OKW villas

[justjudy]

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?

1. Yes, I would still love it if they raised the points to be more in line with VWL. In fact, we sold our VWL points to buy MORE OKW.

2. Don't need a 2-bedroom, but, no, it would not bother me to pay more points for it if I did.

3. Perhaps.

 

[Chuck S]

Is DVC cheating themselves by keeping the points lower?

Don't forget that they can't really raise the points. Even if they wanted to do so the total points needed for the resort for the year are set, so this question really has no bearing. They could raise seasons or room types, but they'd have to lower other season or room types.

 

[Anal Annie]

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.

But ya missed my whole point here Chuck!! Yes, definitely there are different strokes, but the resort "style" has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that on the one and only time we that had our first ever DVC stay and our first impression of OKW we ended up in a unit that was unkept, not clean , in need of refurbishment (that bedspread and carpet was NASTY) and really, really BAD bus service for 7 days and we were expecting MORE of a DVC unit. We felt ripped off. I don't care about the size of the unit but it really should be CLEAN at a minimum and the bedspreads should not be full of holes. Other than the lower points, there was just not ANYTHING about the week that makes us want to go back.

OP - I am apparently the one and only person to have ever had a bad stay in a run-down unit at OKW so you go and enjoy yourself. Please. Enjoy. If nothing else, it is very picturesque. We hope to try all of the DVC properties over the next few years so perhaps by the time we finish and start the rotation over again, maybe the memory will have faded and we'll get lucky the next time around with a better unit. So far, our visits after that to VWL and AKV were much improved....still deciding where to try for next summer...but I feel it is all uphill from here!

Scotty beam me outta here!

 

[Chuck S]

But ya missed my whole point here Chuck!! Yes, definitely there are different strokes, but the resort "style" has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that on the one and only time we that had our first ever DVC stay and our first impression of OKW we ended up in a unit that was unkept, not clean , in need of refurbishment (that bedspread and carpet was NASTY) and really, really BAD bus service for 7 days and we were expecting MORE of a DVC unit. We felt ripped off. I don't care about the size of the unit but it really should be CLEAN at a minimum and the bedspreads should not be full of holes. Other than the lower points, there was just not ANYTHING about the week that makes us want to go back.

But while you were there did you report the problems so they could be corrected? While they probably couldn't have replaced the carpet, your other issues could have been fixed. I mean, the bedspread could easily have been replaced by calling housekeeping, along with the overall cleanliness of the unit. Anytime I have reported issues, they've been addresses by maintenance and housekeeping ASAP.

A far as busses, I've had service that has been good at every WDW resort where I've stayed, I've also had some pretty poor bus service at those same resorts. I remember waiting well over an hour for a bus at DtD on a cash stay at the Contemporary several years ago. Busses are "hit and miss" at all the resorts.

 

[Anal Annie]

But while you were there did you report the problems so they could be corrected? While they probably couldn't have replaced the carpet, your other issues could have been fixed. I mean, the bedspread could easily have been replaced by calling housekeeping, along with the overall cleanliness of the unit. Anytime I have reported issues, they've been addresses by maintenance and housekeeping ASAP.

No. We were new members at the time. We didn't realize that was an option and I generally really am not the kind of person to make waves. Anyway, we just assumed this was the way the entire resort was kept up (or not kept) and that this was why it cost fewer points to go there... (Cheap points = poorly maintained). We had no cleanliness issues at VWL or at AKV on subsequent stays, but they they were pricier resorts as far as point requirements too. Hence the "you get what you pay for" attitude.

If and when we ever brave it to go back and if we get another unit that is in such bad shape we will ask to be moved. This was also before they offered the HH as a booking priorty - we now know where we DON'T want to be... We just didn't know any better at the time... Since we're on a mission to try different resorts each time it will be a long time before we even consider going back tho.


