OKW or POLY/AKL

[ac_roo]

Hi! I have a family of 5...me, DH, DD, DS, and DS...ranging in age from 11 to 8. We're returning for the 2nd time...first time at Dolphin with teacher rate. We enjoyed our stay, but I felt like we really missed being at a Disney themed hotel with all the magic.

We finally had decided to stay at the Poly, switch mid-trip to AKL. Thought the access of Poly would be great, the theming etc...however, we really wanted to stay at the AKL. We're still debating concierge...but that's another issue

HERE's the ISSUE!
We have been offered the opportunity to stay in a 2 bedroom at OKW by a close friend for under $1000. IMHO, the kitchen, Master BR, 2nd bR, laundry sounds great.

However, What about the magic, lack of housekeeping, and transportation....those of you experts, give us your thoughts.

Thanks!
Niki

 

[rpink58]

Niki,
I am a Dvc member and my home resort is OKW and we love it there. But in Nov. we stay at the AKL conc. and it was great. Matter of fact next Nov. I plan to stay at the AKL for two day so my son can do the sunrise safari. What I am getting at is I would take the AKL over OKW. ...At OKW house keeping is done every three days and transportation I don't think is any better or worse than the other resorts.
Ray

 

[ac_roo]

Surely, some of you have stayed at these resorts...and have thoughts.

 

[BCV23]

I've stayed at all three and LOVE all three. However, my stay at AKL was just two nights solo before I checked into the Polynesian and the rest of the troops arrived. For our family of five, the rooms at AKL would be way too small. I believe the concierge rooms are a little larger but not much.

We are huge Polynesin fans...I think around 30 vacations now. Can't beat the magic or convenience of that resort.

But I think that OKW has magic too and you won't believe the space compared to the Dolphin...or any other hotel room for that matter. You don't say how long your stay is, but if you're saving lots I would probably go with that and use some of the savings on a rental car if you weren't planning on that already. The space, the refigerator, two bathrooms and the washer/dryer make life so much nicer.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

We have only stayed at OKW and other DVC resorts,but i would definetly say stay at OKW the rooms are HUGE.I would Love to stay at some of the other resorts but once you stay in a DVC room i cant do it,maybe 1 day i will stay at AKL so we can do the sunset or sunrise safari.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We've stayed in all three. Polynesian the first time we went (we had our two nieces with us, plus our son, so we needed room for 5). Room was nice, the twin sized day bed was big enough for any of us to sleep in. We had a lagoon view, so we could watch the fireworks from our balcony.

We have stayed at AKL twice, once in a savannah view and once in concierge savannah view. We really like AKL to be able to see the animals from our balcony. And we did the Sunrise Safari in June.

We have stayed at OKW about six times and have another trip in October planned. We love the room, the quietness of the resort and the - once again - view from our balcony. OKW has all the positive aspects you could imagine, plus all the Disney touches. You still get a Mickey wake up if you want, hidden Mickey's all over the place, a great dining facility in Olivia's, and a "Welcome Home" when we arrive. Never had a problem with transportation. It's a Home Away from Home resort, so we treat it like home - make our own bed (except when we get the full cleaning on day 4 of our 8+ days stay), load the dishes in the dishwasher, hang up our towels or throw them in the washer. (You get your trash taken and towels replaced on day 4 if you stay less than 8 days).

 

[McKeeFamily3]

I'll add my 2 cents
We've stayed at AKL and OKW. Loved both of them. Personally, I think AKL would be a bit cramped with 5. The 2 bedroom at OKW is wonderful! We stayed with a group of 7 (3 adults 4 children) and we were very comfortable. OKW still has the Disney magic I think. It's also much more relaxing. This is DH's main requirement when on vacation. He also loved AKL but is insisting on OKW for this trip. The extra bedroom, extra bathroom, kitchen and laundry win hands down! You can always go to AKL for dinner and an evening around the fire, that's how we will get our AKL fix this trip

 

[AZKathy]

We are DVC members and OKW is our home resort. We have absolutely no desire to stay elsewhere. There is Disney Magic everywhere. You will get around 1400 square feet in that two bedroom which is a whole lot more room compared to a hotel room; I think you would feel cramped with five in other places. You have the full size kitchen, three tv's, a jacuzzi bath tub in the master bathroom, a lovely porch/balcony with your villa with seating for four with lovely views of the resort, a washer and dryer, and the convenience of parking right outside your villa. Certainly, there is not housekeeping, but there is not much to do other than make beds and pick up towels daily! It is no big deal to do those things, really. My DH loves not having strangers (housekeepers) coming in there daily, anyway!!!!

We always make ressies at Bomas to experience AKL and O'Hana's for Poly. Honestly, the only thing your kiddos may miss is a slide at the pool that the other two resorts have. We don't miss it, but I know my kiddos will be happy when they get it put in next year! If you choose to stay at OKW, don't forget to take the Trumbo Boat ride to Downtown Disney; it is lovely.

Good luck with your decision. $1000 is a great deal, by the way!