Live from OKW - I don't want to leave!

[iluveeyore]

HI all! Checked into OKW yesterday after six nights at AKV in a studio. Now settled in our one bedroom and want to stay forever. We love the large and open main living area here for our family, and the great patio, which we enjoy several times a day. Love feeding the ducks as well. We're in building 35 with a water and golf view on the first floor - ducks eat out of DH's hand when we have extra bread crusts.
Got groceries at Super Walmart yesterday before returning our rental car that we had all last week. Now we're settled and happy - enjoyed the main pool this morning (90 degrees and sunny at 10 am!!), then DH, DD and DS went to Disney Quest after lunch while I lounged around a bit, then went to DTD to do some browsing and took the ferry back. Just getting dinner ready now and checking out the DIS while it cooks. AK is open late tonight for EMH, so plan to ride EE in the dark again like we did last week (so fun!).
We were pleased yesterday when we moved from AKV that we had several one bedrooms to choose from at 10 am. Got the view we wanted here on Turtle Pond road.
Any questions, bring em on (although I might not get back to you right away). The kids are enjoying the free internet too - helps them keep in touch with their friends in between activities.
Have a magical day!

 

[jakenjess]

Sounds wonderful! How long will you be staying at OKW?

And EE in the dark?! That must be fantastic! Thanks for checking in, and enjoy your vacation!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I'm with you! It's lush and relaxing. Our bags are packed, just waiting for school to end at 12 noon on Friday and we're off to join you at OKW!

So, fellow Canadian, How long will you be there? and what did you do all last week? How were the crowds?

I love the AKL but (please don't be harsh) I do not like the darkness of AKV, the kitchen in particular. I guess that's why Disney makes different themed resorts. I wouldn't turn down a stay at any of them but I still prefer to call OKW home!

Enjoy the rest of your stay!

 

[horselover]

HI all! Checked into OKW yesterday after six nights at AKV in a studio. Now settled in our one bedroom and want to stay forever. We love the large and open main living area here for our family, and the great patio, which we enjoy several times a day. Love feeding the ducks as well. We're in building 35 with a water and golf view on the first floor - ducks eat out of DH's hand when we have extra bread crusts.
Got groceries at Super Walmart yesterday before returning our rental car that we had all last week. Now we're settled and happy - enjoyed the main pool this morning (90 degrees and sunny at 10 am!!), then DH, DD and DS went to Disney Quest after lunch while I lounged around a bit, then went to DTD to do some browsing and took the ferry back. Just getting dinner ready now and checking out the DIS while it cooks. AK is open late tonight for EMH, so plan to ride EE in the dark again like we did last week (so fun!).
We were pleased yesterday when we moved from AKV that we had several one bedrooms to choose from at 10 am. Got the view we wanted here on Turtle Pond road.
Any questions, bring em on (although I might not get back to you right away). The kids are enjoying the free internet too - helps them keep in touch with their friends in between activities.
Have a magical day!

Just curious if you didn't like AKV or just prefer the larger accomodations at OKW.

 

[squitty]

Sounds really nice...We are staying at OKW for the first time in December.

 

[nzdisneymom]

After a studio, I'm sure you're feeling like you're in a mansion at OKW! I love how spacious the patio/balcony is for the 1 BR's. Not so crazy about the tiny square of the OKW studio balcony/patio though.

Sounds like you all are enjoying your time. I had to LOL because we always call the bus stop at Turtle Pond Rd "Dr. D. Nop Eltrut" (it's spelled backwards) because it's something funny that DH started with our younger DS a couple of years ago.

We love having the free internet there, too. And I love that more and more DISers are able to do live trip reports because of it!

 

[skorpie]

On other posts it was mentioned that the buses at WDW are running slowly and it can take forever to get to/from a park? Since it will be out first trip without a car, how is the bus service? Thanks, Diane

 

[iluveeyore]

I'm with you! It's lush and relaxing. Our bags are packed, just waiting for school to end at 12 noon on Friday and we're off to join you at OKW!

So, fellow Canadian, How long will you be there? and what did you do all last week? How were the crowds?

I love the AKL but (please don't be harsh) I do not like the darkness of AKV, the kitchen in particular. I guess that's why Disney makes different themed resorts. I wouldn't turn down a stay at any of them but I still prefer to call OKW home!

Enjoy the rest of your stay!

We're here until Friday when you leave. I'll be the one crying in the lobby as I check out!

The crowds have been not too big, but not too little either. We find it best to use the EMH as much as possible. Another great tip my DS and I found was to go to a park about an hour before close, especially AK and HS that don't have fireworks shows everyone hangs around for - we rode Everest without a wait half hour before 8pm close and Dinosaur as well, then took a bus over to HS and rode ToT and RnR without a wait while Fantasmic was going on.

It's hot here this week - last week was mid to high 80's with not much humidity - this week, it's humid and low 90's - but not complaining, as I can see palm trees!!!

Enjoy your stay next week while I'm going through WDW withdrawal at home.

 

[iluveeyore]

Just curious if you didn't like AKV or just prefer the larger accomodations at OKW.

I like AKV, but will enjoy it more when we have separate DVC accommodations in Kidani Village - we just felt like we were in a regular hotel as the CM's at the front desk don't really know much about DVC. We had a wonderful Arusha savannah view though, and thoroughly enjoyed watching animals at any time of day while relaxing on the balcony. Found the bus service there really good as well, and it's our favourite gift shop with lots to look at. It was my kids' first time staying there, and they really enjoyed it.

OKW is a family favourite though - feels like its own community here, and the kids love all the activities you can do - basketball, tennis, Playstation, the DVC ferry, etc.

