OKW "experts"

[tjmw2727]

Hi All

Posted a similar question on the resorts board but heard all the OKW experts probably hang out here since it is DVC!

I am "renting" a studio at a great AP rate in August, just me (mom) and my 2 girls (8 & 6) this trip. We do many solo trips each year (yeah) and this will be my first to OKW. The price, convenience of the kitchenette and trying a new resort are what promted me to make the reservation.

I have always stayed at the MK or Epcot resorts, since I don't rent a car and like the convenience of at least one "non bus" option. How do you all like the bus service, seclusion of being away from the action and are the amenities convenient? I will take a towncar and use the grocery stop so that's taken care of.

The only moderate experience I had was with CBR and my then 4yo and I were at the other end of the world from the main building, bus service was awful and I felt like we walked miles for a fast food meal. I know OKW isn't a moderate but I wonder if the size is similar....

This is a long trip for us and I know August will be hot so the idea of "escaping" from the bustle mid day to relax is appealing. Will I miss being closer to the action?

Also the price for the studio is really great and I inquired about upgrading to a 1 bedroom but its more than double the price. Not knowing the size of the room will we feel cramped in the studio? We are used to sharing a CR, Poly or BC, Dolphin room - how do the studio's compare?

Trying to weigh the pros and cons as you can tell and any advice you can give is appreciated.

TIA
TJ

 

[TIdoublegaER]

Being away from the action is one of the things we love about OKW. Even though we had a car last August when we were there we used the bus to go all the parks and took the water shuttle to DTD. My only suggestion if you are going to be there without a car and would like to use the facilities around the Hospitality House (main pool, exercise room, Olivia's, mercantile ,etc), I would request to be near there. If you are on the far end of the resort, you can always take the bus to the HH as it is always the last stop for the bus.

 

[Pa@okw95]

The room has has two queen beds, a table with 2 chairs, a small porch, and the the kitchenette with a small refrig, and a microwave and the bathroom. I don't have the exact size comparisons but you should find it similar to the moderate rooms because of the 2 queen size beds taking up more room. One very odd thing I must tell you, bring a large bandage to cover the peek hole in the door. What happens is the light from outside near the door shines right into the peek hole and hits one of the beds right in the pillow area. To get ice just go to the nearest bus stop and there is an ice machine there. There are 4 pools and 5 bus stops. The bus service is not the best especially when coming back to OKW during the middle of the day, you can wait up to 30 minutes before a bus actually leaves a park. You will not be a long walk from anything at OKW but if you wish you can take any bus to get to the main building area. There are washers and dryers at every pool area for those staying in studios. I believe they are free. You can do a wash while swimming. I don't know if there are washers near the main pool???Be sure to take the boat ride down to the DD area it is one of the best attractions at WDW as far as I am concerned. I don't think your kids will agree, but you might. You can take the bus if you wish or walk for that matter to DD. Have fun

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks TI,

I have requested to be close to the HH and the CM was great enough to note that I am traveling alone with two kiddos so maybe they will take pity on me!!

I forgot about the boat to DTW - that sounds great.

Do you prefer a ground floor patio or upper floor with balcony?

TJ

 

[tjmw2727]

Tks PA

Your tip on ice made me wonder - my dd LOVES frozen pancakes for breakfast - nuked of course. Is it a dorm type fridge or will I have at least a small freezer? That alone may be reason to upgrade to a 1bdrm as youngest dd tends to go on an eating freeze during travel and breakfast is the one meal she will always eat. OK sorry TMI.

TJ

 

[DVC-Don]

Very small freezer in the studio fridges. Enough room for two small ice trays.

 

[Pa@okw95]

I have not stayed in a studio in years, but I think it has a small section that is a freezer. It is small about 3 feet high and I believe it is under the counter. The ice from the bus stops which are all a short walk is better ice. With a one bedroom you only have a king size bed so you would be sleeping with your little ones. I would try the studio this time and ask to see a one bedroom, once you do you may want to buy into the place, that usually is what happens. There are no patios areas. All the studios have a balcony and it is very small. It is not the end of the world if you are away from the HH area, trust me, there are no bad areas at OKW. I have stayed at every section of the place, all are great. The small pools areas are nice. Your kids would be too big for the kiddie pool at the main pool area anyway. Like I said before, any bus takes you to the HH area anyway. Have a great time.

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by DVC-Don
Very small freezer in the studio fridges. Enough room for two small ice trays.

Bummer - if I take out the ice trays could I fit say 8 small pancakes?

TJ

 

[Pa@okw95]

Yes it will hold the pancakes. Then you can get the ice from one of the bus stop areas. Olivias has great pancakes by the way.

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks pa

Seems like we are posting/reading at the same time. Thanks for the re-assurance about the bus stops and pool locations. If I do upgrade to a one bedroom is there a sofa bed or not. DH may now join us for our last two nights - if I upgrade to the 1 bedroom (probably won't) will I have a bedroom with a king and a queen sofa bed or just the king? I thought I read either here or wdwig that a 1bdrm had a king in the bedroom and a pull out sofa queen in the "living area". This makes a lot of difference as two queens would be just fine.

I must admit that two years ago when we did a family reunion my in-laws (2 other familes) all stayed at OKW and went home and bought DVC. We stayed at CR and did not........... stay tuned!! (FWIW, if I could find a good enough deal to buy enough points on my own I would but DH will have no part of DVC, yet!). As it is my girls and I travel from North of Boston to WDW at least 3x per year while dh joins us maybe once. "hey, this is my dream!"

You all are great - can you tell August is way to far away?
TJ

 

[Pa@okw95]

Yes there is a sofa bed in the living room, I would say it is about the size of a double, maybe a queen. There are some great pictures of OKW a few posts down it is titled PICS from OKW and Vero** "***********" has the best pictures I have ever seen of OKW. You would be saving big bucks if you buy into DVC plus the accomodations are the best, the one and two bedrooms sell themselves. By the way I am serious about bringing a bandaid to cover the peek hole in the door, that light hits you right in the eye, if you are on the wrong bed.

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
Yes there is a sofa bed in the living room, I would say it is about the size of a double, maybe a queen. There are some great pictures of OKW a few posts down it is titled PICS from OKW and Vero** "***********" has the best pictures I have ever seen of OKW. You would be saving big bucks if you buy into DVC plus the accomodations are the best, the one and two bedrooms sell themselves. By the way I am serious about bringing a bandaid to cover the peek hole in the door, that light hits you right in the eye, if you are on the wrong bed.

Cool - already e-mailed dsil for information on how she is doing with her dvc. I always bring bandaids but appreciat the tip as I would NEVER have though to use one for "that".

Thanks pa -

TJ

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by tjmw2727
Also the price for the studio is really great and I inquired about upgrading to a 1 bedroom but its more than double the price. Not knowing the size of the room will we feel cramped in the studio? We are used to sharing a CR, Poly or BC, Dolphin room - how do the studio's compare?
TJ

It looks like a lot of your questions were addressed so I thought I would select this one. The studios at OKW are, if I remember correctly, about 375 square feet. By comparison the 1 bedroom is just over 1000 square feet. A big difference in size, but also in price.. Comparing a studio to the Poly and Contemporary, it is slightly smaller, but not a whole lot. You do not have the day bed that the CR and the Poly have. The studio is shaped a little different and is not a standard rectangle.. I think the rooms at the Beach Club (never stayed there) are about the same, possibly slightly smaller. Dolphin seemed smaller to me too, I am not sure of the dimensions there. I stayed there twice on business. So, long story short, if you are comfortable in the Dolphin and/or the Beach club, you will probably be fine in a Studio at OKW.