OKW experts please reply

[Catira]

We have a 2 bedroom reserved for our October trip. I usually like to stay on a top floor so we don't have to hear others walking/running on top of our villa. This is our first visit to OKW and was wondering what villas are the ones with an elevator. Also, we are undecided as to whether we will rent a car or use disney transportation. At OKW how long is the usual travel time to to the parks? Does it usually also stop at other resorts?

Thank you.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have a 2 bedroom reserved for our October trip. I usually like to stay on a top floor so we don't have to hear others walking/running on top of our villa. This is our first visit to OKW and was wondering what villas are the ones with an elevator. Also, we are undecided as to whether we will rent a car or use disney transportation. At OKW how long is the usual travel time to to the parks? Does it usually also stop at other resorts?

Thank you.

Only 62, 63, and 64 have elevators. These buildings are usually reserved for people who need that for medical reasons.

You will always get to a park faster using the BUS from OKW than you will by car with the possible exception of Animal Kingdom. The AK bus stops at BB, so it takes a lot longer. OKW buses service OKW only with the exception of the DTD bus.

 

[NancyDVC]

We love OKW and prefer Turtle Pond. It is quiet and close to a pool and bus stop.
The noisiest stays we ever had were in 16 & 50. In 16 it was before the resort was completed. It only went to the Peninsular Rd stop. We were in a 2 BR under the GV model where they vacuumed every morning at 6:00 AM. A call to mousekeeping took care of that and they vacuumed later in the day. In 50 we were at the end near the highway and the traffic noise in teh evening and night was a bit much.

Along Turtle Pond we have stayed in 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 and 44. Lovely views, close to the bus and pool and a nice walk to the main pool and HH. The only noisy time was in 44 when we had a 1 BR near the bus turnaround.

During one stay we had returned to our 1 BR lockoff for an afternoon break when a family with children moved into the adjoining studio. The kids immediately began trying every door/closet etc. in the studio including the locked door between our 1 BR and their studio. They opened the door on their side and began jiggling the handle and banging on the door. When that didn't work they hung over thei balcony and tried to reach over to our windows. I finally went next door and knocked to inform the parents that we were next door and there was no access to our unit for them. The parents didn't seem concerned that their children were bothering us.
Ah it has been said you can't control your neighbors.
Don't stress yourself. OKW is lovely and you will have a great time. And I want to be a fly on the wall when you show up with the map marked with your choices!

 

[DebbieB]

Of the buildings I've stayed in, 28 was my least favorite. We were on the second floor, I think the first floor would have been worse. There was almost no view - just the backs of trees. My second least favorite was 40, too close to the road.

My favorites were 37 & 43. I always had a car, so distance to the main building was not an issue. No busses in front of these buildings but the stop was not far.

Building 37 view:

Building 43 view:

 

[staceymay00]

Building 46 is our favorite of all, but you had someone pee off his balcony????!!! I'd be complaining about that at the front desk! Unbelievable!

Yes, I'm afraid that happened. DH and I were on the balcony and heard the sound of liquid hitting the grass. DH looked down over our railing and saw the guy at the edge of the balcony below us. So bizarre.

 

[staceymay00]

Wow, one stay at OKW and you hit the jackpot!!

That's what the CM said when we checked in! We did not hit the jackpot with a couple of our neighbors, but sometimes that's the way it goes.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Looks like if I get assigned to building 29, I'm begging to get switched!!

I'm making a list of the worst buildings. Thanks for your opinions. Can you see me at the check-in desk now? Yup, I'll be the pain-in-the-a%$ in front of you complaining about each building I'm assigned.

Funny that you just said this. I also just printed off a map and have been putting "stars" and "x's" all over the buildings. I can just see the CM's face when I pull this out of my pocket.

And what do you do whent they don't have the "buildings" you have decided you must have?

Seriously, this is reaching the stage of "insanity" Maps with markings?

IMHO some of you are just setting yourself up to be upset. When they can't give you the "building" you want, you are going to get to the other building with the pre-determined attitude of "it's not what I want" which generally turns out to be self fufilling.....

Disney isn't evicting other guests because "I read on the DIS that a top floor unit in building 36 is the best and that's what I want"

(And I hope I never get in line to check in behind any of you. I suddenly realize why check in takes so long, whining is occuring.....)

 

[Chuck S]

Looks like if I get assigned to building 29, I'm begging to get switched!!

While I agree that Bldgs 27 to 29 are my least favorite, and have the worst views (IMO), there is nothing actually "wrong" with the accomodations themselves. If given a choice at check-in (and we often are given a choice) I won't pick them. But if we are already assigned to them, it really is nothing to get upset about. And not worth it, IMO, to ask for a room change.

And who knows, not everyone has the same tastes. I do know some people that really like those buildings.

 

[Brenle]

And I'll be the guy behind you that says "I'll have what she/he's having!"

And I hope you get it, too!

The best thing about a 1 and 2br is the size of the balcony/patio and fall has the perfect weather for you to enjoy it! I have a quiet cup of coffee there every morning before every one else wakes!

Sounds like heaven!!

 

[Brenle]

Yes, I'm afraid that happened. DH and I were on the balcony and heard the sound of liquid hitting the grass. DH looked down over our railing and saw the guy at the edge of the balcony below us. So bizarre.

That's plain disgusting. Sorry to hear about that.

And what do you do whent they don't have the "buildings" you have decided you must have?

Seriously, this is reaching the stage of "insanity" Maps with markings?

IMHO some of you are just setting yourself up to be upset. When they can't give you the "building" you want, you are going to get to the other building with the pre-determined attitude of "it's not what I want" which generally turns out to be self fufilling.....

