OKW fans - can someone help me to cheer up a bit?!!!!

[luckytso]

Because I have points expiring, I had to cancel our reservation at the Grand Floridian to book OKW for our stay.

I am really bummed out because I have been really looking foward to the stay at the Grand. I tried to call CRO back to see if I can get the GF room back after I cancelled, and was told that there is no room available for either GF or Poly.

I am SO BUMMED out. We were planning on staying there especially for the MNSSH party that we will be attending.

We have never stayed at OKW before and I know there are many OKW fans on this board. Can you tell me what you like about OKW so much and anything special to do with a 5 and 2 year old? We are staying in a 1-br unit in Mid. October. It bothered me the whole day that I cannot get the GF reservation back.

Thanks so much.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I'm not an OKW owner but have to say that you should consider the fact that you will be at the "happiest place on earth" with your two kids having such a great time that you won't even be thinking about the super large room that you will be staying in. Think of all of the people who will only wish that they could have the vacation that you will be able to give your kids.

Remember that even a bad day at WDW beets a good day at work!

HBC

 

[floridafam]

Was your GF reservation with cash?

Could you book GF with points?

We just booked YC on points for 4 nights instead of 4 nights at OKW. Not that we didn't want to stay at OKW but just not this trip.

What are your dates? What type of room did you have at the GF?
When do your points expire?

I think you will have a good time anywhere but cash inventory really changes on a day to day basis so you may still be able to book GF.

 

[pixiec]

WE have been members since 1992. Our home away from home is OKW. The 1br will knock your socks off! I personally think OKW would be a much better place to stay than GF with kiddies. You will have your own separate room (private....youuuu know...) Your own TV, too. A washer and dryer. Kitchen. With little ones, it's nice to have a place that is close to a real home, instead of a Regular hotel room, not that the GF is just a regular anything!
You will have a nice playground near the main pool. As well as the other pools. Rabbits will be out in the early mornings. You can catch a bus to the MK and then catch the monorail and ride to the other resorts on the rail to dine or just look around. We were there just last weekend. Olivia's at OKW left a lot be desired as a place to eat. Way to expensive, I though.
We stayed at GF many, many years ago, before we were Members. Nice, but to... uh.....stuffy... A nice place to walk around, but I prefer to go home to OKW.
Hope this helps. I wouldn't feel to bummed. I think you will like OKW even better!!!

 

[AZKathy]

Unfortunately, I can't compare the rooms at the Poly or GF to OKW since we only stay at OKW. We love staying at OKW. My kids love to feed the ducks that come up to the porch. They enjoy the pools even though there are not slides; honestly they have never asked about why there is not a slide there (the day will come, oldest is 13). One of our favorite things to do is to take the trumbo boat to Downtown Disney; it is a wonderful non crowded 20 minute ride down there.

Your kids will love the jacuzzi tub in the bedroom. I don't believe that the Poly and GF can offer that. Put some bubble bath in there and turn on the jets and you have bubbles galore. The washer and dryer is a plus so we never bring a lot of clothes and just wash at our leisure in the villa. Also, think of the size of where you are staying with a full size kitchen, lovely porch that overlooks the golf course and water ways, living room, and a large master bedroom with bathroom compared to a hotel room.

Certainly, you have the convenience of the monorail with the GF, but I don't think you will be unhappy with OKW. If you are renting a car or driving, you have the convenience of parking right outside your villa rather that finding a parking place and walk a distance to your room. If you rely on the buses, just ask for a villa near Pennisular bus stop. It is the first stop on the internal route of the resort, so if you miss the bus you wanted, you just take a few minutes walk to the Hospitality House where you can catch that exact same bus you missed before it heads out to the parks.

If you really have your heart set on the GF, just start planning on another trip to WDW staying there and not dwell on what you lost this trip! Look positively, you are going again and there will be another time to stay there. If you really don't want to go to OKW, let me know....I will go in your place!!!!! LOL!!!! We are not going for over a year.........really, I will go for you!!!!!!!!!

