Back from OKW and what a trip

[wisbucky]

We just got back from OKW last night. We had a beautiful time. There were some downfalls (our own doings) but we over came them. We started off by being picked up by MH transportation at the airport. Our driver was Tony, he was fabulous. MH Transportation was prompt, courteous and friendly.

We arrived at OKW at 12:00 p.m. on March 7, 2004. We didn’t get a welcome home until DH said what about the Welcome Home. The bellhop said, "Oh yeah welcome home and all that stuff now lets get you checked in". It didn’t bother me but DH thought it was sort of odd they way the bellhop acted. But we got checked in less than ten minutes and headed off to our room in south point. We picked villa #56 and that was our mistake. It was extremely loud since maintenance was outside our window every morning running equipment. The view was of the main road. But we still loved the location. Next time we are going to go get away from the main road. We learned our lesson this time.

We took off for the MK right away. Had a blast as always. Did Seaworld on Monday and then Disney the rest of the time. I came down with a nasty cold Sunday night and was sick our entire trip. By Tuesday I was so exhausted I had to head to bed by 6:00 p.m. DH went off to MK to see the parade and fireworks on his own. He came back all excited trying to cheer me up.

So on Thursday we decided to take it easy to I wouldn’t' get run down. DH wanted to see the model again of SSR. We called DVC and got a tour right away. Even though we have seen the presentation before DH wanted to see the model again. We had originally wanted to purchase just 25 points more from SSR to add on to our resale we just purchased of OKW. Well should I say after the tour of the models DH wanted more points. We really liked the one bedroom look of SSR. We bought 100 points. We were given $5.00 off for each point making it $84.00 a point. We decided to keep our points instead of giving the points for this year back and getting $10.00 off a point. Now we are in debt up to our ears. We have to work and live for the payments for DVC but it is worth it.

The rest of the day Thursday we spent at DTD. Then at night we did Mickey's BBQ. It was fun and enjoyable. We were laughing so hard at watching all the little kids trying to dance with Mickey and Minnie.

The weather at night was very cool and in fact Wednesday was extremely cold at night. But considering we are back in WIS and the temp was 13 degrees upon arrival to our house last night a temp of 50 degrees doesn’t sound bad at all.

Friday, our last day, we spent back at MK. We arrived there at 10:30 p.m. and were able to do the Haunted House, Snow White, Small World, and Peter Pan all within 1 1/2 hours. Then the lines became over 50 minutes long. MK was packed with people on Friday. It is easy to see that spring break has arrived.

We did ask about the slide at OKW. The first thing said back to us was "Why do you want to know?" But we were finally told it was in the making but the date for it to start or end was not determined yet. When they do put in the slide they will have to have lifeguards on duty.

We want to do another short stay trip in July if possible.

You all have been so helpful on this board. So I am hoping that someone here can help give me a really nice location for a one bedroom at OKW that is close to bus stops, quiet and with a nice view, as we are heading back in September for 8 days.

 

[rocketriter]

Most common rumor is that the slide will be finished at about the end of this year. Remember, rumors are free and worth every penny.

 

[Cmadsen]

...to our crummy cold weather! (May Spring come soon!)

As a fellow Wisconsinite, I just wanted to say I'm glad you had a good trip. I'm leaving next Saturday for a week and staying at OKW also. Do you have any tips for us as far as getting a quiet building? We did request an upper floor, nonsmoking, but no particular building.
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks much!

Chrys

 

[wisbucky]

Cmadsen:

I would certainly take a room that is away from the main road. I dont mind walking a little to get to a bus stop. I just dont want to have to walk a 1/2 mile each day. When we checked in room number 5616 was ready right away. So we took it. Well it was right at the intersection of a main road. We heard every bus and car. But worse of all was the maintenance crew that was outside every morning working at 5:00 a.m. It sounded like chain saws running next to your window. So my advice would be to ask for a room away from a main road. I know when we stayed one time in villa 24 it was extremely quiet. I wanted this time to be back further and near one of the other pools. I guess the villas I would avoid would be numbers: 14, 56, 53,52,44, however if you were on the far side of these villas which are not near the main road you probably would be okay. This is just IMHO.

