Great weekend at OKW!

[bobbiwoz]

It was our first stay there, and I must say that I (we) have warm fuzzy feelings in our heart for this resort. We had a studio that must be the best in the resort, 6433, top floor, very private, with a balcony looking at a golf hole and pond, and the building had a elevator!

We checked in to this room at 9 something Saturday morning! That was a first for us, and everything that happened afterwards just fell into place. There was a bus going to Typhoon Lagoon just as we got to the bus stop, and coming back was the same. Everytime DH walked into the room he said "Ahhh!"(The AC did have something to do with that, it was a very warm weekend in WDW!)

We called maintenance because there was an active wasp nest on the balcony. That was taken care of.

This was a relaxing trip for us. We used the pool by Miller's (road?) bus stop. We did ride around the resort in our car to the Turtle Pond pool, and we checked out other places.

Our only other experience with OKW was during Dec. last year when we dropped off the shared Christmas tree to the next people. Then we took the boat to DTD and my impression of the resort was amazement at its size and I didn't think we would ever choose to be there. Now that we've stayed there, it even "looks" different to us. It does feel like home, and we can't wait to book a longer stay there, probably Spring '06.

I didn't meet any Dis'ers on the trip, but met lovely people, all wonderful OKW neighbors. We had a most interesting bus driver coming back from the Halloween party Sunday night. Maybe some of you are familiar with a busdriver who does a monologue regarding all of the coming attractions of all of the resorts, and says that the picture of the asteroid at Space Mountain is really a picture of a chocolate chip cookie. Lot's of groans and smiles from the captive audience, but it did make the trip go by quickly.

No trip is ever long enough, but my counter tells me that our Disney Cruise is coming up soon, that's with a 1 night stay at the VWL.

I just wanted to say that I'm so glad we got to stay at this wonderful resort!

Bobbi

 

[spiceycat]

glad you enjoyed it!!!

begin staying at OKW since 93 and hope to continue til 2041 - I hope!!!

 

[Scoootch]

So happy to hear you had a wonderful trip as well! We left on Sunday after 9 days at BCV's. I loved it ! I'll always consider OKW "HOME" though and always love to hear when other's enjoy OKW as much as we do

 

[kweaver]

Glad to hear you had a wonderful trip!

We plan to stay at OKW for the first time in May...can't wait to try it!

 

[PamOKW]

Glad to hear that you gave OKW a try and found out you really enjoy it! I think you're right that actually staying there gives you a whole different feel than just doing a "drive by". It's sure nice to know we have so many great options.

 

[twocjsmom]

Thanks for the trip report! We will be staying there for our first time in May too when we bring my 4yo sons best buddy's family with us. Four adults, 2 4 year olds, a 2 year old, and a 1 1/2 year old. What are we thinking!!!!??? It should be a blast!

 

[OKW97]

Glad you had a great time, OKW is my home and we love it!

Just one question....

Where the pools crowded with the main pool being closed?? We will be there in 2 weeks for a long weekend for MNSSHP .Thanks!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We used the Millers Road pool twice for about an hour each time and there were very few people around/in the pool or spa. When we stopped at the Turtle Pool complex, there were some people there, but it was definitely not crowded.

Also, the "Ferry provides complimentary transportation to the pool facilities at the new Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort during this refurbishment period." That info comes on a flyer in the Welcome Home packet at OKW.

When we visited SSR for the open house, we noticed that there WERE lots of people there, not crowded, but more that I would expect on a Saturday around 5, and so I'm guessing that some of the people there were staying at OKW and checking out SSR's lovely pool.

Bobbi

PS. MNSSHP on Oct. 3rd was just about perfect! Yes, there were showers, but we were eating at that time, we only noticed when we left the CP that there were lots of puddles around. Have a great time when you go, OKW97!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

Glad you had a great time!

OKW is truly a Gem!

 

[laceemouse]

The 6 Gomel's will be checking into OKW tonight!!!!! WooooHoooo, can't wait

 

[Simba's Mom]

Originally posted by bobbiwoz
It was our first stay there, and I must say that I (we) have warm fuzzy feelings in our heart for this resort. We had a studio that must be the best in the resort, 6433, top floor, very private, with a balcony looking at a golf hole and pond, and the building had a elevator!

Our only other experience with OKW was during Dec. last year when we dropped off the shared Christmas tree to the next people. Then we took the boat to DTD and my impression of the resort was amazement at its size and I didn't think we would ever choose to be there. Now that we've stayed there, it even "looks" different to us. It does feel like home, and we can't wait to book a longer stay there, probably Spring '06.

Bobbi

Glad you enjoyed it!
I just had to say that first, this is an excellent example of how one person's idea of the "best room" isn't someone else's. A previous person who stayed in that same room was less than impressed with the view. Reinforces what happened to me once. I checked into a room at BCV that previously was described as a great view, and I was less than impressed!
Also, isn't it strange how OKW can feel different from just seeing it to staying there. We saw it once, just driving through, and were uninterested. Stayed there as new members only because that was the only place available on short notice. Now we love it and just feel so content when we pull in to check in there.

 

[SueOKW]

I first stayed at OKW as a paying guest taking the family to WDW for the first time in 10 years.

I just want to ditto what many people are saying - I probably never would have chosen to stay there - the travel agent booked it for us because we needed a kitchen, but the moment I walked into the room, I knew I was about to become a DVC member!

Glad you liked it!

 

[DBBN]

I'm happy to hear you enjoyed our home resort. OKW is always tops with us and we'll continue to go back again and again for too many ressons to list here.

Hopefully other members will consider your experience when faced with "OKW was the only resort available".

 

[tinkgrl]

Bobbi,

Glad you had a good time!!! Just wrote you an email!! Hope to hear from you soon.

Allison

 

[bobbiwoz]

Maybe DH is just happy when I'm happy, but he too was so pleased with the room, the view and all of it. He chose to spend time on the balcony with me and relax. The way the balcony faced it wasn't in the sun when we wanted to be there, morning and early afternoon. Also, I'm a bird watcher and so many times I saw great blue herons, in their white phase passing overhead. I saw a teeny tiny green lizard on the palm tree's bark at the 3rd floor balcony level, I spent about an hour in blissful silence reading.

Simba's mom, thanks for telling me that some people didn't like the room. I was afraid to mention the number because I thought we would be so disappointed if we never got anything like it again. I told a friend that "I found a studio that I wish I could buy."

Bobbi

 

[SueOKW]

Your husband was obviously exercising his "verandah rights"

"you deserve to relax. you deserve the beverage of your choice. If you don't choose a beverage, one will be chosen for you."

 

[Tink03477]

It's very nice to hear what a great time you and DH had at OKW. I just booked my first stay there for Nov 8-11. I did it on a whim and just got lucky. My HR is SSR and was my first choice, but OKW was 2nd! I have been wanting to stay there and now's my chance! We had planned on visiting OKW in Sept. but Hurricane Frances had other ideas and we weren't able to visit. We didn't get to do much of anything last trip and that's why I'm feeling the Disney need to go back so soon, even for a quick trip. I do hope to get close to a quiet pool for my son. It's only a short trip compared to our usual 8 days and we don't spend alot of time at the pools anyway. We may go over to SSR pool to check it out again. Thanks for the great report!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Glad you liked our "home"! We will be heading to an OKW Grand Villa in just 9 days!