Considering Old Key West in October, Help...

[bradpga]

Hi-
I am a new member to DVC (SSR). We stayed at SSR in March and absolutely loved it. We are planning a trip back to Disney in October. While I was spoiled by the one bedroom at SSR, we are considering a studio for this trip to save some points. Anyway, a studio at OKW for 5 nights is only 40 points (Compared to 55 points at SSR)!!!! Talk about dirt cheap!!! I am hoarding my points for a March 2007 return and will need a 2 bedroom (bringing grandparents). As stated, we enjoyed our stay at SSR and I am weary of venturing out. At SSR, we really enjoyed the pool area, community hall activities for kids, cleanliness of rooms, and location to DTD.

How do the ammenities compare at OKW. Pool? Kids activites? I do believe you can ride the water ferry to DTD. Also, we are spending less time at the parks and more time at the resort on this trip. We may even hop over to Sea World one day. OKW have convenient parking? Dining?

Finally, where can I find a map of OKW? Any suggestions regarding location at OKW? We would like to be close to the pool, dining, etc...

Thank you for your time....Brad

 

[bradpga]

Also-
I see that OKW studios have 2 queens and look to be a bit larger than the SSR studio. At SSR a kitchen comes with the studio. How about OKW? Is there a waterslide at OKW? My kids loved the high rocks springs slide at SSR.

 

[duckie0517]

I have stayed at both OKW & SSR. The studio room at OKW is larger. I requested a room close to the main pool. Only to find out the pool was under renovations but there was another pool just around the corner. OKW is beautiful. I really enjoyed having a restaurant on site.

I did get a room close to the main pool. Even though it was closed I appreciated the fact that I had 2 bus stops close to my bldg.

 

[duckie0517]

here is a link to a map of OKW

http://allearsnet.com/acc/okwmap.jpg

 

[Caskbill]

All DVC Studios at all resorts have kitchenettes, not full kitchens.

OKW has the most convenient parking, nearest to your villa, than any other DVC resort.

The main pool does have a slide, fairly new, just installed last year.

Keep in mind the resort itself is fairly large. If you want to be near the main pool you should ask for that, but those locations are popular so availability will vary. If you're not near the main pool, you can always walk, or hop on any bus at any bus stop, and get off at the Hospitality House which is where the main pool is located.

OKW does have 3 other satellite pools, but only the main pool has the slide.

There are lots of kids activities, again all located in the main buildings section near the main pool. There is one restaurant on site, and snacks are available at a couple of snack bars.

Yes, the Studios at OKW have the two bed arrangement. It will feel more like a larger hotel room than your SSR studio felt. IMO the couch makes a big difference in the 'feel' of the unit.

Have a great trip.

 

[bradpga]

Is the pool under construction right now????

 

[shantay1008]

We haven't stayed at OKW yet, but we had dinner there one night and thought it looked wonderful. Our kiddos thought the pool area looked like a lot of fun. We're looking forward to staying there someday.

To be honest, considering how often you get to go to WDW (at least three trips in a year?!?), it seems like you could let go of some of the DVC Perfectionism that haunts these boards. I mean, if you stayed at OKW to try it out, but didn't like it, so what? You're coming back to WDW in March! Just think of the pressure to plan the "perfect" resort experience on us poor souls who only get to go to WDW every two years or so.

I really am teasing, although I think you may be worrying a little too much. It makes sense to conserve your points for your March trip, and I can't imagine you not having a great time at OKW.

Shannon

 

[bradpga]

thanks

 

[bradpga]

We go twice a year (March and October). The ONLY way we can go twice is to conserve points in a studio to make room for a one or two bedroom on trip #2.

 

[Glorydaz]

We go twice a year (March and October). The ONLY way we can go twice is to conserve points in a studio to make room for a one or two bedroom on trip #2.

wait!! another way to go twice a year AND get a 1 or 2 bedroom is.......

...buy more points!!!!! come on, addonitis hasn't gotten to you yet?? we have 200 points and only want a 1 bedroom minimum each time....so I'm looking to add 50 points to keep it comfortable and like you, we go 2x a year : Feb and October.....

 

[byoung]

If you like SSR you will love OKW.

 

[jekjones1558]

Is the pool under construction right now????

No, it's finished.

 

[bom_noite]

Do a search on Doc OKW Map - Webmaster Doc did a wonderful job of mapping at OKW. Shows all the resort, which building have which type of rooms etc.

