Coming to you LIVE from OKW ...

[WEDway2002]

Hi all ...

Well ... I decided it's about time I start to pass along some observations, tips, advice, two or three cents, random thoughts and comments and "give back" to these wonderful boards that I love!

I'll do this not so much in a prose fashion but more a random, stream of consciousness way so as not to become too wordy! Also, at my age, I may start a thought and get all "flowery" in my description and eventually forget the point I was making!

Anyway ... we are long time DVC members ('94), love it ... and love OKW.
We are: me, DW (music teachers), DD (15) and DS(10) ...

Here goes ...

- We arrived Sunday (6/28) and had done the online check in thing in advance ... all went pretty smooth ... had a WONDERFUL cast member check us in and we got lucky and got the location we hoped for (we like it way in the back in the 50's).
- Room was terrific ... no problems, no complaints.
- Weather has been a bit cloudy and a little rainy BUT because of this, the temperature has been amazing!!! I would say low to mid '80s.
- Ate a what used to be a favorite ... Whispering Canyon ... sad to say we were disappointed. Food was so-so ... and the pogo races schpiel is now CANNED!!! No servers shouting to gather the kids ... no napkin waving ... no pledge at the end NOT to visit Universal Studios ... NO certificate ... stinky!

WORD OF ADVICE

-We have known this, but to those of you who may doubt it ... MAKE ADVANCE DINING RESSIES! Even if you are uncertain ... sketch something out and reserve!!! We tried to "wing" a couple of meals so far ... it seems like every sit down restaurant in the "World" is booked solid!

- Went to Epcot ... did Soarin' ... a real favorite ... a religious experience! ... got choked up AGAIN! (I'm such a mush!)

- Did the "Behind the Seeds" tour at the land for DS ... it was really interesting and just the right price ($54 for 4 of us w/ DVC discount) and length ... about 1 hour.

- My daughter auditioned for Idol over at the Studios and got into the first show of the day ... it was an amazing experience! She did great, the audience and judges loved her ... BUT ... she lost ... a very sweet blind girl won that show. Hey ... that's the biz. ... we are still SO proud of her!

- Went to World Showcase yesterday to check out the Kim Possible adventure ... SO COOL!!! I highly recommend this!
(more about this later)

Well ... so much more to tell you, but we're off to the Magic Kingdom ... I will write later this afternoon ... hope you guys are doing well ...

Yours in Disney,

Dave

 

[iluveeyore]

THanks for the report Dave - we'll be there next month - looking forward to hearing more. We're excited to try the new Kim Possible adventure too. Keep it coming!

 

[cbeehler3]

Are you saying that there were NO pony races? At all?
And no yelling for ketchup? And no GIANT sodas?
What the heck is that all about?

But thanks for the heads up! I hope you have a great trip and can't wait to "hear" more!!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Love OKW, our favorite resort!

Sounds as though you're off to a wnderful start! If I may ask, what bldg, type of room etc.? As far as dining in Disney, you're right, it's downright stressfull w/out reservation, and sometimes just as stressful with.

 

[GGOOFY1]

Love OKW, we have been members since '93 and the other resorts just don't feel like home. What a great experience for your DD. Glad to hear she did great. I have a hard time just speaking in front of a small crowd!!

 

[clombardi]

See you on Sunday! I just called to see what our room assigment is and was told Building 40. Very exciting becuase we love the Turtle Pond area. Where are you at OKW?

 

[Donald is #1]

Wow it sounds like you guys are having a great time!

 

[Melani]

If it's not too much trouble, could you read the label on the pillows.

We loved the ones at BWV and I'm going to assume they're the same at OKW.

We'd really like to order some, but I've read they're not the same ones in the Resort Collection catalog.

Thanks.
Have a fun time.
~Melani

 

[WEDway2002]

THanks for the report Dave - we'll be there next month - looking forward to hearing more. We're excited to try the new Kim Possible adventure too. Keep it coming!

Hi iluveeyore,

Yes ... the Kim Possible thing is a lot of fun!
You find a kiosk and are given a time and a country ... you then report to receive your cell phone and assignment. The adventure takes place within one country (we were afraid we'd be all OVER the place!). It takes about a half hour and then you have the option of continuing on to another country or returning the phone. We even saw couples without kids doing it ... it really is cool.
Have a great time!

Dave

 

[WEDway2002]

Are you saying that there were NO pony races? At all?
And no yelling for ketchup? And no GIANT sodas?
What the heck is that all about?

But thanks for the heads up! I hope you have a great trip and can't wait to "hear" more!!

Hi cbeehler3 ...

Weeeeeelllll not exactly ... they still do the pony races, the ketchup thing and the giant sodas and it still is fun. BUT ... the races were a big disappointment because it is all pre-recorded now ... no hootin' and hollarin', no napkin waving ... no pledge NOT to visit Universal, no certificate. AND ... the servers are no longer allowed to make their tray tables "gallop"! A server told us hotel management thought it made too much noise!
And, honestly, the food just wasn't as good as in the past ...


Dave

 

[WEDway2002]

Love OKW, our favorite resort!

