OKW Room Request - help!

[mmtravel]

Headed out 3 weeks from today for our first stay at OKW - we are AKV owners but trying some new places this year.

I've read so many different things about room requests and what's good/bad. We did not get HH category, but we do want to be pretty close to the main pool and HH area to use the pool, HH activities, game room, etc. We'd like a pretty view, and not too close to the road or bus turnaround.

What I've seen includes: avoid 19-22, 38, 39, 41, 42, and 49-51. 62, 63 and 64 have the only elevators but are usually reserved for handicapped access. 23, 24, 25, 26 and 11, 12, 13, 14 are the HH category but out of the question. Beyond that, which buildings are good? It looks like 27, 28, 15, 16, 17, and 18 all kind of fit the bill. What's the best way to request these? Is that even possible?

And, if you are out on the other side, how long a walk is it really to the HH? I'm not holding out hope we get what we want...but it's good to hope!

Thanks!

 

[MinnieVanMom]

We usually request to be on the Miller road but not overlooking the pool or at the bus turn out.

It is a short walk to the HH and pool, also there is a dirt path to POFQ that we take to get those lovely fried bread with powdered sugar things. It is about a 10 minute walk and not a public area but we saw it on google maps and have used it many times.

 

[Chuck S]

If you want to be close to the HH, but have not booked it as a booking option, 15, 16, 27, 28 & 29 would be your closest buildings. (and the 60s buildings, of course, but as yo said, they often try to hold those building for mobility issues)

27 to 29 don't have the best views from the balcony, but do have a nice canal view from the front of the units. Still those are my personal least favorite buildings. But there is nothing physically "wrong" with them.

Remember, though, that no matter where you are located at OKW, you can hop on any bus to take you to the HH area, it is the last stop on the route inside the resort.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Headed out 3 weeks from today for our first stay at OKW - we are AKV owners but trying some new places this year.

I've read so many different things about room requests and what's good/bad. We did not get HH category, but we do want to be pretty close to the main pool and HH area to use the pool, HH activities, game room, etc. We'd like a pretty view, and not too close to the road or bus turnaround.

What I've seen includes: avoid 19-22, 38, 39, 41, 42, and 49-51. 62, 63 and 64 have the only elevators but are usually reserved for handicapped access. 23, 24, 25, 26 and 11, 12, 13, 14 are the HH category but out of the question. Beyond that, which buildings are good? It looks like 27, 28, 15, 16, 17, and 18 all kind of fit the bill. What's the best way to request these? Is that even possible?

And, if you are out on the other side, how long a walk is it really to the HH? I'm not holding out hope we get what we want...but it's good to hope!

Thanks!

I think the WORST building at OKW is building 29...Noise, too close to the road, and no view at all. The best buildings IMHO are 45 & 46 for canal view and easy walking to HH. These are followed closely by 15 for GV's, and most of the Miller's Road buildings for views and access to HH. Just remember that if you have someone using the living room as a bedroom, you will want to be in buildings 30 and higher to have the access to the bathroom without going through the master.

 

[jimmytammy]

We prefer Turtle Pond area, but we have our van with us, so transport isnt an issue. We have stayed near Millers Pond in the 60s bldgs and it isnt much of a hike from that area to HH. What you may find is the preference of quiet pool in MP area over the main pool, but thats just me.

 

[mmtravel]

Thanks everybody - I realize I didn't give enough details. We are: me, DH and DS10 who loves the action of the main pool, HH and game room (though we'll use a quiet pool, too). We are in a studio (with 3 of us, it's the most cost-efficient use of points), and are renting a car. I also do laundry regularly throughout the week (in the laundry room) to save on packing (though proximity to a laundry room is least important). Sounds like Miller's Road/Miller's Pond buildings are our best option for a request. 45 and 46 look like they're in a great spot but might be too isolated from the action to be ideal for us.

Question: is building 15 only GVs?

 

[Chuck S]

Thanks everybody - I realize I didn't give enough details. We are: me, DH and DS10 who loves the action of the main pool, HH and game room (though we'll use a quiet pool, too). We are in a studio (with 3 of us, it's the most cost-efficient use of points), and are renting a car. I also do laundry regularly throughout the week (in the laundry room) to save on packing (though proximity to a laundry room is least important). Sounds like Miller's Road/Miller's Pond buildings are our best option for a request. 45 and 46 look like they're in a great spot but might be too isolated from the action to be ideal for us.

Question: is building 15 only GVs?

No, all OKW buildings have Studios, 1 & 2 bedrooms, not all of them have GVs.
And as long as you have a car, I wouldn't rule out any OKW area as too isolated. Even the furthest building (50) from the hospitality area is a 10 to 15 minute walk from HH. Roughly 1/2 a mile, or to put it in Disney-speak, 1/2 the distance of a walk around World Showcase.

Last trip I was in Bldg 35 and walked to/from HH at least once per day.

