First time at OKW

[dvcpop]

We just returned from our first trip to OKW. It now completes my goal of staying at least one night in each Disney property hotel. DVC has been well worth it. IMHO I was not overly impressed. The one bedroom room 2423 was fine and we could see the fireworks but the people there were awful. The people next door were screaming and swearing so loud at their kid for not going to bed we could hear everything . I almost called security when they began to spank this poor kid. Lots of misbehavior at the pool which was unresolved by the parents or more frequently parent. I don't know why but there was a dispropotinate number of single parents I noticed on this trip. We have previously only vacationed in October/ November so perhaps the summer and kids out of school are the explanation. The pool was not heated and we could not get a pizza delivered to our room which were a minor inconvenience. The gameroom was way too small compared to all other resorts. The Cast was super. The path to DD is nice and a good walk even pushing a stroller! Highly recommend.
Overall though didn't feel that connected to the disney magic. Stayed Friday night at Contemporary and the people were friendly and MUCH more polite. We are going back in Oct. to OKW so I will see if it was really just the time of the year.
ALL in all though a great trip. I would also highly recommend the Disney Family Magic Tour which was availabe to DVC members at a 15% discount. It was the highlight of the trip

 

[DisneyPhD]

Sorry parts of your trip was disapointing. I know that other people can really ruin a good time. (you should off called the front desk on the nosey / abusive people I think.)


We will be at OKW for our 1st time this Aug 13 to 22, studio. (used all of our points up so it is all we can swing.) Was there a reason the pool was not heated? or is it normal for no heat at OKW pools? Was it only one pool, or were all like this? We are really looking forward to getting some pool time in with our 2 year old DD. Last trip we were at BCV and SAB was so wonderful, we are a tad disapointed we couldn't get in for this trip, but we have heard good things about OKW and are looking foward to it.

 

[JimC]

It used to be that all pools were heated. I don't know what the minimum temperature was, but it was always comfortable. Maybe that policy has changed or they had some problem that had the heaters off line for a while.

We are going back to OKW next January. It is a nice resort and is generally pretty laid back. Although we have never been there (OKW) in the summer.

 

[spiceycat]

none of the WDW resorts pools are heated in the summer - the sun is hot enough to warm the pools by noon.

believe me = I tried the BC one morning - and that was what the life guard say.

I think I got told that they turn in off in April/May and it is not turned back on until Oct/Nov.

 

[magicmouse2]

Hey , BCV and OKW are our choice for thoughts on investment in DVC!!!


As cold blooded folk, please dont put us off either pools...

 

[DeeP]

Overall though didn't feel that connected to the disney magic

I have felt the same way when I have stayed at OKW. It is a pretty resort but it just does not feel as Disney nor magical as the other DVC resorts do, maybe it is because of it's location so far from the parks?? Whenever I am at OKW I feel like I am in a very nice condo development that could be located anywhere in central FL. OKW definitely does not remind me of staying at the real Key West, it is way too quiet and lacking in the wonderful entertainment & restaurants that are found in Key West and it obviously lacks the beautiful blue water and the amazing sunrises and sunsets that make Key West so breathtaking.
I do love the Mickey head icon front porch railings though!

 

[Doug Wolfe]

My home resort is Beach Club & I stayed there last July. It was GREAT!

I am staying at OKW this July because DW would like to try a quiet relaxing stay away from the action. So OKW should be right for us.

I will be there in mid July, so I suspect the pool heater won't be an issue for me with those cool 90+ days ahead.

 

[Pa@okw95]

I had the same experience with some people screaming at their kids in the studio unit which was a lock off unit to our one bedroom. The trip before that I had to deal with some bad behavior at the pool area. This is becoming more common all the time-the pool behavior that is-it might be time to get some life guards at the pools at OKW. I don't really know what to do about the screaming coming from the studio units other than to say that the one bedroom master bedroom is far away from those studio units which usually makes for a good nights sleep.

 

[colleen costello]

Just to defend my beloved OKW here, we have always met lovely people at the pools and at the rooms. My children LOVE the pools because they are typically SUPER-warm -- really too warm for some -- even in the summertime. The cast members are great and Olivia's is great, too. The ferry ride is a treat and the foliage and color is gorgeous. I always feel "Disney" here because all the little picket fences have Mickey heads.

So many things are part of what makes a trip "magical," including weather and other travelers. Here's hoping your next trip is better.

 

[DeeP]

might be time to get some life guards at the pools at OKW.

It is way past time as far as I am concerned. OKW and FW are the only 2 resorts on Disney property that do not have life guards at any of their pools and this has always amazed me considering the safety factor, the possible liability to Disney and just how sue crazy many people are in today's world.

 

[colleen costello]

DeeP, I agree with you 100%. Last year my daughter slipped and hit her head near the main pool at OKW and it would have been great to have a person who knew first aid. Erin was fine -- we were right there when it happened -- but it got me to thinking.

I also have wondered about the lightning that comes up so fast. Usually the guards throw everyone out of the pool when a storm comes up, but at OKW there ARE no guards. They come around in security vehicles and post signs, but sooner or later some nut who doesn't get out of the pool is gonna get zapped.

 

[Pa@okw95]

With life guards there would be no more jumping in the pools that should of course not happen. There would be no running. I to think it might be time to get some guards there also. Rules for the pool would be enforced and make for a more enjoyable situation for all.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Whenever I am at OKW I feel like I am in a very nice condo development that could be located anywhere in central FL.

