Currently at OKW, first time

[rutgers1]

We started our trip at BCV, moved to BWV, and will close things out at OKW. We have been at OK since Saturday. So far, we like it a lot.

THE GOOD:
1) The resort overall is pretty. I consider it to be the love child between POR and SSR.....even though it predates the latter (maybe both, not sure).
2) I like the vibe around the pool. The kids enjoy the slide, which is deceptive in that it looks short but actually lasts approximately 13 seconds. With the river meandering nearby, once again this reminds me of POR. I like the Gurgling Suitcase (bar), which is a few feet away. A quick service window (with mug refill station) is also right there. All in all, everything you could want is feet away from the pool. You could even do your laundry at machines while you swim, as they are also right there.
3) We are in a studio, and I like that there are two double beds (queen? not sure...but big enough).
4) We have had better luck getting buses from the parks to here than when we were at BWV and BCV. BWV was the worst.
5) We rented a car for this portion of the trip, and it is nice having the car right outside our building.
6) Our building, #14, is right near the action. We are a quick walk to two bus stops (one is the first one in, one is the last one out), plus we are right near the food/entertainment/pool.
7) This resort has the best wifi internet coverage of the three that we have stayed at this trip.

THE SO-SO:
1) Life is great if your building is near the front gate/hospitality house. If you are in one of the remote buildings, you have a pretty long journey if you are hungry or want to swim in the feature pool. We measured it last night, and the furthest corners of the resort are 6/10 of a mile from the hospitality house. I don't mind walking, I never want to stay in a resort where I have to walk that far to hit the main restaurant. Deal breaker.

2) The inside of our room is a bit worn/dated. I thought that I heard that they renovated this resort, but our room wasn't updated as far as I can tell. With that said, I wasn't blown away by our room at BCV or BWV either. It is fine, but not spectacular.

3) The bus and boat service are fine, but I admit that it was nice to walk to Epcot from BCV and BWV. We didn't walk to Hollywood Studios, but we have walked from BWV in the past.

THE EARLY VERDICT (still have a few more days)

I really like OKW. I think my assessment is highly based on the fact that building 14 is right across from the hospitality house. If we were stuck in one of the outer buildings, I think my review would conclude on a negative fashion.

This got me thinking about SSR and how we haven't been fans in the past. Perhaps our rating of SSR would have been different had we stayed in the Springs section and had quick access to the main feature pool and restaurant.

I have said this in the past, and I still believe it to the be the case. Many (most?) DVC members would be happy in a shack if that shack was located on the monorail line. The further you get from a resort, the more that a resort has to have in order to keep the guests happy. With that said, I fall into that same trap, as I prefer BCV and BWV first and foremost for their location --- right near two parks. Yes, BCV has an awesome pool that totally exceeded our expectations, but I wouldn't have been as excited about that portion of our trip if I had to walk 6/10 of a mile to reach the pool.

 

[MouseMomx2]

1) Life is great if your building is near the front gate/hospitality house. If you are in one of the remote buildings, you have a pretty long journey if you are hungry or want to swim in the feature pool. We measured it last night, and the furthest corners of the resort are 6/10 of a mile from the hospitality house. I don't mind walking, I never want to stay in a resort where I have to walk that far to hit the main restaurant. Deal breaker.

There is no need to walk, just hop on any park bus. The last stop will be the Hospitality House with all of the amenities just steps away. Going back to your section requires a Downtown Disney bus that stops at the HH stop first and then serves as an internal shuttle.

We actually prefer the more remote areas of the resort with Turtle Pond being our favorite. I like all of the activity near the HH when that's what I'm looking for, but when I want to relax I want to be away from all of that.

So glad you are enjoying OKW. It has been our home resort since 1997 and, while we have stayed at all of the resorts, it is still our favorite.

 

[raftislander]

Enjoyed reading your report. Will be staying at OKW for first time in September and have studio near HH so will be in same area as you were.

 

[keishashadow]

The resort overall is pretty. I consider it to be the love child between POR and SSR

I needed a good laugh, thank you.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you liked building 14, you would LOVE buildings 45 and 46. We don't mind 14, and the location is just okay, but LOVE the buildings along the canal. Much quieter, and the views are spectacular. Not more than a 5-6 minute walk from HH either.

Your beds were queens, not doubles.

