"Live" from OKW.

[WebmasterDoc]

We arrived at OKW this afternoon at 3:40. Our room was not yet ready (they said the carpet was being cleaned) and we were offered another room. They showed us where our assigned room would be and we gladly accepted it without looking at others. (we are in building 23 , 2nd floor 1BR villa.) We were told to check again at 4pm.

We walked over to building 23 and then back to HH at 4:00pm to ask for our room number and were again told it was not yet ready, but the helpful CM went "in the back" to see what the hold-up might be. He came back a few moments later saying it was ready.

The room was ready and in great shape. Housekeeping had left a wet paper towel on the floor (apparently where the carpet had been cleaned), but otherwise everything was spotless. We did notice that the entryway closet door was loose and would not open/close properly. While we were unpacking, someone from maintenance arrived to repair the closet door (we had not yet called that in- he stated that housekeeping had reported it). He spent about 30 minutes repairing the door and all was well.

We had dinner at Olivia's (I had the Mahi-Mahi and DW enjoyed the Grouper). Both were new to the menu- at least in their presentation.

After dinner we caught the bus to Epcot for a walk around WS and made it in time for the Flower Power concert with "Paul Revere and the Raiders". The lead singer is Darren Medley - son of Bill Medley of the "Righteous Brothers". "PRatR" and Bill Medley now have a theater at Branson, MO and offer regular concerts. As always, Paul Revere (now 69 years old) puts on a great show and can select from a huge repertoire of hits from the 60's (their first #1 hit was in 1960). Paul/Raiders will be here 2 more nights and then "The Association" will be on stage for 3 nights. If you've never been to these concerts, they are a lot of fun. Over the years we've gotten to hear Peter Noone (Herman's Hermits), Paul Revere, The Turtles (great shows), Eric Burden (of the Animals), Ron Dante (lead singer from the Archies - who also did the original vocals for The Monkees) and several others. Davy Jones (Monkees) will be performing in the next few weeks as well as The Turtles.

As always, the Flower and Garden show has a lot of great displays and programs to enjoy and the topiaries are wonderful.

Crowds were much larger than we've found in the past at this same time - even for a weekend. MK closed at 7pm last night and tonite- I think for the Grad Night program.

From our balcony we have a great view of the Illuminations fireworks (only the air displays- not of the water).

All is well! :)

[jekjones1558]

Oh, do you make me homesick, Doc! Last year at this time I was at OKW and I do so wish I were there now. Enjoy!

[pickles]

what building at OKW can you see the fireworks?

[rinkwide]

...dinner at Olivia's...Delightful. Please enjoy a fruity rum drink for me.

[DisneyJen]

Sounds like your visit is off to a great start!

[Simba's Mom]

You make me so homesick! Last Sunday I was checking in. It went by too fast. I know you can see the fireworks from the bridge near the HH on Penninsular Road and someone said, I think, building 17 and 18. Have a Sultry Seahorse for me!
I just remembered-Deb Wills' site says Turtle Shack is closed for food, but DH got a sandwich there last Wednesday. Do you know if it's open or closed now?

[LIFERBABE]

Have a great Trip Doc!!!

[MiaSRN62]

Doc,
Thanks for checking in......will be at OKW this Aug :cool1:
Dh had the Mahi-mahi for lunch at Olivia's last year and thought it was terrific. It's one of his fav dishes.
#23 looks like a great building....we had #62 a couple years ago and could see and hear Illuminations as well. Enjoy your stay and the Flower & Garden show as well :flower1: :daisy: :hippie:

[dairyou]

what building at OKW can you see the fireworks?

We were in room 1820 and we could see the high fireworks and hear the music also. Hope this helps.

Doc, thanks for the live trip report. Though it does make me feel our six month wait still so far way ;)

Have a great time!

Deb

[eporter66]

Have a great vacation - wish I was there too!

Eric

[DrTomorrow]

Thanks for the report - glad all is well. We too were able to see the fireworks from our balcony (bldg 38).

One question: you said "your room" wasn't ready but they offered you another - I assume this means that you were 'pre-assigned' a room?

Be well!

