OKW lovers--Tell me not to stay somewhere else

[pistonfan32]

I am an OKW owner since 2005 and have only stayed at OKW. My family and another family (each with 7 or 8 year old child) will be going to WDW in January 2010 in a 2 bedroom villa. My wife and I just talked it out and we came to the consensus of going back to OKW again. We both said we were going to try another resort next time we come back but we keep leaning toward OKW. Largest villas by far, least number of points (not a big factor), near Downtown Disney, quiet resort after long days at the park, etc. Not sure where in the villa the OKW 2 bedroom villas have 300+ more square feet than the other resorts but they do. We thought about AKL and ruled it out. We loved the Grand Californian hotel in Disneyland and VWL reminded us a lot of that but it is not nearly the size of OKW. I am starting to wonder why and when I would stay at another DVC resort when in a 2 bedroom villa.

 

[katmittens]

We have just gone through the same process as you. We always stay at OKW. It is our home resort. There are four of us. Me, DH, DD age 22 and DS age 25.
Once we stayed at VWL, at Christmas in a 2 bedroom and loved it. It is smaller than OKW, but it is really nice. Nice theme, nice restaurants and quick service. Nice quiet pool, close to MK and MK resorts. We always have our car, we drive so we do use our car for everything except for MK.
We also stayed at BCV on a trip with Me, DH DD and DD's girlfriend when they were about 16, and we loved that but we only stayed in a one bedroom which was too small.
We are going in Jan of 2010 and have made our plans for a dedicated 2 bedroom at VWL. DS really wanted to stay here, DD is OK with this but prefers BC. DH will go wherever, but likes OKW for the larger rooms and the bigger balcony. I don't know. I keep changing my mind. As of now it is VWL.
I don't care about the size of the kitchen, we don't cook only reheat and use the refrigerator.
I have become unhappy with OKW over the mattresses. They are way too hard. Last time I had to get three egg crates just for our king size bed. I feel OKW needs some updating, bathrooms, beds in master. Justmore current updates. I am giving VWL a try knowing we can always go back to OKW and knowing that we will have other trips.
Good luck with your decision. I know it is not easy, but oh we are lucky to have to make these type of decisions.

 

[Mindy5767]

We stayed at OKW for the first time in Oct 08. Our home resort is SSR. What I didn't like about OKW was two things. The lack of connecting sidewalks. We had to walk in the street to the bus (which was a good distance) after the sidewalk ran out. That doesn't happen at SSR. The beds weren't as comfy true, and it needs some updating. The other thing I didn't like was the QS didn't seem to have inside tables. Its all open and it was hot and humid. Hm? when I eat, I prefer a little air. But we wanted to try a different resort so we went with it. What I did like was the themed pool area (which wasn't anywhere near our room). We also liked having the boat rental right there. We rented a paddle boat and paddled all the way to the King Tritan pool area at PO. That wasn't easy. Olivia's is a better restaurant than our Turf club, but that is my food preferences. I also like SSR's walk to DTD around the lake. OKW doesn't really seem to have anyplace to walk to. I would go ahead and try another resort if the points aren't a factor. I'd like to try VWL sometime. I like the ambiance, especially for a fall trip. I'd also like to try BWV or BCV because I like the turn of the century charm and the walkability. I'm not likely to desire AKV. Its a nice place to eat dinner though.

 

[pistonfan32]

I am really thinking about trying VWL but I really don't like the decor at all. The 2 bedroom villas are about 300 SF smaller than OKW. I wonder where they are smaller (kitchen, bedroom, etc.)? I think I am going to read some VWL reviews and see what I find. I have also wanted to stay at BCV so we wil see. Tough decision.

 

[Shadeaux]

We've been members since '94; haven't stayed anywhere other than OKW while at WDW since we joined. We've talked about staying elsewhere but always end up at OKW because we love it so much. I'd be happy to stay at OKW and skip the parks (ok, maybe not every trip lol). I spend a lot of time sitting out on the balcony drinking coffee, reading and watching wildlife and golfers.

