Who else bought OKW for the low points?

[utahkennedys]

I have been reading on this board all morning, a lot of negatives about SSR, some negatives about VWL, etc. Also I always read how great BCV and BWV are, etc. So, my real question is, who bought at OKW because the points are low?

I researched for a while then toured SSR and OKW while we were at WDW 2 weeks ago. I loved OKW atmosphere right away, and I LOVE (as a total frugal person) that the points needed are so low!!! Am I the only one? To me, in a lot of ways, staying at Disney is staying at Disney. As a bonus, I loved OKW! It felt so far from the craziness of the parks and so secluded.

I know there are all kinds of thoughts on who should buy what and for what reasons, but I think one of our biggest factors was maximizing points.

 

[DVCconvert]

For everyone who loves a given resort, there is another who will not find a given resort desireable. Personal taste dictates. I happen to agree with you, I love OKW and for the exact reasons you cited. While I've bot (and continue to) at BWV (as with the home resort 11 month booking advantage, I can pretty much be assured of getting in there for the Food & Wine Festival & Flower & garden fest) I find that quite often we book at okw. The lower point cost is just a bonus!

 

[plamp]

I picked DVC-OKW sight unseen and price/points was a factor. I bought through resale and the OKW resales were priced a little better. Plus I found a contract with the amount of points I was looking for and a lot of points banked which was a nice bonus. I also liked the fact that the maintanence fees are slightly lower.
Besides economics, I think being a little away from the excitement is nice like you mentioned. Close to DD and the new pool and slide sound good too. And parking at the door. Can't wait to see it on Monday!
I chose OKW as my home resort but I hope to be trying at all the DVC's at DW in the coming years (and HH too).

 

[Disney Doll]

At the time we bought, the only 2 available were OKW & BWV. We liked the location of the BWV, but we loved the size opf the units, the lower cost, and the lower point values at OKW. So we bought at OKW, figuring that we'd be able to use points to stay at other DVC resorts as they were built, and even if we couldn't, we decided we could be very happy at OKW.

 

[geffric]

We love OKW.. of course when we bought, back in '93, OKW was DVC. Never had any regrets. we love OKW and it is our home..

 

[bluedoggy]

You hit all the most valid reasons we bought OKW. ( In fact we received an email today from TTS that our purchase closed this week )
We love the relaxed feeling we get at OKW, I am extremely "tight" with the finances so the lower pts, maintenance fees all played an additional part with our decision to buy there. We are now making plans to finally be able to say we are going HOME.

 

[spiceycat]

I also brought in 93 and OKW was DVC - it was the only choice.

I still love it!!!

the lower points are great - but so is the extra room. staying in a 1 or 2 bedroom here - is really GREAT!!!

I feel so spoiled the first time I stayed in a 1-bedroom - I don't do if often - but when I do..


now the few points I own at BWV - are definitely for the standard views.

 

[Bexx]

I thought about buying a resale at BWV or OKW. I choose OKW partly because it seemed more like POR which we liked, partly because I can't cope with the clown slide at BWV (sorry BWV clown lovers ) and for a very small part because the dues were/are slightly lower.

Now having stayed there - I LOVE the place. It so beautiful and relaxing. So using less points, for bigger villas, in a resort we love, makes it the very best of all worlds for us!!

 

[DVCME]

Yes, I bought my main contract at OKW for the low points, larger rooms and feel of the resort. The Grand Villas helped also.

 

[DrTomorrow]

[...]To me, in a lot of ways, staying at Disney is staying at Disney. [...]

[...]For everyone who loves a given resort, there is another who will not find a given resort desireable. [...]

These represent the two sentiments I've seen most often in the Great Resort Debates. Some folks have a preference for a certain resort, others don't.

Also remember that it's all relative. There are people in this world who, for years, stay off-site in a $20/night room and hope that, someday, they can afford to have their family stay on-site at AS* or PC. Others look at a particular DVC resort, focus on its negative aspects (and they all have them) and say "Nope, not for me; I gotta have ABC".

Personally, we bought at SSR because we loved it, the cost per point was great and it was what Disney was selling. I honestly can't see DW and I disliking any of the DVC Resorts; but as I've said before, we're laid-back, not too demanding and easy to please.

Be well!

