A few of my favorite things -- OKW version!

[keenercam]

WARNING -- EXTREMELY LONG!! SORRY!
As I posted on another thread, we stayed at OKW last week for the first time. While I am a little concerned about too many others falling in love with OKW and thereby making it more difficult for us to get future accommodations, I still feel compelled to share just a few of our favorite things:
1. The resort is beautiful! The color scheme, the theming, the gorgeous trees and flowers, the layout of the buildings.
2. The units are huge and exquisitely appointed. The colors are beautiful and there is so much storage in the dining room and kitchen areas.
3. We had brand new appliances -- I LOVE the ceramic cooktop and the new fridge and all of the fabulous new cookware!
4. Mousekeeping was so great on T&T day, leaving us new laundry and dish detergent, tp, tissues, paper towels, dish towels, soaps and shampoo, trash bags, towels, etc. Terrific!!!
5. The bike paths/walking paths are beautiful -- DD15 and DS10 went bike riding the first day and every day thereafter that we were at the resort for any bit of time. DD insisted on taking her dad on a walk around the resort to show him how pretty it was and the very next day told me we needed quality mom/daughter walking time on the beautiful bike paths -- I am so blessed!
6. Trumbo Ferry -- WOW!!! How convenient and what a leisurely experience.
7. Pools -- main pool was really nice (though I don't know where there is room for a slide?) and the other pools were peaceful and perfectly situated for those villas. There were plenty of loungers and a great playground nearby for the little ones.
8. Bus service -- very close to our villa and never waited 10 minutes for a bus. Similarly, coming back from the parks and from DTD (even at 12:30 a.m.) was fast and easy -- loved that OKW's bus stop was so close to the parks
9. Olivia's -- didn't get to eat there this time but DH and I dropped in for dinner in July -- the food and atmosphere are wonderful!!
10. CMs were THE BEST!!!!! We got a "welcome home" pretty much every time we came through the gate and from everyone at the front desk. The day we were leaving our daughter couldn't find the key to her bike chain (we brought their bikes with us). We called guest services and within 10 minutes someone was there with bolt cutters to cut the chain. I gave that CM a nice "thank you" tip, but can't tell you how good it was not to have to wait around, delaying our departure, until someone got around to helping us. They could easily have referred us to some other phone number, but instead said "we'll send someone right over to assist you."
11. Similarly, we had a car issue and guest services was so helpful. They hooked us up with the car care center, which referred us to an auto glass place in Kissimee. When we called there, the person there was so helpful and after we hung up, our phone rang right back and that auto glass employee was calling my husband back to offer a cheaper, quicker alternative to major, potentially costly and time-consuming repair work right then. Amazing. I think that auto glass place was even more helpful than they might have been just because we said we were referred by disney. But, then again, I truly believe in the "magic".

Well, sorry so long, but really had to share!!! I'll be glad to answer any questions.


OOPS!! Forgot another thing. The WILD life at OKW. I don't mean "wild"!!! I mean "wildlife" -- birds, bunnies, turtles. WOW!! The kids even got such a great kick out of this. The bunnies would walk right across your path! One day the kids said "let's just sit on the balcony and count all the different birds we see". DD brought me the camera and insisted on pix. Great stuff!!

 

[PamOKW]

What a nice write-up! Sounds like you appreciated how OKW can give you a very different vacation at WDW. I'd love to take a walk with you and your daughter some day! Isn't it relaxing to just drink in how pretty the place is?

Your thoughts about terrific things at OKW makes me think of something I used to love. If you were up early enough -- shortly after sunrise, you'd often see hot air balloons drifting over the horizon by the pool. It was an awesome sight. My units in recent visits haven't faced this direction and I never hear anyone mentioning seeing the balloons. I'm curious whether anyone has seen these lately and/or whether anyone knows if these trips have been discontinued? They weren't run by Disney but by some outside company.

 

[Ksp]

Balloons?

 

[keenercam]

Pam-- I didn't see any hot air balloons, though outside the resort we saw a LOT of sightseeing helicopters -- fortunately, none over OKW!
Jenn and I would love to have you join us on a walk, though I have to warn you she is tireless! Just let her stop at every bus stop's ice machine for a few pieces to munch on and to look at those fabulous coke machines with the castle and fireworks and she will be fine!
Oh, did I mention how much I love the bus stops with their ice machines and coke machines with the castle and fireworks? Guess that is number 12!

 

[dianeschlicht]

No, Pam, the only time I have seen balloons is when we stayed at WL. The Mickey one and Smokey the Bear ones were out.

I love the sunrise and sunset views at some of the OKW buildings. I have always gotten pictures of these every trip! The Miller's Road area is espeically nice for those!

I too love the appointments of the rooms, and the lush vegetation. One thing you did not mention that we always enjoy, is the wildlife. There are always a lot of birds, bunnies, fish, and geckos to see.

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by keenercam
Oh, did I mention how much I love the bus stops with their ice machines and coke machines with the castle and fireworks? Guess that is number 12!

LOL!! Uh oh. You do have it bad.

I kind of think the hot air balloons are a thing of the past. I've always wondered why no one has mentioned them in recent years. It truly was a beautiful sight. Just about every morning there would be 2-3 balloons floating along (this was probably 1994-1997).

 

[spiceycat]

Yes we use to see the ballons - they would take off at the Cont - but it has been years since this has happen.

might be 9/11 - but I would think they would stop planes too and by the pictures on the internet that is still happening.

what I love about OKW

the relaxed and very laid back atmosphere.

being able to swim in a pool that at times is empty except for you and your family (use to happen even more often.....) this is not the main pool and once the main pool has got the slide this will probably end.....

feeling more "at home" - this is home in many ways.

my entire family seems to love this resort - it is part of Disney and yet it is not.

the wildlife is great - so are the CM - best on WDW property (my opinion) - this is just a lovely place.

I have called them (Cm) for all kinds of help and they have responded nobility....

 

[JudithM]

Thank you for sharing a few of your favorite thngs regarding OKW! We've been members for over 10 years & still truly enjoy every stay at OKW!

 

[Chuck S]

I think PamOKW may be referring to the hot air balloons that outside companies would use for scenic rides. Mom & I did that once in 1993, I think. It was expensive, but well worth it. I got the contact info from one of those Orlando tourist books from the Convention & Visitors bureau.

I haven't seen any balloons near Disney lately. Maybe it is a "security" thing?

I agree, OKW has absolutely the BEST CMs at WDW, and many have been there since the resort opened. They really are "family" and when we pass through the gate we really are "home".

 

[Cinderelli]

Like SpiceyCat said - it just feels like home. We have stayed at all resorts (except BCV) and love them all, however, none feels like "home" like OKW.

We just returned from our springbreak trip to BWVs and while driving by OKW one evening, we had a real yearning to be pulling thru the gate and up to our villa.

I especially like to grill out while there. We've never used the grills at the other resorts, but there's never a grill far from any unit and that's become part of our tradition while staying there. We have an afternoon of grillin & swimmin every time we stay there. What a nice relaxing break from the parks.

Lissa

 

[OKW91]

We have been members at OKW for a long time and I agree with all you are saying, it's a GREAT resort!! Speaking of wildlife no one mentioned the little green frogs! We came back one night, and one was sitting on the light outside our unit, we had to open & close the door quickly, it looked like it was waiting to come inside!

 

[Ksp]

We actually had a bunny that wanted to visit on our porch - we had a first floor room.

 

[brownsoup]

I would have to say canal watching rates well as a favorite thing at OKW!