A Few Questions About OKW

[sandman12998]

We are going to OKW in January w/ our boys (ages 4 and 8) and I had just a couple questions:
1. Do all studios have a balcony
2. Any building recommendations (we want to be close to the HH and the last bus stop out to the parks/first in at night and not backing to a major road/traffic)
3. Is there a playground near the HH
4. Will be pools be warm enough to swim in January
5. What time do the pools open/close for the day
6. Is there a flyer or bulletin that tells you about the days events

Thanks very much. This is our first time trying OKW. Jamie

 

[spiceycat]

1. All the studios have a balcony - it is small (compared to a 1-bedroom) but they all have one

2. Peninsular road - building 23 to 26 - now this is the first stop. So if you miss the bus just walk over to HH; this is the last stop.
here is a map
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/okwmap.htm

you don't want closer to HH because of the traffic and parking problems. (my opinion)

3. yes big playground - in the sandy area near the main pool.

4. the pools could be warm enough - however the walk back and forth to your room - probably won't be. unless you get near one of the quiet pools - but then getting back and forth to HH will take longer. My favorite is either Miller road or south pointe.

5. the main pool closes when the lifeguard leave. I think the other pool close at 11pm - not sure. but guests are there just about 24 hours - don't mind if the guest is polite and quiet. but there can be times when the guest is how to put it drunk and loud. then you can call security.

6. yes when you get your map look on the back - the activities should be listed there - if they aren't (they are know to run out on Sundays) then ask for one.

 

[Chuck S]

1. Do all studios have a balcony Yes

2. Any building recommendations (we want to be close to the HH and the last bus stop out to the parks/first in at night and not backing to a major road/traffic) The HH stop is usually the last stop to load for the parks (sometimes Miller's Rd.), Peninsular Road is the first when returning from the parks. Bldgs 11 to 14, or the high 20's bldgs should do nicely.

3. Is there a playground near the HH Yes, all 4 pools have a sandy playground area.

4. Will be pools be warm enough to swim in January Maybe, it depends a lot on the air temperature, it can be VERY cold in January. The water may be warm enough, but you'd be freezing when exposed to the air.

5. What time do the pools open/close for the day I think 7 am to 10pm

6. Is there a flyer or bulletin that tells you about the days events You will get a copy Conch Flats News when you check in (Conch Flats is the name of the OKW "Themed" community.) You may also receive phone messages for special events like fishing excursions of childrens activities.

 

[sandman12998]

Just to clarify about the buses, is the bus stop near the HH the last stop before the bus heads to the parks in the morning? If so, which are the good buildings near that stop? If someone already answered this question and I'm just not getting it, I apologize- I am just totally unfamiliar with this property. Also, where can I find out the hours of the counter service restaurant and the convenience/gift shop? Thanks.

 

[spiceycat]

I did. hh is the last stop going out to the parks, but it is also the last stop coming back from the parks. Peninsular road is the first stop (23-26). but if you just miss the bus you are in easy walking distance of the HH stop (the last one).

HH is not near any of the villa - the closest are 11 thru 14 - but they can have a problem with parking because of the HH.

62-64 are also VERY close.

I would go with 23-26 they are close enough to HH (almost as close as 11 thru 14) - but they don't have a problem with the parking.

the counter service is Good's Food to Go - my information say break 7:30 am to 10:30 am, lunch & dinner 11:30 am to 10:00 pm. this place is outside every near the main pool.

Olivia (restuarant) breakfast 7:30 am to 10:30 am, lunch and dinner 11:30 am til 10:00pm

conch flats general store(conveince/gift shop) - 7:00am to 11:00pm

look at the map in my first post.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just to clarify about the buses, is the bus stop near the HH the last stop before the bus heads to the parks in the morning? If so, which are the good buildings near that stop? If someone already answered this question and I'm just not getting it, I apologize- I am just totally unfamiliar with this property. Also, where can I find out the hours of the counter service restaurant and the convenience/gift shop? Thanks.

Just to clarify, however, HH is theoretically the last stop. Last May we were at Turtle Pond, and twice in the morning, there were so many people waiting at our stop that the bus went straight on to the park after since they couldn't take any more people. Now, I'll admit that I don't know if the bus had stopped at HH first-I assumed it made its usual Penninsular Rd, South Point, etc. route and so the HH people were left waiting.

 

[spiceycat]

Just to clarify, however, HH is theoretically the last stop. Last May we were at Turtle Pond, and twice in the morning, there were so many people waiting at our stop that the bus went straight on to the park after since they couldn't take any more people. Now, I'll admit that I don't know if the bus had stopped at HH first-I assumed it made its usual Penninsular Rd, South Point, etc. route and so the HH people were left waiting.

sometimes the bus drivers make a mistake - besides if the bus was full he could leave. (full means you can't get anyone else in the bus period - not just the seating area).

in your case so were the Miller road people.

you know when the bus stop was HH, miller road, Penninsular, turtle pointe, south pointe, then back to HH before leaving. that happened alot at South pointe - really glad that DVC changed the route. then the bus drivers couldn't leave - it was funny (wasn't then) to see bus after bus arrive and open their doors but it was so crowded you couldn't get on it.

we ended up taking an Epcot bus then getting on the monrail to go to the Mk.

 

[sandman12998]

Do you think it is possible to have a problem with full buses in January? Others have said it is a drag to go through all the stops on the way out in the morning and it is better to be last but if full buses is an issue I might have to rethink that. On the way back, I don't mind so much being last and I guess I could always get out at HH and just walk, right? I have seen others say that 62-64 are a good location as well. We won't have a car so we won't have any parking issues one way or the other. The Disney Unofficial Guide suggests 11-14. I guess I might not even have a choice when I get there too.

THanks to the poster for the times for the dining choices.

 

[mom2my3kids]

Loved Loved OKW, we will be renting points for sure next trip and staying at OKW. We had a studio, it was plenty of room. I will say one thing, the beds are high up and my son fell out of bed once.

 

[MikeB63]

We love the Peninsular Road locations mentioned above. What we would do is walk to the HH Bus stop on our way out to the parks. It's not that long of a walk and it's a very pleasant walk on a nice sidewalk. You board the bus at HH and the next stop is the park. Then, on our way back from the parks, the Peninsular stop is the first one in the resort. I wouldn't worry about full buses in January too much, but if that did become a problem for you, you could then board at the Peninsular stop which is the first one coming back from the parks. Enjoy your trip!

 

[castleri]

Loved Loved OKW, we will be renting points for sure next trip and staying at OKW. We had a studio, it was plenty of room. I will say one thing, the beds are high up and my son fell out of bed once.

If you are concerned about another possible fall from the bed you can ask that bed rails be sent to the room when you make you reservation and when you cneck in.