Treehouse or 2-Bedroom OKW - Which would you choose?

[DeerIsleDisney]

We are planning a trip to WDW the first week of January 2012. We own at SSR and have booked a Treehouse Villa for our family of 5 (2 adults, kids ages 13,11,4). Trying to decide whether to switch to an OKW 2-bedroom at 7 month window.

Either would be plenty of space for us. OKW 2-bedroom is 28 points less for a week... so we could stay an extra night. And it is more space with lots of room in the kitchen/living area. Plus I think the park transportation is probably better.

Treehouse villas look very cool and would be fun to try. Plus it would give the kids more privacy (girls in the bunk room, boy in the 2nd bedroom)...but I'm worried about the park transportation. How long does it really take to walk to the Grandstand area to pick up a bus? Or, to take the internal bus? We'll be there at least 10 days total (first few days Dec. 29-31 staying on Starwood points at Swan/Dolphin), so time is not a huge issue, but we don't want to be frustrated taking forever to get to the parks every day. I really don't want to rent a car. We live in a rural area and it feels like I am always in the car. Part of the vacation for me is not having to deal with the carseat, getting kids in and out of the car, parking, driving, etc.

Any advice?

 

[iluveeyore]

We had this dilemma for 7 of us at Christmas and went with our favourite, OKW. The space just can't be beat, and even though there's the extra bedroom in the tree houses, it's a lot more cramped for that many of us to be in the main living area together, so we enjoyed OKW. It was nice to have the loveseat, couch and huge chair plus dining table we could all spread out on when we were together watching Christmas movies or playing games. We also enjoy the deck a lot, especially with it being covered in case of rain. The separate laundry room is great for that many people so we had somewhere to dump all the dirty clothes before I did a load, and the bus service was excellent even though we were there at busy Christmas week. We do like SSR, but the extra space really works for us, and OKW is still our favourite (I'll be there in 5 sleeps!!!)

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would stay in the treehouse, but I could understand if the extra night gives the edge to OKW in your case. I like the whole atmosphere of staying at the treehouse area and my family agrees with me. The DGC are young enough to enjoy running around and their dad makes the trek over to the Grandstand fun. I don't mind waiting for buses since I enjoy being in the woods. I'm at home in the campground as well.

I really like the idea of no attached neighbors. We feel at home in the treehouses, a feeling that's unlike any we get at any of the other DVC villas.

Bobbi

 

[La2kw]

No king bed in the treehouse. That kills it for me. Besides OKW is my favorite resort and that's always our first choice.

 

[TisBit]

To answer your question about time...it is about 6-8 minutes on average from the THV's to the Granstand bus stop.....might be a little bit longer if you are the furthest away, but that is about average for them. The internal shuttle runs ever 10 minutes.

I would definitely recommend requesting near the south bus stop and follow that up when you arrive, those are the villa's closest to the path and bus stop.

I really loved the THV's and the extra rooms are nice if people just want to go chill in their own room with a TV....especially at night.

 

[rentayenta]

I'm in the same situation. We stayed in a GV at OKW and it was amazing. Loved everything about OKW from the pool to Olivia's. We'll be staying at SSR for the first 6-7 nights of our next trip and are torn between the THV and a few other options for the last 5-6 nights. I'm the only one voting for the THV. My middle DD, whose bat mitzvah we'll be celebrating this trip, wants OKW again. She knows a good thing.

 

[Mtnman44]

The treehouses are great. That third bedroom makes a huge difference when you have 3+ kids.

However, if you are planning on using busses every day, I would lean towards the OKV 2BR. You'll also have more room and the king bed. The extra night is the icing on the cake.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

The transportation issue at THV isn't ideal, but you also shouldn't consider it a deal breaker. If you're interested, I was actually OCD enough to video tape the walk from our tree house to the Grandstand bus stop. You can find a link to it in post #62 of my trip report from a few years ago. The trip report is here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2249094

You may also want to check out this recent thread in which several folks (myself included) gave pros and cons of the THV. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2709084

 

[nolanboys]

We stayed at THV this past March and loved them. The extra bedroom was great as we were able to seperate the kids and they went to bed quickly. We are a family of 6 and did not feel cramped at all in the living room space. The walk to the Grandstand bus stop was about 7 minutes and a very pretty walk. We've stayed at OKW twice in a 2 bdrm and loved it as well. You really can't go wrong. I really did love the privacy of the THV though. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Candy Orlando]

They are both beautiful but I like the palm trees at OKW a little bit more. I would want to stay the extra night too! Enjoy!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you can get an extra night by doing the 2 bedroom at OKW, that would probably be my choice. Of course, I might be biased, because I LOVE OKW. On the other hand, I have always wanted to try a treehouse too. I think the kids would enjoy the bunk beds.

 

[DeerIsleDisney]

Thanks, everyone! These comments are all very helpful. Sounds like we can't go wrong either way... but need to weigh what might work best for our family.

I almost wish we could stay a few nights each place ...but we moved around several times on our last trip (booked last minute, limited availability). Though it was fun to try multiple resorts (SSR, OKW, VWL), packing up and moving twice was a hassle.

Thanks again for the valuable advice.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks, everyone! These comments are all very helpful. Sounds like we can't go wrong either way... but need to weigh what might work best for our family.

I almost wish we could stay a few nights each place ...but we moved around several times on our last trip (booked last minute, limited availability). Though it was fun to try multiple resorts (SSR, OKW, VWL), packing up and moving twice was a hassle.

Thanks again for the valuable advice.

Yeah, I would NOT pack up and move with kids in tow. In your situation, I'd do OKW for the larger beds and extra night. You will get a king bed, two queens and twin size sleeper chair for the little guy.

 

[medic318]

We did the THV with a 7 m/o and stroller and it was ok. The rooms are beautiful and it was so quiet. We were right by the south bus stop, right next to the pool. It was great. But I haven't stayed at OKW yet, so I can't compare to there. ( I am looking forward to staying at OKW since we added on a small contract there.)

 

[Isaiah55.1]

Have stayed in this one many times and the family loved it. Kids had lots of room, their own bath, and their own tv. Spacious unit, balcony, beautiful grounds, fun pool area/snack bar.

 

[Brian Noble]

We own at SSR and have booked a Treehouse Villa for our family of 5 (2 adults, kids ages 13,11,4).

With that travel party, the treehouse means that none of your kids have to share a bed or occupy the living room pullout. I'd rather have a car, but I suspect the transportation situation isn't *that* different between the two.

On the other side of the ledger, we've loved our OKW stays, and the lower point cost is attractive.