SAP+ ?

[MarkNC2Disney]

I agree the couches are not comfortable but the Murphy bed is better for sleeping so it is a trade off.

The chase in the Poly 1 and 2 bedrooms should help quite a bit.

 

[eticketplease]

The chase in the Poly 1 and 2 bedrooms should help quite a bit.

I thought those were the same Murphy beds that are installed everywhere else?

 

[CVG]

Just goes to show there’s something out there for everyone. OKW is our personal resort of last resorts. We found the interior dated and was not a fan of the internal bus loop and sprawling nature of the resort and then add the lack of elevators aside from a select few buildings. What some people call peaceful, others might say that’s just poor location with bus only transportation. I did find your critique of the resorts pretty funny though tbh. Just different strokes for different folks

I agree that if there was a risk of being in one of the faraway villas then OKW wouldn't work for us. Luckily we'll have booking priority and get the "near hospitality' villas.

The bus loop got me the first one or two times, but now coming back the walk from Peninsular road is nothing.

Just to be pedantic, it's not bus only as there is a boat to DS. The location is actually pretty good - being very close to HS and Epcot. It's quicker to get to HS than it is from BWV although I can leave any time I like from BWV if I walk.

 

[intamin]

I agree that if there was a risk of being in one of the faraway villas then OKW wouldn't work for us. Luckily we'll have booking priority and get the "near hospitality' villas.

The bus loop got me the first one or two times, but now coming back the walk from Peninsular road is nothing.

Just to be pedantic, it's not bus only as there is a boat to DS. The location is actually pretty good - being very close to HS and Epcot. It's quicker to get to HS than it is from BWV although I can leave any time I like from BWV if I walk.

Did they bring the boat back? The last couple of times I went there it was down due to the water levels being too low.

 

[Genie+]

The studios at OKW rank last for me. We’ll stay there in a pinch or if it’s by far the most economical for all the options at a given time. That could change after hard refurb. The studio just feels like I’m staying in a very plain child bedroom.

OKW 1BR/2BR I’d consider though. They have some zip and pizazz

 

[intamin]

The studios at OKW rank last for me. We’ll stay there in a pinch or if it’s by far the most economical for all the options at a given time. That could change after hard refurb. The studio just feels like I’m staying in a very plain child bedroom.

OKW 1BR/2BR I’d consider though. They have some zip and pizazz

Our first DVC stay was in an OKW studio near HH.. let me just say we were underwhelmed. The one thing we liked was it had 2 real beds.

The next time we went in a 2BR, my partner and I were relegated to the pull out sofa which was the most uncomfortable sleep I’ve had in a long time. We refuse to waste any further points there until it’s refurbed at the very least.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Our first DVC stay was in an OKW studio near HH.. let me just say we were underwhelmed. The one thing we liked was it had 2 real beds.

The next time we went in a 2BR, my partner and I were relegated to the pull out sofa which was the most uncomfortable sleep I’ve had in a long time. We refuse to waste any further points there until it’s refurbed at the very least.

If you were “relegated to the pull out sofa” I am hoping you were staying there for free.

 

[disneylandtour]

Our first DVC stay was in an OKW studio near HH.. let me just say we were underwhelmed. The one thing we liked was it had 2 real beds.

The next time we went in a 2BR, my partner and I were relegated to the pull out sofa which was the most uncomfortable sleep I’ve had in a long time. We refuse to waste any further points there until it’s refurbed at the very least.

I'm somewhat of a fan of OWK. But it's in part the low points, two real beds in the studios, spacious grounds, close hot tubs / jacuzzis to most every room, being able to easily walk to my room from my car, and the lack of general tourists wandering through the lobby, restaurants, etc. Also the OG OKW seventy and eighty year olds are usually a blast to talk to about what they did back in the 1990s at the resort. But yes, it does lack some of the Disney theming, also only bus transportation (except to Disney Springs) and you're far from every park.

 

[jbreen2010]

I'm realizing that my dues on SSR which used to be my "sleep around points" are now more expensive than VGF or Poly for next year. I also own at VGF and Poly.

 

[disneylandtour]

I always figure point use as MF plus prorated point purchase costs. So your MF maybe be cheaper at Poly and VGF, but I bet your prorated point purchase cost is much higher, still making point use on those contracts more valuable.

 

[nalababybear]

Vgf direct last year close out was probably the best deal around and wish had grabbed that for direct....but then vgc direct came available.

So doors close but also open . Just be ready to pull the trigger when at meets your needs.

