeeping? I would not even consider it. A kitchnette where I would have to make toast or something? Nope. You all know I refuse to even wash one galss while on vacation. Picking up dirty towels is out of the question.

I know this sounds liek sarcasm. It's not. I am dead serious.

CSR is a deluxe without queen beds and balconies.

 

[DVC-Don]

We've stayed in Deluxe, Moderate, Value and DVC at WDW and recommend you stay at OKW, especially at the price you have.

 

[MELSMICE]

NO housekeeping? I would not even consider it. A kitchnette where I would have to make toast or something? Nope. You all know I refuse to even wash one galss while on vacation. Picking up dirty towels is out of the question.

I know this sounds liek sarcasm. It's not. I am dead serious.

CSR is a deluxe without queen beds and balconies.

If you are staying with a cash ressie you DO get housekeeping. If you are staying on points you don't get daily housekeeping. I thought I'd miss it, but honestly, I like the idea of someone NOT coming in my room every day while I'm not there. JMO!

 

[Gymbomom]

If you are staying with a cash ressie you DO get housekeeping. If you are staying on points you don't get daily housekeeping. I thought I'd miss it, but honestly, I like the idea of someone NOT coming in my room every day while I'm not there. JMO!

Me too!!!!!!
I always forget and when we stay in a "regular" room, I always think about the hassle of, have they cleaned my room yet....why haven't they done our room yet......nevermind forget our room today my 2 yr old needs to nap.

 

[Lilolvr]

CSR. It is our favorite moderate resort!

 

[Scoootch]

What's the big diffence in rack rate ($254.00 OKW studio vs. $134.00 CSR standard)? Is it the kitchenette? We really don't need the kitchenette, but the extra space and 2 Queen beds would be great. I just think for the same price we'd be crazy not to go for it.

It's the kitchenette and the fact that you are bumping up a catagory or 2. You're going from a moderate to a "home-away-from-home" and as such Disney is of course charging extra for it. You're not just paying extra for the kitchenette though, you're also paying for larger beds,more sq.footage, and a balcony. There are of course pros and cons to each resort though and only you can decide which way to lean. I'm a little confused after reading more of the posts though Is the OKW stay based on renting pts ? or a cash stay through CRO? I assumed when you spoke of lack of housekeeping it was based on renting pts from a member -- especially because I've never heard of getting OKW for $107.00 but then you're also mentioning $254 per night for a studio via CRO which sounds much more like it. If you're talking about cash through CRO for $107 it's definetly a no brainer as you could get that free dinning. Somehow I think you still must have been speaking of renting pts though no?? I guess the confusion comes in where you're speaking of a TA ?!
As to these questions ....

I think I'm leaning toward OKW. I'm just not sure how much the kids will like the pool area. We probably picked CSR over POR/POFQ for that reason. Are the Mercury Mice for on the river, or is there a lake on the property?

OKW is on a canal that leads over to DTD (hence being able to take the boat to DTD ) you can rent water mice,canopy boats, etc. and drive through the canals and into the lake. As for the pools...if you are indeed renting pts from a member your room card will say "DVC member" on it and you'll be able to pool hop if you wish (to any WDW resort pool with the exception of SAB at Y&B club or Uzima pool at AKL) . So you could always hop over to CSR for an afternoon and use the pool if you wanted to. Just a thought

Also, will we miss the food court that much?

Honestly, you may. If you'll have a car though, you can always just pop in over at POR or FQ since it's right next door. If you eat in the parks alot though, you may not miss it. Again though, if you'll have a car it's not that big a deal though.

 

[Keith]

I'm a little confused after reading more of the posts though Is the OKW stay based on renting pts ? or a cash stay through CRO? I assumed when you spoke of lack of housekeeping it was based on renting pts from a member -- especially because I've never heard of getting OKW for $107.00 but then you're also mentioning $254 per night for a studio via CRO which sounds much more like it. If you're talking about cash through CRO for $107 it's definetly a no brainer as you could get that free dinning. Somehow I think you still must have been speaking of renting pts though no?? I guess the confusion comes in where you're speaking of a TA ?!

My friend is a TA, but she's also a DVC member. We'd be renting points from from her. I mentioned the $254 vs $134 just to compare the rack rates.

