OKW - just back - bus noise question

[BobH]

My wife and I just spent a week a OKW. We had a good time. Weather was a little chilly with the wind but much better than Central Massachusetts. We were allowed to check in early (about 2:30pm) and were asked if we preferred 2nd or 3rd floor as I had requsted an upper floor. Perhaps OKW was not full so we had a choice. We stayed in building 20 on Miller's road and our only problem was the noise from the buses turning around in our parking lot. There was a bus every 2-3 minutes which makes sense if they run on a 20 minute schedule. It did not appear that they were using cast members to call for buses when needed as was mentioned on this board a few months back. There were buses for all 4 parks, Typhoon Lagoon, Downtown Disney and an internal shutle adding up to 7 buses so one came at least every 3 minutes. I am not complaining because the frequent service will be greatly appreciated by my daughter who will be traveling with friends in June and will not have a car. I didn't notice the bus noise on a prior trip when we stayed in building 27 on Peninsular Road. Some buildings at the end of Turtle Pond road looked like they might be quieter areas. Would anyone else have any recommendations as far as a more quiet locations in the OKW complex and what did you request to ensure got the area you preferred?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

We have stayed in Building 19 and certainly understand your comments on bus noise. I love building 41, very quiet and very nice. Also, any building in the area of 25 is nice too.
I have yet to have a problem getting my request, except once and that is because I was not really specific.

 

[yesdisneyfool]

Use to stay around 63 and the bus and other traffic was always heard. For our Dec 2002 trip we were in building 48, we hardly heard a bus much less the cars. This is a great quiet area we will look forward to again (maybe on our next trip in a few days). I usually request Non Smoking then 1st or 2nd floor. I check with the front desk upon arrival to see what is available to me to chose from.

 

[BobH]

Thanks Gail and yesdisneyfool. Gail it makes sense that the builidng 23-26 area would be quiet but I wondered if building 41, 39 and 38 might get road noise from the Bonnet Creek Parkway that they seem to face. Perhaps the distance on the map to the road is deceiving but I believe I could easily see these buildings when driving down the road. I can understand building 63 having a lot of road noise because of it proximity to the main gate and the main road into the complex. Thanks again for your suggestions.

 

[cher8754]

I am an owner at OKW so have stayed there many times. I agree - the bus noise is awful! If you are there for rest and relaxation, it can put a huge damper on your trip. I always make a request for a building near the pool at Turtle Pond and I have always been successful. I would not go to OWK without looking at a map and chosing a building that is not close to where the buses stop. My favorite is building #42. I like the Turltle Pond area because there is a snack bar at the pool and the pool is less crowded. I'm sure Disney must have constant complaints about the noise, and I have wondered why they didn't come up with a different plan, such as using smaller vehicles to transport everyone to the Hospitality House, and then have the buses only stop there. However, OKW is still my favorite place to stay! `

P.S. I make the request for the building I want when I make the original reservation.

 

[DVCGirl49]

W've stayed in buildings 35 and 15. 35 is over on Turtle Pond Rd. Building 15 was nice becuase it is just across the street from hospitality house, so it seemed to be quicker getting a bus and getting out to the parks. Both buildings were good locations because they are across the street from the bus stops. There are islands with some trees and stuff that seperate the road from the parking areas for these buildings so I think it buffered pretty much all the noise.

 

[Pocahontas1]

We stayed in bulidng 20 in December. Can't remember which studio, but it was bottom floor, last one on the right.

I remember the buses coming through the parking lot at regular intervals, but don't remember being disturbed while we were in the room. Could be it was becuase we were gone most days (at parks) and didn't spend any time out on the patio.

We actually liked this buiding. Ice laundry and quiet pool were just a very short walk. Bus stop was right across the street.

I worried more about my car getting hit by a bus as the whipped through the lot than the noise.

Good luck in finding a different building.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Sorry to hear about the bus noise at OWK detracting from your vacation experience. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Bob,
Building 41 is quite a distance from the road, and I never really noticed any traffic noise and I usually kept the patio door open.
At night, never any noise at all. It was my favorite building until they made in non smoking (no,I don't want a debate). It also has a pretty nice view of Illuminations through the trees.

While I did hear noise in 19 ( I was in that building 2x's, if memory serves), it never ruined my vacation. I guess I can sleep through anything, except those tractors that they allow to idle at 6 O dark while they rake the sand thingies on the golf course.

 

[BobH]

Gail -I am a "live and let live" person. No aruments from me on the smoking issue. Thanks for the info.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Bob,
Always glad to help, give 41 a try, you will like it. BTW, it is next to the Turtle Pond Pool, never heard any noise from there either.

 

[PKK/MJK]

We like building 46 and the far end of 45. The view of Trumbo Canal is wonderful--peaceful and quiet-- and there is no problem with bus noise. If you're in the end of #45 closer to Turtle Pond , you can occasionally hear the buses at the bus stop--but at least none of them turn around in those parking lots.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have to agree with your assesment of building 20 and bus noise. We stayed in building 51 last month and expected the same problem since the buses turn around in that parking lot for the Southpoint stop. Not sure why, but we never heard them once! It must have something to do with the topography or plantings. Now, the same can't be said for building 55! If you are on the left side of that building, you get a lot of squeeking brakes as the buses aproach the turn.

 

[BillM]

We stayed in either 20 or 21 one time. The busses swing thru the parking lot to make their return trip. We didn't have any noise problem but when we would open the rear hatch on the minivan I thought once or twice the busses were going to knock the door and us into the next county.

 

[December99]

I have always wondered about that. Whenever I've been on those busses, I always think to myself - I wouldn't want to stay in one of those buildings.....the busses are always in and out of there. I wonder if they've ever hit any of the cars parked there too - another thought that has always crossed my mind.

I too like the Peninsular Road area by that bus stop but the building, well room, I didn't care for was 2624. You look right out to the bus stop on the balcony and I did notice it was very noisy when the busses were running - including the Pleasure Island busses late at night.

 

[Cruelladeville]

We are members at BWV, but prefer to stay at OKW in the summer because ot's just so wonderful!! I love to sit and think about it in all this snow! We have stayed in buildings 35, 64, and 23, and we especially loved building 23 right next to the bridge. We liked it because we got to see people As members at BWV, we are used to the noise on the boardwalk and at the pool, so that may have to do with my preference at OKW.

 

[EmptyNester]

We've stayed in buildings 17 & 46. Both were quiet, with lovely views. 17 looks out over the golf course with a pond/fountain in the distance; but 46 was our favorite because it over looked the canal.

- Sharon