Our family just returned from an 8 day stay at OKW from 4/25 to 5/3. This was our first trip back to WDW in 8 years and our first trip as DVC members. Our overall experience was great and we are already planning a return trip next April (we got the APs this trip and will be back before they expire).
First the resort: we loved OKW. My only disappointment upon arriving was we did not get our room preference to be near the main pool area. It was explained to me that its first come first served on room assignments. We checked in about 4:30. Since check in is at 4, I thought that was early enough. But we did get our other preferences of top floor and non-smoking. We could have had a smoking room in 18, but we decided against that (are they really that bad smelling?)
We ended up in a beautiful 2 bedroom in blg 54. We were very impressed with the accommodations. Clean, spacious, quiet and great service. One morning the shower light went out and it was replaced before we retuned that afternoon. We took advantage of the kitchen for breakfasts and the washer/dryer to pack lighter and bring home clean clothes. Our family of 5 never felt cramped during our time in the room. Our balcony overlooked the golf course. We were right near one of the small pools. Since we had rented a car, it was no big deal to be far from the main pool, which the kids preferred due to the water slide and other recreation available there.
Now the rest: Our kids are 6, 9 and 14, so they can pull us in different directions. We waited a while for our youngest to be school age to return to WDW. But he ended up being afraid to try the rides and attractions, even the kiddie ones. That was a bummer. After dragging him on a few, crying and screaming, we gave up. Figured we will just share that with him on future visits. He was OK on the more open rides/attractions, like the AK Safari, the Jungle Cruise and the Living Seas..
Our days went like this: Eating breakfast in the room, getting to the parks around 9am and lasting till about 1pm, eating lunch at the parks. A little pricy, but the food was pretty good. By afternoon it was getting hot and crowded and we were tired so wed head back to OKW to enjoy the pool. A couple of days my older son and I would stay longer at the parks and my wife would take the two little ones back. We ate all our dinners out and spent some evening time at the parks. We took the bus to MK, but mostly drove to the other parks. We found it can be a 20-30 minute for a bus if you leave the parks midday like we were.
Since I hadnt been to WDW in some time, there was so much new to see as well as familiar favorites. I got to go on just about all of the new (to me) rides. I didnt mind missing some, because we are going back soon! Soaring just opened and it is a great ride. I didnt like the new Tiki Room show. Fantasmic was great. I remembered more lasers in Illuminations and missed those. Didnt get to see Wishes. My only WDW criticism is too many gift shops. Its especially frustrating since we have 2 spoiled kids who want a gift from every one.
We ate dinner mostly at WDW (I picked up a DDE card for the trip which helped). Two nights we went off site to restaurants recommended on the disboards, Giordanos and Sweet Tomatoes thanks disboards! I planned a some of our dinners at the other DVC resorts so we could check them out. We went to Whispering Canyon Café which everyone thought was too loud, except my 9 year old who enjoyed screaming back at the waitress. Another night we tried the Cape May Café at the Beach Club. The kids enjoyed playing on the beach afterwards. We also visited the Boardwalk and Saratoga Springs. Other than OKW, our next favorite was Boardwalk and we are going to try and stay there next time if we can get in. We plan on arriving Thurs or Fri and staying in a Wilderness Cabin first to save weekend points (its already booked!)
Our last morning we ate breakfast at the Kona Café to try Tonga Toast for the first time. It is good, but heavy. Next time I would share an order. We took the monorail loop for a final look around before checking out and heading to the airport.
First the resort: we loved OKW. My only disappointment upon arriving was we did not get our room preference to be near the main pool area. It was explained to me that its first come first served on room assignments. We checked in about 4:30. Since check in is at 4, I thought that was early enough. But we did get our other preferences of top floor and non-smoking. We could have had a smoking room in 18, but we decided against that (are they really that bad smelling?)
We ended up in a beautiful 2 bedroom in blg 54. We were very impressed with the accommodations. Clean, spacious, quiet and great service. One morning the shower light went out and it was replaced before we retuned that afternoon. We took advantage of the kitchen for breakfasts and the washer/dryer to pack lighter and bring home clean clothes. Our family of 5 never felt cramped during our time in the room. Our balcony overlooked the golf course. We were right near one of the small pools. Since we had rented a car, it was no big deal to be far from the main pool, which the kids preferred due to the water slide and other recreation available there.
Now the rest: Our kids are 6, 9 and 14, so they can pull us in different directions. We waited a while for our youngest to be school age to return to WDW. But he ended up being afraid to try the rides and attractions, even the kiddie ones. That was a bummer. After dragging him on a few, crying and screaming, we gave up. Figured we will just share that with him on future visits. He was OK on the more open rides/attractions, like the AK Safari, the Jungle Cruise and the Living Seas..
Our days went like this: Eating breakfast in the room, getting to the parks around 9am and lasting till about 1pm, eating lunch at the parks. A little pricy, but the food was pretty good. By afternoon it was getting hot and crowded and we were tired so wed head back to OKW to enjoy the pool. A couple of days my older son and I would stay longer at the parks and my wife would take the two little ones back. We ate all our dinners out and spent some evening time at the parks. We took the bus to MK, but mostly drove to the other parks. We found it can be a 20-30 minute for a bus if you leave the parks midday like we were.
Since I hadnt been to WDW in some time, there was so much new to see as well as familiar favorites. I got to go on just about all of the new (to me) rides. I didnt mind missing some, because we are going back soon! Soaring just opened and it is a great ride. I didnt like the new Tiki Room show. Fantasmic was great. I remembered more lasers in Illuminations and missed those. Didnt get to see Wishes. My only WDW criticism is too many gift shops. Its especially frustrating since we have 2 spoiled kids who want a gift from every one.
We ate dinner mostly at WDW (I picked up a DDE card for the trip which helped). Two nights we went off site to restaurants recommended on the disboards, Giordanos and Sweet Tomatoes thanks disboards! I planned a some of our dinners at the other DVC resorts so we could check them out. We went to Whispering Canyon Café which everyone thought was too loud, except my 9 year old who enjoyed screaming back at the waitress. Another night we tried the Cape May Café at the Beach Club. The kids enjoyed playing on the beach afterwards. We also visited the Boardwalk and Saratoga Springs. Other than OKW, our next favorite was Boardwalk and we are going to try and stay there next time if we can get in. We plan on arriving Thurs or Fri and staying in a Wilderness Cabin first to save weekend points (its already booked!)
Our last morning we ate breakfast at the Kona Café to try Tonga Toast for the first time. It is good, but heavy. Next time I would share an order. We took the monorail loop for a final look around before checking out and heading to the airport.
