Just back from OKW

[KirstenB]

We had a good stay. We were in 3529, 2nd floor 2 br. I love the 2nd floor because the palm trees are so high, I feel like I'm in a treehouse! The pack n play was missing when we got to the room, so I asked a CM if we could get one. About 30 min later, he showed up with a white metal crib. Minor complaint--I should have pushed harder for a pack n play, as dd2 didn't sleep well in this. At home I still have the bumper guards up in her crib, but didn't pack them, because we've always had a pack n play. Anyway, she tended to whack her head on the metal when she rolled around in her sleep.

For all pool temp folks: the pool temps were great! Probably low 80's. We went over to Port Orleans to swim one day, and curiously enough, their pool was freezing!! Go figure. We skipped Olivia's because of recent threads I'd read about menu changes to the kid's menus. I just wasn't in the mood to hassle with dd1, who's a picky eater.

I didn't realize the parks would already be decorated for Christmas, WOW!! At MGM, the Osborne Lights Spectacular was incredible. Do not miss this!! On Monday night, at the MK, they closed at 7 pm, due to MVMCP. They were very serious about closing! I didn't realize it was starting so early in November, so was caught off-guard. I tried to go into a gift shop on the way out, and was told I couldn't enter without a yellow wristband. I was a little irritated, but I can see both sides of this. In the morning, I had seen big sandwich board-type signs at the entrance saying the park was closing at 7. It would be helpful to know if there was a hard-ticket event, such as this, because I would have given myself a few extra minutes to shop.

If anyone has questions, I'd be glad to try to answer. By the way, the parks were pretty empty, so this is a great time of year if you want to experience "Christmas at Disney" with out all the crowds.

 

[Granny]

Thanks for the report...sounds like you had a great trip!

I agree you should have pushed back on the pack n play. I'm sure they could have found one for you somewhere...possibly they just misunderstood your request?

And I understand 100% about getting people out of the park on time before the night events. Unfortunately, you were being "punished" by the actions of others who have tried to cheat the system in the past.

Thanks for taking the time to share your comments about your trip.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks for the report! Just curious-what was your view (besides palm trees) and how was it?

 

[mmmcq]

Darn, we were at OKW this past week as well and there was a pack-n-play in our front hall closet that we didn't use. They should have tried harder.

 

[byoung]

Thanks for reporting.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Glad you had a good time! We'll be at OKW a week from today!

 

[alfredromero1975]

I liked the Osborne Dancing Lights very much too! BTW, here's a video of them:

http://www.mousevids.com/mv/osborne.asp

 

[drakethib]

Was OKW decorated?

 

[KirstenB]

Simba's Mom, our view was of a wee little pond, the water level looked WAY down. I havent' paid attention to Orlando weather much, but maybe they had a drought over the summer? It looked like our pond does during a drought. Anyway, it didn't matter to me. I love having a "palm tree treehouse"!!

MMMQ, yeah, I couldn't imagine the resort was sold out, but then I thought well, then they have to find a pack n play for another room if they raid that room for us. Anyway, lesson learned, the Nibbler doesn't sleep well in a metal crib.

Drakethib, I'm trying to remember...I don't believe OKW was decorated yet. We left the morning of the 18th. MMMQ, correct me if I'm wrong on that. I left out the fact that I had a minor case of food poisoning that left me a little out of it for a couple of days, plus a baby that was cutting some teeth, plus an 8 yr old who (rightfully so) didn't want to be slowed down by her baby sister. AAGGHH!!! I wanted a vacation from the vacation when it was all said and done! I forgot how hard it is to travel with a toddler!!!

 

[mmmcq]

Food poisoning? WDW? Ouch.

I don't remember specific decorations at OKW, but there were a few balconies that had lights. I shipped two xmas trees for other families and left them there for the DVC tree sharing. But I didn't have the energy to unpack one for ourselves and then repack it again. My kids weren't feeling the holiday vibe like I was.....so I just skipped it.

I'm still in recovery as well....just too many kids and too many days of travel. I'm on the 6th load of laundry as I wait for the 7 princesses to arrive for the PJ & Princess birthday party. I really should have said "NO".

 

[MiaSRN62]

They were very serious about closing! I didn't realize it was starting so early in November, so was caught off-guard. I tried to go into a gift shop on the way out, and was told I couldn't enter without a yellow wristband. I was a little irritated, but I can see both sides of this.

This was how they were this past Oct for MNSSHP. We were in the Emporium and they were asking people to leave who did not have the wrist band. I would have to say this does make it better for folks who paid for the party. I'll be in the MK on Dec 1 but did not purchase the MVMCP. I'm still debating whether I made the right decision, but I just don't think we'll be able to hang. We are coming in on a very early flight that day (will have to be up by 4 am (and I'm working the night before). So I just don't feel we'll have the energy.
We were at OKW this past summer and in Bldg 34 (but I had wanted 35 for the water views !). I'm staying at CBR this week because there was no DVC availability for our nights. But I do plan on driving over to OKW to see if it's decorated for the holidays. I've never been to OKW during Dec.
Thanks for the report