[dianeschlicht]

I SO want to go during F&G some year! Thanks for the report. As for the high fireworks views, we have had them from quite a few places around OKW. If I remember correctly, they were buildings 29, 14, 13, 16, 53 and maybe from 64, but I'm not sure I'm rememering that one correctly.

[DebbieB]

Thanks for the report - glad all is well. We too were able to see the fireworks from our balcony (bldg 38).

One question: you said "your room" wasn't ready but they offered you another - I assume this means that you were 'pre-assigned' a room?

Be well!

I checked into a studio at OKW on Thursday 4/27, it seemed that our room was pre-assigned and was ready at around 11:30am.

[tmt martins]

I remember Paul R and the Raiders from Hershey Park they were regulars up there when I was young. Always a great show even for a ride junkie like me.
Have a Great time .

[WebmasterDoc]

Thanks for the report - glad all is well. We too were able to see the fireworks from our balcony (bldg 38).

One question: you said "your room" wasn't ready but they offered you another - I assume this means that you were 'pre-assigned' a room?

Be well!

That was my take on the reservation - that it had been assigned, but they would offer a room that was ready if we'd prefer. If we had arrived at 10am and were given the same option, I probably would have taken a different room, but at 3:40, another 20 minutes was no big deal when our requests had been met. (I asked for NS and upper floor.)

There are quite a number of villas with an Illuminations view - all over the resort. Many can see the fireworks from their balcony or living room, some will need to look out the front door or parking area, but most will have some sense of the event - it's very evident at 9:00pm when the fireworks begin rather "explosively". ;)

It was hot again today - low 90's. There are fire alerts in the area, watering restrictions and I-95 was closed for awhile (near Daytona) due to smoke from nearby grass fires. Crowds were smaller today, as the weekend passes and I expect (hope) they will dwindle even more the rest of our trip. I've had notes from several DISsers and hope to meet with some this week.

No luck at Millionaire this afternoon, but we did make it to hear Paul Revere and the Raiders again. They changed the program a little from yesterday- but used most of the same jokes. :teeth:

I'm planning to get a haircut at the Main Street Barber Shop tomorrow morning and we hope to ride the Kali River rafts later.

All is well!!

[jimmytammy]

Hey Doc

Hope yall have a good trip! Sounds like yall are already having fun.

Jimmy

[isyt]

Geeez Doc this is your second trip report since I have been back home :cloud9: !!! I only have 40 days to go and its killing me :rolleyes1 !!! I am enjoying your reports because I am envisioning my self on your balcony with a drink :drinking1 !!! Well keep it coming, I can't wait for my first stay in OKW :wave2: !!!

Thanks

[KathyRN137]

Thanks, Doc, for the trip report! We will be staying at OKW for the first time in November and (no suprise), I can't wait!

I'm sending pixie dust and best wishes for your trip! pixiedust:

Kathy

[Pootle]

Loving reading your reports Doc!

I should have checked in at OKW same day as you, but here I sit in rainy England because my friend and travelling companion for this trip fell and badly damaged her arm 2 weeks ago and had surgery last week.

Meanwhile, I'll make myself another cup of tea and read the Disboards to make up for it :surfweb:

Keep 'em coming - no detail too small to mention ;)

[WebmasterDoc]

I forgot to mention last night that we visited the Timeshare Store yesterday. It was about a 12 minute drive from OKW and very easy to find. We were given a beautiful gift basket (Thankyou, Tom). For those going soon, Tom has posted an invitation and directions at the top of the Planning board.

Tom is away, but I hope to get to meet him on our way at the end of the week.

I also discovered last night that we could hear (and just barely see) the Wishes fireworks from our room here at OKW. I have not noticed that in the past. The sound was quite obvious (it started right at 10pm), the fireworks were very low due to the distance and the trees pretty well hid them completely.

It will be above 90 again today. Very foggy right now and the brush fires continue. Miles of interstate 95 near Daytona are closed this morning as visibility is at zero in places because of the smoke. It's very dry around here.

