Thoughts on OKW DVC?

[nursingsteph]

Dh and I are about to close on this we think... looking for any good or bad feed back on this place.Thanks in advance.

 

[disneynutz]

Have you stayed there yet and checked out all of the DVC resorts? It's important that you buy where you love to stay.

OKW is the first DVC resort, so it's a mature resort with it's own unique personally.

Bill

 

[cvjw]

We own at 3 different resorts thru resale. We purchased OKW for the 11 month booking window for the grand villas, which are the cheapest grand villas pointwise at Disney. We haven't had any trouble moving reservations at the 7 month mark so far, but we go at slower times of the year.

 

[DizGirl20]

We stayed at OKW last year (as non-DVC) and joined DVC because of our stay at this beautiful resort!

We ended up purchasing AKV direct from Disney last December (because of the incentives) and are currently considering an add-on at OKW. Did you know you can purchase OKW direct for $90/point with a 2057 contract end date? Also, be aware there are 2 contract end dates on the resale market available at OKW - 2042 OR 2057. Know which one you're getting if that's important to you.

OKW is a beautiful resort, large (HUGE!) villas, quiet and laid-back... but it only has 1 restaurant and is not within walking distance to any of the parks. Oh and we love the boat service to DTD! Best of luck with your decision.

 

[dbs1228]

Staying there for our 1st dvc trip in 3 days! I will let you know what I think. I have been staying on property since I was a kid but this will be my 1st dvc property! 2 bedroom for 6 nights, with my 2 best friends leaving kids and hubby's at home

 

[kikiq]

We had a short stay there and loved it. Just make sure that if you get building 29, ask for another building. Too much vegetation and not enough golf course views.

We like the "condo" style arrangement. Love the music, all the landscaping, very laid back and the CMs are wonderful. If there has to be some negatives, it would be that you prefer being in a DVC connected to a hotel, don't like being spread out and your contract was not one of the extended contracts. But what initially sold us on DVC was visiting a good friend in her OKW 2 bdrm villa overlooking the golf course/water...huge balcony and big living area. Reminded us of the condos we rented in Hawaii and Colorado.

 

[WelshieLover]

OKW is beautiful. The villas are the largest on site. You could actually live comfortably in them as compared to the other villa sizes. There are full washer and dryers in a separate room in all the villas except the studios. The landscaping is lush and mature and the golf course and pond views from the balconies are spectacular. The whole resort has a real relaxed feel.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I stayed at OKW several times before I managed to buy a resale in 2000. I love it today as much as I loved it then. This year OKW is getting a major refurbishement so I'm looking forward to the flat screen tv's, wooden floors etc. Even if you buy at OKW it doesn't mean that you can't stay elsewhere, I've never had any issues booking the other resorts (BLT is the only one we haven't tried yet) at the 7 month mark. If your travel plans are centered on holidays like X-Mas/New Years, Thanksgiving and Easter booking a the 7 month mark could be tougher, something to consider.

 

[Duane]

We are here now. Got here this past Monday and check out on Saturday. We are in Building 22 on the 2nd floor in a 1BR. I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised and am really enjoying the property.

As I type, I am sitting out on the balcony/porch enjoying the views of the golf course, listening to the fountain in the pond and loving the gentle breezes. The villa is huge and well laid out.

As for the negatives... the building that we are in is a bit dated and is in need of refurbishment. Before I get hammered by the OKW folks, I know that the refurbishment has begun and will work its magic throughout the villas in time.

The furnishings, king mattress, and the bathroom need most of the attention. I know that once Disney gets finished this will be one of their showcase DVC properties. We can't wait to stay here again once the update is completed.

If you can get a deal on points, I would not hesitate in the least with buying in!!

Duane

 

[dmoore22]

When we were looking to purchase OKW was not our first choice. There was a resale deal that was too good to pass up and, as a result, OKW is our home resort. We've been owners at OKW for ten years and I'm so grateful we didn't get our first choice. OKW has the feel of Old Florida. Very laid back which is what we need after a day at the parks. Some folks are disappointed that there is only one restaurant. Actually it isn't a restaurant-- it's "Olivia's Cafe." If you really need a restaurant take the DVC Ferry to DTD or the walking path from Southpoint to DTD. For us the only thing missing at OKW is the sunrise/sunsets on the gulf.

