OKW: A changed perspective

[vascubaguy]

Well, we just got back from our first stay at OKW (I'll try and do more of a trip report, with photos, later)...

However, I'll briefly start with our impression of OKW. We arrived rather late in the evening and decided to check-in and have dinner at Olivia's before heading to the room. We were put in Bldg 49 and the CM told me we would have a garden view. After dinner, we waited out front for the Internal Shuttle... and about 35 minutes later one arrived and whisked us down to the South Pointe bus stop where we then began our search for the room. We followed all of the arrows to the room and quickly discovered that the arrows were NOT accurate. It took a view minutes, but we eventually found it.

As we walked up the steps to make our way to the room we realized that the building was right next to the main road (with just a few trees between). We then entered the room to find a nice, spacious room with pretty much everything we needed. No complaints about the room itself (except that there is no weatherstripping around the exterior door!... we could see the light coming thru all around). Now, one thing we weren't so happy about was that nice "garden view" that the CM mentioned. We walked out on the balcony and to a wonderful view and sound of the busy main road. (Now we did go out and walked around back where there was a wonderful view of the golf course and one of the ponds w/ fountain; however, none of that was visible from our room. Needless to say, we didn't use the balcony much. But again, the room was fine.

Of course one of the most frustrating parts of the trip was the bus transportation. I eventually convinced DP that the walk from our room to the bus stop was about the same as going from the rooms at the BWV down to the bus stop... it seemed like every time we were going anywhere, it would always take 30+ minutes for the bus to arrive... and then there were three more stops with those insane turn arounds in the parking lots...

Our biggest complaint about OKW was how spread out it was and the inconvenience of having easy access to other parts of the resort, and the distance you had to travel to get ice, or even a soda from a vending machine! I know many folks have said that you have to have a car and stay in at least a 1BR to "appreciate" staying at OKW. I can certainly agree with the need for having a car. I don't think we will ever stay at OKW again unless we drive (or rent a car).

For me this is a change of mentality because I just knew that I would be fine with OKW because of the low points.... however, now I have realized that it becomes more of a convenience issue and what works best for our trips. I'm a little concerned about our planned trip to SSR for NYE, but I think that the layout of the resort is better thought out and having close proximity to DTD will help a lot. However, after that, I'm gonna have to focus more on trying to stay at BWV and AKV!!!

Anyway, I'll post more as we upload the pics. I have quite a few of our new dining experiences.. recipes for drinks... photos of the "North Wing"... etc...

 

[Beca]

I totally understand where you are coming from on this. I just KNEW we would love OKW...I mean, it is just so stinkin' cute!!! I love the colors, the mickey head railings, the "town" feel. So, we bought there. Then, we booked a 2bdrm there with friends. And then, we didn't love it. We were so sad!! We realized that the smaller rooms that were in the middle of a hotel resort were what we really needed to make us feel like we were on vacation.

I am so glad that so many people LOVE OKW....truly, we felt guilty for not liking it...we wanted to so badly!! And, I am so glad DVC has choices for everyone. Unfortunately, OKW is just not our cup of tea. I wish it was.

 

[greenban]

Look you BCV snobs, stop bashing the OLDEST DVC resort!

Stop it now!

How dare you besmirch, demean and bemoan our perfect wonderful resort?

-Tony

Chairman, OKW Old-people Keep Walking (you're almost there!)

 

[Dean]

You mentioned getting ice, were you in a studio? I certainly wouldn't do OKW or SSR without a car.

 

[isyt]

I did OKW for the first time in June and liked it better than I thought. We were in the building behind the HH so we never had a problem with the buses. A friend of mine just got back and she swore she'll never stay there again because of the bus times (alot of delays). I only wish that OKW had some kind of food court like SS. I do think you will like SS. I was worried about the busing there but had no problems and that was at low occupancy time.

 

[littlestar]

Old Key West has grown on me. I like Millers Road probably the best instead of close to the hospitality house (it's too busy).

