OKW experts- have a few ?'s

[Corar]

Hi there all!

I am heading to OKW in just 10 days!

I was wondering if someone could tell me what the store at the resort carries. Do they sell beer or wine? what about more substantial groceries like bread, peanut butter, etc?

Also, there are four of us going, all coffee drinkers. I know there is some coffee in the room, but should I plan on bringing/buying some additionally? Assuming we drink it for five mornings that is. What about filters?

Finally, we plan to arrive early in the day, and my understanding is that the OKW assigns rooms on a first come first serve basis. What are your recommendations for the best rooms? Our priority would be a good view (requested water view already), and quick transportation.

Thanks for your help!!

 

[Corar]

One more thing:
Finally, we plan to arrive early in the day, and my understanding is that the OKW assigns rooms on a first come first serve basis. What are your recommendations for the best rooms? Our priority would be a good view (requested water view already), and quick transportation.

Thanks again

 

[OKW Lover]

You will find beer and wine at the general store. In addition, they do carry bread products (bread, rolls, etc), peanut butter, snack foods, frozen foods. But be aware that the prices are high.

As for the coffee, you should bring some from home because you will only get one pots worth when you arrive. Filters are the flat-bottomed "Mr Coffee" style.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Are you staying on points or paying cash through CRO? If you paid cash, you should get coffee every day. If you are using points, you will get coffee every four days.

Your view request of water view is good. Now if you want something in addition, you might request near a pool or near a bus stop.

 

[SB in KY]

Rooms are assigned during the night (prior to check in) and cast members cannot over ride preassigned rooms....they can swap around to units that will be vacant, although with occupancy running >90% that doesn't leave a lot of lee-way. It doesn't hurt to arrive early, but they will not tell you where your room is located until it is ready (and they are very rarely ready in the AM at OKW)....I would suggest reminding them of your requests when you get there in the AM and they will do their best to accomodate you. There really aren't any primo locations at OKW....almost all of the rooms have a water view of some sort...ponds, canals, waterways...so if you aren't too picky you should be fine.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I just stayed there a few weeks ago. We checked in at noon and our room was ready. I asked for an upper level, nice view and the CM checking me in acted like he was fiddling around with the computer, but who knows, maybe it was an act to make me "think" he was looking for a room for me. We were in building 46 on the second floor, near a quiet pool. We had a beautiful view, but as I explored the resort, it seems EVERY room has a great view...really!

Next time I stay there, though, I will request a room closer to the restaurant/main pool/check in area. I found the quiet pools "too quiet" if you can believe that. The main pool has music piped in and lots more activity. I guess we "could" have walked to the main pool from our room, but it would have been a bit of a huff. Also, when we came back one night from DTD, we were very hungry (had a terrible, over priced, tiny meal at Fulton's) but neither one of us wanted to get in the car to drive up to the restaurant or food shop! LOL!

 

[DebbieB]

Rooms are assigned during the night (prior to check in) and cast members cannot over ride preassigned rooms....they can swap around to units that will be vacant, although with occupancy running >90% that doesn't leave a lot of lee-way. It doesn't hurt to arrive early, but they will not tell you where your room is located until it is ready (and they are very rarely ready in the AM at OKW)....I would suggest reminding them of your requests when you get there in the AM and they will do their best to accomodate you. There really aren't any primo locations at OKW....almost all of the rooms have a water view of some sort...ponds, canals, waterways...so if you aren't too picky you should be fine.

OKW usually does not preassign rooms anymore. They use a system called "room ready" where rooms are assigned first come, first served at check-in. There was recently a long discussion on this:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=809070

I'd recommend the water views on Turtle Pond Road. We've had nice views in 31, 43 & 37.

 

[Corar]

Thanks so much for the info!
I am renting points, so I dont think I can change my requests at this point, but it sounds like since I will be there early (like 10:30 am), it shouldnt be a problem. Also I am arriving on a sunday, so I assume there will be plenty of folks checking out.

Does this sound like a viable plan?
We will check in early, and lodge our requests. We were then going to check our luggage with the front desk and head out to explore immideatly. We were then going to return in the late afternoon to actually move into our room. Assuming we are willing to wait, will the CM assign us a room at 10:30 when we get there, or will we have to wait til when we return in the afternoon to actually assign it? If the latter is the case, we may change plans...

Thanks again!

 

[BillM]

If you check in at 10:30 AM and a room is ready you can move in. Otherwise you may not get in until 4 PM. I checked in on a Sunday in March at about 10:30 AM and much to my surprise my room was ready. But it was a HC 2 BR and it apparently was not occupied the night before.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If there is a room reasdy when you check in, you MIGHT be assigned to that. If not, they will actually have a room assigned to you when you check in, but they will give you a card with a phone number on it to call and get the room number later in the day. They will have your key cards all working and everything when you return, so there is no need to check back at the front desk. Also, if you want, they will have bell services deliver your bags to the room too. If you are staying on points, you will not have housekeeping, but on Wednesday, you will get trash and towel service. They will pick up trash and replace towels and soaps if needed. If you plan to use the kitchenette, they will bring additional paper/plastic ware at that time too.