 

[mmtravel]

Funny story- the whole family was up early and I pulled out the map, and this post , and we also pulled up Google Earth. I told DH and DS what I'd learned and asked them to highlight which buildings looked good to them, knowing we would ultimately get what we get. DH did some analyzing based on Google Earth (even found the secret POR path, thanks!) looking at roads, this post etc., and picked 16, 17, 18, 27, or 28. DS10 looked at the map and immediately highlighted just one building: 41. Why? Turtle Shack Snack Bar, Arcade and quiet pool are all nearby. Looks like it's not too far from a bus, and also near laundry and playground. So even though people complain it's too close to the road, I guess even the "bad" buildings have advantages.

Thank you all for the great tips! No matter where we end up, we'll be on vacation!

 

[DebbieB]

My favorite rooms that I've stayed in are 31, 37 & 43. Hated 28, the balcony had no view, trees very close which made the room dark.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks everybody - I realize I didn't give enough details. We are: me, DH and DS10 who loves the action of the main pool, HH and game room (though we'll use a quiet pool, too). We are in a studio (with 3 of us, it's the most cost-efficient use of points), and are renting a car. I also do laundry regularly throughout the week (in the laundry room) to save on packing (though proximity to a laundry room is least important). Sounds like Miller's Road/Miller's Pond buildings are our best option for a request. 45 and 46 look like they're in a great spot but might be too isolated from the action to be ideal for us.

Question: is building 15 only GVs?

Building 15 is also in the Miller's Road group, and there are two GVs there, but also 1 bedrooms and studios. I would just warn that you might be UNDER the GV, and that would not be good. It's very noisy under those hardwood floors of the GV.

Buildings 45 and 46 are about a 5 minute walk from the main pool area. I love those buildings, and we have never considered them to be far from the main area.

 

[nannette]

Hi Everyone!

I will be staying in a studio HH for 2 nights in July. Having never stayed at OKW and only going there once for breakfast at Olivia's... I have no idea what to expect or if there is something I should be requesting ?? Any and all advice is welcome

TIA
~Nannette

 

[Chuck S]

My only suggestion would be if you are going to have a car, request to be on Peninsular Road. The parking is better. The parking for bldgs 11 to 14 can become congested occasionally with people wanting to park there for Olivia's or to use the boat, etc.

One of the "secrets" of OKW is that there is a small sauna built into the base of the lighthouse.

 

[nannette]

My only suggestion would be if you are going to have a car, request to be on Peninsular Road. The parking is better. The parking for bldgs 11 to 14 can become congested occasionally with people wanting to park there for Olivia's or to use the boat, etc.

One of the "secrets" of OKW is that there is a small sauna built into the base of the lighthouse.

Thanks Chuck! I will not have a car... I just spent about an hour reading the I love OKW thread and learned a lot there! I will be checking out the sauna while I'm there.. though Florida is it's own sauna in July!! I think I'll just ask for bldgs 11-14 and see what happens!

Thanks again!

~Nannette

 

[spiceycat]

would go with 18 - it has some nice views is close to the bus stop and a pool - that say no arcade or quick service (both are at Old Turtle Pond)

it does have a play area and laundry mat and bbq grills - all the pools at OKW have these.

 

[dianeschlicht]

would go with 18 - it has some nice views is close to the bus stop and a pool - that say no arcade or quick service (both are at Old Turtle Pond)

it does have a play area and laundry mat and bbq grills - all the pools at OKW have these.

I agree with Pat. LOVE that location.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I'm confused. I have a studio booked and there is an option to submit a request for an area near HH when I go to online check in. Would this not be the same?

 

[utahkennedys]

We usually request to be on the Miller road but not overlooking the pool or at the bus turn out.

It is a short walk to the HH and pool, also there is a dirt path to POFQ that we take to get those lovely fried bread with powdered sugar things. It is about a 10 minute walk and not a public area but we saw it on google maps and have used it many times.

I would love to know where this path starts!!

 

[Chuck S]

I'm confused. I have a studio booked and there is an option to submit a request for an area near HH when I go to online check in. Would this not be the same?

They made "Near HH" an actual booking category a few years ago . As far as the online check-in request, it would probably mean they will try to place you in some building that are still somewhat close to HH, but are not considered part of that specific booking category.

 

[mmtravel]

By luck of the draw, we wound up in building 39 - we were supposed to be in 35, but 39 was available right away when we checked in at 11am so we decided to take it. Not much of a view, and very close to the road, so if you need it super quiet, it's not a good building. We loved the location in Turtle Pond and spent some great time at the pool there, despite the cool weather.

Loved the resort, loved Olivia's, loved the whole vibe and the room (even our little studio was great). We also spent good quality time in the HH playing pool, doing a shark's tooth necklace, renting DVDs, and just generally hanging out. We were there during the crazy storm that hit on Sunday when we arrived and everyone came running in from the pool. What a way to start the vacation!

Thank you all for your tips! We were very glad we'd rented a car but did use the transportation for our MK/AK day and were glad we did.

 

[luvsvacations]

I was wondering - do the quiet pools have hot tubs ??