Just Back from OKW/VB/VWL

[MickeyCrazed]

Hi Everyone!
We stayed at OKW for 5 nights in a one bedroom, 2 nights at Vero in a one bedroom and 3 nights at VWL in a studio.
I will be happy to answer any questions!

 

[mirlow]

We are planning a trip in January and I can't decide between OKW or VWL I plan on renting pts again, so OKW would be cheaper, but I like the location on VWL. I'm also debating between a studio and a one bedroom? We aren't going to be doing much of the parks, it's more just to go down and hang out with some family. What was your opinion on these two resorts? What did you like or dislike about them?

 

[MickeyCrazed]

First of all if you are going to be spending a lot of time away from the parks/in your room I would definately splurge on the one bedroom at either resort.
If you will be inviting family to your room, the one bedroom at OKW cannot be beat. Is is hands down the most spacious of all DVC resorts. The living room has a chair, loveseat, sofa, table with 4 chairs and a huge deck. We loved it.
In our opinion, the beauty of the WL lobby and grounds are unsurpassed at Disney, but the rooms are smaller and require more points.
Also, due to the size of the resorts, the one bedroom at OKW may be easire to obtain.
If you want a light and airy decor, go with OKW.
If you like a dark and rustic decor that makes you feel like your are away from it all, go with the WL.
One last note: the rooms at OKW tend to be quieter because you have your own outside entrance. (No noise fromt the hallways.)
I'm sure you will be extremely happy with either resort.
Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

Oops! Forgot to mention one major point. OKW is very spread out. If you are not renting a car, it may be a little difficult to get to the pool and eating areas.

 

[Debs Hill]

Glad you had a good trip! We are planning to do 4 days at OKW and 4 at VB, and it will be the first time staying at either of these resorts, usualy stay at BWV. What was your room location like at OKW and VB? Could you see the sea at Vero?! Was there much beach? Would love to see some photos!

 

[MickeyCrazed]

Debs,
I didn't think VB would make an impression on me, but I ended up falling in love with it. I wish I was back there now.
I was a little disappointed with our room because we ended up being on the first floor. However our room (1412) was surrounded by foliage so it did give us a lot of privacy we normally wouldn't have had. I believe the best views of the ocean would be from the 3rd floors, however, you may be able to get a glimpse from the 2nd floor also.
I've been told there are no parking lot views from the one bedrooms, but I am not 100% positive on that.
One thing to be prepared for: there is no cabinet space in the bathrooms. Only small shelves above the sick to store your tolietries.
I have never posted a picture here before, but I will try to add one to this post in a few minutes.
Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

Debs,
I cannot figure out how to post pictures here, but if you would PM me, I would be happy to email them to you.

 

[mirlow]

I'm still debating between the two resorts I have never been to OKW so I don't know what to expect. Is it really big? We visited CS this summer and that was huge, how does it compare? My biggest concern is that we end up in a room that is far away from the Hospitality House. Would that be bad? I'm also not sure about the pool at OKW. My kids love to swim and love a slide. It will be January so swimming may be iffy, but I wonder if they would like that pool even though there isn't a slide? We will be having a car so transportation won't be an issue. I think I read that you can park right next to your building? I have a couple of things planned over by the MK resorts so the location of the VWL would be great, but OKW is close to DD which is also on our agenda I think your right about a one bedroom, especially since the baby takes naps. If we were going to be spending a lot of time at the parks it wouldn't really matter. Thanks for your input.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

OKW is built around a golf course so it is really spread out.
I only visited CS once, but OKW is much bigger. The likelyhood that you will located near the HH is remote since the room assignments are not made until you arrive. (At least that is how OKW is currently handling it.)
The rooms at OKW are set up like no other on property. The easiest way to describe them would be like a condo unit. Parking is right in front of your unit. Very few units have elevators and some are 3 stories tall, so you should also consider the stairs when choosing your resort.
I don't use the pools, and I don't have children, so I can't really say what a child would enjoy. However, I looked at both, and in my opinion, the pools at WL seemed better.
I have a few pictures from the balcony of our OKW room as well as the parking lot looking toward the building. If you would like, feel free to PM me and I will email you copies.

 

[ncligs]

Mirlow,

Here is a link about OKW below, also the picture in my signature is an OKW villa.

http://www.wdwig.com/g_okw.htm

 

[SueM in MN]

OKW has a main pool and several quiter pools. None of them have a slide, but it might not matter too much in December anyway. They heat the water, but they can't heat the air. Since you are talking about a one bedroom where ever you stay, you may find that you don't go to the Hospitality House (HH) that much anyway and you can get there by shuttle bus if you don't want to walk. We have not had much trouble using the buses. There are bus stops scattered thru the complex, so you don't need to go to HH to catch a bus. There is also a boat that goes to DD from afternoon thru late evening.

We stayed at VWL last March in a 2 bedroom for half of our stay. The DVC building is not part of the main resort building. There is a covered walkway from the resort builfing to the DVC building, which is set up more like a traditional hotel, with a large central lobby and smaller elevator lobbies to get up to the hallway where your room is. The pool looked nice, but we never used it because it was packed with people each time we went down. There is a small, quite pool which we did use. No slide and the pool was not very deep.

 

[Debs Hill]

I would love for you to e-mail me your photos from OKw and Vero! Thank you so much. My e-mail address is:
eddie.debs@virgin.net

Look forward to them!

 

[MinnieGi]

Mirlow - just wanted to chime in on the OKW issue. We stayed there from Nov. 2nd to 8th and were put far from the Hospitality House, at first I thought this would be a problem, but it turned out we hardly went up there anyway. And when we did we just hopped in the car, right outside our building and zipped on up. With the full kitchen we had plenty of food and snacks in our villa already so not many trips needed to the HH except for a special snack such as a Mickey Bar! (he,he)

We also found it sooo convenient with a car right outside our villa to drive to the parks, resorts, as well as off-site destinations too. If you are having family come visit, I would think the big OKW living/dining and kitchen area not to mention the large porch will make a comfortable entertaining space.

No the pools do not have slides, but since I think you mentioned a January visit, I don't forsee that being a big issue.

Have fun deciding!
Gi

 

[mirlow]

Thanks for the input MinnieGI, but I no longer have to decide where to stay. We are going to be staying at the Dolphin I got it for $70 a night on priceline We are going to spend most of our time this trip at the resort rather than the parks. I really think the pictures of OKW look great and I want to go visit it when we are there in January. I just don't think it is a good choice for our family, at least not now. My kids are young and I much prefer a resort that is small so that it is easier to get around. I can see us staying there when they are older, out of strollers and carseats and could care less about a water slide