Something I just have to tell all you OKW owners

[LooneyIAm]

We arrived at OKW Saturday, 8/3 around 12:30 pm. Let me tell you........I AM IN LOVE!!!!!!! As soon as we drove past the guard shack and got closer to the hospitality house and I took one look at those beautiful trees and flowers and all those lovely pink, blue and turquoise buildings, I knew I had chosen the right place to be! (No offense to any of the owners of the other villas - we took a ride and checked out quite a few of the other hotels - they are all special in their own way), but there was something so peaceful and serene about OKW, I couldn't wait to get back to my 1 bedroom on Turtle Pond Road (4423) at night. I am not a DVC member, we paid cash and I am not in the market financially at this time to consider any purchases, but I will be glad to scrimp and save and go back there again as soon as possible. Now that brings up another issue..........my DD (20) and DS (16) were somewhat disappointed in the pools at OKW. When they took one look at the pools at BWV and VWL, they said they wanted to try those places next time. Personally, I felt BWV and BCV were a little too "busy" for me - I live a few hours from the Jersey shore and I can rent a hotel among hustle and bustle any time I want, but VWL might be a possiblity. How does the set-up there compare to OKW - or do I need to ask that somewhere else?

Anyway......I will be writing a trip report as soon as I get back to "reality" here from "fantasyland".

Thanks for all the help I got from all of you with the planning.

Paula

 

[sgtdisney]

You can ask that kind of question here. There are lots of VWL experts on this forum One of the biggest differences is that you will enter your villa from an inside corridor as opposed to an outside entrance. If you want to park your car outside your front door that can't happen there.. The VWL are also slightly smaller than the villa's at OKW (except the Studios are about the same size.) However at VWL you will be connected to the Wilderness lodge and have more full service restaurants, etc, and be closer to MK, etc. I have never stayed at the VWL personally, but I hear a lot of nice things about it.

 

[castleri]

When you said you paid cash- did you pay Disney or rent points from a member? If you rent from a member you should be able to pool-hop the next time you go with the exception of the BCV.
maybe you and the DD & DS can all have it your ways. The main pool at VWL is nice ( it has a place where you can just swim and swim against the current and not really go very far) and the one at BCV is spectacular but the "feel" of OKW just can't be beat. I will be at BCV for 7 days in October just because my DS wants to try BWV and we couldn't get in there so took the next best thing and actually other than the not so great views (so I read on ths board) it may be better.
At least we can use SAB or rather I can since the other three people in the party don't care about the pool. Your other option would be to stay a couple of days at one place and then a couple at another. So gald you enjoyed your stay.

 

[LooneyIAm]

We paid cash to Disney ( I have learned a lot since I booked the trip ) - for instance I was told by the Disney Club person who took my reservation that you can only purchase an ultimate hopper pass with a package. I then learned later on this board that isn't true, but it was way too close to our going to think about changing things. Anyone know how the sizes of the other villas compare to OKW?

When we were passing the Disney Institue and treehouse villas our bus driver told us they are tearing them all down and building a new vacation club resort - any ideas what the theming will be?

Paula

 

[Granny]

Looney....great to hear that you enjoyed your OKW stay.

We own at VWL so we can talk to that a little bit. sgtdisney did a good job explaining some of the differences between OKW and VWL.

There are some basic differences: a condo feeling at OKW vs. more of a hotel set-up at VWL. The grandeur of the VWL lobby vs the laid back, beautiful set up at OKW. More amenities at VWL because it's part of a deluxe resort, but OKW is close to Downtown Disney with everything that has to offer.

One thing they both share is a quiet haven after a bustling day at the parks. Both have beautiful decors and are similarly stocked for comparable accommodation sizes.

OKW rooms are somewhat larger than VWL, especially the 1BR.

VWL also has a recreation package you can buy that provides unlimited length-of-stay access to the water vehicles and bicycles there.

I'll just add that we stayed at BWV a few weeks ago and found the room to be just as quiet as any other place we have stayed at WDW. I hear that the Boardwalk can get noisy, but the area we stayed in was very quiet. And the Boardwalk would be perfect for your young adults.

You can't go wrong with any DVC resort. Good luck with your next trip planning.

 

[Doctor P]

Glad you enjoyed Old Key West!

