1 BR Villas at GF vs 2 BR OKW

[Padraig]

We’ve a 2 bedroom booked for OKW this August, but I’m starting to get the fear as to the resorts size… I was thinking of avoiding driving. Noticed that with the current offers, for the same money, we could get two extra nights (14 total) for a 1 bedroom at VGF. Disney’s site reports that the rooms still have a pull out couch. I assumed these would all have been replaced by the Murphy beds at this stage?

Also, is there much construction going on there at the moment?

We’ve also the option the Riviera but I’m not sure what that buys us in terms of location. Still, I love the size of that OKW room for the five of us. Boat to DS is nice as well. Conflicted.

 

[nickys]

We’ve a 2 bedroom booked for OKW this August, but I’m starting to get the fear as to the resorts size… I was thinking of avoiding driving. Noticed that with the current offers, for the same money, we could get two extra nights (14 total) for a 1 bedroom at VGF. Disney’s site reports that the rooms still have a pull out couch. I assumed these would all have been replaced by the Murphy beds at this stage?

Also, is there much construction going on there at the moment?

We’ve also the option the Riviera but I’m not sure what that buys us in terms of location. Still, I love the size of that OKW room for the five of us. Boat to DS is nice as well. Conflicted.

The sofa beds have been replaced at GFV.
We loved OKW when we were there at Christmas. And we didn’t find the size a problem, even without a car. We were in Turtle Pond and it was 10 minutes walk to HH. Buses took maybe 10 minutes to do the full loop.

And there is so much space, with balconies that seat 4 easily.

I would happily stay there again. So laid back and beautiful grounds.

But GFV is obviously much more convenient for MK and Epcot.

 

[SteveAZee]

The sofa beds have been replaced at GFV.
We loved OKW when we were there at Christmas. And we didn’t find the size a problem, even without a car. We were in Turtle Pond and it was 10 minutes walk to HH. Buses took maybe 10 minutes to do the full loop.

And there is so much space, with balconies that seat 4 easily.

I would happily stay there again. So laid back and beautiful grounds.

But GFV is obviously much more convenient for MK and Epcot.

I agree with this, except possibly the convenience of Epcot. It's true that you can monorail from GF to Epcot (one to TTC, then transferring) but the bus ride from OKW is pretty quick since it's right next door to Epcot. Depends on personal preferences, IMO.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

We’ve also the option the Riviera but I’m not sure what that buys us in terms of location. Still, I love the size of that OKW room for the five of us. Boat to DS is nice as well. Conflicted.

Riviera is far superior to Grand Floridian in terms of location, with two big caveats.

Caveat 1: If you're a super Magic Kingdom heavy family (like >50% of your park time is MK), then the Grand is better. If you visit the parks roughly equally, then Riviera is much better. I've done the math and if you're not driving, Grand Floridian to Epcot is the longest theme park commute from any WDW resort.

Caveat 2: When the Skyliner closes due to bad weather, Disney can be somewhat slow to scramble buses to those routes. So I might ding Riviera a couple of points during the summer storm season.

That said, I personally don't like Riviera *or* the Grand. They're both very "stuffy rich old lady" to me. Of the three options I'd go with Old Key West (or change things up entirely and get two rooms at the Poly, unless you really want the kitchen).

 

[Phonedave]

It really boils down to personal preference, and what you are looking for.

I don't find OKW to be too big (but then I own at SSR, so nothing is too big). I love the rooms at OKW, and the location as well. However I do NOT like the pool, the QS options, or the other amenities. I know that people are going to want to revoke my blue card for saying this, but I do not think Olivia's is so all fired great. It is OK, but gets old very quickly

Never stayed at VGF, but the only thing you have for location there is MK and maybe EPCOT - sort of, it is still a trip. I like VGF from a food standpoint.

I am booked into Rivera this summer. I like it's location (my family is a big Epcot family, and also likes DHS). My kids also like to hang out on the boardwalk, and that is a quick ride away as well.

