Why you are in love with OKW?

[lnb1230]

We are still investigating the possibilities of DVC ownership and I have been pouring over these boards every day. One thing that always seems to come up is how much many owners seem to love OKW above all others. Would you all tell me the reason for the "love affair" with this resort? Also, since this resort was the original, does it seem "older" than the others?

When looking at resale, I wonder if I should go for this resort. It certainly looks wonderful, but then again they all do.

Thanks so much!

 

[Caskbill]

Room Size, Room Size, Room Size :

Parking directly out front.

Feeling like you're in a neighborhood and not in a hotel.

Full size washer and dryer (not Apartment size like in the other DVC's)

Full size refrigerator with ice maker. Not Apartment size refrigterator with ice cube trays like in the other DVC's.

As to being older, well, OKW just got all brand new appliances in the kitchens making them the newest of all the resorts (SSR not included). Maintenance is great. You don't really know it's already 12 years old.

 

[Disney Doll]

I will "ditto" what Caskbill and add:
~Relaxed "feel" of resort
~Very nice quiet pool areas
~Pastel decorating-makes me feel SO Florida
~Generally nice views from anywhere in the resort-no dumpsters in sight!
~ALWAYS get a "welcome home" when you drive in
~"Townlike " feel of Conch Flats main area

 

[mrsdon]

OKW used to be known as the Vacation Club.
We have been members since 94 and we love it. Our boys were 12 and 10 at the time and it is silll their favorite resort.
We love it, because of its laid back feeling. The rooms are large and it really feels like a condo. IMHO, the others feel like a hotel. or an after thought. I like the otheres for various reasons also.
But OKW will always hold a special place in our hearts.

 

[BWVDee]

You will find that all the DVC resorts have members that are in love with them. The OKW and BWV members tend to be more vocal about it then some other members, but none the less they all have their loyal fans.
All the DVC resorts are maintained top notch, so imo, no OKW does not seem old at all.
OKW is not our DVC resort preference but there are things about this resort that I really like. The 1 br villa, I love and I also really like the conch chowder at Olivias.
Good luck with your DVC purchase. DVC is wonderful!

 

[donald@home]

Ditto to what everyone else has said. I just want to expand on the "OKW just got all new appliances so it doesn't feel old". We just returned from a week at OKW and we were the first people to stay in a refurbished unit, and we saw the workers refurbishing all of the units in the section we were in. They are doing MUCH more than just replacing all of the appliances. They are also replacing the sofas, retiling the balcony or patio (I think that is what they are doing out there... they had the patios tarped off and our patio tiles looked brand new, so we think that is what they are doing), repainting the walls, adding DVD players, replacing mattresses, new blinds in the living room, replacing the carpet, they might even be replacing the kitchen counters (we saw a kitchen counter truck with all of the other work trucks but don't remember what the old counters looked like). We also saw them replacing some siding on the outside of some of the buildings. It looks like a BRAND NEW RESORT. So no, it doesn't feel like it is 12 years old.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Caskbill said it best. Those are all the things we love and more. As to maintenance, I have rarely been at OKW when I didn't see some sort of refurbishing going on somewhere on site. Last month we were in one of the oldest buildings there, and all the appliances were brand new as was the tile in the bathrooms and matresses. I love the vacation home feel over the hotel feel of the other DVC resorts. I also like the location. We like to get away from the activity a bit when we leave the parks. Also, stays cost fewer points at OKW, and their maintenance fees are the lowest as well.

 

[lurontravel]

I second everything that Caskbill, Disneydoll and Dianeschlicht all said. I really appreciate the square footage of the 1BR's and up. I love being a boat ride from DTD, parking right outside (we live a couple of hours south), and the much more relaxed feel. Haven't done a GV yet, but when we do, it'll be at OKW. In the other 1br's and up I feel very cramped in the living areas, like I'm on a boat, not in a vacation home. I must admit that the studios of the others are more comfortable in some ways (bigger kitchen area that we use our electric skillet and George Foreman in more comfortably, and have fold up couch that we sit on and feel less cramped with during the day), but I am eternally thrifty and feel that, all in all, I am getting a lot more value for my $money$ out of OKW, and that is where we added on as well. If I could never trade out again, I'd miss the convenience of the others to the theme parks at times, but I sure would be happy that I was "stuck" at OKW, and wouldn't wish I'd bought anywhere else.

 

[BillM]

Again another vote for Caskbill OKW reply. But in fairness other members prefer the "hotel" style resorts. Its all in what you are looking for and what turns you on.
I don't think us OKW boosters feel like we are in an "old" resort.
Quite the contrary.

 

[sumessefui]

We love OKW for all the reasons already mentioned, and in our case we also like the condo setting more than the hotel setting. But we have looked at all the other resorts and they are all beautiful. We have owned OKW since 1996 and always say that we will try another resort on our next trip. But when we reserve we always go to OKW. The other resorts all have their devoted fans too, so make sure you buy where you really want to stay. The 11 month window can be important during certain times of the year. One more reason we like OKW is that we usually go in the winter and the resort is very much Floida.

 

[joepoe]

Originally posted by lnb1230
... One thing that always seems to come up is how much many owners seem to love OKW above all others. Would you all tell me the reason for the "love affair" with this resort? Also, since this resort was the original, does it seem "older" than the others?

