Help me a little w/ OKW vs POR

[happybratpack]

Hello everyone

Riverside is one of my favorite resorts to stay at, but we're considering renting points for OKW this summer. How would you compare the two? Do you think they are comparable atmosphere wise and such? I've always driven BY OKW, but never have actually been there. We're looking for a more relaxed, laid back environment.

Thanks!!

 

[rogerram]

I have stayed there and it is a very relaxed atmosphere. The pool is nice, with a new slide. It has a very nice restaurant,Olivia's,a boat that you can take right to downtown Disney. We loved it and the rooms are much more roomy than POR if you were to go for a 1 bedroom, but the studios have a small refrigerator and a microwave in it also. 1 bedroom has a full kitchen and living room area, whirlpool type tub in the master bedroom, pull out queen sofa.
goodluck from a current DVC member,
Roger

P.S. you can pm me if you have more questions. I will be happy to answer them.

 

[problemchild718]

We too have stayed at both, as mentioned, OKW has larger rooms and if you ask to stay near the Hospitality House, there is more of a resort feel. We did miss the ease of the food court for quick snacks and refilling our mug-no food court at OKW. You may still buy a mug and have refills at the counter of Goods to Go. Ride to parks was a bit quicker from OKW-less stops from our building than when we stayed at POR. We did like POR, but probably won't stay there again.

 

[WDWMom]

We have stayed at both places too. We miss the food court at POR as is has a large selection. The atmosphere is about the same, quiet and relaxing.

OKW will give you a nicer room. You will get a fridge, toaster, and microwave. They also have balconies, but I have yet to be on one worth sitting at. Usually overgrown tree and bushes block the views.

I think the main pool at POR is nicer. I like the theming better. Plus they have a great playground if you have kids.

Good luck picking and have fun.

 

[dianeschlicht]

(snip)OKW will give you a nicer room. You will get a fridge, toaster, and microwave. They also have balconies, but I have yet to be on one worth sitting at. Usually overgrown tree and bushes block the views.

That statement shocks me, because in more than 20 stays at OKW, I have only had an overgrown balcony in building 29. Perhaps you are talking about the studios, because the studios are on the ends of the buildings, and often they have heavy vegetation there to shelter the building from the noise of the roadway.

 

[kellyf2626]

I think you should go for OKW!! It is a wonderful resort, and the rooms are more spacious (as previously stated).

It is always fun to try a new resort! I don't think you will be disappointed!

 

[spiceycat]

OKW has 2 queen beds - POR has 2 double beds.

the studio has a kitchennett - wet bar, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, under the counter refrigerator.

It also has a balcony.

don't get a balcony on the lst floor. they don't have good views - DVC allows the shurbs to overgrown for privacy sake.

the ones that do have a fairly good view are also next to the air conditioning units...

so if you get a studio don't get one on the first floor. the only building at OKW with elevators are 62, 63,64 - all the rests have steps!

OKW has a playground at each and every pool. POR has one. the main pool has a nice big one - and unlike the one at POR your kids can't go where you can't follow....we had a big problem with this at POR...

the slide is a little hard for little ones. It is pretty fast. faster in my opinion than the one at POR. So that can be a problem for little ones.

It is cute though - a sand castle....

I also love POR - it has something that OKW doesn't - magnolia trees....oh I love these things - but they don't go with the theme for OKW - florida tropical....

 

[happybratpack]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to help me out! This trip is *extra* special since it will be Lily's first, I think something a bit calmer will be better for her so OKW seems like a perfect fit!

Now, off to the rental board to see if I can find some points for (yuck) July!

Thanks again!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

That statement shocks me, because in more than 20 stays at OKW, I have only had an overgrown balcony in building 29. Perhaps you are talking about the studios,

I think you're right Diane. WDWMom must have been speaking about the studios----and it's mostly just the ground floor studios that are overrun. We've only stayed in a studio once at OKW----we prefer the 1 and 2 bedrooms. The views from those balconies are terrific.

I think the main pool at POR is nicer. I like the theming better. Plus they have a great playground if you have kids.

We like both pools and my kids prefer the slide at OKW a little more. As for the playground, OKW does have one as well. As for the steps, POR has these as well, so I think it's comparable there. What I will agree with someone on is missing the food court. But it's not enough that I'd choose POR over OKW.

Someone already mentioned the rooms are larger at OKW, but I'd like to add that I particularily appreciate the bathroom (even the studio) is larger as well.