Questions about OKW

[bigsis1970]

Hello , i am renting some OKW points from a member ( Thanks Bill) and am wondering about a few things.. background is 12/01 to 12/05 Studio for 1 adult and DD 9 and DS 6 ..

1. No slides at the pools ??
2. Coffe pots in room - are they 4 or 10 cups-( so i can bring the right type of filters and coffee)
3. if no toaster i can request on right ?
4. no daily housekeeping ? so for 4 nights same sheets towels and trash - not that towel and sheets are problem but trash maybe ?
5. are there Towels at the pools or do we bring our own from room?
6. Washer and Dryers are FREE ?? but pay for ( if you don't bring your own) tide, dyrer sheets?
7. BEST LOCATION for single mom and 2 kids = 11-17 or 62-64?
8. are there hairdryers in room ?
9. can we pool hop if not true DVC members but renting points?

Wow - sorry there is so much but want to be sure cause you know i only have about 214 days !!! LOL.... Thanks for all your help MIchelle

[DisneyCrazy]

1) Correct, no pool slides.

2) There is a 4 cup 'standard' in the studio - we only stayed in a studio once, but since we are BIG coffee drinkers we requested a 10 cup (or is it 12) once we arrived.

3) I don't remember if the studio had a toaster, but yes, you can request one (see above)

4) Right, no housekeeping - we take out our own trash, it is usually not too far away and we just grab the bag on our way out. You can wash sheets/towels if you are not comfortable with them for 4 days.

5) Towels are at the pool

6) Yes and Yes

7) We prefer to be close to ANY pool, the main pool being our ideal. YMMV with you likes/dislikes.

8) Hmm, I don't remember. We've stayed at BWV the past few years. This August we'll be back 'home' in a GV. BW had them, but I brought one too (I didn't use it, but my friend's DD10 did).

9) I believe your KTTW card will say 'Member' even though you are renting points. If it does, then yes, otherwise you might run into some problems. I've heard this can go either way, so maybe you'll get lucky.

Hope some of that helps.

[Galahad]

1. Yes, there are no slides, but #9, Yes you can pool hop on rented points.
2. I think the coffee pot in the studio is smaller, but I could be wrong. Definitly bring your own filters though.
3. No toaster...you can get one
5. Towels at pools are free

Can't remember about hair dryer, but I think they DO have them (the one bedrooms do...).

Hope this helps and that you'll get more responses.

[bigsis1970]

Thanks !!!! i am so excited !! never stayed in a home away from home , i feel so lucky ( thanks bill for renting points )
Michelle

[DisneyCrazy]

Michelle,

I don't know how much room you'll have in your luggage, but one thing to remember is there is no dinnerware in a studio - we packed a couple of plastic plates and bowls (they give you a few paper plates/bowls, but they are quickly gone) and some METAL silverware. The came in handy for breakfasts (cereal, toast, oatmeal, etc). As long as you don't mind hand washing them in the little 'bar' sink. To us this was much more convienient than paper (I don't like paper).

[bigsis1970]

Thanks Paul, probally would have never thought about things like that .. do you have any good directions on how to get back and Forth to the local Walmart -
last Dec we stayed at HIFS and i drove and could find my way back and forth to the walmart but oh my gosh i never could find my way back to the hotel from Disney !!!!! each time we came out some place different even tho we entered the same way every time it was so confusing getting back and we tired and cranky !!! Michelle

are there coffee cups in the room.. ???

[Firefighter Mickey]

The ability to pool hop is going to depend on whether your room key says DVC MEMBER or not. If the person you are renting points from informed MS that this was a rental, then there's a good chance your key will not say DVC MEMBER. Technically, people that rent are not eligible for the same perks that members get, but it all comes down to what your room key says.

If you are just after a grocery store, then...

As you are leaving OKW, take a right. Drive to the end of the road, take a right. At the first stoplight take a left (this should put you on hotel blvd - or whatever it's called). Stay on this road until you get to highway 535, then my suggestion would be to take a left. Go down 3 stop lights; just past the 3rd light there will be a Winn-Dixie on the right hand side.

Yes, there will be coffee cups in the studio.