 

[disneybass]

We would not own DVC if not for OKW. We love it!

 

[Deb & Bill]

The reason that OKW is so much larger than all the rest is because it was the first. When Disney realized they had a gem with the DVC, they also realized they could sell much smaller villas and save some money. So they did. They pretty much used the same layout until AKV and BLT. That is why you will never again see a villa the size of OKW. Even BLT is small compared to OKW and the points are so much higher to stay there. Got to pay for that MK view/location somehow.

Whenever we have anyone more than our own family (just three of us), we stay at OKW. In June 2011, we'll be bringing a group of teens along for a HS Graduation vacation for our son. We'll either be in an OKW two bedroom or OKW GV.

We also own at VWL and love the atmosphere there. We used to live in Montana and frequently went to Yellowstone for trips (I think we stayed in just about every Yellowstone lodging). So VWL was a no brainer for us. Plus it's close to the MK and very quiet. The smaller size also means we're not overrun with other guests.

 

[OKW Lover]

Wow, a thread directed especially to me! How cool is that?

We've been members since 1995 and OKW is our home resort. We agree that the rooms are the largest and the lowest number of points. We love the away from it all feel, yet its a short ride to any of the parks. Since we prefer to have our own car its really nice to be able to park practically at your front door.

Sure, you can get some of these features at the other DVC resorts (we've stayed at them all), but the combination of them is what keeps us going back to OKW.

 

[Flyerfan]

I can understand your reason for wanting to try other resorts but going home to OKW again and again. It would be hard for me knowing I love it so much somewhere and I wouldn't want to risk my trip staying somewhere else that I might not like at all. We stayed at OKW for half of our last trip. I loved the rooms. I loved the grounds. I loved the balcony, even though we did not have a good view. I loved that we could walk to DTD West Side. I loved the theming. There were little things that I was not crazy about but nothing to keep me from going back. We own at SSR and really like it there but the rooms have nothing on the OKW rooms. We are trying BWV this next trip because we love the Epcot area. I would like to try the others but I couldn't commit the whole trip, maybe just 2 nights to see if I like it. DH is set on SSR because of the proximity to DTD. I have to do some bargaining to get him to try the others.

Enjoy OKW. I'll be back someday, too!

 

[dvczerfs]

I am an OKW owner since 2005 and have only stayed at OKW. My family and another family (each with 7 or 8 year old child) will be going to WDW in January 2010 in a 2 bedroom villa. My wife and I just talked it out and we came to the consensus of going back to OKW again. We both said we were going to try another resort next time we come back but we keep leaning toward OKW. Largest villas by far, least number of points (not a big factor), near Downtown Disney, quiet resort after long days at the park, etc. Not sure where in the villa the OKW 2 bedroom villas have 300+ more square feet than the other resorts but they do. We thought about AKL and ruled it out. We loved the Grand Californian hotel in Disneyland and VWL reminded us a lot of that but it is not nearly the size of OKW. I am starting to wonder why and when I would stay at another DVC resort when in a 2 bedroom villa.

we beat ourselves up everytime also! we have been members since 99. our home resort in bwv. never stayed there. we have always stayed at okw since becoming members. in may my wife and i went for our 25th anv. and i suprised her w/ 7 night in the tower at the contemp., mk view. just the two of us. we had a great time. we went over to okw just to walk around. when we pulled out of the contemp parking lot my dw said that was fun thanks for the vacation but it wasnt okw!!! 11th floor,mk view at the contemp and would rather stay at okw! (i missed the place myself,were going back "home" in 72 days to okw!!!

 

[pistonfan32]

It will OKW. I can't see reasions not to. I hear about maintenance issues and every time I stay there I don't have any significant issues. To me, a corner of wallpaper peeled up is not a major issue like some make it out to be.

 

[Alexander]

We seem to keep falling back to OKW ourselves! I had four different bookings and a waitlist for this Aug/Sept visit, and finally called and said, just give me a 1 bedroom at OKW. Done--we are content and happy! The kids can't wait to get into the tub!

