How Do You "Tour" OKW ???

[Jannino]

We are heading down to WDW this November and are interesting in purchasing points in either SSR or OKW. When I called DVC, they said I could call a few days before my arrival to set up a tour of SSR but could not tour OKW as the resort is "sold out". Well, I will most likely buy via the resale market which brings OKW back into play.

Question: How can I go on an "unofficial" tour of OKW? I'd like to see the 2 bedroom villa and the resort commom areas but clearly would not be able to do so through DVC. I'd much rather see a resort before I purchase 200+ points.

Any suggestions??

 

[RobDoc]

Just go to the front desk and ask to see a 2BR villa. If there are any clean and unoccupied they will usually be happy to let you see the room. The common areas may be explored without any problem as they are all public areas.

There are no formal tours and no sales staff to answer questions. Since you will be there at a busy time I'd suggest visiting the resort in the afternoon before 4pm for the best chance to see an unoccupied villa.

Enjoy!

 

[mjy]

Yeah . . . what he said!

Webmaster Doc speaketh the truth.

That was how I was able to see a villa in a "sold out" DVC area. As long as there is a little bit of an opening, the staff is always gracious and allows a look.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We are heading down to WDW this November and are interesting in purchasing points in either SSR or OKW. When I called DVC, they said I could call a few days before my arrival to set up a tour of SSR but could not tour OKW as the resort is "sold out". Well, I will most likely buy via the resale market which brings OKW back into play.

Question: How can I go on an "unofficial" tour of OKW? I'd like to see the 2 bedroom villa and the resort commom areas but clearly would not be able to do so through DVC. I'd much rather see a resort before I purchase 200+ points.

Any suggestions??

We did this when we first joined DVC. We asked at OKW if we could see a 2 BR, because we were planning a big family trip the following year. They were real nice, someone took us in a golf cart and gave us a nice look thru a 2 BR. Just be prepared! DH walked out of there with a huge smile, saying "THIS is where I want to stay next time!" and he hasn't stayed anywhere else since.

 

[vandy]

I would even suggest going ahead and taking the SSR tour along with asking to see a villa at OKW. You can ask the guide any DVC question you may have while looking at the newer style rooms. Rooms at SSR, BWV, BCV and VWL are very similiar in floorplan and size. AKV will be somewhat different and you can see those at SSR. Rooms at OKW have a larger Kitchen & Living area, plus a different laundry/bathroom set-up. The older buildings at OKW only have bathroom access through the bedrooms but the newer ones (#30 and up) have an access through the laundry. Only a couple of buildings at OKW have elevators if that is an issue. If none of those items are an issue, OKW is a great place to stay and we LOVE the extra room. It is always best to view for yourself if possilbe.

 

[flechette]

Once on property you can call OKW front desk and tell them you'd like to look at a villa and can they suggest a day that would be good for you to drop by?

When we went in May 2006: Mon and Tues OKW had 90% occupancy but Wed and Thurs was closer to 30% so it was easier for them to fit us in on Thurs and they told us to drop by around 1pm.

They were playing Jimmy Buffet and Tim said - this is it: this is Home <grin>

 

[m1ckeym0use1]

You'll see laundry baskets in the hallways outside of some of the rooms with fresh linens and towels. Pick one up, knock on somebody's door and yell "housekeeping". (You'll have to empty the room's trash and give them new towels, but it will be worth it).






(disclaimer: the above comment was not meant to be taken seriously)

 

[Disney Doll]

You'll see laundry baskets in the hallways outside of some of the rooms with fresh linens and towels. Pick one up, knock on somebody's door and yell "housekeeping". (You'll have to empty the room's trash and give them new towels, but it will be worth it).






(disclaimer: the above comment was not meant to be taken seriously)

Good one!

 

[crisi]

If they don't have a room available, its still nice to walk the public areas. I'd also recommend that if you think you'll be dependant on Disney transportation, you take the bus through these resorts to get an idea of their size and layout (both SSR and OKW are spread out - which some people really like, it feels very 'resorty' rather than 'hotely' - particularly OKW). You can request room locations at either resort, but it isn't guarenteed and with the resorts usually being pretty close to full, someone stays in those units way out at the end - and chances are that at some point it will be you.

Both have really nice public areas and very nice pools - I haven't done the room thing at either, but I did tour the public areas of both resorts this summer - in a car.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Crisi is right, and some of us PREFER the ones way out on the end!! BTW, you CAN buy OKW or any other sold out resort direct from DVC, but it could mean a waitlist. Twist your guide's arm a bit and see what kind of deal they offer.

 

[jimmacmn]

could not tour OKW as the resort is "sold out". Well, I will most likely buy via the resale market which brings OKW back into play.

Just because the resort is "sold out" doesn't mean Disney doesn't have points to sell at OKW. After you look you might want to compare Disney prices with resale. As many threads here explain, resale you have to provide your own financing, have ROFTR to deal with and may have a stripped contract. Only you can tell what is best for you, however, go into it having looked at all the options.