OKW or BCR or Contemporary?

[Lostbrain]

I'm so torn. Ive got BCR booked. OKW wasn't available when I booked (Easter 22), I'm regretting booking beach instead of yacht as we love having a balcony and it seems lots of beach club rooms have tiny balconies. Anyway beach and yacht are not available but 1 bed at OKW is.

The only time we stayed on site before was OKW and we loved it but breakfast options are so limited. We won't have a car this time so completely reliant on public transport. We're only staying 5 nights so probably won't get much use of the kitchen. We'd look to get some groceries delivered to OKW, not sure how easy that is? We have a day before Disney were we could do an uber trip to the supermarket but nowhere to store fresh food...

Beach club is a great location but much less space.

We've got 2 kids who won't share a bed (understandably) aged 11 & 14, so can only look at 'sleeps 5' options.

Contemporary is also coming up as cheaper than either, garden wing though so ground floor patio or 6" balcony, pool doesn't look great, but walking distance to MK and I love the resort..

What to do?
DH loved OKW quiet pool, balcony and space, DD isn't into swimming and loves the idea of Contemporary, DS loves swimming and would love Stormaway bay. I just don't know. They're all eye-wateringly expensive, BC about £300 cheaper than OKW, contemporary about £200 cheaper than BCR.

We're hiring a villa for second week and doing a couple nights at universal in between.

We're planning to make this our last Disney holiday (famous last words).

[loldis]

What about SSR? The refurbed 1 beds now sleep 5 and I prefer them to OKW. You're then within walking distance to DS for more food options. Although if only breakfast is a problem, I'd just pack a box of cereal in my case.

Also would you consider DVC points rental? This could open up options like Bay Lake Tower (assuming there's availability) which would give you the location benefits of Contemporary with the space benefits of OKW.

Btw, grocery delivery is really easy to any Disney property. There are specialist companies like Garden Grocer but you can just arrange a Walmart delivery directly to the hotel. Either way, they will delivery to bell services where you can either collect from there or have delivered to your room. If you're ordering alcohol, you will need to be present for the driver to verify ID, otherwise bell services can hold it for you if they deliver while you're still out at the parks.

[Lostbrain]

Originally Posted by loldis

What about SSR? The refurbed 1 beds now sleep 5 and I prefer them to OKW. You're then within walking distance to DS for more food options. Although if only breakfast is a problem, I'd just pack a box of cereal in my case.

Also would you consider DVC points rental? This could open up options like Bay Lake Tower (assuming there's availability) which would give you the location benefits of Contemporary with the space benefits of OKW.

Btw, grocery delivery is really easy to any Disney property. There are specialist companies like Garden Grocer but you can just arrange a Walmart delivery directly to the hotel. Either way, they will delivery to bell services where you can either collect from there or have delivered to your room. If you're ordering alcohol, you will need to be present for the driver to verify ID, otherwise bell services can hold it for you if they deliver while you're still out at the parks.

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Thanks for your reply. The 1 bed at SSR are being advertised as sleeps 4, so maybe only unrefurbished are available?

I had considered renting points, but my concern currently is that we can't guarantee that we'll be able to go at all, if I book cash I can easily get a refund, I'm worried that renting points could leave me unable to cancel if travel doesn't open up in time.

[loldis]

I'm not sure where they got up to with the SSR refurb, someone in the DVC board is bound to know. I believe they were due to complete this year, but Covid may have delayed that. Either way, Disney are pretty bad at updating their resort listings.

Also, would you consider one of the partner resorts? A suite somewhere like Hilton Buena Vista Palace should be cheaper than any of the Disney options, has a great pool and across the road from Disney Springs. In normal times, they offered shuttles all day to the parks so very easy transport. The only benefit you'd lose compared to a Disney deluxe is the extended evening hours. If that is important, then look at Swan & Dolphin - I'm pretty sure Dolphin sleeps 5.

ETA: I'd also consider any of the sleeps 4 options and request a rollaway bed or just buy a cheap camping mattress if no rollaways are available. Because there's only 4 of you, you won't be going over the room capacity so no issues doing this. And with most of the refurbed rooms having space under the beds now, easy to stash away when not in use.

[Lostbrain]

Originally Posted by loldis

I'm not sure where they got up to with the SSR refurb, someone in the DVC board is bound to know. I believe they were due to complete this year, but Covid may have delayed that. Either way, Disney are pretty bad at updating their resort listings.

Also, would you consider one of the partner resorts? A suite somewhere like Hilton Buena Vista Palace should be cheaper than any of the Disney options, has a great pool and across the road from Disney Springs. In normal times, they offered shuttles all day to the parks so very easy transport. The only benefit you'd lose compared to a Disney deluxe is the extended evening hours. If that is important, then look at Swan & Dolphin - I'm pretty sure Dolphin sleeps 5.

ETA: I'd also consider any of the sleeps 4 options and request a rollaway bed or just buy a cheap camping mattress if no rollaways are available. Because there's only 4 of you, you won't be going over the room capacity so no issues doing this. And with most of the refurbed rooms having space under the beds now, easy to stash away when not in use.

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A roll away bed puts Wilderness Lodge into the mix! £100 cheaper than DCR..

Haven't looked outside Disney..

[loldis]

The partner resorts are all on property, they're just managed by external hotel chains. The main reason I'm currently booked with Disney rather than partner is because the shuttle service isn't back to pre-Covid schedule yet. Plus I like room charging, but I could live without that.

Btw, the main reason I was only suggesting alternatives is because it sounded like you weren't sold on any of your choices. When paying Disney deluxe prices in a no offer period like Easter, I'd want to LOVE the resort I'm staying at. Which is WL for me.

[Lostbrain]

I'm feeling pretty happy to be able to do a deluxe, I think the issue is that we'll all love different ones. If I could move OKW to BCR location.. or even if I could guarantee a full balcony at BC I'd be happier. I have always wanted to do DCR, but not sure the others would be as up for it.

My brother is coming and he's booked a suite at a value, but dh has a fear of heights so the skyliner resorts are out.

No partner hotel available on our dates, so that solves that dilemma.

[YorkshireT]

Originally Posted by Lostbrain

Thanks for your reply. The 1 bed at SSR are being advertised as sleeps 4, so maybe only unrefurbished are available?

I had considered renting points, but my concern currently is that we can't guarantee that we'll be able to go at all, if I book cash I can easily get a refund, I'm worried that renting points could leave me unable to cancel if travel doesn't open up in time.

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All 1 beds are refurbished (or if any are left they will be done very soon) and all sleep 5 now (aside from handicap rooms). The website just hasn’t been updated.

[disney332]

WL

Disney332

[Lostbrain]

Think WL with a roll away would be too tight for space. Now weighing up contemporary against OKW. Leaning towards Contemporary. Garden Wing room vs 1 bed villa, space or location.

We loved OKW and the rooms are amazing. But with only 5 days will we really appreciate the location and better eating options, plus OKW is significantly more money. Having that balcony and the laundry facilities though..