colleen costello
DVC Fan
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2002
- Messages
- 3,229
We are just back from a week at OKW. It was wonderful. We added on a cash night at Riverside and had a nice evening there, but the room was SO small... I was literally ready to kill both kids as there was no room to hide! I got up bright and early the next morning and headed over to OKW while the rest of the clan snoozed. It was around 7:45 and the nice CM who helped me said she would see if there was a room that we could have "early." When she returned (who is it back there that they talk to?), she said a room in #55 was ready if I wanted it. I was so excited! I drove over and #5512 was perfect! #55 is down at the end, next to a quiet pool on a cul-de-sac near the path to Downtown Disney. SO peaceful. The room was spotless and had a view of the canal. I returned to Riverside, gathered up my family and we moved right in. My husband could not believe how big the 2-bedroom was. We unpacked and shopped at Winn Dixie, and by then, my parents arrived from the airport. Their eyes bugged out at the sight of the beautiful room -- this was their first time "home" or at OKW. The room was so airy and after long winters in PA and Indiana, all of us were thrilled with the tropical atmosphere.
We ate dinner at Olivia's that night, and throughout the week enjoyed the ferry ride, rental bikes, more meals at Olivia's and lots of swimming. The van being right outside the door made it easier on the grandparents. The kids LOVED the quiet pool, spa and whirpool tub in the room. We spent a lot of time on the verandah, tossing bread into the canal and watching the fish gobble it up. Never did see an alligator...
OKW is wonderful. The atmosphere is so great and the rooms are huge. My parents hadn't seen BCV yet so we spent an afternoon over there. We toured the model room and my Dad said "It's so small!" Of course the rooms at BCV are gorgeous, but when you are staying in a room at OKW, they DO seem small! We own at BCV but when my parents are with us, it'll be OKW. It's roomy and easily accessible for anyone with limited mobility. I like BCV, but the atmosphere at OKW is magical. It never seemed crowded even though it was busy Spring Break time. Everyone there is so friendly. It is very "casual," and on vacation, I like that. It is not the center of action by any means, but it has a quiet charm all its own.
Every CM we met was friendly. Housekeeping was great -- the room really was spotless. Our meals at Olivia's -- breakfast, lunch and dinner -- were all wonderful and each time the service was excellent. We especially loved John, a real-live Florida native, who told my Mom about seeing snow for the first time recently in NYC. He was great! My parents were so impressed with the whole place and the large rooms meant we didn't kill each other. Two bathrooms and a large living room make it easy to live in peace.
Also -- for those of you ready to visit and concerned about the world at war, I felt VERY safe. I am a true worrier, and did have concerns about safety before arriving. But all week I felt happy and safe. I would look around and all I saw was families enjoying themselves. Everyone around me just seemed to be doing their own thing, having fun, and I felt OK about my children being there. Additionally, I think the security check is a stupid waste of time. If they really checked you out, I would NEVER complain about the time. But the check they do now is just silly -- they barely looked through my bags and I really resented waiting in line for a "fake" security check -- just my two cents!
Looking forward to my next trip in June. We had a studio booked at BCV, but you all were right -- I MUST have a 1-bedroom! We knocked off a Saturday night and instead will have a 1-bedroom at OKW. I think we'll spend that Saturday at Wilderness Lodge -- MouseSavers has a code for $139!
See you at WDW!
We ate dinner at Olivia's that night, and throughout the week enjoyed the ferry ride, rental bikes, more meals at Olivia's and lots of swimming. The van being right outside the door made it easier on the grandparents. The kids LOVED the quiet pool, spa and whirpool tub in the room. We spent a lot of time on the verandah, tossing bread into the canal and watching the fish gobble it up. Never did see an alligator...
OKW is wonderful. The atmosphere is so great and the rooms are huge. My parents hadn't seen BCV yet so we spent an afternoon over there. We toured the model room and my Dad said "It's so small!" Of course the rooms at BCV are gorgeous, but when you are staying in a room at OKW, they DO seem small! We own at BCV but when my parents are with us, it'll be OKW. It's roomy and easily accessible for anyone with limited mobility. I like BCV, but the atmosphere at OKW is magical. It never seemed crowded even though it was busy Spring Break time. Everyone there is so friendly. It is very "casual," and on vacation, I like that. It is not the center of action by any means, but it has a quiet charm all its own.
Every CM we met was friendly. Housekeeping was great -- the room really was spotless. Our meals at Olivia's -- breakfast, lunch and dinner -- were all wonderful and each time the service was excellent. We especially loved John, a real-live Florida native, who told my Mom about seeing snow for the first time recently in NYC. He was great! My parents were so impressed with the whole place and the large rooms meant we didn't kill each other. Two bathrooms and a large living room make it easy to live in peace.
Also -- for those of you ready to visit and concerned about the world at war, I felt VERY safe. I am a true worrier, and did have concerns about safety before arriving. But all week I felt happy and safe. I would look around and all I saw was families enjoying themselves. Everyone around me just seemed to be doing their own thing, having fun, and I felt OK about my children being there. Additionally, I think the security check is a stupid waste of time. If they really checked you out, I would NEVER complain about the time. But the check they do now is just silly -- they barely looked through my bags and I really resented waiting in line for a "fake" security check -- just my two cents!
Looking forward to my next trip in June. We had a studio booked at BCV, but you all were right -- I MUST have a 1-bedroom! We knocked off a Saturday night and instead will have a 1-bedroom at OKW. I think we'll spend that Saturday at Wilderness Lodge -- MouseSavers has a code for $139!
See you at WDW!