While my mind is going in this direction...decsions, decisions on where to go next (with extended family). BCV...BWV...SSR...THV...VB...we just don't know yet. We're lookin' at our options... Which of the 2 properties is smaller (harder to get) between BCV and BWV (in mid-August)?? Which one has more 2 bedrooms and which one has more studios? Is it the standard view at BWV that's hard to get or the Preferred view?? (We need to conserve points in order to squeeze more nights in so I don't much care about the view...)

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you want BWV standard view, you need to own at BWV. Only about 20% of the rooms are standard view and are scooped up by owners early on to save points (must be cheaper, poorly maintained rooms to require fewer points - ). Preferred view (non-BW view) is about 60% of the rooms. Preferred BW view is about 20% and also goes fast to owners at that resort.

BWV actually has no two bedroom villas, only lockoffs. So you'll get the studio and one bedroom combined if you request a two bedroom at BWV. At BCV, the dedicated two bedroom with two queen beds in the second bedroom is a booking category and they go fast since there are only 25 of them - again, you probably need to have points at BCV to get those rooms.

You mentioned asking to be moved if you got another villa like the one you got at OKW. Why not just request that the problems be fixed? They do that very quickly. I've called Maintenance at SSR, BCV and OKW and every thing was fixed within an hour or so of my call. Do not call the front desk. You won't get the actual front desk but a call center somewhere. Call Maintenance or Housekeeping, depending on your problem.

If you never go back to OKW, that's fine with me. Leaves more villas available to me. I've stayed at OKW at least ten times and never had a problem with buses or the condition of the room that couldn't be fixed easily.

Now if you were talking about BWV, I'd agree with you on that on. We stayed there once and just never had the desire to return. But I won't bash it. Just don't care for it.

 

[Iggipolka]

We're staying for a few days at OKW next month. I'm very curious to see the condition of the resort as I've never stayed anywhere on Disney Property that wasn't clean and wonderful.

 

[Flyerfan]

Does anyone know if Building 54 or 55 was refurbed? I requested either bldg for our stay.

 

[Pa@okw95]

The grand villa at OKW is 2375 square feet, that is bigger than a lot of people's homes. The golf course is off limits to anyone staying there and is often protected by water or brush to prevent people walking on it. The place was designed for members and knowling how to get around is necessary to enjoy it. Of course, today a lot of people use the resort that are not members of OKW or even DVC so that can be a problem. There are 4 pools so it is only a short walk to one of them. I have been a member there since 95 and would not stay anywhere else.

 

[bookwormde]

I do not know when 55 was refurbished, but was in good shape, comparable to the conditions of any of the deluxe resorts I have stayed in.

bookwormde

 

[scm200]

and my home resort is ss. standard view was available to us when other rooms were not, we are as far out as you can get (4135) and we have a view of the tower of terror if you look to the right. its nice here, but my favorite is still old key west - the units are bigger, and i like the full balcony with a table and chairs to eat breakfast at.

different strokes i guess....next trip is saratoga springs in a studio, but there are only 3 of us going...
sharon

 

[dianeschlicht]

Annie, by your own admission, this was your ONE AND ONLY trip to OKW. I certainly would not judge ANYTHING on just one visit. If it was raining the ONE DAY you had to visit the Magic Kingdom, would you avoid it because you had a bad experience? I really don't care if you like OKW or not....It doesn't matter, but it's wrong to go on a tyrade about how awful it is based on one visit. We have had probably 20 plus stays at OKW, and while not all units were pristine when we stayed in them (one GV was being shut down for rehab right after we left), it in no way effected my trip in a negative manner. Having a room where the carpet and flooring needs to be replaced and where the light fixtures etc might need attention or anything else you can think of doesn't really effect my trip as long as things are in working order. When they aren't or something is not right or not clean, NO MATTER WHERE I AM, I call and let someone know who can make it right. You say you 'didn't know' you could do that, yet I would do that even if it's a hotel of any kind....It's what we all should be expected to do if service is not what we expect. To do nothing and then complain loudly about it serves no purpose if you didn't think it was enough of an issue to address it while you were there.

