Grand Villas at OKW

[TimB21]

We've had our DVC membership for about 8 years now. Half in BWV and half in SSR. We've used it primarily for BWV and the cruise line and loved both locations, never stayed at SSR.

My wife was visiting Orlando for a ballroom dancing competition with two friends and they decided that after the competition they'd go to Disney World for a few days. The only resort with vacancies at short notice were Grand Villas at OKW. I'd heard such good things about the rooms at OKW that I encouraged her to jump on the opportunity. Well she's disappointed and I'm wondering if its the OKW experience or this particular Grand Villa. She says the rooms are small and the furniture is shabby and mismatched. She also complains that they're a long way from the bus stop, which I knew could be the case and had forgotten to mention (my fault.)

I'd heard that OKW rooms were BIGGER than those elsewhere and tho' we'd never stayed in one we'd always envisioned Grand Villas as being the best of the best.

Right now she's very disappointed specially as her guests are basically first-timers at Disney. I could post the suite number but I'm not sure that's a smart thing to do as she's still staying there.

Any thoughts?

-=Tim=-

 

[DebbieB]

A grand villa for 3 is small?

 

[TimB21]

A grand villa for 3 is small?

She felt the rooms were smaller than she expected, unconnected to the number of people staying there.

-=Tim=-

 

[dianeschlicht]

She felt the rooms were smaller than she expected, unconnected to the number of people staying there.

-=Tim=-

Well, since an OKW GV is around 2400 square feet, I can't imagine what she is talking about!!! The master bedroom/bathroom alone is larger than many 1 bedroom villas at some of the other resorts. The living room is huge, but I would agree that the kitchen could be larger. One of the upstairs bedrooms has two queens and a larger bathroom than the other one. Perhaps the person who has the third bedroom and has the upstairs room with two double beds is the one who is disatisfied, since that room does have a strange bathroom layout. I just can NOT imagine why anyone would think 2400 square feet was small though! Most houses aren't that large!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

If they are a long way from a bus stop, perhaps they are in building 22 or 49. Those are both a bit of a hike to the nearest bus stop. All other GV buildings are pretty close to bus stops though. We stayed in one of the GVs in building 22 for our first GV stay, and we also thought that one was a bit of a hike to the Miller's Road bus stop. The curve in the road prevents you from really seeing when the bus is coming too. Our favorite GV location so far has been building 15.

 

[acder12]

We rented a Grand Villa for the first time over Thanksgiving. We had 9 people staying there and felt there was plenty of room. This was the first time we stayed in a GV as I have never stayed in anything bigger than a 2BR. My family and I have stayed at Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, OKW, SSR, Vero Beach and Hilton Head and in my opinion OKW has the largest units in DVC's inventory. I understand that every property built after OKW was made smaller and that has been my experience as well.

As far as age and furniture, these properties are over 15 years old now and they are starting to show a bit of their age. In general I was pleased with the upkeep but you could certainly see some wear and tear. On your bus stop comment, we lucked out and ended up across the street from a stop. I will remember to request a unit close to the bus stop the next time we stay there.

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

Small? This is the first time I have ever heard OKW GV being called as such.

The three bedroom GV's are 2375 square feet and sleep 12 adults. I am uncertain what she (or you) are accustomed to at home or were expecting of the 3 BRV but 2375 sq feet is by no means small, especially for 3 people.

Quoted from Allearsnet.com description of OKW GV

All villas are two stories, with a full kitchen, dining room, great room, laundry room, master bedroom and bath, plus another bathroom on the first floor. The second floor consists of two bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom and TV. One bedroom has two queen-size beds and is very similar to the second bedroom of the two-bedroom unit, and the other is slightly smaller with two double beds. The great room has an open, two-story ceiling (as does the foyer), 32" TV, DVD player and stereo in an armoire, a dining area with four chairs, and queen size sofa sleeper, loveseat, and chair and ottoman. The dining room has a large table that seats eight, connecting to a home-size kitchen.

The master bedroom and bath are similar to the one and two-bedroom units, but the bedroom has a second easy chair, and the bathroom is laid out a bit differently. There is a full size bathroom off of the living room that is for any guests sleeping on the sofa.

 

[TimB21]

Wow, thanks for all the feedback.

Two things: I think our expectations might have been too high. We never stayed at a GV so all comparisons were done with BWV rooms, in addition my wife was not in a good mood last night and I think that might have colored her opinion. I spoke to her this morning and she's a little happier. They are in block 49 which explains the distance to the bus stop even better.

She did mention the mismatched furniture and wobbly table to a staff member and hopefully that'll be fixed.