[bigsis1970]

its Ok about the pool hoping , i thought if we went to the boardwalk the kids might want to try out the slide there.. i will see what my key card says and take it from there ..

thanks for the directions to winn-dixie..that will do.. i looked up the menu's at OKW and don't think my kids will like too much there... so i need to get some food for our room.. BUT i will take directions to Wal-mart if anyone has them.. See i can get to HIFS then i can get to Wally's and back to OKW its just getting out that gets me every time ... LOL ( and i am a brunette!! ) Michelle

[DisneyCrazy]

Michelle,

Can 't help with WalMart - never been there. Also, We usually do groceries at Publix. If you make the right at Downtown Disney, go to 535 and hang a right - then it's about 5 miles or so, right at the intersection with 192 (on the left). Very nice place.

Also, all women are blonde, some just have yellow hair (sorry my best friend is blonde and I'm used to picking on her!).

:p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p

[bigsis1970]

I too have lots of blonde friends and tell them the peroxide has gone straight to their brains ... LOL .. Hee Hee no offense intended to any blond ladies or gents out there.. i just can't find my way home from Disney !! Thanks
How about Directions to SEA World ??? boy you DVC's are nice knowledgeable people !! thanks Michelle

[Hilary]

We stayed at OKW last October in a Studio and had a hairdryer and a toaster.

[mickey7861]

Super Walmart is on 192 east bound from WDW.

[bigsis1970]

Does 192 have the marker numbers... Michelle

[MAC3]

Hey bigsis1970,

Anytime your going anywhere. The front desk can always give you directions to where you need to go. They'll help you.

Have a great time, I'm on a count down myself!

[bigsis1970]

yes i know.. but i am a complusive planner !!! When will you be there ? if its before me i will be interested in how you liked it and what your room was like.. and all the good stuff.. Michelle

[MAC3]

I don't blame you for planning. This assures you'll do the things you want to. We stayed at OKW last year as well. The Rooms are very large.
Not so sure about the studios we need 2 bdrms as we usually go with another family. I think what you have will do just fine with your family. I think it's great that you are already excited about it.
OKW is a great resort, I get a little (and I do mean very little) down that they don't have a slide to the pool. But it is definately a very cozy, charming place.
We go in late June/early July. Sorry we will miss you. I'm sure you & yours will have a blast! Just for the record 192 is clearly marked and very busy. There are tons of stores & eateries along that route.

Enjoy!

[ncligs]

bigsis1970,

I would reccomend staying close to the HH and Main pool. With 2 children it would be a short walk from bldgs 13 or 14. Map is below.......

http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/okwmap.jpg

[BillM]

Directions to Sea World. Go out past the gate at OKW and turn left. Turn left at the light. Follow the I-4 signs. Get on I-4 toward Orlando. Go 5 or 6 miles and look for the Sea World signs. It will be off to your right. Your kids will really enjoy and you will also.

[bigsis1970]

Thanks I have requested Non-smoking in buildings 11-17 or 62-64
I am looking forward to the Buffets off-site and Shopping !! and WE LOVE SEA WORLD >> this is a very close 2nd when we come to florida - Disney being #1 - and we love that the 2nd day is free too.. I think we will have a great time .. Just need to find a GREAT
rate for a deluxe for our last 2 night there. read as fingers crossed for an AP rate. Thanks again..Michelle

[bres@westernMA]

We were in an OKW studio a few weeks ago, there was a toaster, 10 cup coffee maker (used 4" filters), a hair dryer and iron.

[bigsis1970]

bres@westernMa -- did you bring your own filters and coffee or did they supply that ( either free or for a charge ) can i ask you where your room was and if you traveled with kids? also did you have a car?? Sorry for so many ? but Thanks .. Michelle

[PKK/MJK]

To get to the WalMart on 192--take Hotel Plaza Blvd. At the stoplight (with Crossroads straight in front of you) turn RIGHT onto 535. Follow this to route 192. Turn LEFT onto 192. Follow 192 for a while (don't know how far exactly)-and WalMart will be on your right. this may not be the most direct/fastest way but it isn't too confusing either. The Winn-Dixie is very nice though--much closer and far less traffic. 192 can be a real traffic nightmare.

[Dean]

192 does have mile markers. I don't recall the one for WM but I know it's past the 14 mile marker as we didn't get to it when we went to Medieval times in March. There is an easier and quicker way to get to the Publix, WM and the like on 192 than going to Crossroads and turning right on 535.

