Sssh....don't tell anyone...we're cheating on CSR -- Contest -- Days 6 & 7--#3516

[MEK]

OKW - Cool! I am staying there for the first time in December. By the looks of the studio I am sure it will be more than sufficient. I like that it actually has two real beds and a cute little balcony. Plus the room configuration is interesting. It's the largest DVC studio because it was the first built. Please take lots of pictures!

 

[MEK]

Here's a TR that I am subbed to that has some OKW studio pictures posted. They are in this installment. It looks really pretty.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?do=newreply&p=41809141

 

[jedijill]

OKW is great. AKV is my home resort but love OKW for the quietness and big rooms. It's also a great points value!

Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

OKW is great. AKV is my home resort but love OKW for the quietness and big rooms. It's also a great points value!

Jill in CO

 

[MaryAz]

WOW, that is a change!! I think OKW looks very cool and beachy. The pool has a cool sand castle slide. I am glad you are still at AKV for 2 nights though. Cancelling ADR's???

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Christine, as posted right before you posted, AKV didn't work out the whole time, but we are going to another DVC resort.

I've been looking all over for your update, not realizing you posted while I was writing and did not see your post above mine!

Wow, that is fabulous news!!! So, you still get to experience AKV, then move on to another new resort experience - fantastic!! OKW is SO tropical! As you know by now, all the rooms were just refurbed and I've heard are really nice!

We've never stayed there because it feels more like a condo experience to me and I like a resort with a central lobby, but it really is beautiful and I've heard such good things about Olivia's.

Karin & Tom will be VERY excited for you and Mark! We know how much they LOVE OKW!

Well, I am thrilled for you guys...it's fun to try a new resort, especially a deluxe. It could turn out to be a new fave and you could rent points (often for less than a mod) or it might not be your cup of tea - either way, it is going to be fun! Heck, you might feel that you're in the Keys when not at a park.

 

[englishrose47]

First Congrats on the new plans Kathy !!!I am pretty sure OKW came up in a pm from Christine re our 65th trip!!! But I think we have talked about almost every resort there !!I am at Heart a POP gal !! My atroscious sense of direction has caused me many a wrong turn just visiting other resortsChristine and I will I am sure have many a dilemma before next December !!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

First Congrats on the new plans Kathy !!!I am pretty sure OKW came up in a pm from Christine re our 65th trip!!! But I think we have talked about almost every resort there !!I am at Heart a POP gal !! My atroscious sense of direction has caused me many a wrong turn just visiting other resortsChristine and I will I am sure have many a dilemma before next December !!!

Rosie, not to worry! I am a great navigator and never get lost (and know all but 3 resorts inside out )....and hold on to your senses because one resort where we definitely NOT be staying is POP!!! Nope, time for our Rosie to branch out and try someplace new.

 

[englishrose47]

Rosie, not to worry! I am a great navigator and never get lost (and know all but 3 resorts inside out )....and hold on to your senses because one resort where we definitely NOT be staying is POP!!! Nope, time for our Rosie to branch out and try someplace new.

You may have to attach a Bell to me to find me !!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

You may have to attach a Bell to me to find me !!!

Already have one ready!!!

 

[tinacaplan]

Your new plan sounds fantastic! I almost couldn't believe it when I saw your post on Facebook!

I wonder more and more if renting DVC points might not be the way to go... you're very lucky to know the people you're renting from, though. Still think I'd be too scared to try it otherwise.

It will be interesting to hear what you think of going without the dining plan. Personally, we loved it. I know this sounds crazy but...it was great not having to order dessert or an appetizer or whatever else just because its part of the plan. It was also great to be able to add and cancel at will, even once we arrived, and not worry about how we were utilizing credits.

I know you're going to have a great time and it will make the trip report even more interesting.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Brook, you will have to let me know if you do a Chicago vacation and we'll even meet you at the zoo.

Absolutely! I would love that!

I'm excited for your new plans! And I promise to take LOTS of pics and I'll Facebook some live for you, and if you think of any OKW questions-send them my way and I'll do my best to get the answered for you! It looks like a beautiful resort, we are very much looking forward to trying it too!

Also, not sure if someone already mentioned this, but you can get discounted tickets through Undercover Tourist (and there are other legit brokers as well - but I have used UT without any problems). If you subscribe to the Mousesavers newsletter, there is a slightly better discount through the newsletter link they send out too.

 

[Poolrat]

Okay...I've kept you waiting long enough. Here we go.....

As I mentioned yesterday, a colleague of a friend had some points expiring and asked if we wanted to use them. We crunched numbers, checked availability, etc.

We were looking into staying at the AKL the two nights we already have booked and then two more nights with the points available or checking to see if points could be added by purchase for the last two nights as well. They had a studio available BUT only for the Sunday, Monday and Tuesday dates. I really didn't want to have to move our room three times within the same resort (and the price for paying for a standard room at AKL for one night was a little crazy if you asked me); I also thought it really stupid to move to CSR for one night.

So a new plan was proposed to me and this is what we have done.

We are staying at the AKL for the two original nights and NOT doing any parks. Then on Sunday, we are moving to Old Key West in a deluxe studio for the remaining four nights using this wonderful person's points.

