First OKW trip. Got a pool question

[timC]

We've been members since 99, but this'll be our first OKW trip. I'm really looking forward to trying out the 1BR, and getting some of that reeeelaxin' that's going on over there.

BUT... I've got two boys (11&8) primed for action, particularly pool action. Are they going to like the pools, or should I pack up the car head for SOB? If so, we don't normally pool hop. How do you organize/pack for pool hopping? Any tips?

 

[KimOhio]

When are you going to OKW? If it is after July 1 Member service told me there would be no pool hopping to SAB. but if there is just pack your suntan lotion they have towels and a changing room

 

[timC]

We are going the week of JUNE 10.

Sorry. I just realized I should have noted that...given the SOB/July1 lockout

 

[Alice Sr.]

I have 2 DD's 14 & 11 they both really like the OKW pool. We are members at BWV & now BCV. Last year we spent the last day off-site and went to the BC. We took backpacks with a change of clothes and everything else we thought we might need and got lockers in the health club, after we were done at the pool we showered left our things in the locker and went to Epcot. Back to your other question, I think the OKW pool is more "home" like, more casual. Everytime we stay at OKW the girls make all kinds of friends, and have an absolute blast. Not that they don't enjoy BWV or BC it's just the kids seem to be a little uptight, the majority are probably there for the 1st time on vacation and are a bit out of their element. Where at OKW almost everyone has been there before and feel more relaxed.

Alice

 

[AnnK]

Tim,
I would pack'em up and hop over to SAB, if for no other reason than this is your last chance to do so ( unless of course you stay at BC) SAB, is without a doubt the best pool on property, and your boys will LOVE IT!!!!! It's not that hard to do, all you need to bring is some dry clothes to change into after your done swimming. There are bathrooms near the pool. You can get your towels at SAB.


Quote
"OKW the girls make all kinds of friends, and have an absolute blast. Not that they don't enjoy BWV or BC it's just the kids seem to be a little uptight, the majority are probably there for the 1st time on vacation and are a bit out of their element. Where at OKW almost everyone has been there before and feel more relaxed. "

I have not found the BWV/BC children to be anymore uptight than any children I have met at ANY WDW resort. What I have found is that they are busy because they have plenty to keep them occupied, they are not just standing there in 3 ft of water looking for some thing to do.

 

[DeeP]

it's just the kids seem to be a little uptight, the majority are probably there for the 1st time on vacation and are a bit out of their element. Where at OKW almost everyone has been there before and feel more relaxed.

I really don't understand why someone would incorrectly assume the kids at BWV are "probably there the 1st time, etc". Our kids have been to BWV many times and we always meet other families with kids that stay at BWV often also, all the kids are very relaxed and very much in their element! I have never seen any "uptight" kids! Our kids are teenagers so they socialize with other teens but even the little kids that we run into are very relaxed and at home and not the least bit "uptight".

To the orginial poster, if your boys really enjoy the pool, I would try to pool hop also. OKW pools are like a regular pool that you find in our backyards, acutally less so since many backyard pools have slides. To pool hop just pack up your bag and go, your boys will enjoy using the nicer pools that can be found in every WDW resort from the moderate resorts to the deluxe resorts and also all the other DVC resorts except OKW. SAB pool is definitely the best pool but unfortunately you will just miss the opportunity to pool hop there by 9 days. Have fun!

 

[DeeP]

Last year we spent the last day off-site and went to the BC. We took backpacks with a change of clothes and everything else we thought we might need and got lockers in the health club, after we were done at the pool we showered left our things in the locker and went to Epcot.

Alice,
I was still confused about why anyone would say the kids at BWV/BC are uptight so I went back and re read your post. Now I think I understand. Maybe it was your children who were uptight since they knew they did not belong in the BC pool since you were not staying at a DVC resort and therefore had no right to be pool hopping at BC or any other WDW pool!

 

[Alice Sr.]

I think there is a misunderstanding or 2 here. I was only trying to assure timC that even though OKW pool doesn't have a slide or some of the obvious luster that BWV and BCV have it is still a fine pool and I believe his boys will have a fine time there.

regarding the following remark:

Alice,
I was still confused about why anyone would say the kids at BWV/BC are uptight so I went back and re read your post. Now I think I understand. Maybe it was your children who were uptight since they knew they did not belong in the BC pool since you were not staying at a DVC resort and therefore had no right to be pool hopping at BC or any other WDW pool! DeeP

We checked out of OKW at 11am and went straight to BCV where I asked both the lifeguard and the attendant at the health club facility if it was ok and both said it was. I find your post extremely offensive and find it hard to believe you are the author of the post titled "It's a shame" dated 03/19/2002. I remember reading that post and was happy by all the favorable comments it got. Appearently it was only lip service on your behalf.

I am a BWV, and now BCV owner and was simply trying to point out that OKW is not a 2nd rate pool and has some benefits that aren't immediately obvious.

