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

[Keith]

It's me, DW, DS (10), and DD (8) going from Dec. 10-17, 2005. We're not driving a car. We're buying/renting points on a STUDIO (free towncar service included). CSR is $107.00/night and OKW is $105.00/night. I'm trying to figure out whether the PRO's outweigh the CON's at OKW. People keep saying how great OKW is, but they keep referring to 1 BR & 2 BR units, as well as villas. We're staying in a STUDIO.

I'm hearing:
-the OKW STUDIO fridge/freezer is tiny, but a little bigger than CSR's.
-the little fridge's freezer may not even keep things frozen?
-car/bus traffic through the resort is worse than at CSR because of the layout.
-OKW is bigger and more spread out.
-the pool/hot tub at CSR is nicer.
-CSR has a nice full service restaurant, too.
-CSR has a food court.
-CSR is newer and much like a deluxe resort.
-rooms at OKW STUDIOS are bigger with a kitchenette.(we really don't need the small kitchenette.)
-you have to go to an OKW bus stop to get ice? (that's inconvenient)
-OKW 2Q beds, CSR 2 dbl. beds.
-OKW has boat to DD.
-OKW is like a retirement home?
-room service option at CSR, not at OKW.
-arcade at OKW is very small.
-hot tubs at each OKW quiet pool, not at CSR's quiet pools.
-no daily maid service included at OKW. We have to wash our own towels if we want clean ones, or it costs $10 extra per day.
-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.

I just keep coming up with more negatives than positives on OKW vs. CSR. (If OKW is such a great place, why is this so?) Please convince me to stick with OKW. I still have the CSR reservation, so it's still not too late. I'm thinking OKW should be a pretty nice resort judging by the regular rack rate of approx. $259.00 vs $134.00 at CSR. Is a STUDIO worth $259,00/night? (I know, this rate does include Mousekeeping daily) If I had a $105.00 (plus $25-$30 Mousekeeping) rate at any of the deluxe resorts, I wouldn't have any trouble at all deciding. It would be deluxe all the way for sure!

I hate to beat myself up about this, but I keep telling my wife, "If OKW is such a great place, why do we keep coming up with all these negative things about it?" Maybe I've spent a little more time asking questions about OKW on the "resorts forum" instead of the "DVC forum"?

Thanks

 

[robinb]

I would agree with your assessments except for this:

-OKW is like a retirement home?

Some other OKW "pros" you missed:
* Can park right outside building.
* Private balcony with small table and chairs.
* Abililty to "pool hop" to any pool (including CSR) except SAB and AKL with your "DVC Member" inscribed room key.

 

[crisi]

Do you already have these points rented? Because someone just posted DVC being sold out the previous (I think) week and if they aren't rented yet, you may not be able to rent them by the time you make up your mind. On the other hand, if they are rented already, you will be in a position with the owner of cancelling, and the owner may not wish you to back out without a penalty - even with this much notice. They've already put time into making your reservation and if you back out, will be back at square one - if it were me you rented from, I'd expect some compensation.

Sounds like you won't have a car. I wouldn't stay at OKW without a car.

OKW does have a nice full service restaurant.

 

[Keith]

I would agree with your assessments except for this:




Some other OKW "pros" you missed:
* Can park right outside building.
* Private balcony with small table and chairs.
* Abililty to "pool hop" to any pool (including CSR) except SAB and AKL with your "DVC Member" inscribed room key.

We're not driving a car (I just added that info. to my original post while you were typing your response). I forgot about the balcony and pool hopping. The pool hopping is a big plus, since we're staying 7 nights but only have 4 day hoppers.
I can't figure out why you have to go to a bus stop to get ice?

The "retirement home" comments were very common on the resorts forum.

 

[CarolA]

A few thoughts.

Having stayed at both OKW and CSR, I don't think CSR is dramatically more consolidated then OKW (I found it to be the MOST confusing resort ever) Prepare to walk a LONG way to the pool and food court.

OKW now has a slide at the pool so the advantage there is not great.

CSR has the Pepper Market. They add a 10% service charge for seating you (I think they are suppose to do something else, but I have never seen them do anything!)

I found CSR not at all like a "deluxe" It's a moderate and there was nothing deluxe about it. I don't mean that negatively, but.....

Maid service is a pro and con. You don't get full made service on day 4 at OKW, you get trash and towel. A small clean up. However, at Disney hotels I always find the maid wants to clean just as I want to nap.

However, it sounds like you might be happier at CSR. For the sake of the person you are renting from I hope you make a decision soon.

(And by the way I have taken families to OKW and never heard the retirement community statement LOL! The one thing I do notice on the resort board is a strong perference for Deluxe resorts however.)

