WWYD? offered free upgrade

[vero]

LanaJae , Thanks for your reply. VERO.

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

So, I just got an email from Disney regarding my upcoming Labor Day weekend trip I have booked for DFi and me. We booked free dining @ Pop for 3 nts, and Disney just sent an email offering a free upgrade to a studio at either OKW or SSR.
I'm waffling - here are my thoughts - Please help!!!

A) I'm guessing they've overbooked Pop which means it's going to be crazy
B) We stayed at SSR in October and thought it was nice, but big, very quiet and laid back though which is great.
C) we stayed at Pop in January and thought it was just fine, it is what it is, good food court, enjoyed the pool bar, room was fine for the 2 of us on a short trip
D) We're doing DDP which means the food court is a good option to have for CS meals at POP; does OKW have a CS option, I know SSR does, which we did enjoy on our last trip.
E) we really liked the vibe @ OKW when we went to eat @ Olivia's one day for lunch, but isn't it also a big resort, do they take requests for rooms close to the main bldg?
F) we weren't going to rent a car, but if we were to stay at one of the DVC resorts, I think I'd feel obligated to.

Soooo, my fellow DIS'ers, what do you think? I'm not even 100% positive at this point if we're making the trip b/c airfare skyrocketed after we booked and I'm feeling guilty about spending the $ with the wedding 10 months away...thank you for your help!

The only reason they're offering it to you is to make room at the value resorts to book more guests while still getting paid for the OKW or SSR. The OKW and SSR are normally dead because they're VC.

By offering you an "upgrade" they get paid for their normally dead resort plus make room for more guests at the value resorts. It's really a win situation for Disney.

Personally, I wouldn't take the upgrade, but I understand why alot of people do.

Have a great trip!

 

[lyzziesmom]

Personally, I wouldn't take the upgrade, but I understand why alot of people do.

May I ask why you would not take the upgrade??

Our upgrade has a value of more than $8300 over what we paid for our value rooms. We are very excited to stay in a much nicer resort than we normally would be able to afford, with a lot more space and activities at the resort. We still would have had a great time at ASMu as planned if we were not offered the upgraded, but I can't imagine a scenario where we would turn down this once-in-a-lifetime offer. I'm not trying to knock your choice, I would just like to know the reasoning behind it in your case.

Thanks for your input!

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

May I ask why you would not take the upgrade??

Our upgrade has a value of more than $8300 over what we paid for our value rooms. We are very excited to stay in a much nicer resort than we normally would be able to afford, with a lot more space and activities at the resort. We still would have had a great time at ASMu as planned if we were not offered the upgraded, but I can't imagine a scenario where we would turn down this once-in-a-lifetime offer. I'm not trying to knock your choice, I would just like to know the reasoning behind it in your case.

Thanks for your input!

I wouldn't take the upgrade because, to me, OKW and SSR don't have a Disney feel to it. I think I feel this way because they

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

May I ask why you would not take the upgrade??

Our upgrade has a value of more than $8300 over what we paid for our value rooms. We are very excited to stay in a much nicer resort than we normally would be able to afford, with a lot more space and activities at the resort. We still would have had a great time at ASMu as planned if we were not offered the upgraded, but I can't imagine a scenario where we would turn down this once-in-a-lifetime offer. I'm not trying to knock your choice, I would just like to know the reasoning behind it in your case.

Thanks for your input!

I wouldn't take the upgrade because, to me, OKW and SSR don't have a Disney feel to it and they feel off property to me.

I hope the upgrades work out for those that take them.

 

[MiaSRN62]

ObsessedwiththeMouse says :I wouldn't take the upgrade because, to me, OKW and SSR don't have a Disney feel to it. I think I feel this way because they really aren't "on property".

WHAAT ???? Off-property !? No way.....I have no idea where you are getting this idea ? Sorry....but you are way wrong on this.
I can see Epcot's Illuminations from the OKW property. SSR and OKW are most definitely "ON" property.
OKW feels "disney" to me......it's not huge-bright-icons-in-your-face-disney.....but a more subtle Key West theme. The sitting room off the lobby is themed after Ernest Hemingway as he resided in Key West. The pool is a sand castle with a mickey cutout where you shoot down the slide. The white picket fences around the resort have mickey silouhette heads on them........

Check out this thread for lots of OKW info/pics :
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1375743

 

[Cupmom]

I'm pretty sure they are on property unless somebody moved them!! It a once in a lifetime upgrade. POP you can pay rake rate anytime but staying at a DVC at values prices and giving up an overcrowded food court, big icons and tiny room is a sacrifice I'm willing to take.

