Should I rethink my choice of OKW over CSR? (Sorry, a little long)

[Deb & Bill]

Technically this is correct. However, even renters will have room keys that say 'Member' on them, and those will allow them to pool hop or take advantage of most other member benefits, even though they might not technically be entitled.

Not sure if all studios at OKW have balconies, but they do at all other DVC resorts (save for a stray room here or there that just can't accomodate a balcony for various reasons).

They are asking members to show their blue member card as well as their Room ID with DVC Member on it a lot of the time. So a non-member, while their room ID may say DVC Member, might not get the DVC perks. They shouldn't expect them.

The queen sized beds would be the deal breaker for me. Double beds are just too hard to share.

 

[rascalmom]

If you don't want to pay for the extra Trash & Towel or Full Cleaning service to get fresh towels at OKW, you can always get an extra towel pack or two. Just call housekeeping & they will bring them to you. They're $6 each pack & a pack is enough for 4 people. We do this so that we're not running the W/D quite so often.

Another thing to consider - crowded buses. We haven't stayed at CSR, but we have stayed at CBR which is similar. Buses were more often than not standing room only & we frequently had to wait for another bus because the bus was completely full at CBR. At OKW they don't seem at crowded - probably because the resort is smaller (capacity wise). Also, I'm pretty sure you'll have a further hike to the CBR bus stops. OKW has lots of them. That can be good & bad - not far to walk, but lots of stops if you get on the bus at one of the first stops. We like having a car at WDW - the buses waste a lot of time at any of the resorts that don't have monorail or walking access to the parks. CBR & OKW are equal there.

As to the ice machine being at the bus stop - if you are planning on taking the buses anyway, just fill up on ice on the way back to your room. The studio fridge does have a freezer that works. We like to freeze water bottles to take to the parks with us & we did this at our OKW studio (I'm pretty sure we removed ice trays to do this, so that is another option).

We also like having the microwave, coffee maker & toaster at the studio. You won't have those at CBR. WDW portions are huge & it is nice to be able to warm up leftovers.

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

What can you get at these places?

The menus for all onsite restaurants and food places are listed at allearsnet. I was able to print off menus for places that we were interested in and it helped. It also helped elimate places that I thought we would like, but would't have based on the menu choices.

 

[robinb]

If you don't want to pay for the extra Trash & Towel or Full Cleaning service to get fresh towels at OKW, you can always get an extra towel pack or two. Just call housekeeping & they will bring them to you. They're $6 each pack & a pack is enough for 4 people. We do this so that we're not running the W/D quite so often.

Personally, I don't use a fresh towel at home every day and it doesn't matter if I use one on vacation. Same thing with a professionally made bed. This is a touchy subject, but we also will grab an extra pool towel or two on the way back from a swim if our room towels are still damp.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Folks have given you a pretty fair comparison on this thread. I would like to add that when we stayed in a studio (and we usually don't) the freezer came with refillable ice trays, so if you empty and fill them each day, there would be no need to go down to the bus stop for ice. The bathroom is huge at OKW, and the balcony is a real plus for the nice landscaping. I didn't think CSR had much interesting to offer in landscaping at all. I would be pretty hard pressed to step down to a moderate instead of staying in a deluxe DVC studio for basically the same price. Also, you could be putting the person you rented from in a bad situation if they are too close to their banking window. If I had rented points to someone for an August trip and they were thinking of cancelling in July, I would NOT be very happy! There is a fair amount of effort that goes into renting points, and the owners who rent are not a travel agency.

 

[KirstenB]

We are DVC members whose home resort is OKW. However, we've also stayed at CSR, when my dh had a conference there. We love them both. With CSR, it is a VERY spread out resort. We were as far away from the main pool (which was awesome, BTW) as you could be. I truly missed having a balcony, and the room was a little small and dark at CSR. The Pepper Market had yummy food. We didn't try the full-service restaurant, I think it was a little pricey for us. The bathroom and room are bigger at OKW. Since there are 4 of you, that could make a difference. Maid service is a non-issue for me, but for some, it's a deal breaker.

Our home is in the country, and we have 2 porches, which I love sitting on. Great place to read the paper, etc. I also love the porch at OKW--same reason, a little place to have some "me" time. I truly missed this at CSR, but I realize I'm probably in the minority on that one. Last thought, at CSR, we always had the shades pulled, because people were walking by our room. At OKW, any studio we've ever had faced the back, which means the only people you see are on the golf course. I love having the blinds open, and looking at the landscaping. Also, if you're on the 2nd or 3rd floor, you have added privacy.

Bottom line, I'd be happy to be on vacation at either resort. Have a great trip.

