A drastic change in plans..Tell me about OKW!!!

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Ok, our "big" trip scheduled for 11/27/-12/07 haad to be canceled last month due to work conflicts for DH. We were originally scheduled in a 1 b/r suite at AKL for 5 nites and 5 nites at the new JW Marriott. Well, it seems he can get away 11/15-23 so we are now at OKW in a 1 b/r (FABULOUS RATE) but I know nothing about this resort, so do tell all you know. I must admit I am a little disappointed with the change, but the AKL room was not available and I really love to see the Christmas decorations which we will now miss But at least we are getting to go. And DH promised a return in May for the AKL.


Laura

 

[amee]

I think you will really love OKW. We are DVC owners there and think it is tops....the 1-BR are enormous and the theme is so nicely done! We were there in time for holiday decorations last year......it was all beautiful...but actually i think the all the resorts have something neat to offer. We like being near the main hospitality center which i think is building 11-14.......one of the features of OKW i really appreciate is being able to park essentially in front of your "home"...if you do have a car it just makes life simple. If you are staying there having "rented" points, you can also get free valet parking at any of the DVC resorts. You can also pool hop(certain time periods excepted) to all but SAB.....sort of a nice feature too. I think that is only an option when renting points.

Olivia's is a nice spot for breakfast and has a terrific staff.......we have never eaten dinner there....always to entrenched somewhere else!

Hope that helps!

Enjoy your trip....we leave in 7 days!

Amee

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

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[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Originally posted by amee
If you are staying there having "rented" points, you can also get free valet parking at any of the DVC resorts. You can also pool hop(certain time periods excepted) to all but SAB.....sort of a nice feature too. I think that is only an option when renting points.Amee

Amee, we did rent points, so it's good to know that about valet parking. Do they give us some ID when checking in? Also good to know about the pools! I had no idea.

Thanks, and you have fun too!!


Laura

 

[amee]

I am trying to remember now, but i think when you rent points you will get a "resort id" that says, DVC on it.......you simply show that or jsut tell the valet people. occasionally, a CM will not know about the parking perk.....but it is true.....so use it if you need it! It is best to call ahead to make sure "pool hopping" is available at the time you are there.

Have Fun!

Amee

 

[webray]

OKW is excellent, you are going to love it. We would stay there again in a heartbeat...and hubby and I only had a studio.

 

[magicmouse2]

We rented points for our OKW 2 bed villa and got excellent value. The rooms are luxurious and spacious IMHO better than the rooms at the Grand Floridian. The balconies are HUGE and it is great having breakfast there whilst watching the golfers, or fountains in the lakes. The appliances are brand new- cooker, dishwasher, washer dryer..... I was v. impressed. There are Mickey shaped cut outs on the fencing round the villas. The interior of the vilas was immaculately clean, but I did not find any hidden Mickeys. The whole feeling of the resort is sooooo laid back, it is unbelievable. The constant soundtrack round the main area of the hospitality house is so cool, "Cheeseburger in Paradise, Yellow Bird etc....."You really think you are in the 'Keys'.
Rooms are the most spacious of any DVC resort.
Omly thing lacking is a decent pair of curtains in the room and a pool slide. I love OKW

 

[ariel5884]

Hey there fellow dis's. These boards are so helpful, I love them! We are staying in okw studio in december, do the studios have a kitchen, stovetop to cook breakfast? Toaster, microwave, and how big is the refrigerator? Thanks!

 

[zulaya]

Pool hopping is a DVC MEMBER privilege. Just because you are staying at a DVC resort doesn't mean you have pool hopping privileges. DVC members are asked to join their member ID not necessarily their resort ID. Just want to forewarn you so you could avoid any potential awkwardness if you are turned away. Same goes for valet parking. Some attendants may not ask for the member ID, but some do.

 

[SueM in MN]

here's a link to the DIS page about OKW.

Originally posted by amee
If you are staying there having "rented" points, you can also get free valet parking at any of the DVC resorts. You can also pool hop(certain time periods excepted) to all but SAB.....sort of a nice feature too. I think that is only an option when renting points.Amee

Actually, those are perks for DVC owners staying on points; according to what I have read, they are not a perk for people who are renting points from a member.
Pool hopping is not allowed at any time at SAB or a AKL. The written pool hopping guidelines that were in the last DVC member newsletter indicated members are expected to call before going to another resort to pool hop to make sure it is not at capacity. Also, there is no pool hopping allowed from Nov 4-30, 2003 and December 20, 2003 thru Jan 3, 2004 because they are expecting the resorts to have high occupancy.

The studios have an undercounter refrigerator, a microwave and a sink. You can request a toaster if you'r like.

 

[amee]

I am not an expert on the rules for lany of the DVC perks, however, i do no that prior to buying into DVC we rented points several times and were able to pool hop and use valet parking as per the CM at check-in. Also, folks we have rented our points to have always had those privledges as well..... Perhaps that has changed.............it might be worth checking out the DVC page. There really are some experts there that would no the bottom line.

I was negligent in mentioning that you cannot pool hop at AKL ever.....

Thanks for printing the dates that pool hopping is not allowed.......

Amee

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

.............you will love OKW!

Our last stay there was a 2BR in July of this year. (We have stayed there about 11 times)

The transportation, serenity, service, while not losing the Disney "Feel", have always been superb!

We were in building 14 and the location was perfect. Close to the HH, bus stop, and main pool.

Have Fun!

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Here is another link with OKW pictures for you below.

http://www.wdwig.com/g_okw.htm

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

OKW is wonderful! You are going to love it!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Also, folks we have rented our points to have always had those privledges as well.....
Perhaps that has changed.............it might be worth checking out the DVC page.

We've been DVC members for 10 years and the member benefits (like pool hopping) have always been for members staying on points. Since the room key does say DVC Member, people who rented points can sometimes get the benefits even though they are not supposed to. But, DVC can and do sometimes ask for a member ID card too, as zulaya mentioned. just to be warned.

Quote from DVC member Guidebook:
Unless otherwise indicated, the member benefits described in this Guidebook are available to owners with recorded ownership interests
("DVC Members," or singularly a “DVC Member”)...
The member benefits described in this Guidebook are made available by DVD as a courtesy to DVC Members, and, in some cases, their
guests who have paid no compensation to the DVC Members ("Guests," or singularly a “Guest”).
(my italics)