VWL vs OKW

[Donald Duck 57]

Hi again everyone,
Our question today is we are staying at OKW right now in a 2 bedroom, and are on a wait list for a 2 bedroom at VWL. Which would you take given the choice? THANKS

 

[Gail Reale]

Given a choice, I would have to choose OKW. That is our home, but we have stayed at VWL. I like the easy atsmosphere at OKW, the Caribbean feel, the quiet,the brightness of the units, the parking at my door. While I like the Wilderness Lodge Hotel itself, I would not stay at VWL again. The units seem to be smaller, especially the kitchen/living areas, and there seemed to be wasted space in the 2nd bedroom area where the sinks are located. Also, the tub/commode area is really small, like the moderates. We also didn't like the fact that it was a hike from the elevators and we were on the 5th floor. I don't want to discourage anyone from VWL, these are just our feelings. When we bought ('95) there was only OKW, but we feel it was the first and the best!

 

[jimh13432]

I'd take OKW over VWL, again just personal preference. OKW seems more open and brighter than VWL.

But it's your vacation, not mine. Personally, I'd take BWV over both of them (although OKW is a close second).

 

[Pat Marlton NJ]

We also have stayed at VWL but our home resort is OKW, we would prefer to stay at OKW. It's so nice to have your car right outside your door, and the cheerfulness of OKW is great! The rooms are larger and the balcony is nice for that evening drink!

 

[janiejo]

My personal choice between the two would be OKW, unless it is Christmas, and then I would choose VWL. I stayed at the hotel last November and loved the fireplaces (it was quite cool when we were there.) Something about filling my mug with cocoa and sitting in front of the fireplace won my heart - at least for a winter vacation! We own at BWV and love the atmosphere there but OKW is great, too! Can you tell I would be happy at any DVC resort?

 

[buckylarue]

I'd take VWL over OKW. I prefer the atmosphere of VWL, OKW feels a little too much like 'home' while VWL feels like a mountain retreat. I also prefer the lake to the golf course.

 

[BillM]

Our home is OKW and we prefer that for personal reasons. When we bought in 1998 we had our choice of all the DVC resorts at that time.
That said, some posters talk about the fact they have small children and the ability to get on the boat at WL and go to MK was a big plus for them.
All the DVC resorts are great and are so vaired that it should be able to please everyone. But as I said we all have personal preferences for our choice. That doesn't mean we should castigate others who choose for their personal reasons.

 

[Lisa F]

I prefer VWL over OKW, but mainly because of the way I like to vacation. I love the more "resort" feeling of the VWL. I know many OKW owners prefer OKW because they think it feels more "homey" but when I am on vacation, I want to feel like I am in a hotel, with the amenities of a hotel. We love having the occasional room service (more than just the pizza and other "moderate resort" level of room service stuff that is available at OKW, since they share room service with DxL and PO and not a deluxe resort), the refillable mug program (great for lemonade when it's hot and hot cocoa with all-you-can-add marshmallows). I love the atmosphere and I love going through the lobby, seeing all of the happy people and the interesting CM in ranger costumes on the way "home." I love the theming of the pool over there and the hot tub is one of my favorite places to relax. I love the fact that I can walk to the pool from my room in a couple of minutes no matter where my room is (whereas I always feel like we need to drive to get anywhere at OKW).

For me, VWL is in between BWV and OKW in "action-packed" vs. "laid back" atmospheres. OKW is a little too laid back for me and whenever I have stayed there I have always felt really isolated, like we were the only ones on the whole property. If you really like that feeling (instead of isolated, you might call it "private" or something a little more positive sounding) than OKW is for you. For us, VWL is the perfect blend of being "away from it all" but not so far away that you can't experience things like the electric light pagent on the lagoon, fireworks from the beach and other things that make a WDW vacation magical for me.

Lisa

 

[Richnj]

Our home is OKW but I would love to try VWL for a change. I would love try them all.

 

[Lil]

I stay depending on what we want to do during our trip. As stated in the previous posts......it's all according to what you are wanting.

We were just at VWL........our plan this vacation was R &R, no parks. The pool was empty until 1 pm every day.....we were in our studio.....but an easy walk to lodge to go sit in lobby, run in store, get something from snack bar. Do the two tours, etc......

Last summer we were in BWV with a room right over the store......loved it. Watched Epcot fireworks from balcony, walked to SAB pool. Just loved it.