Exit OKW and turn left on Community Dr., at the light turn left on Bonnet Creek Pway, go to the second light and turn right on Buena Vista Drive, go under the overpass and take the on ramp for 536/Epcot Drive away from Epcot. Cross I-4 and go to 535 then turn right. 192 is maybe 2 miles with one of the Publix being on the left. To get to WM and Sam's, turn left on 192 and it's a few miles out for each. Seems Sams is first on the left then WM a little ways down on the right, I haven't been to the Sams so I'm not tatally sure on that one.

There is a new Publix being built that's even closer. It's on the left right after you turn onto International Drive behind the outlet mall and right on the corner of the road that goes from I drive to the outlets. To get there, I think you would go strait on 536 crossing 535 then turn left in about a quarter mile onto I drive. The publix will be maybe a mile or less on the left. For those of you thinking you should go to the other Publix to avoid the risk imposed by the outlets, there's another outlet set the other way so either way you're at risk, LOL.

OKW added hair dryers a year or 2 ago to be consistent with the other DVC resorts. I don't think a toaster is a staple but you can ask for one. As noted, there is no formal utensils. You will get paper plates and platic for four for one meal. Four coffe cups, four large and four small tumblers I believe is the allotment. Only a small sink, small fridge and a small microwave with no cooking dishes.

The free W/D are by the pools. Icemakers by the bus stops I believe.

[AnnK]

WAIT! OKW added hair dryers? Isn't that something that wasn't in the original offering? Howdid the get away with that?How did the members take it? Are they allowed to do that?:D






JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D :D :D :D :D :D

[Dean]

Originally posted by AnnK
WAIT! OKW added hair dryers? Isn't that something that wasn't in the original offering? Howdid the get away with that?How did the members take it? Are they allowed to do that?:D Ann, don't get too excited. At the same time they removed another item, I think it was the mixer. They've also taken away the nice placemats and bath curtains from OKW. You know what they say about they giveth and they taketh away.

[AnnK]

Ahhhhh yes Dean, and don't forget the Peach colored towels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!;)

[Dean]

Originally posted by AnnK
Ahhhhh yes Dean, and don't forget the Peach colored towels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!;) Sarcasm doesn't become you Ann.

[castleri]

Follow the directions to 192 and Midieval Times Dinner Show - Wal-Mart is just past it on the right.

[DaveH]

Hi Michelle, we stayed one nigh in a studio. Here is a link to a thread I posted awhile back with pics of a OKW studio. I hope this helps.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=158331

[ilovebwv]

bigsis1970,
I am not trying to start a DVC resort war but have you thought about staying at a BWV or VWL studio instead of a OKW studio? The locations are way more convenient for a single parent with children. You will not have to drive everywhere and you will have a pool with a slide for your children. If you will be at the Magic Kingdom a lot then VWL would be the closest but if Epcot and the studios are where you will be the most BWV is great. We mostly go to Disney as a family but since we live in FL and I am a SAHM, I sometimes go to Disney a few days before DH and I always try to get a villa at either BWV or VWL because it is so much easier for me with the children. If my DSs want something to eat we just go down to the food court at WL or to the boardwalk and when we are at BWV we walk to Epcot and the studios and when we are at VWL we take the boat to MK. It makes it so nice to have 1or 2 parks and a lot of places to eat at that we can walk or take a boat to. Just a thought.

[Dean]

I'm an OKW owner and I would agree that BW might be better for this situation.

[Firefighter Mickey]

Just to offer a counterpoint.....

Given the rental time period (first week of December), I expect you might be hard pressed to get the reservation moved to BWV since the points are apparently owned at OKW and we're dealing with not only it being a very busy week at DVC resorts, but a 7 month booking window.

Also, assuming the rental at $10/point, I'm not sure that the extra $160 for BWV is really worth it, assuming the additional points are even available for rent. Another consideration are the generously sized studios at OKW - and having two teen children, sometimes the extra space is nice to have.

While reports about OKW buses are sometimes mixed, the general theme seems to be that the bus transportation is fine.

I really wouldn't start second guessing your plans at this point. You'll do fine at OKW.

[bigsis1970]

first Thanks DaveH - that was a great thread and great photos !

ilovebwv- its the points.. OKW was the least and i chose it for that reason.. we actually won't be doing parks every day as our AP runs out on 12/03 ! so we will be relaxing our last day/night there and then moving to either AKL or PO-R but thanks for the Advice.. i will keep it in mind for our next trip cause there Will always be a Next Time !!! :D

Firefighter Mickey - i am not second guessing i think we will be just fine and dandy as you said. thanks..

Michelle