First Time at OKW

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

We are staying there for the first time this September. We wanted BWV, but there were no 2 bedrooms available. We have always wanted to stay at OKW, but since this is a short trip I have to say, my dd is upset since she wanted to be "near" DHS and Epcot. We are traveling with another family so there will be 6 of us (2 moms and 4 kids = 5 women and 1 boy ) I picked OKW due to point issues and the large space of the units. I think my dd and her friend (16 and 17) feel that there will be not much to do since there is so much nightlife at BWV. Help me convince them this will be ok

 

[bobbiwoz]

You are a boatride away from DTD, it's a nice boatride!

Did you waitlist for BWV? It may come through!

Bobbi

 

[ChipandMe]

Agree with PP. The boat to DTD is a beautiful ride. There is a lot to do there. Don't forget about the pools and game room at OKW.

 

[iluveeyore]

If you look on a WDW map, OKW is extremely close to Epcot and DHS, short few minutes on the bus. Plus, they could take an extremely short bus trip to DTD and get on a bus to Boardwalk/Beach Club and wander around those resorts as well. OKW is beautiful, our favourite, especially for the size of the 1 and 2 bedrooms and you will absolutely love the huge deck, it's like an extra room we use every morning and evening. Our kids are 16, 20 and 22 and they refuse to stay anywhere but OKW if we can.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

The boat is a big plus...and the pools as well....Thanks!

 

[vandy]

Since you will be with another family you may want to request a villa in buildings number 30 and above. These will have an entrance to the bathroom shared with the master from the living area (through the laundry room). Other wise, one would need to walk through a bedroom to access a bathroom.

 

[Checkers]

I don't think you will be disappointed. We love OKW and have stayed there on numerous occasions (all accommodations). The boat to DTD is a big plus, the size of the accommodations, and the laid-back atmosphere are all things we look forward to. Have fun!

 

[disbis]

When we took our 17 daughter and her friend to OKW they too were looking forward to the night life - however after getting up at 7am going for a swim, a hetic day in the park, shopping, lots of eating etc etc most nights they were in bed and fast asleep by 11pm.

 

[amypetecar]

9/2-9/11 - 2 BR available at both BWV and BLT
9/12-9/22 - 2 BR available at BWV, BC, and BLT
9/23-9/30 - 2 BR available at BWV every day except 9/28.... ironically BLT 2 BR is available. 9/28 shows 1BR and GV available that night.
What were the dates of your trip? unless they included 9/28, every day has availability. Even if they did include 9/28, you could consider trading down to 1 BR or trade up to GV? Or more realistically, book your trip, waitilist for the 28th, and book a 2BR on a cash reservation for 9/28 just in case your waitlist doesn't come through.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

9/2-9/11 - 2 BR available at both BWV and BLT
9/12-9/22 - 2 BR available at BWV, BC, and BLT
9/23-9/30 - 2 BR available at BWV every day except 9/28.... ironically BLT 2 BR is available. 9/28 shows 1BR and GV available that night.
What were the dates of your trip? unless they included 9/28, every day has availability. Even if they did include 9/28, you could consider trading down to 1 BR or trade up to GV? Or more realistically, book your trip, waitilist for the 28th, and book a 2BR on a cash reservation for 9/28 just in case your waitlist doesn't come through.

We are going 9/13-9/18. Because of the point situation, we could only "afford" standard views, which they didn't have at the time of booking (only the bwv or lake/mk views respectively) . My disfriend had a certain amount of points banked and ended up not being able to use them, so she was kind enough to give them to me. We had to book the rooms day by day due to this situation - booking the rooms with different points then linking up the whole reservation. We can't downgrade to a 1 BR because there are six of us. Thank you for checking into this on your own time. Even though I can't use any of the information provided, it is greatly appreciated. That's why I love the Dis - you are all so helpful

 

[msp2mco]

We recently rented points to some family friends. Their kids DD14 and DS17 really wanted to stay at BWV. Unfortunately, BWV was only available 2 of the 4 nights they were going to be there. The family decided to do a split stay so their kids could have a couple of nights at BWV. The other 2 nights were at OKW. When they came home, everyone said they preferred OKW for several reasons:

1-Rooms were much bigger.
2-They loved the community area and the pool
3-Loved the feel of the resort.

These teens were too tired at the end of the day to worry about going out at night.