 

[Sammie]

They are as much "on property" as POFQ and Riverside, AKL, and as much as CBR and CSR and certainly as much as Pop and All Stars.

Totally disregard the comment, there is no fact to it.

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

I didn't come on here and tell everyone to pass on the upgrade. I just said personally I wouldn't take it. I didn't ridicule you and tell you how "wrong" you were for taking the upgrade. Thanks for that.

I have a relative that works for Disney, so I do know where the hotels are located. They just feel off property, way out of the way, non-Disney to me.

Again, I hope everyone that takes the upgrade is happy with it.

 

[REL1203]

I have a relative that works for Disney, so I do know where the hotels are located.

I have a relative that works for NASA, but I dont know crap about Space.... What does one have to do with the other... People are arguing with you cause your point you said it useless. It is on site, and EVERY other resort with the exception of the 4 value ones are not themed normal disney, but they certainly. I normally wouldnt chime in on something like that, but damn, you made an ignorant post

 

[MiaSRN62]

I didn't ridicule you and tell you how "wrong" you were for taking the upgrade. Thanks for that.

I personally didn't even get any upgrades.....I've been following this thread because I find it interesting to see how many are getting upgraded and maybe lend some help/advice about OKW since we stay there often.
It just bugs me when posters come on these boards and give totally false information. I said you were "wrong" when you stated OKW was , and I quote you :

because they really aren't "on property".

This is, no doubt, incorrect information to be passing out here on these boards where people come for information---many who are newbies here and may not have ever been to WDW. To insinuate that OKW and SSR are offsite properties was not correct information. Whatever reasons you have for being against OKW/SSR, that's YOUR PERSONAL opinion. But it should not be passed off as "fact" such as you did in your post. That was just plain "wrong" information.....sorry you feel this way.

They just feel off property, way out of the way, non-Disney to me.

THIS statement is acceptable.... because to YOU it FEELS off-property. But you stated it was off-property as if it was fact---which it is totally not.
OKW is very close to Epcot....probably walking distance if not for the big highway in the middle. Just not safe to cross that. OKW is right next door to POR and POFQ.......CBR is right down the road...maybe 3-4 minutes.....are those off property too to you ?

 

[M2DD's]

Hi,Maria-thanks for all the good info
Still need some help with figuring out OKW I will PM you when I have more time.
Quickly do you know what the closets grocery store is? My DH was thinking about taking a cab?
Laura
OKW here we come
74 more days

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

I have a relative that works for NASA, but I dont know crap about Space.... What does one have to do with the other... People are arguing with you cause your point you said it useless. It is on site, and EVERY other resort with the exception of the 4 value ones are not themed normal disney, but they certainly. I normally wouldnt chime in on something like that, but damn, you made an ignorant post

Wasn't ignorant, I stated my feelings. I know there are other resorts farther than the two previously discussed, but I stated how I felt.

Having a relative work for Disney absolutely gives their family members an advantage. Sounds to me like someone's a tad jealous...(or maybe at least jealous of the discounts )

Anyhoo, I'm not going to go round and round with someone that posts like a child. I stated my feelings, that's that.

AGAIN, I hope all that take the upgrade enjoy their stay and have a wonderful vacation.

Peace

 

[MiaSRN62]

Still need some help with figuring out OKW I will PM you when I have more time.
Quickly do you know what the closets grocery store is? My DH was thinking about taking a cab?
Laura

Goodings is probably the closest (about 7 min away in the Crossroads shopping center)...though not the most inexpensive one. There is a Walmart Superstore nearby on SR 535. Also a Publix :
http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/super4.html (you would pass the Walmart on the right before you pass the Publix on the left).
There is also a Winn-Dixie located at 11957 S. Apopka/Vineland Road (SR 535), about 3 lights north of the intersection with Hotel Plaza Blvd and just north of the intersection with Lake Avenue, on the east side of the street. (directions courtesy of Mousesavers)

Hope this helps....also wanted to add. If you ever want room service at OKW, here's a list (Giordano's is our favorite and they deliver up until midnight right to your villa door) :

Giordano's
http://www.giordanosflorida.com/default.htm
12151 S Apopka-Vineland Rd
407-239-8900
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL

SASSAGOULA PIZZA EXPRESS
Port Orleans/Old Key West
Delivery
For Delivery to Old Key West, call 7-3399 from your room phone
http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/men_sasp.htm