By the way where in Wis are you?????

 

[MiaSRN62]

Welcome back Wisbucky. Sorry you were feeling under-the-weather on vacation.
Also sorry about your view. I like Southpoint area but prefer a water view so I always request "non-smoking" and "water view" when I make my ressies. We've gotten building 46 in Southpoint before, and also 43 in Turtle pond area. Both had beautiful, serene views. Actually, in looking at the OKW map, it appears that bldg 56 probably has the least desirable view (maybe bldg 30 too ?) of all the buildings from what I can see. I'm sure the construction only made it worse. They didn't tell you at the front desk about the work being done ahead of time ? Also, seems like the CM's were a bit off during your stay ? I mean, why wouldn't you be interested in info about the new pool ? Seems like a natural question to me ?
Other than the above things, glad you had a nice time. Also, congrats on your 100 point purchase at SSR.

 

[Pa@okw95]

I am surprised they let you pick, as members years ago we were told we would be able to pick where we wanted to stay, but that never happened. At any rate I would not get hung up on that welcome home stuff, after years of going there you really do not want to hear it. You must have stayed in a studio. The views from the one and two bedrooms are always of the back area. Studio views are not always the best. I never had a location I did not like in a one or two bedroom, the views are always great. Most locations are close to a bus stop and pool. Next time stay in a one bedroom or larger, you should like it. Sorry you had to put up with the noise from the workers.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Very nice report. Sorry you got sick. We got a ton of Welcome Homes at OKW from the gate, but since you didn't drive, I guess you wouldn't get them. My mom got a real kick out of that I think 56 is the building we were in ( I would have to go check to be sure) we had a view of a quiet pool. Thanks for sharing!

 

[PamOKW]

Thanks for the nice report. While you were gone, the slide was announced in the Vacation Magic (it's on the Member site) and Doc also had pictures of the models/plans. VM mentions working on the slide this spring but the dates being tossed around now are September.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We love building 55, but if you had a studio on the end of building 56, yes your view would be of the road on one side, and you probably heard a lot of squeeky bus brakes too! We love the South Point area. but prefer buildings 55, 53, and 52

 

[wisbucky]

I should of told you all that yes we were in a studio and at the end next to the main road. When we checked in they were looking for a room that was available in south point. The CM had one avialbe on a 2nd floor but since I had a knee that was swollen (due to a recent injury) we really wanted a first floor. Then she indicated she has one on the first floor in building 56. I should of asked where and looked at the map but said okay we will take it. So that is my fault. Next time and hopefully all of the upcoming trips we will be staying in a one-two bedroom. Therefore the view I hope will be better and also more peaceful.

Thanks Diane, for the input on the buildings. I will take those into consideration next time.

 

[NancyDVC]

wisbucky,
Sorry about your knee. Mine is tricky too and a first floor unit makes life easier. We just got back from 8 days at OKW on Tuesday the 9th. We usually ask for a first floor one bedroom on Old Turtle Pond Road. My friend & co member gave no preferences when she made the ressies so when we checked in on the 1st we were asked if we had any preferences. We asked for Old Turtle Pond near the bus stop and for the first floor because my friend was using a scooter for the week.
We were in building 35, across from the Old Turtle Pond bus stop, quiet, nice view of the golf course and a water hazard (we found a golf ball on our balcony one afternoon).
We have stayed in buildings 34, 35, 30, 31, 32, 37, 38 and 44 in that area and buildings 16 & 50. In building 44 we were in the one bedroom nearest the bus turn around and it was noisy. In some insatnces it is exactly which end of the building you are in that determines how noisy it may be. Those units in building 44 that are closer to building 43 are probably not as noisy.
Other than that one unit we have had no problems with noise except for building 50 where I heard bus noise from Buena Vista Blvd into the wee hours as the buses for all the resorts came back from PI.

 

[wisbucky]

Thanks NancyDVC:

Question for you, We really liked the area of villas 32 and 33. Was just wondering if you could fill me in on the views there.