Also - you will love OKW. It is fantastic - and - every day they have a ton of special activities for the kids.

The main pool is ok - but - you are close to SSR and can pool hop if it is not up to your standards.

 

[las3888]

We don't own at OKW, but tried it for a stay one year (I think it was a last minute trip and it was all that was available). We really liked it. You could park right in front of your building. We didn't request to be near a pool, but they seemed to be fairly close to get to from just about any room (unless you want one with a slide, etc.). It really wasn't far to get to and I was about 5 mos pregnant at the time.

We liked the restaurant there alot. It was always pretty empty, and I think it was in October also. We did take the ferry to DTD. I can't remember, but they only depart twice an hour so you may want to ask the front desk what time to get there.

All in all, we remember that trip very fondly. We didn't think we would be great fans of OKW but we are planning to go back very soon. I would say go for it!

 

[Disney Doll]

OKW is our home resort x2 (we have 2 contracts there) so we love it.

The main pool is great and has a slide which is pretty new, and a lot of fun. They also have three quiet pools. All the pools have hot tubs, but only the main pool has the slide. There is a great children's play area near the main pool as well. There are basketball, tennis, volleyball and shuffleboard courts. You can rent bikes & boats. You can take the little boat to DTD or you can walk on a path that will take you past SSR, through the golf course and over to DTD. They do not recommend that you walk this path at night, because it is not lit.

Parking is right in front of your unit. The Hospitality House (AKA HH-the main area) has a gift shop, Olivia's sit down restaurant, a snack bar, a gym, and the main pool, sports courts, kiddie playground. If you want to be close to that area, I'd request that. Every bus that goes through OKW stops at the HH, so even if you don't get within easy walking distance of it, you can hop on any bus and be there pretty quickly. The pool in the Turtle Pond section also has a snack bar which is open seasonally. We personally like the Southpoint section. There is a quiet pool and a bus stop right there, the path to DTD is in that area as well, and the views from the rooms are nice.

The OKW rooms are bigger than the rooms at any other DVC resort. There are 2 queen size beds in the OKW studio (as opposed to a queen and a pullout sofa) which gives it more of a "hotel room" feel as opposed to an "apartment" feel. There is a kitchenette with a microwave, toaster, coffeemaker, small fridge (dorm-sized), paper goods, plastic utensils. I would recommend if you choose a studio that you purchase some more paper goods on your shopping trip, so you don't have to keep re-using the same paper goods.

OKW has a relaxed feel, very laid back, very enjoyable. It's a nice resort to walk around, there are some paths along the golf course etc. which are lovely. There are generally good views from all the rooms at OKW...usually a golf course, woods, or water. No dumpster views, as far as I know!!!! In addition to the units that are around the HH area, there is Millers Road, Turtle Pond, and Southpoint, as far as the "sections" of OKW.

We have enjoyed many wonderful stays there. We have always found the rooms in good repair, and have always had a quick repsonse if we did find something that wasn't quite right...but again, that was never anything major. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[offtheice]

Hi-
I am a new member to DVC (SSR). We stayed at SSR in March and absolutely loved it. We are planning a trip back to Disney in October. While I was spoiled by the one bedroom at SSR, we are considering a studio for this trip to save some points. Anyway, a studio at OKW for 5 nights is only 40 points (Compared to 55 points at SSR)!!!! Talk about dirt cheap!!! I am hoarding my points for a March 2007 return and will need a 2 bedroom (bringing grandparents). As stated, we enjoyed our stay at SSR and I am weary of venturing out. At SSR, we really enjoyed the pool area, community hall activities for kids, cleanliness of rooms, and location to DTD.

How do the ammenities compare at OKW. Pool? Kids activites? I do believe you can ride the water ferry to DTD. Also, we are spending less time at the parks and more time at the resort on this trip. We may even hop over to Sea World one day. OKW have convenient parking? Dining?

Finally, where can I find a map of OKW? Any suggestions regarding location at OKW? We would like to be close to the pool, dining, etc...

Thank you for your time....Brad

I just returned from our second stay at OKW last night. While we own at BWV And SSR, we love OKW.. All the pools are fine. While It is a small inconvience if you dont drive and have a room away from the hospitality center, i have to stay OKW has the best disney tranp hands down.. Love okw and plan to stay there every other time we head down.