First-time stay OKW...room advice?

[las3888]

We own at BWV but due to last minute changes, it looks like we will need to stay at least part if not all of our upcoming stay at OKW for the first time. I am not real familiar with OKW and am just curious if there is a certain area we can request that would fit our tastes? We like a quiet area, close to a quiet pool, with a nicest view possible (no highways, roads, parking lots, etc. landscaping is okay, pools are so so as long as they are quiet). We also like to not be on the first floor - are there rooms on the first floor at OKW?

It also would be sort of nice to be close to the main building in case we wanted to run and get something to eat - do they have any kind of fast food there? Do most people drive over and park by the main building for that type of thing?

A decent view along with quiet is probably our biggest priority.

Any advice for some OKW first-timers?

 

[spiceycat]

okay I will try again - I have posted here twice and both have gone.....

OKW has views of golf, woods, and water (my favorite).

water views are really good at Building 55 and 18 (in my opinion).

if you have a 1-bedroom or larger and want the second door for the master bath (otherwise your kids or guest would have to go through the master bedroom) - then you need building 30 and up.

there are rooms on the first floor.

however if you have a studio I would not suggest the first floor.

most views are blocked by trees, shurbs and air conditioning units on the first floor. 1-bedroom and up would be fine because they are that much bigger.

 

[Disney Doll]

We like the Southpoint area. It's near a quiet pool, a bus stop, and far from the noise and hustle-bustle of the main area. Also close to the walkign path to DD, if you're into that.

 

[DebbieB]

I liked building 43 in the Turtle Pond area, had a beautiful water view and was right across the street from the quiet pool and snack bar. It is far from the main building, I had a rental car. A little walk to the bus stop. Most of the studios & 1 bedrooms are on the first & second floors. Most of the third floor rooms are dedicated 2 bedrooms. No elevators except for 62, 63, 64.

See Doc's configuration study:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=146435

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you want to be near a quiet pool AND near the Hospitality House, that would leave the Miller's Road area. While the views from 18, 20, and 21 are fabulous and near that quiet pool, they do NOT have a second door into the bathroom for any guests that might be staying in the living room.

Our preference is near the South Point pool. Buildings 56 and 55 are great and very near the pool. Building 46 is nice too, but a bit of a walk to the bus stop and pool.

As for being near HH, I think it is somewhat overrated. It is easy enough to get there by hoping ANY of the park buses and riding there, since HH is the last bus stop. The Miller's Road area buildings are an easy walk as are the Penninsular Road buidlings. Actually, only buildings at the far end of the Turtle Pond area and 49 and 50 of the South Point area would be more than a 10 minute walk. I always feel that is nothing when you consider how far we all walk inside the parks. And the good thing is that it is outdoors and not in a hallway!

Make your requests in the order of importance to you. ie. smoking preference, 1st 2nd or 3rd floor, view, etc.

You don't say what size unit you are going to be reserving, but if it is a 1 bedroom or larger, you really can't go wrong with most areas. I would reccomend an upper floor near either Miller's Road or SouthPoint pools and let it go from there. We used to always request one of those, but have just left it to chance lately. I have yet to have a bad experience unless you call the minor annoyance with being in a 2 bedroom on the 1st floor and below a GV and having to hear the noise from the wood floors above.

 

[las3888]

Thanks all for your responses. I see this place is pretty big with alot of choices! Well, it will give me something fun to look into here.

Spiceycat - thanks for the tip on the first floor. We will be in a 1BR and will try for a higher floor definitely then. Water view does sound nice also.

Disney Doll, I am intrigued by the South Point area - what building numbers is that so I can pinpoint it on a map? The only comment I read on another web site is that that particular quiet pool doesn't have much shade and DH has skin issues that he definitely needs to be in the shade. Have you seen this to be a problem there?

Thanks so much DebbieB for the configuration...very helpful! I appreciate the tip about 1BRs on 1st and 2nd floors. I think I would prefer 3rd floor most now that I think about it, but will hope for 2nd floor.

Dianeschlict - We will be in a 1 BR...thanks for the info about the main area. I think we will drop that from our wish list. I am a little concerned about walking alot because I am pregnant but I think the main area or HH (not sure what it stands for) is not going to mean that much to us.

Anybody have any thoughts as to which quiet pool seems to be the least busy (I know the main pool will be closed so good luck to us), as well as offers the most shade that is readily available? Also, are there pool views available? After thinking about it, I think we do NOT want a pool view and would much rather look at water or trees, etc.

Thanks all for your tips and suggestions!

 

[las3888]

Sorry for all of the questions, but one more! How long is the path walk to DD that was mentioned? Thx...

 

[colleen costello]

All the pools have a few tables with big umbrellas, providing some shade at least. The quiet pool by building #55 is usually peaceful. The pool at Turtle Pond area is a bit busier as it has a small snack bar and arcade. If you have a car you can drive to any of the quiet pools. There is lots of parking at OKW, even near the pools. There are also sidewalks and paths so you can walk around.

Southpoint is a peaceful, lovely area. The first time I was assigned to building #55, I drove past it. It is so lush and private I missed the building! Realize, however, that two buildings in Southpoint area back onto the road. You can look at the map at check-in and see where the building they offer you, faces. There is a lot of landscaping so even the buildings near roads are nice.

Many request "close to Hospitality House" and so that is a request you may or may not get. When I have requested "Turtle Pond Area" or "Southpoint" I have always gotten it.

Sorry I can't recall how long the walk to DD is. You start out by Building #55 and head toward the DD West Side. Maybe 1 mile?

Hope you are pleasantly surprised by OKW.

 

[colleen costello]

All the pools have a few tables with big umbrellas, providing some shade at least. The quiet pool by building #55 is usually peaceful. The pool at Turtle Pond area is a bit busier as it has a small snack bar and arcade. If you have a car you can drive to any of the quiet pools. There is lots of parking at OKW, even near the pools. There are also sidewalks and paths so you can walk around.

Southpoint is a peaceful, lovely area. The first time I was assigned to building #55, I drove past it. It is so lush and private I missed the building! Realize, however, that two buildings in Southpoint area back onto the road. You can look at the map at check-in and see where the building they offer you, faces. There is a lot of landscaping so even the buildings near roads are nice.

Many request "close to Hospitality House" and so that is a request you may or may not get. When I have requested "Turtle Pond Area" or "Southpoint" I have always gotten it.

Sorry I can't recall how long the walk to DD is. You start out by Building #55 and head toward the DD West Side. Maybe 1 mile?

Hope you are pleasantly surprised by OKW.