First time staying at OKW. What do I need to know?

[Ron from Michigan]

We are staying at OKW for the first time Mar.29 - Apr.5. Our party is 7 adults and 1 infent. We will be driving to cars down. Thanks for any insights and info I might need to know.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Not much special to know except that no matter WHERE you are in the resort, you are always a quick bus ride away from the Hospitality House and that you will likely come to enjoy the quiet pool neighborhoods a LOT.

Our favorite things are to sit out on the huge porch with the porch fan on in then evenings enjoying the quiet. Even better is sitting out there watching the sun rise with a cup of morning coffee! We almost always eat our breakfast on the porch, since we seem to rise much earlier than most of the people we have had as guests.

We also enjoy the marina and the boat to DTD. We often will take that just for an evening excursion. Oh, and if you happen to be in the South Point area of OKW, the walkway to DTD is a nice walk as well.

Most of the views at OKW are spectacular with a couple of exceptions. Most top floor units will have great views, but the first floor units in a couple of buildings could be hemmed in with vegatation. Our favorite buildings are 45, 46, 56, 15, 21, 16, and 48.

OKW is like a spread out neighborhood of vacation townhomes. Each building is 2-3 stories and will include 1 bedroom/studio lock offs, 2 bedroom or 3 bedroom villas that are walk ups or walk ins from the parking are right outside your door. This gives a nice secluded vacation home feel IMO. The villas are the largest in the DVC system, and have huge master baths and very large great rooms and fully appointed kitchens with full sized appliances. There is also a complete laundry room with full size washer and dryer (not stackables). There is a large covered balcony that includes a dining table, 4 chairs and a ceiling fan. The balcony is accessed from both the living room and the master bedroom. The studios are lock offs from the second bedroom in some units, and will have 2 queen beds, a large closet, a huge full bath and a kitchenette/sink area that will include a microwave, fridge, coffe maker and toaster as well as some plastic and paper table ware. There is a small table with two chairs and a large balcony for the studio rooms as well.

There are 3 neighborhood pools on site, and a larger main pool that has a new sand castle slide. Each pool area includes a childs play area and a laundry for those who are staying in the studios (full size villas have their laundry room in the villa).

Bus service is excellent to all the parks, and there are 5 bus stops located throughout the resort.

 

[JimMIA]

I assume you will be in a two-bedroom. Even at spacious OKW, 7 adults in a two-bedroom is going to be uncomfortably crowded. You'll have a king, 2 queens, and a sleeper sofa that makes into a queen, so the villa theoretically sleeps 8 adults. But you'll still be trying to fit 7 adults into two bathrooms.

It's doable, but it will be tight.

One thing to keep in mind is that with only 3-4 exceptions, the OKW buildings do NOT have elevators. If you have anyone with mobility issues, I'd call MS and add a request for ground floor for medical reasons.

Bring (or buy) lots of coffee and coffee filters. I'd also bring or buy laundry detergent. You think you won't do laundry on vacation, but it's a great option to have.

I'd plan on driving (probably each party driving their own vehicle) to the theme parks. Getting 7 adults to agree on where and when to go, getting them ready and out the door at the same time, and getting them back again is going to be like herding cats! Let everyone go their own way.

Especially with the infant, returning to the resort for pool/nap time is SO much easier with cars. I can drive anywhere in WDW from OKW in 10 minutes, and parking is free and easy.

 

[Brian Noble]

Our party is 7 adults and 1 infent

OKW had a design change about half-way through construction of the resort. Buildings 29 and lower do not have a door between the living room and the master bath---anyone sleeping on the pull-out would need to go through one of the other bedrooms to get to a bath. Buildings 30 and higher do have such a door. This may matter to you given your party size.