I think staying in the HH area is highly over rated. That is especially true if you are in a 2 bedroom villa with no extra door to the bathroom.

 

[Candace]

If you liked building 14, you would LOVE buildings 45 and 46. We don't mind 14, and the location is just okay, but LOVE the buildings along the canal. Much quieter, and the views are spectacular. Not more than a 5-6 minute walk from HH either.

Ditto this on bldgs. 45 and 46.

 

[heathers4um]

we requested a 2 bdrm villa along the canal with a separate door into the master bath, a 2nd or 3rd floor overlooking the water or the golf course...cant wait to see what we get! We have never not stayed in the HH area. 16 more days!

 

[RobDoc]

If you liked building 14, you would LOVE buildings 45 and 46. ...

Building 46 from across the Trumbo Canal

 

[rutgers1]

After reading the replies, I think people are "on top of the action" types, or they are not. Each is cool. As for us, we like to be right in the middle of everything. The town where I live back home has at least 5 large shopping malls within a 10 minute drive, as well as every other possible store, restaurant, etc. It is also about 20 minutes from New York City....so I feel more comfortable with a lot of people around.

I went out for a nice run around OKW this evening. It was a beautiful night, and the resort seemed so quiet and peaceful. There were fireworks in the distance. It was a great way to end the night.

So, after some more consideration, here is my updated "list" of top resorts:
1) Beach Club: Great combo of location and awesome pool. We love to walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, can sit in the lazy stream all day, and enjoy jogging around the lake.

2) Boardwalk: I like the layout of the building better than the Beach Club and love the overall boardwalk "vibe." Once again, you can't beat the location. A downside is the busing system. We have stayed here 3 or 4 times, and each time the buses disappointed.

3) Old Key West: I love how the pool, fitness center, restaurant, quick service, tennis courts, store, and more are located in the same general area. The resort is nice and has a nice laid back vibe. It is the closest to my favorite moderate resort, Port Orleans. On the downside, I would prefer a resort closer to the parks, and I don't like that I might get stuck far away from the main pool (6/10 of a mile is too far, in my opinion).

4) tie: Saratoga Springs and Bay Lake Tower...I like the location of Bay Lake Tower better, but I like the pool better at Saratoga Springs. As you can see, the pool is a big thing for me. Both times we stayed at SSR, we were far from the main area, which kind of soured me on the resort. I felt like I was staying in a generic condo, not a Disney themed resort. With BLT, we felt that the theme was "hotel" and had to look out the window to really feel any Disney magic. But with that said, overall, I enjoyed both and would stay at either again. Both had some great qualities.

5) tie: Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge....We stayed at each only one time. My wife did not like either, so I am obligated to say that I don't care for them, too, lol. We felt that AKL was too dark, too far away from things, and we didn't like the dining options. My wife didn't like the Wilderness Lodge for reasons that probably wouldn't make sense to everyone here, so I'll spare you the details. But with that said, I don't think that we will be going to either unless she changes her mind.

So, there ya have it!

 

[rutgers1]

Just thought of another reason why we like OKW. My younger son and I have a terrible sense of direction. At BWV, we never know where we are going. We never know which staircase to take or which exit will take us onto the side of the building where we need to go. I always have to look for reference points to help me figure out where I am. Although we have less experience at BCV, the same applies. However, at OKW, our building is easy to identify, and we can find the room blindfolded. Easy.

 

[Pootle]

I have said this in the past, and I still believe it to the be the case. Many (most?) DVC members would be happy in a shack if that shack was located on the monorail line. The further you get from a resort, the more that a resort has to have in order to keep the guests happy. With that said, I fall into that same trap, as I prefer BCV and BWV first and foremost for their location --- right near two parks. Yes, BCV has an awesome pool that totally exceeded our expectations, but I wouldn't have been as excited about that portion of our trip if I had to walk 6/10 of a mile to reach the pool.

Interesting take on the resort but I would think that many (but not most ) DVC members don't care at all about being close to the monorail line and would much sooner have their car parked within a few feet of their villa and buses/boats to use when they feel like it! I've experienced the busy monorail in the evening and it was not nice at all. Neither was the wait I've experienced at BWV to go to parks other than HS and Epcot. Think lots of us also prefer the smaller pools so don't have the need to walk too far. Happy that not everyone values the same things.

