Want advice: THV or 2 bedroom OKW?

[ldietiker]

I'm planning a visit to the parks to precede a cruise

I'm also thinking of inviting a family (husband, wife, 3 year-old daughter) from Turkey to come stay with us before they return to Turkey. This is in addition to me, my partner, and 2 young boys (ages 6 and 9 at that time).

I am trying to figure out which location would accommodate us all with plenty of room and give my friends their privacy when they need it.

After looking at all the floor plans and based on some of the comments I've read here, I'm thinking of two places: a 2 bedroom in OKW or THV. I've never been to either location and would love the opinions of those that have stayed in either or both for a recommendation for what to consider. How do these compare (besides the obvious comparison that THV is newer).

Thanks in advance!

 

[lizanne]

It's been a long time since I stayed in a tree house villa (before there was DVC), but I would go for OKW.

I think you can get a lockoff 2 bedroom at OKW and that would give them their own entrance if you wanted that option.

I'm not sure what changes have been made to THV but I remember our kids liked it there (DH, myself, 6 kids) but I don't remember the villa being particularly private. I'm sure someone else will have better information.

Have a great trip.

 

[nyck]

I think the TRV would be the best since it has a bunk bed in 1 room, a queen in the 2nd bedroom, and a let out sofa in in the living room and a master bedroom. But if you or the people you invite do not have a car, I find the TRV to be a pain since you will have to take a bus or boats to SSR, then a another bus to go to the parks. You can just take the boat to DTD, but anywhere else is a pain to me from there.

 

[saintstickets]

I'm planning a visit to the parks to precede a cruise

I'm also thinking of inviting a family (husband, wife, 3 year-old daughter) from Turkey to come stay with us before they return to Turkey. This is in addition to me, my partner, and 2 young boys (ages 6 and 9 at that time).

I am trying to figure out which location would accommodate us all with plenty of room and give my friends their privacy when they need it.

After looking at all the floor plans and based on some of the comments I've read here, I'm thinking of two places: a 2 bedroom in OKW or THV. I've never been to either location and would love the opinions of those that have stayed in either or both for a recommendation for what to consider. How do these compare (besides the obvious comparison that THV is newer).

Thanks in advance!

Go to the OKW trip report linked in my signature below for some pics of a 2BR at OKW. Can't provide any pics of THV. BTW, OKW is in the final phase of a total resort renovation if that helps.

 

[chrismass]

The THV would be nice for you if the 3 yr old is small enough to sleep in a pack n play in the bedroom, otherwise assuming you are in the master bedroom and the 2 boys in the bunk beds, the couple from Turkey in the 2nd bedroom that leaves the living room pull out couch and chair for sleeping.

If you go with OKW, the family would have the 2nd bedroom with 2 beds and a separate entrance but then that leaves the 2 boys sleeping in the living room on a pull out couch.

I stayed in both the THV and OKW, they are both beautiful and each have lots of room, and they are also both out of the way. If you don't have a car at THV the bus adds quite a bit of time to your travel plans as you have to take a THV bus to Saratoga main bus stop and wait there for the bus to where you need to go.

 

[Pakey]

I was not a fan of THV; I would not stay here without a car. The THV are very nicely appointed but unless you are just hanging out at the treehouse, the location is inconvenient. I prefer the 2 bedrooms at OKW.

 

[wood8176]

Just got back from a week in the THV; Never stayed at OKW. We liked the THV, we were in a unit towards the back between the boat dock and the walking path to SSR. The walk is 10mins. By far walking the 10mins was better than waiting for the bus that goes between SSR and THV; the one day we did that, we waited 45mins. We also had our own car and drove to dining reservations at other resorts. The unit we had was very private and very quiet. I would return to the THV again.

 

[ldietiker]

This is great info! Thanks! It raises a few more questions, though... Is there parking at each of the tree houses? Or would we park at SSR?

Also - are the paths around THV and between THV and SSR stroller-friendly?

 

[stopher1]

This is great info! Thanks! It raises a few more questions, though... Is there parking at each of the tree houses? Or would we park at SSR?

Also - are the paths around THV and between THV and SSR stroller-friendly?

Yes, there is parking at or near each Treehouse for one vehicle. If you have a second it would need to be parked over at the Grandstand of SSR. There is a walking path between the THV's and the Grandstand. You can continue on to the Carriage House and the main pool (took us about 5 mins to get from the THV's to the Grandstand bus stop, and probably 7-10 mins to get to the Carriage House).

If you look at the Triple Whammy link in my signature below, it's a TR from our stay last year in January that began at the THV's. We loved them. We were there with my folks, and they felt they had all the privacy they wanted. There are lots of pictures in the report as well.

There are two bus stops in the THV's, the North and the South. These buses will take you over to the main part of SSR where you would transfer for the park buses. The North Stop is closer to the driveway entrance, and the South Stop is closer the pool, the Boat Launch and the walkway over to the Grandstand.

 

[wood8176]

Yes, the walking paths are stroller friendly. You'd have to carry the stroller up the stairs into the Treehouses, though. (Assuming you didn't use a Handicap Accessible unit.)

 

[notlok]

The 2br at OKW will much more inviting for your 3yr than the Treehouse. When our kids were younger we always requested to be by the large pool with the snack bar in the back of the OKW resort. I think it was building 42. It gave us the best of both worlds. We had a large pool just 100 feet from the condo and it was much easier to keep an eye on the kids than being at the main pool. You will enjoy your vacation no matter which one you choose.