Grand Villas at OKW

[Marshay]

Why are the GV at OKW so much cheaper than SSR/BW or AKV? I've never stayed at OKW so I'm unfamiliar with the property.

Also, are these nearly impossible to get at 7 months out in mid-June or July (non-holiday)?

We have 3 families going next year (2 are DVC owners) and trying to decide how to best use our points. We don't have enough points for a GV at the other resorts but could afford OKW ... or we can just do a couple of rooms.

Thanks!

 

[dcamdad]

OKW was the original "Disney Vacation Club" and it being a new venture for Disney and the uncertainty of how it would be accepted and sold, point stays were made very economical for the "average" buyer. As popularity grew and other resorts added the points to stay increased once Disney realized they had a product in demand.

 

[Mickeygolf]

Never say never, but it's difficult to get GV's at OKW 7 months out. I'd call day by day for your best shot. By the way, the GV's at OKW are awesome!!!

 

[Marshay]

OKW was the original "Disney Vacation Club" and it being a new venture for Disney and the uncertainty of how it would be accepted and sold, point stays were made very economical for the "average" buyer. As popularity grew and other resorts added the points to stay increased once Disney realized they had a product in demand.

Thanks! So there's nothing "wrong" with the rooms -- they are just lower points.

Do you know anything about availability? Are these highly sought-after Villas within the DVC Community or do most owners go for the "newer" ones?

Thanks again!

 

[Marshay]

Never say never, but it's difficult to get GV's at OKW 7 months out. I'd call day by day for your best shot. By the way, the GV's at OKW are awesome!!!

Got it!

So we will plan on doing a few rooms and then at 7 months see what's available but won't expect to get OKW GV.

Thanks!

 

[Mickeygolf]

Very highly sought after due to size to point value. Good Luck!!!

 

[Marshay]

Very highly sought after due to size to point value. Good Luck!!!

Thank you!! So my chances of getting this are the same as for Cinderella castle stay!! "a dream and a prayer!"

 

[castleri]

Thank you!! So my chances of getting this are the same as for Cinderella castle stay!! "a dream and a prayer!"

I have a friend who got one at 6 months out for a Spring Break week - so never say never - Just be certain that you are clear on who will be getting which rooms so there are no hard feelings among the group. You don't say how many people total so it is hard to say if you might be better with several rooms or the GV. We have done the GV twice and they are definitely worth the points but the most we have had in one was 8.

 

[Marshay]

I have a friend who got one at 6 months out for a Spring Break week - so never say never - Just be certain that you are clear on who will be getting which rooms so there are no hard feelings among the group. You don't say how many people total so it is hard to say if you might be better with several rooms or the GV. We have done the GV twice and they are definitely worth the points but the most we have had in one was 8.

Well that a good question. I actually forget how many people you can get in a GV. Please enlighten me:

We will have:

- my parents (2). They never want to spend extra points so only get a studio and usually only Sunday to Friday morning. Then they go off-site for 2 days and then back to DVC for Sunday to Friday morning. (Personally drives me nuts but it's their choice.)

- my sister, BIL and kids (4 total) -- they will take whatever we give them!

- my family (2 adults, 1 child, and hopefully (!) 1 infant). We always get a 1BR and stay through on the weekend. If we'd do a GV, we would not stay the weekend since my parents won't contribute points for a weekend and we'd have to foot the bill entirely ourselves.

 

[RobDoc]

Well that a good question. I actually forget how many people you can get in a GV. Please enlighten me:

We will have:

- my parents (2). They never want to spend extra points so only get a studio and usually only Sunday to Friday morning. Then they go off-site for 2 days and then back to DVC for Sunday to Friday morning. (Personally drives me nuts but it's their choice.)

- my sister, BIL and kids (4 total) -- they will take whatever we give them!

- my family (2 adults, 1 child, and hopefully (!) 1 infant). We always get a 1BR and stay through on the weekend. If we'd do a GV, we would not stay the weekend since my parents won't contribute points for a weekend and we'd have to foot the bill entirely ourselves.

GVs (at any DVC resort) will sleep 12. At OKW, the master BR has a King bed, the 2nd BR has two queens and the 3rd BR has 2 Double beds. There is a queen sleep sofa in the living room. Each BR has a private bath and there is also a bathroom with a shower off the living room.

They are wonderful for a gathering. We've gotten one the past several summers at OKW and at HH for our family and have one again this July at HH. We have been able to get a cash reservation (with member discount) for the weekend nights.