For me, I really like Boardwalk, but we went with Rivera for the sake of trying a new place this time.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

However I do NOT like the pool, the QS options, or the other amenities.

I pointed this out in the Trail's End thread, but I think Disney made the same mistake in a lot of different places. At Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Fort Wilderness, and Kidani Village, they seem to have said to themselves "lots of people at this resort have the ability to cook for themselves, therefore we're not going to bother making any effort whatsoever when it comes to QS F&B."

 

[Phonedave]

I pointed this out in the Trail's End thread, but I think Disney made the same mistake in a lot of different places. At Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Fort Wilderness, and Kidani Village, they seem to have said to themselves "lots of people at this resort have the ability to cook for themselves, therefore we're not going to bother making any effort whatsoever when it comes to QS F&B."

SSR has a decent QS. It is not phenomenal, but it is adequate. I do think you are spot on with OKW. I think as the first DCV, it was envision as more of a "home away from home while at WDW". Not as a resort onto itself.

 

[correcaminos]

With the contruction limiting the ease of walking to the TTC, I would say GF is a big negative right now. Did you know that you can 9 times out of 10 when normal walking paths are open, walk faster from the TTC to VGF than taking a monorail. I beat my party by about 10 minutes no joke when we last tried this. The monorail going to TTC from GF is a long haul at times and we were very late getting to Epcot due to delays on the line. Out of all the MK monorail resorts, GF is now on our bottom of the list.

I also would find it very cramped to do 5 in a 1 bedroom for 12 nights. No way I'd jump down to GF just for that.

Riviera is a lovely resort, I just have issues with the skyliner being a wuss with heights. I haven't gotten okay with riding it yet....

 

[Doberge]

As the one paying for the villa in most cases with two young kids I'll take a VGF one bedroom over an OKW 2 bedroom because I'd rather be near MK for proximity to the park and all the nearby resorts. I'd prefer the VGF bathroom even if it means sharing it, but totally understand wanting more privacy and having others use the second bathroom of a two bedroom villa. As they get older I'll be more inclined to consider two bedroom units and enjoying the living space more when they're sleeping in.

I respect the hustle to TTC but that's not a walk I'd enjoy consistently. Yeah GF can be difficult at peak times as the last resort before MK (and thus filled monorails), but I've never felt like I've waited too long with multiple monorails passing through. That said, it's still a jaunt to EPCOT and because we have a car I often drive to EPCOT, HS, and AK.

We like all of the EPCOT area resorts too. We've stayed the most at Boardwalk, own at Riviera (trip next week), and have some transfer points to use at Beach Club (next two summers). Riviera has the nicest one bedroom unit and we personally like it better than VGF all year outside of holiday season. With 4 people OP wouldn't be able to do BCV or BWV one bedroom anywag.

 

[nickys]

With 4 people OP wouldn't be able to do BCV or BWV one bedroom anywag.

I realise you meant 5 people.

But they can do a 1-bed at BCV or BWV if booked through DVC. It wouldn’t be comfy because one person would need to be on an air bed or similar, but it is allowed.

 

[correcaminos]

I realise you meant 5 people.

But they can do a 1-bed at BCV or BWV if booked through DVC. It wouldn’t be comfy because one person would need to be on an air bed or similar, but it is allowed.

A friend of mine did that with 3 teens. They survived but I'm not sure I'd want to do that LOL

 

[Raxel7851]

I pointed this out in the Trail's End thread, but I think Disney made the same mistake in a lot of different places. At Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Fort Wilderness, and Kidani Village, they seem to have said to themselves "lots of people at this resort have the ability to cook for themselves, therefore we're not going to bother making any effort whatsoever when it comes to QS F&B."

We’ve not stayed at OKW or SSR, but I totally agree with this. Compared to the Values and the Moderates, the QS at FW is more like a 7-11. Well better food quality, but there’s not a lot of choices.