Alice

 

[Kick it up a notch!]

I really can't beleive someone is or could be offended by this post. It is fairly obvious that the poster did not mean to offend anyone and may not have said exactly what she wanted to. People seem to be way too sensitive about stuff lately and to find an innocent remark offensive is truely foriegn to me. I'm sure no offense was intended and that people should get back on track about the original idea of the post.

 

[Disney Doll]

The main pool at OKW doesn't have the ambience of the SAB pool...there's no slide, no sand bottom, not all the little nooks and crannies and hot tubs etc, but it still a very nice pool area. There is also a very nice play area with sand right next to the pool. I don't have kids, but whenever DH and I are there, the kids that are at the pool area don't seem to be hating it. I think your guys will like it just fine. Maybe make plans to take them to SAB once during your trip as special treat...maybe SAB, dinner at Beaches and Cream, and then IllumiNations...but for their daily swim, I think the OKW pool will be great.

Why no pool hopping to SAB after July 1? Is it because of the opening of the BCV????

 

[DeeP]

Alice,
I want to apologize for offending you, I am sorry. I should not have written what I did and I am truely sorry. It is just when I read your post I thought: "Great another attack on BWV, now it is even the kids whose families take them to BWV that are being criticized! What is next?". My post "What a shame" was anything but lip servce, I do feel it is a shame that from reading these boards many times people get the wrong impression about BWV because of the many negative and untrue things said about this wonderful resort. I admit I am very defensive towards BWV because I love it so much and hate to see such a fantastic DVC resort get torn to shreds by untrue statements. I took your statement as another attack on BWV, I perceived your statement regarding the uptight children vacationing for the first time and out of their element as: BWV has a bunch of bratty kids who are country bumpkins vacationing for the first time away from the farm and do not know how to act. You did make some exaggerated assumptions in your statement regarding the kids at BWV/BC.
I have always understood that pool hopping was not permitted once you were no longer a guest at a DVC resort and needed a valid resort ID to pool hop. Once a guest checks out of the resort I thought all their guest priviledges ended due to the fact that new guests are arriving that are now entitled to the resort amenitites since they are now the hotel guests not someone who has already checked out and therefore ended their stay at the resort. However, since you checked with the life guard and were told it was fine to pool hop even though you were no longer a DVC resort guest obviously I was wrong. This is good information to have, thank you. Again, I am sorry for any offense I caused and please accept my apology.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Thank you so much, I'm glad the misunderstandings are cleared up. By the way, IF I had to pick a favorite DVC it would be BWV, but don't tell OKW or BCV that, I wouldn't want to hurt their feelings

Thanks,
Alice

 

[DeeP]

Don't worry Alice your secret is safe with me! I feel the same way but I am sure that is NO surprise to anyone!

 

[vernon]

My children have enjoyed the OKW pool over the years. IMHO the lack of a slide does mean the kids have to make their own, more "standard" entertainment and this lends itself more to making friends than running up the stairs and hurtling down a slide.
I would say that if you want to pool hop and SAB is unavailable, IMHO Coronado Springs would be my second choice of pool area to try out. Great slide and nicely laid out.

 

[Beth]

DeeP,

I'm sure I'll be corrected if wrong...

but I believe our "amenities" continue until midnight on the day of checkout - just like our "room charging" priveleges do...

 

[WOW]

Kitck it up a notch-----well said. Why do some people always look for something negative when that obviously was not the intent of the writer????????

 

[DeeP]

but I believe our "amenities" continue until midnight on the day of checkout - just like our "room charging" priveleges do...

Beth,
As I said, I was not aware of this. I am glad to know this. This is something we have never taken advantage of because I incorrectly assumed that after 11:00 AM since we were no longer paying guests at the resort that also meant we were not entitled to use the pool or any of the other amenities. Since we are going to WDW on Wed for a 13 day trip, this is something that I will now use. We will be staying at BWV for all but the last 4 days and then are transferring to CBR, I am happy to know that now we will be able to pool hop to SAB on the day we check out of BWV while we are waiting for our room at CBR to be available.

 

[anewvance]

Heard it refered to as SOB and SAB. What is it? We are staying at OKW next week and if it's what I think you are talking about, I would love to know.

 

[dianeschlicht]

SAB is Storm along Bay....the pool at Yacht and beach.

I personally prefer a less crowded scenario, so LOVE the smaller neighborhood pools at OKW. My kids (when they were younger) did too.

 

[KarenB]

hey timc....we have 2 boys (11 and 13) that are part fish and swimming is top priority to them when it comes to vacation. We are heading to VWL mid June and plan on hopping to SAB....especially since it may be the first and last time we can.

I'm not sure how we will do it yet, but probably throw our suits in a backpack for any spur of the moment dips.

We are spending our first night at OKW and very excited to see this resort!!!

Have a great trip!
KAren