Home From Holidays at OKW

[Niagara2]

We made it home from OKW safe and sound and it is 70 degree's COLDER here!! Makes me really appreciate how fortunate we were to have 80 plus days and blue sky's for two weeks. We arrived at OKW on Dec. 22nd and inheriated the pretty DIS tree from Carol. It was shipped home and hopefully continues to find a home at DVC next year. The crowds were large from Christmas to New Years We really enjoyed the parks Jan. 3, 4 and 5! OKW was as nice as ever and we enjoyed all the special holiday festivities. Santa, Mickey, Minnie, gifts, all made appearances.
The one thing that was funny was the difference in the guest demographics after Jan. 3rd. Me and DH noticed that OKW turned very senior citizen heavy after the kids went back to school. Many older couples and folks enjoying their home away from home. We both looked at various couples in their 60's 70's and even 80's that were holding hands and having fun. We hope to beable to do the same down the road.
To sum up a great trip - the Holidays were alot of fun. I am very glad we went and even had our trip extended three days as we were bumped on the way home. Hey - it was Jan. and we got to stay at OKW with no notice!! The crowds made it festive but I would of been disappointed if this was my one and only trip of a lifetime as ride waits were 4 hours on NYE and parks closed entry on and off all week for off site guests. I did miss home and relatives (for a short fleeting thought LOL) and will probably be more traditional at home next year.
The weather had to be the best it could be. High 70's to 82 each and every day!!! Sunny, no rain...just perfect. We were so lucky. It is 10 degrees here right now - so very lucky!
We met Jimmy Carter at OKW, we swam everyday, we had lights in and out for Christmas, met a lot of wonderful fellow Dis'ers. Visited various resorts and even drove down to Fort Meyers for the day. We did MS 4 times and loved it. We rang in the New Year, celebrated Jesus's birth, hung out as family and had one of the best trips ever.
We heard two CM's discussing the slide at the pool and they were pointing to the area between the sand and behind the dunes. and large sand bucket where the shower is. Time will tell.
Came home to a fully decorated house and two weeks of mail and work. We are so relaxed that I really don't care! We had a holiday to remember and savor the memories.
Well - back to reality, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask away!

 

[PamOKW]

I agree that you probably had the best Christmastime weather in many, many moons! Hopefully, it will carry you through the rest of the winter.

You give a wonderful description of your trip -- so wonderful that I'm getting a little jealous. Guess I better book my Christmas 2004 trip. It's funny but now Christmas to me means being at OKW and I miss it when I have to be "home" for the holidays.

 

[MiaSRN62]

We are so relaxed that I really don't care! We had a holiday to remember and savor the memories.

Yet another very successful DVC vacation Glad to hear the weather was so nice !
So, did u actually get to speak with Jimmy Carter or did you just see him ? Also, you mentioned 4 hour waits for the rides on NYE. I can't believe people actually wait in those lines ! That must have been something to see
Thanks for the report.

 

[RumpleMom]

Thank you for the excellent trip report.

We are thinking about a trip home starting on Jan 1 2005. Could you please comment on how long the decorations remain up into January? Do you have any recommendations as to what to see first before the decorations disappear?

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hi, I've got a couple questions.
I'm keeping room reports about OKW, so anything you can tell me about your Villa-size, view, condition, near a bus stop?
Also, I've always wondered if OKW is effected by the crowd sizes. Between Christmas and New Years, when the crowds were at their busiest at the parks, did OKW seem busy too, or was it as peaceful and quiet as it is whenever we're there?
Thanks.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Great trip report!

Yep, we always love early January for just the reasons you mentioned about the demographics! Of course, that does change a bit on marathon weekend! The you see folks getting off the bus early in the morning Hobbling around with sore feet! We have threatened to try Christmas some time, but not too eager for the crowds. Hope the weather holds a couple more weeks for our trip! I am booking our early December trip for this year, so it can hold over for then too!

 

[Credit Man]

Thanks for the great report.

 

[Niagara2]

To answer some of the above questions - our room was 1430 - first time on 3rd floor. Good exercise and the view was better up there too! We overlooked the golf course and with one tree out of the way we had a clear view of the fairway. We are right across the street from hospitality house. Alot of traffic to get across the street but very convenient. The room was in great shape as far as furniture and carpets but wasn't spotless. Clean but a few problem areas. The windows were very dirty in and out. Supplies were missing and we had to call for a few things, including blanket for bed, dishwasher soap, hangers, toilet paper, paper towels and even garbage bags. Seems that someone forgot to restock all the basics.
As far as Christmas decorations, they were all up before Thanksgiving and at OKW were up when we left on Jan 6th.
We were at MK on Sunday night for Wishes and all the holiday decorations were up on Main Street then we went early on Monday Jan. 5th and they were all taken down overnight. The Christmas music played at OKW all the time and I was all Christmas music out by the time we left. We were lucky to be there Thanksgiving and Christmas this year so I certainly had enough!
The crowds were hugh at the parks but OKW was fine. Always a chair at the pool and seats on the bus. OKW is usually near capacity most of the time so it is always busy but peaceful. Now we did notice alot less families at pool after Jan 3rd but kids were back at school and kids use the pool the most. It was very peaceful and beautiful and quiet as usual at OKW!

Oh Yes, I did meet and speak with Jimmy Carter at the pool. He was very graciious and seemed genuienly interested in the kids, our activities and info on our hometown. He loves OKW and WDW and visits Disney frequently. I even told him of the Dis Boards. Maybe he is already here under an alias (LOL)
Any more questions.\?

 

[MJTinNH]

Sounds like you had a great time. Make me want to try out the Holidays for a change of pace. Thank you for posting!

 

[colleen costello]

Wow! Thanks for the great trip report! I can't wait to have an OKW Christmas, "someday," when the kids are bigger. It sounds like a wonderful trip... I am looking forward to OKW this March.

 

[Mrs.Milo]

Sounds like a great trip. And by the way, did Jimmy Carter say what room he had; studio, 1 or 2 bedroom, or Grand Villa?

 

[DeeP]

I wonder if Jimmy Carter is a DVC member.

 

[jaysue]

I don't think he would be an OKW owner - I hear he likes slides and long hallways - LOL

 

[Simba's Mom]

No, Jimmy Carter isn't a member-yet! But who knows about the future-hey, it took us 12 WDW trips to smarten up and buy DVC. Since he was the president, hopefully he knows a good deal quicker than we did and he wises up sooner.

 

[dvc guy]

Niagrara 1

Great report we were at OKW from 12/28-1/2 and the weather could not have been better. We were at EPCOT on 12/31 and according to the reports it was the busiest day at EPCOT in their history. Not hard to believe, by noon all the FP for TestTrack were gone. We have been at OKW over the Christmas holiday for the past 5 years and even though the resort is full it never seems that busy.

I guess if we had gonr to the pool maybe we would have seen Jimmy Carter.