Domino's Pizza near Crossroads
8542 Palm Parkway
Orlando, FL 32836
407-239-1221

Pizza Hut-Lake Buena Vista
8699 Palm Pkwy
407-239-0205

Papa Johns
5345 W Irlo Bronson Hwy
407-397-7272

Papa John's
11989 S Apopka Vineland Rd
Lake Buena Vista
407-477-7777


Hope this helps and feel free to PM me anytime M2DD's

 

[lyzziesmom]

ObsessedwiththeMouse: Whoa, I'm almost sorry I asked why you wouldn't take the upgrade! I don't really understand why people jumped all over you like that, maybe you edited your post before I saw it? Anyway, it's perfectly ok to feel that it isn't right for you. I first upgraded to OKW because I just said I'd take whatever I could get, but then I switched later that day to SSR. After looking at the pictures, I just didn't a Disney feel from OKW. I think it's because I lived in South Florida for over 15 years, and OKW looks a lot like the retirement villages everyone's grandma lived in when I was in high school. Yes it has the little Disney touches here & there, like the Mickey heads, which are very cute but TO ME, it still just looked way too familiar and not vacationey enough. But to those who haven't spent a lot of time living in FL, I guess I can see where it would appeal to them. I have not spent much time at turn-of-the-century upstate NY horse races (ok, so I've spent NO time at them) so I think SSR looks like something new and different for my family.

If it's not something that appeals to you, then by all means I can see why you wouldn't take the upgrade. Thanks for offering your input and a different viewpoint around here. I personally am not one to pass up such a great deal, so it's interesting to see how another person feels to whom the deal part doesn't matter.

 

[tasha99]

After looking at the pictures, I just didn't a Disney feel from OKW. I think it's because I lived in South Florida for over 15 years, and OKW looks a lot like the retirement villages everyone's grandma lived in when I was in high school. Yes it has the little Disney touches here & there, like the Mickey heads, which are very cute but TO ME, it still just looked way too familiar and not vacationey enough. But to those who haven't spent a lot of time living in FL, I guess I can see where it would appeal to them. I have not spent much time at turn-of-the-century upstate NY horse races (ok, so I've spent NO time at them) so I think SSR looks like something new and different for my family.

Now that, I understand. I don't think Wilderness Lodge looks very appealing because to me, Pacific Northwest decor is a little too "been there, done that." Artist Point looks like a nice restaurant, but I could get fancy northwestern fare at anywhere and it would be hard to make better salmon than I do on my own grill.

OKW, on the other hand, looks new and exciting to me and I'm really looking forward to staying there.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Yes, my point exactly! That's why I never put too much stock into the "I loved it/I hated it" posts. There's a reason there are so many different resorts at WDW, and it's not only so they can make more money. If all they wanted was money, all the resorts would be the same. Everyone has different tastes and budgets and preferences, and I just love how WDW has something for everyone!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I don't really understand why people jumped all over you like that, maybe you edited your post before I saw it? Anyway, it's perfectly ok to feel that it isn't right for you.

Yes, Lyzziesmom.....Obsessedwiththemouse did edit a very key point in her original statement that a few of us had a difficult time with because it was clearly an untruth. You can see the quote a few of us questioned in my posts. Her updated/edited post is nothing any of us would have batted an eyelash to. It does make perfect sense. Not every resort is for every person. Had she stated this to begin with, noone would have said a word.

lyzziesmom says :and OKW looks a lot like the retirement villages everyone's grandma lived in when I was in high school.

And if OKW is like a retirement home---then sign me up !!! Whoo-hoo.....I'd love to live my days out in a place like OKW. I'd be happy go up and down that slide all day.....to me, it is a little slice of heaven...

 

[In Luv with Disney]

Everyone really has their own opinions! While I am jealous that I didn't get the email upgrading our POP 9 night ressie, we have stayed at both OKW and SSR and didn't really get that much of a Disney feel from it. Not like at other resorts. I did REALLY like SSR...I thought it was so nice! And I thought OKW was just OK...but DH HATED OKW! When I mentioned the upgrade offer to him, he said he wouldn't go back to OKW...he'd stay at POP! Well, unless it was a 1 bedroom unit! We can always use more room!!!!

 

[lyzziesmom]

And if OKW is like a retirement home---then sign me up !!! Whoo-hoo.....I'd love to live my days out in a place like OKW. I'd be happy go up and down that slide all day.....to me, it is a little slice of heaven...

Ok well the retirement villages don't have the slide, but can you just imagine if they did? I was actually referring more to the decor and general "look and feel" of the place, especially the room decor. I guess that just means that Disney did a great job making the Florida theming of OKW authentic! All the more reason for me to look forward to SSR, something new and different for us.