Is OKW anything like...

[pharmlivin]

Dixie Landings? The reason I'm asking is that I would like to try OKW but last Christmas we stayed at VWL and loved it so much we are afraid to try anywhere else for fear we will be disappointed. I'm imagining that OKW is sort of like Dixie Landings in terms of grounds and atmosphere...(I don't know why I think of it that way...just an impression...) am I off the mark? Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[new_yawka]

OKW does have the peaceful quality of Dixie Landings' (now POR) magnolia bend area. The building in which the villas are located are not as "stately". Rather, the area is lush with vegetation. It is a bit more carribean than southern in its influence.

OKW is a great resort...especially if you want to "get away from it all" and relax. You will not be awestruck, as with the entrance at WL....but you will fall in love with everything about it...the atmosphere, the spacious rooms...the pastels...

We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly (with 2 young children) at OKW!

 

[hulagirl]

I can't make a comparison because I've never stayed at Port Orleans but I will say this: Love for OKW just sneaks right up on you. We stayed for 10 days at the beginning of this month and we almost extended it to 14. I really did not want to leave. It's hard to explain. I love the elegance of the other DVC resorts but something about OKW is like the difference between admiring a beautiful movie star and being with your best friend. ( I hope that doesn't sound totally corny ) I just felt like with each passing day I was more comfortable and more "at home" and it really was the most relaxing vacation I've had in a very long time.
Nothing about it was pretentious but everything about it was lovely. There are so many things I liked - convenient parking, uncrowded pools, down to earth people, comfortable public spaces, quiet views, spacious rooms. I will stay there often in the future not because it was the Ritz, but because of how it made me feel...

 

[PamOKW]

I wouldn't say it's like Dixie Landings. The grounds are a fabulous golf course and the accomodations are far more luxurious than Dixie. It's really it's own animal. The closest comparison might be CBR on steroids but that's just because they both have that tropical feel to them. Georgraphically, it's roughly in the same area as PO.

 

[J.P.]

I have stayed at both resorts and agree with the above posts that OKW sneaks up on you and it is a great resort to stay at. Been going there every since 1992. JP

 

[Muushka]

Let me preface this with

1. Yes, the rooms at OKW are large
2. Yes, the ammenities at OKW are superior to DL

We always stayed at DL before buying into DVC. We stayed at OKW 1 br last year. My impression is that they are somewhat similar (no, not the rooms) in landscape and somewhat similar in building style (at Alligator bayou, but not the mansions). I actually prefer DL to OKW for outside appearance (obviously not the rooms) and ambiance. We always stayed at the mansions.

We are (previously) from S FL, so that tropical feel at OKW does nothing for us. DL had more of an appeal (again, not the rooms!)

Yup, the description of CBR on steroids is a better comparison.

PS we own at VWL, you know, the place with the 'tiny rooms' and 'ridiciously high points'. Funny, we have no desire to spend less points and enjoy the extra room at the 'only true DVC resort'

 

[Dean]

Personally, I find CBR closer to OKW in terms of the overall resort. The colors are similar and in some ways the set up is similar. I like it much better than CBR though. I guess I get a closer feeling with PO/Dixie Landing but it's not because of direct comparison of the resorts.

 

[DeeP]

I think OKW is very similiar to CBR in the look of the resort, the landscaping, the colors etc. It has the quiet, laid back feel of PO but then so does CBR. OKW & CBR are both also very large resorts and the layout of the buildings and building colors are very similiar.
Of course they both have their differences like the rooms at CBR can't even begin to compare to a 1 BR or larger villa at OKW, CBR has a more enhanced main pool w/life guards, CBR has a food court and a sit down restaurant, OKW has Community Hall w/activities, etc., but the overall look of both resorts, I have found very similiar, when I have stayed at both resorts.

 

[DeeP]

PS we own at VWL, you know, the place with the 'tiny rooms' and 'ridiciously high points'. Funny, we have no desire to spend less points and enjoy the extra room at the 'only true DVC resort'

LMAO,
Don't even give it a second thought, I have spent less pts for the extra room several times and it was not worth it to us. I'll take the fake DVC resorts anyday.

 

[beccasmom]

OKW is my home resort and I really love it. It is beautiful in an understated manner and decorated in colors that are soothing and relaxing. They are not “fussy”, but yet they create a wonderful combination of comfort and luxury. The villas are spacious and comfortable, making it possible to really “settle in” for the week. If I could move the two-bedroom villa home with me, I would do it in a heartbeat!

I have stayed at BCV twice in the past and while they are lovely and close to the parks, I’ve always found myself missing OKW. It does sneak up on you and has a loyal following not just among its members but with other vacationers who crave a relaxing stay. It is a lovely oasis.

 

[Scoootch]

Before becoming DVC members in 1997, we always stayed mostly at DL's -- if you like DL's, YOU WILL ABSOLUTELY LOVE OKW! That being said, we always preferred the pastel colors and tropical like theming of the Disney resorts such as DL or CBR as opposed to darker type colors of say WL so for us after loving to stay at DL's, OKW was like a MAJOR upgrade (and we had already thought DL's was great )

So to the OP'r, you aren't totally off the mark, but as I said, if you like the theming of DL's (now POR-R) OKW is even nicer - and IMHO, OKW has the best villas of all the DVC resorts. They just cannot be beat between the spaciousness and convenience of parking as well as they are just beautiful!!

Give OKW a try! You won't be dissappointed!

 

[spiceycat]

You will miss the food court - but that is all - besides - remember POR is just down the road from OKW - you can still get your fix.

Yes I still love POR my favorite of the moderates - but all the DVC resorts have a little extra.

No you won't get the WOW from the lobby like at VWL - but you will a double WOW WOW if you get a 1-bedroom or up - now if you get a studio - all the studios in all the DVC resorts are really similar - OKW has 2 queen beds - but that is the main difference - the 1-bedroom (and up) is really, really different.... much more room - you can spread out and you can also eat on the patio (the ones at the 1-bedrooms & up at the other DVC resorts are kind of small - to eat breakfast or dinner on) - OKW is perfect -

just make sure that if you eat on the patio that you have the fan going - so the insect can't get you....

None of the DVC resorts have the screened in balcony that other timeshares do - this is fine I love it outside - but I don't like being bitten....

 

[dianeschlicht]

I too think OKW is more like CBR on steroids!

I also agree that the WOW factor is inside the rooms and not outside. Don't get me wrong, I love the views etc at OKW, and especially the balcony. I think the main difference is that POR (DL) is a hotel setting, and not a vacation home. I always felt when I stayed at CBR, that it too was a bit more private.