OKW owners - should I buy here???

[Michigan RN]

I'm looking at purchasing a resale and don't know where? I'm not particulary a peak-traveler but I do book my vacations far in advance. Has anyone had trouble going to the other resorts at the 7-month window? OKW photos are nice - any info on the rest of the resort? Thanks for the help!

 

[Kick it up a notch!]

I own both BWV and OKW. I bought the OKW points so that I could trade them out and stay other places, then I stayed there. Now we go to BWV one year and OKW the next. My wife likes the bustle of the Boardwalk while I like the Quiet (and size) of OKW. I love both, but it depends on what you are looking for. Buy where you want to stay, as for the 7 month window, I have not had any problems, but I don't travel during the peak times.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

I own at Beach Club Villas and love it. I have stayed at OKW and I can tell you it is great.

The rooms at OKW are absolutely huge. If you book at least a one bedroom when you go, you will have: a huge living room area, a large master bedroom, a full kitchen, a large walk-in shower, washer/dryer, dishwasher and a jacuzzi. I am sure I am forgetting a lot.

You might have some trouble booking BCV, Vero, VWL, HH and BWV at certain times of the year. But I think you will almost always find space at OKW and SSR once it is completed, simply because of their sheer size.

I think you would be very comfortable owning at OKW, or any of the other resorts. It will sure beat those warm January nights in Michigan.

 

[spiceycat]

just don't try for the first two weeks of December - very busy time for DVC members -

by the way if you have never been during the time - try it once.

some people love it, other don't.

 

[rbuzzotta]

We love OKW and chose to be 2 resales here. Our thought is we can always get to the action and come "home" and relax!!

I am sure when my DD's get older, they will want to spend time at BWV.

We have never had a problem trading into VWL with only 4 months out......Once we waitlisted for VB for a week in the summer and it never came through so we just stayed at OKW for 2 weeks!!! WE have not tried to get into BWV or BCV yet..........

Goo luck

 

[PhillyDvcOKW]

Hey,
I am 20 years old and I have been staying at OKW since i was about 16 or 17. I would not want to stay anywhere else. I have met so many friends here over the years, its great. Each year I meet more and more people. This year for New Years 2 of the girls me and my buddy met 2 years ago came to visit us. It is like one big family down there. We go in late June through the 4th of July. There are probably more people there then, but I still would love the place no matter what. There are 4 kids in my family 5 including my friend that comes with us each year, and we never get bored there. We stayed at WL one year and it didnt feel the same to me. I think OKW is a must do.

 

[MiaSRN62]

OKW owner here and we love it. It is a little removed from the main parks but the busses generally run well. I don't always use the busses, but when I do I haven't encountered a problem. I have been able to trade out to BWV in late July/early August at less than 60 days out. I tried those same dates that year at BCV first and was unsuccessful. They only had 50% of my days available and I didn't want to change resorts half-way through. I also just traded out to HH at the 4 month mark for the end of May (prior to Memorial Day). I had tried for the following dates at HH and was unsuccessful : April 25-28 and June 20-23 (this was Father's Day and I was not suprised I didn't get that). But I did get May 23-26 and I think I got one of the last, if not the last, studio from what MS said. I feel I would have an extremely difficult time trading out to any of the other DVC resort the first two weeks in December or to BWV/BCV the end of Oct and all of November but I haven't tried either. Between Halloween, Food and Wine and Thanksgiving I don't think I'd stand much of a chance.
If you plan to travel in these busy DVC times, and you're leaning towards a particular resort, then I'd buy there. For instance, I'd love to stay at the VWL during December because it's my fav DVC resort (a smidge ahead of OKW based on themeing) and it's decorated so beautifully for the holidays. So I know I'll need to purchase an add-on there sometime in the future.
Good luck with your decision on the resale. OKW is a beautiful, relaxing, quaintly-themed resort with easy access to DD via boat. The rooms are larger, parking is right at your door and the points are lower if this is important to you. It is the one WDW DVC resort that does not have a hotel feel----it's more of a neighborhood/village feel. Let us know what you decide.

 

[SimbaCub]

If you don't mind only staying at OKW during "peak" DVC travel times--the first 2 weeks in December being one of those times, then don't worry. I own at both OKW and VWL with add ons at both. I always know that if I cannot switch out at the 7 month I am still going to stay at one of my "home" resorts so I don't mind at all. If you would prefer to book during the peak times then buy where you want to stay more often. As I say, a trip to WDW staying in a DVC resort is better than no trip at all!!