More later- we're heading to the MK right now! :)

[MiaSRN62]

Miles of interstate 95 near Daytona are closed this morning as visibility is at zero in places because of the smoke.
Wow....my aunt lives off of one of the exits near here. Exit 284 at the Flagler Beach exit. I hope FL gets some well deserved rain soon. We drive down I 95 every year and plan on doing this again in August. Wonder where/how they are detouring people ?

Have fun in the MK Doc :banana:

[dianeschlicht]

I heard New Smyrna Beach was pretty well inundated with the fires. Hope you have a great time in spite of the smoke.

[Morganpics]

Thanks, Doc, for the reports. I can close my eyes and it all comes into focus. We could see Wishes from our balcony last November. It was really great. Wish we were there-waiting for September! :sunny:

[WebmasterDoc]

Back from the MK.

We left the room at 8:20am and arrived at the gate for rope drop. I headed to the Barber Shop and the chairs were already both full. I had only a short wait (the guy in the first chair was a CM and had started before the park opened) and again had Michal cut my hair. Michal has a theater background, is from Chicago and has been cutting hair at the MK for 10 years now. The cost is now $17 and I declined the "Mickey Mousse" (it comes in a wide variety of colors) and "pixie dust". The young man in the other chair (who was about 4) opted for both and left sporting a red mousse "Mickey" silhouette on the back of his head and a bountiful supply of "dust" on top. You could easily track where he went after leaving the barber shop by following the trail of irredescant Mickey's on the sidewalks! If you have little ones (boys/girls/men/women are all welcome), be sure to get the "My First Haircut" certificate from the barber. They do a wonderful job with children - it's really fun to watch them interact (and distract) them during the process. GO EARLY, as the wait often exceeds 90 minutes later in the day.

I was done about 9:20 and everything else was a walk-on until late morning. We rode Buzz 3 times in succession with no wait, rode CoP, TTA, Splash and HM all by 11:30am when we had a bite at Columbia Harbour House before heading back to OKW.

The fog has burned off, the sun is bright, the humidity a little higher and the temperature again over 90. No sign of any brush fires in this area at this time. We will probably spend the rest of the day at OKW. I hope to meet a couple of DISers this afternoon.

Having a GREAT time, wish you were here! :sunny:

[pickles]

Maybe folks who have been to OKW can share their pics here for those of us still dreaming. My trip is several months away and I would LOVE to see pics of the resort and views etc... I have already worn allears out

[dairyou]

Here's a few for you :)

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a384/dairyou/100_2320.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a384/dairyou/100_2215.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a384/dairyou/100_2224.jpg

Enjoy,
Deb

[blossomz]

Thanks for the report! We cannot wait until we are there!! Your report helps us to feel a little closer to home! :sunny:

[WebmasterDoc]

Maybe folks who have been to OKW can share their pics here for those of us still dreaming. My trip is several months away and I would LOVE to see pics of the resort and views etc... I have already worn allears out

Here are a few photos of OKW. (http://disneydoc.homestead.com/okw2.html) :)

On tonite's news, in Orlando they have just closed I-4 at Central FL Pkwy due to a 10 acre brush fire. This is about 1/2 mile from The Timeshare Store and near the entrance to Sea World - we drove past this location on our way to TTS yesterday. I don't think it is too close to TTS and there have been no evacuations for this area at this time. It is about a 10 minute drive from OKW.

It has been a hot day today and there is a high risk for fires. Tomorrow's forecast is for possible Thunderstorms in the afternoon. Temps in the low 90's again.

More later!

[thelionqueen]

Thanks for the great report! We will be checking in in only 20 days @ OKW and I just cannot wait.

Sounds like the temperatures are very hot for this time of year doesn't it?? Is there any smoke visible from the resort? I hope it cools down...I know I'm dreamin!

[WebmasterDoc]

No sign of smoke from OKW at this time.

We have been here in the past and have witnessed active fires near GF from the monorail. These brush fires are a concern for WDW and apparently could start up onsite at any time.

Until the fire on Central Florida Parkway today, the other closures have all been near New Smyrna (near Daytona). I-4 at Central FL Pkwy is closed until tomorrow morning at this time. The fires continues to rage without control at this time.

Stay tuned! :(

[iluvdisney]

Hi Doc! I really enjoy reading your posts from "Home" - I will be there soon - can't wait. You got a really nice set up with bldg 23 and so close to HH.