When looking at resale, I wonder if I should go for this resort. It certainly looks wonderful, but then again they all do.

Thanks so much!

Because it's home. It looks like a home. It has all the comforts of home, and more. Most importantly, when we "move in" every year, our family feels completely at home.

 

[goldilocks_63]

Feeding the ducks and watching the golfers...

Also like the Jimmy Buffet music, and the Gardenia's around the pool (Smells lovely - They're a type of white flower).

And just discovered community hall (DD likes the UnBirthday party there on Saturdays).

Always get the Best "Welcome Homes" there.

 

[MAC3]

To mirror what everyone else said.

The room size is in a class by itself. (Have you seen the pictures by comparison)?

Parking outside your unit, is a huge plus. (Access to your car when needed doesn't become a day trip)

You will be surprized by the laidback feeling it gives. (It is so relaxing)....

But I will also add Next year it will become our families prime vacation spot! I just hope it doesn't become harder to get at 7 months.

Try before you buy, rent some points and give it a whirl. You won't be sorry.

Lisa

 

[OneMoreTry]

The only resort that truly feels like a home and not a resort.

The exclusive feel of being tucked away from the crowds.

When I'm there I feel more like everyone is a neighbor and not just someone to get ahead of me in line.

It's truly the prettiest on-site resort. (Don't know about SSR in this regard. I think BCV is pretty on the inside, but on the outside it doesn't quite fit into its spot.)

Large condos.

 

[spiceycat]

DVC resorts will go back to WDW in 2042 (except SSR) - it is to their advantage to kept the property in top form - besides that is what part of the annual fee goes for each year.

All DVC resorts are on the 5 year plan - every 5 years - DVC replaces everything and repaints. - Of course they are always repainting.

the little things - the Mickey Mouse heads in some of the fencing and balconies

staying in a WDW resort your first night then moving to OKW 1-bedroom - you don't appreciate how quiet and relaxed the place is until you compare it.

I like the laundry room out with the pools - so you wash clothes and swim - at the same time!!!

now I understand why the other DVC resorts didn't do this - (it makes it too easy for non-DVC quest to use the laundry room) - but still it is nice.

taking a walk in the morning - watching the sun rise - beautiful - peaceful - so relaxing -

after a hard day at the parks - being able to come HOME!!! always (so far) a Welcome Home! from the security guard, bell services and the front desk....

the garden tour on Wednesday - if you haven't done this - try to work it in your next trip.

all the bushes and shrubs that have flowers on them in March and green leaves in fall....

now if you like the Cont - or you want to be in the middle of the action - you won't appreciate OKW - you would be better off at BWV or the new SSR (really close to the action at PI)

 

[Pa@okw95]

The size of the units is one thing. The master bedrooms are very quiet places to sleep. There is no outside traffic(people) at OKW. The shower I love. I might have one built at my house. I love the place in the winter. I just sat on the dock warming in the sun last January looking out at the boat area with the setting sun warming me. I am from CT, so it is like heaven to me down there in January. You have your car with you parked right outside your window so you can drive it anywhere and I usually drive rather than use the bus service. Oh yes, the boat ride down town is the best attraction at WDW in my opinion. Nice comfortable seats and just a beautiful ride though the trees and golf course to the lake at the DD area. Just beautiful. We have a lot of wild life at OKW, the little lizards running all over the place during certain time of the day, also rabbits are everywhere. Just paradise in January.

 

[colleen costello]

All the things mentioned above somehow add up to more than the sum of the individual parts. There is truly something magical about the place. Something almost indescribable about the layout, the feel, the "spirit" of this resort -- it is very special. Perhaps that's why the people who love it never feel it's a problem that OKW is not "in the middle of the action." We are so happy just to be THERE.

I could survive happily if OKW was the only place I could vacation for the rest of my life. I'd miss the other resorts (especially the Wilderness Lodge) but I'd still be happy. Someday I will work there. The minute I retire, look out. They'd better have a job for me because I am headed their way.

 

[JimC]

For us, OKW is the best design and value. We love the layout, room size and point structure. The "condo" style design of the resort and the Floriday Keys theming are spectacular and of particular appeal to us. There is more of a "home" feelling -- individual clusters of homes, your car (if you drive) very close by, very little traffic outside of your unit given the size of the resort.

It is just so easy to kick back and relax and completely forget about the rest of the world (globe or WDW -- take your pick).

It may be the first DVC, but it is not anywhere near the age of Contemporary or Poly and they do not seem old to me. Disney does a first rate job of maintenance and renovation.

 

[OKWJan]

We love it because it really feels like a home, because of the close parking, because of the great landscaping, the island atmosphere, unit size, and just everything. We also love going with friends and meeting the guys with cold drinks as they drive past on their golf carts while they are golfing. How good does life get .

Jan

 

[MemereMouse]

I ditto all that was said above. We have stayed at all the resorts except BCV and they are all great and each one is beautiful in its own way. But when it comes to total relaxation in a beautiful setting you just can't beat OKW. After a busy day in the parks you come back and instantly begin to feel relaxed. I just love to sit on the balcony and watch the golfers and the world go by. We are not DVC members but my daughter owns at OKW and HH and we have been fortunate to see and stay at all but BCV. I have to say that my heart belongs to OKW.