I don't think your kids will be disappointed.

 

[ktfloss]

We stayed in OKW last year for 14 nights and loved every minute o it. So much so that we are going back this year for 21 nights as it is so relaxing. Home away from home. What i was hoping to find out from anyone withut starting a new thread is there a seperate entrance to the bathroom in Block 62. We stayed in block 64 last year and was hoping to move across road as it will get sun in pm. Other thing is about elevator. There is one in block 64 and wondering is there one in block 62. That isnt as important though

 

[dgaston]

Buildings above 30 have a separate entrance to the bathroom. There are only elevators in buildings 62 63 and 64.

 

[amypetecar]

We are going 9/13-9/18. Because of the point situation, we could only "afford" standard views, which they didn't have at the time of booking (only the bwv or lake/mk views respectively) . My disfriend had a certain amount of points banked and ended up not being able to use them, so she was kind enough to give them to me. We had to book the rooms day by day due to this situation - booking the rooms with different points then linking up the whole reservation. We can't downgrade to a 1 BR because there are six of us. Thank you for checking into this on your own time. Even though I can't use any of the information provided, it is greatly appreciated. That's why I love the Dis - you are all so helpful

got it. For 159 points, OKW can't be beat. I have stayed at OKW and absolutely loved it! If your goal is to find a way to BWV, there is only a 35 point differential between standard and garden view. You could find someone on DISboards to rent 35 points from for around $350 to make up the difference and link the reservation. Not cheap, but still way cheaper than booking cash reservations directly through disney. I ran a few points shy on my upcoming trip and did this for my stay at BLT coming up this year. It was remarkably easy to do.

At the end of the day though, you don't hear very many negative comments about OKW. I bet your family will love it!

 

[spiceycat]

We are staying there for the first time this September. We wanted BWV, but there were no 2 bedrooms available. We have always wanted to stay at OKW, but since this is a short trip I have to say, my dd is upset since she wanted to be "near" DHS and Epcot. We are traveling with another family so there will be 6 of us (2 moms and 4 kids = 5 women and 1 boy ) I picked OKW due to point issues and the large space of the units. I think my dd and her friend (16 and 17) feel that there will be not much to do since there is so much nightlife at BWV. Help me convince them this will be ok

just tell her there is nightlife at DD - and she can take a boat by to OKW from it.

think this is out of date - but here is a link to DD
http://www.wdwinfo.com/downtown/westside/index.htm

here is one that should be fine
http://allears.net/btp/downtown.htm

at their ages they can wonder around WDW w/o you.

sometimes just think teens have to complaint.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

You know in the end, you will all be at Disney, OKW is a beautiful resort and all that is left is for you all to have a good time! Is where you stay so important? My son (now 15, 3 when we bought DVC) prefers the BWV but he's happy to stay anywhere. OKW (my personal favorite), Kidany, we even love SSR. This summer, after graduation from middle school, we took 5 of his buddies to Disney for 6 days and stayed at OKW. They all loved it! They preferred the quiet pool to the main pool! We brought snacks and drinks down to the pool and enjoyed the resort as much as we enjoyed the parks, maybe even more!

It's such fun to take the boat at night to DTD and go for dinner, dessert at Girardeli's or just to hang out, as they call it! We love movies so on waterpark days we end the evening at DTD at the AMC theater.

P.S. Just tried the Dine-In AMC theater, loved it, going again this June! By the way, they can still go to the Boardwalk for a night!

I think you will be pleasantly surprised with OKW! Good luck.

 

[ktfloss]

dGaston....Thank you for reply. Big help.

 

[Woosterguy]

We were at OKW just two weeks ago. It was our first stay there and we really liked it. I agree with others, it's just a short boat trip to DTD so that's a good option for night life.
But what really suprised us was how quick the bus trip to Epcot or the Studios was. Buses ran often so it would be no real trouble to get to the Boardwalk.
Enjoy your stay.

 

[DeerIsleDisney]

You'll love the spaciousness of OKW. The living/kitchen area is HUGE! And the patios/balconies are very large - plenty of space for teens to spread out and have some privacy. The boat to DTD is a great bonus.

 

[mlittig]

I completely agree with all the positive reviews here about Old Key West As so many have mentioned, the boat to DownTown is a huge perk I will be back there next month and cannot wait