What are my chances at OKW?

[Natterjack9]

I am an owner at SSR planning a HUGE family trip for next June . I am going to make reservations at SSR so we have them, which I am not worried about. However, I want to switch at the 7 month window to a Grand Villa at OKW. What do you think my chances are?

Also, we have stayed at many of the resorts, but this would be our first stay at OKW. What is it like? What do we have to look forward to? Any input would be great!

 

[Goofy DVC]

I would say that your chances are pretty good if you book right at 7 months. Where you may experience some problems is trying to book a GV near the Hospitality House. I don't know if you want one there???
The HH is near the restaurant Olivia's, the main pool and Gurgling Suitcase. Personally, we like being near the HH but others don't so it's just a matter of personal preference.
I would go to Olivia's at least once if you've never been there. Personally, I'm big fan of the dinner specials, especially the chicken.
Good luck!!!!

 

[Nanajo1]

OKW is a very laid back resort. They have basketball, shuffle board,ping pong and bikes to rent. There are four "neighborhood" pools as well as the main pool with a slide. The have many child friendly activities during the day. There is a boat to DTD which is very relaxing. Bus service is good but there are a total of five stops before you get on the road. I am sure someone will add to this list. We own at OKW and BWV. We like both but when we want to relax we go to OKW. We have stayed in a GV at both. OKW is bigger than some houses. Enjoy.

 

[DenLo]

It is more spread out that SSR, but there is an internal bus that can take you to the Hospitality House area for dining and the main pool. And like SSR the park buses have multiple stops within the resort. The biggest difference is that there are very few buildings that have elevators and all are in the Hospitality House area. To me the biggest difference is that the villas are larger and you have a full size washer and dryer in the 1 & 2 BRs. (I think all DVC resorts have full washers in the 3 BRs.)

 

[Theaberdeenkid]

We just got back from our last trip two weeks ago and we stayed at OKW. (for the record we own at BWV but have also stayed at AKV, BLT) I must say we were completely underwhelmed by OKW. Firstly the room was not very clean; mouse keeping never came to do the 4th day service, when I called (on day 6)and told them they didn't believe me and I got an attitude. I had to call the front desk, who in turn had to get the OK from the manager. Way too much time on the phone and aggravation. I didn't like that we (including the kids) had to walk in the street to get to the closest bus stop because there wasn't a continuous sidewalk there. There were never any lifeguards at any of the satellite pools, only the main one, which is where the only restaurant is. So every night we had to drive over from our room to the pool and restaurant and store. Also if you stay in a studio the laundry facilities are only located next to the pools and the laundry rooms themselves are small, enough room for one non pooh sized person.
Now don't get me wrong, the staff for the most part were great and we're the highlight of the stay. But my wife and I are unanimous, we wouldn't stay there again, even if it meant we would need to stay off site.

 

[hakepb]

Sorry you didn't enjoy your OKW stay.

The mousekeeping issue should never happen...but FYI calling the "front desk" at any Disney resort really goes to a call center. Any ready service issue should be resolved in person, at the front desk.

I'm not aware of any quiet pools at DVC resorts that are staffed with lifeguards.

I'm guessing that the HH are of OKW would have agreed more with your families style. If you ever happen to stay at SSR, make sure you request Springs to be near the main building.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Sorry you didn't enjoy your OKW stay.

The mousekeeping issue should never happen...but FYI calling the "front desk" at any Disney resort really goes to a call center. Any ready service issue should be resolved in person, at the front desk.

I'm not aware of any quiet pools at DVC resorts that are staffed with lifeguards.

I'm guessing that the HH are of OKW would have agreed more with your families style. If you ever happen to stay at SSR, make sure you request Springs to be near the main building.

However the lines to Housekeeping and maintenance go to the resorts departments for that and are the appropriate places to call when having issues with cleaning or anything broken in the unit. I'd recommend calling those departments over going to the front desk.

 

[jekjones1558]

I think all DVC resorts have full washers in the 3 BRs.

I know that the 2 story GVs at BWV have stackable washers/dryers on the second floor. I don't know about the 1 story versions at BWV.

OP, I hope that drusba posts here with availability data. OKW's GVs are such a bargain that there may be some dates when they book fast, but I don't know about June. We bought some OKW points just to have the home resort advantage for booking GVs.

 

[DenLo]

I know that the 2 story GVs at BWV have stackable washers/dryers on the second floor. I don't know about the 1 story versions at BWV.

. . . .

I should have known that not all of the GVs would have the same equipment. Thanks for the information.

 

[Theaberdeenkid]

... I'd recommend calling those departments over going to the front desk.

Which I did first.

 

[skier_pete]

I'm not aware of any quiet pools at DVC resorts that are staffed with lifeguards.

The Quiet pools at CBR also didn't have lifeguards. That may be the norm at quiet pools.

 

[BWVPam]

I have never seen a lifeguard at any of the quiet pools at any of the resorts. Personally, I like OKW for a quiet non-rushed setting. The Grand Villas are the nicest and largest accommodations. We have stayed twice in the GV at Christmas. Traded points with an ower of OKW points and they took by BWV points during Food and Wine.

Just added on 150 points at OKW today so we would have ability to book the GV's again for larger family gatherings.

If you thought the studios are small at OKW, don't stay in one at BLT. We did that on our trip in May and I couldn't believe how small they were.

My husband loves staying at OKW, can park right in front of your room, etc.

 

[Natterjack9]

Thanks for all of the input. We made our reservations at SSR at the 11 month window. In November I will switch to OKW. I know everyone has a different experience at every resort, so we are going to check it out. I love SSR, there are plenty that don't. Our last trip we stayed at AKV - Kidani and I was less than impressed. Don't get me wrong, it was still head and shoulders above staying off site. But we all decided that we don't need to spend the points there again. To each his own!

Looking forward to OKW with the family!

 

[Pirate Granny]

We bought points at OKW specifically to get GV for our trips every three years. I love it there! It truly is so laid back and I love sitting on the balcony watching the golfers.

 

[CantPickAFavorite]

My OKW GV stay was one of the most memorable I have ever had. They are so large and comfy. Plenty of room for all. We own OKW, and I don't think I would buy anywhere else. But that might change when the Polynesian project is completed.

 

[Halle]

I know that the 2 story GVs at BWV have stackable washers/dryers on the second floor. I don't know about the 1 story versions at BWV.

OP, I hope that drusba posts here with availability data. OKW's GVs are such a bargain that there may be some dates when they book fast, but I don't know about June. We bought some OKW points just to have the home resort advantage for booking GVs.

1 story GV at BWV have full size washer and dryer.

 

[Chuck S]

I have a large group going in June to OKW as well. But rather than book a GV and smaller units, I booked 3- two bedroom lock-offs. That gives our group 3 washers and dryers, and 3 kitchens for preparing group meals.

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

We have no experience with a GV at OKW, but just wanted to add that we do still love it there. Olivia's is a gem and we have always had great mousekeeping. For us the only negative is the lack of a great counter service, but we get around that by just eating at Olivia's more. It has a lot of sandwiches for a decent price.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks for all of the input. We made our reservations at SSR at the 11 month window. In November I will switch to OKW. I know everyone has a different experience at every resort, so we are going to check it out. I love SSR, there are plenty that don't. Our last trip we stayed at AKV - Kidani and I was less than impressed. Don't get me wrong, it was still head and shoulders above staying off site. But we all decided that we don't need to spend the points there again. To each his own!

Looking forward to OKW with the family!

Just so you know. One of the two bedrooms upstairs in the OKW GV has two double beds instead of two queen beds. It is a smaller bedroom. The other one has two queen beds.