 

[BobH]

A 1 Bed Room at OKW is 1005 Sq ft. This is probably almost double the size of the room at the Grand Floridian. A standard room at the Grand Floridian has 440 SQ ft according to the resort info on this board. At OKW you'll have a full kitchen and a washer dryer in case your little ones need a change of clothes and you'll have a covered porch that I guarantee is bigger than any porch or deck at WDW. You'll have a full size living room with two sofas (one is a sleep sofa). And you'll have a master bathroom that you can get lost in that comes complete with a jacuzzi. You won't have the hustle and bustle of the Grand Floridian. I would strongly recommend renting a car. You'll be able to park it right outside your building for easy access. Have a great time!

 

[Margie J]

OKW is so relaxing. Besides all the wonderful ammenties in your unit, the Resort is lovely.

You can take a boat to DTD. Enjoy a stroll outside near Olivia's and enjoy a cocktail by the pool. Rent bikes and take a tour of the Resort. Watch the golfers or even join in on a game of your own. Sit on your big porch and watch the sunset. Enjoy your private whirlpool. Birdwatch from your own room.

OKW is one of the wonderful Resorts at WDW. Each has it's charm and this one you will enjoy.

 

[BillPA]

Very unfortunate, once you stay at OKW the GF will be such a major let down. We did it, back in'95 after 3 trips to OKW, it's a beautiful resort, but OKW will spoil you. If you want to stay in those little rooms, I suggest you visit all of them before you stay at an OKW 1 BR or bigger.

Enjoy the GREATNESS of OKW, maybe someday you will have to good fortune to stay at the original Disney Vacation Club again.

 

[BriarRose59]

I have stayed in both and I much prefer OKW. I love the main building at the GF but the rooms were a real letdown. To me they were no better than at any moderate Disney resort, but much more expensive. The soaps and amenities were a little nicer and the fluffy robes were okay, but I much prefer OKW. You are gonna love it!!

 

[lat]

Thanks for all your responses.

I guess it is fate.

I called MS today and the CM was surprised that she found 2 nights at OKW for 10/19 and 10/20 for just one room. She said someone must have just cancelled it when I called. My pts expire on 11/30 and I really don't want to take a chance of losing them. So I booked the room.

I then called a supervisor at CRO to see if I can get a discounted rate for OKW 1-br (I have a special rate due to POFQ relocation) and she found 1 room for me only for 10/17 and 10/18 for $175 a night. Afterwards, there is no more availability at OKW for cash or point. So I got all 4 nights that I needed.

In the afternoon, when I called CRO back to see if I can get the GF room back, I was told that there is no room at ANY deluxe resorts unless I am willing to pay rack rate. GF does not even have rooms available at rack rate until sometimes in November!!!

I originally was considering renting out the 2 nights at OKW and then stay at another deluxe resort. After that, I cancelled the posting on the Rent/Trade Board and figured if I rent out this room, we may not have a place to stay on property in a deluxe resort!!!!

Now I am more settled on OKW and will give it a try. We don't spend a lot of time at the parks anyway.

BTW, I am surprised to know that OKW 1-br is over 1,000 sf, wouldn't that mean the 2-br would be around 1,400 sf if that is the case, is that so?!!!!

Thanks again.

 

[lsyorke]

I have stayed at GF on three occasions prior to joining DVC. Its a lovely hotel, but I love OKW!!! I can't say enough about the room size, the kitchen and overlooking the golf course with a cup of coffee(without having to get dressed to buy one!) and just relaxing. I would never consider a regular hotel room again no matter where it was!
My son loves OKW. Spent many an hour catching frogs(gross!) and just walking around. The CM are very friendly and attentive.

I hope you enjoy OKW as much as the rest of us do.

 

[lat]

I have heard people say that OKW has the catch and release fishing thing for kids. We went to POR 3 weeks ago and did this and it was a lot of fun. DD5 cought 1 turtle and 4 fish in half an hour. Do they still have this?

