please help me decide on DVC purchase

[Brian Noble]

OKW has one very important thing that none of the others do: A functional veranda/patio. At least, that is true of the Villas.

I agree with your husband's opinion that the money is going to be spent and not invested so TVM does not matter.

I know this is an uphill fight, and I'm to the point where I ignore it three times out of every four, because it is the majority opinion among DVC DISers. So I guess this is the fourth.

The time value of money absolutely does matter. Suppose I offer you two different DVC purchase options on a 20 year contract: In the first option, you pay $100 up front, and then each year you pay only Dues on top of that. In the second option, you pay $5 plus Dues in each of the 20 years.

Those are NOT the same, and the second one is clearly better. That's because the $5 you spend 20 years from now is worth less than $5 today.

 

[Wedgeout]

You are right I misread the beginning. The post did not claim DS was a benefit to OKW and that’s my mistake.
But I will say having a dedicated walking path to Disney Springs is a huge benefit. It makes all of the dining and entertainment options there so much more accessible to a SSR guest. It’s a big feature of your resort - especially if you are staying in the Congress Park section.

The layout of SSR is better. It’s a true hub and spoke with 2 “feature” pools, one being smaller than the other. You also have the ability to book Treehouses as home resort. OKW if you aren’t near hospitality you are down these sprawling trails that are near nothing and have you navigating parking lots to get back to the main area.

Have you been in their studios? The have Hampton Inn vibes. And the resort’s amenities are very moderate.

All this having been said, I like the charm of Old Key West too, appreciate the room size for the price and would be happy to stay there. But I’m honest about it being THE “entry level” DVC property.

The treehouse area is big plus with SSR. I really like walking through that area from the ‘dedicated’ path from OKW to access all of SSR & Disney Springs. (And it’s not one of the a golf course cart paths). The walk is longer but is scenic. SSR guests should take it the other way to enjoy the OKW atmosphere & dining.

Agree OKW is ‘THE “entry level” DVC property’. It was the original, first & only, DVC lol, & still a good choice for an entry resale membership or add on.

I do enjoy the opinions & critiquing, each time it gets sub-SSR negativity. Don’t want too many wanting to book it. Wouldn’t want it to become too popular. I stand by that it IS the “hidden gem” of DVC.

 

[Carouselofplanning]

Yes I have but it was last minute. Certainly not my first choice but then again no studio is
We would much prefer a couch then a second real bed but many do enjoy that.

We do enjoy their one bedrooms though.


OKW connects to the SSR path but that is certainly a hike. It is certainly an advantage of SSR if you will be visiting DS a bunch.


With the lack of the spa aren't these two pretty much identical though?
The only thing SSR has is the extra slide if I remember correctly unless you are considering the golf course which is easy to access from OKW

I strongly disagree that the amenities are the same level.
Quick Service - Artist’s Pallette vs a snack bar
Restaurant - Turf Club is a place you can go for a nice dinner. Olivia’s is a brunch place that also serves dinner (akin to a diner). Also proximity to DS = those restaurants are practically part of your resort.
Golf - The first tee, pro shop and snack bar are off the back of SSR main building. OKW just has “views” of golf.
Walk to DS - SSR has a dedicated path. OKW has a long windy way to get there (30 min walk and over 1 mile) and the trail is closed at night.
Pools - 2 pools with water slides. The quiet pools are all well themed. The quiet pools at OKW have the charm of old school municipal pools.
Gym - SSR much more spacious and the equipment in there now is brand new high end stuff

I don’t think the amenities are equal.

I like the overall look of both. Very different vibes. I will admit at SSR the cartoon horse theme in the lobby and the random bronze horse with jockey out front don’t do anything for me (put Mickey or Goofy on a horse out there and call it a day) but I still like the overall upscale town and country look and feel of the place.

The &spa thing is false advertising at this point. I wonder if people ask this question at the annual meeting. Not only when is the spa reopening but if no spa why keep a name going on 5 years that’s just untrue?

 

[Carouselofplanning]

The treehouse area is big plus with SSR. I really like walking through that area from the ‘dedicated’ path from OKW to access all of SSR & Disney Springs. (And it’s not one of the a golf course cart paths). The walk is longer but is scenic. SSR guests should take it the other way to enjoy the OKW atmosphere & dining.

Agree OKW is ‘THE “entry level” DVC property’. It was the original, first & only, DVC lol, & still a good choice for an entry resale membership or add on.

I do enjoy the opinions & critiquing, each time it gets sub-SSR negativity. Don’t want too many wanting to book it. Wouldn’t want it to become too popular. I stand by that it IS the “hidden gem” of DVC.

OKW is a great choice. Especially if you travel with a lot of people. The value is there. The theme is fun. Plus OKW has the #1 feature of all: it’s on Disney property staffed by Disney cast members making the magic happen.

 

[eticketplease]

I strongly disagree that the amenities are the same level.
Quick Service - Artist’s Pallette vs a snack bar
Restaurant - Turf Club is a place you can go for a nice dinner. Olivia’s is a brunch place that also serves dinner (akin to a diner). Also proximity to DS = those restaurants are practically part of your resort.
Golf - The first tee, pro shop and snack bar are off the back of SSR main building. OKW just has “views” of golf.
Walk to DS - SSR has a dedicated path. OKW has a long windy way to get there (30 min walk and over 1 mile) and the trail is closed at night.
Pools - 2 pools with water slides. The quiet pools are all well themed. The quiet pools at OKW have the charm of old school municipal pools.
Gym - SSR much more spacious and the equipment in there now is brand new high end stuff

I don’t think the amenities are equal.

I like the overall look of both. Very different vibes. I will admit at SSR the cartoon horse theme in the lobby and the random bronze horse with jockey out front don’t do anything for me (put Mickey or Goofy on a horse out there and call it a day) but I still like the overall upscale town and country look and feel of the place.

The &spa thing is false advertising at this point. I wonder if people ask this question at the annual meeting. Not only when is the spa reopening but if no spa why keep a name going on 5 years that’s just untrue?

I wasn't talking about level but that they have the same amenities.

They both feature multiple pools with at least 1 slide.
They both feature one sit down restaurant.
They both feature multiple QS locations (I am not arguing Snack Bar vs QS as this is what Disney claims)
They both have a gym
They both have a community hall.
They both have free busses to the parks.
They both have free busses and boats to disney springs.
They both offer multiple laundry rooms if you are staying in a studio.
They both offer a store with merchandise and food for your villa.
They both offer a walking path to DS (Just because one closes early doesn't mean it doesn't count. Although this really is not an amenity as it really part of the location of the resort.

The only one would that SSR has at this point over OKW is direct access to the golf course even though that is easy to get to from OKW as well.

 

[Carouselofplanning]

I wasn't talking about level but that they have the same amenities.

They both feature multiple pools with at least 1 slide.
They both feature one sit down restaurant.
They both feature multiple QS locations (I am not arguing Snack Bar vs QS as this is what Disney claims)
They both have a gym
They both have a community hall.
They both have free busses to the parks.
They both have free busses and boats to disney springs.
They both offer multiple laundry rooms if you are staying in a studio.
They both offer a store with merchandise and food for your villa.
They both offer a walking path to DS (Just because one closes early doesn't mean it doesn't count. Although this really is not an amenity as it really part of the location of the resort.

The only one would that SSR has at this point over OKW is direct access to the golf course even though that is easy to get to from OKW as well.

You’re right.
I’m in a mood today I guess.
This week needs to be done!

Happy Halloween!

 

[eticketplease]

This week needs to be done!

It has been one of those kind of weeks!!