PLease help me choose - need to book ASAP!

[Eeyorerocks!]

Hi!

I have to reschedule a trip with holding points, so we are at 60 days out, which is the soonest I can book with these points. We are looking at early April so, of course, slim pickins - not much available!

We are a family of 5 (me, DH, DD (11), DS(11), DS(3)).

I am currently booked for 1 BR at AKL - Jambo - standard view (they didn't have savannah and they didn't have Kidani). With this we would lose 23 points.

Or I can stay in a 2 BR at OKW. With this I would do the one-time purchase of points - 17. I will not consider 1 BR b/c we would lose even more points than with the option above.

I am very undecided. Have never stayed at either resort, but we had been scheduled to stay club level at AKL before we had to reschedule last month's trip due to storm.

Which would you choose? BTW, we are renting a car in case that is a factor.

Thanks!

 

[cvjw]

With that many people, I would not choose the 1 bedroom at JH. My family of 4 stayed in one in September, and thought it was so small - much smaller than other 1 bedrooms we have stayed in (all but OKW). We also were not a fan of how the bathroom is configured - it is all in one room, so only one of us could be in the bathroom at a time. It took us forever to leave the villa every morning - having to take turns in that 1 bathroom. Our youngest slept on the sleeper chair, and the older on the sofa, and there wasn't much room left in the living area with them both made into beds. I am considering another stay at JH, but would need a 2 bedroom for our family of 4.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would go with Jambo, and waitlist Kidani. I hope it will come through for you!

Bobbi

 

[iwannbindisnee]

I, too, would choose the 2BR at OKW for the extra bathroom & just more room in general...Taking the boat to DTD is fun, if you go there. It is very different in theming than AKV-Jambo (which we absolutely love), but we jsut returned from OKW, for the first time & enjoyed the laid back, scenic resort. You may have an issue with full busses since you are going at a busy time, & be prepard to be on the bus a while depending on where your villa is, but you are still in Disney & hopefuly warm sunny weather!! Just a note though, they have internal buses to get you from your villa to the hospitality house & Olivia's (sit down restaurant). Have a wonderful time, whatever you decide!
Debbie

 

[mrsswiss]

I would go with OKW. It is such a relaxing place, plus the rooms are larger. We have stayed at almost all of the DVC resorts and my family loves OKW the best.

 

[nolanboys]

I'd go with the 2 bdrm at OKW. I know you have to buy some points, but you won't be losing any and you'll have spacious accommodations. We've stayed at OKW twice and my kids loved it. The basketball and tennis courts are right by the main pool, along with a nice park. You would lobe having the living room open after the kids go to bed in the extra bedroom.

 

[Eeyorerocks!]

Thanks everyone!

It sounds like OKW is the better choice for us. I may do a split stay even though it is a short trip (we've done them before, no problem, plus we are renting a car). That way we may be able to get closer to the right amount of points without having to borrow much, if any.

I just found out I can't buy the points for this trip, since we had bought previouslyfor this use year (I forgot since this had been done in 2009).

Thanks for the advice!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Even though it sounds like your option is gone...for future reference...

We just did a split stay at Jambo and OKW. Loved the size of the room at OKW, but the hotel convenience of Jambo--going down the elevator to get food, shop or swim.

OKW is like a neighborhood...it was lovely, but we still are somewhat new to Disney (only 4 trips) so we still love to go, go, go. OKW is better if you want a laid back vacation. A car would certainly be an advantage at OKW. However, the bus service was excellent at OKW.