Tell me about OKW

[Magical09]

HI,
My DH and I are saving to buy DVC towards the end of the year (don't want to finance). My parents are DVC owners at BCV, OKW and VB. We have stayed at BCV and BWV and loved both. Though I am leaning towards BCV(pool and location).

My parents have mentioned OKW as a consideration for a home resort . They have mentioned that you do need to take the bus everywehere but the rooms are bigger and it is cheaper. They also think we would like the tropical setting (we would). We are a family of 4 and possibly 5 in the future. I don't like to travel when it is busy and would take the kids out of school if I could to avoid the school break crowd. I also like the area of Epcot and DHS vs MK.

I was wondering want you all thought of OKW (pros and cons). How are the pools, play areas for kids, resteraunts(kid friendly). OKW still seems close to Epcot and DHS...are the bus rides that long?

Thanks for all of the info. I have learned so much from reading here. I even knew a few things that my parents did not know

 

[dianeschlicht]

OKW is like a spread out neighborhood of vacation townhomes. Each building is 2-3 stories and will include 1 bedroom/studio lock offs, 2 bedroom or 3 bedroom villas that are walk ups or walk ins from the parking right outside your door. This gives a nice secluded vacation home feel IMO. The villas are the largest in the DVC system, and have huge master baths and very large great rooms and fully appointed kitchens with full sized appliances. There is also a complete laundry room with full size washer and dryer (not stackables). There is a large covered balcony that includes a dining table, 4 chairs and a ceiling fan. The balcony is accessed from both the living room and the master bedroom. The studios are lock offs from the second bedroom in some units, and will have 2 queen beds, a large closet, a huge full bath and a kitchenette/sink area that will include a microwave, fridge, coffe maker and toaster as well as some plastic and paper table ware. There is a small table with two chairs and a large balcony for the studio rooms as well.

There are 3 neighborhood pools on site, and a larger main pool that has a new sand castle slide. Each pool area includes a childs play area and a laundry for those who are staying in the studios (full size villas have their laundry room in the villa).

Bus service is excellent to all the parks, and there are 5 bus stops located throughout the resort.

We have always considered OKW to be an Epcot resort too. Bus rides to Epcot, MK and DHS are pretty fast. Only AK can take awhile, since those buses stop at Blizzard Beach each direction.

We LOVE the tropical laid back feel of OKW, and the point structure is low enough to make it a real bargain to stay in a 1,2, or 3 bedroom villa. On top of that, the maintenance fees are always on the low side there as well. We love all the wildlife around there, and have always had a great time watching the bunnies, ducks, and other birds who frequent the area. You can walk to DTD in about 15 minutes from the South Point area of OKW. That, by the way, is our favorite area to stay as well.

 

[spiceycat]

everything you asked about is fine at OKW.

that say recently sold my OKW to buy BLT. but still love oKW - just not as much. the service is not as good as it was (my opinion).

too many times heard that is not my job - which haven't heard at the other DVC resorts.

there was too much management going on in the wrong places and not enough overall. too many bosses - and 12 is 11 to many for me.

my last stay at OKW make me speak to the manager and he told me there were 12 managers overseeing both OKW and SSR. SSR has improved, OKW has gone down (my opinion).

while the maid was cleaning my room so could check in - she was dragged off by her manager to clean another room. this happen more and more at OKW. Since I checked in at 6:00am and was still waiting at 5:00pm - this was downright insulting.

OKW needs it own manager who puts OKW first, not SSR.

this is also shown in the landscaping - before there were a couple of guys that did everything. Now there is an entire crew but they don't do the work unless you complaint.....

too many managers - so our dues go up and the service goes down. this is all my opinion.

 

[thelionqueen]

I LOVE OKW! The laid back feel, lush landscaping, bus to DTD and huge rooms, not to mention affordable point chart are all real plusses to my family! My first DVC choice is BLT, close second is BCV and OKW. We just LOVE it!

 

[disneynutz]

HI,
My DH and I are saving to buy DVC towards the end of the year (don't want to finance). My parents are DVC owners at BCV, OKW and VB. We have stayed at BCV and BWV and loved both. Though I am leaning towards BCV(pool and location).

My parents have mentioned OKW as a consideration for a home resort . They have mentioned that you do need to take the bus everywehere but the rooms are bigger and it is cheaper. They also think we would like the tropical setting (we would). We are a family of 4 and possibly 5 in the future. I don't like to travel when it is busy and would take the kids out of school if I could to avoid the school break crowd. I also like the area of Epcot and DHS vs MK.

I was wondering want you all thought of OKW (pros and cons). How are the pools, play areas for kids, resteraunts(kid friendly). OKW still seems close to Epcot and DHS...are the bus rides that long?