 

[beccasmom]

We will be there in 19 days!!!!!! I love OKW and can't wait to see it again! I am glad you are having a good time.....I know I will hate to leave, too!

 

[UrsulaDave]

Thanks so much for your report!

I'm headed to OKW for the first time next week -- also staying in a one bedroom. My sister, her husband, and their two kids (6 and 3) are staying with me. I'm a bit worried about sleeping arrangements for all of them. I tried calling today to see if I could switch to a 2 bedroom, but to no avail. I figure we'll just make a really "cool" sleeping area for the boys on the floor (they're young, they can handle it, right??!!).

I keep hearing the wonderful stories about how much space is at OKW, so I think we'll be fine. I do love those 2 bedrooms, though...

Again, thanks for the report. We'll be using EMH and late nights at the parks too! My nephews are little troopers!!!

-- Dave

 

[iluveeyore]

Thanks so much for your report!

I'm headed to OKW for the first time next week -- also staying in a one bedroom. My sister, her husband, and their two kids (6 and 3) are staying with me. I'm a bit worried about sleeping arrangements for all of them. I tried calling today to see if I could switch to a 2 bedroom, but to no avail. I figure we'll just make a really "cool" sleeping area for the boys on the floor (they're young, they can handle it, right??!!).

I keep hearing the wonderful stories about how much space is at OKW, so I think we'll be fine. I do love those 2 bedrooms, though...

Again, thanks for the report. We'll be using EMH and late nights at the parks too! My nephews are little troopers!!!

-- Dave

You'll have lots of room, Dave. I'm sitting her now at the dining table enjoying a WDW thunderstorm, and your nephews will have lots of room. You can even let them use the cushions off the love seat and the sofa as mattresses for them on the floor, either out here by the pullout or in the master suite - loads of floor space for them. It'll be nice to put them in the master bedroom and close the door so you guys can watch tv and enjoy the patio at night. Also, just a tip - get a building that's numbered 30 or higher, because the one bedrooms have a door in the laundry room that goes into the bathroom without having to walk through the master bedroom. Numbered 29 and down don't have this option, you have only one door through the master to the shower and toilet. We're in building 35, which has this door and is very useful with our teenagers.

Have a great time!

 

[colonialtinker]

Love your report We'll be there in 12 days. You are confirming everything I have told DH about EMH and late night at the parks. Thanks!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Glad you're having a good time! Thanks for checking in.

We leave in 19 days too! And, also requested a 1 bdrm in the Turtle Pond area. We stayed there in Nov 2006...loved the resort and that location. Close to the bus, quiet pool and the main bldg and pool.

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

[UrsulaDave]

You'll have lots of room, Dave. I'm sitting her now at the dining table enjoying a WDW thunderstorm, and your nephews will have lots of room. You can even let them use the cushions off the love seat and the sofa as mattresses for them on the floor, either out here by the pullout or in the master suite - loads of floor space for them. It'll be nice to put them in the master bedroom and close the door so you guys can watch tv and enjoy the patio at night. Also, just a tip - get a building that's numbered 30 or higher, because the one bedrooms have a door in the laundry room that goes into the bathroom without having to walk through the master bedroom. Numbered 29 and down don't have this option, you have only one door through the master to the shower and toilet. We're in building 35, which has this door and is very useful with our teenagers.

Have a great time!

Thank you SO much! Great advice. You've put my mind at ease. Looking forward to a wonderful trip!

-- Dave

 

[UP Disney]

We are also arriving on Friday. It will be me, DH, DD22, DD19, mother, sister, niece7, and nephew 10. My DH is looking forward to having another "boy" on the trip. I'm looking forward to young kids because we didn't start going to Disney until my youngest was 15. We are staying in a two-bedroom. I'm really looking forward to the trip.

 

[hpygrll]

We'll be there Saturday - I'm working now but my head is already at OKW!!! It will be me, DH and our boys (6 and 4) staying in a 1 bedroom.

Jenny

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Thanks for the report! Enjoy!

We will be there this Saturday! Cannot wait! We will have a 2 bdr and a studio for my mom.....DH, me, DS14 and his buddy celebrating 8th grade grad, DD11 and DD2...(This is also DD2's b day and our 5 yr anniv) however, we will msotly allow the boys to have fun and have the trip about them

Hope to see some of you at the pool or at the Gurgling Suitcase for a nice cold one! next week, hot and humid but not too many thunderstorms

Enjoy the rest of YOUR week Hope it goes by slow for you...and fast for me!

 

[iluveeyore]

Boo hoo everyone - it's my last full day at my gorgeous home here at OKW!
It has been hot and humid every day (not complaining though!), and we had two nights of rain and thunderstorms this week - that never really bothers me as we enjoy evenings on our patio or inside our living room playing UNO or watching tv. Last night we went to Fantasmic at the second showing (10:30) - it was EMH at HS - good time to go see the show at the second one as there is half the people. Went to MK this morning with my DD - DH and DS are at Blizzard Beach this afternoon. Me and DD are here at the room trying to eat all the extra food (we always buy too much), and feed the extra bread and buns to the ducks. Trying not to remember it's our last day, but that darn Magic Express envelope showed up this morning.
Oh well, enjoying ourselves, hoping the day passes slowly. We don't leave until 4:30 tomorrow as our flight is 7:20, but we have to be out of our room by 11am.
Have a great time everyone that's coming soon - I'll be at home on the DIS trying to get back that lovin' feeling!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Oh, I do despise that ME envelope too! especially when you are trying to enjoy your last full day....! lol

Well, i hope we dont run into that problem, this is our first "big' grocery order this trip! I do have 2 teenage boys with, so i am hoping I won't have the problem of leftover food!

So, what do you do with extra condimenets, etc?

Enjoy your day today!