Just back from OKW-Lots of firsts

[Allan]

We just returned from a week at OKW and had a wonderful time. We've been DVC members for 10 years and this was the first time we had been to WDW without a car and I have to say we were nervous about bus service because of some recent posts. Well, from the moment we boarded Magical Express at the airport until we left on Magical Express yesterday we had the best bus service we have ever experienced at WDW. The service at OKW was awesome as was going from park to park or park to another resort for adr's. Our longest wait for the entire week was only 15 minutes.

This was also the first time we had a room near the Hospitality House. In the past we have only stayed near Turtle Pond and loved it, however, having easy access to the main pool was fantastic. It was also the first time we could hear conversations of the family below us-those people were LOUD and stayed up late!!!

It was also the first time I have ever been on a flight that experienced a hydraulic failure. Scariest ride of the week!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Welcome back home! Glad the plane ride was safe, although scary!

Bobbi

 

[disneyeveryyear]

I'm glad you had a good time and better luck with busses than we are having.

Sorry about your issues with the flight!

 

[photobob]

We had a couple of issues with bus service in June, but as a whole more good than bad. Timing is everything when you are talking about bus service. If you get there at the right time it's great, if you get there at the wrong time you may have to wait awhile.

 

[AKV707]

Glad to hear that you had a good trip to OKW. And you did have many firsts!

Our recent experience with buses at AKV were similar to yours at OKW. Really good service.

Sorry to hear about the plane issue.

 

[pagirl410]

This was our first time at OKW and will never stay there again. It is the worst bus service we have ever experienced. We had mixed results getting a bus to the resorts but catching a bus back was nearly impossible. At MK we had two buses drop off guests from OKW but refused to take anyone back. Finally I did a 'sit in' with my 4 yo on a bus until the driver told be when the next return bus was due.

We were told that the drivers get to pick their routes and no one wants to do OKW because it is so far out. Don't know if this is true but since you can't get anywhere (except DTD) without a bus good service is critical. I am going back to the Boardwalk where I least can get to Epcot and Hollywood Studios without a bus.

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

Our OKW bus experience was FANTASTIC two weeks ago! Rarely was the wait more than 10-15 minutes, and was often 5-10 minutes. A-OK grade from our family.

 

[CDNmouse]

We are at OKW right now. We arrived today around 3PM and after checking in took the boat transportation to Downtown Disney. Not long after we finished eating at the Earl of Sandwich a thunder storm rolled in and they shut the boat transportation down. We took the bus back to the resort and since we are in the Hospitality area we were the first stop. Nice!

This is our first visit to OKW. Nice place from what we have seen of it so far. I brought a bottle of wine to open and enjoy on our first evening here. Before leaving for DTD I called housekeeping and asked for a couple of wine glasses. I told them we would be out and to just leave them in the room. We we got back 3 hours later the wine glasses had not arrived yet. Another call to housekeeping, they said it was on their list and will get to it soon. They did deliver them about a half hour later.

A couple of lights bulbs burned out in the room, Maintenance came by and replaced them right away. The clock radio was also not working but that was another department and the maintenance guy called for a new one for us. We also discovered an area on the floor that was wet, and with the rain downpour we figured there was a leak somewhere. The maintenance guy agreed but said there was nothing that could be done about it. It was n't a big wet spot, maybe and area 1' in diameter and it was near a wall so we probably wouldn't walk on it and get our socks wet but I did find it interesting that the guy just shrugged it off. Made me start to thing about how long the leak was there and possible mold problems.

Hopefully we have just got off on a stumble here and the rest of the week will be better. We plan to explore the resort tomorrow. I am also going to go get a rental car too, I like the freedom.

Gary

 

[Connears]

We are dvc members at OKW and have been staying there since we joined in 1994(although we have also stayed at BWV,BCV). We usually drive to parks because we have our car (we drive from Boston), but when we do take the bus we have had great service. (I found the worse service was from BCV having to share the route with other resorts). I have had extended waits of 20 min+ at times, but I think that happens on all routes. If you do have a car..OKW is wonderful because you park right at your building.


Connears

 

[BEASLYBOO]

We drive in but usually park the car and do strictly buses, and to date, since 2000 we've only had one problem. In Aug. 2007, coming back from Typhoon Lagoon we waited 45 minutes for a bus. Other than that no problem. This Jun we actually used the car and drove to the parks and I have to say it was convenient. We love the lush, secluded feel of of OKW, and though it would be nice to have some proximity to Epcot, our favorite park, having to stay at BWV is the deal breaker. It feels like a hotel to me not a resort. Thank goodness DVC has enough to please everybody's taste!