OKW villas

[primecap]

Hi Everyone
we're new akw members but I was looking at the okw points chart and noticed that the points for the villas at okw is considerably lower than other grand villas. Does anybody know if there is a reason for this? Has anyone stayed in one of them?
Thanks

 

[bunkkinsmom]

I'll let you know in February

 

[castleri]

The reason is that OKW was the first DVC and the points were set at what Disney thought was good at the time. Since they cannot be increased they have stayed the same. Once they found out that DVC was going to be a lucractive part of the Disney company they also started increasing the number of points for the various villa categories at the new resorts. The GVs at OKW are great. They are bigger than many people's regular homes.
The one drawback is that they are all two floors and that creates some issues for people who have difficulty with stairs. The newer resorts have some that are one level or have elevator access to the second floor. We have stayed in OKW GVs twice and loved both stays. I like the idea of the ones at Jambo that have the pool table but won't spring for the extra points required if we need a GV again - it will be back to OKW for us.

 

[Gizmo1951]

We will by staying in one for the first time in May with our children & grand children for our 35th Wedding Anniversary.
We can't wait!

 

[OlderMan]

If you have a problem with stairs, you can always request a ground floor unit for medical/mobility reasons.

Also, Buildings 62, 63, and 64 have ELEVATORS, and can also be requested for medical/mobility reasons.

My wife has a bad ankle due to a BAD fall many years ago--one leg is about 2" shorter than the other.

We usually request either a ground floor unit and/or an elevator building.

 

[Anal Annie]

They're older and IMO show their age....Some of the units have been refurbished and some have not. We stayed there on our first DVC trip in order to cut corners with our points. We ended up in a unit that had not been refurbed and it was in sad shape - I felt like we were in a cheap motel. It is also a VERY BIG resort (spread out). I didn't realize HOW spread out until we went to walk to the pool. We also found the bus service to be excruiatingly slow. We often had to wait for an hour for a bus. That happened SEVERAL times to us. If you have a car that won't matter so much.

OKW is a really good way to scrimp on points tho if you're trying to spread your points out for multiple trips or something. I would liken it to staying in a "value" resort as opposed to a "deluxe". I won't say that we won't EVER stay there again, but will probably not do it very often. Whenever we choose to stay there it will strictly be a budget move to save points. Actually, last January we were going on a cash ressie and could have saved about $400 by staying there over VWL...we choose to spend the extra $400 and ended up LOVING VWL!! We do not regret that decision at all and can't wait to be able stay there again!

OK, now my opinion and these comments will get me flamed by those who love OKW - and there are many people who LOVE LOVE LOVE it. WE just happened to have a bad experience. The grounds are beautiful (mature foliage) and the main pool is awesome once you get there...it's just not the resort for us. We may have had a better impression if we'd have been in a unit that was closer to the Hospitality House / main pool area or if the unit we had was one that had been refurbished. LOL...one night, we got back late, just before the store was closing so we got off the bus at HH to stop in the store for something...we were so-o-o tired but so then we didn't want to walk the whole walk back to our unit on the sidewalk 'cuz we knew it would be at least another 10 min. DH got the bright idea that we could cut across the golf course. LOL...OMG...it was pitch black...we ended up not being able to figure out exactly which building was ours...and then we couldn't get thru the foliage to get out to the sidewalk... and then the sprinkler went off! NOT the best plan!! To me, staying at OKW is a roll of the dice as to the condition & location of the unit you get and that's why I think the points are less. But it's "cheap" if that's what you're looking for - but you should be aware that there's a chance you could be disappointed.

 

[Nanajo1]

We will by staying in one for the first time in May with our children & grand children for our 35th Wedding Anniversary.
We can't wait!

Congratulations!
We stayed in an OKW GV with some of our DGKs for our 35th anniversary Nov 05. It was great. Hope to do a BWV GV for our 39th Nov 09.

 

[5forDiz]

The reason is that OKW was the first DVC and the points were set at what Disney thought was good at the time. Since they cannot be increased they have stayed the same. Once they found out that DVC was going to be a lucractive part of the Disney company they also started increasing the number of points for the various villa categories at the new resorts. The GVs at OKW are great. They are bigger than many people's regular homes.
The one drawback is that they are all two floors and that creates some issues for people who have difficulty with stairs. The newer resorts have some that are one level or have elevator access to the second floor. We have stayed in OKW GVs twice and loved both stays. I like the idea of the ones at Jambo that have the pool table but won't spring for the extra points required if we need a GV again - it will be back to OKW for us.

