Not members, just one time visitor

[disney greenhorn]

From the feedback so far on Old Key West Resort, I am not sure if we will be able to stay there and if we want to. Reason being, we have no intention of becoming owners. We as a family just want a place to stay over the Thanksgiving week in 2002 in Walt Disney World that is apartment -like and has some privacy for our various family members. Our AAA agent right away said OKW would be the place. She did not give us the impression that there would be any problem obtaining a reservation to OKW because we are not members. She did say to call her in January as soon as OKW was taking reservations. Is it felt that if we would go earlier in November we would have better luck in getting a 2bedroom "lock off" villa? Being five people - 4 adults, one child - is a "lock off" 2bedroom villa more room than needed? Does anyone know if any of the other resorts have villa type accomadations that our not privately owned? We really like the idea of a fridge and living room. Thanks for all the input given so far. I am the one who has to collect the info and than explain to other family members.

 

[Chuck S]

You are more than welcome at OKW. Our resort has a very relaxed atmosphere. Most villa type accomodations in the WDW area are timeshares, however the Disney Institute is owned and operated by Disney. OKW basically is operated by Disney on a contractual basis, and the onsite benefits are the same as any other Disney resort, and meets the same standards. I don't think you'll be approached about buying, except maybe a phone call or message (and I'm not even sure about that, never having stayed as a non-member). There is no pressure in DVCs sales tactics. It is entirely up to you whether you take a sales tour. Relax and enjoy.......

 

[wdwnut]

hi: DVD also retains about 4% of the total inventory to rent on a cash basis, so you shouldn't have a problem if you book early. there won't be any pressure to buy there-it's all sold out anyway and only available via resale.

 

[PamOKW]

To someone like yourself, OKW, BWV and WLV (the DVC resorts) are like any other WDW hotel. All of these resorts offer the apartment set-up you are seeking. The Disney Institute also apartment-like set-ups but I think you'll find the DVC resorts even more deluxe. You (or your travel agent) call and request a reservation at any DVC resort. If there is room, you've got it. This is really the same as all the other WDW resort hotels -- if there is room you can book it. There are a variety of reasons why rooms would be available at these resorts but it isn't necessary for you to know all the logistics.

You most likely will find a channel in the room with DVC info. But, this channel is in all the WDW resorts. You should have no concern whatsoever about anyone trying to sell you DVC. OKW and BWV are already sold-out....WLV is about to sell-out and BCV will probably be well along in sales by next November.

A two-bedroom is the best choice. It will give you two seperate bedrooms and two bathrooms. The "lock-off" gives you two seperate entrances and a kitchenette in the second bedroom/studio area. A dedicated two-bedroom gives more vanity space in place of the kitchenette and only one entrance door. I think either would work for your group as well.

 

[disney greenhorn]

PamOKW

I was wondering if you know if the price for a "lock off" 2bedroom villa is the same price as the true 2bedroom villa? The second bedroom in the "lock off" sounds as if it is a studio type, true? This means actually what?

 

[PamOKW]

I'm not sure but I believe the pricing would be the same. A lock-off is indeed a studio and a one-bedroom where a double connecting door is opened to connect the two units.

 

[Dean]

You have several options on WDW property to accomplist what you want. I'd say the DVC resorts are your best option, whether OKW is best, depends on your situation. You will not feel out of place not being a member. You will get plenty of room in a 2 BR at any DVC resort and that is what you should get if your child is 3 or over as the occupancy limit is 4 plus a child under 3 for the 1 BR. You will likely need a car if at OKW so if you don't plan on one, I'd consider the other options. In addition to the DVC resorts, there are several other options to include the Treehouse villas, Ft. Wilderness cabins and Disney Institute. There may be more options I'm not aware of other than the very expensive suites at BWI and Grand Floridian. If you can't get a room through Disney CRO directly or your TA, consider renting directly from a member.

 

[disney greenhorn]

Dean:

Why do you feel we will need a car? It is not a problem, because we will be driving to Florida from our home. But I was under the impression that WDW bus transportation is not bad at OKW resort. I am not sure if I mentioned, but we will been at WDW over the week of the Thanksgiving holiday of 2002, foresee any problems for first timers to WDW?

 

[chris1gill]

Hi Disney Greenhorn!

First of all, WELCOME!! Secondly, if you are looking for a villa-type accomodation, the DVC villa's are the best on WDW property! We stayed SEVERAL times on a cash basis before we became members. Why we didn't join sooner, I have no idea, but, to answer your question, we NEVER, EVER felt out of place when we stayed at OKW on cash.... You could not tell an owner from a non-owner & everyone that we encountered was very nice...

The 2 bedroom should work well for you, there is MORE than enough room for you. About 1300 square feet worth of room in a 2 bedroom, so you'll be SET!!! The villa's are beautiful. Your other options would be the Boardwalk Villa's & the Villa's at Wilderness Lodge... The BW & WL villa's are smaller than OKW villa's, but still PLENTY large enough for your party!!! You'll have your own washer/dryer, whirlpool tub, Master Bedroom & full kitchen... You cannot beat the value of the DVC resorts!

As for driving, OKW is very nice, you can park right outside your door & moving around via car is very convenient. I WOULD NOT recommend driving to the parks however, the transportation at OKW is very good, as good as any other Disney resort... It's just the option of having your car outside your door that makes having a car appealing.

Good luck, I would personally call CRO & ask about any triple A or Disney Club discounts on the room... you might get lucky on the cash rate!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by disney greenhorn
Dean:

Why do you feel we will need a car? It is not a problem, because we will be driving to Florida from our home. But I was under the impression that WDW bus transportation is not bad at OKW resort. I am not sure if I mentioned, but we will been at WDW over the week of the Thanksgiving holiday of 2002, foresee any problems for first timers to WDW?

You can do OKW without a car but it is better with one. I'd opt for BW without a car. I know I'd never stay at OKW without a car but we've had family that have. We just like the freedom to jump in the car and head to a park or wherever. Also, there are some places you just can't easily get without a car like other resorts, this is less of a problem if we were staying at WL or BW as those are 2 of the main resort areas we like to eat at.

 

[Regina]

One thing to be aware of is that they won't guarantee that you will get a lock-off. That's considered a request, and Disney never guarantees them.

And the old "car vs non-car" debate surfaces.

We've been staying at OKW for the last 10 years. We've been very happy with Disney transportation. When we have needed a car, we never used it to get to the parks.

For instance, next week we're going and we're renting a car because we're visiting my in-laws.

 

[brittsmum1998]

WE did the same type of thing in 1993 (?) We rented a two bedroom at OKW w/ me, dh, dmil (?) bil, sil and two children. It was wonderful at the time. We got one message about buying into DVC (didn't do it ) too niave at the time i guess. They did have that DVC tv station at the time I think. We also got great rates thru triple AAA. We arrived the Saturday after Thanksgiving. There was plenty of room at the Villa.

Here comes the smoke that starts the flame part...close your eyes if you don't want to read it .....
IMHO at the time, we thought OKW was wonderful for such a big family we didn't complain TOO much about the transportation (of course that was back in 93) or the fact that it was so spread out. Had a HARD time getting away from that darn MIL We know are owners at the BWV's and DH never ceases to compare the entertainment aspect and the transportation. OKW is a wonderful resort especially for the larger families. I don't like to drive anywhere in WDW, I think if you stay there you have to be aware that if you don't drive your car, expect alot of travelling time. I know people will say we haven't been there in a while but reading these boards it doesn't snd like much has changed. Good Luck and have a great trip. The crowds after Thanksgiving were wonderful!!