OKW had no magic, but trip was great! (with pics)

[nappmandoa]

I just have to bump this up to say how glad I am that someone else mentioned the Willy Wonka group. Those were my favorite costumes of the night. I think # or four of them were oompa loopas. My cousin stopped them to get a picture.
There was also this cute little boy there wearing a costume that looked like he was riding a chicken. I had never seen something like that before, it was adorable.
I think that I might have seen you there that night but I cant be too sure of it. I know I saw some people with dis lime green mickeys but since Im sort of a lurker I didnt want to just go up and introduce myself as the person that read about everyone's vacations but never speaks. hehe.
Hope you had fun, it was my first time there too and was definitly more than I expected out of it.

 

[lenshanem]

Hi nappmandoa!

Yes, I agree it was really fun at MNSSHP! The Willy Wonka group was great!

I also really enjoyed meeting a few DISers. I'll wear my DIS pin on each trip now.

 

[BuzzandWoody]

Costumes are great!!!

We are in Gwinnett County too, Dacula also and we have made it in 6 1/2 hours with kids. Leaving at O-dark-thirty on THIS FRIDAY!!!!!
Staying with my mom who lives an hour away. Our girls don't have a clue that they will be in WDW for Halloween.

We love OKW but agree we did not like staying in the studio. The 1 or 2 bed's can't be beat for size and convience when having your own car. Staying for a few days we always take a cooler and hate have bell services take it up to the room. We just unload real close to the room.

Doing a studio at VWL this weekend cause it is more confortable with the couch.

Thanks for the great report.

 

[Lesley]

Great to see your report, Shan!

I'm really glad it all went well....I can't wait to do the same and leave the kids home. I've got a few years though...the little one is only 7mo.

I wouldn't worry too much about those OKW reservations. We were definitely underwhelmed by our first visit there....but after several more visits to OKW we love it just as much as the other resorts. It just sort of has its own feel. Sorry you didn't get the Turtle Pond area...that's our favorite. For being close to the HH, we liked building 13 (I think?)....its directly across from the bus stop.

Sorry about the handicapped room....but for future reference, my dd managed the toilet in a handicapped room just fine at a few months shy of 3yo...she thought it was really cool to sit on an extra tall toilet. But in a studio you do need the bathtub...we once had a handicapped 2br so we had the big tub to bathe the kids.

I'm really envious of your trip....I showed my dh your pics and we both commented on how happy you both looked!

 

[nicholas 25]

As regulars to OKW we have had to get used to the bad rooms. Wife is a teacher and we always start our trips after she finishes work for that day that starts her vacations. We always get to disney around 8-9pm and no matter the requests we have made at time of booking, we get a room that is always at the end of a building next to a bus stop. We are big fans of OKW for many reasons but would love to find out a way to avoid getting the leftovers of the day by ariving late.

 

[John VN]

We most often check in shortly after 7:00AM and have very few problems with getting our room requests. If we are going to be too late, we simply pay for a night off site (real cheap) or start with a value room and then check in the folowing morning at 7:00AM. Don't mind the slight OKW stay delay.

nicholas 25

Use to anchor out up there a long time ago. Nice way to spend the weekend or just a Sunday. Many wonderful memories.


John

 

[lenshanem]

BuzzandWoody,
Hello fellow Atlantan! What a great surprise for your kids! I hope ya'll have a blast! Are ya'll going to MNSSHP then?

Lesley,
Hi! It is funny how this thread got bumped up. It has been a few weeks now and I must say I can still say it was a great trip! The problems with OKW are started to fade and the fun we had is sticking out more in my memories already! The trip was just what I needed. I think it was good for my youngest and it definitely was good for me! Being a stay at home mom my whole world is kinda sheltered. I have recently started subbing at her preschool and even that is just an extension of what I do at home all day.

Actually, I have started planning our ten year wedding anniversary trip for February just a few days ago. My PS window opens up in two weeks! I was feeling guilty about going off again, but now I'm really excited.

I'm planning alot of stuff that I've never done before that we can't with the kids - Keys Tour, California Grill, Grand Floridian Tea... I can't wait! We'll be taking the girls for seven nights in April so I think we'll skip most of the park stuff this time.

nicholas25 and John,
We used to stay offsite or at a value the night before, but hubby doesn't like doing it. He wants to get to our destination and get settled. I personally don't mind the moving, but I think as often as we go now those days are over. I do think it is a great idea, though.