When we were there a few weeks ago, we had a studio at BWV, VWL, and a two bedroom at OKW on Millers Road (big family group went). While my husband and I were at VWL, I found myself looking forward to going back over to Old Key West to see the palm trees and flowers before we went home to fall/winter in Indiana. I like different resorts at different times of the year. When it's warm (80 degrees plus) I really like staying at Old Key West. If it's cold out, I like having a lobby to hang out in at the hotel DVC's.

Try different areas of Old Key West and you may find a favorite that grows on you.

 

[DiznEeyore]

Chairman, OKW Old-people Keep Walking (you're almost there!)

 

[vascubaguy]

Look you BCV snobs, stop bashing the OLDEST DVC resort!

Stop it now!

How dare you besmirch, demean and bemoan our perfect wonderful resort?

-Tony

Chairman, OKW Old-people Keep Walking (you're almost there!)

I don't like BCV either...

Actually I don't hate any of them. I actually like OKW, BUT I don't plan on trying it again without having a car.

I guess I didn't get the word about OKW [/SIZE] Old-people Keep Walking (you're almost there!) ... I don't officially turn "old" until next week (big 30)...

Dean... yes we were in a studio. We had the little ice trays in the top of the microfridge and we used those instead of walking to get ice. Having a 1BR would have made that easier, but for 2 ppl we felt it would be overkill.

It's not that we wouldn't ever stay at OKW again... I just don't plan on staying there again based solely on it being the "cheapest points" for a room. I'd try it again if we were driving. And I probably would have liked it better if we were in the Peninsular or Miller's Road area where we would have been closer to the HH.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Sorry you didn't like it. It does seem to be the studios that have the main "view" issues. They are on the ends of the bldgs. We have had nothing but the best views at OKW, but then again we usually stay in 1 and 2 bedroom villas. I've stayed at OKW 4 times out of the last 6 years and never had anything but gorgeous views of a lake/pond/canal/woods (had views of Illuminations twice). Your bldg (49) did seem to be one that is a little further from one of the bus stops. I think being in that end bldg and being in a studio which is on the end, gave you a different experience. We've stayed at OKW without a car three times and never had a problem either----but everyone is different. I don't feel it's any different than say, staying at POR, POP, CBR without a car. These are all spread out resorts. I don't feel I do any less or more walking at OKW than I did when I stayed at BWV and the BC in the past. We never waited longer than 10-20 min for a bus at OKW in the past 6 years. I have had an occassional longer wait----but that goes for every disney resort I've ever stayed at. We stayed in #45 last year and had about a 4-5 min walk to HH (great view of the canal and all the boats going back and forth to DD !). This year we were in #34 (golf course and pond view) and had maybe a 7-8 min walk to the main pool. The bus stop was very close to #34. You can hop on any bus that comes by to take you to the HH if you don't like to walk.

I can certainly appreciate and respect your experience. Like I said, depending on your location at OKW, your next stay might end up being much better (I hope so).
Thanks for posting

 

[Simba's Mom]

I wonder if your checking in late in the day affected where you were. Building #49, from our experiences, seems to be one of the least desirable buildings. When we were checking in last Thanksgiving, we were offered Building #15, but we really wanted 2 entrances to the bathroom (1 BR). The CM told me, "Well, all I have of those is building #49, so I'd definitely take #15". She rolled her eyes a little and sort of implied "You DON'T want that one!" BTW, we did love #15. You might want to give OKW another try, but much as we love it there, it's not for everyone. No valet parking, no room service, not a "hotelly" feel, more summer cottage rental.

 

[Beca]

Look you BCV snobs, stop bashing the OLDEST DVC resort!

Stop it now!

How dare you besmirch, demean and bemoan our perfect wonderful resort?

-Tony

Chairman, OKW Old-people Keep Walking (you're almost there!)

Yep....I've totally missed you, Tony!!!

Thanks for making me laugh!!

Beca

 

[Dean]

Dean... yes we were in a studio. We had the little ice trays in the top of the microfridge and we used those instead of walking to get ice. Having a 1BR would have made that easier, but for 2 ppl we felt it would be overkill.

