OK, first of all to quench the flames, I open with a nod to richyams and all the other OKW boosters out there.
Note - I rented these points before we decided to purchase DVC and it gave me a good chance to check OKW out as it turns out:
OKW Pros:
1) Good relatively central location (I thought) for consistent fast bus returns
2) Boat to DTD
3) Mini promenade area - Bar, Restaurant, Walk up service
4) Neat kids area - DS loved the giant sandpail and castle area and dolphins by the pool
5) Nice check in area with the central "courtyard" concept
6) Nice room sizes (stayed in studio and 1 bedroom - the bathroom in the 1BR is bigger than my bedroom!!!)
7) Great Staff - especially Annamarie who gave DS some awesome balloons that he loved
8) Ceramic tile I thought was really nice in the bathrooms
9) Large corner showers in the 1BR master bathroom
10) Proper Laundry Room
11) Very relaxing
OKW Cons: (yes we need to have some for a balanced view!)
1) Buses a touch slower in the afternoon - not a huge issue since was almost always able to have a discussion with other people staying whilst waiting for the bus
2) Pool not very exciting and themed - no lifeguard either
3) Some odd noises - those turbine vehicles again at around 4:45am - only noticed this first night in 2626
4) Couches I found to be somewhat uncomfortable
5) Not able to walk to a park (like BWV/BCV for example)
We stayed one night in Studio 2626:
Specific Pros:
Close to Bus Stop (important since we had no car)
I love the "angled" design of the room versus "box/rectangle" - makes everything feel larger in my opinion
Half fridge and kitchenette area
Lack of hallway noise
Nice pastel decor
Specific Cons:
As noted above, heard vehicles around 4:45am whizzing by
Some noise through the adjoining door but the old towel trick took care of that
*****
We stayed two nights in 1723 (1 BR)
Specific Pros:
Lack of hallway noise
Nice pastel decor
Huge room as noted above
Nice sized kitchen
Great view towards one of the golf course holes
Reasonably close to the bus stop either on Miller's or at Hospitality House - a couple of times the bus driver just signalled me to wait on the other side of the road and got me as he/she turned around and started coming back
Nice sized TV
Having the shower separate from the tub area - made it feel almost spa like
Specific Cons:
Oh oh (yes richyams and crew) - none NONE whatsoever in this unit at this time
*****
Overall, loved OKW and will if possible be staying there every 3 years or so to get a break from the hustle and bustle of BCV which I bought thinking of DS and D? (coming June 10), SAB and access to Epcot/MGM and boardwalk.
Anyways, OKW is a great property in my mind - not the best but certainly near the top of the list
Any questions let me know
Thanks
jaysue
Note - I rented these points before we decided to purchase DVC and it gave me a good chance to check OKW out as it turns out:
OKW Pros:
1) Good relatively central location (I thought) for consistent fast bus returns
2) Boat to DTD
3) Mini promenade area - Bar, Restaurant, Walk up service
4) Neat kids area - DS loved the giant sandpail and castle area and dolphins by the pool
5) Nice check in area with the central "courtyard" concept
6) Nice room sizes (stayed in studio and 1 bedroom - the bathroom in the 1BR is bigger than my bedroom!!!)
7) Great Staff - especially Annamarie who gave DS some awesome balloons that he loved
8) Ceramic tile I thought was really nice in the bathrooms
9) Large corner showers in the 1BR master bathroom
10) Proper Laundry Room
11) Very relaxing
OKW Cons: (yes we need to have some for a balanced view!)
1) Buses a touch slower in the afternoon - not a huge issue since was almost always able to have a discussion with other people staying whilst waiting for the bus
2) Pool not very exciting and themed - no lifeguard either
3) Some odd noises - those turbine vehicles again at around 4:45am - only noticed this first night in 2626
4) Couches I found to be somewhat uncomfortable
5) Not able to walk to a park (like BWV/BCV for example)
We stayed one night in Studio 2626:
Specific Pros:
Close to Bus Stop (important since we had no car)
I love the "angled" design of the room versus "box/rectangle" - makes everything feel larger in my opinion
Half fridge and kitchenette area
Lack of hallway noise
Nice pastel decor
Specific Cons:
As noted above, heard vehicles around 4:45am whizzing by
Some noise through the adjoining door but the old towel trick took care of that
*****
We stayed two nights in 1723 (1 BR)
Specific Pros:
Lack of hallway noise
Nice pastel decor
Huge room as noted above
Nice sized kitchen
Great view towards one of the golf course holes
Reasonably close to the bus stop either on Miller's or at Hospitality House - a couple of times the bus driver just signalled me to wait on the other side of the road and got me as he/she turned around and started coming back
Nice sized TV
Having the shower separate from the tub area - made it feel almost spa like
Specific Cons:
Oh oh (yes richyams and crew) - none NONE whatsoever in this unit at this time
*****
Overall, loved OKW and will if possible be staying there every 3 years or so to get a break from the hustle and bustle of BCV which I bought thinking of DS and D? (coming June 10), SAB and access to Epcot/MGM and boardwalk.
Anyways, OKW is a great property in my mind - not the best but certainly near the top of the list
Any questions let me know
Thanks
jaysue