 

[Keith]

Do you already have these points rented? Because someone just posted DVC being sold out the previous (I think) week and if they aren't rented yet, you may not be able to rent them by the time you make up your mind. On the other hand, if they are rented already, you will be in a position with the owner of cancelling, and the owner may not wish you to back out without a penalty - even with this much notice. They've already put time into making your reservation and if you back out, will be back at square one - if it were me you rented from, I'd expect some compensation.

Sounds like you won't have a car. I wouldn't stay at OKW without a car.

OKW does have a nice full service restaurant.

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

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I would go with CSR. The one thing we miss, since we joined DVC, believe it or not, is a food court!

We have never stayed in a studio, so I really can't compare them to regular rooms, but for $2 more a night, you won't have to wash your own towels or make your beds. We had a 2 bedroom, at BCV, which the second bedroom is a studio. I would never pay $259 a night for it!

We never have a car in WDW, so having the "parking right at your door" perk really doesn't matter to us, either. I'm already worried that we will have a room far from everything, when we stay at OKW this December.

Now, if you were getting a one bedroom, I would definitely tell you to keep that!

Good luck and have a great time!

 

[robinb]

I can't figure out why you have to go to a bus stop to get ice?

The vast majority of units at OKW don't need an ice machine because they have a full-size refrigerator with a freezer and ice trays. I'm sure that the ice machines as CSR are near the elevators which may be just as far away from your room as the OKW bus stop. I always transfer ice in a small plastic bag, like from a grocery store. Pack one with you and you can pick up your ice on the way home from the parks.

 

[robinb]

Maid service is a pro and con. You don't get full made service on day 4 at OKW, you get trash and towel. A small clean up. However, at Disney hotels I always find the maid wants to clean just as I want to nap.

The OP will be there for a week. Don't they get a full clean and a T&T?

 

[bobbiwoz]

At OKW, there is the possibility that you will be in a building without an elevator. This is a negative for me, it may not be for you. We lucked out and happened to have a wonderful stay at an OKW studio in a building with an elevator. I'm frankly afraid to go back there, because we may never be able to duplicate one of our most wonderful weekend stays at DVC! It was perfect in every way, with a studio with a balcony and a beautiful view, great bus service, convenient walk to quiet pool, AND the elevator.

Bobbi

PS. We didn't know that most buildings didn't have an elevator. We didn't ask for one, but got one!

 

[tjkraz]

Many of the items you've listed are subjective or apparently pulled from one or two trip reports.

"OKW is bigger and more spread out." - While I can't quote the acreage of each resort, OKW has 531 rooms while CSR has 1967 rooms. So, you can probably expect OKW to have 1/4 to 1/3 as many guests as CSR at any given time.

"car/bus traffic through the resort is worse than at CSR because of the layout." - Busses wind through both resorts to multiple stops. At OKW, all room balconies face away from the main roads. When you're in your room, you probably won't ever see them. And, I would think OKW would have a fraction of the total traffic of CSR due to the smaller number of rooms.

"the pool/hot tub at CSR is nicer." - That's subjective. Not sure if it's your opinion or just something you read. If you like CSR better, so be it. But remember you'll be sharing the facilities with 3-4 times as many people as at OKW.

"CSR has a nice full service restaurant, too." - OK, so that's a "push".

"CSR has a food court." - In addition to Olivia's (the full service restaurant), OKW has quick service food available at "Good's Food to Go" near the main pool and "Turtle Shack" near one of the quiet pools.

"OKW is like a retirement home?" - Again that's subjective. IMO, most folks that make comments like this are comparing solely to other DVC resorts. Many people prefer the "hotel" feel of the Boardwalk and Beach Club rather than the walk-up style buildings of OKW. In this regard, OKW and CSR are basically the same.

Although it wasn't on your list, also consider the sizes of the rooms. OKW rooms are about 370 sq ft while CSR rooms are 315. OKW has a balcony (each with a golf course, water or woods view) while CSR does not. I know you discarded the kitchenette, but is there any chance you would want to warm-up leftovers for a snack later? What about eating cereal, pop tarts or frozen waffles in your room some mornings to save time and money?

Hope that helps clarify a few of your issues. In the end, I think it's a question of how you personally value the pros/cons of each resort. If daily maid service is more important to you than having a balcony, then go with CSR.

Enjoy!

 

[robinb]

Another OKW plus: You also get free washers and dryers at OKW. Bring your own soap, or buy it there. At $4 per load, that can be a real savings .

 

[RweTHEREyet]

At CSR, won't you have two double beds?

At OKW you would have two queen beds.

CSR feels like a convention resort to me. Lots of big meetings and people in suits and business attire.

If OKW is like a retirement village, then I guess I am ready for one. I think it is a beautiful place. We have not styed at OKW since 12/03, so when I planned our next trip, I intentionally asked for OKW as we missed being there.