Oct. we will stay at OKW, and again in March. I want sunlite, pool, and R&R, although we will be in the parks in Oct, I want the quietness of OKW.

 

[jrintels]

In early June, we were booked to stay at OKW, but then at the last moment snagged a booking at VWL -- at a cost of about 50 more points for the week @ VWL.

The unanimous feeling of the four of us, two adults/two thinktheyare-adults, is that staying at VWL was nice for a change of pace, but we won't return. OKW is so much larger, brighter, easier. You don't have to walk a mile -- or hire a bellman -- to bring in groceries. You have a usable porch area. There's an actual kitchen area usable for cooking with a separate dining area usable for eating. At VWL, the one bedroom is really cramped, especially with the kids on the pull out sofa. That "bar" at VWL is worthless -- and with the sofa pulled out, it's positively a hazard.

Also, I like the community feel @ OKW. VWL felt more like a hotel, OKW felt more like a retreat, a quiet home away from home.

One opinion, FWIW.

JR

 

[Dean]

Personally I'd prefer OKW but that's a personal preference. If you will have a car and especially if points are tight, go with OKW. If you won't have a car and/or plan on spending most of your time at MK, WLV may be better for you. It's a nice problem isn't it.

 

[msdis]

Doesn't everyone just LOVE the fact we have choices, and ALL the choices are different enough to please everyone. Otherwise NONE of us would be members.
We have our first no-parks vacation ever coming up in 2 months with our first VWL stay. Can't wait! Every trip we plan has different reasons for staying at different resorts. It's funny how we have taken the reasons that EVERYONE states is their reason for their favorite resort and used that good advice to stay at each of them.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

We just returned from a stay in a 2-bedroom at VWL, our first stay at a DVC resort since our purchase. As nice as it was, and it was very nice , we both agreed that our choice to buy OKW was the right one for us. Even though we've yet to stay there, when we walk around in OKW it just feels *right* to us. To each his/her own.

 

[DISNEYFAMILY#1]

OUR PREFERENCE WOULD BE VWL! WE HAVE STAYED AT BOTH OKW AND VWL AND FELT ISOLATED AT OKW. IT'S SUCH A LARGE PROPERTY THAT DEPENDING ON YOUR BLDG. LOCATION YOU'LL NEED TO RELY ON YOUR CAR, THE BUSES OR WALKING QUITE A BIT IF YOUR NOT STAYING NEAR THE MAIN BUILDING. VWL HAS A TRUE DISNEY RESORT FEELING. OUR KIDS PREFERRED THE POOLS AT VWL AND THE WHOLE ATMOSPHERE WAS MORE "DISNEY" AT VWL, WE FELT. BOTH RESORTS HAVE SOMETHING TO OFFER EVERYONE, IT'S A MATTER OF YOUR TASTE. ENJOY, NO MATTER WHERE YOU STAY!!

 

[Joeblack]

Most opinions in this thread are in favor of the poster's home resort. You can't go wrong with any of the two resorts since many of the things that have been said here are true. OKW is large, very convenient and feels like home...very similar to most other timeshares, but located in Walt Disney World. We enjoyed our stay there immensely. WLV has a great themeing, a better pool, more dining options, the Lodge (which is jaw dropping) and that "hotel" feel some people talk about. Both are somewhat far away from the action. The main difference is in the atmosphere and feel. Choose the one you think you will feel like at the time you plan to go. I wouldn't be able to say which one is better..they are both Outstanding. OKW has the advantage of costing less and allowing you to stay longer for the same amount of points.

 

[Disney Sponge]

If you have young kids and will spend a lot of time at Magic Kingdom, I would suggest VWL. It's really nice to take the boat back & forth there. We have not stayed at VWL yet, but loved WL. We liked OKW's friendliness, but found the bus situation to be long especially when trying to get to Magic Kingdom. My young son loves the Wilderness Lodge and the 15 yr old boy who visited it w/ us loved it. He would sigh and take a deep breath upon returning to the WL lobby and comment on how wonderful it smelled. You will also have more restaurant choices at VWL that you don't have at OKW.

I think it all depends on what your personal preferences are. We live OKW, but it feels too much like a true timeshare condo community. We prefer the hotel feel of BWV and WL. I am sure you'll have a great trip either way. Have fun!