How are the OKW Grand Villas?

[tink4ever]

How are the OKW 3 Bedroom Villas? I am traveling with 8 adults and I just found out that our 1st choice the BWV do not have dedicated 2 bedrooms and their grand villas take up too many points So my question is are the Grand Villas nice at the OKW? I have heard that when you stay there you don't feel very Disney? (which I don't want to believe) also is the resort very hard to get around from? and would anyone recommend a certain room or area to ask for? We already have a 2 bdr at our usual VWL which we love but we are trying to change it up a little. Thanks

 

[Nanajo1]

The OKW GV are magnificent. Larger than some apartments. The staff is great. You feel the disney magic as much there as at any of the DVC resorts.
It is a good size resort with about 5 internal bus stops. I didn't find the bus service any worse the sharing with 5 other resorts at BWV. The Turtle Pond area with its pool and snack shack is a great request but I don't think there is a "horrid" section. I had a HA GV at South Point which was great. There is a small pool close by.
You can park your car at your front door. There is a boat to Downtown.
Try it you'll like it!

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I think everyone should stay in a Grand Villa at OKW once!

We stayed in one this past December and it was GREAT!

We used Disney transportation and it wasn't bad. We were near the South Point bus stop. I think there were three stops on the way out and two (I think) on the way in. We didn't use the pool, so I don't know how far it was, but we did see people walking to/from it, so I assume it wasn't that far.

You won't be sorry you changed your reservation, if you do...it's really nice.

Good luck!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Unless you're an OKW owner, you have to be lucky to reserve an OKW Grand Villa for a specific date range. OKW owners have the 11-month window. Others only have the 7-month window. In the 7-month window, it should be possible to get single days or short stays if you're flexible, especially involving Friday and Saturday nights (which take far more points than weeknights).

For 8 adults, the best bet might be to book two 2-BR villas, especially if there are four couples. That way, each couple get a private bedroom and a private bathroom. You would have two living rooms in which to get together.

By the way, OKW is a great resort. Big rooms. Low points. Tropical landscaping. Nice views of golf fairways or water. A real resort atmosphere, with plenty of Disney touches.

 

[jdvm]

The Old Key West Grand Villas are so fantastic that Michael Eisner used to stay in them. We "live" at Old Key West and have stayed in a Grand Villa once when we had another family join us.....wow....it was great!!!!

 

[cdpa4d]

They go quick....Good luck getting one. I check for one in October just recently and their was nothing available. They are a great value if you can get one.

 

[ccw]

Had a fabulous stay in an OKW GV in November for the Food and Wine Festival...having FOUR bathrooms was wonderful with 6 women and the villa was incredibly spacious and comfortable. We loved the South Point area because it was quiet and because it put us close to the walking path to the spa at SSR. Good luck!

 

[dianeschlicht]

In addition to the other information you have gotten, I just wanted to say that "yes, OKW has 'Disney Magic'". The theming is very good, and might seem shabby to some, but it is themed to turn of the century Key West, and is quite authentic. There are 5 bus stops at OKW (not 2-3 as previously mentioned), so you are never far from a bus stop, and all buses stop at the hospitality area before they leave for the parks. There is also an internal bus that makes the continuous loop. There is a full service restaurant (Olivias), and 4 pools hot tubs and 1 pool slide. Each pool has a play area as well.

The GV's have 1 master bedroom downstairs with a king bed, Jacuzzi, and shower, and 2 pedestal sinks as well as a large closet. There is a bath with shower in the hallway for any guests that might be staying in the living room. There is a full kitchen with storage island and a dining room with a large table that seats 8-10. The living room is 2 stories and has the usual loveseat and sofa plus a wicker table and 4 chairs. There is a LARGE laundry room of the kitchen. There is the usual large deck also. Upstairs there are two bedrooms and bathrooms (one with 2 queen beds and one with 2 full size beds). The only negetive thing about the GV is that the kitchen sink is in an odd spot that makes it cumbersome to work at. I'm sure they did it that way to better accommodate the dishwasher, but I prefer the layout of the 2 bedroom villa kitchens. BTW, OKW also has dedicated 2 bedroom villas.

 

[princess mom]

i just returned last night from a wonderful stay in a OKW GV. I must say it was even better than i could have imagined. We stayed in 4822 and the south point bus stop was just a few feet away. The staff is friendly, and the feel is disney...just in a different kind of way. I own at SSR and this was my first trip "home" and i chose to stay at OKW because i needed plenty of room. When i bought, i bought sight unseen. So while we were there, we took a look at the rooms at SSR. They are beautiful as well, but OKW is more roomy. I was very pleased with our villa, it was very clean, well stocked. We did not have to ask for anything. It was a wonderful trip....OKWest'ers thanks for sharing your home with us!!!!!

 

[Olaf]

Years ago, my brother and his family had cash ressies for a one-bedroom at OKW for a few nights. When they got there, they were upgraded to a Grand Villa. I didn't believe them until I saw the pictures. Needless to say, they were very impressed.