 

[jimmacmn]

DW just returned from a WDW trip last Thursday. She stayed in a Boardwalk view 2 BR at BWV. We have never stayed at BWV before so I asked her what she thought. Her comment was I want my OKW! Her biggest issues were the long hallways and the noise from the Boardwalk. She also likes the size of the of the units at OKW.

We have been members since 1994 and in the 14 years we have been going, we have had a couple of units that have looked like they should be next on the refurb list, but we have always had clean, comfortable accomodations.

As to the Grand Villas, we have stayed in the OKW GVs a half a dozen times and after we bought an SSR contract we used the GV there once. Give me the OKW GV any time! Last October we stayed in the GV in Bldg 15 for 4 days. I had a blast sitting on the balcony watching the folks tee of on the island green par 3 of the LBV golf course.

I'm very satisfied with our ownership at OKW and I am glad that the points structure is as low as it is. I don't feel I have a second class accomodation in the DVC system. In fact I think I have one of the best!

 

[Anal Annie]

Uh Oh! Duck and Cover! Here I go on another tyrade!

Ya know...I'm sorry and I will try to make this my last post on this thread about this. But I am DONE apologizing for having had a bad stay at OKW. I'm sorry, but IT happened and it was BAD. One call to maintenance or housekeeping was NOT going to fix this unit or add more buses to the route. This unit should not have been in service. It was a real fixer upper. For the record one last time, I have admitted that the grounds are picturesque and gorgeous, the pool (slide) was awesome and I know that many, many people love it there. From what I had read on the DIS before I went I also expected to love it. But it didn't happen and for some reason not having a great trip to OKW is taboo and letting others know about that is WRONG and is slander or something. It has nothing to do with the resort "style" or what flips my switch or rows my boat. The unit was simply shoddy and the buses were practically non-existent during our visit.

If we go to a restaurant and we both have a bad meal we don't need to go back to know we don't like the place. If only one of us has a bad meal we'll go back and give it one more try. If that fails, then we're done. We do not go back. But this is different - a much anticipated weeks vacation that costs considerably more than a meal out . We can afford to try a restaurant again. Vacations are a little harder to come by.

We don't have tons of vacation time or GOBS & GOBS of points to "spend" and we were brand new owners when I booked it, trying to save extra points to use for a cruise, and we learned a hard lesson about point saving. Paying cash to stay somewhere else is a better alternative for us...but so now we know and that's what we'll do. Back then, I was naive and I had booked this trip only a month after buying in and being on the DIS and I thought we had booked a bargain.

We still need to try BCV, BWV, VB, HH, SSR, THV and now BLT and probably Ko'Olina before I have to think about ever going back to OKW. This will take us a long time (a few years anyway) and I hope the next time it WILL be better. We will probably try it again one day...just no time soon. I don't expect to fully LOVE all of these resorts but I hope to have better experiences. I simply cannot imagine this happening a second time.

I don't know why I can't just bite my tongue and resist speaking about our experience sometimes...and I wish I could say I would never speak of it again...I've avoided this kind of thread for several months...but I also SO-O-O wish I'd have known that it was even a possibility and I can't resist the urge sometimes. But if and when another time comes that we get a unit somewhere that is dirty and run down I WILL ask to be moved. Like I said, THIS unit wasn't going to be fixed with a phone call. I honestly didn't consider that a different unit might be in better shape or that a different section would have better bus service. We were told this was the closest we could be to the pool so we took it. And then, yes, I judged the entire resort from this experience. For the final time, I am sorry.

 

[5forDiz]

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

Annie this is my original post & I hope it didn't come across that your opinion can only be wrong and mine can only be right. From my point of view I would just hope the op would not be afraid to give OKW a try. I hope too some day you will give it a try again & have the positive experience many of us have.

Some are passionate in their praise & some in their negatives regarding DVC resorts. We can each only tell our own experiences and you are within your right to tell yours.

