Just back from OKW

[Lesley]

We got back from OKW last night. We spent 3 nights in a studio, building 14. I loved the location...right across the street from check in and the bus stop. Everything in the room was perfect, though our particular room didn't have a window...just the patio doors. It seemed a little dark. And I really think they've improved the design of the kitchenette in the newer DVC resorts....there just wasn't enough room to store the food we brought and to prepare things as simple as sandwiches. But then again, with our family of 4 I much prefer having the 2 queen beds over having a bed and a sofabed. Its a trade off. Really, I mostly prefer having a 1br or larger!

We were a bit disappointed on Sunday when we walked over to community hall in the rain so our kids could participate in the craft activity and they didn't have one. It was on the schedule. I did hear another parent ask about it while we were hanging out hoping something would happen (playing checkers and the kids coloring...) and the attendant basically just said that the person who does the crafts wasn't there. Seems to me they could plan better for that possibility by having a craft on hand that can just be pulled out and self guided by older kids or parents. I mean, this stuff isn't rocket science. But it didn't ruin our trip or anything. Just makes me hesitant to plan on doing the crafts or any of the other planned activities at community hall in the future.

It seems every time we stay at OKW we enjoy it more. I have no regrets about buying in at BWV or VWL though...since at this point I've never had trouble booking OKW. I would like an add on there in the future, though....mainly so that we can book a GV every so often. I'll be honest in that we also like booking at OKW to save a few points. We're pretty borrowed ahead right now and need to save wherever we can.

The parks were fairly empty and the decorations all over WDW were beautiful. All in all it was a great visit!

 

[PamOKW]

Glad to hear you had a good time and rolled with the glitches!

 

[spiceycat]

just look at the points you saved staying in a studio at OKW than the other resorts - also looked how much you saved in points since you did not get a 1-bedroom or larger

there are definitely trade off - I like their studios - but a single person or a couple has more options than a family.....

 

[MiaSRN62]

Glad you had a nice trip. Sorry about the cancelled craft activity though---it's a shame they didn't have anything as a backup.

 

[MJTinNH]

Sounds like a great vacation! Thank you for posting!

 

[JC Butterfly]

I am trying to learn more about OKW and would be interested in staying in a studio. Can you tell me are there many studios that don't have windows? You said that you had porch doors so is this a private area or something you would share with your neighbors?

If you rent a studio, there are laundry facilities available on property, right? Any idea on how long of a wait time there is to use these?

So there is no "living room" area per se in these studios. Is the kitchenette just off the bed area then? Is there a table or sitting area at least?

I spent my honeymoon at the BWV so I am trying to compare that experience to what a stay at OKW would be like.

Did you feel "far removed" from other areas of Disney? (That can be a good or bad thing depending on your preference).

Are there water views available at OKW if you stay in a studio?

What is community hall?

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Brenda

 

[RobDoc]

There are very few OKW studios without a window. Most have a window next to the entry door that looks out on the front of the building. All have a private patio/balcony- not shared with another room.

There are free laundry facilities located near the pool areas. You will need to supply laundry soap (it's available for purchase in the Conch Flats Store). Depending on when you are there, demand for the machines will vary.

The mini-kitchen is in the short hallway to the bathroom and consists of a microwave and dorm sized fridge. All OKW studios have 2 queen beds.

OKW has a choice of golf course, water and woods views. You can request the view you'd like.

Community Hall is an area available for meetings, activities and crafts. Also nearby is the exercise area and gameroom.

Here is some <a href="http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=1251562#post1251562">OKW information</a> and a <a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/OKWmap.jpg">map of OKW.</a>

Enjoy!

 

[Chuck S]

Just to supplement what Doc said...

The laundry rooms have 2 washers and 4 dryers. Occasionally I've had to wait for a machine, but not very often. The laundry facility by the main pool may have a different configuration...it has been many years since I've stayed in that part of the resort.

 

[kcashner]

I'll echo what others have said. There are laundry facilities by each pool. Those by the main pool/community hall can be fairly crowded, but I've never had to wait by the other pools. MUCH better than the facilities at VWL.

I like OKW. I like the "park at the door" feature. I don't worry about the view, because we spend very little time in the room anyhow. The balcony/patio is a nice feature. I like the 2 queen beds rather than a bed and sleeper sofa since it is usually mom and daughter. She's a wiggle worm, so we don't do one bed well.

DD finds the pool set up at OKW to be "lame." That translates "It's not Beach Club!" We do miss the pool hopping at beach club, and that would be the one reason we'd choose to stay there. To date, it is the one property we haven't visited.

Yes, there is a table to sit at. Plastic/paper dishes are provided. There is a toaster, microwave, and small fridge.

If you want the separate living room/full kitchen, you'll need to go up to the one bedroom. The one bedroom also includes a whirlpool tub...might be important on a honeymoon....

Each of the resorts has features that make it "special." IT's really a matter of what you prefer. Short list...OKW park at door, good laundry access for studios Beach club...the pool Boardwalk--with a standard view, we had a great view of the Epcot fireworks from our balcony. Also, I can't say enough good about the mousekeeping and luggage help. We had a middle of the night vomiting episode. Mousekeeping had the bed changed and the unit cleaned up while I was in the bathroom dealing with the child! I would have been delighted with dropping off new bedding.

Personnel at all resorts have been wonderful....