OKW or Swan/Dolphin

[taking6toDL]

I am taking my two preschoolers, my hubby, and my parents to WDW in Sept 11 - 19. I have enough points for two rooms at the Dolphin to cover most of the stay but will still need to pay about $1200 in room charges plus tickets, another $1550. Meals estimated about $2,500

With the Disney dine free program I can get a two bedroom villa at OKW with tickets and meals for $5700, about the same price I was going to pay for meals, tickets, and rooms at Dolphin. And then I can save my points for another stay with Sheraton......

The question is....AM I GIVING UP TOO MUCH BY CANCELLING THE DOLPHIN AND STAYING AT OKW?

Please give me your insight...this is my first trip...Thanks!!!!

 

[webray]

A two bedroom would be nice, everyone could still have a bit of privacy.

The washer/dryer would be great, you could pack less.

 

[minniesfriend]

I don't know much about the Disney Dine Program but we've stayed at both resorts several times. Is your price about difference $3,000?

The best thing about S/D is the location. It is great to be able to walk to MGM and EPCOT. But, depending on your party, you may choose to take the boats anyway. It's a tough walk for the kids if you don't have a stroller. Plus the walk in the parks....

The two-BR villas at OKW are huge! We stayed in a 2 BR with my in-laws and it was really nice. We all had our own personal, get-away space. We were able to put the kids down for naps or early bedtime and not have to tip toe around the room. It was nice to eat breakfast in the rooms at our leisure, instead of waiting on everyone to get ready to go down to breakfast. I'm one of those people who actually does some laundry on vacation. You are able to drive right up to your front door here to unload. The full kitchen is nice.

I really like both resorts. Considering your party size, if money was no issue, I would recommend that you consider OKW. On the flip side, $3000 is $3000 and with the amount to points (Starwood, I take it) you have, you may be upgraded to the club level (good for snacks and b-fast) or maybe you could look into what it would cost to upgrade to a suite. A suite may cost less than $3000 and still give your family plenty of space.

 

[CarolA]

I am taking my two preschoolers, my hubby, and my parents to WDW in Sept 11 - 19. I have enough points for two rooms at the Dolphin to cover most of the stay but will still need to pay about $1200 in room charges plus tickets, another $1550. Meals estimated about $2,500

With the Disney dine free program I can get a two bedroom villa at OKW with tickets and meals for $5700, about the same price I was going to pay for meals, tickets, and rooms at Dolphin. And then I can save my points for another stay with Sheraton......

The question is....AM I GIVING UP TOO MUCH BY CANCELLING THE DOLPHIN AND STAYING AT OKW?

Please give me your insight...this is my first trip...Thanks!!!!

If I am reading this right you can get the entire vacation OKW for what the Swan/Dolphin was going to cost you plus tickets and meals. Go with OKW. You will NOT believe the size of the rooms. The two bedroom is HUGE!!! I assume you were getting two rooms at Swan/Dolphin. In addition to two bedrooms you will have a big living room and a nice kitchen. You also have a washer/dryer which is nice with toddlers so you don't have to deal with wet/stinky clothes after they play in the fountain! I would go with OKW in a heartbeat on this! The pool is nice. You will have to take the bus, but you do at Swan/Dolphin also so there is not a big trade off there. The only trade off might be that OKW is more spread out, but it is also very relaxing.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I think you should go for the 2br at OKW. You will have so much more room to spread out with so many people -- plus the use of the full kitchen, washer and dryer. That will come in handy. Plus, you can't guarantee that your rooms will be connected or together at the Swan/Dolphin, but at OKW you are all in the same villa -- and still with separate bathrooms.

 

[kpossible]

We stayed at OKW and loved it. It was great to have all that room with kids. The resort is pretty and relaxing. Sometimes the bus was slow but other than that it was great. We liked sitting out on the large deck and having dinner. Have fun.

 

[minniesfriend]

Thanks for making sense of the money, Carol A. It totally misread that!

I would definitely stay at OKW.

 

[meddam]

When I read the title, I said Swan/Dolphin. When I read the circumstances, I said OKW. I've never been to OKW, but the draw for kids anywhere is the pool & I love the Swan's but I'm sure OKW's is nice too. The kids probably won't care too much about the BW area & you probably won't want to walk to Epcot/MGM with little kids. The boats probably take as much time as the busses at OKW, so you wouldn't really save time. Now, as for the adults, the BW area is much more interesting. The S/D have some really nice restaurants as does the BW, but if you're renting a car (I can't remember if you are) you could just drive to dinner. In the end, I'd go with the savings - even with my love for the Epcot resort area & having no experience with OKW.

 

[beccasmom]

The OKW room is huge! I don't believe you'd regret staying there....two bathrooms! And the washer/dryer is a big help.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

OKW has a remodeled pool complete with slide and large Mickey Mouse style sandcastle.

OKW is also a short boat ride away from DTD which is filled with all kinds of restaurants. OKW also has Olivia's.