 

[Keith]

As for the pools...if you are indeed renting pts from a member your room card will say "DVC member" on it and you'll be able to pool hop if you wish (to any WDW resort pool with the exception of SAB at Y&B club or Uzima pool at AKL) . So you could always hop over to CSR for an afternoon and use the pool if you wanted to. Just a thought Honestly, you may. If you'll have a car though, you can always just pop in over at POR or FQ since it's right next door. If you eat in the parks alot though, you may not miss it. Again though, if you'll have a car it's not that big a deal though.

If DVC members can pool hop, where would we change out of our bathing suits?

We won't have a car. We're using Magical Express service. I guess we could take boat to POFQ's food court?

 

[colleen costello]

we were at OKW last year and wanted to check out Coronado, the one Mod my parents hadn't seen. We wore our suits adn drove over and changed afterward in the bathrooms that are right there near the main pool. We had a good time. It was not crowded and we had fluffy drinks from the bar. I met a nice Mom to chat with in the giant hot tub. Just about every WDW pool has a clean bathroom adjacent where it is possible to change. We don't pool hop much, but when we do it is always fun!

 

[Keith]

we were at OKW last year and wanted to check out Coronado, the one Mod my parents hadn't seen.

Which resort did you prefer, CSR or OKW? When you were at CRS checking it out, did you find yourself thinking I'd really like staying here instead, or were you happy to getting back to OKW and enjoy OKW more?

 

[Scoootch]

If DVC members can pool hop, where would we change out of our bathing suits?

We won't have a car. We're using Magical Express service. I guess we could take boat to POFQ's food court?

As Colleen Costello mentioned, you can wear your suits over and change in the bathrooms there ...or if you'll be going back to OKW right afterward again, just go back to your room at OKW like you were going back and forth from the pools there I've not been to the pool over at CSR but I do know some of the main pools at the resorts do indeed have showers and changing facilities. OKW does. Maybe CSR does too?

You could indeed take the boat over to FQ to go to the foodcourt but you'd need to first go to DTD and then transfer to a boat from there that goes from DTD to POR and FQ so not so sure how time consuming it may or may not be. You could also take a bus to DTD and then transfer to a bus to POR/FQ or hop the boat. OR if you end up near bldng.55 (I think it is ) there is a walking path to DTD and you could walk over and hop the boat or bus over to FQ Either way, you'd need to transfer so it would take a little time without a car. Not sure how much it would be worth the trouble. May be less of a hassle just to go to a resturant at DTD or of course choose to just stay at CSR if having the foodcourt is a priority

 

[colleen costello]

Keith, I will admit my bias -- OKW is my FAVORITE resort of all. I just love it there! When I am at WDW and things are so busy and bustling, OKW truly is like "coming home." To me it looks like a wonderful little town, and I wish I could live there all the time (See the tag the Tag fairy gave me?) Even though we have stayed at lots of wonderful Disney resorts, and even though my DVC ownership is at Beach Club, OKW is my alltime fave!

The only reason I hesitate on BEGGING you to go to OKW is that for some folks it is "dull." DVC friends of mine call it "The Retirement Home." What I see as peaceful, some see as boring. I love that you can park right out front; some people miss going in through a lobby. I love the palm trees and flowers and ducks and bunnies. To me OKW is very "FLORIDA" and as we often travel there when it is still winter back home, I LOVE that! It never seems crowded there, even when the resort is at capacity. The rooms are spacious and done in sherbet pastels, with prints of beaches and shells. The staff is wonderful, and many have worked there forever and are recognizable on return trips. I enjoy all this. I always chat with the same ladies at the store and at Olivia's.

For what it is worth, I believe that you will enjoy either of these properties. But remember that with Disney, amenities are connected to price, and OKW goes for over $100 per night more than Coronado. Not everyone loves OKW but there is no denying that it is a deluxe-level property. Look at pics online and just decide which resort looks more appealing to you. Both are good choices!

 

[KevinFSU]

I would do OKW, but just because I've never stayed there before.

 

[klinlin]

We stayed there for our honeymoon, and we loved it! I did not find it too spread out at all. We enjoyed walking around the lake, and the resort was clean and beautiful, especially at night. The buses and pool were never crowded due to the convention folks, and the dig site was awesome. There were plenty of activites for kids, but the quiet pools were empty. We had no problems with the buses.

This would have been my first choice with the kids this November, but it was sold out! (staying at WL instead!) I have to agree with the previous poster. The kitchen holds no alore for me! I do enough cooking and cleaning at home. I enjoy having somebody else do it for me when I'm on vacation.

