OKW, BWV or SSR for 3bdr Villa?

[Gabby&Liv's Mommy]

We have never stayed at any of these locations before. Aside from the cost, what are the pros and cons of each? I have read bits and pieces of different threads, but was hoping for more feedback.

We will be going 1st week in December 2007 with DH, DDs (3&5) and my parents (both 60). At this point, our plan is not to rent a car.

I heard Springs at SSR was close to the main pool, etc. Does Springs have one or more grand villas?

Are grand villas hard to reserve? (I know I will need to reserve 11 months in advance)

Thanks!

 

[ccw]

Have only had the pleasure of staying in OKW Grand Villa (3 bedroom) since that is where I own my DVC points (and it is my favorite resort, too!). The GV there is amazing...very large living area with nice porch, plus FOUR bathrooms (one only has shower as opposed to tub/shower but it is so nice to have a second bathroom on the first floor. ) I stayed at this GV in Nov. with 5 girlfriends and all of us just loved it. Very spacious and gracious (and fewer points required than the other GVs, too!).

 

[Merilyn]

We nearly always stay in a GV at OKW since we own there. It is just great. It is very large and really nice for our big family. We were once lucky enough to stay in a GV at BWV but it was because they had over booked at OKW and they put us there. It was great but smaller. It was very nice also. You can't go wrong with any of them. It will be hard to book except at your home resort though. Good luck with your plans and let us know what you think about them!
Merilyn

 

[Gabby&Liv's Mommy]

Has the transportation been an issue for you at OKW? I have heard great things of the location….nice, relaxing environment, very large rooms. But I have also heard that this is one of those resorts that you should really have a car. Would the transportation be an issue if you don’t have your own car? Also, how are the Christmas decorations? We will be there the 1st week in December.

One more quick question about OKW and I truly don’t intend for this to sound as snobby as it is going to come out. The room pictures from OKW remind me what I would expect to see in an older condo complex in Florida. Is the décor more attractive in person? SSR seems so luxurious. Maybe it is just a matter of taste. I guess my question is….is OKW just as updated as the rest of the villas? Did the décor bother you?

Also, my DH just mentioned last night that maybe we should consider a 2 bdr and a studio. If we go this route, can you request and be successful at getting them together?

Thanks so much for all of your help.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have NEVER had a transportation issue at OKW, and we have stayed there more than 20 times, and have had several OKW/GV stays. Since early December is a very popular time with DVCers, I hope you own at whichever resort you choose to book, since you will likely need to book day by day at the 11 month booking window. Maybe not for SSR, but definitely for BWV and probably for OKW.

 

[ccw]

We have stayed at OKW with a car and without and, while the car is nice at least for a day or two for grocery store runs, etc., it is not essential. Funny how folks make a deal about how important it is to have a car at OKW...I actually think it is nice to have a car at ANY Disney resorts (incl. BW, BC, etc) to have the option of doing your own thing when you don't want to deal with boats,buses, or even the monorail (because, last time I checked, the monorail does NOT take you to Winn Dixie, to the Lake Buena Vista golf course, or to the ball park!). That said, we don't end up using the car all that much...but having it is a nice option. From the farthest villa to the Hosp. House at OKW is about a 7 minute walk...if you have folks in your party who can't handle that then they probably would also be the ones who would be happy to just hang out at one of the many quiet pools closer to the villa. In otherwords, proximity to the HH is NOT critical for lots of us. BUT if it is for you and you don't want to walk because of young children or elderly guests, you should pick another resort where you will likely trade off the peace and quiet of OKW for a little more hubbub. Each resort has beauty and appeal to different people for different reasons. SSR is entirely too blah for me (not vacation-y/themed enough) but others love it and I am sure I could be perfectly happy staying there...it just isn't my style. (But I have to say that the lounge chairs by the SSR main pool are the nicest of the DVC resorts i have visited...and my DVC pool-hopping privilege allows me to enjoy them while staying elsewhere) Goood luck! (Oh, by the way, the 2 BR and studio might work..no guarantees you will be super close to each other but MS will certainly try to meet your request)

 

[spiceycat]

i do love oKW - but if you have the points I would go for BWV....

it is so darn expensive - but hey if you have the points being on the BW would be nice - especially for your parents.

now your kids won't like it - because the only transportation to the MK is the bus and the Epcot resorts can and do sometimes share a bus.

they generally don't early in the morning - but after that they do.

so who is this trip for? - your parents or your kids.... if you say both then stay at OKW it is about as close to the central of WDW as you can get.

your parents - then stay at BWV.

Your kids - then go with a 2-bedroom and studio at VWL. (sleeps the same) or go with your home resort. SSR has some lovely GV...

 

[spiceycat]

there are several GV at SSR.

one is near the main pool - but the one I lovely is near DD.... great views!!!

 

[Gabby&Liv's Mommy]

I think you have sold me on OKW. We really want this to be a vacation and not just touring the parks. Dad and DH are planning on golfing a few times, etc. Anyway, the space that the 3 bdr at OKW has to offer will really help the relaxation. We don't mind a 7 - 10 minute walk to the HH. That's not a problem. When I read others complaints about OKW I was picturing 20 minute walk.

This will be our last time renting points. We wanted to stay at a few of the DVC resorts before deciding on a home resort. Let me say that differently, my DH wanted to do that. I would have bought a while ago. He's more conservative with our money. I guess that's a good thing.

Sounds like I will need to find someone willing to rent with a home resort of OKW. I will start looking now. =)

How many GVs does OKW have?

Thanks so much. All of this info is very helpful and greatly appreciated.

 

[byoung]

OKW lowest of all for points.

 

[ceejay13]

I do agree with spiceycat that you will probably have a tough time unless you book at the 11 month window so I hope OKW is your home resort. We called day by day a couple of years ago when we booked a GV for a 5 night golf trip for the first week of December.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Isnip...How many GVs does OKW have?

Thanks so much. All of this info is very helpful and greatly appreciated.

OKW has 27 GVs. We usually book them day by day at 11 months out for the early December time period, so yes, rent from an OKW owner.