OKW Experts! Need some advice...Have Some ??

[Wendybird55]

Hi Everyone,

Just booked (for us) a last minute WDW trip for August. Found good airfares and couldn't resist. We are staying in a 1-bedroom at OKW...first time ever at OKW. Usually stay at BWV. So I have some questions and need some advice....

Location, Location, Location...Was just wondering if we should request a certain building / room for our stay for convenience. DH is used to getting up and strolling over to bakery at BW for coffee, etc. Is there an area convenient to food, transportation, pool that anyone reccommends? Just don't want to be far away from everything. And if we do want to request an area/ room, can we do it online at DVCmembers.com or do we need to call and speak with someone?

Our son is 5. Is there any one pool area you would recommend over another for him? We're planning a "resort" day to relax, swim and enjoy OKW and would love any input on fun and good things we can do there. We reserved a 2hr fishing trip. Already did one when we were at BW and really enjoyed it however still debating whether to spend $$$ o do it again at OKW...depends on what else we can do around the resort for a fun, relaxing day.

Transportation to DTD....is the ferry convenient? About how much time would you leave to get to DTD from OKW?...we have dinner reservations a couple of nights there. One at Portobello the other at Wolfgang Puck Cafe.

And if anyone has anyother tips, info or whatever to help out at OKW it would be greatly appreciated. I hear the rooms at OKW are bigger than the other DVC resorts and they were recently refurbished. We're really looking forward to staying there.

Thanks for your help and input....

 

[spiceycat]

the area that I think you would like is no longer a request but a reservation
near the HH.

that say there are other building pretty close - 62, 63, 64 - the only ones with elevators.

you can request near a pool and a bus stop.

the walk to HH is not far from anything and the place is beautifully. I like South Pond - but it is about 10 minutes to walk to the restuarants, gift store, marina - where the boat to dd is located - from it.

 

[TinkandGoofy'sMom]

My husband and I stayed in a studio in building 13 in January. It was very convenient to the main area (Hospitality House). The main pool looked great for kids. There is also a little playground there. The bus service at this resort was so far the best we've experienced (but it has never been bad). We enjoyed the boat ride to DTD many times. Dinner at Olivia's was ok. We loved the resort and would stay here again.

 

[saintstickets]

We stayed in building 62 during our last stay at OKW (Pics below at OKW TR link). We really enjoyed the location but ANY location would be great because it would mean we were at WDW!

 

[jimmytammy]

I dont consider myself a OKW expert, but have stayed in 1 beds there 4 times. Last trip, we stayed in bldg. 64. Its near Hospitality House, main area of OKW. We really liked it! There are only 3 bldgs in the 60s, so this may be tough to land per request. We like Turtle Pond area also, but certain areas can be a bit far away from HH, a 10 min walk, tops. Millers Rd area is fairly close to HH, nice quite pool.

If it matters, OKW has 2 different 1 bed layouts, bath area being biggest difference. 1 beds up to #30 have 1 door leading into the bath area, like most DVC 1 beds, but bldgs. 30 and higher have 2 doors to bath area, one from hall, one from MB area. May not matter, but allows a little more privacy.

We love our home resort, VWL, love BWV, though we have never stayed there but one time, but OKW is special in its own way. Love the peacefulness, the ambiance. OKW has a great area for little ones at Community Hall for daytime activities, coloring, video games and movies, etc. The 1 beds are HUGE, balconies HUGE. Living rooms are HUGE. Once you fall in love with OKW, realize difference in pts. compared to others, its hard to go back.

We dont use the buses much at OKW so it may matter to you more, this may be a big deciding factor as the buses run the entire complex. Any area is wonderful, so if you wish to be seated on bus, let that play into your decision of request.

At any rate, enjoy!!!!!

 

[Wendybird55]

Thanks for the input...OKW sounds like another wonderful resort. I must admit I am very partial to BWV and the location. But as a pp said...it's Disney so how bad can it be! Plus the larger OKW room size is very appealing. Maybe it's just best to see where the cards fall when we arrive sometimes you end up with something better if you don't request...sounds like OKW is not as spread out as I thought and we will be able to get around fairly easy no matter where we end up. A max of 10 min walk to get to food area or wherever is not bad at all.
Thanks again!

 

[florep1]

Not to hijack this post, but for an existing reservation at OKW close to Hopsitality House, I requested close to transportation, and near pool. The CM I spoke with said all Hospitality House rooms are close to pool so she suggested poolview. I didn't think any of the rooms have a poolview at HH. Any OKW veterans know?

 

[spiceycat]

building 23-26 have a view of the marina and thereby pool. this view is lovely at night.

building 27-29 probably have a better view of the pool.

the HH building are 11-14 and 23-26

 

[Shelly888]

I don't know if it's been mentioned yet or not, but when we stayed there was an official fight between the pirates(guests) and life guards to open the pool. DS 7 loved it. He was given a bandana and a blow up sword and fought to open the pool. Lots of fun! I think the pool officially opened at 11a.

There is also the community hall which DS also enjoyed. Xbox, wii, checkers, arts and crafts, all sorts of games, dvds to borrow. We had fun hanging around resort one day as well. Fire pit marshmallow roast at night right before the outdoor movie with free candy enjoyed all as well.

We had a great time at OKW!!

 

[beccasmom]

I think we qualify as OKW veterans; we're long-time owners.

We've probably stayed in each area of the resort a few times. Our two favorites are the units with water views (on South Point) or near the HH. If I had to choose one it would be the HH units. It is nice to be able to walk over to the store or restaurant to pick up the paper or a burger or just sit by the pool to watch the kids. We normally don't rent a car, so the proximity is much appreciated.

 

[NJMermaid]

I own at SSR,but have vacationed at many of the resorts. Stayed in bldg14. Very convenient for bus transit. Perfect for boat transit,loved that boat. The restaurant is fine,outdoor bar is great,nice pool, waterside is fast enough Bautista not too scary for most people. Rooms are big,patio was huge,jacuzzi was huge. I loved it there.

 

[NJMermaid]

Games on deck,cm was outstanding,got the whole crowd involved dancing,etc,great fun

 

[Candy Orlando]

Look at my video of a refurbished one bedroom. You'll love it because it's so big. There is a long hallway to the master bedroom. None of the other resorts have that and a full size laundry room. It really feels like home.