Just got back from OKW…

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Hi all,

We just got back from OKW. Some background information, it was an adults only getaway for my birthday. We booked a deluxe studio and I had the cast member suggest room locations. She said she put in near the HH or pool or room with a water view. They ended up giving us a room in building 16 which was a short walk to the HH. I’m not sure if this building was technically only for DVC members? We were so grateful as the resort truly is huge and you would need to get take the bus to get to the food and main pool I think if you were in the further buildings. No issues with the buses, they came on time and were never too full. The room was pretty with a water view. We had mouse keeping everyday. I feel like the resort semi lacked a good quick service. We ate at Good’s To Go, which wasn’t bad, but could use more options. We visited MK and Epcot. Both parks were very crowded, which is expected since it’s a holiday week, however we were able to get on the the rides we wanted too. We took the Sunshine Flyer there and back and had no issues. Some issues on our flight back, but we made it back ok. Please feel free to ask any questions and I will answer as best as I can. I can’t say we enjoyed OKW more or less than the moderates we have stayed in. We did really enjoy the balcony though.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We love OKW and have stayed there many times over the years. Staying near the HH is a room option we always try to get. The resort is all DVC, though some of the rooms will be 'sold' to cash guests, too. Were you aware that you could order any food on Olivia's menu for takeout, not just Goods? We often do that if it's a last minute decision and we don't have a reservation. One of our favorite things to do is grab something from Olivia's and eat it back on that amazing balcony off our room on a nice evening! Buildings 13-16 are great locations - your cast member did a good job!

 

[Robber Baron]

We have stayed at OKW 3 times. We have always been in Buildings 12 or 13. We would not want to stay in an area that is not a short walk to HH.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

We love OKW and have stayed there many times over the years. Staying near the HH is a room option we always try to get. The resort is all DVC, though some of the rooms will be 'sold' to cash guests, too. Were you aware that you could order any food on Olivia's menu for takeout, not just Goods? We often do that if it's a last minute decision and we don't have a reservation. One of our favorite things to do is grab something from Olivia's and eat it back on that amazing balcony off our room on a nice evening! Buildings 13-16 are great locations - your cast member did a good job!

We didn’t think of doing that lol. Yes, near the HH is a must.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

We have stayed at OKW 3 times. We have always been in Buildings 12 or 13. We would not want to stay in an area that is not a short walk to HH.

We are with you there. You need to be near the HH.

 

[JC1984]

is there plenty of parking at the HH say if you have a rental car and are staying in the back 40?

 

[Robber Baron]

I just looked it up on Google maps and the parking lot is pretty good size. Although, the Google pic shows the parking lot to be full, we never experienced many cars parked in that lot. We walked across it many times to get to HH.

 

[JC1984]

I just looked it up on Google maps and the parking lot is pretty good size. Although, the Google pic shows the parking lot to be full, we never experienced many cars parked in that lot. We walked across it many times to get to HH.

Yeah I scoped it out on Google Maps as well just wanted on the ground experience we have never stayed at OKW so we are just doing our due diligence. We like the back section and will have a rental car so if it were too far a walk but really 12 minute walk to HH is not bad in January.

 

[SwanVT2]

We arrive Tuesday. How busy is the main pool? Do we need to get there early to get a spot? Thank you!

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

is there plenty of parking at the HH say if you have a rental car and are staying in the back 40?

We didn’t have a rental car as we use Disney transportation, however it seemed like the resort has a lot of parking.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

We arrive Tuesday. How busy is the main pool? Do we need to get there early to get a spot? Thank you!

The main pool was pretty busy. Lots of people taking up chairs with towels and their belongings. I would say get there before noon and you should be good. Also, a cast member started clearing off some chairs that had towels on it. The main pool is nice and the pool itself wasn’t really crowded, just the chairs.

 

[zavandor]

The main pool was pretty busy. Lots of people taking up chairs with towels and their belongings. I would say get there before noon and you should be good. Also, a cast member started clearing off some chairs that had towels on it. The main pool is nice and the pool itself wasn’t really crowded, just the chairs.

There are few things that make my blood boil more than people occupying the chairs in the morning just to reserve a spot, going away and come back hours later. How inconsiderate of others.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

There are few things that make my blood boil more than people occupying the chairs in the morning just to reserve a spot, going away and come back hours later. How inconsiderate of others.

Yes. It was making us annoyed too. They had a sign up to not reserve chairs. Not that it stops anyone.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Yes. It was making us annoyed too. They had a sign up to not reserve chairs. Not that it stops anyone.

I just move the towels if no one shows up after a few minutes (the time I figure it takes to go to the restroom or quick serve).

 

[heynowirv]

OKW really is a gem in soo many ways.

 

[SwanVT2]

How hard is it to get a reservation for dinner at Olivia’s? Can we make one day of?

 

[Simba's Mom]

How hard is it to get a reservation for dinner at Olivia’s? Can we make one day of?

We're here now, and tried to do the take out from Olivias. At 5:15, the first available pick up time for Mobile Order was 8:30! No walk-ups, didn't check for reservations the next few days.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I just move the towels if no one shows up after a few minutes (the time I figure it takes to go to the restroom or quick serve).

Although I agree not to leave the pool area….if I went to take a dip in the pool and came back and someone moved my stuff off my chair, we’d have words.
Now last time we were at the Polynesian, this family came and put white pool towels on 8 chairs and went to Ohana for breakfast. The lifeguard came and moved them and she went ballistic on the people sitting there when they came back. They were gone for at least 2 hours. The poor people didn’t even know. The lifeguard had to come over and tell her she can’t do that and that she was the one who moved them.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Although I agree not to leave the pool area….if I went to take a dip in the pool and came back and someone moved my stuff off my chair, we’d have words.
Now last time we were at the Polynesian, this family came and put white pool towels on 8 chairs and went to Ohana for breakfast. The lifeguard came and moved them and she went ballistic on the people sitting there when they came back. They were gone for at least 2 hours. The poor people didn’t even know. The lifeguard had to come over and tell her she can’t do that and that she was the one who moved them.

If you (not you specifically) come out and throw a towel on a chair and then just leave (not swimming, not in the restroom, not at the bar/quickserve), you can use all the words you want.

 

[Robber Baron]

You also have the families of 5 who grab a table with 5 chairs AND 5 loungers, even though the 3 kids aren't going to sit down at all.