 

[Muushka]

I have been reading on this board all morning, a lot of negatives about SSR, some negatives about VWL, etc. Also I always read how great BCV and BWV are, etc.

Keep reading. All resorts are picked on!

So, my real question is, who bought at OKW because the points are low?

So, can I assume that you don't want to hear from a frugal soul like me who did not buy at OKW??

 

[jade1]

I have been reading on this board all morning, a lot of negatives about SSR, some negatives about VWL, etc. Also I always read how great BCV and BWV are, etc. So, my real question is, who bought at OKW because the points are low?

I researched for a while then toured SSR and OKW while we were at WDW 2 weeks ago. I loved OKW atmosphere right away, and I LOVE (as a total frugal person) that the points needed are so low!!! Am I the only one? To me, in a lot of ways, staying at Disney is staying at Disney. As a bonus, I loved OKW! It felt so far from the craziness of the parks and so secluded.

I know there are all kinds of thoughts on who should buy what and for what reasons, but I think one of our biggest factors was maximizing points.

There is no reason to own OKW points because the have a "lower" point use IMO. All DVC owners get to use OKW for the lower point use. We just stayed there 1 month ago because once again it was the only DVC available for our spring break 3 months out. OKW has always had rooms available when we have called so why own there-unless you require a GV-which I totally could see someone wanting-just not us.

 

[bobbiwoz]

As much as I love OKW we do not own there, and we are very happy that most of our points are at BWV. There is very little difference between BWV standard view and OKW point value. Since there is just the two of us, and we mostly stay in studios, we prefer the BWV studio because it has the sofa and a bed. In fact, we prefer the SSR studios over OKW for the same reason. However, we love all of the resorts, truly, we do.

I have a girlfriend trip coming up for F&W and I wanted to book OKW so we each would have our own bed, but my friend loved the proximity to Epcot BWV affords, so that's where we're staying. She's my guest and it's fine with me.

Bobbi

 

[Dean]

There is no reason to own OKW points because the have a "lower" point use IMO. All DVC owners get to use OKW for the lower point use. We just stayed there 1 month ago because once again it was the only DVC available for our spring break 3 months out. OKW has always had rooms available when we have called so why own there-unless you require a GV-which I totally could see someone wanting-just not us.

Partly true, OKW has cheaper fees as well. Plus there are times of the year and certain unit sizes (3 BR GV) where having the 11 month window really makes a difference. But I'd agree that owning at another resort (esp BCV, BWV and VWL) and using points at times at OKW has merit.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I had already purchased 650 pts in two contracts and 2 add-ons at BWV when I bought OKW. I just couldn't get the grand villa out of my mind from when I toured in 91 or 92. Unlike some of the others, price was no option for the first OKW contract, when I paid Disney $89 per point, and there were no incentives. Then I got smart...and frugal! My next contract is going to be as cheap as I can get it.

 

[jjnv]

We rented at OKW for our first DVC stay and loved it. I knew all the others are slightly more expensive. We see no reason to spend more since we are so happy with OKW. We did tour SSR. Price wise, I think SSR is very tempting because of the extra 12 years. But we just like OKW better. It feels more like home.

We also like the OKW studio because of the two beds. We can fit in a studio when the kids are still young.

 

[JimC]

Each resort (DVC and non-DVC alike) will appeal to certain guests more than others. For some it may be the price, some the theming, some the location, some the amenities, etc. Thank goodness for variety! We have our favorites, but have enjoyed every WDW stay. We found something nice about every resort we have tried.

Our OKW purchase did consider the cost to buy and own as well as the size of the villas. But the overriding factors were the condo style and very peaceful setting.

 

[Sheriff Woody]

What is the reason(s) for the OKW being so much cheaper than all the others? It seems you can stay in a Grand Villa for not much more points than a two bedroom place in any other resort. There must be a reason.

 

[DebbieB]

Keep in mind that OKW was the first resort, so when they setup the point structure they did not have anything to compare it to. So the question may be why did they decide to charge more points at the resorts built after, not why is OKW lower. I think they decided to charge more at BWV (the next resort built) because of the prime location to both Epcot & MGM. Then VWL & BCV pretty much followed along with that point structure. They did go down some with SSR, probably because no park is close.

 

[magicmama]

I like OKW because of the lower points. I own at BCV but I like to stay at OKW so I can stay for a longer time! And it's roomy!