I do have a really nice condo timeshare off-site.......OKW is definitely a Disney-feel compared to this. The "Welcome Home" when you drive up.....the lobby, gift shop, Disney busses, boat ride to DD......all very "Disney" feeling to me. True, it's not as close to the main parks, but it is close to DD. You can't see much from the VWL as far as parks go either.....it's a boat ride to the MK. I feel there's alot more to feeling the Disney magic than having the parks right in front of you. Service has always been outstanding in my experiences at OKW. Last year, my 67 year old mil arrived at OKW ill. She stayed in the car when we pulled up---we were early. Our room was not ready. MY mil is undergoing chemo treatments and was very nauseated and weak from the trip. I went into Olivia's to see if I could get some ginger ale and crackers. The two cm's working in the restaurant at about 1 pm when I was there were extremely nice. They invited her to come in and sit in the air conditioning (it was the end of July and very hot). They brought her ginger ale, seltzer water and crackers----all at no charge. I tried to pay and they'd have nothing of it. I was very touched by their kindness and Disney hospitality. I actually wrote a letter to OKW commending & thanking them. I felt they went way out of their way to make my mil feel comfortable.
I'm sorry you had an "off" experience DVCPop......but this can happen at any time at any resort. I've had less than desirable treatment at other resorts also. Hopefully your next trip will be better

Just to defend my beloved OKW here, we have always met lovely people at the pools and at the rooms.

I'm right with you Colleen......very special feeling at OKW (and all the DVC resorts). It's nice there's something for everyone.
I do also agree about the life guards though......they should definitely have them on duty here.

 

[Tigger7570]

Like Colleen, OKW is our beloved as well. But I do agree with everyone in regard to the lifeguards. I have noticed a change at the pools over the years. Last year, my DH actually saved a toddler at the Turtle Pond pool. The mother was too busy chatting and the toddler was on the steps and went right in and proceeded to go face first and my DH scooped him up because the mother wasn't even watching. The scary part, this mother was total unpulsed by the whole thing and proceeded to go back to her chatting. Believe, if there had been a lifeguard, we would have reported her. These people are the exception to the rule as most parents are very watchful, but I feel lifeguards would take care of these few exceptions and discourage their irresponsibility. Also, as far as the noisy people in the units, I think it's time that we all speak up when we encounter these people so they know their behavior will not be tolerated at our beloved OKW and let them go some place else. For the first time, last October I called the office in regard to noisy people above us. We actually believe that they possibly were way over the room number limit and the noise. This is our home away from home and we need to let these kind of inconsiderate people know they are not welcome. They'll get the idea if each time someone encounters them, they complaint, also if there are enough complaints about a particular memeber/renter, I would think DVC would have to do something about them on a bigger scale, maybe permanently ban them from OKW. Although that would probably never happen, one can hope.

 

[sumessefui]

Sorry OKW did not make you feel the magic. I love OKW and always feel the magic. Hope your next trip will be more pleasant. As far as lifeguards are concerned, I think there should be at least one at the main pool at all times and at the other pools during the peak time. The last time I was at the GF (before the rehab) I was surprised there were no lifeguards at night.

 

[docsnort]

Originally posted by dvcpop
...and we could not get a pizza delivered to our room

Now hold on there! Does this mean they're stopping the delivery vehicles at the security gate! I hope not, cause we are a pizza loving family. Could you please elaborate on your pizza problem. Thanks!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Now hold on there! Does this mean they're stopping the delivery vehicles at the security gate! I hope not, cause we are a pizza loving family. Could you please elaborate on your pizza problem. Thanks!

Yep, I'm a little curious also ? We've never attempted to get pizza while staying at OKW but I would think they'd allow this. I know when we stayed at Vero Beach in 2000, we ordered pizza on a daily basis from outside places that drove into the resort---past the security check ? They were not allowed to go to your room though. The Front Desk would call up to you and someone would have to pick it up in the lobby.

 

[Regina]

We had pizza delivered when we were there in December. Maybe it's because we ordered from one of Disney's restaurants? (I don't remember which one.)

I don't care where you're staying, if your neighbors are noisy, it's going to be a problem. I've called the front desk in these situations. (Fortunately, it's never happened at a DVC resort.)

It's logical that they don't heat the pools when the warm weather arrives, but I would think that you get a bit of a jolt if you go early in the morning.

I'm glad to see that you're giving it another chance in October. I hope that your second experience is better.

 

[colleen costello]

We ordered pizza from Pizza Hut just this March. No problem. Perhaps the earlier post meant Disney quit delivering from one of the nearby hotels? The Pizza Hut man told me he is at OKW all the time. Can't beat pizza for quick, cheap, and "the kids actually eat it!"

 

[FredS]

And, at that time,

1)The main pool was plenty comfortable (I am extremely cold-natured and hate a cold pool!) It was the only pool we swam in, but my experience with the smaller pools are that they have never felt cold to me, in April, October or summer when we've been in them;
2)We had pizza delivered with zero delay or problem;
3)Having stayed at several Disney resorts (Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, Boardwalk and OKW) OKW may be our favorite, and most definitely we feel the magic there!

Sorry you had so many problems. I just don't want this to scare off anyone who hasn't been there. I have stayed there as a single parent with a preschooler, later with a toddler and an elementary-school aged child; now with DH, younger son and teens and each and every time we have had a blast. While the family also enjoys the other resorts I can't imagine ever hearing a complaint about staying at OKW! It is spacious, beautiful, magical and convenient. (As much as I love BCV for the potential for walking to Epcot, it is much more of pain to get elsewhere because of the shared buses.)

The interesting thing that I usually find at OKW is that it is literally much quieter than average, I assume due to the layout. Sorry you encountered the rude folks with obviously poor parenting skills. Ran into that at BCV myself recently