Hated It!

[rgilmour]

We just returned from our yearly vacation to WDW and spent the first couple of days at BW, one of our favourite resorts. Even though we had booked way back in March, and the only resort available was OKW, we were put on a waiting list for BW and hoped that we would be moved there as we always have in the past. Although we did get our first two nights there (only 2 days before arriving) we spent the remainder of our vacation at OKW and absolutely hated it. The resort is so spread out. The buses so slow and the effect was like staying in a suburban gated community. For us it was just too car-centred to be enjoyable (we like dropping off our car for the whole time and relying on Disney transportation) which at OKW seemed almost impossible. The resort seemed designed around access to cars and driving rather than transportation. I was wondering if anyone knows why we were unable to receive our choice resort (the experience has made us rethink future yearly vacations, it was so unpleasant). We also we surprised to discover that waiting list choices expired 7 days before check-in, because in the past we had always received our waiting list choice. Thanks...

 

[DVC Mike]

the effect was like staying in a suburban gated community. For us it was just too car-centred to be enjoyable (we like dropping off our car for the whole time and relying on Disney transportation) which at OKW seemed almost impossible. The resort seemed designed around access to cars and driving rather than transportation.

Both OKW and SSR are more of a condo-style resort. Some people prefer that, while others (myself included) prefer the hotel-style resorts.

 

[Anal Annie]

We just returned from our yearly vacation to WDW and spent the first couple of days at BW, one of our favourite resorts. Even though we had booked way back in March, and the only resort available was OKW, we were put on a waiting list for BW and hoped that we would be moved there as we always have in the past. Although we did get our first two nights there (only 2 days before arriving) we spent the remainder of our vacation at OKW and absolutely hated it. The resort is so spread out. The buses so slow and the effect was like staying in a suburban gated community. For us it was just too car-centred to be enjoyable (we like dropping off our car for the whole time and relying on Disney transportation) which at OKW seemed almost impossible. The resort seemed designed around access to cars and driving rather than transportation. I was wondering if anyone knows why we were unable to receive our choice resort (the experience has made us rethink future yearly vacations, it was so unpleasant). We also we surprised to discover that waiting list choices expired 7 days before check-in, because in the past we had always received our waiting list choice. Thanks...

That was exactly how we felt last summer when we tried OKW. While the grounds were beautiful, there was far too much walking involved to go to the main pool & bus stops (we were hot & sweaty again by the time we walked back to our unit) and the buses were EXCRUTIATINGLY slow. On top of that our unit looked like it had never been updated from the day it was opened. It was just not the kind of experience that beckons us to go back...although the point charts are somewhat an incentive if you don't have many points to use... Now that you can request HH we MIGHT try it one more time one day...maybe a different unit in a better location would be helpful.

 

[castleri]

Sorry you did not enjoy your stay at OKW. It is obviously so true that DVC offers different types of experiences and that is what we like so much about it. We felt the same way about BW that you do about OKW when we stayed there in 1998 - long halls, small balcony with boards across so you had to stand to see off it and the absolutely worst bus transportation we have ever had. We have never had a real issue with buses at OKW but realize others have and have the right to say they will never go back. Hope you will be able to always get your reservations at BWV in the future which should be possible if you plan well in advance. We are staying at AKV and SSR in a month and I am having serious second thoughts as I would much rather be at OKW except that I prefer the studios that have a sofa when there are just two of us. I could have had BWV but said no without even a second thought. We own at OKW, BCV and SSR and OKW is our favorite with the other 2 close behind.

 

[jade1]

I was wondering if anyone knows why we were unable to receive our choice resort (the experience has made us rethink future yearly vacations, it was so unpleasant). QUOTE]

Did you try to reserve BWV at 11 months out?

 

[edk35]

We stayed at OKW FOR 8 NIGHTS recently followed by 6 at BCV. We were in bldg 63 so we were across the street diagonally from bus stop and HH house. I requested to be near HH. We were on the bottom floor in a 2 br. Our complaint about that was how we heard the family/families above us REALLLLLLYYYYYYYYYYYY BAD. It was very annoying for days. Other than that....the villas were very spacious and we had a lot of luck with busses too. We got on at HH so you go straight to the park after that. We also got off at Peninsular Road when coming home so that was the first dropped off. My kids LOVED the Community Hall too. Now I don't particular like the food situation there.....I prefer SSR's counter service. We absolutely LOVED BCV. Wished we had stayed there for longer instead of OKW but it wasn't bad at OKW. The points are low, the atmosphere is more relaxed. That was the slower more laid back part of our trip. We aren't saying we will never say at OKW again but it was not our fave so far but we enjoyed it more than BWV last summer.

 

[CraftyMouse]

We just returned from our yearly vacation to WDW and spent the first couple of days at BW, one of our favourite resorts. Even though we had booked way back in March, and the only resort available was OKW. <snip> I was wondering if anyone knows why we were unable to receive our choice resort

It sounds like you booked just 5 months out. By that point the BWV rooms were open to all DVC members so it would be much more difficult to get exactly what you want. If you really only want to stay at BWV it would probably be best to make sure you make your reservation before the 7 month window for non-BWV owners opens up. Personally, I wouldn't be rethinking my DVC purchase if I couldn't get what I wanted at 5 months out. By that point I think you need to be a bit flexible.

FWIW, we absolutely love OKW and always park the car and leave it behind when we stay there. We like the walk through the grounds and always find it very relaxing. We actually enjoy all of the DVC resorts as each has their own, unique feel to them.

 

[eliza61]

Even though we had booked way back in March, and the only resort available was OKW, we were put on a waiting list for BW

I was wondering if anyone knows why we were unable to receive our choice resort (the experience has made us rethink future yearly vacations, it was so unpleasant). We also we surprised to discover that waiting list choices expired 7 days before check-in, because in the past we had always received our waiting list choice. Thanks...