Glad your overall impression is positive though

 

[Disnydad]

................. My wife didn't like the Wilderness Lodge for reasons that probably wouldn't make sense to everyone here, so I'll spare you the details. But with that said, I don't think that we will be going to either unless she changes her mind............

That made me

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Interesting take on the resort but I would think that many (but not most ) DVC members don't care at all about being close to the monorail line and would much sooner have their car parked within a few feet of their villa and buses/boats to use when they feel like it!

Agree, monorail was nice when my son was little but now he doesn't care about it anymore than we do!

Thank goodness there are quite a few resorts to choose from, if you plan early enough, you get to stay where you want!

As far as wear and tear, I think that's every where, especially in the studios! The new luster of a refurb wear off quickly! I wish people in general were a bit more cautious and treated hotels, timeshares etc. with a bit more respect, stains, nicks and water stains, many are preventable!

As for me, OKW is still my first DVC love, and my favorite resort!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I don't need to be near the main pool, so I find the neighborhood pools at OKW to be right up my alley. I prefer them over the themed pool because they tend to be less crowded and usually fewer pool hogs taking over the pool. Usually.

 

[melissac]

This might be agreeable to some and not others but we like OKW because it is the least amt of points to stay and can either stay longer or more often

 

[chepic]

Interesting take on the resort but I would think that many (but not most ) DVC members don't care at all about being close to the monorail line and would much sooner have their car parked within a few feet of their villa and buses/boats to use when they feel like it! I've experienced the busy monorail in the evening and it was not nice at all. Neither was the wait I've experienced at BWV to go to parks other than HS and Epcot. Think lots of us also prefer the smaller pools so don't have the need to walk too far. Happy that not everyone values the same things.

Glad your overall impression is positive though

I agree with you!!!!!

Don't need the do the parks everyday, NEED to relax and have a drink by the pool with the ability to forget about life for a while. And we feel that it is best found at OKW.

That's my take on it.

che

 

[staceymay00]

Interesting take on the resort but I would think that many (but not most ) DVC members don't care at all about being close to the monorail line and would much sooner have their car parked within a few feet of their villa and buses/boats to use when they feel like it! I've experienced the busy monorail in the evening and it was not nice at all. Neither was the wait I've experienced at BWV to go to parks other than HS and Epcot. Think lots of us also prefer the smaller pools so don't have the need to walk too far. Happy that not everyone values the same things.

Glad your overall impression is positive though

I agree. We've stayed on the monorail a few times, and with the exception of MK I would rather travel to the parks from OKW rather than any of the monorail resorts. We like to use our car when we at WDW, so parking in front of our villa is one of the things we really enjoy about OKW.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

We stayed there for the 2nd time last week (studio), the previous visit was a two-bedroom. The two bedroom was WONDERFUL, especially with the two queen beds and private bath for the 2nd bedroom...it was a newly renovated room and looked bright and fresh.

The studio we stayed in last week was worn and tired-looking. The seam in the middle of the carpet was frayed.

But my biggest complaint.......

THE ICE MACHINE WAS AT THE FREAKING BUS STOP!!!!! Seriously?

 

[LSchrow]

Interesting take on the resort but I would think that many (but not most ) DVC members don't care at all about being close to the monorail line and would much sooner have their car parked within a few feet of their villa and buses/boats to use when they feel like it!

i guess we're "different"
we really dislike having cars parked so close to our resort room that we can see, hear, and smell them.
we are view-addicts (and will pay a premium for it, wherever we go) - give us pretty walks to a parking lot rather than seeing vehicles directly outside our room.
resorts with almost room-side parking often have some fantastic views off a balcony/patio. for us,however, having cars parked so close feels like a stop at some motel on the way to our destination; being away from them feels like we have arrived

thankfully, people have different priorities and likes/dislikes, otherwise it would be almost impossible to book what makes each of us happiest.

 

[N365PA]

Its really nice reading the differing opinions on car vs Disney transportation and what is important to everyone. The great thing about DVC is we have the options to try the other resorts! I really enjoy walking so places like OKW and POR where it can be a hike to the bus depot is enjoyable for me. I could see how others would rather be right at the depot or have their car right there. Most trips we don't have a rental car so it isn't a big deal for us.

Funny how the OP didn't like AKL but for my wife and I, it is by far our favorite. To each their own!

Clint
(OKW is my second favorite)