Sure hope the fires die down soon - my brother is one of Orlando's best trying to keep them under control.

Enjoy the rest of your trip and say hi to your DW for me! :wave:

[rinkwide]

Doc's at Walt Disney World and, once again, there's a natural disaster.

I think I may've asked you this already but could you please let me know before you head out here to Disneyland?

[jmatias]

Doc,

Always enjoy reading your reports. Please keep us posted on the fire. Until your posts, I didn't realize how close it was to WDW and the nearby area. :guilty:

ALoha,
Jen

[MiaSRN62]

I'm watching The Today Show with Katie Couric and Matt Lauer and they showed a fire burning right outside of Sea World. I really hope they all get some rain down there soon.

[WebmasterDoc]

Well, it rained this morning. :) We got about 1/2 inch here and some areas got as much as an inch. The clouds have just started to clear and the air quality is much nicer right now. More thunderstorms are possible this afternoon.

The fire near Sea World is now under control. It burned about 30 acres.

We're heading back to Epcot in awhile- we have lunch reservations at Coral Reef and will probably ride Soarin again before catching VoL and the first performance of "The Association" at the Flower Power concert this afternoon.

More later. :)

[dvc_john]

Hey Doc - thanks for your mini-review of Paul Revere and the Raiders. Wasn't planning on seeing them til I read your post, then decided to go last nite. I hope I have as much energy when I'm 69 years old. Going to see The Association tonite also, and Davy Jones on Friday.

ps for anyone interested:
checked in on Sunday at 3:45. No wait at check-in, and room was ready with all requests (top floor, non-smoking). Room was clean, and all items in working order. After 4 bus trips, longest wait has been approx 5 minutes.

[WebmasterDoc]

Just back from Epcot. We enjoyed travelling around WS and checking out the displays. There are some great backyard pond/fountain displays as well as the usual F/G displays. The crowds have been much larger than the past several years.

We did go to see The Association concert at American Gardens Pavillion. We were a bit disappointed in their performance. For a group with a number of memorable songs from the 60's (Cherish, Never My Love, Windy and several others) , they chose to throw in songs from other groups (New Christie Minstrels, Mommas and the Papas) instead of doing their own stuff. They were off-key and even the keyboardist blew some of his backgrounds. It looked like two (of the six onstage) were from the original group and the others have joined much more recently. One of the original singers was in the New Christie Minstrels prior to starting The Association- and that was his reason for including "Green, Green"- but i still thought it was inappropriate for this 30 minute performance when they omitted some of their own songs. BYW- Kenny Rogers also started out in the New Christie Minstrels before leaving to forge out on his own.

I hope dvc_john enjoyed it more than we did!

Another great day in paradise! :)

[dianeschlicht]

We were talking about the Association concert and wishing we could be there, but I guess we didn't miss much anyway.!

[kellyf2626]

Sounds like you are having a great time! :banana: We will be going home the first week of June to BWV. Nice that the area got some rain today...hopefully that will help the threat of brush fires in the area of Disney. :)

[KathyRN137]

Thanks for the report on the fires, Doc. Glad to hear they are getting under control---scary! :firefight

[OneMoreTry]

My fantasy is that DW would like to hang out at WDW and just enjoy the place with me. :wizard:

Keep the report coming.

(How are you accessing the internet?)

[WebmasterDoc]

We just got back from the Member's Update at SSR. There was a crowd of about 70 members and we did meet another DISer there - lsket sat right behind us and we discovered he also lives in Indiana. (Hope your DW is feeling better!)

It was a typical update, with a recap of all of the recent changes throughout Disney worldwide, with a special focus on DVC resorts and programs. No mention of any new resorts.

They did have aerial views of the Phase III construction at SSR. Two of the buildings (in the "Carousel" area) look like they could open within the next few months (I don't know if they have advanced the original schedule where they would open in 2007). The last 4 buildings are along the fairway and are well under construction at this time with the structure up on all 4. SSR now has "over 25,500" members and DVC now has reached 97,000 members. It sounds like they are planning some BIG deal when #100,000 is reached. In addition, the winner of the Funniest Videos DVC winner will be announced on air on May 21. (The big winner gets a DVC membership - including annual dues- thru 2054.

