Impressions from 1st OKW visit

[PamOKW]

I was kind of surprised when my 17 year-old niece said she liked OKW better. She and her parents had to switch between the two one Christmas and I thought she'd be let down coming over to OKW. Go figure!

 

[dianeschlicht]

The teens we have had with us have always enjoyed OKW, but then they have never stayed at BWV! I would think the boardwalk atmosphere might be a little adult for some. The teens traveling with us to OKW have enjoyed going to DD on the pontoon and swimming at ALL the pools! Some have even brought along game stations and just chilled at the villa when they didn't go to the parks. In fact, they tended to want to stay "home" when all us oldsters were going back to the parks in the evening!

Disneydiane

 

[baileybrad]

I don't ever recall my folks asking me where/what I preferred when it came to vacation lodging decisions. Maybe that's a sign of the times.

When we are on a Disney vacation, we veg in the evening or swim after the parks are closed. I am on vacation so I don't feel the need to being doing something all of the time. I do feel that the lock-offs get more noise at OKW than they do at BW or for that matter the one time we stayed at the VLW. Maybe it has something to do with the design/construction of this portion of the OKW units.

With the excellent size of the OKW studios, having a queen sofa as one of the beds would be awesome. My little ones sleep in the other bed and I haven't really asked them how they like the bed. I guess I am just insensitive to the little tykesters.

I do feel that the OKW property doesn't seem so Disney and that may or may not be a good thing. It just is to me. But until things change it is nice, with the proper planning or timing, to enjoy different types of lodging/locations within the DVC. If some think that they have figured out which is best then, God bless them. After staying at the VWL recently, it is actually scary just how nice that place is.

[This message was edited by baileybrad on 03-09-01 at 11:47 PM.]

 

[eva]

We have this debate every trip (BWV vs OKW). We have two teens and they usually want OKW. They hate it when one of them has to sleep on the pull out. They also like to spend a lot of time at DD and Disney Quest. They do have a hard time deciding though because of Stormalong Bay. They love to pool hop there. Once the pool hopping is gone (which I believe will happen when BCV opens) they will probably want to be at OKW every time.

 

[KMarie]

In response to your question about how I upgraded the room while I was there, I called the front desk in the morning (before check-out time) and asked if it would be possible for us to upgrade to a 1-bedroom and use points to do it. The CM checked availability of the room, found there was one, and then contacted member services to make sure we had enough points. We checked out of our studio and into our 1-bedroom, which, fortunately, was ready, so we didn't have to wait until check-in time. The CM was very gracious (as all the CMs were at OKW during our stay), and said if we called bell services, they would more our belongings, too. We ended up moving the stuff ourselves since the new room was nearby.

 

[baileybrad]

whether or not the the pool hopping goes away remains to be seen, everytime a new resort opens that rumor starts to make the rounds.

I bet that we would be surprised by how many DVCers actually pool hop. I think the number is quite small. I would almost be willing to guess that there are more flat out trespassers at Disney pools than actual DVCers pool hopping.

 

[normr]

My kids just jump on the bus or boat and go explore themselves, they usually make friends of other teens and have a great time, it's not like they are trapped in a concentration camp.o

 

[wdw4us2]

Our home resort is OKW. One time we could not get in there and had to stay at BW. We always stay in a studio, so we wanted to see if there was any difference. We like OKW better for a number of reasons. OUr kids (DD 9 and DS 6) did not like sleeping on the pull-out. They like the activities at Community Hall at OKW better. They did like the pool at BW better because of the slide. DH and I like OKW because of the peaceful and quiet atmosphere and the close proximity of our car. After we get back from the parks, we are usually too tired to be looking for other activities. Maybe when the kids are older we'll try BW again.

 

[slindamood]

Galahad - -

We upgraded a VB 1BR to 2BR after arrival. While we stood at the check-in counter, the CM checked the availability, then called MS or someone to make sure it was OK to use with DVC points (instead of cash walk-in, I guess). It was very simple and quick. Took maybe 3 minutes. It should be possible at any DVC property as long as the room is available.

 

[Galahad]

KMarie & slindamood,

Thanks for the answers! So it seems that it doesn't matter whether MS is "open" or not to be able to do this. It's good to know. Thanks