I could only book OKW, will we be happy there?

[Jillpie]

After many months of waiting to see what was available, after having our points have been in holding, I was able to book our January 9-18 trip today. The only thing that was consecutively available in a 2 br. was OKW. Keep in mind, I have never seen any of the villas anywhere yet and the only thing we are used to are the small rooms for the five of us at POR. We are on a waitlist for the BCV and BWV for the same days. I'm just concerned, why is OKW always available? Does that mean people don't like it enough? I hope we will, please convince me? thanks.

 

[spiceycat]

some dvc members only want to be at a DVC resort where there is easy access to a theme park - VWL is MK, BCV and BWV are Studios/Epcot.

I think if you are use to POR - then you will love OKW.... It is a great resort - the room size for a 2-bedroom will blow you away.

You can also eat your breakfast or dinner on the balcony outside - you certain can't do that at the other resorts.

the one thing you might miss - is there is no food court at OKW - they have a restuarant and 2 snack bars - but only the main pool snack bar does hamburgers.

you still have the boat ride to DD - you are close enough to walk to DD and you still also have a bus ride to DD.

so no I think your family will love it!!!

 

[mickeymom629]

The OKW villas are so spacious that you will be spoiled by them when you finally stay elsewhere with DVC. You can park right in front of your villa, so that is also a plus with us because we drive to WDW. You can rent watercraft and ride into DTD by ferry. The pools are nice and there is a basketball court which is nice if you have kids like mine who like to shoot hoops. We've never been to Olivia's but I hear it's good.

We have stayed at the BWV and WLV, and while the location is really nice for both of those, OKW is great for more space and less points. I don't believe you will be at all disappointed, especially because you haven't stayed in any villas yet, and they are all wonderful!

 

[mickeymom629]

I forgot to say that the reason the 2 bdrm are easier to get at OKW is because they built so many in comparison to the other resorts. I think that is a bonus for those of us who need the 2 bdrm and can't get it anywhere else.

 

[BillPA]

You are in trouble now. Once you stay at an OKW 2 BR, all the rest will feel tiny. The OKW 2 BR is more than 4 times the size than POR and just the 1 BR part is as big at the other on site 2 BRs.
You will enjoy OKW, especially with the reduced park hours in January, you will be spending more time in the unit. Having the extra room is GREAT. If you get chilled while doing the parks, the light house is actually a sauna, so enjoy.

Have a great trip.

 

[Jillpie]

ok, now I'm feeling better about it, thanks everyone. Bill, its four times bigger than POR?? I can't even imagine that...we just lived with what we had there and loved it because thats all we know. I have three boys, ages 15, 11 and 10. I think my 15 yr. old will love being able to be alone sometimes. I had my heart set on BCV's, but this doesn't sound so bad. thanks again!

 

[mikesmom]

We had that happen one trip. We liked OKW so well, we ended up going to the resale market to hunt down some extra points there. The rooms really are huge, and the resort is beautiful. My teenage boy has always liked it, too.

 

[PamOKW]

Mikesmom is a good example. Many people who are "forced" to stay at OKW suddenly find out they really love it. It's definetly worth a try. Not everyone loves the same things but if you enjoyed POR I think you'll come back VERY happy.

Yes, the size should make everyone happy. A POR room runs about 313 sq. ft. This will be 1,322 sq. ft. for everyone to spread out.

Your teens may enjoy the basketball and/or tennis courts as well.

 

[Pa@okw95]

You will love the size. It is larger in size then some small ranch style houses we have here. The second bedroom has two queen size beds so there should be plenty of room for your kids. Two bathrooms of course will give you plenty of room also. You have a full kitchen plus a washer a dryer right with the unit. If you are driving, parking is right in front of the unit. There are four swimming pools if anyone wants to try swimming in January-good luck with that. There are water sprites that the boys can rent aslo. There is not a food court because these units have a full kitchen. There is Olivias if you want to get a good meal. The big factor is there is no one there at this time of year. You will walk right into everything at the parks--have fun.

 

[spiceycat]

a room at POR will easy fit into the studio (2nd bedroom) part of the 2-bedroom - and the studio has a little more room. the still leaves the livingroom, kitchen, master bedroom, master bath and the laundry room - OKW is the only one to have a laundry room - the other just have a closet.

You will love OKW - just wait until a long day at the parks - getting into that whirlpool tub in your own room!!! your feet (not to mention the rest of you) never had it so good....

now if you wanted to compare it to POR - then I would have gone with a studio.

try to get one of the building above 30 - with 4 people - you might need 2 entrances to the master bath.

only 62-64 have elevators. most OKW building are 2 or 3 floors - so if you want nice view go for higher.