Thanks

 

[PamOKW]

FYI -- 10/20-10/26 is the PGA Tournament. They may have players and folks associated with the PGA staying at the GF, Poly and Contemporary since they are closest to the courses they use.

I say see it as fate sending you to OKW, just be warned that once you've done the one-bedroom you may never be able to go back to a hotel room.

 

[colleen costello]

OKW has a very relaxed feel to it. Everything is slow-going here. I always say that I think kids pick up on that somehow. WDW is wonderful, but very hectic. Even small people can enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of wonderful OKW!

My kids love the rental bikes for 4. We do this when it's not too hot. You can rent the watermice, too, although you can't go fast because you will be in a canal mostly, not a lake. All the pools have sandy playgrounds by them, and my kids enjoy these. They also like the fact that OKW seems to keep its pools extra warm.. The pools are rarely crowded, and there are 4 -- you can go to a different one each day if you like! Tiny lizards run all over and between them, the ducks and the bunnies, my kids are in HEAVEN!

Get a strawberry smoothie from the bar at the main pool or the Turtle Pond Pool -- they are amazing. Have breakfast at Olivia's -- it's yummy. Don't forget to shop for OKW souvenirs! Enjoy the cast members here. They are all so nice. I always tell them I am going to work alongside them someday when I retire!

Have fun!

 

[NancyDVC]

Sometimes I think that OKW is better than home! The one bedroom is spacious. Just being able to keep snacks and breakfast food on hand is lovely. Not having to get up and get breakfast at a restaurant is delightful especially with young ones who may not like the menu. And I enjoy being able to bring 'home' doggie bags from dinner that then become lunch or a snack!
You can 'rent' videos at Hank's Rent 'n Return for free as members. A great way to spend an evening. Check out the activities too. There are some great ones for the kids-Unbirthday party etc. And members get a discount on those fees or get the activity for free!
The 'wildlife' is just made for kids-bunnies, ducks, gecko lizards! And when you take the Trumbo Ferry to DTD there are often more birds and animals to watch!
I love eating at Olivia's (yes pricey but then so are most of the restaurants). The Conch Chowder is special as is the brownie sundae (enough for 2). And you can get anything on Olivia's menu as take out from Good's Food to Go right next door! A great idea if the kids are pooped out and a restaurant seems too much.
Once you stay at OKW the other accommodations seem way too small! We've been OKW members since early 1992 and it really is home!
Enjoy!

 

[castleri]

Don't forget as a DVC member you can pool hop over to the GF or poly for a change of pace with the children although as others have said the pools at OKW are fine. There should be a list of activities in your paperwork when you check in that are child oriented and take place at the HH community room or Hank's. I am staying at BCV in October as that is where the rest of my group wants to be but I wish it were OKW. You will have a wonderful time. Oh yes - only a little bubble bath in the jacuzzi or you will be mopping the floor.

 

[BobH]

Room Sizes SQ FT

this is from various posts over the years.

OKW Stu 390 1 BR 1005 2 BR 1410 GV 2375

HH Stu 455 1 BR 856 2 BR 1311 GV 2362

BW Stu 359 1 BR 712 2 BR 1071 GV 2142

Vero Stu: 375 1 BR 880 2 BR 1265 GV ****

VWL Stu 356 1 BR 727 2 BR 1083 GV none

BC Stu 356 1 BR 719 2 BR 1075 GV none

 

[lat]

Bob, thanks for the info. We stayed in a 2-br in Feb. at BWV but never realized OKW is almost 400 sf bigger!!!!

 

[mbb]

We're booked at OKW/BCV for Jan...when we booked, we thought that BCV would be the MOST favourite place....but now...! Keep talking, we're loving it!

 

[Sabor]

I am so sorry for you. After staying in a 1 BR at OKW you will never want to stay in one of those tiny other DVC rooms.