 

[mickeychick]

I did a split stay a few months ago, where we at CSR first and then transferred to OKW for the rest of the vacation. They have similar amenities, but are very different resorts. The main pool at CSR has more 'theming' and a larger bar area I think, but both have hot tubs, snack counter, sandy/volleyball area, bike rentals, boat rentals. OKW definitely has bigger rooms - queens beds, instead of doubles, a kitchenette, and a 'regular' sized bathroom rather than a small hotel-sized bathroom. But CSR rooms now have fridges in addition to coffee makers, so the kitchenette at OKW is really only important if you think you'll use the toaster and microwave a lot.

One of the biggest differences has to do with the food choices. OKW has a sit down restaurant (good food, great service) and the snack counter at the pool, but doesn't have any kind of food court. CSR has a sit down restaurant, snack counter at the pool, and also a large food court area - Pepper Market - which was fantastic (in my opinion!). We really missed the food options available at OKW (not big on cooking in the room!). Also, CSR had some limited room service available and we missed this option at OKW...room service is pricey, mind you, but it's a nice convenience, especially in the morning. Both OKW and CSR have shopping/souvenir areas, but CSR's is much larger. CSR has a larger indoor lounge area as well.

They're both beatiful resorts, but are laid out differently. OKW feels much more like you're staying in a condo area - which makes sense, since it's a "home away from home" resort. Cars are parked in front of all the doors (very convenient if you have a car), and you may cross busy streets while walking from the pool or Olivia's back to your room. CSR has parking lots around the 'outside perimeter' of the resort, but you can walk from the pool or Pepper Market back to your room on the 'internal' pathways that weave around the lake.

I found OKW more spread out than CSR. We didn't have a car, and while at CSR we could walk around the whole resort without too much effort, we didn't attempt that at OKW. Bus service was pretty good at OKW, but I think it would be a more enjoyable resort with a car. We just don't like the hassle of driving, navigating traffic, parking, etc. while on vacation. The bus service at CSR was fantastic. Since a portion of the resort is booked with conference attendees, the buses were always half empty mid-day. And we rarely had to wait more than 10 minutes or so.

Sorry this is so long...I like to ramble!

 

[Tinkmom]

OKW is very quiet and peaceful. The grounds are beautiful and the whole resort is green and lush. What I like most is that it never feels crowded. We feel that is a PLUS when we are in the World!

OKW studios are much bigger in square footage than the Moderates, I believe. There are two queen beds and a lovely, LARGE bathroom. The kitchenettes have a microwave, toaster, coffee maker, sink and supplies -- wonderful. I enjoy the Mods and we stay there often but the teeny weeny bathrooms are bad! OKW studios have a large closet and the beds are high up enough that you can easily fit suitcases under them. For a family of 4 the roominess of the studios is a real plus.

I think Coronado Springs is a lovely property but OKW rooms are much bigger and nicer than any Moderate. There are two snack bars plus a sit-down restaurant and a great gift and supply shop. There are four beautiful pools, and the main pool now has a very nifty slide! The bus service is great and I have never had to stand on a bus.. or wait longer than 10 minutes for a bus! We love OKW!

I am quoting a previous poster because it saves me typing the same thing! OKW is a fantastic resort, which our entire family loves. CSR has that "convention" hotel feel, and a food court is just not a big selling point to me. It sounds like some of the voters for CSR either have never stayed at OKWY, or not recently, or else did not understand what was available there (besides what others have mentioned at OKW there are boat rentals, simple and frequent internal buses if you don't want to walk, a community center with kids activities and videos available for borrowing, neat, very "themed" main pool, lots of bunnies and other wildlife, cool boats to downtown Disney.....) An OKW studio must be twice the size of a room at CSR. And a toaster and microwave are very handy if you do want to fix a quick breakfast or do as we often do and order pizza to warm up the next day. Not slamming CSR at all, but I would choose OKW in a heartbeat!!!!

 

[Keith]

I have just a few more questions if anyone cares to respond.

1) What about Christmas decorations? Which resort looks nicer at Christmas?

2) Lack of housekeeping (we're renting points). Do we still get Mickey soaps, shampoos, lotions, etc.? If so, how often?

3) Towels. How do we get clean towels each day?

4) Pool hours, Dec. 10-17.

5) Pool water temp.?

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your help.