Also point is buy where you'll stay cause MFs will fluctuate

 

[eticketplease]

I'm realizing that my dues on SSR which used to be my "sleep around points" are now more expensive than VGF or Poly for next year. I also own at VGF and Poly.

Poly and SSR have always been close.

SSR is still great for SAP but yes if you got the deal direct or something on the resale market VGF is very attractive as SAP if VGF is not your cup of tea.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I always figure point use as MF plus prorated point purchase costs. So your MF maybe be cheaper at Poly and VGF, but I bet your prorated point purchase cost is much higher, still making point use on those contracts more valuable.

But the purchase price is really just a sunk cost. Emotionally, it can make you feel better about it, but the money is gone.

 

[kboo]

I completely agree. I loathe taking the boat from Swan/Dolphin to EPCOT when I’m with friends who don’t want to walk so I assumed I’d feel the same at CCV, but completely different experience. So relaxing!

I love the FriendShip boats in concept but unless you're the first stop and there's no wait, I find it's really only something I'd do from HS to Swolphin, and now that we don't really stay at Swolphin, that would be ... "never"

And I love Crescent Lake. That's my jam right there. Love all the boats, but the friendship boats are perfection!

I love the Crescent Lake area but the boats there are too slow - which makes sense, because CL isn't really big enough (and not enough demand, I guess) to have multiple boat routes. I do like and use the boats in the MK area though.

One last thing I wanted to mention about walking, I was surprised to find out that the walk from our room at BWV to Hollywood Studios took less time than the walk from Grand Flo to Magic Kingdom.

FOR SURE. We booked a standard villa at BWV summer 2023 and specifically requested "near tennis courts" - we took a stairway at the end of the building that cut the walk to HS in half. And it was a quick walk across the front of BWV to the bus stop. Sure, not much of a view but trade off was convenience!

As you should! I saw a not-so-tiny snake on my way back one night but no gators yet thankfully!

We rescued a baby turtle summer 2023 - it was on the hot cement walk. It was less than 2" from head to tiny tail.

Loud child echoed around the savannah!

ohhhhh. we stayed there in 2023 (Kidani savanna) and there was a neurodiverse child on their balcony very early in the AM ... it was SO loud. Other than that, though, the savanna views are magical, and peaceful! (mostly)

That is studio life with the dishes

So - was at the Moana 2 preview which was a very soft sell for Poly tower and I think they are using either washable dishes or something else eco-friendly in the studios.

 

[SugarSweetLee]

So - was at the Moana 2 preview which was a very soft sell for Poly tower and I think they are using either washable dishes or something else eco-friendly in the ststudios.

I think they pointed out in the promo videos that the new Island tower studios have dishwashers for real dishes as part of their commitment to sustainability practices.

 

[Genie+]

I think they pointed out in the promo videos that the new Island tower studios have dishwashers for real dishes as part of their commitment to sustainability practices.

Great option in a studio! I’d much rather use real dishes. Plus it has the small dining area.

I think DH and I would love using these studios for our trips together. The room is very functional and location is great to pop over to Grand Flo for dinner or TTC for EP monorail.

 

[BrianLo]

Ooph, I have just learned something quite valuable. SSR is not my jam!

The room feels cheap, I’m sorry, concrete semi outdoor hallways… wut!? I thought these units were recently renovated. Everything is peeling, the Murphy sofa is stained something fierce. I also got the furthest possible room so have enjoyed a lovely end to end property stroll with my luggage. The lobby might as well be on harbour blvd and I’m staying at VDH.

I think SAP+ by definition means you would want home resort priority. SSR is definitely not it for me… don’t be cheap and pay the extra point for preferred.

 

[CWTC]

I think SAP+ by definition means you would want home resort priority. SSR is definitely not it for me

We had a similar SSR experience about 10 years ago. We stayed there for 4 nights and booked about 4-5 months out so choices were limited. SSR was not for us and when considering SAP+ points, BLT was the clear winner for us because we’d always enjoy staying there and never feel “stuck” if we couldn’t swap at 7 months.

 

[CarolynFH]

I thought these units were recently renovated.

Not so recently now. Started just before the pandemic, finished just after. As busy as SSR is (it’s probably DVC’s most frequently posted for inbound exchanges via RCI/II), I’m not surprised it isn’t standing up to the wear and tear.

 

[tidefan]

Not so recently now. Started just before the pandemic, finished just after. As busy as SSR is (it’s probably DVC’s most frequently posted for inbound exchanges via RCI/II), I’m not surprised it isn’t standing up to the wear and tear.

We just stayed in November and our room in the Paddock was great.