First vist to OKW

[Havana]

We have our first trip planned to OKW in a studio next week. I have read a lot of negative reviews on OKW recently.
Please assure me OKW is as lovely as the pictures look.
Has anybody stayed there in the past month? Any problems to report?

 

[cmanuel]

I haven't but am curious as well.....please give us your report. I would like to go there as well but am still unsure

 

[ercrbc]

We were at OKW the week of Labor Day and loved it! I posted a lot of pics of the HH area on this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2549077

 

[dmoore22]

We have our first trip planned to OKW in a studio next week. I have read a lot of negative reviews on OKW recently.
Please assure me OKW is as lovely as the pictures look.
Has anybody stayed there in the past month? Any problems to report?

OKW is always our first choice. It is also our home resort. Last summer my wife and I decided to take an extra long weekend to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary at the Food and Wine Festival and to take in Mickey's Not-So-Scarey Halloween Party. Even though we were booking at our home resort at the 7 month window there was nothing available. We settled for a studio at SSR. We found SSR to be nice and would not hesitate to stay there again, should OKW not be available. That being said, we did notice a few things about SSR that we have read others complain about at OKW. There was mold in the grout in the bathroom, paint failure in the interior, and carpet needing replacement in the traffic areas of the room. I was disappointed in the bus service at SSR compared to what we are used to at OKW. We did find the food court at SSR to be very nice. However Goods-to-Go uses the same kitchen as Olivia's so we've been able to get items from that menu at the quick serve. Plus it is strategically located next to the Gurgling Suitcase. It has the feel of Old Florida without Mickey-in-your-face.

We normally take two trips each year to OKW. The worst issue we've ever encountered has been a broken ground fault interrupter/receptacle that was fixed immediately after we called the front desk. It inconvenienced our daughters who have to have working hairdryers. We love the established foliage and the feelings of privacy that we have in our rooms and balcony. We are spoiled for OKW.

 

[Checkers]

You will love OKW. It is in the midst of a major room renovation and hopefully you will get one of the renovated studios. You could also request one at check-in. We love the launch to Downtown Disney and have always found the bus service to be very good. Olivia's serves a very good breakfast and lunch. We haven't eaten dinner there in years so I couldn't comment on that. I really don't think you will be disappointed. It is a very relaxed, laid-back resort and the size of the rooms is a big plus as well. Have a great time!

 

[Havana]

Thank you everyone!

 

[Cee]

It is absolutely beautiful there and the villas are the most spacious in WDW. You will feel calm and tranquil....aaaaaaah.....

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Hands down the most relaxed and peaceful resort in all of Disney. When you are tired from the music, noise, movement, visual eye candy of the parks, OKW offers a peaceful solitude to rest your body, mind and soul. Lush and mature landscaping make this DVC an oasis amount the others. Ask for newly remodeled room and don't worry about the bad reviews.

 

[Connears]

We haven been going to OKW since we bought in 1994 when it WAS DVC!!! It is beautiful and relaxing and we love the resort. I guess I am wondering why you needed to ask if there were issues? It is getting renovations throughout the resort, routine maintenance, new furnishings, etc. I think that OKW gets less than stellar PR because it is big and not on monrail or within walk of epcot, but we have always had the best experiences there and I think you will be very happy. I love the size of the accomodations, having your car right outside the villa and the vibe of the place....

Connears

 

[RevBob]

We were just there three weeks ago in a newly renovated villa. This was our third stay there this year! We love the place and are glad that we bought points there last year. We all ready have a Grand Villa reserved for next August and are anxious to host some friends and family there. I think that you will love the place.

 

[Lost in Neverland]

OKW is wonderful do not worry. We were there prior to renovations last January. This was our first time there and had also heard the rumors. We ended up doing a split stay with only 2 days at OKW just in case the rumors were true. We regretted the move almost immediately. The villa at BLT was very nice but we just could not get OKW out of our head. This year it was an easy decision to go back to OKW without any worry. We are so glad this is our home resort.

 

[Candy Orlando]

I love the tropical theme of OKW; the piped in music puts you in a festive mood. The sultry surroundings are enchanting and the palm trees are exquisite.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

What drawbacks? I don't see any. First you are not going to hear any claims the rooms are not big enough. So if you are looking for that it might be a drawback. To spread out some say. I like that it is spread out. You don't feel like you are ontop of everyone else and I definatley don't like kids running up and down a long hall screaming. So I don't see this as a drawback either. Some say there is not enough table service or counterservice food choices. There are four. Olivias, Counter service 1 at turtle pond and 1 at the main pool, and the best bartenders on property at the gurling suitcase. What, you want more! Really people it is a 5 minute bus ride to DTD and 10 minutes by boat. The boat ride is not only pretty but very relaxing. Other transportaion, well there is no monarail. However OKW does not share a bus with any other resort. I don't really see that as a negative. Bus rides to the parks. Once you leave the resort grounds it is 5 minutes to DTD, 10 minutes to MK, 10 minutes to Epcot and 15 or more to AK. Well AK if far from any resort other then AKL/V. So I don't really think that can be counted. I know! You can't see anything else from the resort. WAIT I like that. It is more relaxing. So unless you can convince me that I have it backwards a don't see any negatives here. In fact we are going back in May.

 

[Googelibear]

I am so glad to hear all the wonderful reviews of OKW. We are about to rent points and have been checking between AKL, Boardwalk and OKW. I think my first choice is now OKW.

 

[nolanboys]

All I know is that we stayed there twice and then became DVC members becasue we enjoyed ourselves so much. The grounds are stunning and we found the busses great. We joined SSR for the longer contract, but when we get addontis, I'm sure it will be at OKW.

 

[<3Disney]

We became new DVC owners in May of this year and just returned from OKW on Wed. We were in a renovated 1 bedroom and loved it! We have another vacation planned in May 2011 and plan to return to OKW, but are trying out the studio. I feel spoiled by the 1 bedroom but really want to save points in case we can also squeeze in a trip for Dec 2011. The resort was beautiful, and I can't wait to go back.

 

[Goofy DVC]

Been members since 93 and every time Disney opens a new DVC we think we might like it better but now that we started to try the other resorts we find that OKW is still the DVC resort we like best.The grounds are beautiful, and the rooms are the largest DVC rooms. We love it.

 

[podsnel]

I think OKW is the most welcoming of all the DVCs- it feels like a family there. I am really looking forward to (hopefully) staying there for a week in 2012, maybe even more. Just a great, warm, wonderful place- you will love it!

 

[castleri]

We have our first trip planned to OKW in a studio next week. I have read a lot of negative reviews on OKW recently.
Please assure me OKW is as lovely as the pictures look.
Has anybody stayed there in the past month? Any problems to report?

The only problem I have to report is being unable to get a room here on short notice lately like I used to be able to do. Need to get family members to give me more advanced notice they want some days at Disney so I can get OKW. It is my favorite resort and first choice for everything except studios since I prefer the bed/pull out sofa style when it is just two of us - If they had that I would stay there every stay.

 

[Candy Orlando]

Old Key West! Palm Trees! Home!