Primecap this is correct what castleri states here about points at OKW. Don't let the points concern you because you may be thinking it is truly not a deluxe or that it is in shabby shape.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions and you will get many here on the DIS for every resort both positive and negative. That being said, we have an OKW contract so perhaps we do tend to be favorably biased or maybe we have just been plain lucky on our stays, but we have never had a bad experience at OKW and it is a very beautiful resort with much to offer. Some just don't "get it" and that's okay, that is what is great about DVC - there are many resorts to suit many people. So don't rule it out - and don't rule out any other DVC resort for that matter, try all of them in fact !! You will always find that for as many negatives that are said about DVC resorts there will be as many positives.

Best wishes on your planning

 

[RobDoc]

All of the villas at OKW have been refurbished more than once in the 17 years the resort has been open. If you check-in and find any problems, just call housekeeping or maintenance and they are usually very prompt about correcting the issue.

On our last stay a lampshade was missing from one of the nightstand lamps - we called and it was corrected within about 10 minutes. We were also missing cookware and again it was brought to the room immediately.

As already noted, when OKW opened DVC was "new" regarding point charts and probably priced OKW too low for what they were offering. DVC reallocated the OKW point charts back in 1996, but since the resort has been sold out for a long time the total number of points is fixed and any changes cannot affect that total. Thus, OKW owners are stuck with larger villas and lower points.

The OKW GVs are wonderful. We have stayed in them on a number of occasions and have enjoyed each stay. On our last GV reservation, the carpet was wet for several hours after arrival since they had just shampooed the carpet - but everything else was perfect and the clean carpet was appreciated since we had our 5 grandchildren with us!

They have done a great job of maintaining the resort. On the occasional times when a villa is in need of updating, it will often be the next one to be renovated and that may start the day that reservation ends. All DVC resorts have the same issues regarding renovation and bus schedules. A review of this forum over the years will find the same praises/complaints about every resort.

 

[Donna M]

The GV has such a spacious feel. You'll love it. We've stayed at the AKV and SSR in their GV. AKV had the nicest GV in Jambo but the points are high. SSR doesn't feel as large as OKW but it's decorated a little classier.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The GV has such a spacious feel. You'll love it. We've stayed at the AKV and SSR in their GV. AKV had the nicest GV in Jambo but the points are high. SSR doesn't feel as large as OKW but it's decorated a little classier.

Not classier, just different theming. SSR is based on Saratoga Springs, NY and the race track theme. OKW is based on Key West, FL with the beach theme.

 

[CraftyMouse]

No flames here, but I do disagree with everything you said. I also think that you may have just had some bad luck on your visit. OKW is our favorite DVC property and we've stayed at all of them except AKV. Our rooms have always been in fantastic shape and we've only had one maintenance issue in over 20 stays...and it was taken care of quickly. We've stayed in every type of unit (studios to grand villas) and had fantastic stays in each of them.

OKW is definitely more spread out than the hotel-style DVC resorts, but we like that. It feels more like a community than a hotel, which we love. We love the laid-back feel of the resort and the relaxation that we find there. It feels like we're a million miles from the hustle and bustle when we're really just a short bus ride away.

You are most definitely entitled to your opinions, but I do think it's unfair that you use such a wide brush to paint a negative impression of a property you've only stayed at once.

They're older and IMO show their age....Some of the units have been refurbished and some have not. We stayed there on our first DVC trip in order to cut corners with our points. We ended up in a unit that had not been refurbed and it was in sad shape - I felt like we were in a cheap motel. It is also a VERY BIG resort (spread out). I didn't realize HOW spread out until we went to walk to the pool. We also found the bus service to be excruiatingly slow. We often had to wait for an hour for a bus. That happened SEVERAL times to us. If you have a car that won't matter so much.

