A few OKW studio questions

[DVC Jen]

Are all of the studios in the varies building the same or are some larger/smaller/better set up?

I have seen several comments about loving the studios in a certain room.

Also what are the bed sizes? I know there are 2 beds versus the 1 bed/sleep sofa combo of the other resort studios. Are the beds doubles or queens?

Thanks

 

[dianeschlicht]

All OKW studios are the same, because they are all lock offs from a 2 bedroom unit. All studios at OKW have 2 QUEEN beds in them.

 

[DVC Jen]

thanks so much. The queen bed info is awesome.. important for my 6ft 3 in hubby.

We are looking to stay there next June. We would like to be close to the main buildings/pool what building\s would someone suggest we request?

Also.. one more. From the limited research I have done on the resort.. it seems like there may be more organized activities or things to do versus the other resorts. I am talking about crafts and things like that. It almost seemed to be on par with Vero. Is this correct? We will be there for 10 nights and I know we will not be anything even close to commando. So we will actually be enjoying the resort and all it has to offer.

 

[spiceycat]

hi Jen, long time....

anyway the building closest to HH (Hospitality House) are building 11 thru 14, also the newest building 62-64. the only ones with a elevator are 62-64...

23-26 are not too far either.

however that say - this area seems the most traffic... I like South Pointe - building 55 much better!!!

or down further along Miller Road - building 18.

you can ask for water, golf or woods view
also near the HH, bus stop or pool.

OKW has some GREAT water views....

studios on the first floor either are handicapped or near the air conditioning units or have bad views because the shurbs, bushes are overgrowth (for privacy)

I prefer the 2nd floor for the views.

remember you get 2 queen beds - so no sitting on the couch to watch TV like at VWL.... no room service....

here is a map
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=10430&sort=1&cat=545&page=1

here are some pictures
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=545

 

[DVC Jen]

Hi Pat! How are ya?

Thanks for the info. I am not too worried about not having the couch to sit on. My girls would always sleep on it so it was pulled out most of the time. They are going to be much happier with the bed.

Room service isn't a biggie either. We have never used it at WDW.. too many great places to eat and things to do and see.

If we get a 2nd floor room and the building does not have an elevator how much of a pain is it to lug suitcases up? I still have not learned how to pack light. Especially with two teenaged daughters.

Also where are the laundry rooms at OKW? Am I correct in assuming each building has one?

 

[byoung]

Stayed in building 14 (studio) though it was great.

 

[lizziepooh]

There are laundry facilities near each pool at OKW. It is a pain to haul luggage up the steps, but we enjoy the second floor units. You could have bell services haul your luggage up if it is a problem. We haven't gotten a 3rd floor unit yet. Enjoy your stay.

 

[spiceycat]

lizzie answer your questions.

but another important reason to be closer to a pool (any pool) than the main pool - which you can't be that close to because of HH.... to do the laundry!!!

your kids or you can go swimming while the laundry is being done.... love it!

you can walk over to DD (from building 55) - take the boat (near the HH) or take a bus.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I wouldn't worry too much about being close to HH and the main pool. All units are accessible to the HH area quickly by taking ANY bus. ALL buses stop at HH last, so you would just hope off the bus, and be there. Of course, you can also walk, and even from building 55 to the front is only about a 10 minute walk. I dare say the halls at BWV can take THAT long! ( to Richyams) I think you might be best off being near any pool for ease of laundry facilities, and bus it to the main pool. If you plan to eat at Olivias every meal, then you might want to be closer, but that might be the only reason.

 

[Lulu's Mom]

I hate to highjack this thread but I have a question about the bus service. I have heard that it is limited during parts of the day, can anyone let me know if this is true and what is meant by limited? (Do the busses only run to sertain parks at certain times, or no busses run for a period of time)

Thanks

 

[spiceycat]

during lunch time all the WDW resorts bus are limited.... not just OKW - but OKW is probably the worst.

most of the time a bus will be along to the park that you want every 15 minutes if that long (generally under 10 min).

at lunch this can be 40 minutes to an hour. but hey the poor bus drivers need to eat lunch too....

WDW doesn't allow their night driver a dinner (supper) break....so at night this is not a problem. (well the bus drivers might disagree)

 

[Lulu's Mom]

Thank you. That is reasonable. I just remeber hearing that it was only limited at OKW thats why I wondered if it was something else. Thanks so much again.

 

[NoNotMe]

How steep are the stairs at Old Key West? I had (botched) knee surgery 2 years ago and while I can walk up stairs with limited pain I really have trouble walking down stairs. My DD suggested a cane for stairs but I don't want to give in. From what I have read most of the first floor units are handicapped accessable, which I don't feel I need and I wouldn't want someone who needs one to go without. So do I ask for second floor and tough it out or whimp and ask for first floor?

 

[spiceycat]

the stairs were designed for the elderly - so they aren't too bad - however - why take a chance....

although I preferred the second floor and up for views. Mother can't do the steps. So we stay on the first floor.

there are non-handicapped studios on the first floor - but the views aren't that great - generally overgrow because of privacy issues - or near the air conditioner units.... but they do have them...

I won't take a chance. Either ask for first floor or one of the building with an elevator - make it a medical reason (which it is).

the different in a non-handicapped and handicapped - the tub - there is no tub in a handicapped studio - only a walk in shower with a curtain (so water can escape and be a bigger problem because you could slide). the toilets are higher. less cabinet space - so the wheelchair can get in.

hope you enjoy OKW!!!!!

 

[Doctor P]

during lunch time all the WDW resorts bus are limited.... not just OKW - but OKW is probably the worst.

most of the time a bus will be along to the park that you want every 15 minutes if that long (generally under 10 min).

at lunch this can be 40 minutes to an hour. but hey the poor bus drivers need to eat lunch too....

WDW doesn't allow their night driver a dinner (supper) break....so at night this is not a problem. (well the bus drivers might disagree)

This may have used to have been the case, but on our last few trips to WDW, the bus service has worked differently (at the theme parks and at DD). They will scrounge up a bus to take you where you want to go. At the resort itself, we have had a similar experience if you wait at HH. They will generally find a bus for you fairly quickly as long as they know where you need to go. But patience is definitely a virtue.

 

[spiceycat]

This may have used to have been the case, but on our last few trips to WDW, the bus service has worked differently (at the theme parks and at DD). They will scrounge up a bus to take you where you want to go. At the resort itself, we have had a similar experience if you wait at HH. They will generally find a bus for you fairly quickly as long as they know where you need to go. But patience is definitely a virtue.

hey I am for a new system with less waiting time....

thanks!!!

 

[Doctor P]

hey I am for a new system with less waiting time....

thanks!!!

I agree, Pat. I had read that they tried to do this, but I was really skeptical until we experienced at least six different times where we were approached and asked where we wanted to go either by a bus driver or by one of the transportation monitors after we had waited ten minutes or so. We were on a bus to our destination within five minutes in every case, sometimes utilizing a created route to get people where they wanted to go (e.g, one route was to MK via WL and Contemporary). We have been very, very happy with the bus service our last few trips. Even my parents who can sometimes be impatient in these types of situations thought that the bus system was awesome and efficient (we had one longer wait at FW trying to get to DD, but even that was only 19 minutes and well within the "every twenty minutes" that has generally been touted or promised). In the middle of the day, the bus drivers generally run continuous round trips and therefore things can be more variable due to the loading/unloading of wheelchairs and ECV's as well as the number of stops taht actually have to be made by a given bus, and the lack of more than one bus on a given route at some points in time.