We tried a studio at OKW and we are spoiled.

[poppop]

We just got back from an eight night stay in an OKW studio. Never Again. Last year was our first DVC trip and we stayed in a 2bdrm villa at the BCVs. We are definitely spoiled.

We really missed the convenience of the washer and dryer. Although we had access to the washer and dryer at the swimming pool, it just wasn't the same as throwing your items in the washer at the end of the day and not have to worry about making an extra trip out. It also seemed as if we were always in each others way the entire trip.

OKW was very nice, though. It is a very beautiful and relaxing resort. However, I am already looking forward to our first trip next year to our home resort, VWL. My DW and I are in agreement We will only stay in a 1 or 2 bedroom from now on unless of course we decide to stay in a GV somewhere.

 

[Granny]

Buying into DVC was a decision (for us) to upgrade our vacation experience, not to save money. So we planned on staying in a 1BR from the beginning. Then we made the mistake of trying a 2BR (two adults, DD14 and DD12) and now we're hooked on that!

We agree that the washer/dryer and full kitchen, in addition to the extra "spread out" space makes our vacations that much better.


Somewhere down the line, when it's just DW and I, we'll probably stay in studios at some point. But for now, we planned on spoiling ourselves right from the time of the purchase decision.

 

[mikesmom]

I agree with Granny. We always stayed in a 1 bdrm (self, DH, DS and whatever buddy he invited along). Then for a trip when no 1 bdrm was available we tried a 2 bedroom. WOW. Extra space, no pullout in the way in the morning because the boys were still sleeping, plenty of space....We can never go back.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm glad you posted, poppop. DH and I had always stayed in a studio until 1 trip when we decided to "splurge" at HHI and stay in a 1 BR. We loved it, but wondered if maybe we only needed the extra space of a 1 BR at HH, and not at WDW since we'd be spending less time in our room there. You just verified "Once you try a 1 BR, you'll never go back"-no matter where you are!

 

[Peter Johnson]

Originally posted by Granny
Somewhere down the line, when it's just DW and I, we'll probably stay in studios at some point.

Don't bet on it! It's just the two of us, and since our first 1-BR in December 1992, we've only stayed in a studio once. That was only for a long weekend, but we regretted it within the first hour.

You can never go back! [evil laugh]

 

[Disney Doll]

The studios are great, and much better to stay in than a regular hotel room.

I will agree though, that once you have tried a 1BR, with the full kitchen, washer/dryer etc, it's tough to go back to a studio.

We've done studios for short trips, but if we're doing a week long thing, it's a 1BR all the way!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I don't think it's that the studios are so bad, but that we all get pretty spoiled in the 1,2,and 3 bedroom villas! We have only stayed in a studio twice since becoming DVC members seven years ago. Both times, it was just DH and myself, and was less than a week. Both times we got terribly claustrophobic in the OKW studio. I think it is almost as much to do with lack of light as anything. While we found the bathroom size to be good and the kitchenette to work fine, it still seemed like just a bedroom to us. I didn't even realy mind the two beds, since we could sit in the straight chairs at the table, but we always use at least a 1 bedroom now.

 

[spiceycat]

I go back and forth - I hate to use a 1-bedroom when there are only 2 of us - but I have noticed when I do use a 1-bedroom even when just two of us - we argue less

however when I go solo - it is always a studio!

 

[Dancind]

We are generally a 1 BR family, since we have only one child. And she hasn't started taking friends yet, though maybe soon. But last June, we stayed in a studio for five nights at BCV. We reallly didn't have the points for more due to cruising last Oct. I really thought it would be a disaster, that we would feel like we were crawling over each other. But it really wasn't that bad. If it's a choice between going and not going, I'd do it again. Diana

 

[mom2rb]

We just came back from our first trip since the honeymoon. We stayed at the Contemporary. Big difference to be in a hotel with 2 five-year-olds. When they started asking if they could come back next year we knew we had to join. I can't wait to go back and have my own room.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

hey poppop...

Don't write off the studios until you try one with you and your DW in another resort (other than Vero apparently). Even though I was alone and I could tell the room was much larger than the BWV/VWL/BCV studios I felt cramped and depressed in the OKW studio. It feels so very much like a bedroom or a hotel room. The others are set up...like studios!!! The balconies are nice and bright and so far I've had views I've enjoyed.

 

[DeeP]

Originally posted by doubletrouble_vb
hey poppop...

Don't write off the studios until you try one with you and your DW in another resort (other than Vero apparently). Even though I was alone and I could tell the room was much larger than the BWV/VWL/BCV studios I felt cramped and depressed in the OKW studio. It feels so very much like a bedroom or a hotel room. The others are set up...like studios!!! The balconies are nice and bright and so far I've had views I've enjoyed.