Sorry you didn't enjoy OKW.
I think in terms of DVC, March is really not all that "way back". It's actually less than the 7 month window that you're alloted. You might have better luck at 7 months.

I'm not sure I would throw in the towel on my ownership from one resort, especially since there are 4 others to choose from. Where is your home resort? You mentioned that before you've always recieved your waiting list choice so I don't think not recieving it one time is enough to send you in a panick just yet. How were your other vacations?

 

[Chuck S]

It sounds like you tried to book way to close to our travel dates, so that certainly contributed to your not getting your first choice of resort. Also, there were still some "developers points" that were good at all resorts still floating around from last years promotions. Current developers points are only good at SSR, and at non-DVC venues.

I'm sorry you didn't like OKW, personally I love it. I've stayed there with and without a car. And I really do not care for the hotel style resorts (although the Contemporary DVC may be an exception, if it ever opens.) With DVC we do have those choices available, and if in the future your find there is no availability when you call for your choice of resort, you can travel at a different date. Waitlists have never been guaranteed, and I certainly would never book a trip based upon the " absolute expectation" of a waitlist becoming available, that is just setting yourself up for disappointment.

 

[CraftyMouse]

With DVC we do have those choices available, and if in the future your find there is no availability when you call for your choice of resort, you can travel at a different date. Waitlists have never been guaranteed, and I certainly would never book a trip based upon the " absolute expectation" of a waitlist becoming available, that is just setting yourself up for disappointment.

I agree with this. We never waitlist unless we have a back-up already booked. For example, we own at OKW and will book there at the 11-month window (when possible). We then try to switch at the 7-month window and waitlist if what we want is not available. We just waitlisted for the WLV or AKV for January but if we don't get it we have OKW already booked so either way we're set.

 

[DebbieB]

When my mom was alive, we used to alternate between OKW (May, booked at 7 months) and BWV (December, booked at 11 months). We liked both, we liked the larger rooms at OKW (1 bedroom), we liked the laid back atmosphere, my mom loved waking up and seeing the ducks and bunnies outside our porch (we always requested 1st floor). However, we always had a rental car. I would never stay at OKW without a car, we couldn't stand being dependent on busses.

 

[lisaviolet]

We also we surprised to discover that waiting list choices expired 7 days before check-in, because in the past we had always received our waiting list choice. Thanks...

WHOOPS. EDIT: I just realized you did get BW two days before on the call in. So you know. I'll leave my post in case others don't.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

I've gotten some gems from 7 to the day before arrival. Did you phone during this period? I'm sure you know but it's a call every day period because the waitlists have stopped. You'd be surprised how many people cancel in this period.

I got AKV Savanna view this March and BWV Standard view during the popular pre-Christmas period. I also got 8 days once at SSR in early December when everything, all DVC suites were fully booked the week before.

Lisa

 

[jade1]

It sounds like you booked just 5 months out. By that point the BWV rooms were open to all DVC members so it would be much more difficult to get exactly what you want. .

Agreed, I didn't catch that on the first go around-that does answer "why they didn't get what they wanted".

 

[Caskbill]

Were you in a Studio at OKW? If so, then that's not the best experience. The draw of OKW is the spacious 1 and 2-B/V villas. Much larger than the equivalent villas at the other DVC-Resorts.

If indeed you were in a Studio, try booking a 1-B/R sometime. OKW is more like a home, while BWV 1-B/R's are more like very small apartments..

 

[ldo]

For those reading this post and worried about staying at OKW--I took 3 kids with no car for 5 days this summer. We booked HH and it was fine. We relied 100% on WDW transport. If I had been in an outlying bldg, that would have been different--and I would have been miserable. But, having the guarantied HH location was great (and I was even the farthest HH bldg)---and is why I booked it--knowing that I would be OK with out a car in a spread out place. We also liked taking the boat to SSR for crafts and pool movies and to DTD to eat.

 

[jekjones1558]

I guess that I am easier to please than I thought. I have stayed in various parts of OKW and been happy. When we are in Turtle Pond or South Point areas, we enjoy the tranquility of the quiet pools. If I am bringing kids, I have requested HH area and enjoyed the close-to-the-action location. While at OKW I do not focus on the fact that I do not have quick access to any of the parks or that the bus has to circle the resort. Instead I enjoy the huge space in the non-studios and the great balconies. When we first joined DVC and stayed in studios, I focused on the spacious OKW studio bathroom. I have found something to love in every DVC resort, though I have my favorites. Maybe it is because my first trip to WDW MANY years ago was in a Days Inn. I feel LUCKY to be able to enjoy any DVC unit now.

 

[carol1231]

I have found something to love in every DVC resort, though I have my favorites. Maybe it is because my first trip to WDW MANY years ago was in a Days Inn. I feel LUCKY to be able to enjoy any DVC unit now.

I have to agree! Our first trip 20 years ago to WDW we stayed at Howard Johnson's for $49 a night. The place since has been torn down, probably the next day after we left from the look of the place. Oh to have stayed at OKW then would have been a dream.

 

[edk35]

I have to agree! Our first trip 20 years ago to WDW we stayed at Howard Johnson's for $49 a night. The place since has been torn down, probably the next day after we left from the look of the place. Oh to have stayed at OKW then would have been a dream.

Me too...personally if I am at Disney...I could stay anywhere on property if it meant being at Disney. Sure I prefer certain DVC resorts or certain Dis resorts over others but I would be fine staying where ever as long as there was "room at the inn"

 

[wildernessDad]

 

[BWV Dreamin]