Just back from OKW!

[Connears]

Just back from our home resort for the holidays! 12/24-12/29 in 2 bedroom. Arrived at 1pm on Sun 12/24 and we had our choice of accomodations. We stayed on Turtle Pond Rd 4224. Everything was in perfect order and we even had two towel animals waiting(nemo and friend). From the moment we entered the driveway to resort, we heard "Welcome Home" over and over again! Everytime we came to gate, the guard said it, at the check-in, at goods to go, everywhere. Our CM who checked us in couldn't do enough for us. She explained the DDP and was very thorough with all. Concierge desk had all our ADR and printed them for us. OKW is so comfy with all the room and of course, the washer/dryer. We even got "welcome home" when we drove to BCV to see the decorations. We self-parked and even went into Epcot for a while after touring the resort with no problem. We had no ADR's but the guard at the gate said have a good time at the resort.

OKW CM arranged for me sisters to get free ME back to airport and bell service from room on their check-out day. They did not use ME when they landed because they came a day early and stayed at the airport until Sunday.

Only 2 small issues that were really not enough to concern me. We should have had trash and towel on 12/27, but we left late that morning and did not take off privacy card from door until 10:00am or so. I called when we returned and they came the next morning at the appointed time. I always remember a tea kettle(I might be confusing this with HHI resort )and we missed that because we had a few tea drinkers. Just used a pot instead. Loved the whole trip...

Connears

 

[kato0627]

Welcome Back from your trip. Glad to hear you had a wonderful time. We are headed to OKW on Jan 13. I was a bit nervous b/c I have been hearing not so great things about OKW lately. So nice to hear positive things. Did you use the bus service at all to the parks, if so how was it??
Happy New Year

 

[lisaviolet]

OKW CM arranged for me sisters to get free ME back to airport and bell service from room on their check-out day. They did not use ME when they landed because they came a day early and stayed at the airport until Sunday.

That's great. I just wanted to add that there is a way around using ME when you arrive one day and want to stay at the airport that night. I did it for my guests last month. I just put in a flight # arriving the next day at a time that was good for them. They stayed over at the airport, obviously didn't use the "yellow tag" service, relaxed and used ME the next morning. I felt weird giving a "bogus" flight but got the advice on DIS that it works best to do so and they were right. No problems.

I love OKW. Glad you had a great trip.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I miss the tea kettle too! We ended up using a pan as well.

 

[Disney Doll]

The rooms are supposed to have a tea kettle, so if it's missing when you get there, just call Mopusekeeping and they will bring you one.

 

[jakenjess]

It's so nice to hear about so many positive experiences lately. I too was getting a little nervous with all the bad reviews.

Thanks for sharing, and glad you had a great time!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks for the positive report! I also was getting a little concerned with so many negative OKW reports lately. I'm a big Nemo fan and am trying to visualize what a Nemo towel animal would look like. I'd love to get one of those!

 

[ont/ohana]

Hi we are staying at OKW in March for 3 days as our friends are DVCers too and that is their home (ours SSR). We ate at OLIVIAs in Dec and walked around. Everyone was so friendly and my DD's joined a parade in the gift shop and played instruments. It was a lot of fun. We were going to pay AP rates and stay at POFQ but we decided to use our points and go to our friends HOME!! We loved the lobby too!

 

[dumbo71]

We even got "welcome home" when we drove to BCV to see the decorations. We self-parked and even went into Epcot for a while after touring the resort with no problem. We had no ADR's but the guard at the gate said have a good time at the resort.

I'm glad you had a great trip to OKW. Great resort isn't it.

The part of review I highlighted is of concern. I wouldn't want other members or guests thinking it is OK to park at BCV and visit Epcot.

It is not.


Thanks for the review.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Thanks for your report!

 

[yo-ho-yo-ho]

Thanks for reporting !!

 

[Connears]

To Dumbo71,
This was not a calculated plan to park at BCV and go to Epcot. It was our tour of the resorts for the holidays that turned into a spur of the moment visit to WS for pastries in France.

To kato0627,
We took busses to MK, epcot and MGM and had great luck not having to wait more than 10 minutes anytime. We drove to AK and drove to Poly and Contemp when we had ADRs. It seemed to me that the bus stop at Epcot and MK are closer than they were in the past. We drive to WDW from Boston and tend to drive to most parks during our trips. I give OKW transportation an A for my experiences.

***The best find this trip was given to us from the guard at OKW. It was detailed directions to all WDW areas by car from OKW!!!We used it all the time to avoid those round-about ways the signs give you...What a treat!
Connears

 

[MiaSRN62]

Connears ~
Thanks for the report. Glad u had a nice time ! We love OKW but have never stayed during Dec when the holiday decor is up. Did you decorate your villa/balcony ? Any pics ?
I did stop by OKW for a visit on Dec 4 while staying at CBR (last minute trip) and thought the lobby and Olivia decorations were so pretty.

 

[NCRedding]

***The best find this trip was given to us from the guard at OKW. It was detailed directions to all WDW areas by car from OKW!!!We used it all the time to avoid those round-about ways the signs give you...What a treat!
Connears

We'll be at OKW in 2 weeks, and I would love to get this info, since I plan on driving to most parks. How did you get it? Just ask for it at the gate?? Thanks for the help.

 

[Connears]

The driving directions from OKW was given to us when we asked directions from the guard. He gave the sheet freely to DH so I assume they have plenty, I would also send it to anyone that wants it if you send me pm. I also assume that the other resorts must have similar ones. It is very detailed;(e.g. take left at stop sign, right onto Bonnet Creek, left at Vista Bld,etc). Much better than using the wdw map or using the signage around the area-the signs often take you on the massive LOOP.

miaSRN62
We brought a small table top tree with small red mickey ornaments and fiber optic lights(from disneyonline) and decorated with small felt stocking. We did not put lights outside on the porch this holiday trip but have in the past. Many people did have lights and wreaths and door decorations. Holiday resort decorations were very nice and Santa was there 12/24 in the living area next to check in. Very festive.
Connears

 

[MiaSRN62]

Holiday resort decorations were very nice and Santa was there 12/24 in the living area next to check in. Very festive.

You decorations sounded really nice. I'd love to spend the actual holiday week in wdw one of these years. Is it the norm for Santa to show up at the resorts on 12/24 ? Having never visited during this week I wasn't aware they did this. It's a very nice touch though !