 

[culli]

Uh Oh! Duck and Cover! Here I go on another tyrade!

Ya know...I'm sorry and I will try to make this my last post on this thread about this........................

Don't appoligize we all need to hear the good and the bad.......ok ok yes and the ugly

Honeslty when looking on these boards with excitment to stay at BWV I found many people having similar problems but at BWV not OKW. It is more of a reflection of DVC possibly not necearrily one resort. However, I don't blame you, why would you take a chance again? I probably wouldn't especially with other resorts to try and experience. We had some issues when we stayed at port orleans and I e-mailed Disney to let them know about it.....probably didn't do much good (they did call me to appoligize and thank me for my comments) but figured if they get enough complaints about a similar topic maybe they will figure out where there is smoke there is fire

One good thing about reading people's bad experiences I go into my trips expecting issues and have low expectations. This might not work for some but the way my brain is wired it seems to work for me

 

[Nanajo1]

Don't appoligize we all need to hear the good and the bad.......ok ok yes and the ugly

Honeslty when looking on these boards with excitment to stay at BWV I found many people having similar problems but at BWV not OKW. It is more of a reflection of DVC possibly not necearrily one resort. However, I don't blame you, why would you take a chance again? I probably wouldn't especially with other resorts to try and experience. We had some issues when we stayed at port orleans and I e-mailed Disney to let them know about it.....probably didn't do much good (they did call me to appoligize and thank me for my comments) but figured if they get enough complaints about a similar topic maybe they will figure out where there is smoke there is fire

One good thing about reading people's bad experiences I go into my trips expecting issues and have low expectations. This might not work for some but the way my brain is wired it seems to work for me

Dis vets,
Do you remember the good old days with all the comments about how small BWV rooms were and the loooong hallways!
It seems each resort has to take turns being low man!

 

[Kathi OD]

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?

Annie, I'm sorry you had such a bad experience at OKW, especially since it was your first stay as DVCers. I'm hoping that from previous posts you now understand why OKW has lower points than the other resorts and that it has nothing to do with the level of service at the resort. Having said that, there is no excuse for the condition of your room and I can understand why you would have felt that this was the reason points were lower at OKW.

DH and I own at BWV and have NEVER stayed there. We don't like hotels and with the exception of OKW and SSR, every other DVC resort has the "hotel" feel. So of course we would be willing to pay more than the 54 points it costs at other resorts to stay at OKW. BUT that's just us and that's why DVC made chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and a few more other flavors. Different strokes for different folks.

As for your issues with the busses......all I can say is WOW! I would be upset about that too! Please know that waits of that length are not the norm, and fortunately, DH and I have never had that experience. As a matter of fact on our last trip we never waited more than 10 minutes for a bus at any time, but we also know that's not the norm either.

Sadly, as this was your first trip "home" and your unit was in such bad shape, it has left a bad taste in your mouth, especially when subsequent trips at other resorts were much better experiences for you. Maybe when you get finished staying at all the other resorts, your OKW experience will have faded somewhat and you'll be willing to try it again....hopefully with a better result.

 

[Chuck S]

Dis vets,
Do you remember the good old days with all the comments about how small BWV rooms were and the loooong hallways!
It seems each resort has to take turns being low man!

Talk about memories. BWV studios, reaching in to get a beer from the fridge without leaving the balcony.

 

[amcnj]

We have stayed at various DVC properties over the years, and all have their plusses and minuses. Fortunately none have been "bad" stays, including the multiple stays at OKW. While OKW is older and you obviously hit a room in need of refurbishment, keep in mind that this can and most likely will also occur at all other DVC properties over time, even if they do cost more points. The points were determined based upon best guesses initially. As DVC grew in popularity it became apparent more and more points could be charged without hurting sales. It is also a way to keep the selling price down yet still get more overall for the unit. Hopefully you will not let this one experience stop you from trying OKW again. It is definitely worth another shot.