I do understand that a GV for 3 people seems a little over the top and then complaining about it... They were originally wait-listed for 3 rooms (3 unrelated adults who wanted their own space) and opted for this when it came up as the incremental point cost wasn't too bad and we had HUGE (maybe unrealistic) expectations for how it'd be based on our consistently awesome experiences at Disney properties.

Thanks for everyone for your thoughts and input!!!

-=Tim=-

 

[dianeschlicht]

Just an FYI on the "mismatched furniture". The theme of OKW is 1900 era Key West. It's supposed to look mismatched! There are different patterns on everything...dining chairs, sofas, rocker, etc. BTW, the little 3/4 bath off the hallway to the master bedroom is one of the cutest in all of WDW. LOVE the tile in there!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

We've had the pleasure of staying in GV's at OKW 4 times in the last 8 years. Due to the specifics of our traveling parties, my son(12) and I have given away the master and the bigger bedroom and stayed in the much smaller 3rd bedroom. My son really prefers the other rooms but I explained that for the comfort of the 9 others that this was the best way and that in effect the amount of time spent in the bedrooms is a mute point. I've always loved the decor and the tropical Key West vibe and to date have never been disapointed.

This last June in Bldng 15 I did note that the wood floors were coming to a point of needing refinishing but everything else was clean and other than the nicked coffee table, in good working order and condition.

We've stayed with parties of 11, 10, 9 & 7, and the GV has given us many great family reuinions.

I hope your wife's remaining stay will be better!

 

[TimB21]

Just an FYI on the "mismatched furniture". The theme of OKW is 1900 era Key West. It's supposed to look mismatched!

Thanks!!!

I noticed this after my last post and I had looked at actual photos of the suites that folks had posted. I left her a voicemail.

There are different patterns on everything...dining chairs, sofas, rocker, etc. BTW, the little 3/4 bath off the hallway to the master bedroom is one of the cutest in all of WDW. LOVE the tile in there!

I'll be sure to mention this to her but I'm more design-minded than she is.

-=Tim=-

 

[jmpurdy]

It was so bad that a portion of entryway flooring had 'bubbled up' and caused an accident hazard. Maintenance had to come out and do a 'fix' on it (they put an OKW huge rug on it and tacked it down while we were at the parks) until they could repair it correctly after we left. Maintenance said they should have never given us this villa. There was another smaller bubble near kitchen that we avoided whenever possible.
Villa itself was very worn and not cleaned well. We did follow up with management and we were offered another villa, but unfortunately we were all unpacked and had 2 kids under age of 2 plus rentals from ABBF, etc. Our daughter with the kids just couldn't bear to pack everything up and move. So we stayed. No complaints about roominess. It's huge. Our lesson is that we will always request a newly renovated villa (and check it first before we unpack). We rented points, so didn't think we had any 'power' to ask for assistance to move to another villa, etc., but I now know we should have asked for and received much more assistance due to this huge inconvenience.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Our lesson is that we will always request a newly renovated villa (and check it first before we unpack). We rented points, so didn't think we had any 'power' to ask for assistance to move to another villa, etc., but I now know we should have asked for and received much more assistance due to this huge inconvenience.

Unfortunately, that's not a request that can be honored. All of the resorts are under some sort of constant refurbishement and when given a villa/studio they will give what's available, trying to fullfill your location/view/floor etc. requirements. Once you're at the villa is when you determine if your accomodations are really not up to par and then if that's the case right away call maintenance w/ repair issues and or even return to check in to let them know that the room is really sub-par and you can't stay there. Don't unpack!. MS will try to accomodate you and give you other accomodations if they are not at capacity and have something available.

and most importantly....You absolutely have a voice irregardless of whether you own or rented points. No one should expect everything to be brand spanking new when they arrive but you should expect and deserve to have clean, safe and nice accomodations.

Better luck to you in the future!

 

[TimB21]

They're back now, the GV was 4923.

I think they had a good time, my wife got used to it. I think she was expecting an experience like the category 3 (I think thats it) disabled-accessible rooms on the DCL that we did once and it wasn't that but it was fine. Also as I mentioned she was not in a good mood that night. I don't think it was a refurb issue. I think I mentioned above she had the choice of two GV's and took the one that looked like it was the most convenient.

Due to the distance from everything we probably won't do OKW again, we prefer the BWV location, close to Epcot and Hollywood Studios and the Boardwalk.

Thanks again to everyone for your input.

-=Tim=-

 

[OneMoreTry]

If that's her comment on a GV she must be hard to please. Maybe she has a critical friend and is transferring her frusration to you.

Bless your heart.