 

[Richyams]

The terms "somewhat" or "slightly" larger are decieving.

The other resorts have tiny units, but you do get to spend many more points per night and you even get to spend more dues per point at the other DVC resorts.

 

[Nanajo1]

Granny,
I loved the way you compared the resorts. Thanks for such a pleasant non-judgemental explanation.

 

[KNWVIKING]

We own at OKW and VWL. If pools are an issue,VWL has the best of both worlds for your family.While your kids are having a blast at the WL pool,you can kick back at the VWL quite pool. Without showing you a map of the place,try to imagine the two resorts being connected and seperate at the same time. Personally, we love VWL & WL for the Christmas season. The theme and decorations are breathtaking. We also enjoy the boat ride into MK. The only real downside for us about VWL is the parking lot. We always have a car that we use extensively.You can't beat parking at your front door at OKW for convienence,but this is not an issue either way.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I loved the flowers, the scents and the whole resort atmosphere of OKW...next time I want to get a unit closer to the canal.

VWL...has a wonderful pine scent, a beautiful water view...just not from your room, really nice pool and really easy poolhopping to the Magic Kingdom resorts....Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary plus Fort Wilderness. It's also on a huge lake and has walking trails under the trees.

At the same time its the most difficult of the DVC resorts to get back to from a night at Boardwalk or Downtown Disney. Not really hard but that was the only drawback I saw.

If pool/water is a driving force I'd absolutely go with a stay at VWL.

By the way if you are talking about buying remember you can only buy BCV on site right now. It's easiest to get a resale at OKW...usually cheaper too.

And...I live an hour/hour and half from the shore so I know what you are talking about...that's why I'd generally take a pass on BWV.

 

[nisiemouse]

Thanks for sharing about OKW. We own at OKW and BCV. We just made our trip home to BCV in early Aug and will go home to OKW over Thanksgiving. I can't wait to stay at OKW. We were very pleased with BCV and they were very peaceful to us. I hope we have the opportunity to try them all before 2042! Glad you had a great trip and looking forward to your trip report.

 

[MinnieMe2]

We own at VWL, but last year we spent a couple of nites in a studio at OKW. We had teens with us as well, and they were very disappointed by the pools at OKW. When we moved into a 1-bedroom at VWL after two nites at OKW, they were much happier.

As far as I'm concerned, OKW was a nice, quiet resort. I especially loved getting off the bus after a day in the parks and walking from Hospitality House to our unit, which took about ten minutes. It was sooooo relaxing, and the lighting around the resort is beautiful.

VWL is very peaceful as well, and ironically enough, while we were there the past couple of weeks, DD and her girlfriend, both 16, spent most of their swimming time in the quiet pool! It's very clean, and the water bubbles like warm springs. Transportation was never a problem for us, but we used our car to go to Downtown Disney to do some shopping and to see La Nouba. We did use Disney's transportation for everything else, including going to the Beach Club for the Cape May buffet dinner, and had no problems. And the music and the crickets, that lobby -- I just love it there.

Parking is not right at the door at VWL, so we use the valet service to get all of our paraphanelia to and from the room. It's worth the price of a tip to get the help. It's a nice walk from the parking lot to the Lodge, with beautiful plantings and topiaries, and we don't mind it at all.

 

[Shontell_Crawford]

Paula,

Your enthusiasm for OKW comes through your post! It is my favorite resort because it has the "laid back" atomosphere that I usually look for when I am on vacation.
The good thing about the differences in the resorts is that you can try a new one every year, and keep everyone in the family happy. Children will favor Stormalong Bay at BCV, teens usually love BW for the atmosphere of the Boardwalk, and adults all vary.

Timing has a lot to do with your purchase. When you are ready, Disney may have a great incentive going at the current property or you may opt for a specific resort and be able to find it resale. When all is said and done, the points will last for almost 40 years of vacations and you'll enjoy them all. Let me know if I can ever help.

Best regards,
Shontell

 

[RweTHEREyet]

If the pool is a major consideration, you should also consider the BCV to have access to Storm-a-long Bay at the Yacht and Beach Club.

We own at OKW and recently added on at BCV. We love OKW but will also enjoy SAB at BCV.

Glad you enjoyed your stay at OKW.