OKW elevators?

[Studios94]

Do all the buildings at OKW have elevators? We have a double stroller and would prefer to not have to lug it up the stairs. If OKW doesn't have elevators in each building, we may choose to book our stay at another resort.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[erionm]

My understanding is that not all of the buildings at OKW have elevators.

 

[Chuck S]

Only 3 OKW buildings have elevators, 62, 63 & 64. And those are often held for people with mobility/medical issues. OKW was built prior to newer Disability access requirements. The stairs are, however, quite an easy, gentle rise and my 87 yo Mom had no problem with them, until she developed heart issues (which hopefully will be repaired in a couple of weeks ) You may also request a first floor accommodation. However, if you absolutely must have elevator access, the only way to be assured of that is to book at another resort.

 

[Granny]

You could always request first floor. Better chance of getting that then a building with an elevator.

But if it is a pretty big concern, you would be better off at any other DVC resort which would assure you of elevator access to your room.

 

[dmoore22]

Only 3 OKW buildings have elevators, 62, 63 & 64. And those are often held for people with mobility/medical issues. OKW was built prior to newer Disability access requirements. The stairs are, however, quite an easy, gentle rise and my 87 yo Mom had no problem with them, until she developed heart issues (which hopefully will be repaired in a couple of weeks ) You may also request a first floor accommodation. However, if you absolutely must have elevator access, the only way to be assured of that is to book at another resort.

We survived with our six kids and all the assorted paraphernalia. We've stayed on each level. The third floor was iffy but the second floor is a definite can-do. Like Chuch S said, the stairs are "an easy, gentle rise." I handled the third floor quite well after back surgery.

Here's a nice map that shows the locations of the elevator buildings and the handicapped accessible (H.A.) rooms:

 

[jekjones1558]

We love OKW but the lack of elevators is not one of the things we love. Hauling suitcases and supplies up and/or down is doable because you only have to do it a couple of times. But double strollers are another issue. When we had a 2nd/3rd floor GV and 2 strollers (one of them a double), we took to parking them on the first floor in an out-of-the-way area. We purposely had not brought expensive strollers because the airlines can be rough on them and people actually sometimes steal strollers in the parks, so we were not overly concerned about leaving the strollers out overnight. If I were bringing an expensive stroller I would not want to do that. As others have said, you can request first floor and I think you would have a good chance of getting it but the only 100% safe choice is to book another resort.
Good luck!

 

[Candace]

I really wish something could be done to add elevators to the buildings (maybe on the side?) to OKW and HH. When I bought into the DVC 17 years ago, I was in my low 40's and it was no big deal. However, now it is! My husband and mom just cannot manage the stairs (Mama is 91), and OKW and HH are our favorite resorts. Just wishing!

 

[Brian Noble]

I would ask for "lower floor" and hope for the best.

 

[jekjones1558]

I really wish something could be done to add elevators to the buildings (maybe on the side?) to OKW and HH. When I bought into the DVC 17 years ago, I was in my low 40's and it was no big deal. However, now it is! My husband and mom just cannot manage the stairs (Mama is 91), and OKW and HH are our favorite resorts. Just wishing!

ITA, especially for HHI. DH is now in a scooter and so we can only book rooms in the lodge. They are often not available for cash and they are very limited on points. I don't think there are any dedicated 2 bedrooms in the lodge either, only lock-offs. I do understand that so many elevators would be cost prohibitive. The resorts would have had to be designed differently to begin with in order to have elevators available for all or most units.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We've only used points for an OKW stay twice, and each time I asked for "first floor or elevator building" and each time, that's what I got.

 

[spiceycat]

Do all the buildings at OKW have elevators? We have a double stroller and would prefer to not have to lug it up the stairs. If OKW doesn't have elevators in each building, we may choose to book our stay at another resort.

Thanks in advance for your help!

go with another resort.

if steps are a problem - then the fact that OKW is very spread out might also be a problem.

you will be happier in another resort. although OKW has the biggest room size of all the dvc resorts at WDW.

 

[dmoore22]

We've only used points for an OKW stay twice, and each time I asked for "first floor or elevator building" and each time, that's what I got.

No matter which resort you finally settle upon MS will work with you so you and your family will have a "Magical Stay."

 

[realfam]

We had a stay a few years ago at OKW where we were put on the 2nd floor and found out as we went to our room with our babies stroller there was no elevator.
We went back to MS desk and told them this would not work since we had an infant with stroller. At first they did not wanna do anything, but as I persisted and stressed this was not safe for us and that no one notified us of this they finally did move us to another room on the first floor.
We love OKW and the stroller thing is no longer an issue, but the elevator thing can be a big problem for a lot of people and I have always felt they should notify people of this at time of making the reservation.

 

[Studios94]

Thank you for answering my question about OKW elevators. I think we're better off booking at one of the other resorts that have elevators.

Thanks again!

 

[mickeysbestfriend]

because of my bad knee and burcitis in my hip but unless it's available we get what they have when we check in. With magical express getting the luggage up to the room isn't the issue....I'm hoping when I get older they will honor my request but I don't like to think of myself as handicapped.

 

[Mickey527]

I have stayed at OKW so many times and have never had a problem with the stairs even though stairs are sometimes a problem with my disability. The landing makes it an easy rest time, it is approx 5 steps then landing then 5 more.
the only problem I have with the stairs is that they are not covered and it is difficult for me to run up the stairs and if it is a soaking rain I am soaking by the time I get to the top step.
I also stayed a few times on 2nd floor with a scooter and I was told I could plug the scooter in the outside plug on the first floor. this worked out great since I plugged the scotter and walked up the stairs.
I did stay once on the first floor and had a black snake come in under the door so 2nd floor is preferred by my family.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I really wish something could be done to add elevators to the buildings (maybe on the side?) to OKW and HH. When I bought into the DVC 17 years ago, I was in my low 40's and it was no big deal. However, now it is! My husband and mom just cannot manage the stairs (Mama is 91), and OKW and HH are our favorite resorts. Just wishing!

Each building may have multiple stairwells and they don't all connect. So that might require mere than one elevator in a building. And with members being required to pay for the modification, believe me, it ain't gonna happen.

 

[spiceycat]

Thank you for answering my question about OKW elevators. I think we're better off booking at one of the other resorts that have elevators.

Thanks again!

think you will be happier.

owned at OKW 93 - 2008 and never even got one of the elevator building.

now one time my guests did - but never me.

even when asked while making the reservation.

 

[dmoore22]

Each building may have multiple stairwells and they don't all connect. So that might require mere than one elevator in a building. And with members being required to pay for the modification, believe me, it ain't gonna happen.

There are twelve buildings in OKW that have handicapped accessible rooms I would have to agree with Deb & Bill's assessment.