I think the studios at OKW and SSR are not that good for a stay unless you plan to do nothing but sleep there. Though smaller, I think the studios at the destination resorts are more functional simply due to the nature and location of those resorts. Try OKW in the future with a larger unit.

 

[dvc_bwv]

Having a 1BR would have made that easier, but for 2 ppl we felt it would be overkill.

IMHO........A 1 BR for 2 people is never overkill...

My DH and I go always with just us 2 and we always get a 1 BR. It's just so much nicer to have a living room to sit in, a kitchen in case you want to cook (BTW, never have cooked, but we do get groceries for breakfast and snacks) and also the washer/dryer is a huge plus for us. We pack half as many clothes and wash in the middle of the trip and also before we go home so almost all clothes coming home are clean.

Got a studio one time at BCV and were really disappointed. I guess we just like the space and "comforts of home".

 

[LisaS]

If you're going to stay at OKW, stay in a 1BR! DH and I did on our stay at OKW in January. Having all that space was just wonderful. We loved having breakfast out on the veranda. The jacuzzi tub is huge -- it was so relaxing soaking in that tub after a day in the parks. The living room/kitchen area is so open and airy. We had such a wonderful, relaxing stay.

We did have a car so we were able to go to a grocery store to stock up on breakfast foods, snacks and drinks for our stay. We were in the Millers Road area, not too far from the bus stop and used the bus for going to the parks rather than the car. I don't remember the wait times, but they were not excessive.

So Chris, next time you stay at OKW, splurge a little and try a 1BR instead of a studio. The studios at OKW look like a hotel room to me but the 1BRs really feel like a vacation home!

 

[lisaviolet]

I believe some of the views from buildings on the outer edge have changed because of the storms. I remember being able to go by OKW and barely see it or a building. Now you can see some buildings clearly.

Must be, eh? Trees down.

 

[vascubaguy]

So Chris, next time you stay at OKW, splurge a little and try a 1BR instead of a studio. The studios at OKW look like a hotel room to me but the 1BRs really feel like a vacation home!

I am curious to stay at one of the 1BR units... I know I would have enjoyed the jaccuzi some nights (especially when we went to all 4 parks in one day, with 2 trips to Epcot!)... I'll just have to make sure and have a car!

 

[disneygal55]

My DH, 2 DS's and I are staying in a studio for 8 nights the week of Thanksgiving. We picked this DVC so that my DS's could sleep in a bed versus a sleeper. What area should we request? Best to request now or wait until we arrive (arriving before noon on a Saturday)? We looked at OKW about a year ago but didn't get a feel for what would be a good area. I don't want to see or hear a road from my balcony so I'd appreciate any recommendations. Thanks a lot.

 

[jarestel]

IMHO........A 1 BR for 2 people is never overkill...

When points grow on trees, I would agree whole-heartedly. But since they don't, I understand why folks would choose to manage their points a bit more frugally. The beauty of DVC is the ability to squander or squeeze your own points as you see fit.

 

[bobbiwoz]

...
. You can hop on any bus that comes by to take you to the HH if you don't like to walk.

...
Thanks for posting

What I don't understand is that if the busses that go through the resort then stop at HH on the way "out" how do you get back to your villa? Do you then HAVE to walk back?

We have only stayed in a building with an elevator. I think I would love to try some different areas, but DH asked me this question and I don't know the answer. I think that it would be a pretty far walk back to the Turtle area, or the area that you see next to the canal when you are on the boat.

Bobbi

 

[Dean]

What I don't understand is that if the busses that go through the resort then stop at HH on the way "out" how do you get back to your villa? Do you then HAVE to walk back?

We have only stayed in a building with an elevator. I think I would love to try some different areas, but DH asked me this question and I don't know the answer. I think that it would be a pretty far walk back to the Turtle area, or the area that you see next to the canal when you are on the boat.

Bobbi

The Internal Bus/DD bus stops at the HH first AND last. Otherwise we just walk to the bus stop behind the HH and catch a bus there unless we're in the Millers Rd area.