OKW at Christmas and other concerns.

[jennymouse]

I have a studio at BCV booked the first week of December, but since I hope to be taking my father, I'm going to try for a 1BR at OKW. With the KW theming, does it have much of a Christmas feel to it? Is there anything special going on there for Christmas?

Also, I'd be getting my dad a "scooter" to get around in, so we'd need a ground floor unit. Would we be certain to get a ground floor if I told them about the scooter? I'd hate to have to pack that thing up flights of stairs.

Oh, one more thing. I usually rely on WDW transportation, but since OKW is so spread out, and Dad in the scooter and all, would it be best to have a car?

TIA!

 

[tvwalsh]

We took my MIL down for a stay at OKW. The bus service was great! She is wheelchair bound and we found ourselves taking the bus almost all the time. With the lifts on the bus and the friendly and helpful drivers, it was easier than loading MOL and chair into the car. One vote against renting a car.

 

[PamOKW]

The lobby and "boardwalk" area of OKW are very much decorated for Christmas. The dolphins in the pool sport Santa hats. Even the flowers outside should be poinsettias.

A fun thing many folks do is string lights around the balconies of their units (there is an outlet). Twinkling lights around the golf course certainly make a holiday mood.

You can let them know you need a ground unit for medical reasons. Chances are good that you'll get it.

The first week of December the resorts don't usually have much in the way of special Christmas activities. Christmas week, like the other resorts, OKW does have some special touches like cookies, a surprise on the door Christmas morning, etc.

 

[DVCGirl49]

Just out of curiosity, what has this suprise on the door on Christmas morning been in the past? We've always gone before/after/or on Christmas day, never been there for Christmas Eve night.

 

[Chuck S]

Be sure MS lists your ground floor requests for medical reasons - and be aware that you may get a handicap unit with a roll-in shower.

Unless you have a car equipped with a lift, it will probably be easier to travel via bus, they are very w/c and scooter friendly.

 

[Richyams]

We've been there the first and second weeks of Decemeber many times. I always miss the surprise, but there is usually cookies and hot chocolate around.

What is the surprise?

 

[Connears]

When we were at OKW for x-mas 1998, DS got a mickey stocking filled with mickey lollipops on the door for x-mas morning! we had already primed him that Santa comes early at WDW(we opened our gifts the previous night after day in parks). He was thrilled!
Connears

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes, do make sure that you ask for first floor for Medical Reasons and that it is noted that way on your confirmation slip. They fill the Medical Requests first and then the general requests, so if your request is noted that way, you should not have a problem getting it.

 

[jennymouse]

Thanks for the information. Nix the rental car. I didn't want to have to get one anyway. It sounds like OKW will be festive for sure. Now, all I have to do is get Dad to go! I don't think I'll have too much trouble though. As long as I'll have a 1BR with the kitchen so he can have his soup bean & cornbread he should survive!LOL I don't guess the 1BR's have an iron skillet do they? Can you see the look on the faces of security at the airports if I packed one? Maybe I'll buy one on the grocery stop, then donate it to the room inventory? Hmmm, what about a bean kettle, do they have one of those? You guys are probably thinking, "What hillbillies!!" LOL

 

[Regina]

We used to get the red mesh stockings with candy as our Christmas "surprise" but not this past holiday. This time it was a small white gift bag with red tissue paper, chocolate Nestle Disney Wonder balls, and some candy canes.

If you want to put lights on your balcony, be sure to bring an extension cord. I found that out the hard way.

The trees and wreaths in the lobby are worth taking a close look at. The ornaments are absolutely beautiful.

And add my vote to "no car". We rarely rent one, and never use it unless we have offsite plans.

Sorry, no iron skillets or bean kettles.

 

[Disney Doll]

I've never been there at Cjristmas, but the other posters who have have given you a fairly good idea of the "festiveness" of the resort. Sounds nice!

As far as the room, request on one the ground floor or in buildings 64 or 65 I think. They have elevators to the uppper floors, so that would work for your dad with the scooter.

We pack a small(7") non-stick frying pan when we go so DH can make a bacon,egg,and cheese snadwich for breakfast. The airport has never bothered us about it. We pack it in our checked luggage, not carry-on. My guess is that if you do the same with your iron skillet and bean pot,there should be no problem.

 

[Merilyn]

I don't know if you would want one but you can request a wheelchair at OKW and can use it for the whole time you are there. There is no cost and you can take it to the parks. It would mean you have to push your father around though. We always get one for our brother. It saves a lot when you don't have to pay daily for one. Everything is so festive at Christmas you will love it. Our family has been the week of Christmas and it is so beautiful. We only missed the cold weather. It is so warm. I hope your father will go. Our mother loved it so much and we will always remember Christmas there with the whole family.

 

[colleen costello]

We just got back from OKW and my parents traveled with us. We requested a ground floor room as Mom couldn't manage the stairs. We also asked for a wheelchair. It was ours to keep for the week and we kept it in the room or in our minivan. We used it for "short" trips and in the parks Mom rented an ECV.

Please rest assured that the folks at WDW are used to travelers with physical challenges and they are SO happy to help in any way they can. My Mom really liked "the scooter" and having the wheelchair for backup was great. Don't worry about a ground-floor room. If you have a medical reason it is virtually guaranteed.

Have fun!

 

[jennymouse]

Thanks for the suggestions. Last night, I asked Dad if he'd like to go with me in December. I knew I shouldn't have asked him this early...especially since Mom's still with us. He said no; he didn't want to leave Mom at home & sick. (brain cancer) He still hasn't admitted to himself that she's leaving us soon. Bless his heart. She doesn't know our names, wants to "light" her reading glasses, and searches the trashcan for ice cubes and he thinks she'll still be here for Christmas. I'd love a miracle too, but to me, my mother left us about two months ago, it's just her body is still here. Oh well, I'm going to keep the ressie and maybe he'll change his mind.

 

[Nanajo1]

I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. PD to your Dad, he has a tough road ahead.
I've used an ECV many times at OKW and have requested first floor for medical reasons and have always gotten it. The bus service is the way to go. We had a car once and the parking and unloading the ECV were a pain.

 

[Regina]

I'm so sorry about your Mom. It sounds like this vacation will be very important for everyone.

One thing to keep in mind when requesting a wheelchair at your resort, they're available on a first come/first served basis. Unlike the parks, they don't have a huge supply.

If you're planning on doing this, let them know in advance that you'll need a wheelchair at the resort upon arrival.

 

[SueM in MN]

You might also want to take along the phone numbers for the off-site wheelchair/ecv rental places. My DD has her own wheelchair, so we don't need to get one, but I have read posts from DIS posters that indicate wheelchairs from the resorts can't be reserved ahead of time (that "first come, first served" thing that dvcreg mentioned) and that if a wheelchair is available, it might not be what you need (for example, extra wide when you need a regular size, or vice versa).
Here is a list of places that DIS posters report renting from:
Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html

 

[colleen costello]

Sue is right (as always!) and this did happen at OKW. My Mom is a large woman and prefers the larger wheelchair. OKW did not have one available. We spent our first night at Riverside so the CM at OKW check-in told me to ask over there and sure enough, they had one. Ask WDW to find one from another resort before you spend the money on a rental!

 

[SueM in MN]

Good point, Colleen. No point in paying for something you can get for free.
If they don't have one, you might want to ask how soon they think they will be able to get one. One other poster I was thinking of spent several days in a too small wheelchair before a larger size could be located.