old key west suite or Carr. beach resort?

[hoosiermommy]

My husband and I are taking our 3 yr old son and 18 month daughter to WDW for the first time the week after easter (crazy, I know). I have two adjoining rooms reserved at the CBR, but just found out I can get a one BR suite at old key west for a little more $. any opinions?

Thanks!

 

[NYDisneyMom]

My husband and I are taking our 3 yr old son and 18 month daughter to WDW for the first time the week after easter (crazy, I know). I have two adjoining rooms reserved at the CBR, but just found out I can get a one BR suite at old key west for a little more $. any opinions?

Thanks!

Well..the best reason I could think of is you'll be able to have breakfast in the room and not have to rush out in the mornings to feed the little ones. OKW is a beautiful, quiet resort.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Actually, you would be getting a one bedroom villa. One kingsized bed with a queen sized sleeper sofa. Jacuzzi tub and stand up shower. Full sized kitchen. Full sized washer and dryer. Large balcony with a table and chairs for four. You'll get a dining room table and chairs for four. Pots and pan, flatware, dishes, etc.

Plus a pack and play and highchair.

Not even a comparision to two rooms at CBR. Get OKW.

 

[CarolA]

The OKW suite is HUGE. You will have a TON more space. Plus adjoining does not mean connecting. If you stay with CBR call and make sure they understand the kid issue and that you need connecting rooms.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Oh, yeah, I forgot the two TV sets (one in the bedroom and one in the living room), plus either a DVD or VHS player in the living room.

 

[NYDisneyMom]

The OKW suite is HUGE. You will have a TON more space. Plus adjoining does not mean connecting. If you stay with CBR call and make sure they understand the kid issue and that you need connecting rooms.

oh..that's right. if you do decide to do CBR make sure you get guaranteed connecting rooms (which they will do). Adjoining does not mean connecting.

Just a warning, you will be spoiled if you get a villa!!

 

[esk]

Yep, completely spoiled! We've gone 3 times and gotten a villa every time and we can't go to regular rooms. Were tempted for this May to go CBR with two connecting rooms because the rate is low, but with kids that age (ours are 3.5 and 4 mo) you need the washer/dryer, the jacuzzi tub for bathtime, the highchair, full kitchen and most of all, the SEPARATE BEDROOM for naps and nighttime.

OKW is great --- stayed in a 2BDR with another family and it was HUGE and a great atmosphere. Also liked WLV but it was much smaller, sq footage wise, and seemed sort of dark.

Get the villa. Be warned, you will never go back to "normal" rooms again

 

[SB in KY]

Oh my....this is a no brainer....book the 1BR ASAP at OKW....you will be SOOOOO thankful for it. The living area is huge, nice balcony/patio, you can park right by your door, the kitchen and washer dryer are in the room, you and hubby can put the kids to bed and have another room to visit, etc (even though you would have 2 BR at CBR, it is much nicer to have a real living room to use at OKW), your kids will love the community hall...games, activities, check out disney movies to bring back to the room. The kids will love feeding the birds/ducks/gulls from the balcony in the am's and on and on. Plus I think the bus service is better at OKW.

Only risk is you will never want to go back to a moderate again!!

 

[mjmcca]

I have stayed at OKW in a studio. It is a gorgeous place. If you can afford it book it. The full kitchen and washer dryer in themselves are worht the extra money.

 

[franw]

We have gone the week after Easter twice and found it to be delightful. I guess Easter must be the last official week of spring break because we walked righ on all the attractions and the weather was outstanding. Hope you are as lucky.

 

[Disney Doll]

The 1BR at OKW, without a doubt. You'll have essentially a 1BR condo, with a full kitchen, laundry inside your unit.

 

[Skroops]

Did you check out renting points? Good luck! You'll have a great time!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Did you check out renting points? Good luck! You'll have a great time!

They are going in about three or four weeks. Much too short to rent points.

 

[hoosiermommy]

what does that mean to rent points? I am very new to this whole process.

 

[Deesknee]

what does that mean to rent points? I am very new to this whole process.

I'm pretty new myself, but I'll try to explain briefly. OKW is part of a condo/timeshare (sort of). The owner (=members) buy an ownership interest. Unlike a traditional timeshare the owner/member doesn't get a week or weeks, instead they purchase a specific amount of points. They therefore pay for the accomadations/resort/time of year with points instead of "booking a room" with cash/credit card like hotel style. Now the owner/member owns these points and can "rent" them out to other people (members or nonmembers). To find out what the going "rent" per point is you can go to dvc rent/trade thread.

example:
Joe shmoe owns 500 pts. He chooses to "rent" them. He posts a thread on the dvc rent/trade board. He decides he is going to "rent" them for $10. per pt. Sally Smile wants to stay at OKW 1 BDRM for 5 nights. (to make calculation easier I'll use obscure figures) Therefore Sally needs to rent 100 pts.(not actual value) She contacts Joe they agree on terms (usually in writing of sorts), Sally would pay Joe $1000. for her 5 nights at OKW 1BDRM. This option usually saves the renter a great deal of money opposed to "booking" the room thru disney/travel agent.

That said, I "booked" twice thru disney I paid apprx. $385-$400. per night for a 2BDRM. I wish I had known then about renting points.

BTW, I love OKW so much DH & I bought. We are using our points for the first time this June. I am so excited.

I don't think you would regret staying at OKW, well, except you'll be spoiled from then on.

 

[hoosiermommy]

such a dumb question, but what does DH stand for? I know it's something husband.

I'm new to WDW and chat rooms!!!

 

[hoosiermommy]

also, thank you SO MUCH for my little tutorial. What a big help! I know you love OKW, but how does it compare to Saratoga Springs? (my kids are 3 and 1 1/2)

Thanks again!

 

[simzac]

If you can afford it, OKW is the way to go. But if I may inquire, with 2 kids so young, why would you need 2 rooms. As a father of 2 boys, I feel much more comfortable having them in the same room with DW and myself. One room at CBR would save you alot of money on your trip.

 

[hoosiermommy]

Thanks for your reply simzac. My 1 1/2 yr old daughter won't fall asleep if she sees us. so we have to put her in a separate room until she falls asleep. We did decide on the 1 BR suite at OKW, but now I'm looking at Saratoga Springs. I'm overthinking this trip!

 

[Deesknee]

DH = darling, dear, or disney (atleast thats what I remember) Husband.They have an area for the abbreviations too, but I can't remember where.

I do love OKW, but we actually purchased SSR. IMO (in my opinion) OKW is more relaxing. SSR is more exciting. SSR is close to downtown disney & pleasure island.