Hated It!

[jfinke]

We enjoy OKW. Having a 1BR there is larger than most apartments I had through my 20s.

We have always relied upon the buses for transportation. I do not use a car if we are on site. We have had more problems with buses at SSR (where we own) than at OKW. And after walking 8+ miles a day at the parks, walking a bit more, or sitting on the bus a bit longer, doesn't seem like much. Heck, after staying at one of the All Stars, any of the DVC resorts is a dream for walking distance and bus service.

 

[Tigger031266]

The first time that I stayed there I felt the same. I likened it to an old age home. However, it really grew on me. Give it another try in a couple years. You may be surprised.

OKW has different pluses:
- Low Point Cost
- Huge Room
- If you drive, the car is right outside
- Great Pool
- Golf Course
- Boat to DTD
- Great community hall
....

I appoligize for saying bad things a long time ago. OKW rocks... (we own at BWV, SSR, BCV and AKV)

 

[Sully]

As others have stated, different types of resorts for different types of people. We love OKW because it is spread out. The only negatives for us is studio rooms with 2 beds, no place to really sit, and a very limited workout area.

 

[shellybelly72]

I agree..the buses are wayyyy to slow and everything is way to spread out...

The rooms are huge and the grounds are beautiful, but I like things closer..

 

[dianeschlicht]

Interesting how I love all the things about OKW and hate most everything about BWV. Of course, I live on a 10 plus acre country estate, and not in a city apartment. That's how I look at the two properties too. We have never had bad bus service at OKW, but HAVE had bad bus service at BWV. Plus, at BWV I feel like I have to walk to two parks because taking the boat just seems a waste of valuable time when I can walk it faster. I KNOW I do less walking at OKW than I do at BWV.

Now, if you were in a studio, I can see what your beef was. Also, if you were in a studio on the ground floor of building 63, that means you had a GV above you, and those are particularily noisy with the hardwood floors in the kitchen/dining/living room area. Stay in a 1 or 2 bedroom next time, and I predict you'll LOVE OKW! Also, maybe request top floor so you get both a view and no upstairs neighbors.

 

[Laxmom]

Our first DVC stay was at OKW and we really enjoyed it! We like to come back from the crowds at the parks to peace and quiet and OKW filled the bill. We used the buses to get around the resort without problems. We were in Turtle Pond and I think that will be our request from here on. Loved the size of the unit and the quiet, laid back feel.

 

[drummer1616]

for different folks,I much rather stay at the condo style developments,the quiet pools late at night are great.I bought a 2nd home plan just to be able to get the 11 month window at OKW.The decks at SSR are so small you have to go inside to change your mind.

While I agree OKW is the oldest of all DVC resorts,we are only there to eat and sleep so could care less its not brand new.Haven`t stayed there (OKW) since 05,but didn`t really notice the buses were any slower than anywhere else,but we always ride some,drive some DTD is minutes away when you drive it yourself.To us at WDW minutes are important,so we do what we can to save time.Thats why I prefer to cook compared to the time lost of constant Disney Dining

 

[janni518]

As others have stated, different types of resorts for different types of people. We love OKW because it is spread out. The only negatives for us is studio rooms with 2 beds, no place to really sit, and a very limited workout area.

This to me just illustrates once again that it's "different strokes for different folks." I have heard over and over again the two beds used as a positive selling point.

I admit when I first joined these boards, posts like this used to alarm me but I've learned better now. I will wait and form my own opinions about each DVC and I will try to not make snap judgements. I'd hate to think I missed out on a great thing because I gave someone else opinion too much credence.

Thats not to suggest I don't enjoy reading the different reviews, I do. I just take them with a grain of salt.

 

[Laxmom]

Exactly! I was nervous about staying at OKW after reading the boards. We had a great time and thought the resort was really nice! And we are timeshare vets.

 

[mickeymorse]

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"

My sentiments exactly. We stayed in bldg 35 on Turtle pond with 2 kids. Although it was a hike to the HH and we didn't have a car, the quiet pool was nice and just being in WDW is really all that matters to me. Mind you, I haven't stayed at any other DVC resort yet, but looking forward to every one in the future.

Rob

 

[gkrykewy]

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)

You, sir/madam, are good people

 

[edk35]

My sentiments exactly. We stayed in bldg 35 on Turtle pond with 2 kids. Although it was a hike to the HH and we didn't have a car, the quiet pool was nice and just being in WDW is really all that matters to me. Mind you, I haven't stayed at any other DVC resort yet, but looking forward to every one in the future.

Rob

WE FEEL THE SAME TOO.....ANYWHERE ON PROPERTY WOULD WORK FOR US. Sure we prefer DVC to regular resorts but we are staying at CBR in 2 rooms for Thanksgiving to save our points for next summer again. OKW has its perks too....my kids loved the Community Hall, the pool was pretty good. They enjoyed renting the sea raycers and paddle boats. We were in bldg. 63 so very close to HH. THe villas area huge too. We would stay there again over BWV.

 

[Laxmom]

Mickeymorse, just use the buses to get to HH. You can hop any bus since the last stop is HH. Then just cross the bridge to Peninsular Rd. stop and hop any bus back to your stop. We did not rent a car for this trip and did not miss it one bit!

 

[edk35]

We also figured out that it was easier for us to get off at Peninsular Road coming back from the parks because it was the first stop. The boys could stop off at CH or we could get drinks or whatever and our bldg. is just across the street so we didn't have to go all over OKW for the last stop at HH.

 

[mickeymorse]

Laxmom. Thats what we did when we wanted to go to the HH. Since it was our DS' first Disney trip, we didn't get to spend much time at the resort. 8 day PH+ that got used every day. Go,Go,Go....and we Went,Went,Went

 

[Brian Noble]

Definitely different strokes. Personally, I really prefer the condo-style to the hotel-style, as it strikes me as a much more relaxing refuge from the hustole and bustle of the parks, but could see why others would view it the other way.

 

[dizney4us]

I'll never understand why people complain about not liking a particular resort...it's all personal taste. If people read this board before buying no one would ever buy DCV...it's amazing the chronic complaning that goes on. I agree with posting a complaint about a true issue, but not liking this cuz it's spread out, or this cuz of a long hall way.. blah blah blah, God help you if you ever get a real problem in life!

 

[edk35]

Definitely different strokes. Personally, I really prefer the condo-style to the hotel-style, as it strikes me as a much more relaxing refuge from the hustole and bustle of the parks, but could see why others would view it the other way.

I have to say that we were far more relaxed, well slept and refreshed when we stayed at OKW. We got to BCV and we stayed up late and got up early. The kids and ourselves LOVED THE POOL/ACTIVITIES and we had friends staying there too. We were up early to hit the parks with them, then we came back for a few hours at the pool and then went back to the parks. Next summer.....we are doing less park time and more SAB TIME. At OKW there is so much room in that kitchen/living area and the bedrooms....we found ouselves there more than we normally would be at any other 2 br. dvc villa.

 

[mvc1997]

Hooray!! Glad you hated it!!
We LOVE it!! Less competition!! Especialy for those GVs!!
It's aweful there, don't go!!

 

[iloveokw]

I am just thankful that DVC has built so many different options. Like everyone has said "different strokes for different folks"! We probably would not have purchased DVC if hadn't stayed at OKW a couple of times and fell in love with it before buying in 1996. Give me OKW anytime over any other WDWDVC resort - and I've stayed in all of them but SSR.