Just back from Disney stayed at OKW

[germ539]

Got back Friday (20th). My 9 year old had fun, but I don't think we'll ever go again in July. Too hot, humid and crowded. Tour groups everywhere and maybe because of the heat, very rude people. Not the cast members but the ticket holders. OKW was a nice resort, we liked the kitchette, but it seemed too spread out. When we stayed in 1995 at the Dixie Landings, it didn't seem as spread out as this one did. I think that next time we'll try to go earlier in the year, April or May, maybe it won't be as crowded. It took forever to get to ride the rides, wait times from 30 min to 2 hours. I was dissappointed in Blizzard Beach, the wait times there for rides were about the same as the regular parks, my 9 year old had more fun at the resort swimming pool. Also was dissappointed in Animal Kingdom. Rafika's planet watch seemed a waste of time, especially since you have to wait for the train to get to and from. They probably should have another alternate way of coming and going. Also if you don't have a car and are stuck at the resorts, the cost of items in the "general store" of your resorts are outrageous.

The main goal of my son having fun was met, so that's the best thing.

Did anyone else travel during 07/14-07/20? If so how was your trip?

 

[mprewitt]

I avoid WDW like the plague during June, July, and August -- mostly because of the crowds and the weather.

 

[eliza61]

Sounds pretty normal for July in WDW. If you think that was crowded you should try Chrismas. I think when you go to wdw during high peak times you have to adjust your expectations a bit. Heat doesn't bother me to much maybe because its hot and humid in NYC in July so If I'm going to be hot & humid might as well be in WDW.
Glad your son had a good time, try it again at a slower time so you will enjoy yourself also.

 

[Linda T.]

We just returned from a seven night trip - July 11 thru 18 - and we had a great time. My mother (75), my daughters (20, 17) and I (46) loved going in July. We pretty much walked on most of the rides but we went to early entry every morning. We, also, went to Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon and we went at 8 a.m. because it was early entry for onsite guests. We got on all of the slides, raft rides etc. The temperature was hot but we didn't think it was miserable. We did go back to the room every afternoon and swim. I do think the parks were very crowded at night but we usually went back just to watch the night parade. There were alot of tour groups this year. And yes, I do think some people were rude but I think that is everywhere anymore. I'm glad your son had a good time, though.

Linda T.

 

[simonkodousek]

We just returned from the Polynesian, 7/15-7/21. I agree with you about the rude people and tour groups. When we were waiting in line to get into MGM, about 100 people in a tour group skipped ahead of us. Also, a tour group leader pushed through us instead of just walking around, concluding in a huge tour group rampaging through Epcot...

 

[sotoalf]

Got back Friday (20th). It took forever to get to ride the rides, wait times from 30 min to 2 hours.

What time did you arrive at the parks?

 

[noseybuddy]

I have been to WDW twice in August and this August will be my third time. Other than the heat, i didn't have a problem going at this time of year. The crowds were not bad and that was even with the free dining, and I didn't see any tour groups. Now when I went in June it was crowded, hot and tour groups everywhere. I was also there the end of April. While it was not too hot it was crowded, many class trips. Went in February twice, cool in the morning and night and cheerleaders everywhere. December, got lucky with the weather, not too cold and great for Xmas time. My favorite time to go to WDW would be the month of October. The weather was perfect and crowds were not bad.

 

[M2DD's]

What did you think about the transportation to and from OKW.What building were you in?We went a couple of yrs ago in july and have learnt are lesson.Was this your first stay on property? If it was then you probably were shocked on the prices in the store.Even water seem expensive.Thats why we always use the dinning plan.Glad to hear your son had a good time.Which in the end is the most important

 

[germ539]

We got to the parks right around opening time and stayed mostly until early afternoon, back to the hotel for a swim, then back to the park to hopefully get to ride some rides and see the evening shows.

Since it's been 12 years since we were last at Disney and stayed on the resort then, I can't remember what the prices were then (probably alot cheaper) We were in building 38 on the third floor room 32 at OKW. Some times at night you could see some of Magic Kingdoms fireworks from the balcony. The Disney transportation was fairly timely there. Seemed like on an occasion you had to wait a little longer for the bus, but otherwise that seemed okay.

Not everything seemed overpriced, for example the six pack of frozen pizzas were $5.50 and here at home at Walmart they are $5.98, so those were reasonable but the 2 liter bottles of Coke for $3.50.

I guess I just envisioned like you see on TV, but alas that was not the way it was.

The main thing was that my son had fun. (Forgot to note on my original entry that we originally were scheduled to go from May 26-June 1 but my son had to have an emergency appendectomy two weeks prior to the trip so we had to reschedule for July, but that's the way things go, can't control things like that)

 

[grumpy.uncle]

You might plan your trip some other time than summer. We have always been the beginning of January and have lucked out w/ weather all three trips. Crowds are smaller and don't tend to run into the Rudeness Factor. I think the rude thing appears more when the temps are higher and the crowds larger. For your next stay, you might consider ordering some groceries from GardenGrocer and having them delivered to your room. We only stayed at OKW for our arrival night during our first trip. We had just flown across country and had problems w/ flight delays so we arrived at OKW at 11:00 p.m. instead of 5:00. We were so exhausted and starving, but luckily the CM who greeted us was so helpful. She told us about the only food we could get in our resort would be Domino's delivery. Let me tell you. That was the best pizza I had ever had and the most comfortable bed I ever slept on. We explored a little around OKW before checking out, and it did seem a bit spread out. Next time, you might consider POFQ. Most posters who have stayed there love it. It looks a little more compact than POR. Busses seem to be convenient and the overall look of the resort is beautiful. I would like to do a split stay at POFQ at some time in the future.