Thanks for all of the info. I have learned so much from reading here. I even knew a few things that my parents did not know

Buy where you love to stay!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

OKW is a lovely resort, and one of my favorites. Since you've stayed at BCV/BWV, I've based my feedback on the differences between OKW and those resorts. When I want entertainment in the evening, I stay at BWV/BCV. When I want to escape and relax, I book at OKW or SSR.

Pros:
* Large rooms (noticably larger than any other DVC resort) with full size washers and dryers.
* Large balconies that feel like a room extension.
* Low point structure (including beautiful grand villas).
* If buying through resale, much lower buy-in cost.
* Lower maintenance fees.
* Nice main pool and several quiet pools near other locations.
* Can purchase a 2057 expiration date through DVC, or through resale if you choose.
* Has its own bus service

Cons:
* Resort is older, and some rooms need refurbished. We've never experienced a problem, but my BIL/SIL who are OKW owners have.
* May be too spread out (I actually see this as a pro).
* It's not as easy to walk around OKW as it is at SSR (more easily accessible sidewalks/walkways at SSR).
* Not "attached" to a park. Closest entertainment is DTD (about a 15 minute walk), or a boat ride away.
* Not a lot of food choices. Olivia's (which is good) is sit down, and there's a fast food counter service by the main pool (you can see it in one of the links below).

Differences:
* OKW is a "condo" style resort versus a "hotel" style resort. You park right in front of your room, and the doors to your room are exposed (not in a covered, carpeted hallway).
* OKW is spread out and seems more private. I've been on the balconies at OKW and SSR and didn't see a neighbor the entire trip!
* You don't feel like you're at Disney. To me, OKW is like a retreat on Disney property. You still get the benefits, but feel like you've been transported to OKW!

Pictures and general info:
* http://www.mouseplanet.com/dtp/wdwguide/4_Accommodations/OKWR_photo_tour.htm
* http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/okw.htm
* http://allears.net/acc/faq_okw.htm

Map of OKW:
* http://www.mouseplanet.com/dtp/maps/wdw_resorts/OKWR_map.htm

 

[Magical09]

Thanks for the responses. This was very helpful. I think OKW will be on our list as a possible home resort.

 

[thelionqueen]

Thanks for the responses. This was very helpful. I think OKW will be on our list as a possible home resort.

Congrats!

 

[starbox]

Based on the age of your kids, I'd strongly suggest that you take the expiration date of any potential DVC purchase into account. Also - you say confidently that you'll be pulling your kids out of school to travel - but that will likely change over the next 5-10 years as they get older.

DH and I would not be happy to own a resort that expires in 2042, as I hope to spend my retirement traveling and would like my DVC to be there for me to offer my grandkids honeymoon trips and organize family reunions one day.

So - I'd say - think LONG TERM. You say you'll probably expand your family........ if so, you'll be looking at either renting 2-bedrooms, bringing an air matress to Disney every year, or staying at AKV or BLT every trip so that you have space to sleep all five.

 

[twebber55]

i own at HHI but have stayed at VWL, OKW, SSR, and BWV....my wife said if we buy at disney she would like to buy at OKW
she loves parking next to you room so that rules out VWL and BWV
also the points are lower especially for grand villa s which is a biggy for us

for the record i would by either BWV or OKW

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Well, OKW is not my home but I have stayed there.

A lot of pros and a few cons have been mentioned already. It is very pretty, lush, and tropical. The rooms are large and I think pictures don't do them justice - the colors are soft and calming. I liked the two queens in a studio, travelled with another adult and it worked perfectly for us. Like being able to park outside our unit, the food at Olivia's was wonderful, and loved the boat ride to DTD.

But I have to say one absolutely HUGE con for me is the lack of elevators. Yes, bell services hauled our heavy luggage up to the room and that's always an option, but I did haul it down. I don't know, as I age I'm thinking that the lack of elevators is something I'm not going to enjoy. I'm not going to call bell services every time I need something carried up (like groceries or my tired feet at the end of the day!) I was told that the views from a ground studio weren't so good and I can see that most probably aren't. I like an upper unit anyway but the stairs got a little old. Just a consideration.

The other con we experienced was we got the absolutely last unit in the back with Buena Vista Drive on the other side of a little landscape and it was noisy. I know that can be solved by not accepting a room in that location but just a issue I thought I'd mention, so you know about it.

Also, OKW seems to be available almost every time I check on dates so I'm not sure the 11 month advantage there is so important. I prefer to own at a small resort (VWL) so that advantage is important there.

It's going to depend on what it important to you. Good luck with your decision.