Sounds as though you're off to a wnderful start! If I may ask, what bldg, type of room etc.? As far as dining in Disney, you're right, it's downright stressfull w/out reservation, and sometimes just as stressful with.

See you on Sunday! I just called to see what our room assigment is and was told Building 40. Very exciting becuase we love the Turtle Pond area. Where are you at OKW?

Hi Beaslyboo and Coleen ...

Well ... we are back in Bldg. 55 ... we LOVE it here! So nice and quiet, great view off of the balcony and nice and close to the pool!
Yes ... we dared to change a couple of ressies due to changes in plans but everything we wanted was booked solid ... oh, well ... we're flexible!
And, Coleen ... have a safe trip! Maybe we'll see you down here!

Dave

 

[WEDway2002]

Wow it sounds like you guys are having a great time!

Hi Donald,

Yes, thanks! We are ... !

Although a bit rainy, the weather has been great regarding temperature ... and so far it hasn't seemed all that crowded ... well ... uh ... except for today!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE!​

 

[WEDway2002]

If it's not too much trouble, could you read the label on the pillows.

We loved the ones at BWV and I'm going to assume they're the same at OKW.

We'd really like to order some, but I've read they're not the same ones in the Resort Collection catalog.

Thanks.
Have a fun time.
~Melani

Hi Melani ...

No trouble at all! Our pillows say, "Pacific Coast" and give a website of: Pacificcoast.com ...

Hope this helps!

Dave

 

[wulfekamp]

We did Whispering canyon a few weeks ago. It was great fun. Service was a bit slow. The Ribs were great. Sorry you were disapointed. Sound like a off night. Give it another try next trip. The weather sounds great it was really hot when we were there. I am looking forward to your trip report we have not tried OKW yet. Have fun.

 

[WEDway2002]

Well Gang ...

As I said above ... Happy Fourth of July!!!

I've got a few more random thoughts to share before we head over to Animal Kingdom today. We avoid the more crowded parks today (not that AK won't be crowded!). AND ... we slept in a bit! We're off to a LATE start!
But we take it in stride ...

OH ... we went to the member event at the Contemporary ... "Vacation As You Wish" ... we were happily surprised. In typical DVC / Disney fashion, it ended up being pretty entertaining although it was basically a sales pitch for Bay Lake Towers. It was also meant as information regarding other member getaways and Adventures by Disney, etc. It seems most of us mainly stick to WDW and the other more local offerings. There were some "give-a-ways", a vocal quartet that entertained, and at the end finger sandwiches, drinks, iced tea, D.J., characters AND a tour of Bay Lake Towers complete with a nice discount if you added on. Really well done ... even for a cynic like me!
AND ... go figure ... no one is more surprised than us .... WE ADDED ON!!!
We are both excited and shaking our heads because we had NO intention of adding on! It really is pretty spectacular! AND just for listening to the "pitch" (which was VERY low pressure), we got three fastpasses for the 4 of us to be used anywhere over the next 3 days (only 3 each total. That was the original appeal for us (and our DD and DS, of course! ).
Here's the surprise for us ... when we first heard about BLT I was VERY excited and followed the progress here on the boards beginning with the link to the architectural drawings! But when I saw actual pics regarding the decor (we tend to be more traditional) it seemed really unappealing.
BUT ... in person, it really works ... of course that wasn't the deciding factor ... it just seemed like a good idea for us. BTW ... the "one bedrooms" are a bit roomier than BCV and WLV AND there are now 2 full bathrooms AND a pull out single bed in addition to the pull out sofa bed. And, of course the whole monorail thing and the exclusive
"members only" lounge up top ... spectacular view!

Well ... I feel I've gotten carried away with this whole BLT thing ... but we are excited and regardless of your intentions, you should go and at least enjoy the "party" and the tour. You sign up on line ...

Well, all ... more to follow ...

Dave

 

[WEDway2002]

Well ...

We have GOT to get out of here!

Off to AK for as long as we can take the heat and crowds! Then on to Chef Mickey's for dinner (made THAT ressie well in advance! ). And out to the parking lot to watch the fireworks in relative isolation (a tradition for us). We also watched them last night from there (they had a preview) ... just amazing!
And if we can, maybe we'll scoot over to the BC and enter World Showcase to catch the fireworks at Epcot.
I guess I'll see how we hold up!

I hope you guys have a great day ... I'll report back later ...

Dave

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

Sounds like you are having a great time ! So lucky to get building 55 ! That one is our favourite. We like to be in the South Point area and really love the view from the two bedrooms in #55.

Have a great vacation !

 

[WEDway2002]

Sounds like you are having a great time ! So lucky to get building 55 ! That one is our favourite. We like to be in the South Point area and really love the view from the two bedrooms in #55.

Have a great vacation !

Hey Thanks!

Yup ... we LOVE this location ... it's always a request of ours ...

As you can see by the time ... WE'RE NEVER GETTING OUT OF HERE!!!!

Dave

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks for telling us about your trip! DH and I enjoy the AoE as audience members, congratuations to your DD for making it to the show.

Sure wish we could be there for the additional BLT discounts. Glad you were able to add on.

Bobbi

 

[GGOOFY1]

Congrats on your add on

and

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY