First Time at OKW (or any DVC resort), A Few Questions

[Disneylvr]

We aren't DVC owners but are seriously considering renting points or booking through Disney for March 2011. We are a family of 3 and my first question is about the pullout bed in the living room. Is it comfortable enough for an adult to sleep in? I have a feeling DD will end up in the bedroom with one of us and either DH or I will probably take the pullout of that happens. DD is a bed hog, even in a king bed!

I know the 1 bedrooms have a full kitchen and I was wondering how many of you actually cook meals in them. We plan to have at least breakfast in the villa everyday and maybe even a few lunches. What kind of meals have you prepared in your villa?

I will probably have more questions later and will add them. Thanks!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

OKW is my favorite resort. It's pastel color palette, and lush landscaping make it a vacation within a vacation. I enjoy going to the parks but it's really relaxing to come back to OKW and feel like you're tucked away in a tropical retreat. You'll be able to see ducks, bunnies, & birds right near your villa from your humongous patio or as you're walking on the paths, the landscaping is awsome.

We book 2brs and travel w/ 5 or 6 people so someone always ends up on the pull out couch, typically DS(13) who is 6' tall. He sleeps very well on the pull out. OKW being the 1st Disney timeshare has bigger villas and studios than the other resorts. You'll be shocked at all of the room you'll have in your 1br.

As far as the kitchen, we make full use of it, as you mentioned, breakfast every day, some lunches and even some dinners. There are quite a few grocery delivery companies to choose from as well as nearby grocery stores. We enjoy a few restaurants but as a whole we don't like to eat every meal at Disney. I make pretty much anything I want, from baked chicken to shrimp scampi. We also utilize the charcoal grills at OKW and do steak, baked potatoes in the microwave and salad. Of course spaghetti and frozen meatballs is always a hit! It saves us a lot of money. By the same token, our 1st meal is always at Olivia's Restaurant in OKW, it's tradition, they have good food served in a very family friendly casual atmosphere.

The main swimming pool with it's slide is a favorite, the kids love it. We also love taking the boat to Downtown Disney, it's lovely at night. We go there for ice cream at Giardelli's after dinner, or even for dinner, we like the new T-Rex Restaurant.

At OKW you can rent bicycles, boats, all in all it's a really great resort! Our favorite bldgs. are #15 (close to HH w/ great views of Golf course & Fountain), #45 & 46 (great water views), and #55 (Close to quiet pool & BBQ grills)

I hope you have a great time in March!

 

[JimMIA]

If you get an OKW one-bedroom, the bed is a King, which may be enough room for all three. The advantage of the one-bedroom is not the kitchen -- it's the overall space, washer & dryer, size of the balcony, etc, etc.

If you get a studio, OKW studios have two Queen beds (no couch) and there is no question you'd have plenty of bed space. We use studios often for shorter trips for that reason, but for longer than 3-4 days we prefer the spaciousness of the one-bedroom.

 

[Disneylvr]

The extra space would be very nice but for us, the kitchen would definitely be a plus. Our daughter has autism and sometimes it is difficult taking her to restaurants, even counter service. We had an episode in Cosmic Rays this year that I don't want to repeat. It would be so much easier to once in awhile take her back the resort and fix her a meal she will actually eat in the quiet of our room.

We are still in the planning phase of our 2011 trip and haven't decided for sure on a resort but OKW is looking great right now.

 

[JimMIA]

Sounds like OKW will be perfect for you and the one-bedrooms are amazing.

If you are going to cook, be aware that there are two offsite grocery shopping services (WeGoShop and Garden Grocer) who will deliver the groceries to your villa at reasonable prices. WeGoShop goes wherever you want them to shop and adds a small service charge to the bill. I believe Garden Grocer has a food list that you choose from, but again their prices are MUCH more reasonable that the prices Disney will charge you for less selection and variety.

OKW is also close to numerous offsite restaurants which you may find less stressful for your daughter than places like Cosmic Ray's.

 

[Disneylvr]

Sounds like OKW will be perfect for you and the one-bedrooms are amazing.

If you are going to cook, be aware that there are two offsite grocery shopping services (WeGoShop and Garden Grocer) who will deliver the groceries to your villa at reasonable prices. WeGoShop goes wherever you want them to shop and adds a small service charge to the bill. I believe Garden Grocer has a food list that you choose from, but again their prices are MUCH more reasonable that the prices Disney will charge you for less selection and variety.

OKW is also close to numerous offsite restaurants which you may find less stressful for your daughter than places like Cosmic Ray's.

Thanks! We will actually have a car but what grocery store (other than Goodings) is near OKW? On non-Disney vacations we always stay in condos or cabins that have more space and a kitchen so I think it is time to consider a DVC resort and maybe even some day joining the DVC. DH, DD and I have stayed in every level of Disney resort except DVC and we make it work for us but I can only imagine how relaxing to would be to have all that space, a big jacuzzi tub, a terrace/patio, washer and dryer, kitchen.... I just hope we can make it fit our budget.

 

[chepic]

Thanks! We will actually have a car but what grocery store (other than Goodings) is near OKW? On non-Disney vacations we always stay in condos or cabins that have more space and a kitchen so I think it is time to consider a DVC resort and maybe even some day joining the DVC. DH, DD and I have stayed in every level of Disney resort except DVC and we make it work for us but I can only imagine how relaxing to would be to have all that space, a big jacuzzi tub, a terrace/patio, washer and dryer, kitchen.... I just hope we can make it fit our budget.

There are a few markets in that general area. If you google Publix, I believe it is a few miles from the goodings, not far off property.

I agree about getting the 1 bedroom versus the studio...the space will be great to have. Also, I have never found ANY pull out couch to be comfortable for an adult. My kids are smaller so they really don't complain. As a matter of fact, our 5y.o. is small enough to sleep on the loveseat. We push it up to the pulled out couch and he sleeps in it like a crib, while the 9 y.o. gets the couch. He actually prefers to leave it as a couch; the cushions are more comfortable. You could also bring a blow-up mattress and put it on the couch to boost the comfort level.

We tend to only eat out 1-2 times for breakfast to meet up with characters, and will eat out for 1 dinner. The rest of the time we eat in....our kids do better that way, and my husband can't live without his morning coffee. It also saves a ton of money.

We also only pack 1/2 the clothes we need. The washer and dryer in the units help out tremendously. And if you are flying, it saves on space and on the weight of the luggage.

There are many great things to say about OKW....I bet you will end up falling in love with it like the rest of us and buy in!!!

Hope this has helped.

cheryl

 

[SAGE]

DS (with ASD) & I are heading to OKW. Really looking forward to trying this resort.
I have rented points from some wonderful members here on the Dis boards.
We have only booked studios however having the small "kitchen" is wonderful!
DS has limited items he will eat in the parks (that hamburger doesn't look the same as home ). I order some items from a local grocery service and he is able to eat, happily in the studio.
Also grab very high calorie items from the Main St. Bakery to take back to our studio for mom to eat!