Yes, this means we are NOT staying at the Coronado (for only the second time in our last ten trips that we will). Mark is really excited to try an additional DVC resort and we know the Coronado will be there for our next trip.

We have cancelled the package at the CSR and we are NOT going to get the dining plan. We've kept all of our ADR's, but we will not use the dining plan because I have a feeling we'll be cancelling some of those ADR's and I have been dieting and don't think I want to eat all of that food.

We'll purchase the tickets for the parks when we get there (unless we join AAA and we see if we can get a discount).

I'm super, super excited.

So...any of you have stayed there, I need your advice about the resort, things not to be missed, etc.

Good for you. I am sure it will be a great trip.

So I have to ask, no availability for a studio at AKL for what dates??? When I get the OK I have to book and I am checking AKL and OKW. I have to use the '10 points by 9/30 unless I get some pixie dust and they let me use them until 10/3? I have 2 plans and hope I can work it all out.

We may end up neighbors on this trip. That would make a Dismeet easy.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Your new plan sounds fantastic! I almost couldn't believe it when I saw your post on Facebook!

I wonder more and more if renting DVC points might not be the way to go... you're very lucky to know the people you're renting from, though. Still think I'd be too scared to try it otherwise.

Tina, we've rented points a few times and I can refer you to a couple of very safe owners to rent from, if you ever want to try. Just pm or email anytime.

Kathy, I don't know why, but your FB comments rarely show up on my wall. I do have it set for all friends...so please don't think I igire your FB posts!

 

[Stefy]

Yay for booking OKW its a beautiful resort, you will love it. You know Karin is the best person to ask about OKW as she and Tom practically live there now She will be v excited for you too

 

[jenseib]

Wow, You just threw me for a loop!

But I know you will have a fabulous time. Karin and Tom are giving me a tour of OKW on my 1st day there. I can't wait to see it too!

 

[Queenofallthings]

I have always wanted to stay at OKW...I can't wait to hear your take on it and all see all the wonderful pictures you will have! It's a resort I have always wanted to stay at!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Just catching up...and I think it's great that you'll get to try out 2 new resorts! Sure, you love CSR, but you really can't go wrong with Disney resorts. Can't wait to see how it goes.

Also wanted to make sure I told you here that it was great to meet you in Chicago, and my kids LOVED their gifts. You're very sweet!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

havent stayed at either of those resorts so i was voting for either...looks like your plans are good and look forward to seeing the pictures.

 

[KatMark]

Wow! You really did change up the plans! I am so looking forward to your review of Old Key West. That's one of the deluxe resorts that I really think I'd like to stay at. Even though you're not staying at the CSR, I am sure you are super excited!

Lisa, I had to call Nicki and Mark before I made the decision...I was a nervous wreck.

good for you! OKW is on my must do list one day!

I will take lots of pictures for you, Jenn.

I think that is a good plan.. even though you won't be staying at CSR. Bopping around too much might be problematic. This sounds like a far more relaxed time. Plus, I think it is good to try new places from time to time. Disney has so much to offer and yet we sometimes forget to try those new things because we find what works for us..and don't realize that something else might be just as nice.

Ann, I know in my heart it is a good plan, but we are so happy at the CSR that it was really hard to make that decision.

Sounds like a great compromise....a new resort to check out and getting to use the free points! like you stated CSR will always be there, happy you choose to branch out!

Yes, CSR will always be there and we're going to stop by the CSR after our AK morning and get a gelato before heading to Epcot.

Sounds great and relaxing!!! And I admire you for even considering a diet in Disney! This girl would not have the willpower.

I've not been to OKW - I did follow one trip report (I will try to remember whose it was) that had some great pics of part of their stay that was there. Looked wonderful!

Amy, we started the diet months ago and I just don't want to put back on all the weight I lost. Let me know if you find that TR...I'd love to see more pictures of OKW.

Sounds like a great change to me!! I am happy that you are still going to be staying at AKL I have one night booked at OKW in October before I move for the rest of the week. I haven't stayed there yet either and am excited to check it out even if it is for such a short time. You definitely would NOT have liked moving so much.....once a trip is good for me if I have to

Tracy

Thanks, Tracy. I wouldn't give up AKL. Truly, it would have been ideal to say at AKL the whole time, but I am really getting excited about OKW from some of the pictures I've seen.

AKV is awesome! You will love it. Check out buying your tickets from Undercover Tourist. Best prices (even better than AAA) and good service. PM me and i will send you a link for their best prices.

Jill in CO

Jill, thank you. I've been wanting to stay at AKL forever and to get a one-bedroom villa is icing on the cake.

Thanks for the email. I'm not sure if it will work or not as it is 5 days + an extra which we will not use (same for our son in his need of a 3 day), but I will look at it again over the weekend.

Wow, major CSR cheating going on here!!

I stayed at OKW one trip, but it was just a short 4 night stay and I was with Jared so we were on the go all the time. I really didn't get to experience a lot of the resort, so I can't help with things not to be missed. Hopefully someone will be able to give you some good advise

MAJOR CHEATING! But I'm really getting excited about it all and from pictures that I saw of the rooms, we're really going to like it.