Back from 12 nights at OKW... My Thoughts

[chris1gill]

Well, we checked out last Friday, went to AKL for a few days & came home....

We own primarily at BWV's, but also own points at OKW... This year was for OKW. We stayed in villa 3411, and it was the perfect location & believe it or not, QUIET! (don't like the usual bus noise) Our unit was a handicapped unit (as requested)... In order to accomodate a wheelchair, you lose the cabinet space underneath the sinks in the bathroom & kitchen & there's no garbage disposal. Oddly, there was no door between the washer/dryer & the hallway, assumably to fit a wheelchair in to access the washer/dryer... but oddly, my wheelchair wouldn't go through the bathroom door next to the washer/dryer, so had to go around through the bedroom (that was an oddity....)

We did get a few Welcome Homes coming through the security gate, but I found it humorous our first few nights, when coming in, the security guy didn't say anything except to point to the sign & saying ID Please... I asked him where my Welcome Home was, and from that point forward, I got my Welcome Home LOL....

Our unit was in great shape, and we had no complaints at all... We were basically across the street from the Turtle Pond bus stop. We spent an afternoon at the OKW pool, the play/sand area was great.

We also visited Stormalong Bay (awesome as usual) & CSR's pool (still a lot of fun, but the slide was out of use til two days later)

We spent a lot of time at the WL (we had been booked at VWL until I toured them in September)... WL offers a lot of bang for the dollar IMHO... The boating there is awesome!! We took the Murphy Plan & got four hours of boating for 120.00 - great plan! Did the surrey bikes one day (fun) I viewed the model again & again knew this wasn't the resort for me (Way too dark)....

I've decided buying AP's was a waste... Our first week there, we tried the MK on four different days, and all I can say is LINES, LINES, LINES.... 20-40 minute waits most of the afternoons we were there... From now on, our OKW vacations will exclude AP's, it really wasn't worth going to/from all the parks.....

Well, that's about it, other than that, we found out that when eating at Olivia's, if you show your AAA card, you get a free smoothie... How about that, didn't even know they had discounts!

Any questions, send them along!

 

[Geyser Gazer]

Hi Chris1gill.

Thanks for your report but just what is the "Murphy Plan"?.

 

[chris1gill]

The Murphy Plan (may be called the Captains or Humphrey plan right now) is a 4 hour plan offered at the Wilderness Lodge... gives you 4 hours of boating (any size) or biking (except surreys) at the WL... they offer it for either 119 or 120 - I forget the exact figure....

They also offer an unlimited stay plan for 199.00 - if you are there for 2 weeks, that would be a great plan... We drove over from OKW...

Oh, I almost forgot, we pool hopped at WL as well as stayed at AKL Concierge, so we used their pool.... Not being able to pool hop over there is NOT a big loss whatsoever....

 

[Geyser Gazer]

Wow, that is really great. We love to boat and had a blast just touring around on the water mice after we checked out last week. Bay lake /7 Seas Lagoon is a nice sized body of water with lots of interesting sites. It was especially nice to get one last look at the Cinderella's castle before heading to the airport.
We are planning another trip 1/03, and would seriously be interested in this unlimited plan. Would I set this up beforehand with MS? CRO? or is this something that is just done on site through the boat rental dock?
Thanks again.

 

[chris1gill]

We did the same thing last Friday when we checked out... went for one last run around the lake!

This is set up right at the bike/boat dock... This is NOT advertised anywhere by the way... you have to know to ask for it... I think they're afraid if they advertised it, they'd lose money LOL.... The four hour program has been in effect for at least two years that I know of, only it use to offer five hours I think....

The least costly place to rent boats by the hour, is over at OKW, it's 44.00 vs. 66.00 at most other resorts... that's for a pontoon, but water mice cost about that as well at most resorts....

Glad to find another DVC'er that enjoys the lesser known, but equally as fun activities at Disney!

 

[Candace]

Thanks for the info on the Murphy Plan. I had never heard of it and am glad to know to ask from now on. Two questions - it is $120 per person, right? and the 4 hours do not have to be used all at once, do they? I mean you can spread them out over your stay, correct? Thanks.

 

[chris1gill]

No, the total cost is 120.00 per party... and you can spread it out anywhere from half hour increments to an entire 4 hour increment.... so it's very flexible... Just remember to ask for their package....

 

[BillM]

Chris
Interesting on the boat deal.
By the way we always get a HC unit at OKW but request a Bldg under 30. The older bldgs have the regular sink, garbage disposal, microwave over stove but do not have cabinets under the lavatories. The over 30 group have a side by side fridge with icemaker in the door plus what you mentioned. The under 30 suits my handicap better so we ask for those. I use an ECV for most mobility situations.

Glad you had a great trip. We will return Mar 19 for 3 nights at OKW in the 1 BR.

 

[Doctor P]

Thanks for the interesting information.

 

[Dan Murphy]

You guys like my idea??

 

[RobDoc]

Good plan, Dan! Thanks!

 

[Granny]

Dan....

I like your plan, but your "law" gets me every time!!!!