As usual, there were a number of DVC logo giveaways at the meeting including an umbrella, parade seat, mints, bleacher blanket and several other gifts.

The program was in the SSR Performance Center, which is a nice venue. The program was done by Senta, a most enthusiatic young woman.

These are offered each Wednesday at 4:00pm and last about an hour. Following the meeting, the SSR models are available for a visit.

We walked over to the SSR marina and caught the 5:15 boat to OKW. Boats run to OKW and DD every 30 minutes from 4:45 - 11:00pm and every hour from 11:00am - 4:45pm.

We spent the day at the Studios, but I never made the Hot Seat.

Regardless, it was another great day! :teeth:

PS- Internet access is usually by laptop with a dialup connection (netzero). Cost is $0.35 per connection for members. I also use a Blackberry for access from the parks, but haven't posted that way this trip. Netzero has a number of good local phone #s. I have used the broadband in the past, but for checking emails, PMs and a few posts, the dialup works just fine.

[dianeschlicht]

Good luck on your next hot seat try!

[WebmasterDoc]

I had the opportunity to meet another DISer tonight - NJOYURLIFE and her DH are stayong at OKW and contacted me. We had a chance to talk near Olivia's tonite.

It's always fun to have a chance to put faces to the names on the boards. She was very easy to spot with her lime green shirt and DIS pin! :)

[NJOYURLIFE]

Doc,
It was great meeting and chatting with you also. We ended up on the Boardwalk and enjoyed it alot.

[patsal]

I'm chomping at the bit to get there in 2 months--I need my OKW fix!

[Ksp]

Have a wonderful time, Doc, and thanks for sharing :goodvibes

[WebmasterDoc]

All good things must come to an end. :(

Our billing statement was on the door an hour ago and we are scurrying around trying to finish breakfast and pack.

We'll head out in another hour for the loooong drive back to Indiana. I plan to stop at TTS to meet Tom Yeary on our way. It will be nice to put a face to the name. We usually fly, but spent a week in GA on our way this year. 2 weeks away has been great.

We had another great day yesterday. Spent the morning at MK- crowds were light even though it was an EMH morning. We took a break in the afternoon - and missed being out when a strong thunderstorm came thru.

Our usual "tradition" is to have dinner at Narcoosee's o our last evening and that's what we did last night. We took a bus to MK and then the resort launch to GF. The dock is right next to Narcoosee's and is very convenient. After a leisurely dinner (the restaurant was pretty well filled) we took the monorail back to MK and then caught a bus to OKW.

We had a relaxing evening and now are caught back in the frenzy of checking closets and drawers to make sure we've not forgotten anything.

All is well ... except for that drive home. :teeth:

[dgaston]

Thanks for all our updates! DD22 and I plan to stay at OKW in January for her College graduation trip. It's hard to wait that long. Hope the ride home isn't too sad. At least it should be spring all the way back. :)

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks for giving us a little taste of "May Magic" at OKW! I really want to try this time of year some time. We'll be doing the early December thing again this year.

[WebmasterDoc]

We did get to meet Tom Yeary this morning at TTS. He is as charming in person as he seems on the boards. He has been around timeshares for a long time and really knows the business, as well as the central Florida market.

We got to meet some of the staff as well and they are a very energetic group. Looks like a very efficient team.

We had a good day of travel - only drove about 6 hours today and ended up on the south side of Atlanta- just at the start of rush hour. We still have another 10 hours of driving and will get an early start tomorrow morning for the trip home. It was about 75 when we left Orlando this morning (a high of 86 was predicted). It will be rainy and about 55 at home tomorrow.

... back to reality! :(

[elijahpep]

:car: Safe Journey the rest of the way DOC.

You've been so great about sharing your Magic with us! :thanks:


~DW ::MinnieMo

[MiaSRN62]

Have a safe trip home Doc ! :car:
Thanks for letting us live vicariously through your vacation :3dglasses

[KathyRN137]

Thanks for the TR, Doc!! Can't wait for our stay at OKW!!