I ask for a water view near the bus stop or pool. there is also golf views or woods views - you can also ask to near the HH.

 

[Jillpie]

Thanks again everyone, very encouraging. I have a crazy question...if we have three boys and two sleep on the queen beds in the second bedroom, where does the third sleep? in the pullout in the living room? Or do I couple him up with someone in one of the queens? Sorry if I'm missing something here. You can tell I'm brand new to the DVC stuff .

 

[spiceycat]

that is up to you - yes he could sleep there on the livingroom sleeper sofa - you can also bring him a sleeping bag or an air mattress and put him in the room with his brothers - so you and husband can enjoy late nights or early morning (my favorite time at OKW) without children in the way....

 

[RweTHEREyet]

If you get chilled while doing the parks, the light house is actually a sauna, so enjoy.

I never ever knew this. I had seen somewhere that there was a sauna at OKW, but I never knew where it was. I will certainly check this out on my next trip to OKW.

Thanks, Bill, you learn something new every day here on the DVC Boards.

 

[SamS]

My wife and I finished out our first trip home this past June at OKW. We spent a week at BCV (our home resort) first, and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, but found OKW to be a great change of pace. Olivia's was very good, as was the snack bar food. Since it was just the two of us, we stayed in a studio as we had at BCV. We did like the studio at BCV a bit more, especially the separate bath/sink area, but there's alot to be said for two beds, which you get at OKW, rather than a bed and a sleep sofa. Then again, it's nice to have a sofa. (Depends if there's two of you or more). We will definitely stay there again! In fact we considered a two bedroom with our son and his family for just one night this coming June, but we'd have had to shorten our BCV studios stay too many days to free up the 73 points for a Saturday night. Enjoy!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I predict your family will love OKW so much, that even after you have stayed at BCV and BWV, you will be wanting to come back to OKW too!

As to the sleeping arrangements for the boys...If two are comfortable sharing a queen bed, I would do that. Otherwise an airbed that they could trade off sleeping on would be another suggestion. We have even had one who wanted total privacey, so they put the cushions from the love seat on the laundry room floor!!

The reason there are 2 bedrooms available at OKW is because it is so large and has so many more rooms.

Don't forget to pack light and bring along laundry detergent! That in room laundry is SOOOO convenient!

 

[disneyberry]

OKW is huge! and it is a resort made up of 2-bdrm units.

there are 274 dedicated 2bdrms.
and 226 lockoff 2bdrms.

no wonder you were able to book a 2bdrm at OKW last minute!

anyway, i have heard great things about the 1bdrm and 2bdrm units at OKW.
they look beautiful in all the pics we've seen. (we have only stayed in a studio at OKW)

you can always waitlist for BCV.
if you have enough points to do day-by-day waitlist, you probably have a chance to switch your ressie over.
sorry i hope that last sentence doesn't confuse you! let me know if you need clarification.

 

[Jillpie]

ok, thanks again. It seems the consensus is to have all three boys sleep together in the second bedroom and not have one sleep in the living room, yes? I can guess it is nice to have that space in the living room to "hang" and not have to undo the sleeper every day. We have a aero bed, but with a 2 br I wasn't planning on bringing it. I can't believe they say 8 can sleep here? Wow, that sounds crowded. I can't WAIT to see ANY villa. Its been a year since we joined but because of circumstances had to cancel the last two trips. I can't even imagine walking into one, after spending 4 years at POR. Thanks again folks, you're the best.

 

[Laurabearz]

As others have said, OKW is often availble due to it's size.....

With that said, you shouldnt fret.... ALL DVC villa's are wonderful, esp the two bedrooms! OKW's villa's are much larger than the others, but each resort has it's own charm.

I would stick with the waitlist, but I wouldnt worry about settling for OKW, coz that is one heck of a second choice!

 

[WOW]

You will LOVE it----We have been DVC members since 1994 and it is still our absolute favorite. Of course, being close to the parks at other DVC resorts is great, but we are just fine with the OKW transportation. We have rarely have to wait any length of time. And when we do, we just sit back and relax!!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy!!!1

 

[Jillpie]

Thanks Laura and to "wow", thanks for your comments, they make me feel much better. Next I'll be asking everyone for what bldg. to request so we don't have to walk a mile after the buses. I requested to be near Hospitality House, but don't have a clue which bldg. is best. But I guess I'll wait till the end to ask that.