Disney isn't evicting other guests because "I read on the DIS that a top floor unit in building 36 is the best and that's what I want"

(And I hope I never get in line to check in behind any of you. I suddenly realize why check in takes so long, whining is occuring.....)

Hmm, I don't remember ever saying I MUST have a specific building. I don't know. What shall I do? Hmm. Maybe cry??


Oh, they don't evict guests? I thought that came with my DVC membership. I'm demanding that be added in my contract pronto!!


Having never stayed at OKW, my question was for opinions. And I thank everyone for sharing their experiences with me.

I hope you are behind me in the check-in line, too. Our families smiles will probably make you less grouchy.

 

[Brenle]

While I agree that Bldgs 27 to 29 are my least favorite, and have the worst views (IMO), there is nothing actually "wrong" with the accomodations themselves. If given a choice at check-in (and we often are given a choice) I won't pick them. But if we are already assigned to them, it really is nothing to get upset about. And not worth it, IMO, to ask for a room change.

And who knows, not everyone has the same tastes. I do know some people that really like those buildings.

I've only asked to be switched from a room once, and that was at SSR which is our home resort. We did get moved, but I'm postiive no one was evicted because of this. Being completely unfamiliar with OKW, it's nice to get opinions from others who have stayed there frequently and I'm very happy to hear their ideas and stories.

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

And what do you do whent they don't have the "buildings" you have decided you must have?

Seriously, this is reaching the stage of "insanity" Maps with markings?

IMHO some of you are just setting yourself up to be upset. When they can't give you the "building" you want, you are going to get to the other building with the pre-determined attitude of "it's not what I want" which generally turns out to be self fufilling.....

Disney isn't evicting other guests because "I read on the DIS that a top floor unit in building 36 is the best and that's what I want"

(And I hope I never get in line to check in behind any of you. I suddenly realize why check in takes so long, whining is occuring.....)

Sorry, but no whining here. I just like to have well planned requests and if nothing works out, that's okay! I'm still at Disney so as long as my room is clean, I am happy!

 

[dvc deernut]

The absolute WORST building I have ever stayed in is hands down, building 29. There is no view from the balcony, and you are totally hemmed in. I would say our second least favorite 36. We stayed in 36 last December, and our 1 bedroom balcony overlooked building 33 and directly looked into the windows of that building. I never felt comfortable enough to actually use the balcony that trip, and those OKW balconies are my favorite.

Our favorite buildings are 45 and 46 along the canal. Very peaceful. We also like 15, 16, 20 and 55.

We enjoy staying at the end of OLD TURTLE POND in the circle with the numbers 36 and 37. We like first floor with views of Golf course and water. We like the pool area at Turtle Pond. We dont like building 39 in that area. Our 2 bedroom was on 3rd floor and overlooked trees and behind the trees was the main road coming into that area. In Feb most of the trees have no leaves so our view was the road. We like Pennisular on the circle just as you cross the bridge. Its handy to catch bus or go to main area.
Funny we were also in building 36 in Dec. But we were on the second floor overlooking the golf course. But we had 2 bedroom so we were in middle of building.

 

[Brenle]

Turtle Pond sounds like a nice area . . . the name sounds relaxing. Does anyone have any pictures of OKW they'd like to share?

 

[Morganpics]

I can't remember all the locations we have stayed in, but the least favorite from DH's point of view was in Bldg 54. Too many errant golf balls came on/around our balcony. The next visit our only request was to NOT be on the golf course, and the wonderful CM put us on the ground floor of bldg 45-right on the canal!! We generally do not put in any requests (except for no smoking, back when it was allowed). We have never been disappointed. Some units we prefer more than others, but every one has had its good points-near the bus stop, could see the fireworks, near HH, etc. In my opinion, if I'm at OKW, it's all good!

 

[Brenle]

I can't remember all the locations we have stayed in, but the least favorite from DH's point of view was in Bldg 54. Too many errant golf balls came on/around our balcony. The next visit our only request was to NOT be on the golf course, and the wonderful CM put us on the ground floor of bldg 45-right on the canal!! We generally do not put in any requests (except for no smoking, back when it was allowed). We have never been disappointed. Some units we prefer more than others, but every one has had its good points-near the bus stop, could see the fireworks, near HH, etc. In my opinion, if I'm at OKW, it's all good!

I know what you mean about being on the golf course. We have stayed in the Grandstand section of SSR several times, and when I'm out on the balcony early in the morning, I hear a lot of "choice" words from golfers. It's fun to watch them move the ball when no other golfer is around, too!

A room with a canal view. . . . . . sounds lovely!!! Thanks for your comments about OKW. I wish we were there already.

 

[Kathi OD]

Turtle Pond sounds like a nice area . . . the name sounds relaxing. Does anyone have any pictures of OKW they'd like to share?

View pictures from bldg. 28...(wish I remembered how to make them smaller)

 

[Chuck S]

View pictures from bldg. 28......

Wow, that sure looks different from when we were in bldg 28.

That's a pretty nice view, now. When we were in bldg 28 several years ago, the landscaping was overgrown and you really couldn't see anything but unkempt shrubbery.

 

[Brenle]

Wow, that sure looks different from when we were in bldg 28.

That's a pretty nice view, now. When we were in bldg 28 several years ago, the landscaping was overgrown and you really couldn't see anything but unkempt shrubbery.

Kathi OD, awesome pictures! Reminds me of the view we had at SSR! Thank you for sharing them with us.



Chuck, maybe after you left the garden crew came by with the clippers. Maybe it will look that good the next time you're there.