 

[JimMIA]

Yes, I already have the points rented. There's no penalty unless cancelled inside of 30 days from arrival date.

Either you misunderstand your arrangement with the member you have rented from, or they misunderstand something pretty basic.

You need to cancel well ahead of 30 days prior to your arrival. If you cancel at or inside of 30 days, you are not only going to mess up the points you rented, you are going to mess up the DVC member's entire account.

Also, depending on the particulars of their account, your cancellation could impact a number of other things and really put them in a bind.

This second-guessing you are going through is a great example of why most members don't rent points -- they want to avoid problems like this. I know you don't mean any harm to the member who has rented you points. But you need to let them know as far ahead as you possibly can.

 

[kathleena]

Couple of comments back:

-the pool/hot tub at CSR is nicer. I don't think this one is true. New slide at OKW!
-CSR has a nice full service restaurant, too. OKW has Olivia's
-CSR is newer and much like a deluxe resort. I would disagree here. I think they are about the same for amenities. CSR is certainly not GF or Poly or even AKL.
-rooms at OKW STUDIOS are bigger with a kitchenette.(we really don't need the small kitchenette.)Rooms are bigger.
-OKW has boat to DD. Very nice trip also
-OKW is like a retirement home? No more than CSR.
-we have to empty our own trash, or pay extra to have that done.
-full Mousekeeping costs $25.00/day, except for on the 4th day.Trash & Towel is on 4th day and is free. Full mousekeeping is not until the 8th day.

I would add that CSR is more removed and is only close to one park. OKW is closer to two parks and equidistant from the other two. And much closer to DTD.

I think the atmosphere with the golf course is nicer at OKW.

And the food court is nice at CSR, but you can go to DTD and get great food there. A longer trip, but still an option.

I would stay with OKW.

 

[Muushka]

If I had rented points to someone for an August trip and they were thinking of cancelling in July, I would NOT be very happy! There is a fair amount of effort that goes into renting points, and the owners who rent are not a travel agency.

This second-guessing you are going through is a great example of why most members don't rent points -- they want to avoid problems like this. I know you don't mean any harm to the member who has rented you points. But you need to let them know as far ahead as you possibly can.

Amen and amen to the above comments. Makes me never want to rent points again .

 

[JimMIA]

Also, you could be putting the person you rented from in a bad situation if they are too close to their banking window.

That's one of the "details" I was referring to earlier that could really mess the DVC owner up. There are others.

If I had rented points to someone for an August trip and they were thinking of cancelling in July, I would NOT be very happy! There is a fair amount of effort that goes into renting points, and the owners who rent are not a travel agency.

In fairness, the OP is not considering anything of the sort. It's June, and their trip is in December.

However...the first banking deadline (which the OP would have no way of knowing) IS six months into the use year, so any cancellation after that could have some repercussions.

So OP...do whatever is best for your family, and noone will criticize you for it (unless you tell us)...but do it as quickly as you can.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

I have stayed at OKW studio and CSR with two adults, two kids.
I would choose OKW studio.

It feels bigger, spacious , compared to a regular hotel room feel of CSR. The bathroom is large. The studio shape is closer to a square for the room rather than the rectangle of most hotel rooms where the walls seem to be closing in.

At CSR there is all the hotel noise, many people walking past your unit.
OKW has far fewer people walking and talking past your unit.

I have loved Pepper Market but that was with meal vouchers. They have more choices than a regular food court and i think better quality but the prices are higher. ie. Prime rib dinner with sauteed vegetables and potato for ~ $17.

I would only prefer CSR if I had a prepaid dining package because Pepper Market counts as a Counter Service so the Rib eye dinner would "cost" (in meal credits) as much as counter service in the parks while being much better.

Renting OKW is a really good deal.

 

[dianeschlicht]

That's one of the "details" I was referring to earlier that could really mess the DVC owner up. There are others. In fairness, the OP is not considering anything of the sort. It's June, and their trip is in December.

However...the first banking deadline (which the OP would have no way of knowing) IS six months into the use year, so any cancellation after that could have some repercussions.

So OP...do whatever is best for your family, and noone will criticize you for it (unless you tell us)...but do it as quickly as you can.

Sorry Jim, I thought they were traveling in August. I must have been confusing two different posts. Yes, it is June, but it wont be by tomorrow.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I missed the fact that the points are already rented.

I would keep the OKW reservation and cancel CSR.

I misunderstood the OP.

 

[NMW]

I don't think any moderate is at all like a Deluxe. CSR is huge and very spread out with 2 double beds. None of the Deluxe resorts are that way.

If OKW or CSR were my 2 options, in a heartbeat I'd pick OKW. I don't really care for the themeing at CSR, the smaller rooms, the 2 double beds, and lack of a balcony.