OKW is a really good way to scrimp on points tho if you're trying to spread your points out for multiple trips or something. I would liken it to staying in a "value" resort as opposed to a "deluxe". I won't say that we won't EVER stay there again, but will probably not do it very often. Whenever we choose to stay there it will strictly be a budget move to save points. Actually, last January we were going on a cash ressie and could have saved about $400 by staying there over VWL...we choose to spend the extra $400 and ended up LOVING VWL!! We do not regret that decision at all and can't wait to be able stay there again!

OK, now my opinion and these comments will get me flamed by those who love OKW - and there are many people who LOVE LOVE LOVE it. WE just happened to have a bad experience. The grounds are beautiful (mature foliage) and the main pool is awesome once you get there...it's just not the resort for us. We may have had a better impression if we'd have been in a unit that was closer to the Hospitality House / main pool area or if the unit we had was one that had been refurbished. LOL...one night, we got back late, just before the store was closing so we got off the bus at HH to stop in the store for something...we were so-o-o tired but so then we didn't want to walk the whole walk back to our unit on the sidewalk 'cuz we knew it would be at least another 10 min. DH got the bright idea that we could cut across the golf course. LOL...OMG...it was pitch black...we ended up not being able to figure out exactly which building was ours...and then we couldn't get thru the foliage to get out to the sidewalk... and then the sprinkler went off! NOT the best plan!! To me, staying at OKW is a roll of the dice as to the condition & location of the unit you get and that's why I think the points are less. But it's "cheap" if that's what you're looking for - but you should be aware that there's a chance you could be disappointed.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you have a problem with stairs, you can always request a ground floor unit for medical/mobility reasons.

Also, Buildings 62, 63, and 64 have ELEVATORS, and can also be requested for medical/mobility reasons.

My wife has a bad ankle due to a BAD fall many years ago--one leg is about 2" shorter than the other.

We usually request either a ground floor unit and/or an elevator building.

That works for studios, one bedroom and 2 bedroom villas at OKW since there are a lot are on the first floor; every building has some. You have almost a 100% chance of getting a studio, 1 or 2 bedroom on first floor since medical requests are filled before other requests for the same thing.

For the GVs at OKW, it's not that easy. There is only one GV that is entered from ground floor and it is handicapped accessible (on the bottom floor only). There is also a handicapped accessible GV in one of the elevator buildings. So, if you make a request for first floor or elevator for medical reasons, there are a lot fewer units that can meet the request. Few enough that if someone with the medical request checks in before you, you may be out of luck. If someone who needs the handicapped accessible rooms with a roll in shower makes a reservation, one of the accessible rooms will actually be blocked for them at the time they make their reservation. When you arrive later with a medical request, there may be no GV that meets your needs.

 

[lizanne]

To me, staying at OKW is a roll of the dice as to the condition & location of the unit you get and that's why I think the points are less. But it's "cheap" if that's what you're looking for - but you should be aware that there's a chance you could be disappointed.

This reasoning is not correct. Others have given you the correct info as to why the point chart is lower for OKW.

I have stayed at OKW many, many times (members since '92) and never thought of it as a "cheap" resort. Personally I prefer the decor at SSR, and I like the location of BWV and BCV, but I never felt like it was a step down when staying at OKW.

 

[Longhairbear]

We love staying at OKW. The one bedroom unit is larger than our townhome., and has a full size washer and dryer in it's own laundry room!

 

[dianeschlicht]

As stated by Doc, the point charts are low because it was the first DVC, and Disney wasn't sure it would stay in the timeshare business. OKW was originally called Disney Vacation Club. We purchased the year the name changed to Old Key West!

The GVs are fantastic and HUGE! I can only think of one negative thing about the GV. That's the arrangement of the kitchen. Someone decided to put the sink right up next to the corner that is a 90 degree angle with the stove....VERY inefficient for the cook. Other than that though....the GV is WONDERFUL!

 

[bookwormde]

I wonder if Anal Annie did not realize that you could use the park busses to “hop” around inside the resort, it took me a day to really figure out how to do this efficiently.

I am heading down fo my firrst OKW GV stay next June.

bookwormde

 

[Anal Annie]

Oh here we go! I KNEW I would get flamed for letting the OP know that it's POSSIBLE to not enjoy it and why I thought the OKW points were lower! We simply DID have a bad experience and we honestly wanted to enjoy it and thought we would from listening to what I'd read on the DIS but we could not find the silver lining all week. It was our first ever DVC stay so of course we wanted to love it and we had high hopes and I was really, really surprised about our experience and couldn't convince DH otherwise all week. I was blamed for picking OKW. Even my DS (then 10) asked why we had to stay there, like it was a punishment or something. The best thing we found all week was the slide at the main pool was a blast. But in fairness, I DID say in my original post that the property grounds are beautiful and that many, many people LOVE it.

