Just back from OKW... mini trip report... any questions?

[tedhowe]

Hi all,

just returned from a week at "home" (OKW) we had an HA GV and an HA 2BR lockoff.

First the room reports:

Unit 4815 (3BR GV 1st floor, Handicapped Accessible)

The unit was in pretty good shape overall. Furniture was fine, kitchen well stocked (though it did take us a while to find the pure white cutting board standing vertically in the very white base cabinet in the kitchen... glad we didn't call maintenance about that! )

The only problems were two burned out lightbulbs (promptly replaced) and the jets in the master bath died during my BIL's bath one day.

Even though this was a first floor unit, it had a good view of Illuminations.

Unit 4810/4811 (2BR lockoff. First floor - handicapped accessible)

Also in very good shape and very clean. No problems to speak of.

Both units were ready by 2PM, so we go in a bit early.

OKW was beautiful as usual. We absolutely LOVE the resort. We found the location to be very good as well... directly across the street from the South Point bus stop. One note for people with this location - the 3rd bedroom is on the side of the building facing Peninsular Drive and there WAS noise from the busses, but as this was the bedroom for our daughters (ages 5 and 2) they were dead to the world by the time we got them to their room and it didn't bother them at all. The master and the larger upstairs bedroom were on the inside of the building and had no noise problems.

This has turned into mostly a room report, I'll be posting a long trip report in the trip report board, but a preview:

* Autotrain round trip! Making getting there a part of the fun!
* Birthday lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table
* Two days in Disney/MGM Studios in one trip (never did that before!)
* Pirate and Princess Party! (Arr!!)
* Beautiful february weather
* Swimming pools heated to a reasonable temperature
* First ride on Expedition Everest
* Wishes fireworks cruise

I'll post a link to the trip report when I have it done.

We had a blast and I am already missing "home"

Let me know if you have any questions.

Ted

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm guessing that you asked for villas close to each other and that you were nicely accomodated! It sounds like you had a great time!

Bobbi

 

[tedhowe]

I'm guessing that you asked for villas close to each other and that you were nicely accomodated! It sounds like you had a great time!

Bobbi

LOL

Yes we did. When we got the the front desk, the CM was typically guarded about giving us room numbers before they were released from housekeeping, but when we asked if they were close to one another, she just smiled and said "you'll be pleased".

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks so much for the report. How was the view from there? Did you have a nice view of the golf course?

 

[tedhowe]

Thanks so much for the report. How was the view from there? Did you have a nice view of the golf course?

The view was quite nice. From the first floor patio, it was sort of the usual ground level view - but with low bushes outside of the railing and then an earthen berm that was the edge of the green of one of the holes (don't know which hole it was). Because it was looking directly at one of the golf holes, the view was unobstructed toward Epcot so we could see the fireworks for Illuminations very well each night.

 

[manning]

LOL

Yes we did. When we got the the front desk, the CM was typically guarded about giving us room numbers before they were released from housekeeping, but when we asked if they were close to one another, she just smiled and said "you'll be pleased".

Had some fun this Jan. We changed units while there. The view wasn't as nice as we wante and since we were going to be there a month we aske for a better view. The person assigning the room slipped and gave us the room number. When I went to the front desk to see if the room was ready the CM member said no and said she couldn't give out the number. I smiled and said I won't tell anyone the room number was 4526. She did a double take.

 

[ses1230]

Thanks for the report - can't wait to read more. We are going in October with my parents. How is the bus service to the parks--long waits or manageable? My mom has some problems with her back and can't walk all that far--any suggestions where in OKW would be good for us to request (ie: close to bus stop, pool, store, etc.)

Thanks in advance!

Stephanie

 

[tedhowe]

Thanks for the report - can't wait to read more. We are going in October with my parents. How is the bus service to the parks--long waits or manageable? My mom has some problems with her back and can't walk all that far--any suggestions where in OKW would be good for us to request (ie: close to bus stop, pool, store, etc.)

Thanks in advance!

Stephanie

Stephanie,

I don't really have a good answer for where is a good place in OKW to stay. We liked the south point area - it is at the back of the resort and quieter, but because of the way the bus stops are laid out, it is the second stop, so there wasn't really any problem with buses being full.

We found the bus transportation acceptable, though we only use it when we go to Magic Kingdom. We always drive ourselves to the other parks because it is easier with strollers. As I said, we didn't have any trouble getting on to head to the MK, and on the return trips, we always got on the first bus to come after we arrived at the queueing area for the OKW bus.

Ted

 

[byoung]

Thanks for the TR.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

* Autotrain round trip! Making getting there a part of the fun!
Ted

Isn't the Autotrain just the best way to go. I am assuming you got a sleeper. We really do feel it is part of the vacation. Look forward to your additional reporting.

 

[tedhowe]

Isn't the Autotrain just the best way to go. I am assuming you got a sleeper. We really do feel it is part of the vacation. Look forward to your additional reporting.

It was indeed a lot of fun in the family sleeper compartment.

The only think about it was that with the 4 of us in that 6' x 9' room, my wife and I likened it to when we go camping with the girls in our 1-room tent.... very difficult to get the 5 year old and 2 year old to settle down to sleep... except that on the train, it's as if someone were to come along and shake the tent every minute or two.



Ted

 

[tigger2on]

We have a HA GV @ OKW in May and don't know which one we'll be in. Just wondering how close the pools were?

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have a HA GV @ OKW in May and don't know which one we'll be in. Just wondering how close the pools were?

THis should help you figure that out.

 

[ses1230]

Stephanie,

I don't really have a good answer for where is a good place in OKW to stay. We liked the south point area - it is at the back of the resort and quieter, but because of the way the bus stops are laid out, it is the second stop, so there wasn't really any problem with buses being full.

We found the bus transportation acceptable, though we only use it when we go to Magic Kingdom. We always drive ourselves to the other parks because it is easier with strollers. As I said, we didn't have any trouble getting on to head to the MK, and on the return trips, we always got on the first bus to come after we arrived at the queueing area for the OKW bus.

Ted

Ted,

Thanks for the info!!!

Stephanie