Just back from 1st stay at OKW

[TenThousandVolts]

What a great resort! We had a 2 bedroom in building 18. Instead of the regular mini-trippie I will just do a list of my impressions of OKW and WDW during our 12/30-1/5 trip

• 1st stop on Magical Express
• Easy check-in, 1st floor room request met
• The rooms are HUGE
• Great room location- right by bus stop- 5 minute walk to HH
• Room was clean and in good condition
• The grounds are very pretty- (tropical, peaceful, natural)
• Best CMs I haver ever encountered at a Disney resort- from Check-in to the Gift-shop- to Olivia's- to Goods to Go- to the lifeguards... they were all terrific!
• Great pool- and the kids loved the sandy play area.
• Very pretty check-in area at OKW, I love the decor in Papa's Den and the Christmas decorations were very nice!

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU OKW OWNERS FOR SHARING YOUR BEAUTIFUL HOME!
Non-OKW related observations:

• Great service from wegoshop
• Great service from Randy's mobility
• Seeing the castle lights was amazing- so beautiful!
• Holiday decorations and Christmas music playing everywhere was great.
• Crowds surprised me everyday of my trip (*see below)
• There was major dining plan confusion that began on 1/1 when the new plan switched on.

*Crowds- was expecting heavy crowds at the beginning of my trip with lighter crowds at the end (12/30-1/5) Found just the opposite. Maybe it was just the parks I picked on certain days but here is what I found:

12/30- hit MK after dinner (7pm or so) Walk-on for Pirates, Aladdin, Jungle cruise, Buzz, Small World... About 40 minute wait for BTMRR, Space Mtn... Not bad at all. Watched the midnight fireworks (NYE preview) they were awesome. Too bad we couldn't stay longer- park was open until 4am and it was EMPTY! We were too tired.
12/31- NO PARKS FOR US, did DTD instead
1/1- MGM, arrived at 10:30AM- 10 minute wait for TOT, park seemed empty. Crowds increased in the afternoon- but very manageable.
1/2- Epcot- moderate crowds- FREEZING weather.
1/3 AK- moderate crowds- 60 minute wait for EE, 20-30 minute wait for Dinosaur. With use of Fast Pass it was a very easy day.
1/4: MK- ABSOLUTELY the most crowded I have ever seen MK- terrible awful crowds. You could barely walk in some areas. We had to leave. We came back after dinner and crowds had thinned and we had a good time.

Can't wait for the next trip! (Planning on August '09)

 

[RCharnay]

Thanks for the details. We were there scouting the properties and spent that Freezing day at EPCOT also. (Got a new sweatshirt and jacket!)

We've decided to buy in OKW for many of the reaons you listed here.

 

[carol1231]

Glad you had a great trip!!

We spent Thanksgiving week at OKW and I agree, it is still the prettiest resort. The Christmas decorations were beautiful there, loved the tropical colors that they added.

 

[alldiz]

Thanks for the great review.....

Headed to OKW for the 1st time in April.....so excited

Sounds like you had a great trip.....
Would you go at that time of year again?
You really got to experience the crazy Fl winter weather.
Was the Sofa bed the new style?
Thanks
Kerri

 

[2002Disneybride]

We'll be there for the first time in April also!

 

[TenThousandVolts]

...Sounds like you had a great trip.....Would you go at that time of year again?...Was the Sofa bed the new style?...Thanks
Kerri

Definately had a great trip!

I think I would go at that time of year again. It is not ideal- but the school schedule keeps us from our favorite times- Oct., Early Dec., and May.

I am not sure if the sofabed was the new style, but it unfolded and it was like 2 big cushions rather than 1 mattress. I don't know if it was comfy as only the kids used it. No complaints from them though.

 

[Paticake]

We check in on Sat for our first trip in a 2 brm. Can't wait. We stayed there last year in a studio and loved it.

 

[lovinthemouse]

Was also at WDW 12/30-1/5 but stayed at SSR and loved it. I agree crowds were large at MK. I knew they would be bad, but I never expected what I got on NYE. I loved it though. Glad you had a great trip.

 

[Coach81]

Thanks for the great news on OKW! We'll be there inside of one month