Just back...first stay as a Member! (a bit long)

[Sammy]

Just back from our very first stay as DVC members! We checked in very late on Thursday the 26th and left yesterday March 2nd. Because our trip was of the “last minute” variety, we couldn’t get our home resort of BCV, but stayed at OKW instead. It was a lovely resort….very quiet and peaceful. We stayed in a studio because we wanted to save points, but I am really looking forward to a one or two bedroom in the future. Just having the extra bathroom space would be a treat! Feel free to ask any questions, but here are a few observations from our stay:

Stayed in Turtle Pond area…room 4020. A bit farther away from the main area than I would have liked, but close to the quiet pool and playground. Kids got a kick out of playing shuffleboard! Had a parking lot view from both the windows and the patio….oh well. If we craned our necks a little while on the patio, we could see a little pond area behind our building. It was a quiet area except for the fact we were in a loop where the busses turned around. Woke me up early almost every morning.

Didn’t like how the sink/mirror area is inside the bathroom. Took longer for all of us (4 in total) to get ready as we kept having to jump in and out of the bathroom as people were taking their showers. There is a small mirror over the sink in the kitchenette area, but didn’t want to be brushing our hair there.

Kitchenette was more than sufficient for our needs this time. Fridge was big enough for sodas, water bottles, DH’s beer, and some snacks, and still had enough room to hold 3 take-home containers from our meal at the Olive Garden one night. Nice to be able to make coffee in the morning too.

On check-in, I scheduled a full housekeeping service for Sunday. On Saturday, I checked with the main desk to just confirm it and they said it was all set. When we returned from our Epcot Day on Sunday evening, we had gotten no service at all. I called Housekeeping and they said it had never been scheduled. I wasn’t in the mood to be upset about it, but at checkout I just made sure I hadn’t been charged. We did receive the usual “trash and towel” service on our 4th day.

Bus service – unless we wanted a tour of the entire resort (which happened on our return from Epcot Sunday night), we found that walking (or driving) to the Hospitality House was the best way to catch a bus. While we were there, that was the last stop….picking up AND dropping off), so we found it easier to walk (or drive) to the Hospitality House and catch the bus there.

Never did get the chance to eat at Olivia’s…..maybe next time!

We did like OKW, but felt it was a little “too” relaxed for us (is that a bad thing??). We like to be a little more “near the action” so that we have the option of doing stuff if we want. That is one of the main reasons we bought at BCV. That’s not to say I wouldn’t ever stay here again. If I were looking for a very peaceful, laid-back type of vacation, I certainly would stay here in a heartbeat. However, my current goal is to be able to try ALL of the DVC resorts!

All in all, it was a nice mini-vacation. The weather was beautiful….mid to high 70’s, and we spent more time going at a relaxed pace. Because we’ve done the parks in the recent past, we didn’t feel the need to go “commando”, and spent a lot of time just enjoying the sights and each other as a family. I think I’m gonna like this way of vacationing! Thanks, DVC!!

I'd be happy to answer any questions!

Sammy

 

[Credit Man]

Thanks for the report.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm glad you had a nice last-minute trip. Thanks for telling us about it.

Bobbi

 

[BillM]

Glad you enjoyed OKW. Don't know the age of your children but a studio anywhere with DVC can get a little cramped with 4 folks. Try the 1 BR next time.

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Thanks for sharing!! Glad you had a good time!

Allison an associate

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yep, a studio is pretty hard to do with 4 people, but it would have been more cramped at the other DVC's because you would not have had two queen beds. I personally would not do 4 in anything less than a 2 bedroom. That extra bath is worth the points, all by itself!

 

[travelbug]

Thanks for the great trip report! Sounds like a wonderful time!

 

[Sammy]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
Yep, a studio is pretty hard to do with 4 people, but it would have been more cramped at the other DVC's because you would not have had two queen beds. I personally would not do 4 in anything less than a 2 bedroom. That extra bath is worth the points, all by itself!

I was very happy to have the two queen beds. Even so, we brought the air mattress because god forbid the kids would sleep in the same bed! There was plenty of room for it at night, and during the day we would just push it underneath one of the beds. I'm telling you, though.....there's no workaround for the bathroom situation. Our next trip will definately include a 1 or even 2 bedroom!!

Sammy

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Thanx for the thorough report, Sammy. Happy to read that you had a nice trip!

MG

 

[kingj]

Thanks for the report. Always love to hear how others enjoyed their visit.

John

 

[SamSam]

Sounds like you had a good first trip as 'member's; I'm sure the first of many to come. Thanks for sharing, I learn so much from reading other people's trips 'home'.

 

[diskat]

Glad you had a great time. We have stayed at Okw and liked it there.

 

[Sammy]

Oh! I forgot to add that I received a hearty "Welcome Home" at check-in (my very first!!), and each and every time we drove through the gate. It was such a great feeling!!

 

[MJTinNH]

Welcome back to NH. Sounds like you and your family had a nice break from the weather and a good time! Thank you for posting!