OKW Trip Report - please don't get mad

[Pa@okw95]

OKW was designed for long term stay. It did not turn out that way however. It was the only DVC for a long while, they had some trouble selling it at first also. It was not sold as a savings like it is now and you had to buy at least 250 points as I recall. It was suppose to be a home away from home resort. That was the concept for OKW.

 

[Tigger031266]

Well, I am impressed with all of you. I am think you understand that I was just kidding about the old age stuff. I understand many people like relaxing vacations. I will really try OKW again as suggested. It had many more positives than negitives.

I think the place may have to grow on you. I used to stay and MK resorts and I had did not love Epcot Resorts until staying there a couple times.

Clearly the resorts is best at:
- Quiet Rooms
- beautiful buildings
- Room Layouts
- Easy to drive to your room (park right outside)
- Points per room

I stayed in 4820 by the way, a studio and we ate Thanksgiving at a relitives house in Tampa.

I just fell in love with the BWV. We own at BCV (150) and SSR (100) but I wish that I would have bought at BWV. It is a great resort for the amount of points spent and a close walk to so much. I sometimes think Disney could make a fortune allowing us to transfer ownership in resorts for $10 per point. Not sure if that would ever happen though. But I would be willing to give up the 10 extra years at SSR for BWV.

You are all great sports. I just was testing you all and you all are great!! All the DVC resorts are very special.

 

[rinkwide]

Go easy with the old folks references. That hits a little too close to home for some of us.

Every year on Dec. 31st I pick up my dear old Dad at the home and we drive his beloved Oldsmobile down to Old Key West together. We splash on some Old Spice and head to PI just in time to sing Auld Lang Syne. Next morning we watch This Old House reruns and then tune into football to cheer on his alma mater, Ole' Miss. In the afternoon we take the bus to MK to look for pins of my Old Man's favorite character, the Old Hag. Next we hop on the boat to VWL to see Old Faithful erupt and then it's back to Old Ke West for dinner, reheated leftovers from The Old Spaghetti Factory. In the evening we read from the Old Testament and sing some old folk songs including, Old Time Religion.

We always have a great time but this year I think we might try something different and watch this DVD I just picked up. It's a new comedy release called Old School.

<small>(sorry, must have gotten a little too much pixie dust today)</small>

 

[MiaSRN62]

Rinkwide......
LOL

 

[dvc guy]

Great to hear some people don't love OKW Makes it easier for us to get rooms.
I also commute by car and train to the BIG APPLE every day. I love the parks and all they have to offer. Nothing better than my quite oasis to take all the stress away :jumping4:

 

[Cruelladeville]

Well, how offensive! You could have said "retirement village", instead you said "old folks home", so clean that language up! Now, where do I sign up? That's the kind of "retirement village" I want to be part of(in the not-too-distant future). I own at BWV, but OKW is the love of my life, and I would dearly love to retire there.

 

[Sammie]

I was not aware that BW had a Character Meal? Is this new?

You could always sell your points and buy a resale at BW.

 

[Tigger031266]

Every year on Dec. 31st I pick up my dear old Dad at the home and we drive his beloved Oldsmobile down to Old Key West together. We splash on some Old Spice and head to PI just in time to sing Auld Lang Syne. Next morning we watch This Old House reruns and then tune into football to cheer on his alma mater, Ole' Miss. In the afternoon we take the bus to MK to look for pins of my Old Man's favorite character, the Old Hag. Next we hop on the boat to VWL to see Old Faithful erupt and then it's back to Old Ke West for dinner, reheated leftovers from The Old Spaghetti Factory. In the evening we read from the Old Testament and sing some old folk songs including, Old Time Religion.

That is like one of the greatest story that I ever heard. Something really to cherish. Very nice. Can I join your family??

BCV has a chartacter meal, "Cape Mays". Its just a short walk. You can also walk to the Princess Character breakfast at Epcot and I am pretty sure the Swan (maybe Dolphin) has character meals. So really 3 in short walking distance but you are technically right, none on the BW.

 

[MiaSRN62]

BCV has a chartacter meal, "Cape Mays". Its just a short walk.