 

[Cee]

I took me YEARS to finally stay at OKW. I just never felt drawn to it. Well, once is all it takes because now it's one of our favorites. Don't try to justify it.
You like what you like. Stay at OKW!

 

[hsmamato2]

Our home is OKW and we stay there most of the time. We have also tried most of the resorts just to see. After trying them all, we do enjoy OKW the best - largest rooms and best point value, and magnificent landscaping.

my kids love OKW,anywhere else just isn't 'the same'

 

[leanne2255]

The thing that everyone likes about OKW, is what I don't like about OKW. Too quiet and deserted for me. I like to "people watch" so not much of a chance to do that in your secluded, tree covered villa. Only stayed in a studio, but it sounds like we need to try the 1BR to compare it to our home resort, BWV.

We love the location of BWV and the ability to walk to 2 parks, as well as the entertainment at night.

To each his own, I guess. DVC has something for everyone.

 

[snackyx]

I took me YEARS to finally stay at OKW. I just never felt drawn to it. Well, once is all it takes because now it's one of our favorites. Don't try to justify it.
You like what you like. Stay at OKW!

Cee: Please--keep this on the down low. That's all we need--everyone else finding out the OKW is really "Disney's best kept secret".

We have been members since January 1992 and I can count on one hand the number of times we did not stay at OKW (after 40+ trips).

 

[jodifla]

We've owned at OKW for 13 years and it is our favorite resort. We almost always stay there...I'd say, three out of every four trips are there.

But when we get a studio, I stay elsewhere...I like having the sofa in the room. So we've stayed at BCV, BWV, VWL, Vero, SSR in studios.

We'll be staying next month in a 2 bedroom at Jambo House BECAUSE OF THE BEDS AT OKW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They now TOTALLY SUCK! I had hoped the lousy bed at OKW in January was a fluke, now I see they are installing the el cheapo bedding throughout OKW.

So, until they mend this SERIOUS MISTAKE, we'll be branching out.

I expect pillowtop beds on vacation, not slabs of steel masquerading as a bed.

This will disappoint my son greatly, who loves OKW and can sleep anwhere.

 

[katmittens]

That was our big complaint on our last trip in January. The mattresses were HORRIBLE!!!I know you can get egg crates, which we did, but I don't want to be taking beds apart on vacation and put egg crates on three beds. As I also said I do think OKW needs some updating. Current counters in the kitchens, and new beds in the Master. I am not saying to change the theme of OKW, just update the theme. Keep the colors just some newer materials, granite, etc. We will be back at OKW for another trip probably in June since we will need the room at that point. DH and I will be in a studio at AKV at Jambo in October, so I wil be checking out 2 bedrooms both there and at Kidani for June just in case.

 

[jimmacmn]

I like to "people watch" so not much of a chance to do that in your secluded, tree covered villa.

OH my, some of the best people watching is one of the golf course villas at OKW. One year we were at OKW when Tiger played in the PGA event at Disney for the first time. They were still playing part of the event on LBV and we watched him play through. Another year, we had a GV that over looked the 7th tee. The 7th is an island green par 3 and it was a lot of fun watching golfers of every skill level play that hole!

We have been members since 1994 at OKW and have added on there once and once also at SSR. We like both, but still consider OKW "HOME"

 

[dvczerfs]

OH my, some of the best people watching is one of the golf course villas at OKW. One year we were at OKW when Tiger played in the PGA event at Disney for the first time. They were still playing part of the event on LBV and we watched him play through. Another year, we had a GV that over looked the 7th tee. The 7th is an island green par 3 and it was a lot of fun watching golfers of every skill level play that hole!

We have been members since 1994 at OKW and have added on there once and once also at SSR. We like both, but still consider OKW "HOME"

wow, i hope you couldnt hear to well from the 7th hole. i probley gave you some "non-disney" entertainment over the years from that hole!