GF, CONT or OKW deal HELP

[stanze5]

Help! I booked our family of five at OKW. I called today and there is a pin under DH name that will give us 30% off Deluxes! After comparing prices it seems for only a couple hundred more we could get into the Contemp or GF-although we would all share a room versus the one bedroom villa at OKW. What do you think? Villa at OKW or move up to Deluxe and squeeze in???

 

[WsPrincess]

We love the ability to walk to MK from CR. We actually are DVC owners at OKW (yet to stay there though) and we are looking forward to the space but giving up how close it is at CR is the hardest thing. We only have a family of 4 though so I think it depends on the ages of the family and if one room will work OK for you.

 

[GPFirefly]

I would not squeeze in to pay more money. Enjoy the larger facilities and the kitchen of the one bedroom.

 

[DISaholic's]

It would depend to me on how old your children are. If they are small and most of your time is spent at the Magic Kingdom, I'd go for the squeeze.

If they are a little older, then I'd stay with OKW. The space helps keep everyone saner on a Disney vacation!

We first squeezed into a POR room when my kids were 2,6 and 8 with no problems at all. Then we squeezed into a BW room when they were 15, 13 and 9 and it was ok. But we loved our OKW Villa when they were just two years older and would keep the extra space/room of OKW everytime now if we could.

 

[StregaNona]

How old are the children? Do you want the proximity to the Magic Kingdom? Or would you prefer more room, full kitchen, laundry, in room jacuzzi, etc. at OKW?

 

[stanze5]

My kids are actually adults...25, 23 and 16 (she will be celebrating her b-day while at Disney!!). So space is a must but they all also like the "Wow!" factor and convenience of food/drinks. It seems GF or COnt win for Wow! and convenience but OKW for space. My other concern is whether OKW feels "Disney" because that is important. We stayed at Hotel Royal Plaza on on a visit years ago and it did not feel Disney.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with the Contemporary because of their walkway to the Magic Kingdom, biggest rooms among the Deluxe Resorts and their rates are the least expensive among the Monorail Resorts.

 

[Greysword]

What do you think? Villa at OKW or move up to Deluxe and squeeze in???

and here I thought the Villas were more prestigious than the deluxe rooms. Silly me

As for moving, is there a reason Bay Lake Tower is out of the question? (1BR villa + the Contemporary Resort = a BLT )

OKW does feel Disney to me, as it has great theming and the same great service. The rooms open to the outside, and you can park in front of the building, which is convenient. The Disney references are muted a bit, but this is true for many resorts. Remember, OKW is the first Disney Vacation Club resort, so it is roomy and has its own WOW factor.

For a trip with 4-5 adults, the very roomy OKW villas are nice, which would beat location.

 

[MinneyME]

I say go with OKW, especially since your kids are older and can manage the bus system by themselves. It is no fun trying to fit the maximum number of people in a room, unless two or three of them are infants!
We've stayed OKW a couple of times and love the relaxed feel of the resort, the boat to DD, and the ability to park next to your room. The OKW rooms are also bigger than most DVC because it was the first DVC.

 

[stanze5]

I have never been to one of the villas so I didn't realize they were so nice. I would love to do Bay Lake at C but I don't believe it falls under my 30% discount. I am probably obsessing too much, but I am having heart surgery on April 10 and planning this trip for all of us is keeping my mind occupied on happier things.

 

[Marthasor]

I have never been to one of the villas so I didn't realize they were so nice. I would love to do Bay Lake at C but I don't believe it falls under my 30% discount. I am probably obsessing too much, but I am having heart surgery on April 10 and planning this trip for all of us is keeping my mind occupied on happier things.

You may want to call back to see if Bay Lake Tower or even a villa at Wilderness Lodge would work with your pin. It's such a tough call. We love the villas for space, but GF and CR are great, too! We are doing both on our next trip - CR for three nights, then switching over to BCV. Best of both worlds!

Good luck with your surgery and have a great time on your trip!

 

[Singinglizzie]

Yes, Disney has a way of helping you keep that happy, busy feeling! The Villas at OKW are very spacious and very comfortable. While it's not over the top Disney - you will feel like you are at Disney and there is the boat to DTD. There are also several quiet pools that (unlike some of the resorts) you can actually swim in. You might also consider a villa at the Boardwalk? That way your adult kids could walk to Epcot and the Boardwalk. I personally would not try to cram into one of the MK resorts unless it was only for a few nights, however - The monorail is certainly a great amenity. You know your gang best and can decide if having more space is going to make a better vacation. BTW, you know you can typically book up to 3 rooms with one of those codes, so you might also consider 2 rooms at one of the mods - that would give you space and POR has recently been refurbished with new queen beds. My idea of a good vacation is that everyone has their own bed, and not a sofa bed! Good luck with your surgery.

 

[kaligal]

I do not consider one room in a hotel to be a move up from a 1-bed at OKW. I consider a move down. There is no way I'd pay extra for that.

 

[Sammie]

Gosh with children that age, I would feel squeezed in the one bedroom due to sleeping arrangements and bathrooms.

I would take two moderates instead. You know if you pick the deluxe one room you will have pay the extra adult charge on two of your children.

As far as comfort the beds at Contemporary or Grand Floridian are going to much more comfortable than the sleeper sofa with two in it. That is really going to be uncomfortable.

Of your choices I would say Contemporary.

 

[disneymomjcs]

I would stick with the OKW although the other two resort choices would be great. Your kids at that age might want more privacy or space over being able to walk to MK. The boats to DTD are great. They can take buses anywhere from the resort.

 

[Wallylicious]

What makes you think OKW is not deluxe accommodation?

 

[treehugnmama]

we love okw and the i bed rooms are like an apartment. you have laundry and a full kitchen. I would never trade a 1 bedroom for smaller accommodations. Also we really enjoy okw. it is such a relaxed resort. we go every year and we have most of our stay at okw but we do a night or two somewhere else (dvc) to try and we have not found another resort we like better than okw.

 

[skifast22]

First off I'll say the CR is my favorite resort. I've visited GF many times but not stayed there, and never been to OKW, but familiar with the layouts based on my DVC books.

The CR and GF do seem they would have more wow factor. As your kids are in their 20's and teens, the CR may be more their style. The rooms are very modern, and have really nice glass computer desks if they wanna go on face book or something. The room has 2 queen beds and a comfy day bed/futon. While there may be enough room for sleeping, there is minimal storage space/drawers. That has been our biggest problem with only 2 of us going. With 5 adults, you will have suit cases ever where.

I enjoy going to the GF for lunch, but I think it feels a little to formal/stuffy for my tastes. The resort is immaculate, i just prefer it in small doses

OKW is going to be by far the biggest room, and should have plenty of storage. When making your choice, I guess consider how much time you will all be in the room at the same time. The extra space may be the big factor for your family.

 

[dclfun]

I would choose OKW hands down, and I would check to see if your PIN covers this resort as it often does. Your kids will love the space. The only drawback is that they'll be sleeping on a pullout sofa and chair and they'll be sleeping in the living/ kitchen area. There will also likely be fights over who gets the jacuzzi first,lol.