 

[disneymom2one]

I personally love, love, OKW. BUT I'm a DVC member. OKW just gives me that DVC "feel". My daughter loves the activities at Community Hall. My husband likes the peacefulness of the units. I like nothing more than to spend the afternoon at the pool and then dinner at Olivia's. I personally don't even feel a big need to go to the parks when I stay at OKW. We always stay in studios and they're plenty for us although I'd prefer 1 bed and the pull-out couch like in other DVC studios. But that's a minor thing.

But Coronado is a really nice moderate resort. We've stayed there a couple of times and have been pleased. I'm not a huge fan of the Pepper Market and the resort is rather spread out but it's a nice play to stay. The pool area is fabulous.

It really depends on what you're looking for. In the spring/summer we stay at OKW because we don't really do much at the parks. For our annual Christmas trip we prefer the Boardwalk or Beach Club because I like the "busier" feel then. We tend to be at the parks a lot more too.

It just depends. I know many DVC members who never stay at OKW and some who stay there every trip.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Many of the items you've listed are subjective or apparently pulled from one or two trip reports.

"car/bus traffic through the resort is worse than at CSR because of the layout." - Busses wind through both resorts to multiple stops. At OKW, all room balconies face away from the main roads. When you're in your room, you probably won't ever see them. And, I would think OKW would have a fraction of the total traffic of CSR due to the smaller number of rooms.

not entirely true, not ALL balconies face away from the main road. We stayed in the building that is the first one on the right as you drive into the resort from the guard shack. The studio bedrooms on the side of the building that are closest to that road face that road you drive in on. When we were on that balcony we were facing the main road and you heard the brakes of the busses even with all the doors closed and the air conditioning running.
I would agree that most of the balconies are away from the main roads, but not all of them are.

 

[Laurajean1014]

If you decide on not staying at OKW, let me know. I would love to take the ressie. I'm currently waiting for approval to go down during that time.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

"CSR has a food court." - In addition to Olivia's (the full service restaurant), OKW has quick service food available at "Good's Food to Go" near the main pool and "Turtle Shack" near one of the quiet pools.

What can you get at these places?

 

[DisneyKidds]

When all is said and done, the decision between CSR and OKW really comes down to the room.

Pools are a wash, as CSR has a very nice one, but OKW has a new pool with a slide.

Transportation is a wash, as bus service will probably be pretty comparable at either. It's not like either resort has direct access to a park.

Food options are a wash. Yes, there is a full service restaurant at CSR but it never really enticed us. In fact the only time I ate there was while at a convention on site and my company was footing the bill. When spending my own money there are many other full service restaurants I'd choose before this one. Never eaten at Olivia's, but I've heard good things and it's probably cheaper. Yes, I do like Pepper Market and that is a nice option.

Perhaps CSR has a little more convenience for you if mousekeeping and saving a few steps on getting ice are most important to you. However, when we stay at the DVC resorts we always do a quick food shopping trip and the fridge is indeed bigger than the portable they will bring to your room at other resorts. OKW seems less spread out than CSR, so that provides some convenience as well. But overall each will have it's pros and cons, but they really may not be all that different.

So you are left with the room. A studio at OKW is a deluxe room compared to the rooms at CSR. The room at OKW will be larger, with bigger beds, and a balcony/patio. The grounds at OKW will also be a little nicer. At CSR you will find your building and access your room via the outdoor corridor, and when you are in you are in. No curtains to open to look out the slider to the balcony with a view, a little cramped.......just a room. On our trip last Nov/Dec we had to add a night at POR before we began our stay at BCV/VWL. I really like POR and think it is the best of the moderate resorts (CSR a close second). However, there really is no comparison between the room you get at a moderate resort and the studio you will have at any of the DVC resorts.

So, if you just view the room as a place to sleep and shower and the convenience factors at CSR appeal to you more than the convenience factors at OKW, then go with CSR. However, if a larger more comfortable room is something that will make your vacation more enjoyable you should go with OKW. I always like the larger more comfortable room.

I'd never pay $259 for a studio at OKW or SSR, but they are certainly worth more than a room at any moderate resort. If you can get them for the same price I think OKW is the better value.

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

Do all studios at OKW have balconies? We were in the 1 bedroom side of a 2 bedroom lock out last trip and we had the balcony and I didn't think the studio side had a balcony.

It is my understanding that renters don't get the benefits of pool hopping unless you are talking about hopping to the different pools within OKW.

We love OKW, but have never stayed in a studio. It really sounds like you would probably be happier at CSR.

 

[DisneyKidds]

It is my understanding that renters don't get the benefits of pool hopping unless you are talking about hopping to the different pools within OKW.

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).