OKW hints, tips, etc for 1st timers - Apr '08

[a Really Bad Egg]

All,

My DS (12) and I will be going to OKW for Spring Break '08 - April 5-11. We want to make the most of OKW as we plan on doing commando tours of the parks and spending quite a bit of time at the resort.

Any suggestions on what building we should ask for (we've already booked - just didn't make a pref)? We don't mind walking, like great scenery and a good close bus stop.

Also, what are your recommended resort activites, sights to see, things to eat, etc.

I want to make this trip a blast as this is our first vacation together without mom and sis.

Thanks in advance!

 

[dianeschlicht]

My advice is to not make any requests and be surprised. We rarely make a request, and we have only had one location we didn't like in 10+ years and 25+ stays there. We do have preferences, but they are general areas, and not specific buildings. We love the views from the buildings around Miller's Road, and also buildings 45, 46, and 55. We also love building 15.

 

[OKW Lover]

OKW is more of a laid-back kind of place. The best way to enjoy it is to adopt a similar attitude. Spend some time just lounging at the quiet pool. Sit on your deck and watch the golfers go by. Just relax and re-charge away from the hectic theme park world.

 

[Amy&Dan]

We just got back from OKW and my son who is 13 loved that resort! I came home and changed our May reservation from SSR (which we also love) to OKW. My son loved the Community Hall at OKW its nice and laid back, there was a ton of movies for him to rent, he enjoyed the air hockey and foose (sp?) ball in there and he and his dad played several rounds of ping pong outside which was very fun. They also had surrey bikes and boats to rent. The pool was really fun too and the hottub was enormous. And the nice thing about OKW is the boatride to DTD, that makes going to Disneyquest (a 12 year old boys dream) really convenient.

The laid back feeling of OKW is so nice for the days when you don't want to do the parks. We have stayed at our fair share of resorts now and OKW was just perfect for my son and my daughter (she's 11). I think you and your son will have a great time!

I also agree that all parts of OKW would be nice. We were in Building 13, so right near the Hospitality House and main pool which was very nice. I requested that area again for our next stay, but if we don't get it, I am sure the area they do give us will be wonderful too.

For food they had some nice sandwiches, burgers etc there at Goods to Go. Olivia's looked good but we didn't eat there, next time for sure. DTD is so close by with all of its options. We took the boat over there one night and had dinner at RFC which is a favorite of my kids. I might also suggest checking out SSR, its a short boat ride or drive (if you have a car) away. Artist Palette is wonderful cs. If you are staying on points you can go over to SSR, have lunch and swim in their pool. Its also an amazing pool and resort. But of course you could only pool hop if you are a DVC member staying on points.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We also love building 15.

Ditto on loving building 15. Dare I ask, which building was it that you didn't like? I'm just curious-I understand that one person's dislike may be another person's like. I found that out the hard way, just the opposite. Someone came back from BCV, so excited about her wonderful villa. On my next trip there, what a coincidence I got the same villa she had. I thought I'd really won the room lottery-that is, until I got there. Although she thought it was wonderful, I was too distracted by the road noise to like the room. So it was her favorite, but my least favorite.

 

[newfamilyman]

This thread is very helpful to me, too, since we just got bumped from VWL to OKW for our stay next month. I'm needing to come up with a last-minute plan B for resort activities, so I'll have to think about DTD, since I wasn't considering it when we were planning to stay at VWL. Thanks.

 

[Worktoplay]

I think you need to ask for the Miller Road location. You have a quiet pool at your becon call and an easy walk to the main pool and community center and Olivia's. Also, you are the first pick up and first drop off when using the bus system and if you miss the bus you can walk to the hospitality center which is the last drop off. Just my opinion! Enjoy!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Ditto on loving building 15. Dare I ask, which building was it that you didn't like? I'm just curious-I understand that one person's dislike may be another person's like. I found that out the hard way, just the opposite. Someone came back from BCV, so excited about her wonderful villa. On my next trip there, what a coincidence I got the same villa she had. I thought I'd really won the room lottery-that is, until I got there. Although she thought it was wonderful, I was too distracted by the road noise to like the room. So it was her favorite, but my least favorite.

We didn't care for 29. First of all, we were in a 1st floor unit under a very noisy bunch in the GV above, and secondly, we were so hemmed in by vegetation, there was no view.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think you need to ask for the Miller Road location. You have a quiet pool at your becon call and an easy walk to the main pool and community center and Olivia's. Also, you are the first pick up and first drop off when using the bus system and if you miss the bus you can walk to the hospitality center which is the last drop off. Just my opinion! Enjoy!

This is incorrect information. Miller's Road is NOT the first pick up or drop off. It is the next to last pick up and drop off, just before the Hospitality house stop. It used to be the first years ago, but that changed quite a few years ago. The order of bus stops is:
Penninsular Road
South Point
Old Turtle Pond Road
Miller's Road
Hospitality House

 

[Worktoplay]

This is incorrect information. Miller's Road is NOT the first pick up or drop off. It is the next to last pick up and drop off, just before the Hospitality house stop. It used to be the first years ago, but that changed quite a few years ago. The order of bus stops is:
Penninsular Road
South Point
Old Turtle Pond Road
Miller's Road
Hospitality House

Sorry for the incorrect post, I have been a DVCer for years and once my kids went to Boardwalk we never went back to OKW. The adivice I gave was given to me prior to my first visit and was accurate then.

 

[billmac50]

We stayed in several different locations over the 11 years of going there, but I must say my last stay in October was the best. We stayed in a first floor unit in building 14. The last several times we've requested a first floor unit and have gotten it. I'm tired of lugging my bags up the stairs and can deal with a little noise from above.

But the best part was being able to walk across the street to the Hospitality House and the main pool. May not work for everyone, but works great for us.

 

[nunzia]

This thread is very helpful to me, too, since we just got bumped from VWL to OKW for our stay next month. I'm needing to come up with a last-minute plan B for resort activities, so I'll have to think about DTD, since I wasn't considering it when we were planning to stay at VWL. Thanks.

Sorry for the thread interuption...how can you be bumped from one resort you have reserved at into another you did not?

 

[lisatx04]

When we go, we stay at OKW, for the laid back feeling. DH says it makes him relax, and that what vacation is about. My kids love the main pool and community hall. The first thing they do is check the activities for the week, to see what is planned and what they want to do. That makes it great for us parents, who sit by the pool, while the kids do their own thing.

We have stayed in many buildings and never really had a complaint about the rooms. We have stayed in the turtle pond area a lot, and like it. We have also used the internal resort bus several times, which makes getting around easier if you don't have a car or if you don't feel like walking.

Just have a great time!!

 

[Coach81]

We will be staying at OKW in February. We are so excited, it will be our first trip "home"!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Sorry for the thread interuption...how can you be bumped from one resort you have reserved at into another you did not?

Nunzia, they were bumped because of rehab at VWL.

 

[simzac]

We stayed in the Turtle Pond area this past January, our first time at OKW as we just became DVC members last year. We loved the entire resort. So laid back and quiet, felt like we had the entire resort all to ourselves. If you don't mind walking, I too recommend just take whatever room you get, you won't be disappointed. We had a 2 minute walk to the bus stop and about a 10 minute walk to the HH, which we made daily for whatever reason happen to come up. We loved the boat ride to SSR and DTD, made that several times during our stay. We can't wait to get back to OKW again and again in the future.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Thanks for all this info! We have a 2 bdr dedicated booked for the 2nd week in June, plus a studio for my mom. Looking forward to this trip I am going to check OKW out and take pics when I am at SSR next month! Its my "research and shopping, solo" trip!