Visit the "OKW Lovers" thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1375743 Your not only buying into OKW DVC, your becoming a part of the greatest group of DVC owners in the kingdom.

 

[Mickey527]

I own at WLV since 2001 but have only stayed there 2 times. Most of my visits are at OKW. My favorite buildings are either at turtle pond or bld 19. I don't need to be by the main building, I like the quiet.
I do stay at BCV when I bring the family because they like the pool but when I am alone or with only one other person I always chose OKW.
I do wish I could transfer my ownership but I have almost always been able to find a room there even when I do a last minute trip.
I am going to be in FL for July 4 and had to settle for SSR because OKW was booked. Oh well....

 

[scot@dvcstore]

IMO, OKW has so much going for it, low points per night, larger villas, great location and a short boat ride to DTD. Nice to be able to park your car right outside your villa. The resort is "matured" so all the landscaping in awesome. OKW feels like a community.

 

[Simba's Mom]

On our first stay as DVC owners (at that time our home resort was not OKW) we spent one night at OKW. We went home and promptly bought an OKW resale and sold the other resort. We haven't regretted our decision for a brief seconf. Nuff said of our love for this resort.

 

[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 are 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.

 

[melk]

We don't own at OKW but we wish we had. The maintenance fees are lower and we have had three great stays at the resort. We love the decor, the pool and the parking spaces right at your villa. If we ever add on, it will be at OKW.

 

[Sid74]

We did the DVC tour on our first trip to WDW in October 2007. I had been trying to get DH interested for a long time before that. He couldn't see the point as we hadn't even been once, let alone for the next 50 years!

I learned a lot from the DVC boards here, and after a week at All Star Music, and lots of time in the parks, DH wanted to do the tour, lol. Our guide spent 3 hours trying to sell us SSR and AKV, but had to admit defeat when I started asking about OKW, as I had read on here that they had just started reselling 50 year contracts the month before. DH was sold on the size, cost and dues without even seeing the resort.

We got a drive through tour of OKW from the DVC driver on the way back to our hotel after sorting out the paperwork!

We finally got a good look at our home on our first DVC trip, in October and November 2009, when we spent 10 days in 2 different 1 bedrooms at OKW, and we loved it. Good job really, lol.

I am now planning our first no kids trip for the first 2 weeks of December 2011. DH has requested we spend as much of it as possible at OKW.

 

[las3888]

We are big fans but we don't own there. We usually have no difficulty getting in at the 7 month mark though so that's a good thing. In fact, we were looking for a quick get-away trip in early Oct. and OKW and SSR were all we could get into. We gladly take OKW!

I will say on our first stay, we weren't in love with the place. We enjoyed it, but did feel a little disconnected from Disney (at the time our favorite location was the boardwalk area). BUT, once we stayed there, we remembered it fondly, and now it's like coming home to it again.

Lately DH really just wants to stay as near MK as we can--mostly because of the very short trip to get to MK which is where we spend a lot of time. I was not disappointed though that we couldn't get in anywhere near MK and will gladly look forward to our relaxing stay at OKW. I LOVE sitting out on the large balconies and the rooms are just so large and roomy. The landscaping is very mature and lush. It is so very relaxed there. We enjoy the boat ride to DTD in the evening.

Good luck!

 

[Coach81]

We loved it! Huge rooms, easy, relaxed atmosphere.. fantastic!

Enjoy it!

 

[sajetto]

OKW is our absolute favorite of the DVC resorts. We own at SSR, AKV, and OKW but I have posted here many times saying that I wish that we owned ALL of our points at OKW.

 

[Carribbean Cruiser]

We bought in, in '94, and have not regretted it. We have had studios, 1 BR and 2 BR. Its quiet, easy to get around, and nostalgic.