bus driver lady
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2004
- Messages
- 109
We had a wonderful first DVC stay at OKW for 6 nights (8/22-8/28). So glad we decided to join (purchased SSR) after our New Year '04 trip. We are looking forward to planning many years of vacations thru DVC...think I'll start on that this afternoon!
We decided to try OKW our first trip since we were a little nervous about the construction over at SSR. We checked in early around 11:30 am and a few 2BRs were available right away (or a couple others after 4 pm). Wanting to check in early so we could enjoy the Magic Kingdom our first day, we felt our best option was South Point 5631 (third floor/no elevator). The other choices (even later rooms) all appeared to have possible main roadway (Bonnet Creek?) views along the outside of the resort. Though our view was somewhat disappointing (garden?...trees and swamp) we enjoyed the privacy and heard no loud neighbors during the entire stay. Though my parents complained right away a little about the three flights of stairs, they managed fine. We could have waited for an elevator third floor room in another building but that was also HA. All in all it was not a problem and the room overall was huge, neat and clean. The master bathroom had some "gross" findings and I'm very particular about the bathroom! (The maids must miss this area regularly as there was a thick coating of dust, etc. all around the toilet surround area and around the large vanity mirror. Also, the hair dryer plug end had yellow "gunk" built up on it.) I wiped off the dust myself and used my own hair dryer...probably would have done this anyway so DH or DS could use the shower while I was making myself beautiful! I think Mom did the same "dusting" in their bathroom as I found a dusty washcloth while doing laundry! Other than that, the room was in very nice condition. DS slept on the pullout sofa and had no complaints...he had a choice of that or the other queen bed but most important to him was his own TV! The washer/dryer was put to good use with a daily towel washing. Thanks to the disboards I knew I didn't need to overpack...just a few changes each and home with clean laundry!
During this trip late in August I decided I was cleared to move South someday as the "heat" did not bother me. In fact it seemed about the same as NJ upon departure and arrival back home. High 80's/Low 90's and humid. Maybe I was expecting much worse...and I heard others complaining thruout the parks...but it seemed to me like the same summer weather we've been having in central NJ. Definitely hot but not unbearable. I was suprised at the crowds...definitely not too bad but more than I expected at the end of August. Most rides were less than 20 minute waits, but Test Track was 45 (but more as it broke down during our wait). We did use Fast Pass occasionally but didn't find it necessary much. We'd rather wait 15 minutes than have to trek back across the park later taking as much or more time! Luckily this was an option this trip as over the holidays even with Fast Pass we missed many attractions.
Did I mention FOOD! We seemed to eat and eat and eat...and eat some more. Too much! The room kitchen came in handy and we had breakfasts in during our stay...just light mostly fruit, bagels, oatmeat, toast...two days bacon/sausage, eggs, pancakes. Basically we didn't do a lot of planning or reservations...just winged it. Nothing was bad, but I can't remember finding a good cup of coffee anywhere! (Back in the room I enjoyed my Lipton tea each morning.) We tried Olivia's for lunch one day and dinner our last night. Both meals were very good...especially the desserts! Of course a fun memory from 10 years ago was HoopDeeDoo so we did that and had a great time. The food was good (not great) but a little different (a bowl of corn instead of on the cob, strawberry mush/whipped cream on a little round cake instead of real strawberry shortcake). The show was fun-filled and entertaining...would have been more fun with a larger crowd. Still...worth the bucks! We also had dinner at Cap'n Jacks Downtown Disney and had a very good casual meal and nice service.
One thing we will do differently next trip is less park hopping and more relaxing around the resort. Of course Mom and Dad were with us this trip (the OKW stay their anniversary gift from us) and they wanted to see all the parks as it had been 10 years and they'd never even seen Animal Kingdom. Mom insisted on the 5 day PH as she didn't want to miss anything. We all purchased 5 day PHs at the Disney Store prior to arrival. My family used ours up, but parents pooped out after day four and spent the fifth day resting their weary feet in the room all day. They still have a day each left on their PHs for next trip. We all also visited SeaWorld one day and on our way home drove out the Kennedy Space Center. So all-in-all this was a jam-packed, fun-filled, non-stop vacation!
We stopped by SSR to take a quick look around one afternoon. It looks very nice, but we were glad we didn't stay during all the construction as it was very visible coming in on the bus. We walked up to the quiet pool (nice) and then over to Downtown Disney. I agree with someone else who posted here it will be much nicer when the landscaping matures. Very pretty. Though we might do this walk if staying in one of the four open SSR buildings for an evening at DTD, it seemed like a very long walk especially after coming from a day at Magic Kingdom. Didn't get to see the main pool or food court, but would not hesitate to stay here (our home) once construction is complete!
