1st time at OKW. - What should we expect

[netgloria]

This is our 1st trip to OKW June 14-18 Star Wars Weekends. Our home resort is BWV. What are the best features of OKW.. Me and My DH and DS5 will be in a studio. Anything we should know about the resort that will make the trip more enjoyable will be appreciated.. THanks..

 

[Deb & Bill]

No sleeper sofa in the OKW studio. You'll get two real queen sized beds.

No long hikes down the narrow hallway since OKW is set up like a community with multiple buildings. And no long hike out to your car since you'll park right outside your villa. But most buildings don't have elevators - only Bldg 62, 63 and 64. Buildings are usually three stories tall.

Multiple bus stops for OKW - one for each section. If you want to take a bus over to the hospitality house, hop any bus because it will make its last stop at the hospitality house before leaving the resort. The internal bus (usually DTD and TL bus) usually stops at the HH first before going anywhere else.

There is lots to do at the Community Hall. Check it out.

The bathroom is so much bigger at OKW in the studio v the studio bathrooms at the other resorts.

Each section has its own pool, so you can use them or the themed pool with the slide near the hospitality house.

 

[Anthony1971]

No long hikes down the narrow hallway .

[/QUOTE]


Now that is not nice....
As these also serve as a shield against the Attack Birds so they do have a purpose

 

[kespo]

A nice,quiet, relaxed resort. We love it there. You can take a boat ride to DTD or walk the path which goes through SSR then to DTD. It's a ong walk! We love the quiet pools at OKW. Have fun!

 

[las3888]

We don't own at OKW either, but we finally decided to try it about 2 1/2 years ago. We really enjoy it now. It is probably DH's favorite resort. I still like the convenience and ambience at BWV better, but I really enjoy OKW. I have never stayed in a studio before, so I'm not sure if the rooms are bigger, but the 1BRs and MUCH bigger at OKW than all the other DVC resorts.

I remember feeling a little remorse during our first trip at OKW at not being by the boardwalk. It took a while to grow on me, so don't expect miracles your first trip. It may be your 2nd trip that you probably enjoy more, seeing as it will feel more like 'going home.'

I try not to get too hung up on room requests because the views really are beautiful everywhere you go.

I really enjoy parking right in front of our unit and walking right in.

It has a very quiet and 'away from it all feeling.'

We enjoyed the boat ride to DTD, but be sure to time it right as the boat only leaves 2 times/hour from what I recall.

We have never stayed near the hospitality house - we enjoy the use of the quiet pools (our DS is too young to know what he is missing at the main pool).

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Another BIG plus is the huge balcony where everyone can sit around the table and have a meal, drink, talk, whatever.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Another BIG plus is the huge balcony where everyone can sit around the table and have a meal, drink, talk, whatever.

They'll be in a studio, so no big balcony for them.

 

[Pixie Power!]

Are there any hidden firework viewing points anywhere within this resort?

Thanks

PP

 

[spiceycat]

No long hikes down the narrow hallway .

Now that is not nice....
As these also serve as a shield against the Attack Birds so they do have a purpose

There is a Eagle as well a few hawks in the area now. So the birds have become a little more carefully.

of course I want to see what Disney does one day when the little kids see a hawk or falcon tear their prey apart..... So far they are taking their food back to their nest first.

 

[spiceycat]

Are there any hidden firework viewing points anywhere within this resort?

Thanks

PP

yes, you can see the MK from 14 on the 3rd floor, also in building 23 you can

see both MK and Epcot (I think).

there are a couple more places.

 

[Pixie Power!]

yes, you can see the MK from 14 on the 3rd floor, also in building 23 you can

see both MK and Epcot (I think).

there are a couple more places.

Excellent info, thank you. I need to call and put a request in I think

PP

 

[schewy]

i have stayed at OKW several times and my family prefers staying near the main pool (building 14). It is right across the road from the main pool (castle) but it is quiet enough so you dont hear the noise. Also there is a bus stop in front of the building

 

[Music Mom]

My family loves Old Key West because of the peaceful atmosphere. We like it even more than the Poly because of the atmosphere. You will love the spaciousness of the studio and will really feel like you're in your own vacation home!

 

[jdvm]

Beg, borrow, rent or pay for a one bedroom...get some candles and a bottle of champagne, fire up the jacuzzi and you'll never want to go home.
J

 

[Dusted]

Hello! I'm getting so nervous and excited. You all know what I'm talking about. Did I plan enough? Did I plan too much? Why didn't I start this months ago? Wait. I did.


How are the views from 14? I requested close to HH today, and will probably ask for this building upon check in because of its proximity to the main stuff. I really don't want a view of the road or parking lot though...

What are the choices?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Building 14 is a strange shaped building. It is one of only 4 buildings that are built in a "U" pattern. Because one whole wing of it will back up to the entrance driveway, there is a possibility of a road view from your unit. If you happen to get the other leg of the "U" or the bottom part, your view will be of a pond on the golf course and trees. We were in that back side of the building a couple trips ago, and really enjoyed the location. I have heard folks facing the entrance road make not so nice comments though. The good thing is that even if you face the entrance drive, you will also have lots of tees and vegetation shielding you from it a bit. We also really liked building 13. It has a view of that same pond and also one of the fairways.

 

[castleri]

We had one of those road views in 14 ( 2nd floor 2BR on end of building closest to parking lot) and since all the buses stop at the guard gate on the way in and out of the resort we could hear them all each time they went through while we were on the balcony. It was however very quiet with all the doors closed. We were in that unit during hurricane Jeanne and hardly heard any noise even though the wind was blowing the bamboo so hard it was almost horizontal. It did entertain the small child we had with us because he could watch all the buses coming and going and he was really into buses that year. It was one of my least favorite villas but if it was that or no stay at OKW I would take it in a heartbeat.

 

[netgloria]

Alot of great info .. Thank you very much.. This will be one of 3 trips this year went in Feb. and going in Oct. for Halloween.. so a studio is all we can stretch the points for. It will be nice just to have the 2 real beds..

 

[plamp]

I would just add make sure to eat at Olivias. Its one of our favorite Disney restaurants.

 

[byoung]

A great vacation.