I agree 100%. To really get the feel and the advantages of a WDW DVC studio you have to stay at a resort other than OKW. OKW's studio is a regular hotel room with a kitchenette in the hallway leading to the bathroom. The studios at BWV, BCV, WLV are really a true studio. Much, much different feel to them and they also appear much larger and more roomier, even though they are smaller, due to only having the one bed.

 

[lsutigger2]

Dh and I have stayed in both and as another poster said if it is a studio or not going I'll take a studio. We've stayed in studios at VWL and 1 bdrooms at BCV and very soon (see below ) at OKW. I didn't want the two beds at OKW - too much like a hotel room. But our studios at VWL were fine, although we're not use to a queen bed. DH did enjoy the jacuzzi and the w/d are great to have also. But I can do both!

 

[Peggy Sue]

first dvc trip to okw was a 2 bedroom unit for the 4 of us. (dh and his sister and her hubby) We've never been able to bring ourselves to stay in a studio. We've actually booked studios for shorter trips, but after a couple of months we've called MS and switch over to a 1 bedroom..just can't give up all that space, washer/dryer, kitchen etc.

We doubled our initial point purchase so we could always stay in a 1 bedroom, or larger.

Yes, we're spoiled..but we love every minute of it!

 

[MiaSRN62]

It feels so very much like a bedroom or a hotel room. The others are set up...like studios!!!

Now we prefer the larger OKW studios over any other DVC studio because you get an actual (very comfortable) bed. We need the bed space too. I think if it was just my dh and I, any of the studios would do, but we appreciate the actual bed and larger accomodations with the kids. We found the fold-out at BWV to be a tad less comfy than the actual beds. I even find the OKW fold-outs to be less comfortable. Also, the larger bathroom at OKW is a must for us. But overall, I agree, the 1 and 2 bedroom DVC rooms are the way to go

 

[Laurabearz]

We are hooked on the two bedrooms, and planned that even when we were a family of 4..... Now that we are a family of 5 it works out even better!

We also love to have a 1 bedroom for adult trips. Love the washer and drier.... love the jaccuzi tub... LOVE IT!

 

[JohnathanS]

Usually it's only mom and I travelling together and, since she's retired and I have a very flexible work schedule, I tend to have many opportunities for WDW but a limited number of points. I certainly don't mind staying in the studios, or even other resort rooms at the non DVC properties, if it means going many times each year. For two people, the have ample room and have sufficient ammenities. However, when I have the points, I'll go for the OKW 1-BR!! It is wonderful!

Not really sure if I'd ever do a 1-BR at the other resorts: the points are high and the size of the units aren't too impressive. Also, the studios at the other DVC resorts have such a nice set-up. AT VWL, for example, we were VERY happy with the studio and didn't feel like we would ever need to try a 1-BR here, unless we brought a guest. At OKW, however, the difference between the studio and the 1-BR is substantial, and the points for the 1-BR are very reasonable.


For our big trip this November, I have split our time between the 1-BR at OKW and a studio at OKW. We'll most likely do most of our "resort time" while we have the 1-BR and concentrate on park activites and such once we move to the studio.

 

[shariskates]

This is my first time on this board..... I have just booked 5 nights at OKW in a 2BR... there are 7 of us in my party, my parents, me and DH, plus DS who is 5 and DD's who are 2 soon to be 3(twins)

My questions is how are the buses and other transportation avail? How is the food at the resort? Lastly, can you still take the boat to DD? Thanks so much in advance for any answers or comments on OKW. I hope to be a DVC member someday...

=)


shariskates

 

[ZerasPride]

Shariskates - you asked about bus service. We have stayed at OKW two times within the last year or so and I have nothing but good things to say about the bus service. What I like especially is that you don't share the bus with other resorts. Of course there are several stops inside the resort but once you leave OKW, you go immediately to your destination. I would say we waited no more than 10-15 minutes for any bus. The only time we had a long wait was trying to make an evening ps at Chef Mickey's. We waited for 25 minutes and no MK bus so we took a cab (long story). Anyway, that was the only problem we had.

Yes the boat still takes guests to Downtown Disney.

We also enjoy eating at the sit down restaurant at the resort - Olivia's. The snack bar has good fast food (burgers, hot dogs, etc.) so you will definitely not starve. We also discovered that Pizza Hut will deliver to the resort - we did that a couple of times and found it much more reasonable for a family of 4 than a sit down dinner, plus it was nice having the frig to keep the leftovers in and a microwave to heat things up.

Have a great trip!

 

[DeeP]

Here is another thumbs up for Olivia's food. OKW does not have a lot of variety of dining options but the ones they do have provide very good food. Olivia's has greatly improved over the years and it now has some very good food at very good prices for Disney. We also enjoy the food at the Goods to Go, love those conch fritters.
We will sometimes go to Olivia's for lunch even if not staying at OKW and then take the boat to DTD for the afternoon and then from DTD take a bus back to our resort. It is a very nice and relaxing afternoon and a very good meal.