Well...enough. I need to start planning next year's trip!
Suzy
We decided to try OKW our first trip since we were a little nervous about the construction over at SSR. We checked in early around 11:30 am and a few 2BRs were available right away (or a couple others after 4 pm). Wanting to check in early so we could enjoy the Magic Kingdom our first day, we felt our best option was South Point 5631 (third floor/no elevator). The other choices (even later rooms) all appeared to have possible main roadway (Bonnet Creek?) views along the outside of the resort. Though our view was somewhat disappointing (garden?...trees and swamp) we enjoyed the privacy and heard no loud neighbors during the entire stay. Though my parents complained right away a little about the three flights of stairs, they managed fine. We could have waited for an elevator third floor room in another building but that was also HA. All in all it was not a problem and the room overall was huge, neat and clean. The master bathroom had some "gross" findings and I'm very particular about the bathroom! (The maids must miss this area regularly as there was a thick coating of dust, etc. all around the toilet surround area and around the large vanity mirror. Also, the hair dryer plug end had yellow "gunk" built up on it.) I wiped off the dust myself and used my own hair dryer...probably would have done this anyway so DH or DS could use the shower while I was making myself beautiful! I think Mom did the same "dusting" in their bathroom as I found a dusty washcloth while doing laundry! Other than that, the room was in very nice condition. DS slept on the pullout sofa and had no complaints...he had a choice of that or the other queen bed but most important to him was his own TV! The washer/dryer was put to good use with a daily towel washing. Thanks to the disboards I knew I didn't need to overpack...just a few changes each and home with clean laundry!
During this trip late in August I decided I was cleared to move South someday as the "heat" did not bother me. In fact it seemed about the same as NJ upon departure and arrival back home. High 80's/Low 90's and humid. Maybe I was expecting much worse...and I heard others complaining thruout the parks...but it seemed to me like the same summer weather we've been having in central NJ. Definitely hot but not unbearable. I was suprised at the crowds...definitely not too bad but more than I expected at the end of August. Most rides were less than 20 minute waits, but Test Track was 45 (but more as it broke down during our wait). We did use Fast Pass occasionally but didn't find it necessary much. We'd rather wait 15 minutes than have to trek back across the park later taking as much or more time! Luckily this was an option this trip as over the holidays even with Fast Pass we missed many attractions.
Did I mention FOOD! We seemed to eat and eat and eat...and eat some more. Too much! The room kitchen came in handy and we had breakfasts in during our stay...just light mostly fruit, bagels, oatmeat, toast...two days bacon/sausage, eggs, pancakes. Basically we didn't do a lot of planning or reservations...just winged it. Nothing was bad, but I can't remember finding a good cup of coffee anywhere! (Back in the room I enjoyed my Lipton tea each morning.) We tried Olivia's for lunch one day and dinner our last night. Both meals were very good...especially the desserts! Of course a fun memory from 10 years ago was HoopDeeDoo so we did that and had a great time. The food was good (not great) but a little different (a bowl of corn instead of on the cob, strawberry mush/whipped cream on a little round cake instead of real strawberry shortcake). The show was fun-filled and entertaining...would have been more fun with a larger crowd. Still...worth the bucks! We also had dinner at Cap'n Jacks Downtown Disney and had a very good casual meal and nice service.
One thing we will do differently next trip is less park hopping and more relaxing around the resort. Of course Mom and Dad were with us this trip (the OKW stay their anniversary gift from us) and they wanted to see all the parks as it had been 10 years and they'd never even seen Animal Kingdom. Mom insisted on the 5 day PH as she didn't want to miss anything. We all purchased 5 day PHs at the Disney Store prior to arrival. My family used ours up, but parents pooped out after day four and spent the fifth day resting their weary feet in the room all day. They still have a day each left on their PHs for next trip. We all also visited SeaWorld one day and on our way home drove out the Kennedy Space Center. So all-in-all this was a jam-packed, fun-filled, non-stop vacation!
We stopped by SSR to take a quick look around one afternoon. It looks very nice, but we were glad we didn't stay during all the construction as it was very visible coming in on the bus. We walked up to the quiet pool (nice) and then over to Downtown Disney. I agree with someone else who posted here it will be much nicer when the landscaping matures. Very pretty. Though we might do this walk if staying in one of the four open SSR buildings for an evening at DTD, it seemed like a very long walk especially after coming from a day at Magic Kingdom. Didn't get to see the main pool or food court, but would not hesitate to stay here (our home) once construction is complete!
Well...enough. I need to start planning next year's trip!
Suzy
, but luckily spotted none! From the second bedroom window you could see another unit's deck off to the left, but don't think this room was occupied.
