just back from okw...

[ez]

building 38, designated 2 bedroom overlooking the noisy highway. That was kinda a bummer. Toilet seat broken and mold in laundry room, no small spoons. Otherwise enjoyed all the space and the unit layout, there is none better! Parks were packed, I expected Sun and Mon but MK was unbearable on Tues as well....and lots of middle aged folks and less kids....interesting. When we watched illuminations Sun night, and had to leave with the mass exodus to catch the bus, well, I think that weaned me from booking at okw again any time soon. Epcot is my favorite park, and I love the nice peaceful stroll back to bwv. Even though the units are not as big, I think I prefer smaller units and more convenience. I don't do the herd of cattle thing very well! The next night we did valet parking at boardwalk, hung around, did dinner in Italy and kids went on mission space. Don't know if we were allowed to do that, please folks forgive me this one time, we will stay at bw from now on. I am pg and just couldn't stomach a recreation of the mob scene the night before. Oh yeah, we ate at Olivias and enjoyed it. Heard welcome home about 100 times in 3 days!

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

Glad you enjoyed yourself! I don't do the cattle thing well either. That is why we try to go at the slow times of the year. I tried to book that weekend and couldn't get in because of the Holiday weekend. I had no idea MLK weekend got that busy until recently. Thanks for posting.

 

[Chuck S]

Did you report the room problems to maintenance?

Although Bldg 38 will be going down for rehab shortly. Build 36 went down while we were there last month. We were in Bldg 37.

 

[dvc guy]

We were at OKW over christmas building 38 room 3837, 3rd flr 1 bedroom. The room was in very good shape. I think the room was short a few bowls, and big plates, but no big deal.
I am a very light sleeper and even though the room was near the road I had no problem. That could have been because we were in the parks till 11 PM or later everynight.

 

[BWVDee]

Thanks for the trip report. I agree with you, I will take the fantastic convenience of the Epcot resorts over a larger villa anyday of the week. I love taking our time and just strolling out of Epcot or MGM with the Illuminations or Fantasmic music playing in the background as we walk back to our resort which is all lit up and all the boadwalk activities are going on etc. To me it is true Disney magic and worth every extra penny in dues and every less square inch in villa size.
3 more days until I am back in the land of Mickey, Yahoo!!!!!

 

[MJTinNH]

Sounds like a great trip. Thank you for posting!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Interesting that we were there at the same time, and while you thought it was crowded, we found it to be empty! We were in building 29, and while it was not the most convenient location, it was in great shape, with all new appliances, reglazed tile etc. I am not sure why we never notice the "mob scene" at the end of illuminations, but it has never been a big issue for us. We have never waited for a bus after Illuminations except for the one after midnight NYE 1999/2000. Now THAT was PACKED!! Maybe we just know how to do it afte all these years. It is kind of a tradition for us!

 

[Poorman]

I have to agree with OP, the crowds Tuesday were July like. After Wishes it was a try mob scene gettting out of MK. We stayed at Caseys and had a long cup of coffee and we were going to take the Mono back to BWV but the line getting on was a mile long. Opted for the bus and had to wait a long time fo it, but that is another thread.

Next year we will be sure not to be here MLK week. Can't stand all the crowds, and they should not let kids in these parks


Rich

 

[MiaSRN62]

I know what you mean about the "cattle herd" after Illuminations and the MK fireworks, MGM Fantasmic etc. We never had a problem with staying at OKW because our trick is to just linger for about 30 min and the crowds thin considerably. We've hung out for as long as 45 min after park closing....noone kicks you out and the busses are still running. It's just SO much more deserted. It's wonderful strolling around Epcot or MGM when it's practically deserted.....it's very pretty and peaceful. At the MK, we just hang back and have a dog at Caseys or shop in the Emporium which usually stays open for about an hour after the last fireworks show. Getting back to OKW is a breeze then and we find hanging out a little longer at night is a nice way to wind down the night----we just casually stroll down Main Street looking at the castle all lit up. We do this when we stay at the WL also because the boat doesn't run that late on the return home (times when park is open later). We've had to catch the "Boon" bus at the TTC. We can really appreciate the parks after hours like this. One year, in mid December, we lingered in MGM before returning to OKW and the CM's let us stroll through the Osbourne Lights---we were the only ones back there---it was really cool.
I understand that BW is within walking distance to Epcot, but during our 7-10 nights in WDW, we may only spend 2-3 days there, so having such close proximity is not that big a deal for us, personally, though it is nice. My kids prefer the MK over the rest of the parks. But I'm glad you had a good time besides the crowds----I can understand that must have been a little harder to take than usual due to your pregnancy. Enjoy your next stay at the BWV.
Thanks for the TR.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I know what you mean about the "cattle herd" after Illuminations and the MK fireworks, MGM Fantasmic etc. We never had a problem with staying at OKW because our trick is to just linger for about 30 min and the crowds thin considerably. We've hung out for as long as 45 min after park closing....noone kicks you out and the busses are still running. It's just SO much more deserted. It's wonderful strolling around Epcot or MGM when it's practically deserted.....it's very pretty and peaceful. At the MK, we just hang back and have a dog at Caseys or shop in the Emporium which usually stays open for about an hour after the last fireworks show. Getting back to OKW is a breeze then and we find hanging out a little longer at night is a nice way to wind down the night----we just casually stroll down Main Street looking at the castle all lit up. We do this when we stay at the WL also because the boat doesn't run that late on the return home (times when park is open later). We've had to catch the "Boon" bus at the TTC. We can really appreciate the parks after hours like this. One year, in mid December, we lingered in MGM before returning to OKW and the CM's let us stroll through the Osbourne Lights---we were the only ones back there---it was really cool.
I understand that BW is within walking distance to Epcot, but during our 7-10 nights in WDW, we may only spend 2-3 days there, so having such close proximity is not that big a deal for us, personally, though it is nice. My kids prefer the MK over the rest of the parks. But I'm glad you had a good time besides the crowds----I can understand that must have been a little harder to take than usual due to your pregnancy. Enjoy your next stay at the BWV.
Thanks for the TR.
PS--sorry if this post comes thru twice but I keep getting "busy" error messages when I try to send.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Aha! Yes, we knew it would be crazy on Tuesday, so we stayed away from the MK that day. We found Sunday to be great there though. We spent most of Tuesday at AK and Epcot. We did go into MK for a couple minutes, but it wasn't bad in Tomorrow land where we were.