While I can most certainly understand and respect how this would be an asset to those staying along the Boardwalk, we don't see it as a negative at OKW. True, we can't walk to a character meal, but our car is right outside our door and we're never more than a 5 min drive to most resorts with character meals. In fact, the one time we stayed at BWV (and enjoyed our time there), we had a PS for Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club and walked over there. Only problem...it started to pour rain (thunder/lightening and all)! We were drenched by the time we got to Cape May Cafe. We now prefer driving to whatever resort and using valet (free at DVC resorts) parking to enjoy our character meals or whatever. We find it very quick and easy to do.
So while I understand being able to walk to Cape May Cafe or Gullivers at S&D is a plus for you Tigger, we don't really see much of a difference in the convenience between OKW and BWV in that respect. With BWV you have a 5-15 min walk to several character meals and at OKW it's a 5-10 min drive. The only caveat here is if one doesn't have a car at OKW. Using the WDW bus transportation to get from one resort to another is a royal pain.

 

[Tigger031266]

You are right. I can't disagree with anything that you said. That is one huge advantage of OKW. The walking is much less for Parks, and restaurants because if you have a car it makes life real easy.

The only thing that I can say is that it seems a lot more plesent sometime to talk the walk along the BW than loading everyone in the car, driving to a DVC resort, tipping the guy, than waiting for the car after dinner, tipping again maybe, driving back and unloading. But again, I think most of the time having the car right outside is more convienent.

OK- bad arguement about the restaurants.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

The only thing that I can say is that it seems a lot more plesent sometime to talk the walk along the BW than loading everyone in the car, driving to a DVC resort, tipping the guy, than waiting for the car after dinner, tipping again maybe, driving back and unloading. But again, I think most of the time having the car right outside is more convienent.

OK- bad arguement about the restaurants.

I don't think it's a bad argument about the restaurants. When you are at the Boardwalk, it is much more convenient to just walk the 5 or 10 minutes (and in some cases less) to a plethora of eateries -- not just at the surrounding resorts, but to World Showcase and MGM, as well.

We've done the Disney Bus and we've done a rental car -- and from my sig you'll see we've stayed at a variety of places. Sometimes (and especially depending on the weather) it's a pain to have to pack everyone up, drive to the eatery of choice, occasionally deal with traffic, find a parking spot or pay for valet, and unload everyone again to go to the eatery.

I guess it's a matter of preference and what is considered a hassle to one is not a hassle to another, but staying at the Epcot Resorts (in particular BCV or BWV) is more convenient for meal variety.

Again, JMO.

 

[kathleena]

I think I could have written the original post myself.

Well, maybe not the old folks part

It's just how I feel. Same as the OP.

 

[DisneyDVClover]

Tigger it is not a bad argument about the restaurants it is a very valid one. We never load up the car to drive anywhere unless it is to go shopping. We will just hop the bus to DTD and get a resort bus from there. We even grab a bus to DTD and walk from there to Crossroads and beyond to go to Olive Garden and Sizzlers etc we drive very little when we get there and BWV has so much available right outside the door it is a far more pleasurable experiance.

 

[Luvmyfam3]

I have to say that I agree. But, I guess that's why Disney has so many different resorts with such different atmospheres! I love it! I still stay at OKW and I truly enjoy it, but we prefer others with a little more "hustle and bustle". And we live in Houston!! Maybe that's why I love VWL so much. The feel of the wilderness is so different than what we normally experience!

Kim

 

[MiaSRN62]

Well, I guess, personally for us, we don't see it as a hassle to "load up the car". We just don't see the "loading up" is the choice of words we'd use I suppose. Those particular words make it sound like a hassle, which it's not at all. Rather, we look at it from the perspective that we "hop in our car" and then "hop over to the resort" of our choice.

find a parking spot or pay for valet

We never run into any major traffic and never have really waited for valet. Valet is even free at the BWV/BCV/VWL----so it's a 5-7 min stress-free drive in an air conditioned vehicle for us. No walking in 90 degree heat or pouring rain. So we, personally, don't agree that walking is much more convenient.
And if we choose, we're also a leisurely scenic boat ride away from DD and all the restaurants & shopping there. Love not having to fight the parking lot issues over there
While I most certainly can respect everyone's opinion, the fact that BWV is a 5-15 min walking distance to restaurants just isn't a major perk for us. But I can understand how this might be a valid point for others. It's just not for us and I'm sure other OKW fans. That's what makes DVC so wonderful.......something for everyone.

 

[DisneyDVClover]

Mia I tend to agree with you and OKW is a loveley place we will stay there during large family trips as the rooms are larger and will accomodate our larger groups a little easier. We will not drive while down there mind you as we find it a waste of gas to just hop on over to another resort etc when the WDW transportation works very well to get you to any destination you choose on property. DVC creates a plethora of vacation magic for many people I mean it must really why else would there be so many members if htere wasn't something for everyone. We may not all agree on what resorts are best but we sure do agree that DVC covers all our needs and wants pretty well in a vacation.