SimbaCub
4+ months until BCV

 

[floridafam]

Hi Neighbor,

If you like the style of OKW and would not mind staying there then I would definately buy there. There are some nice deals to be had by resale. If you want the longer contract then buy at SSR.

Good luck.

 

[Michigan RN]

Thanks for all the great info! My DH and I have rotating schedules at work, nursing and law enforcement, so don't always have to travel at peak times. I think my teenagers would like the hussle-bussle at the BW and BC, but we do at times prefer some quiet after being around crowds at the parks all day. I just wondered if my chances were good at a 7-month window to try different resorts-the ability to walk to MGM and Epcot is a nice bonus.

 

[Halle]

We own at OKW and have stayed at BC and BWV I have always been able to get a room at non peak times. We do get 1 or 2 bedroom units. We've been owners since 1993, my kids who are now in their early 20's prefer OKW to the other resorts.

 

[goldilocks_63]

Someone gave me what I thought was very good advice, so I'll pass it on....

Why not stay a few days at the place you are thinking of buying into....

You know, try before you buy.

Several people have either made cash reservations (AP discount??), or have rented out points for a look see...

If not possible, then maybe you could just go visit your top 2 or 3 choices on your next trip, and walk around.

Talk to people staying there, you'll find out a lot.

Goldi.

 

[DeeP]

The best advice you will get on this board is: buy where you want to stay.
Yes, many people have had success booking at non home resorts at 7 months or less but it is never guaranteed that these resorts will be available. On the flip side many have not had success booking at certain resorts within a short time frame. Also certain villa types (GVs and standard & Boardwalk views) are generally very difficult to get short term. It is not even guaranteed that we will be able to book at non home resorts for the duration of the contract. It is most likely that this will never change and we will always be able to book at non home resorts but again it is not guaranteed.
This is why so many people say buy where you want to stay.
If OKW appeals to you and you will be happy staying at this resort then by all means buy there.
As for kids, their tastes vary as much as adults' tastes do. It really depends on the kids. You can not really go by what other people's kids like. My kids happen to love the Epcot resorts and do not care at all for OKW but someone eles kids might very well love OKW and hate the Epcot resorts. Only you know your own kids.
Good luck!!

 

[pentex]

We are OKW owners and have stayed at BCV, BW (during Christmas-NY week), Vero, and Hilton Head (during peak summer season).

We have always got where we wanted, even during high season. There is so much to offer and so many good things about each DVC, that I guess there is a lot of switching going on.

OKW is still our favorite, though, for these reasons:

1. Beauty of property;
2. Peacefulness (you really "feel" the vacation)
3. Size of rooms
4. Point value

Good luck on your decision!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have been OKW owners for nearly 8 years and just love it! Even the kids we have had with us have enjoyed it as well. We like the walkway to DTD, the paths, the quiet pools, the townhome/vacation home feel of the place, parking outside your door, no long hallways, but your own door right to the outside, the HUGE deck and HUGE living room and kitchen, and the big closets. We find the bus service to be very good too, and the relaxing atmosphere is a great place to unwind from the parks. It feels like a true vacation and vacation HOME.

Oh, and I forgot about the lower dues!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thanks for all the great info! My DH and I have rotating schedules at work, nursing and law enforcement, so don't always have to travel at peak times. I think my teenagers would like the hussle-bussle at the BW and BC, but we do at times prefer some quiet after being around crowds at the parks all day. I just wondered if my chances were good at a 7-month window to try different resorts-the ability to walk to MGM and Epcot is a nice bonus.

From your post here, it sounds like BWV/BCV might be for you. I have a teen also and he's torn between the convenience to Epcot but also the convenience to DD. Also, keep in mind, in the near future that your teens will grow up and possibly not even want to vacation with you any more. I'm starting to get some resistance from my 17 year old son now. I think we'll most likely lose him entirely on our WDW vacations in another 2-3 years. My younger girls are torn---they both love OKW and VWL.
But if being within walking distance to Epcot and MGM is important to your husband and you then I feel this is where you'll be most happy. Particularily if the Epcot Food & Wine Festival appeals to you. We're going for that this year, but we're staying at OKW. I know alot of folks here on the board enjoy being in the thick of the festivities. We, personally, enjoy OKW so much that it doesn't particularily matter to us if we're not at BWV/BCV.
Goldilocks brought up a good point---try staying at a couple of the resorts you're considering before you buy to get the feel and flavor of them. If this is not possible, then I say go with your hunch and where you feel you will want the 11 month booking priority. Good luck