OKW at 7 months

[DizneyLizzy]

I bought a get your feet wet contract at OKW, also as a sleep around contract. The only advantage I see I have is when we stay there, I want a room close to the HH. That is very important to me. Doesn't mean I might not sell this contract and buy a 65-80 points contract at SSR in the future though.

I know HH is a separate booking category for DVC. Does it require more points?

 

[SL6827]

I know HH is a separate booking category for DVC. Does it require more points?

No, but during some months of the year, it requires the 11 month advantage. I am thinking about staying there in 2019 during my daughter's fall break in October. I know I will most likely need that 11 month advantage then.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

No, but during some months of the year, it requires the 11 month advantage.

That is super helpful. Being near the HH is important to us too. Would definitely shift me in the direction of buying at OKW.

 

[SL6827]

That is super helpful. Being near the HH is important to us too. Would definitely shift me in the direction of buying at OKW.

Right, at SSR you can pony up more points and booked preferred. That is not an option at OKW.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Okay. Then I’m confused about Deb & Bill’s answer about Disney not holding back inventory for cash bookings?

At a DVC resort, all of the units are represented by points. Most points (95-98%) are owned by members. The remaining 2-5% are owned by Disney.

In addition, for DVC members who transfer points to RCI, or have options for cruises, they trade those points. Those points them become, essentially, Disney's to use.

With the points Disney holds (as full owner) and that are traded (by owner-members for non-DVC accommodation), Disney "book" units at different resorts, including OKW, that can be rented for $$ to the general public. Those units aren't so much "held for cash booking" as they are booked with points then rented for cash, by Disney.

The units that show when you're booking online via the Disney site, for cash, are cash rooms. They will never be available for points.* A limited number of points units sometimes become available for cash, inside 60 days. So if you called Disney right now, with points, and asked for one of the units you see on the cash site, you would be denied.

* exceptions exist but they'll just confuse the issue right now.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

At a DVC resort, all of the units are represented by points. Most points (95-98%) are owned by members. The remaining 2-5% are owned by Disney.

In addition, for DVC members who transfer points to RCI, or have options for cruises, they trade those points. Those points them become, essentially, Disney's to use.

With the points Disney holds (as full owner) and that are traded (by owner-members for non-DVC accommodation), Disney "book" units at different resorts, including OKW, that can be rented for $$ to the general public. Those units aren't so much "held for cash booking" as they are booked with points then rented for cash, by Disney.

The units that show when you're booking online via the Disney site, for cash, are cash rooms. They will never be available for points.* A limited number of points units sometimes become available for cash, inside 60 days. So if you called Disney right now, with points, and asked for one of the units you see on the cash site, you would be denied.

* exceptions exist but they'll just confuse the issue right now.

Thanks. That makes a lot of sense.

 

[The Jackal]

LOL at Disney slums. I feel like I am unfairly biased against SSR bc my only experience there has been waiting almost an hour for a bus to Animal Kingdom at 9:00 in the morning. We were staying at OKW but heading straight to a park from DME. The first stop on DME was SSR so we got off and went right to the main bus stop. 50 minutes later we were on our way to AK. It seems like a lovely resort, and a lot of the things we like about OKW (the quiet, serene guest rooms and areas) would be similar at SSR. With small children, we like to be at a resort that is on Disney property, but gives us and our kids a break from all of the stimulation of the theme parks.

You must have went to the Springs bus stop. SSR is the largest resort and on busy days in the AM busses fill up and the Springs is the last stop and can be full already. But I feel your pain. We waited for about 40 minutes for a bus to the Magic Kingdom. Saw about 5 Epcot buses before the MK bus showed up.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

You must have went to the Springs bus stop. SSR is the largest resort and on busy days in the AM busses fill up and the Springs is the last stop and can be full already. But I feel your pain. We waited for about 40 minutes for a bus to the Magic Kingdom. Saw about 5 Epcot buses before the MK bus showed up.

Yeah that’s a bummer. I feel like now that we are starting to drive to Disney, we could always use our car as a fallback option. And once our kids are out of big car seats, Uber will be easier.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Okay. Then I’m confused about Deb & Bill’s answer about Disney not holding back inventory for cash bookings?

What are you confused about? What you see for cash will never be converted to points unless it was points at 60 days out and transferred to Disney Reservation Center and might be able to be brought back. Just about everything you see on Disney Reservation Center won't be able to be booked with points (it would be rare if it was able to be booked with points). Just about everything you see on DRC is points traded by owners to book the non-DVC trips or points owned by DVC from foreclosures, the small percentage that they are required to own and what has not been sold yet.

The points that members use to book RCI trades go to RCI so someone using RCI to trade their points can book DVC (but DVC severely limits what RCI traders can book - usually only SSR one bedrooms).

Points stays are points stays and cash stays are cash stays and never the twain shall meet.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

Thanks so much for all of the feedback! I currently have a contract pending ROFR at OKW. I know I made the right decision bc I am so happy to be (hopefully) welcomed home at my favorite resort. I know I will rest easy (if this goes through) knowing I will be able to stay where I want to stay. If it doesn’t go through, back to the drawing board. Thanks again for the explanations and feedback!

 

[piratepride]

We purchased SSR in 2010 because of the price. It was $65 per point thru resale! We have been to Disney several times with our points the last eight years and have never booked and stayed there. We have stayed at GF twice and once each at AK Jambo, BW, Poly, OKW and BLT. All but one of these stays were in a Studio room.

 

[momtwoboys]

We purchased SSR in 2010 because of the price. It was $65 per point thru resale! We have been to Disney several times with our points the last eight years and have never booked and stayed there. We have stayed at GF twice and once each at AK Jambo, BW, Poly, OKW and BLT. All but one of these stays were in a Studio room.

we got a sweet deal like that too, 65.pp in oct 2017 for OKW! ENJOY!!!!!

 

[momtwoboys]

we will be booking in May for our April 2019 trip and want the HH section. The new studios are looking nice! We toured a current studio and a 1 bedroom just last week. Those were the old decor and was told that the HH section would be done last and completed spring 2019.