I don't really understand why OKW is like a retirement home. Maybe people are refering to the "condo" type buildings as opposed to the actual ages of people at the resort. I've never stayed at OKW, although I have seen it. Lots of people with young children stay there. You can do your laundry for free. You'll have much more space at OKW and the "calypso" themeing is nice-very Flordia. I understand your concerns about OKW. We prefer the DVC resorts that are attached to Deluxe hotels (BWV, BCV, VWL). But you aren't comparing OKW to BWV, you are comparing it to a moderate. I'd take OKW over a moderate any day!

 

[Keith]

Either you misunderstand your arrangement with the member you have rented from, or they misunderstand something pretty basic.

You need to cancel well ahead of 30 days prior to your arrival. If you cancel at or inside of 30 days, you are not only going to mess up the points you rented, you are going to mess up the DVC member's entire account.

This second-guessing you are going through is a great example of why most members don't rent points -- they want to avoid problems like this. I know you don't mean any harm to the member who has rented you points. But you need to let them know as far ahead as you possibly can.

She told me there's no penalty as long as it's more than 30 days (I think for that month it may be 33-34 days). If later than that, we have to pay the entire amount.
I'm 99.9% sure we'll be sticking with OKW, but just needed some reassurance on some of these issues.
Thanks to all of you for your help with these issues. I really am very appreciative of your assistance.
Now I just need to know if I should request 1st or 2nd floor. Which is better, not having to climb the stairs, or having a balcony with a better view. Do the 1st floor STUDIOS have a balcony or a patio at ground level.

 

[CharlesTD]

I would likeley take CSR over OKW when it is that close a price. We love everything about CSR especially teh pool area and the big hot tub at the pool. The kids will love the play area at the pool also. I also agree with the retirement home comment we feel teh same way.

 

[Keith]

Folks have given you a pretty fair comparison on this thread. If I had rented points to someone for an August trip and they were thinking of cancelling in July, I would NOT be very happy! There is a fair amount of effort that goes into renting points, and the owners who rent are not a travel agency.

Yes, folks have given me a pretty fair comparison, and I appreciate any and all input.
We are going in December, not August.
My friend is not only a DVC owner, she is also a travel agent.

 

[Disney Doll]

CSR is probably my favorite moderate and OKW is my home resort. What a quandry you have put me in!!!!!!!!!!!!

Head to head, I think they compare favorably in general. Both have full-service restaurants. CSR has a food court type thing...although it's sort of a hybrid between a food court & a regular restaurant IMHO...OKW has a couple of snack bars, plus a pretty decent selection of foods in their store and you will have a fridge(dorm size, and the freezer works pretty well as far as I can remember). I like the tropical themeing of OKW, but I also like the southwestern feel of CSR, so that's a wash for me. I think the pools are equally as nice...one thing no one seems to have mentioned is that CSR has one big hot tub, while OKW has a hot tub near every pool...total 4. Room size...OKW is bigger, not by much, but it is. Don't underestimate that kitchenette. Being able to have stuff for breakfasts in your room will save you some $$$, and more importantly, some time in the morning. OKW has a small balcony, with a small table(like an end table) and 2 chairs in most of the studios. CSR does not have that. More privacy at OKW...no one will be walking by your windows...at least not as many as at CSR. Retirement home...well, DH & I are 43 & 47 respectively and wish we could retire, but unfortunately must still work. OKW is a bit more laid back than CSR, since CSR is a convention hotel I think you see more crowds and therefore a bit more hustle-bustle, but I don't know that I'd classify it as retirement home material! You don't have a car so parking is a non-issue.

I think I'd do OKW, though if someone called me right now and offered me a trip to CSR, I'd certainly take it!

 

[CarolA]

This second-guessing you are going through is a great example of why most members don't rent points -- they want to avoid problems like this. I know you don't mean any harm to the member who has rented you points. But you need to let them know as far ahead as you possibly can.

AMEN! This is exactly why I have never rented points. I know I would wind up with this kind of situation!

 

[LeftCoaster]

Now I just need to know if I should request 1st or 2nd floor. Which is better, not having to climb the stairs, or having a balcony with a better view. Do the 1st floor STUDIOS have a balcony or a patio at ground level.

I think either floor will be good. A lot of times the quality of the view depends on how the vegetation has grown. I've had some really nice "views" from the ground floor. As for the stairs, my feeling is "It's just one flight of stairs after walking how many miles during the day?!"

The first floor studios will have a patio that's set up like the blaconies. Yes, it is ground level but, it has the same railing set up that you'd find on the upper floors and it will be the same size. Also, since the balconies (except for a few) face the golf course, water, or woods, they are all fairly private.