The unit we were in had dirty, threadbare carpet, there were several significant size holes in one of the bedspreads (almost like someone had spilled acetane & it had been eaten - the stuffing inside was poking out), the freezer door in the frig was broken and the bathroom was dirty. (There was a thick black layer of dust around the edges of the bullnoses all they way around the bathroom). I'm SORRY. But the unit we had was in deplorable condition and yes, it felt like we were in a cheap motel. Maybe not all units are created equal. Well, obviously. We got one that left a bad impression and really seemed to explain why the points were less. Nobody seems to "get" that we truely had a bad stay and why we are reluctant to stay there again. I mean, think of it like this - if you were paying CASH for this room would you not have been upset, but think "well, I got what I paid for"? And it's a shame 'cuz my DS would prefer to stay in a regular bed over a pull-out sofa if we do a studio and this is the only choice to do that.

BTW, Bookwormde - what good does it do to wait for the next bus to ride up to the HH if you have to sit there & wait 30 min. for then next one to come along? Yes, we knew we could "hop a bus", but buses were a rare sight on our stay. It really became an inside joke for us that whenever we wanted to go somewhere we had to head out an hour early. IF a bus came before 30 min. we did the happy dance! We even waited at the parks for a long, long time to return to the resort. We waited probably 50 minutes for a bus to pick us up at Typhoon Lagoon to go back. We waited OVER 1 hour for a bus to go to the MK one evening. Seriously, it was like an hour & 15 min. wait. It was very frustrating on top of everything else as we just couldn't seem to do anything or go anywhere quickly.

I guess we just pissed off the DVC Gods for that week and they conspired to make sure we hit the worst of everything we could.



OK, so just hypothetically, for all of you who LOVE it there and have no complaints....would you STILL love it if they raised the points to be more in line with BWV or VWL or something? Right now, it's a bargain. But is it worth MORE? Would it bother you to "pay" 54 more points for a week in a 2 bedroom? Is DVC cheating themselves by keeping the points lower?

 

[Bojo]

Annie - I count three posts that refer to your comments: (forgot how to multi - quote)

CraftyMouse says (in part): No flames here, but I do disagree with everything you said.

lizanne says: This reasoning is not correct. Others have given you the correct info as to why the point chart is lower for OKW.

I have stayed at OKW many, many times (members since '92) and never thought of it as a "cheap" resort. Personally I prefer the decor at SSR, and I like the location of BWV and BCV, but I never felt like it was a step down when staying at OKW.

and bookwormde gave bus tips.

Where are the flames?

I am sorry that you and your family have such a "disappointing" experence at this "cheap" feeling resort; but I can say that our family has stayed at OKW many, many nights and have not experienced the issues that you describe in your one and only stay.

I believe the OP has their question answered about points charts and I will chime in that our two OKW GV stays have been absoultely fantastic. I hope you and your family enjoy the same great stays that we have enjoyed.

 

[Chuck S]

:OK, so just hypothetically, for all of you who LOVE it there and have no complaints....would you STILL love it if they raised the points to be more in line with BWV or VWL or something? Right now, it's a bargain. But is it worth MORE? Would it bother you to "pay" 54 more points for a week in a 2 bedroom? Is DVC cheating themselves by keeping the points lower?

Is it worth more points? Probably not to people that prefer hotel style resorts. There is not room service or valet parking at the condo style resorts (OKW & SSR).

However, OKW, to me personally, is worth more than BWV, VWL, or BCV. We usually drive & travel without kids. The hotel style resorts have no value to me at all. I like to relax in the larger rooms and enjoy and early breakfast on the full sized balconies of the one bedroom units.

Different strokes for different folks. If you didn't like OKW, fine. If I don't like BWV, BCV or VWL, fine.

Bit I'll bet I'd have a chance of checkig into ANY DVC resort, actually any WDW resort, and finding I have a room in need of rehab. They do follow a refurbishment cycle.