 

[nickglover]

BEST WAY TO CATCH A LIZARD:

Living in Florida for 32 years, there are some things you learn along the way.

Women: Use a small Tupperware container, such as a rectangular sandwhich box, and quickly and without warning, pop it down on the lizard, being careful not to separate the lizard's tail from his body. Then, take a slim magazine (preferably Allure) and then simply slide the magazine under and towards the lizard, encoraging the lizard to "lift up" so his feet are not also accidently removed. Once the lizard is on top of the magazine, simply carry the entire contraption out the front door (or towards a sleeping bag of someone who has been bothering you on the trip).

Men: No, don't stompt on it! Just use a magazine and a newspaper and coaxe the lizard with the magazine to hop on the newspaper and then slowly and smoothly head for the door. Some lizards prefer to jump early several times, but just repeat the process until you are out the door.

When I lived in Atlanta, only cows lived in Cobb and Gwinnett!

 

[mikesmom88]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your trip report. SOunds like you had a great time and the pictures are wonderful - you guys looked so cute!

Sorry about your disppointment with OKW - we have stayed there twice and had a great time. I hope your experience in the spring is a positive one.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[lenshanem]

nickglover, I finally got the lizard trapped in the ice bucket.

There is no way it would have hopped onto a newspaper to be carried out. That thing was fast!

Actually, I can really laugh about it now, but at one in the morning it wasn't too funny!


mikesmom88, thanks!

 

[jaysue]

Great trip report - love the pics Shan - you and Len make a great couple!

Cheers
jaysue

 

[lenshanem]

you and Len make a great couple

Sometimes.

 

[babylisa4]

I think you should give OKW another try. We love it there but have been in a handicap studio before too. That definitely has the wrong feel. If you are getting a one-bedroom next time it might feel better too. We love the ducks, bunnies etc that we get to see from our porch- no matter which view we've had. It does feel different from a hotel though and sometimes I am in the mood for that. That's what makes DVC so great.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Great trip report, Shan! I enjoyed reading every last word! I especially loved the part about the lizard. I would have been SCREAMING! LOL

I'll be curious to see what you think of OKW after your Spring trip. I hope you like it more. At least the girls will enjoy the pool.

Also, I think your costumes look fantastic. Hubby and I would definitely dress up for MNSSHP if we ever go. It seems that dressing up probably added to quite a bit of the fun that night! You both looked great!

Thanks for the report and pictures!

 

[colleen costello]

Shan, I am so sorry that after finally checking up on your big venture to OKW, you had a BAD time! Yikes!

We were assigned once to #49, and while it certainly wasn't my favorite spot (close to road) we didn't hear much noise. We have also NEVER had a bad room, with any smell or any problems at all, really. That said, HC rooms SUCK. I know they are there for a reason, but a HC studio is a real bummer. With a whole family in a small room, you need the storage and the tub. We got assigned once to a HC in Wilderness Lodge, and I was one of those "naughty" DVC'ers and demanded to be moved. No way I could spend a week in there with my kids and all my crap and nowhere to put it! Perhaps sensing a psycho, they did move us.

If you can't change your plans for your next trip, I do hope you'll be pleasantly surprised by OKW 2nd time around. Meanwhile, you and your Mad Hatter sure did look cute that night!

xoxo
Colleen

 

[lenshanem]

Hey colleen!

Yep, we're giving it another shot in April. My oldest is excited about the new slide.

How ya been doing?

 

[DeeCee735]

Shan, Great trip report! You and hubby sound like you had a great time and your costumes were very cool! I look forward to the day me and hubby get a chance to do the same - my kids are teenagers, but we are in NY and don't want to go so far away from them (sometimes I think leaving teenagers is more stressful than leaving little ones!) Glad you had a great time!

 

[snowbunny]

You two are as cute as can be
Great report~

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks guys.

Funny this got bumped up by colleen cause our anniversary trip is now only 16 days away!

I'll have to go back and reread my trip report cause I'm getting cold feet again about leaving my girls!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Sorry you didn't have such a magical visit at OKW. We just returned from 9 nights at OKW in a two bedroom with other family and had the best time ever. They loved OKW and we loved showing them OKW. Didn't have any lizards in the room - just four kids who may have made it less than magical for the people below us. Sorry if they bothered you. They were just so excited to be there.